There are many lucrative businesses that felons can start. So it is easy to mistakenly choose the wrong one. It will be better for you to focus on your abilities and run a business that will work in accordance with your nature.
Starting a business is not as easy as getting a job, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be successful. With the kinds of businesses you will see here, it will be easy for you to find your place as an entrepreneur—despite your past.
But first of all, you need to know the requirements for starting a business as an ex-convict.
What you need to have before starting a business as a felon
Just as you need qualifications and a good resume to get a job, entrepreneurship also has requirements. As a felon, you may need to have more credentials before you can start a certain business.
The requirements vary from business to business, so you need to do your research in your state of residence. But generally, these are the things that you will need:
- Licensing and registries
No matter the type of business you want to start, you will need to register and get a license. This will save you from legal troubles as you progress in your business.
- Funding
No business can be done without money, so you need to work on your sources of funding. Make sure that you always stay on the right side of the law in this regard.
- Partnership
You can start a business alone and succeed. But things will just be easier and faster if you have a partner by your side.
As a felon, it would be best if you chose someone with a clean record. This will help your business operate without the demerits of your criminal record.
- A business plan
Working without a business plan is like moving without direction. If you want your business to succeed, take your time to prepare a realistic business plan. It will give you a path and also help you get support for your business.
The best businesses that felons can start
Now that you know the basic requirements involved, here are some of the best businesses you can start as a felon. Look at them carefully and pick the one that is more connected to your lifestyle.
When you do a business you love, it will be easy for you to get through tough times. No one business is better than the other. The deciding factor should be what you connect with.
Photography business
People have smartphones now, but that has not affected the photography business in any way. At every event, the hosts need a professional to capture all the blissful moments — you can be their photographer.
The beautiful thing about this is that you will not be restricted to a particular style of working. You can choose to ignore events and go into wildlife photography. It will also pay well.
Besides wildlife, there is stock photography, street photography, and many other options. Just pick the one that works well with your nature and you will succeed.
Vegetable farm business
With so much junk food out there, people are being encouraged to eat fresh and healthy foods. What this means for you is that you will always have a demand when you go into vegetable farming.
You can start small with a garden around your home. From there, you can harvest your vegetables, sell them to stores or individuals, and then have some extra for yourself.
As your business grows, you can expand your vegetable farm and feed a larger number of consumers.
Product delivery business
In a world where almost everything can be ordered online, the product delivery business is experiencing serious growth. Among all the businesses that felons can start, this is one of the easiest since it requires very little capital.
You can link up with online business owners and partner with them as a delivery person. If you do the work well, other online businesses will want to work with you. This will make it easy for you to set yourself up as a delivery business owner and earn good money.
Uber driving business
The major thing you need to be an Uber driver is a valid driver’s license. Once you have that, you can register with Uber and start driving different people to their destinations.
If you work every day, you will always have good money in your bank account. Passengers can also tip you and give you a five-star rating if you are a good driver.
Dog training business
People will pay you good money to train their dogs, and they won’t care if you have a criminal record. If you are very good at training dogs, you can make a lot of money with that skill as a dog trainer.
If you already have experience in this business, you will succeed faster as an independent dog trainer. But if you don’t, you will have to undergo an apprenticeship. This will show your prospective clients that you are a serious dog trainer with the right skills.
Car wash business
There are cars everywhere, and they are not going to wash themselves. Many car owners don’t have the time to wash their own cars. That’s why car wash businesses continue to grow.
If you can get enough space at the heart of your city, you can start a flourishing carwash business and make a massive profit.
Grass care business
This may look like a basic business, but it is very lucrative and stress-free if you use the right equipment. There will always be a person, family, or organization that needs someone to care for their lawn. So you will always have customers.
Don’t worry about the high cost of equipment for this business. You can always rent what you need until you save enough money to buy your own.
