20 Best Businesses to Start in Florida (2025 Guide)

Florida is full of opportunity, from sunny beaches to bustling cities, it’s the perfect place to launch a smart, profitable business. If you’re wondering what really works here in 2025, this guide breaks it all down.

Why Florida Is Ideal for Business

Florida has no state income tax, great weather year-round, and some of the busiest cities for tourism, trade, and retirement living.

“In 2024, over 628,000 new businesses were formed or qualified to transact in Florida — a record-breaking milestone that reflects the state’s thriving entrepreneurial climate.” – Florida Department of State

• High population growth
• Strong tourism & healthcare sectors
• Business-friendly licensing and tax laws

Checklist: How to Start a Business in Florida

Whether you’re opening a local service or a scalable online store, here’s what you’ll need:

Step	Action
1	Pick a legal structure (LLC, Corp, Sole Proprietor)
2	Register your company on Sunbiz.org
3	Apply for your EIN (Federal Tax ID)
4	Check for required city/county licenses
5	Open a separate business bank account
6	Build an online presence (domain, social media, Google listing)

Tip: Many counties also require a Business Tax Receipt (BTR) — check with your local tax collector.

Top 20 Business Ideas That Work in Florida

1. Host or Manage Airbnbs

• Why it works: Florida is a vacation hotspot with high occupancy all year.
  
• Average earnings: $2,500–$7,500/month per property
  
• Startup cost estimate: $3,000–$10,000 (furniture, setup, listing)
  
• Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
  
• Tools to use: Airbnb, VRBO, Turno, Pricelabs
  
• Tip: Start as a co-host and manage listings for others without owning property.

2. Mobile Car Wash & Detailing

• Why it works: The weather supports year-round services; people love convenience.
  
• Average earnings: $2,000–$5,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $800–$2,500
  
• Skill level: Beginner
  
• Tools to use: Square (payments), Booksy (bookings), Canva (flyers)
  
• Tip: Offer subscriptions to condos, businesses, or fleets for recurring revenue.

3. Senior Home Help Services

• Why it works: A large retiree population prefers aging at home with non-medical support.
  
• Average earnings: $3,000–$6,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $200–$800
  
• Skill level: Beginner
  
• Tools to use: Care.com, Nextdoor, Thumbtack
  
• Tip: Focus on daily living support, no medical license needed.

4. Food Truck with a Local Twist

• Why it works: Food trucks are thriving in high-foot-traffic areas like colleges and beach towns.
  
• Average earnings: $5,000–$15,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $25,000–$75,000
  
• Skill level: Intermediate
  
• Tools to use: Toast POS, Street Food Finder, Instagram
  
• Tip: Cuban-American fusion, seafood, and tropical snacks do especially well.

5. Lawn Care & Yard Work

• Why it works: Lush lawns in Florida require consistent upkeep due to the climate.
  
• Average earnings: $4,000–$10,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $2,000–$5,000
  
• Skill level: Beginner
  
• Tools to use: Jobber, QuickBooks, Yardbook
  
• Tip: Offer contracts and eco-friendly options to increase income.

6. House & Office Cleaning

• Why it works: Cleaning is always in demand, with opportunities for recurring clients.
  
• Average earnings: $3,000–$7,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $500–$1,500
  
• Skill level: Beginner
  
• Tools to use: Turno, Breezeway, QuickBooks
  
• Tip: Upsell move-out, post-renovation, or green-cleaning packages.

7. Boat Cleaning & Marina Services

• Why it works: Boats are everywhere, and saltwater requires regular maintenance.
  
• Average earnings: $4,000+/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $1,000–$3,000
  
• Skill level: Intermediate
  
• Tools to use: Local marina directories, Facebook Marketplace, SEO basics
  
• Tip: Offer discounted seasonal plans and partner with marina offices.

8. Tour Guide Business

• Why it works: Florida’s nature, history, and cities offer tons of tour potential.
  
• Average earnings: $2,000–$8,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $300–$1,500
  
• Skill level: Beginner
  
• Tools to use: TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, Canva
  
• Tip: Offer specialty tours like ghost walks, wildlife trails, or foodie strolls.

9. Property Management

• Why it works: Investors from out of state need trusted local partners.
  
• Average earnings: 8–12% of monthly rent + extra service fees
  
• Startup cost estimate: $1,000–$3,000
  
• Skill level: Intermediate
  
• Tools to use: Buildium, AppFolio, Google Workspace
  
• Tip: Start with short-term rentals (Airbnbs) for higher margins.

10. Handyman or Renovation Services

• Why it works: Storm repairs and home improvements are constant needs.
  
• Average earnings: $4,000–$12,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $1,000–$5,000
  
• Skill level: Intermediate to expert
  
• Tools to use: Thumbtack, Angi, local FB groups
  
• Tip: Build a reliable local reputation, then hire a small crew to scale.

11. Dog Walking & Pet Sitting

• Why it works: Pet care is essential for many families and retirees.
  
• Average earnings: $2,000–$5,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $200–$600
  
• Skill level: Beginner
  
• Tools to use: Rover, PetBacker, Google My Business
  
• Tip: Offer overnight stays or holiday care to boost rates.

12. Childcare or Montessori Micro-Schools

• Why it works: Parents value personal, small-scale educational environments.
  
• Average earnings: $600–$1,200 per child/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $2,000–$10,000
  
• Skill level: Intermediate (education or childcare experience preferred)
  
• Tools to use: Brightwheel, Procare, Canva
  
• Tip: Start small with home licensing and expand as demand grows.

13. Marketing Services for Local Businesses

• Why it works: Small businesses want help standing out online.
  
• Average earnings: $500–$2,000+/client/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $500–$2,000
  
• Skill level: Intermediate
  
• Tools to use: Canva, WordPress, Google Analytics
  
• Tip: Create bundled packages (website + SEO + content) for consistent income.

14. Online Store or Print-on-Demand

• Why it works: Low inventory risk and Florida-themed designs sell well.
  
• Average earnings: $1,000–$10,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $300–$2,000
  
• Skill level: Beginner
  
• Tools to use: Etsy, Shopify, Printful
  
• Tip: Focus on niche trends, like beachwear, pet gear, or state pride apparel.

15. Courier or Delivery Services

• Why it works: Constant demand from medical offices, restaurants, and retailers.
  
• Average earnings: $2,500–$6,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $1,000–$3,000
  
• Skill level: Beginner
  
• Tools to use: Roadie, Onfleet, Google Maps
  
• Tip: Specialize in time-sensitive deliveries like legal docs or prescriptions.

16. Tutoring or Online Courses

• Why it works: Test prep, ESL, and reading support are top concerns for parents.
  
• Average earnings: $2,000–$8,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $100–$1,000
  
• Skill level: Intermediate to expert
  
• Tools to use: Teachable, Zoom, Canva
  
• Tip: Offer flexible plans, both virtual and in-person.

17. Fitness Coaching or Mobile Yoga

• Why it works: Florida’s outdoors and wellness culture are a perfect match.
  
• Average earnings: $3,000–$7,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $500–$2,000
  
• Skill level: Intermediate (certification preferred)
  
• Tools to use: Trainerize, Calendly, Google Meet
  
• Tip: Offer early morning beach sessions or partner with local gyms.

18. Pool Cleaning Services

• Why it works: Pool owners need weekly service, especially in summer.
  
• Average earnings: $3,000–$10,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $1,500–$3,500
  
• Skill level: Beginner
  
• Tools to use: Pool Office Manager, QuickBooks, Google Calendar
  
• Tip: Add services like filter changes and water testing for extra income.

19. Mobile Notary or Signing Agent

• Why it works: High demand in real estate and legal transactions.
  
• Average earnings: $2,000–$6,000/month
  
• Startup cost estimate: $300–$1,200
  
• Skill level: Beginner (with certification)
  
• Tools to use: Snapdocs, NotaryDash
  
• Tip: Specialize in loan document signings, they pay more.

20. Buy a Franchise

• Why it works: Florida’s population growth supports well-known brand expansion.
  
• Average earnings: $50,000–$200,000/year (varies by brand & location)
  
• Startup cost estimate: $10,000–$100,000+
  
• Skill level: Beginner to intermediate (depends on model)
  
• Tools to use: Franchise Direct, BizBuySell
  
• Tip: Top franchises in Florida include Smoothie King, The UPS Store, Budget Blinds, Kumon.

Ideas for Seniors & Small Budgets

You don’t need deep pockets to get started, just a smart pick:

• Freelance consulting or bookkeeping
  
• Airbnb co-host or cleaner
  
• Online thrift/flipping store
  
• Mobile phone repair or tech setup
  
• Personal assistant for busy parents or seniors

Where to Launch: Best Cities for Business

City	Why It Works
Orlando	Family-focused, tourism hub, young professionals
Miami	International traffic, strong real estate market
Tampa	Affordable, tech growth, popular for families
Naples	High net-worth residents, older population
Jacksonville	Strong logistics and business incentives

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Franchise vs. Independent: What to Choose

Factor	Franchise	Independent Business
Brand Power	✅ Built-in recognition	❌ Start from scratch
Flexibility	❌ Rules & royalties	✅ Full control
Startup Cost	Higher	Lower
Support System	✅ Training & marketing	DIY approach

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking about starting fresh or expanding your side hustle into a full-time operation, Florida is packed with opportunity, warm weather, no income tax, and steady consumer demand make it a great place to begin.