5 promising side businesses to start in 2026

"Roughly one out of three Americans has a side hustle-and that number is expected to increase in 2026, something that's driving a shift in the modern working world. Many of those with a side business are just looking for a little extra income, but roughly one in five are hoping to make their side hustle into a full-time business. Those who are entrepreneurially minded will want to chose a side business that has the potential to scale. Here are some fields that are showing a lot of promise for 2026."

"Consulting and online courses No matter what field you've worked in, your wisdom could be lucrative via a consulting business. Firm up your résumé, highlighting achievements such as successful campaigns or large-scale product launches, to help as you pitch potential clients. Have some former co-workers you worked well with? Consider recruiting them and launching an agency. "Companies want seasoned counsel without the overhead, and senior talent wants more control over how they work," Brooke Kruger, founder and CEO of top communications search firm KC Partners, told Inc. in December. You can also turn your expertise into online educational content. The e-learning market reached $314 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $615 billion by 2029."

" Skilled-trade business AI is threatening millions of white-collar jobs in the coming years-and some of those displaced people won't be able to quickly find work. But AI can't fix a sink. Nor can it build a deck or install an air-conditioning unit. Rates for this specialized work run as high as $300 per hour.Skilled-trade businesses are a hot field right now for entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA). ETA involves buying an established business (usually from baby boomers looking to retire), which gives the new owners existing revenue, customers, and infrastructure. New owners then streamline, scale, and modernize the business, boosting profits."

About one in three Americans now has a side hustle, and that proportion is expected to rise in 2026. Many side-business owners seek extra income, while about one in five aim to convert side hustles into full-time ventures. Consulting and online courses can monetize professional experience, with the e-learning market valued at $314 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $615 billion by 2029. Skilled-trade businesses remain resilient against AI disruption, offer high hourly rates, and present acquisition opportunities from retiring owners. Dropshipping and broader e-commerce also appear as promising fields for entrepreneurial scaling in 2026.

Read at Fast Company