College life isn’t just about textbooks and lectures; it’s a time when opportunities for growth and innovation abound. As a college student in 2023, you have a unique chance to explore your entrepreneurial spirit and make some extra cash while pursuing your education. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve curated a list of the 50 best things to sell in college, offering exciting business ideas. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle, need extra money for textbooks, or dream of starting a small business, we’ve got you covered.
College is an expensive journey, and finding ways to alleviate the financial burden is crucial. Here, we’ll discuss why college students need innovative business ideas in 2023. With rising tuition fees, textbooks, and living expenses, many students seek ways to make extra money. We’ll also explore the unique advantages college life offers for budding entrepreneurs.
Why College Students Need Business Ideas in 2023
The cost of higher education continues to climb, making it essential for college students to find creative ways to supplement their finances. Here’s why:
- Tuition Fees: Tuition fees have been steadily increasing, and even with financial aid, many students struggle to cover these costs.
- Textbooks: College textbooks are notorious for their high prices. New editions are released frequently, forcing students to spend hundreds of dollars each semester.
- Living Expenses: Rent, groceries, and other expenses quickly add up. Students often need extra income to make ends meet.
- Student Loans: The burden of student loans can be overwhelming. Finding ways to earn money in college can help reduce reliance on loans and post-graduation debt.
- Extracurricular Activities: Many students want to participate in extracurricular activities, which can also come with associated costs.
Advantages of Starting a Business in College
While the financial challenges are significant, college life presents unique advantages for aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Access to a Diverse Market: College campuses are melting pots of diverse interests and needs, providing a broad customer base for your business.
- Flexible Schedule: College schedules often allow for flexibility, giving you time to run your business alongside your studies.
- Networking Opportunities: Colleges offer excellent networking opportunities. You can connect with professors, mentors, and fellow students who can support your venture.
- Learning Experience: Running a business in college is a practical learning experience. You’ll gain valuable skills in marketing, finance, and time management.
- Low-Risk Environment: The college provides a relatively low-risk environment for testing business ideas. Failure is a valuable teacher without severe consequences.
Now that we understand why college students need business ideas and the benefits of starting a business on campus, let’s delve into the 50 best things to sell in college.
The 50 Best Things to Sell in College in 2023
As a college student, the possibilities for entrepreneurial ventures are endless. Here’s a curated list of 50 lucrative business ideas that you can explore on your college campus this year:
Food and Beverage
Food and beverages are always in demand on college campuses. Consider these options:
- Candy: Create a candy store with various sweets, including popping candy, lollipops, and pick mix.
- Crisps: Offer an assortment of chips and crisps in multiple flavours.
- Soft Drinks: Provide a selection of soft drinks, including soda, energy drinks, and juice boxes.
- Chocolate: Sell popular chocolate bars and candies that college students love.
- Bake Sale Items: If you have baking skills, offer homemade baked goods like cookies, brownies, and cupcakes.
- Healthy Snacks: Cater to health-conscious students with nutritious snacks like granola bars and fruit cups.
- Cup Noodles or Pasta Pots: Quick and easy meal options that students can prepare in their dorms.
- Coffee and Tea Subscription Boxes: Curate speciality coffee and tea blends delivered to students’ doorsteps.
Branded Merchandise
Promote school spirit and support your college community with these branded items:
- Branded Clothing Items: Create and sell clothing items featuring your college’s name, sports teams, or mascot.
- Merchandise for School Sports Teams: Design and sell merchandise to support your college’s sports teams.
Gadgets and Accessories
Tech-savvy college students often look for trendy gadgets and accessories:
- Phone Cases and Accessories: Offer a variety of phone cases, straps, charms, and stickers for popular smartphone models.
- Fidget Spinners and Stress Balls: These can be popular stress relief items for students.
- Stationery Items: Sell stationery staples like pens, pencils, highlighters, and notepads.
Forgotten Essentials
Students often need to remember essential items. Be the solution:
- Body Spray: Provide travel-sized body sprays for students looking to freshen up.
- Sanitary Items: Stock feminine hygiene products for convenience.
- Wet Wipes: Offer individual wet wipes for quick cleanups.
- Scrunchies: Stylish hair accessories are always in demand.
- Chewing Gum: Keep a variety of gum flavours on hand.
- Lip Balm/Vaseline: Essential for combating dry lips.
- Plasters: Bandages for minor injuries and blisters.
- Nail Files: Small nail care items for students on the go.
Phone Charging Services
Help fellow students keep their devices charged:
- Phone Charging Equipment: Set up charging stations for students to recharge their devices.
Nail Art Services
Offer creative nail art services for special occasions:
- Nail Art: Paint intricate designs on nails at campus events or parties.
Your Time
Utilize your skills to offer valuable services:
- Proofreading: Provide proofreading services for essays and papers.
- Language Lessons: Offer language tutoring or conversation practice.
- Video Editing: Edit videos for student projects or events.
- Tutoring or 1:1 Lessons: Provide tutoring in various subjects.
- Ironing: Help students with their laundry by offering ironing services.
Handmake Your Products
29. Handmade jewellery – Make minimalist jewellery like bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, or brooches and sell on Etsy or around campus.
30. Custom phone cases – Upload your designs to print-on-demand sites like Redbubble and earn royalties when they sell.
30. Crocheted/knitted goods – Beanies, scarves, and mittens are quick sellers during colder months. Sell on Etsy or local bulletin boards.
31. Candles – Purchase supplies to create scented soy or beeswax candles. Add custom designs and sell them on your site.
32. Soaps – Make natural bath and beauty products like soaps, scrubs, and bath bombs explicitly tailored to students—market effectively on social media and via influencers to drive sales.
33. Artwork/paintings – Sell prints or original pieces via online galleries, forums, and local cafes. Make reproductions easily scalable.
34. Custom clothing – Add painted designs or iron-on patches to jackets, sweatshirts, tees, and hats. Promote to students through Instagram and at events.
35. Baked goods – Cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and bread make excellent dorm room treats. Market directly to dorms and hungry students on campus.
Used or Unwanted Items
36. Used textbooks – Buy used and sell them at the end of the semester to incoming students who need them. Platforms like Amazon make reselling textbooks easy.
37. Old electronics – Laptops, tablets, phones, and gaming systems you don’t use anymore can be sold for cash on sites like Gazelle and Decluttr. Remember to wipe your data for security first.
38. Clothing and accessories – Sell gently used or new clothes, shoes, watches, bags, and jewellery online through Poshmark, Mercari, and eBay platforms. Take high-quality photos and thoroughly describe conditions to earn top dollar.
39. Dorm/apartment furnishings – Futons, mini-fridges, shelves, and more can be sold via Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist when you move out.
40. Sports equipment – Golf clubs, tennis rackets, skis, bikes, and other sports gear can be resold for profit through local ads on bulletin boards and Facebook.
41. Video games and systems – Sell your used video games and consoles you no longer use to fellow gamers—list individually or in bundles on eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace.
42. Musical instruments – Guitars, brass instruments, drum sets, and amps hold value. Maximize profits by listing locally via bulletin boards or on niche sites like Reverb.com.
43. Books/DVDs/CDs – Textbooks cannot be reused, and leisure books, CDs, and DVDs can be exchanged for cash online through sites like Declutter and Amazon Trade-In.
44. Event tickets – Sell extra tickets to concerts, sports events, festivals, and shows for a nice profit on sites like StubHub.
Skills as Services
45. Resume writing – Help peers polish resumes and cover letters to land internships and jobs. Spread the word on LinkedIn, college clubs, and academic departments.
46. Social media management – Assist local brands and student groups with managing their social media accounts and content strategies.
47. Computer/tech help – Offer repairs, setups, troubleshooting, and tech assistance. Promote to professors and students in need.
48. Moving/packing help – Assist other students who are changing dorms or moving off campus with packing, lifting, and transporting belongings.
49. Pet sitting – Care for professors’ and local families’ pets while away – walking, feeding, playing. Spread the word through flyers and neighbourhood apps.
50. Babysitting – Watch professors’ and neighbourhood families’ kids evenings and weekends. List your services through care.com and local Facebook groups.
These are just some of the business ideas you can explore as a college student in 2023. The following section will discuss how to start, market your products or services, and turn your college venture into a success story.
Getting Started: A Step-by-Step Guide
Starting a college business may seem daunting, but you can set yourself up for success with the right approach. Follow these steps to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey:
Step 1: Idea Generation
The first step in starting a business as a college student is idea generation. Explore your interests and skills to identify a business idea that suits you. Consider what products or services could meet the needs and preferences of your fellow students. Additionally, research market trends and assess the competition on your college campus.
Step 2: Business Planning
Creating a solid business plan is essential once you have a viable business idea. Outline your goals, define your target audience, and establish a budget. Your business plan should include a comprehensive marketing, pricing, and profit margin analysis. Calculate your startup costs and project your expected revenue to ensure your business is financially viable.
Step 3: Legal Considerations
Before launching your business, take care of the necessary legal considerations. Register your business and obtain any required licenses or permits. Ensure that you comply with local regulations, including health and safety standards. This step is crucial to avoid legal issues down the road.
Step 4: Funding
Explore various funding options to finance your college business venture. You can use personal savings, consider taking out loans, or explore grant opportunities for student entrepreneurs. Starting small can minimize financial risk; as your business grows, you can reinvest your profits to fund expansion.
Step 5: Sourcing Products
Find reliable suppliers for your goods or materials if your business sells products. Consider buying items in bulk to reduce costs and increase your profit margins. Establishing solid relationships with suppliers is critical to ensuring a steady inventory flow.
Step 6: Marketing and Promotion
Develop a comprehensive marketing plan that includes both online and offline strategies. Leverage social media platforms, campus bulletin boards, and word of mouth to promote your business to your fellow students. Effective marketing is essential for attracting customers and building brand recognition.
Step 7: Selling and Customer Service
Provide excellent customer service from the start to build a loyal customer base. Track your sales and gather feedback from customers to improve your offerings continually. Happy customers are likelier to become repeat buyers and recommend your business to others.
Step 8: Scaling and Expansion
As your business begins to thrive, consider opportunities for scaling and expansion. Explore additional product or service offerings that can cater to a broader audience within and outside the college campus. Expanding your business can significantly increase your revenue potential.
Step 9: Time Management
Balancing your business responsibilities with coursework can be challenging, so effective time management is crucial. Prioritize tasks and create a schedule that allows you to manage your studies and business efficiently. Time management skills are valuable for long-term success.
Step 10: Persistence and Adaptation
Understand that success may not come overnight. Be persistent and open to adapting your business based on feedback and changing circumstances. Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with learning experiences, and being flexible can help you overcome challenges and achieve your goals.
Understand that success may take time. Be persistent and open to adapting your business based on feedback and changing circumstances.
Conclusion
In 2023, college students have many opportunities to embark on entrepreneurial journeys. Whether you sell in-demand products, offer valuable services, or create unique experiences, your college campus can be the ideal testing ground for your business ideas. Remember that entrepreneurship is a journey filled with learning experiences and growth. You can turn your college venture into a thriving success with determination, creativity, and strategies.
FAQs
Q: What is the best way to make money in college?
There are many ways to make money in college, but one of the best ways is to sell products to college students. This niche market is full of potential customers looking for convenient and functional products.
Q: What are the best products to sell to college students?
Some of the best products to sell to college students are items that cater to their specific needs and lifestyle. Examples include laptop accessories, study guides, reusable water bottles, dorm room decor, and healthy snacks.
Q: How can I target college students with my products?
To effectively sell to college students, you can establish a presence by setting up a booth or kiosk, advertising in college newspapers or bulletin boards, and utilizing social media platforms popular among students.
Q: What are some good business ideas for college students?
There are numerous business ideas for college students, ranging from providing laundry services to offering tutoring sessions in subjects you excel at. The key is to identify a need or problem among students and provide a solution or service that meets that need.
Q: Can I make money online while in college?
Absolutely! Making money online is a flexible and convenient option for college students. You could sell products through an e-commerce website, offer freelance services, or even create and sell online courses.
Q: Are there any top 100 luxury items that college students would buy?
While luxurious items may not be the first choice for most college students on a tight budget, specific top 100 luxury items still attract buyers. Examples include high-end tech gadgets, designer accessories, and premium skincare products.
Q: Is starting a business as a college student a good idea?
Starting a business as a college student can be a great idea if you have the passion and drive to succeed. It allows you to gain real-world experience, develop valuable skills, and make a significant income while still in school.
Q: Are there any online businesses that are suitable for college students?
Yes, several online business ideas are well-suited for college students. Some examples include dropshipping, affiliate marketing, content writing, graphic design, and virtual assistance.
Q: Are college dorms an excellent place to buy and sell products?
College dorms can be an excellent place to buy and sell products. Students often look for convenient items to enhance their dorm life, such as storage solutions, bedding, and small appliances.
Q: How can I make good money on the side while studying in college?
To make good money while studying, you can explore various part-time job opportunities such as tutoring, pet sitting, house cleaning, or working at a local retail store. Starting a small online business can also provide a flexible income stream.