The 39 Best Home-Based Businesses To Start In Arkansas [2024]
Interested in starting a business in Arkansas in 2024?
We put together 45 of the best businesses you can start in Arkansas today.
For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of how you can start your profitable, home-based small business in Arkansas.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a fashion accessories business ($1.2M/year)
If you're in Arkansas and looking for a home-based business idea with significant growth potential, you could start a fashion accessories business. This venture allows you to tap into the ever-evolving world of fashion, catering to a wide range of preferences and styles. A perfect example of success in this domain is Country Outfitter, founded by John James in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Leveraging innovative e-commerce strategies, John propelled the brand to acquire nine million Facebook fans in just 90 days and raised $100 million in venture capital.
Given the digital age, a fashion accessories business could be managed effectively from home, reaching customers nationwide. John's journey with Country Outfitter, where he transitioned from ex-physician to a successful e-commerce entrepreneur, highlights the potential for remarkable success even in non-traditional business settings. For more inspiring details about this Arkansas-based business, you can read the full story here.
Former Acumen Brands CEO shares how he acquired nine million Facebook fans in 90 days for one of his brands, leveraged that success to raise $100 million in venture capital, and ultimately failed spectacularly after being acquired, highlighting the importance for ecommerce companies to focus on direct relationships with customers.
2. Start a meal prep business ($720K/year)
If you are passionate about healthy eating and meal prepping, you could start a meal prep business right from your home in Arkansas. A great example is Healthy Chew, co-founded by TJ Clark in Little Rock, Arkansas. This weekly meal preparation service has seen remarkable growth, scaling from selling 200 bowls a week to 10,000, with overall sales reaching $1.8 million. Their success is largely due to effective branding and personalized customer service.
Healthy Chew focuses on making calorie-friendly versions of popular dishes such as beef brisket with mashed sweet potatoes and chicken enchiladas. The journey of starting from cooking at home to renting commercial kitchens until they could afford their own space shows that you could scale your business similarly. You can read more about their inspiring journey here.
Healthy Chew is a profitable weekly meal preparation service that grew from 200 to 10,000 weekly bowls in just over 3 years, with an overall sales figure of $1.8 million, achieved through effective branding and personalised customer service.
3. Start an online jewelry store ($84K/year)
If you're based in Arkansas and have a knack for design, starting an online jewelry store could be a lucrative home-based business. You could create unique, handmade pieces that cater to a specific niche, leveraging platforms like social media and SEO to organically grow your customer base. One inspiring example is Bang-Up Betty, a business started by Stacey Bowers in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Stacey transformed her hobby of creating subversive and humorous hand-stamped jewelry into a thriving business with an average revenue of $6,000 per month.
Stacey's journey highlights the importance of staying true to your designs and knowing your audience. Her work has gained recognition from notable platforms such as Buzzfeed and Huffington Post, and resonates with a progressive, feminist audience. To delve deeper into her success story, check out the case study about Bang-Up Betty. This example shows that with the right mix of creativity and marketing, you could turn your passion for jewelry into a profitable venture.
How Stacey turned her handmade jewelry hobby into a business that generates an average revenue of $6,000 per month, with a focus on staying true to your designs and customers, and the importance of organic marketing through social media and SEO.
4. Start a subscription box business ($1.17M/year)
Starting a subscription box business in Arkansas is a fantastic opportunity, thanks to the state’s supportive entrepreneurial environment and low cost of living. You could easily tap into various niche markets—whether it's local artisanal goods, natural skincare, or even something uniquely Arkansan like products celebrating regional cuisine or heritage.
Arkansas's diverse population and growing e-commerce market provide a fertile ground for subscription services that offer exclusive, curated items delivered to customers’ doors. By targeting specific interests and maintaining high-quality offerings, you could capitalize on consumer demand and build a highly profitable venture. For inspiration and tips, check out some successful case studies of others who have thrived in this business.
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
5. Start a beverage company ($17.7M/year)
Starting a beverage company in Arkansas could be an excellent entrepreneurial move given the state's thriving agricultural sector and growing demand for locally sourced products. With a diverse array of crops and a supportive business environment, you could create unique, farm-fresh beverage options that cater to local tastes and preferences.
Arkansas's strong community support for small businesses and increasing trend toward artisanal and craft beverages provide a fertile ground for innovative drink offerings. For more inspiration and detailed guidance on getting started, check out details on this business idea and explore various successful case studies.
BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.
6. Start an online fitness business ($936K/year)
Starting an online fitness business in Arkansas offers a compelling opportunity given the growing popularity of remote fitness solutions. You could leverage the state's relatively low cost of living to maximize profits while offering competitive pricing to clients. With the advent of high-speed internet in most parts of Arkansas, it’s easier than ever to connect with a wide audience without the need for a physical gym.
Another advantage is that you could capitalize on seasonal outdoor activities native to Arkansas, like hiking and kayaking, to create unique, customized fitness plans. Moreover, the absence of overhead costs, such as rent and utilities, allows you to reinvest in high-quality marketing and fitness equipment, enhancing your service offering. For inspiring real-world examples, explore successful case studies of entrepreneurs who have thrived in this space.
This case study is about a former personal trainer who launched his online personal training platform, TeamFFLEX, starting with no money and a lot of drive, and grew it into a 6-figure business in less than a year, now doing $48,000 a month with potential for continued growth.
7. Start a beverages business ($21.5M/year)
Starting a beverage business in Arkansas offers promising opportunities due to the state's thriving agricultural sector, which provides access to fresh, local ingredients. You'll appreciate being part of a community that supports local businesses, and with consumers increasingly seeking high-quality and unique drink options, there’s a growing market for diverse beverages.
Whether you decide to manufacture your own drinks or distribute popular brands, the beverage industry allows for flexibility and innovation. For more inspiration, check out some successful case studies of beverage businesses that have thrived. Dive deeper into the process and potential of starting your own beverage business to get more tailored insights.
BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.
8. Start a specialty food business ($597K/year)
Starting a specialty food business in Arkansas presents a unique opportunity due to the growing demand for high-quality, unique food products. The state's diverse agricultural resources can provide you with access to premium ingredients right in your backyard. Arkansas's local farmers and producers are known for their fresh, top-tier produce, perfect for creating specialty food products that stand out.
Additionally, the global specialty food ingredients market is expanding at an annual growth rate of 6.4%, highlighting a burgeoning market ripe for new entrants. By identifying a niche and learning from successful case studies, you could carve out a profitable business while fulfilling consumer demands for healthier, high-quality food options.
ChipMonk co-founders built a mail-order bakery selling low carb, gluten-free desserts, making around $25,000 a month with growth through e-commerce, and plans to tighten budgets and conserve cash in challenging times.
9. Start a pet company ($4.12M/year)
You could capitalize on Arkansas's strong sense of community and love for pets by starting a pet company. From Little Rock to Fayetteville, pet ownership is widespread, creating a broad customer base for various products and services such as pet grooming, food supplies, and dog walking.
With the flexibility to run your business from home or another suitable location, you could cater to the diverse needs of pet owners across the state. This venture allows you to turn your passion for animals into a profitable and fulfilling career. For more details on how to start, check out this guide and explore successful case studies to get inspired.
Furry Fellas Pet Service LLC is a successful pet sitting and dog walking business that brings in over half a million dollars in sales per year, boasts 3,500-4,000 social media followers, employs 42 individuals and has been voted in the top 3 pet sitting/dog walking companies in the RI/MA area for eight years in a row.
10. Start a cannabis business ($3.26M/year)
Starting a cannabis business in Arkansas could be a lucrative opportunity given the industry's rapid growth and strong market demand. With marijuana sales projected to reach $22 billion by 2022, there is significant potential for new entrepreneurs to capitalize on this emerging market.
Additionally, Arkansas has made strides in legalizing medical cannabis, offering a promising environment for new ventures. Whether you're experienced in the industry or a newcomer, exploring successful case studies can provide valuable insights and inspiration. This booming sector in Arkansas presents a unique opportunity to tap into a thriving market.
Plain Jane, an online CBD company founded by two college roommates, offers unique products and has generated over $20K a month in sales within five months, attracting and retaining customers through social media, authentic stories, and content.
11. Start a clothes business ($27.4M/year)
In Arkansas, starting a clothes business could serve as a lucrative opportunity, particularly due to the rising global demand for quality clothing items. With the right niche—be it streetwear, fitness apparel, or leisure wear—you could tap into a market that appreciates unique and high-quality designs, leveraging a steady influx of fashion-conscious consumers both locally and internationally.
Arkansas offers a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, coupled with relatively low operating costs compared to other states. You could benefit from unsuccessful case studies of other clothing businesses to better understand market dynamics and strategies that work. For more information, you can discover comprehensive insights on how to start your own clothing manufacturing business and explore various success stories that highlight practical steps and innovative ideas.
Bryden is a clothing manufacturing agency that offers an end-to-end service to fashion brands all over the world, serving customers in over 20 countries and bringing in an average monthly revenue of $74,000 within just a few years of launching.
12. Start a bedding company ($8.89M/year)
Starting a bedding company in Arkansas could be a lucrative opportunity, especially given the state's growing population and relatively low business overhead costs. With residents always on the lookout for high-quality and comfortable bedding options, you could tap into this demand by offering unique and affordable products.
By focusing on a specific niche within the bedding market, such as luxury sheets or eco-friendly linens, you could differentiate your brand and attract a loyal customer base. To get started, consider checking out our detailed guide and read through some successful case studies to help shape your business strategy.
Sheets & Giggles, an eco-friendly bedding brand, earned nearly $500,000 and 6,000 orders in the first 6 months of business through Indiegogo, and utilizes pun-based marketing and a DTC model to tap into a fragmented, low brand loyalty market.
13. Start a supplements company ($4.71M/year)
If you’ve got a passion for health and wellness, starting a supplements company in Arkansas could be a fantastic opportunity. This business idea allows you to tap into a growing market of fitness enthusiasts, health-conscious individuals, and wellness influencers, all right from your home. You could leverage the relatively low startup costs and the ability to operate online to reach a broad audience.
Arkansas' community-oriented culture and growing interest in healthy living make it an ideal place to launch a supplement brand. Plus, with the rise of e-commerce, you could easily sell your products through online channels or even collaborate with local health stores and gyms. For more insight, check out our in-depth guide and real-life success stories from entrepreneurs who have thrived in this industry.
A military officer turned entrepreneur built sports nutrition brand Bare Performance Nutrition from $15,000 in year one to on track to generate $6m in revenue this year, leveraging social media platforms and creating interactive, relatable and valuable content to create a community and a brand voice.
14. Start a children's clothing business ($3.99M/year)
Arkansas presents a unique opportunity for starting a children's clothing business. With a growing population of young families and a strong sense of community, you could cater to the increasing demand for stylish and affordable children's apparel. The state's lower cost of living also offers a financial advantage, enabling you to allocate more resources toward expanding your business rather than overhead costs.
Given the rapid growth in the children's clothing industry, valued at $263.30 billion in 2022, the market potential is significant. You could find inspiration and practical insights from various successful case studies within this niche. Being your own boss while contributing to a thriving industry offers both personal and financial fulfillment, making it an excellent venture to consider in Arkansas.
Argentinian startup Bambox has grown its monthly recurring revenue to $60,000 and ships more than 1,100 boxes of baby essentials a month, a figure expected to help it achieve an annual recurring revenue of about $750,000 in 2019, after launching its first subscription service in July 2017.
15. Start an ecommerce platform ($2.43M/year)
Starting an eCommerce platform in Arkansas could be a lucrative and futuristic business opportunity. With lower operational costs due to affordable living and potential state tax incentives, you could effectively allocate more resources to marketing and product development.
Furthermore, the increasing adoption of online shopping nationwide provides an expansive market potential right from your home. Learning from successful case studies of other eCommerce entrepreneurs can inspire you to craft tailored strategies that resonate with both local and global audiences.
A 3D CAD designer and product inventor who started as a side hustle and averaged $9,000 a month in revenue, shares his insights on the ups and downs of owning a service-based business alongside an eCommerce store, as well as lessons learned in customer acquisition and in generating multiple streams of passive income.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
