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Small business ideas in Wales

Every idea with what it costs to start in Wales, what owners make, and the steps and fees to start it here.

Prices and costs for the United Kingdom are estimates: researched US figures converted to pounds by price levels. Registration fees and taxes are the United Kingdom's own.

Cost to start vs. what you could make

Every idea in Wales on one chart. Up and to the left: cheap to start, good money.

£0£2.4k£4.8k£7.1k£9.5k£1k£3k£10k£30kWhat it costs to start (log scale)What you could make a monthDog walking and pet sitting: about £438 to start, £4.2k a monthErrand service: about £591 to start, £3.6k a monthGraphic design: about £1.4k to start, £4.4k a monthGutter cleaning: about £2.3k to start, £5.4k a monthHandmade crafts: about £867 to start, £3.4k a monthHandyman services: about £2.8k to start, £5.1k a monthHome bakery: about £1.1k to start, £2.7k a monthHouse cleaning: about £1.2k to start, £5.1k a monthJunk removal: about £7.6k to start, £4.8k a monthLawn care: about £5.1k to start, £5.1k a monthMobile hair and barber services: about £938 to start, £4.1k a monthMoving help: about £2.5k to start, £6.5k a monthMusic lessons: about £459 to start, £5k a monthShort-term rental cleaning: about £520 to start, £5.3k a monthTutoring: about £409 to start, £4.6k a monthVirtual assistant: about £1.1k to start, £4.4k a monthWindow cleaning: about £2.8k to start, £4.8k a monthYoga instruction: about £3.2k to start, £3.6k a monthBookkeeping: about £1.1k to start, £5.3k a monthCarpet cleaning: about £8.4k to start, £4.8k a monthCatering: about £2.2k to start, £5.3k a monthDJ services: about £2.2k to start, £6.3k a monthDog training: about £1.7k to start, £5.4k a monthFreelance writing: about £950 to start, £4.3k a monthHouse painting: about £2.4k to start, £5.8k a monthMeal prep and personal chef: about £1.2k to start, £4.1k a monthMobile car detailing: about £4.2k to start, £5.8k a monthMobile dog grooming: about £40k to start, £6.8k a monthParty rentals: about £7.6k to start, £8.2k a monthPersonal training: about £1.9k to start, £4.8k a monthPhotography: about £2.5k to start, £4.6k a monthPressure washing: about £4.7k to start, £4.8k a monthPrint-on-demand store: about £952 to start, £3.7k a monthSenior companion care: about £551 to start, £5.3k a monthSocial media management: about £1.1k to start, £5.1k a monthWeb design: about £1.5k to start, £6.5k a monthEvent planning: about £521 to start, £6.5k a monthVideography: about £4.1k to start, £5.1k a monthCoffee cart: about £13k to start, £6.1k a monthFood truck: about £51k to start, £5.6k a monthDog walking and pet sittingErrand serviceHouse cleaningMusic lessonsTutoringSenior companion careEvent planning

Reading the chart

Each bubble is an idea. The further left, the less it costs to start; the higher, the more owners make a month once they're established. The best value ideas are named.

Bubble size: how soon owners get their first customer.

What every business in Wales needs

The same few steps, whatever you start. Each idea's guide adds what that business needs.

Register as a sole trader

You register as a sole trader by registering for Self Assessment.

Free · HMRC

Set up a limited company

Registering online. Registering by post costs more.

£100 once · Companies House

Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)

Your business's tax number, for banking and taxes.

Free · HMRC

All ideas in Wales

Budget Fits

Bookkeeping

Keep the books for small businesses: record income and spending, match the bank and send monthly reports.

To start£639–1.6k
Per month£2.4k–8.2k
1st client2–8 wks
Home-basedOnline

Carpet cleaning

Deep-clean carpets, rugs and upholstery in customers' homes.

To start£3k–14k
Per month£2.7k–6.8k
1st client2–6 wks
Side hustleRepeat customers

Catering

Cook and serve food for office lunches, parties, weddings and community events.

To start£1k–3.5k
Per month£2.4k–8.2k
1st client2–8 wks
Weekends okLicense needed

Coffee cart

Serve espresso drinks from a mobile cart at weddings, offices, markets and events.

To start£6.8k–20k
Per month£2.7k–9.5k
1st client4–12 wks
Weekends okLicense needed

DJ services

Bring the music, sound and lights to weddings, birthdays, school dances and company parties.

To start£1.2k–3.2k
Per month£2.4k–10k
1st client2–8 wks
Weekends okSide hustle

Dog training

Teach dogs good manners and help owners with puppies, leash pulling and problem behavior.

To start£397–3k
Per month£2.7k–8.2k
1st client2–6 wks
CertificationFlexible hours
Lowest cost

Dog walking and pet sitting

Walk dogs and look after pets in their own homes while their owners are at work or away.

To start£168–707
Per month£2.2k–6.1k
1st client1–3 wks
No experienceSide hustle
Fast start

Errand service

Run errands, grocery runs and local deliveries for busy families, professionals and seniors.

To start£167–1k
Per month£1.7k–5.5k
1st client1–3 wks
No experienceRepeat customers

Event planning

Plan and run birthdays, showers, weddings and company events, from vendors and timelines to the big day.

To start£247–795
Per month£2.7k–10k
1st client3–10 wks
Home-basedWeekends ok

Food truck

Cook and sell your food from a truck or trailer at events, breweries, offices and busy corners.

To start£25k–76k
Per month£2.7k–8.5k
1st client8–26 wks
License neededWeekends ok

Freelance writing

Write blog posts, website pages, emails and articles for businesses and publications.

To start£540–1.4k
Per month£1.7k–6.8k
1st client2–8 wks
Home-basedOnline

Graphic design

Design logos, flyers, social graphics and brand kits for small businesses.

To start£670–2.2k
Per month£2.1k–6.8k
1st client1–6 wks
Home-basedOnline

Gutter cleaning

Clear gutters and downspouts so rain runs away from customers' homes.

To start£790–3.8k
Per month£2.7k–8.2k
1st client1–4 wks
OutdoorsSeasonal

Handmade crafts

Make and sell your own handmade goods online and at craft fairs and markets.

To start£348–1.4k
Per month£1.4k–5.5k
1st client1–8 wks
Home-basedCreative

Handyman services

Fix, fit and repair the small jobs on homeowners' to-do lists.

To start£875–4.7k
Per month£3.4k–6.8k
1st client1–4 wks
Repeat customersFlexible hours
Lowest cost

Home bakery

Bake cakes, cookies and bread in your own kitchen and sell them to people near you.

To start£490–1.7k
Per month£1.4k–4.1k
1st client1–8 wks
Home-basedSide hustle
Lowest cost

House cleaning

Clean homes on a regular schedule, plus deep cleans and move-out cleans.

To start£410–1.9k
Per month£3.4k–6.8k
1st client1–3 wks
Side hustleNo experience

House painting

Paint rooms, trim and home exteriors for homeowners and landlords.

To start£590–4.1k
Per month£3.4k–8.2k
1st client2–6 wks
License neededRepeat customers

Junk removal

Haul away old furniture, appliances and clutter, then donate, recycle or dispose of it.

To start£2.6k–13k
Per month£2.7k–6.8k
1st client1–4 wks
Side hustleWeekends ok

Lawn care

Mow, trim, edge and tidy lawns on a weekly or every-other-week route.

To start£830–9.4k
Per month£3.4k–6.8k
1st client1–3 wks
OutdoorsRepeat customers

Meal prep and personal chef

Cook healthy meals for busy people, in their own kitchens or in a licensed kitchen for pickup and delivery.

To start£284–2.1k
Per month£2.1k–6.1k
1st client2–6 wks
Repeat customersFlexible hours

Mobile car detailing

Clean and protect cars at your customers' homes and offices.

To start£1.4k–7k
Per month£3.4k–8.2k
1st client2–4 wks
Home-basedWeekends ok

Mobile dog grooming

Bathe, trim and groom dogs in a van or trailer parked at their owners' door.

To start£14k–66k
Per month£3.4k–10k
1st client2–6 wks
CertificationRepeat customers

Mobile hair and barber services

Cut and style hair at clients' homes, offices, senior communities and weddings.

To start£425–1.5k
Per month£2.1k–6.1k
1st client1–4 wks
License neededFlexible hours
Fast start

Moving help

Load and unload rental trucks and storage units, and handle small local moves.

To start£1.1k–3.9k
Per month£2.7k–10k
1st client1–3 wks
No experienceSide hustle

Music lessons

Teach piano, guitar, voice or another instrument to children and adults, at home, in theirs or online.

To start£242–675
Per month£2.4k–7.5k
1st client1–4 wks
Home-basedSide hustle

Party rentals

Rent out bounce houses, tables, chairs and tents, delivered and set up for birthdays and events.

To start£3k–12k
Per month£2.7k–14k
1st client2–6 wks
Weekends okSeasonal

Personal training

Coach clients one to one or in small groups, at their homes, in parks, in a gym or online.

To start£625–3.1k
Per month£2.7k–6.8k
1st client2–6 wks
CertificationFlexible hours

Photography

Take portraits, family photos, headshots and event photos for people and small businesses.

To start£1.1k–3.8k
Per month£2.4k–6.8k
1st client2–8 wks
CreativeWeekends ok

Pressure washing

Wash houses, driveways, decks and fences back to looking new.

To start£1.2k–8.3k
Per month£2.7k–6.8k
1st client2–4 wks
Side hustleOutdoors
Lowest cost

Print-on-demand store

Sell your designs on shirts, mugs and more online, printed and shipped only when someone orders.

To start£538–1.4k
Per month£680–6.8k
1st client2–12 wks
Home-basedOnline

Senior companion care

Keep older adults company and help them at home with meals, errands, light housework and outings.

To start£427–675
Per month£2.5k–8.2k
1st client2–6 wks
Repeat customersFlexible hours

Short-term rental cleaning

Clean and reset vacation rentals between guests, so hosts get five-star reviews.

To start£260–780
Per month£2.4k–8.2k
1st client1–4 wks
No experienceRepeat customers

Social media management

Plan, create and post social media content for local businesses, and answer their followers.

To start£670–1.5k
Per month£2.1k–8.2k
1st client2–6 wks
Home-basedOnline
Lowest cost

Tutoring

Help students with school subjects, homework and test prep, in person or online.

To start£222–595
Per month£2.4k–6.8k
1st client1–4 wks
Home-basedSide hustle

Videography

Film and edit wedding, event and promo videos for couples, families and local businesses.

To start£2.3k–6k
Per month£2.7k–7.5k
1st client3–10 wks
CreativeWeekends ok
Lowest cost

Virtual assistant

Handle email, calendars, research and admin for busy owners, all from your own desk.

To start£698–1.5k
Per month£2.1k–6.8k
1st client1–6 wks
Home-basedOnline

Web design

Design and build websites for small businesses, then keep them up to date.

To start£760–2.2k
Per month£2.7k–10k
1st client2–8 wks
Home-basedOnline

Window cleaning

Make homes sparkle by cleaning windows inside and out, with screens and tracks.

To start£505–5.1k
Per month£2.7k–6.8k
1st client1–4 wks
Side hustleOutdoors

Yoga instruction

Teach yoga classes and private sessions in studios, rented rooms, parks, workplaces, homes and online.

To start£2.2k–4.2k
Per month£2.1k–5.1k
1st client1–6 wks
CertificationFlexible hours

Start your Wales business with PressUp

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