29 Business Ideas For Administrative Assistants [2024]

Updated: September 3rd, 2024

Interested in starting a business as an administrative assistant in 2024?

If managed well, building a business as an administrative assistant could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for administrative assistants?

We put together 29 of some of the best administrative assistant business ideas you can start in today.

For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other administrative assistant businesses to help you see what it takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Become a professional finder ($130K/month)

As an administrative assistant, you could leverage your organizational and research skills to start a professional finder business, helping clients locate lost items or track down rare and hard-to-find objects. This venture can be particularly rewarding, as it blends your natural problem-solving abilities with the excitement of uncovering valuable items. Utilizing online databases, professional networks, and local contacts, you could offer a service that transcends industries and caters to both individuals and businesses.

With minimal startup costs focused mainly on marketing and networking, this side business can be launched swiftly and economically. Your strong communication skills will be invaluable in engaging with clients and understanding their specific needs. If you have an investigative mind and enjoy the thrill of the hunt, a professional finder business could offer both significant satisfaction and supplemental income.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

We Built A $1.2M/Year App For Tutors

TutorCruncher Co-founder Samuel Colvin details the success story of his tutor management software company, which has grown to become the leading software in the UK with over one million users worldwide and is set to expand its market through the launch of a new Tutor App.

Read by 9,062 founders

2. Start a shopify ecommerce agency ($105K/month)

As an administrative assistant, you could leverage your organizational prowess and attention to detail to start a Shopify eCommerce agency, supplementing your income and even potentially creating a full-time business. By offering specialized services such as SEO, web development, and eCommerce marketing, you could help retailers list their products and effectively target potential customers to meet their eCommerce goals.

Taking the entrepreneurial route, you could begin by gaining experience through working with an existing agency while developing expertise in specific areas like web design or marketing. Once confident, you could define your niche and focus on building a robust client base. This venture taps into your existing skill set, allowing you to transition smoothly from administrative duties to managing a successful Shopify eCommerce agency.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 95 days (?)

How I Started A $100K/Month Shopify Ecommerce Agency

Velstar, a UK-based Shopify Plus partner agency, has seen impressive year-on-year revenue growth of at least 100% every year, due to their focus on building engaging and conversion-focused eCommerce websites, and highly effective growth marketing for direct-to-consumer brands on Shopify, with big ambitions for 2020 including launching a local Shopify Plus meetup, an eCommerce podcast, investing in content marketing and hiring their first business development personnel.

Read by 9,108 founders

3. Start a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)

As an administrative assistant, you could leverage your organizational skills and attention to detail by starting a subscription box business as a side hustle or full-time venture. The high demand for subscription boxes, which can add significant value through exclusive and curated products, offers a profitable opportunity.

Your knack for scheduling and managing tasks could be invaluable in coordinating with suppliers and fulfillment companies, ensuring timely and efficient deliveries. Additionally, your expertise in customer service would help in building a loyal customer base and addressing any issues promptly, ensuring high customer satisfaction.

How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How I Started A Gift Box Business For Non Traditional Brides

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.

Read by 31,387 founders

4. Start a wordpress maintenance services ($24.3K/month)

If you're an administrative assistant looking to supplement your income, consider starting a WordPress maintenance service. This business involves managing, updating, and optimizing WordPress websites to ensure they function efficiently. Given the technical skills you likely already use in your role, transitioning to this line of work could be both seamless and lucrative.

With many website owners lacking the time or expertise to handle WordPress maintenance, you could address this growing need by offering services like security updates, plugin and theme management, speed optimization, backups, and troubleshooting. The best part? This model often involves recurring revenue from monthly service plans, offering you steady income and the potential to scale your business as you grow.

If you're entrepreneurial-minded and enjoy helping others navigate technical challenges, WordPress maintenance services could be a rewarding venture. Rather than building new platforms, you'd be providing essential maintenance that gives your clients peace of mind.

How much you can make: $600 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)

How long does it take to build: 22 days (?)

How I Started A $1.4K/Month WordPress Support Service

Work Hero is a WordPress support and maintenance service that went from working with one website in December 2019 to 13 recurring customer sites today, earning ~$1470/month with most customers paying an unlimited fee of $149/month.

Read by 7,824 founders

5. Start a digital agency ($186K/month)

As an administrative assistant, you possess a unique set of skills that are highly transferable to running a digital agency. Your attention to detail, organizational prowess, and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously align well with the requirements of managing digital marketing projects. This could allow you to supplement your income or even embark on a full-fledged entrepreneurial journey by helping businesses reach their advertising, marketing, and technology-related goals online.

Given the projected growth of the global digital agency market, which reached nearly $305 billion in 2020, and the increasing consumption and creation of digital content, the timing is perfect for stepping into this lucrative field. With your existing skill set and the right mindset, you could leverage your administrative expertise to build and manage successful digital campaigns, offering services like social media management, SEO optimization, and digital advertising.

By starting a digital agency, you could harness your organizational skills and multitasking abilities to thrive in a fast-paced, high-demand industry. The growing reliance on digital channels by businesses across various sectors means there's ample opportunity to secure clients and run a profitable agency.

How much you can make: $100 — $3,699,632/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How We Started A $100K/Month Company That Provides Transcription Services

How this founder started a $100K/month guaranteed transcription service for medical, legal, law enforcement, financial, academic and general business industries, winning the NASPO ValuePoint transcription services contract over 26 other companies and learning valuable lessons about getting a coach and getting as much PR as possible.

Read by 13,394 founders

6. Start a marketing agency ($245K/month)

As an administrative assistant, your skill set is inherently adaptable and transferable, making it a strong foundation for launching a marketing agency. You have likely honed skills in organization, communication, and project management that are crucial for running a successful agency. By leveraging these abilities, you could efficiently coordinate marketing campaigns, manage client relationships, and oversee daily operations.

Additionally, your experience with various software tools and familiarity with business processes are invaluable when setting up and scaling a marketing agency. Since businesses often turn to marketing agencies to save on the costs of hiring full-time employees or purchasing specialized equipment, your agency could fill this gap by providing flexible, cost-effective marketing solutions. This is a lucrative opportunity to use your administrative prowess to pivot into a more entrepreneurial venture, supplement your income, or even transition into a full-time business owner.

How much you can make: $1,300 — $8,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

Read by 19,167 founders

7. Start a sales automation platform ($171K/month)

As an administrative assistant, you already possess a wealth of experience in managing workflows and maintaining efficiency. Capitalize on these skills by developing a sales automation platform, a business idea that streamlines various sales tasks from lead generation to follow-ups. This could significantly reduce the time businesses spend on manual, repetitive processes, ultimately freeing up their resources to close more deals.

You could leverage your organizational talents and familiarity with software solutions to build a tool that minimizes errors and enhances productivity. The growing demand for automation in today's fast-paced business landscape presents a prime opportunity for your entrepreneurial venture. By focusing on creating a platform that truly adds value, you could tap into a profitable market and make a meaningful impact on how businesses operate.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,666,667/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)

On Starting A $160K/Month CRM & Automations Company After A US Air Force Career

GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.

Read by 11,987 founders

8. Start an online reputation management business ($167K/month)

As an administrative assistant, you could use your organizational and communication skills to start an online reputation management (ORM) business. By helping individuals and companies improve their digital footprints, you could curate positive web content and pursue search engine optimization and public relations strategies to mitigate damaging commentary.

Your ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently makes you well-suited to offer services such as blog outreach and social media cleanup. Building an ORM firm lets you control web narratives, allowing you to work from anywhere and tap into the billion-dollar industry of business and personal brand management. This venture could supplement your income or even grow into a full-time business, leveraging the skills you already possess.

How much you can make: $710 — $550,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

I Bootstrapped A $3.6M/Year Online Review Software In 180 Days

ReputationStacker is a subscription software that simplifies and automates the process of getting more online reviews, helping businesses to manage their online reputation and grow their customer base; currently generating over $300k monthly revenue with low churn rates and a strong customer support team.

Read by 11,461 founders

9. Start a tech support business ($139K/month)

As an administrative assistant, starting a tech support business could be a natural extension of your existing skill set. Your daily interactions with office software and hardware mean you're already familiar with many of the common technical issues that companies face. By leveraging your organizational skills and attention to detail, you could provide invaluable tech support to both individuals and businesses, helping them troubleshoot and resolve a wide range of technology problems.

Entrepreneurial-minded administrative assistants could find that offering tech support services aligns well with their knack for problem-solving and customer service. By thoroughly diagnosing issues and offering clear, patient assistance, you could build a loyal client base. Keeping up with the latest technological trends and maintaining a robust knowledge base will ensure that you can provide top-notch support and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

How much you can make: $150 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Developed A $3.5K/Month Tool That Converts HTML To PDF

A passionate computer-coder entrepreneur shares the story behind his successful PDFShift business which after a year and a half generates $3.2k of monthly revenues with the focus now on growth.

Read by 10,826 founders

10. Start a denim brand

As an administrative assistant, you're already well-versed in organization, multitasking, and communication—skills that are highly transferable to launching a denim brand. You could start by utilizing your knack for detail and project management to coordinate with designers, source high-quality fabrics, and negotiate with reliable manufacturers. Given the perennial demand for denim, this venture taps into a market with consistent interest, allowing you more room for potential growth.

Moreover, your experience in managing schedules and client relationships will be invaluable when it comes to building your brand's identity and running a sleek e-commerce platform. You could leverage your existing expertise in social media and marketing strategies to create engaging content that positions your denim brand as eco-friendly, high-fashion, or budget-friendly, based on market research and current trends. By combining your administrative skills with a passion for fashion, you could start a successful side business that may even become your full-time career.

How much you can make: $2,000/month

Being A Maker And Launching A Premium Denim Brand

Learn how Susie Shaughnessy created Crawford Denim and Vintage Co, a small-batch denim brand that mixes vintage and modern styles and is made in California from USA goods and deadstock and how she scaled back the business last year and is focusing on incremental growth and working with boutiques and increasing unique denim styles.

Read by 7,289 founders

11. Start a jewelry product ($167K/month)

As an administrative assistant with a knack for organization and multitasking, starting a jewelry business could be an exciting side hustle or even a full-time venture. This handcrafted business merges creativity with commerce, allowing you to showcase your artistic talent and cater to a market that appreciates unique, custom pieces. You could carve out time in your evenings or weekends to design and craft jewelry, gradually growing your inventory.

You'd need some initial tools for crafting, a good eye for design, and a reliable supplier for materials like gemstones, metals, and beads. Leveraging online platforms such as Etsy or your own ecommerce site could provide a way to reach a wide audience without the need for a physical storefront. Utilizing social media channels like Instagram for marketing could help attract fashion-conscious customers, and offering limited-edition or personalized pieces can help you build a dedicated customer base.

With your administrative skills, managing inventory, orders, and customer service would come naturally. It's a venture that not only supplements your income but also nourishes your creative spirit.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $415,000/month

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

Starting And Growing A Jewelry Business To $4.6M/Year

Taylor & Hart CEO Nikolay Piriankov tells the story of the company's journey from a diamond trading business to an award-winning, disruptive e-tailer of custom-designed, ethical engagement rings and fine jewelry, offering a bespoke design service through specifically developed technology online and instore, and growing to £4-6M in annual revenue.

Read by 20,919 founders

12. Start a cleaning business ($175K/month)

Starting a cleaning business could be a viable option to supplement your income as an administrative assistant. This venture allows you to be your own boss while capitalizing on your already developed organizational skills and attention to detail. The relatively low startup costs—essentially involving some professional cleaning equipment and eco-friendly cleaning products—make it an accessible entrepreneurial opportunity.

You could decide to offer specialized cleaning services tailored to offices, homes, or rental properties, which allows you to set flexible hours that fit around your full-time job. The experience you've gained in maintaining the cleanliness and order of the office environment can serve as a strong foundation for your new business. By leveraging your existing professional network, you might quickly build a steady client base and potentially transition from a side hustle to a full-fledged business.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $708,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Started A $100K+/Month Home Cleaning Service For Busy Individuals And Airbnb Hosts

MaidThis®, launched by Neel Parekh in Los Angeles with just one cleaner in 2013, has achieved over $10 million in total revenue by focusing on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, thanks to its successful remote business model and new-age marketing tactics, and has now launched MaidThis Franchise to expand the business further.

Read by 21,758 founders

13. Start a content writing company ($50.4K/month)

Starting a content writing company could be a natural extension of your skills as an administrative assistant, as you’re already adept at managing tasks, communication, and documentation. You could leverage these strengths to organize and oversee a team of writers, manage client relationships, and ensure high-quality content is delivered on time. This business allows you to choose a working schedule that suits you, offering flexibility to manage your workload around your existing responsibilities.

Additionally, with the rise in demand for digital content such as blog posts, product descriptions, eBooks, and press releases, there’s ample opportunity to carve out a niche and attract business clients. By creating a business plan, developing a website, and hiring talented writers, you could establish a reliable source of passive income. Taking this entrepreneurial step could also enhance your own skill set, giving you valuable experience in a rapidly growing field.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $550,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How Dani Mancini Transformed Her Freelance Gigs Into A SaaS Business

Scribly.io, a subscription-based copywriting service providing high quality content that helps businesses scale at roughly 50% of the cost of hiring in-house, created by Dani, a first-time entrepreneur who started with just a few hundred dollars worth of projects and with the help of three other writers; as of last month, Scribly.io topped $14K monthly revenue.

Read by 13,358 founders

14. Start a decorative pillow business ($27.5K/month)

Starting a decorative pillow business could be a rewarding opportunity for an administrative assistant looking to supplement their income or transition to a side business. With your organizational skills and attention to detail, you could effectively manage the production and sales processes, ensuring high-quality products and customer satisfaction.

The startup costs for such a business are minimal, and you could begin by operating from home, making it a flexible venture that you can scale as demand grows. If you have a knack for design and a good understanding of current interior decor trends, this creative pursuit could transform into a lucrative and enjoyable venture, allowing you to bring your artistic visions to life while profiting from your hobby.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $45,000/month

Danielle Oakey Created A Business Selling Pillow Cases On Instagram

Danielle Oakey built a successful online pillow cover store with a projected $400,000 sales in 2018, using Instagram as her main marketing tool and bootstrapping to create her business with only $1,300.

Read by 21,255 founders

15. Start an online socks business ($763K/month)

As an administrative assistant, you could leverage your organizational and multitasking skills to start an online socks business. This venture would involve designing, sourcing, and selling socks through an e-commerce platform, allowing you to channel your creativity into unique designs that cater to niche markets.

Your expertise in managing schedules and details can be invaluable when setting up a user-friendly online store, partnering with reliable manufacturers, and efficiently handling inventory and order fulfillment. Additionally, your familiarity with communication and marketing can help you effectively promote your brand and connect with customers, driving repeat purchases and fostering strong customer loyalty. This entrepreneurial path offers a satisfying balance of creativity, business acumen, and the potential for supplemental income.

How much you can make: $525,000 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A $1M/Month Business Selling Custom Socks

Learn how Dane Jensen and his business partner grew their sock business from a monthly subscription to a $12M+ revenue business that mainly sells custom socks, by developing a manufacturing supply chain in the United States, using various marketing channels, and gradually expanding the business.

Read by 22,532 founders

16. Start a what’s in your fridge app business

As an administrative assistant, your knack for organization and multitasking would be invaluable in starting a "What’s in Your Fridge" app business. This app could help users keep track of their food inventory, reduce waste, and plan meals more efficiently. Your experience in managing schedules and information could translate into creating an intuitive and user-friendly interface for the app.

You could also leverage your professional network and marketing skills to promote the app within offices and among colleagues, making it a popular tool for busy professionals looking to streamline their meal planning. With the growing focus on sustainability and efficient living, your app could find a ready market eager to optimize their kitchen management.

17. Start a life guard business

If you're an administrative assistant looking to supplement your income or pivot into a side business, starting a lifeguard business could be a unique and profitable venture. With your organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks, you could easily handle scheduling lifeguard shifts, coordinating with local pools, and managing client relations.

Additionally, this type of business offers flexibility, allowing you to operate during weekends or holidays when demand is highest. By hiring and training a team of certified lifeguards, you could provide essential safety services to community pools, private parties, or special events, thus creating a steady revenue stream.

18. Start a life coaching business ($19.7K/month)

As an administrative assistant, you could leverage your skills in organization, communication, and problem-solving to start a life coaching business. The life coaching industry is thriving, with a worth of over $2.85 billion and a 33% increase in life coaches from 2015-2019, making it a promising venture.

You could begin this endeavor with minimal startup costs, needing only a computer, high-speed Internet connection, and a LinkedIn account. By starting part-time and gradually building your clientele, you could supplement your income, make extra money, or eventually transition into a full-time life coaching business, helping others improve various areas of their lives while utilizing your professional and emotional intelligence.

How much you can make: $100 — $120,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Launched A $5K/Month Platform To Connect With Growth Mentors

GrowthMentor, a platform connecting vetted growth mentors for one-on-one calls, founded by Fotis Panagiotakopoulos, has had over 2,500 mentorship calls booked to date and has seen success in using word of mouth, content marketing, and leveraging other people's networks as the primary drivers of customer acquisition.

Read by 45,996 founders

19. Start a Potato Chips Production Business

As an administrative assistant, you could leverage your organizational and multitasking skills to manage a profitable potato chips production business. This emerging industry has seen significant growth, with revenue reaching $10.6 billion in 2022, making it a lucrative side business opportunity. Your ability to plan and coordinate details is crucial in setting up efficient machinery operations and handling the initial investment.

Additionally, your experience with scheduling and communications can translate well into marketing strategies. You could utilize both digital and traditional marketing techniques to promote your brand and reach potential customers. With your skill set, diving into the world of potato chips could offer a rewarding way to supplement your income while capitalizing on a growing market.

How much you can make: $99,999/month

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

I Turned A Recipe In My Kitchen Into A $10MM/Year CPG Snack Company

Ka-Pop! is an Ancient Grain snack company that has grown over 300% per year, reaching nearly $10 million in annual sales by 2021, through innovation, passion, demos, social media, TV appearances, and driving relationships with retailer partners.

Read by 6,995 founders

20. Start a grammar checking app business

As an administrative assistant, you could leverage your keen eye for detail and strong language skills to start a grammar checking app business. This entrepreneurial venture would allow you to use your expertise to help others enhance their writing, whether for professional documents, academic papers, or everyday communication.

With the rising demand for polished, error-free content, your app could attract a wide audience, providing a valuable service that complements your administrative background. Moreover, the insights you gain from managing a business could open new career pathways and supplement your income, giving you the flexibility to scale it into a full-time endeavor if desired.

21. Start a guess the word game business

As an entrepreneurial-minded administrative assistant, you could leverage your organizational and multitasking skills to start a successful guess the word game business. With the booming online gaming industry, creating your own word game could be both a profitable and fulfilling side venture. Your experience with detailed planning and project management would enable you to efficiently develop and market the game.

Given the popularity of word games among language enthusiasts, this venture holds significant profit potential. Moreover, your understanding of effective communication and networking could be essential in reaching your target audience. By turning your attention to this trending market, you could supplement your income and potentially transition into a full-time entrepreneurial role.

22. Become an author ($227K/month)

As an administrative assistant, your strong organizational and communication skills could serve as a solid foundation for becoming an author. You already possess the discipline required to manage multiple tasks and deadlines, which is crucial when writing and publishing a book. The stories, experiences, and expertise you've gained in your profession could also inspire engaging content for a book or a series of articles.

Exploring traditional publishing could provide you with a structured path, offering professional support from an experienced team. Alternatively, self-publishing grants you full creative control and the potential to market your book independently, a perfect match for an entrepreneurial spirit. By leveraging your administrative know-how, you could effectively manage the publication and promotion process, potentially opening doors to additional income through book sales, royalties, and even speaking engagements or workshops.

How much you can make: $200 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Generate $10K/Month As An Indie Writer

This case study follows full-time thriller and action-adventure author Nick Thacker who earns between $10k to $20k per month from writing, predominantly through Amazon Kindle Unlimited sales, and goes in-depth into his self-publishing strategy which maximizes sales and minimizes costs, such as developing a mailing list and utilizing print-on-demand services.

Read by 10,789 founders

23. Start an ad film making business

As an administrative assistant, you could translate your organizational and multitasking skills into a thriving ad film making side business. Your experience in managing schedules and coordinating tasks can be invaluable when it comes to pre-production planning, scriptwriting, and managing filming schedules.

Leveraging your attention to detail, you could ensure that every aspect of the film-making process is meticulously planned, from casting to post-production editing. With digital marketing's increasing reliance on high-quality video content, your ad films could help businesses stand out, providing you with a steady stream of clients.

By combining your administrative expertise with a passion for film and marketing, you could carve out a niche in the competitive world of ad film making. This venture not only offers creative fulfillment but also the potential for significant additional income.

How much you can make: $95,000/month

How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)

I Built A Smart Ad Creator That Generates $1M/Year

ADYOUNEED is a marketing tech platform generating over $95,000 MRR monthly recurring revenue offering simplified ad creation and management, boasting over 10,000 users globally, with the company planning to raise a Series A to advance future growth.

Read by 5,270 founders

24. Start a fantasy pole vault games business

As an administrative assistant, you could leverage your organizational skills to start a fantasy pole vault games business. This niche market offers unique opportunities to engage sports enthusiasts and capitalize on a growing interest in fantasy sports. Managing player stats, organizing competitions, and coordinating events can all be handled efficiently thanks to your adept multitasking abilities.

Transitioning your attention to detail and scheduling prowess into this side business, you could create engaging online platforms where users pick their favorite pole vaulters and compete in simulated games. By offering timely updates and interactive experiences, you could draw a dedicated following and generate extra income, potentially transforming this side hustle into a full-fledged venture.

25. Start a health insurance claims reviewing business

Starting a health insurance claims reviewing business could be a lucrative opportunity for an administrative assistant. Your keen eye for detail and organizational skills make you uniquely suited to manage the meticulous nature of reviewing claims for accuracy and compliance. This venture could be run as a side business or eventually evolve into a full-time endeavor, giving you the flexibility to scale according to your needs and ambitions.

With your administrative experience, you could leverage your understanding of medical billing codes and insurance policies to catch errors and discrepancies that might be overlooked by others. Such expertise could make your services highly valuable to both individual clients and small medical practices looking to maximize their reimbursement rates. Overall, this business could open up new income streams while allowing you to apply and expand your existing skill set in a highly specialized field.

26. Start a pillowcases business

As an administrative assistant, you could leverage your organizational skills and attention to detail to start a side business selling custom pillowcases. Your existing expertise in scheduling, planning, and multitasking would be invaluable for managing inventory, fulfilling orders, and marketing your products.

Additionally, your daily interaction with various departments and clients gives you a potential customer base to market your unique, high-quality pillowcases. With the flexibility of working on this venture outside of your regular office hours, you could supplement your income while unleashing your creative side.

27. Become a bed and breakfast owner

As an administrative assistant, your robust organizational skills and attention to detail could make you a perfect fit for operating a bed and breakfast. By leveraging your talents in scheduling, managing bookings, and providing exceptional customer service, you could create a welcoming environment that appeals to travelers seeking a blend of luxury hotel amenities and the cozy, private setting of a home.

Transitioning into this business could involve renovating your home to create guestrooms, or possibly purchasing a property specifically for this purpose. With the growing popularity of unique, affordable accommodations, your carefully managed B&B could become a sought-after destination, providing you with ample opportunities to supplement your income or even establish a fully-fledged business.

28. Start a podcaster community

As an administrative assistant, you could leverage your organizational and communication skills to start a podcaster community. By creating a space—either online or in-person—where podcast creators can share tips, network, and collaborate, you'd foster connections that matter.

This venture allows you to facilitate discussions about essential podcasting topics like equipment, editing software, marketing strategies, and guest bookings, helping both novice and experienced podcasters enhance their craft. The growing popularity of podcasting makes this a timely opportunity to nurture an ecosystem where creativity and learning flourish.

Starting a podcaster community involves managing forums, hosting events or webinars, and consistently engaging with members. This side business can be both rewarding and lucrative as you help individuals and their podcasts grow through the collective wisdom of the community.

How much you can make: $5,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Leaving A 6-Figures Career In Biotech To Start A Mental Health Podcast Network

With a successful podcast already under her belt, Gill founded Sober Powered Media to monetize mental health podcasts through sponsorships, cross-promotion, and a mastermind group, with income streams from podcast and Instagram coaching, writing, and a membership for her listeners.

Read by 2,731 founders

29. Start an electronics supplies business

Starting an electronics supplies business could be an excellent side venture for administrative assistants looking to supplement their income. Utilizing your organizational skills and attention to detail, you could manage inventory, source products, and handle customer inquiries efficiently. Given your familiarity with office environments, you could also specialize in products tailored to businesses, such as computer accessories, office electronics, and cables.

Networking skills inherent to administrative roles could help you build strong relationships with suppliers and customers, enhancing your business credibility and reach. This entrepreneurial path not only diversifies your income but also allows you to leverage your existing skills in a new and potentially lucrative market.

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.