Many people think that the winter season might not be the best time to start a business. However, with the holiday season, there are actually a lot of options for those looking to side hustle. The holidays, as well as the cold winter weather, present plenty of opportunities for people to open their wallets. Some season-specific services thrive during this time.

Winter-themed Side Hustles

(Pixabay / Couleur )

If you are an entrepreneur looking to bring in extra cash during the cold months, here are some ideas you can run with:

Clear snow away — Snowfall is a constant reality in many parts of the country. If you have a truck, you can attach a snowplow to the front and get going with your business. This few hundred dollar investment can bring thousands in return.  Offering this service can be useful for people who don’t have time to shovel their driveway or businesses that need their parking lots cleared.

Open a towing service — Likewise, a towing service could be beneficial for people in your community. Since a lot of accidents happen on icy roads, opening a towing service could be a lucrative endeavor.

Create holiday greeting cards —Many people send messages to loved ones during this time of year. If you have savvy design skills or are good with words, put them to use by creating holiday greeting cards.

Offer an errand service — There’s a lot of hustle and bustle during the winter season as people purchase gifts, send cards and packages, and shop for groceries for holiday gatherings. For the elderly and those with decreased mobility, navigating traffic as well as large crowds could be overwhelming and dangerous, especially with ice and snow. Consider offering an errand service to help people accomplish their holiday tasks while staying safe and comfortable. To reach your target audience, you can drop your business cards off at local nursing homes or retirement communities, or advertise your services in their publications. Your services may also appeal to busy parents who don’t want to run around town with all of their children in tow, or entrepreneurs that are in crunch-time.

Serve hot beverages — One of the best things about the holiday season is having an excuse to drink coffee, tea, or hot chocolate to keep warm. Try opening a pop-up shop in a strip mall parking lot or community park to serve passers-by. Offering lower prices than mainstream coffee shops or novel flavor options can help you beat out the competition.

When it comes to choosing a winter business, it’s important to remember that good marketing will make or break your business. Make sure to budget for online marketing and other types of advertising to spread the word.