Seasonal Business: How to Get Started + The Top Money-Making Ideas

Not every business needs to run year-round. Some are meant to shine during specific seasons—and that’s where seasonal businesses come in.

If you’re looking for a way to make extra income, take advantage of peak demand, or work only part of the year, starting a seasonal business might be the perfect fit.

In this post, you’ll learn what seasonal businesses are, how to get one off the ground, and the best ideas to try based on the time of year.

What Is a Seasonal Business?

A seasonal business is one that operates during a specific season or around certain events.

Think: a snow removal service in winter, a beach gear rental in summer, or selling handmade ornaments during the holidays.

They don’t run year-round, but they often bring in a surge of income during their peak season—and can be repeated every year.

The Pros and Cons

Pros:

• You get to focus on one busy period and take time off the rest of the year
• There’s high demand during that specific window
• Less burnout compared to running a business non-stop

Cons:

• Income is limited to just a few months;
• You’ll need to plan everything in advance—there’s no time to waste once the season starts;
• There’s a learning curve if it’s your first year.

To make it sustainable, some people pair two seasonal businesses (like one in summer and one in winter), or add passive income streams in the off-season.

How to Start a Seasonal Business

The process is pretty straightforward, but you’ll want to be intentional from the beginning. Here’s what that looks like:

1. Pick the season you want to focus on.

Decide when you want to be busiest—summer, winter, or around certain holidays.

Think about what fits your lifestyle, schedule, and energy levels. If you love the outdoors, summer gigs might be your thing. Prefer cozy, indoor work? Winter or holiday-based businesses can be perfect.

2. Choose a niche that solves a seasonal problem.

The best seasonal businesses solve a specific need tied to a time of year.

It could be convenience (like snow removal), fun (kids’ summer camps), or celebration (holiday pop-up shops).

Look for gaps in your local area or online spaces where people are searching but not finding great solutions.

3. Plan early.

You don’t want to scramble the week your season kicks off. Marketing, supplies, pricing, packaging, and even your website should be ready ahead of time.

A good rule: be launch-ready at least 30 days before the season starts.

4. Budget carefully.

Seasonal income means you’ve got a short window to earn.

Track your expenses from day one, plan for taxes, and price your offers with profit in mind. Avoid overcommitting financially during your off months.

5. Plan for off-season storage.

If you’re selling physical products or using equipment (think decor, signage, tools), you’ll need a safe place to store them.

That’s where services like Ohio self storage come in handy—they keep your stuff secure, accessible, and out of your house or garage during the slow months.
It’s a small investment that protects your inventory and helps you stay organized year-round.

6. Think long-term.

If your first season goes well, treat it like a business you can scale. You can repeat the same offer next year, turn it into a signature brand, or even add other seasonal gigs to your calendar.

Many people start with one idea and end up building a multi-season income stream.

Top Seasonal Business Ideas

Here’s a list of money-making ideas, organized by season:

Spring

• Lawn care or landscaping – People want clean yards after winter;
• Wedding services – Planning, photography, or day-of coordination;
• Home cleaning – Spring cleaning is a real thing, and many outsource it;
• Gardening services or workshops – Offer planting help or sell kits.

Summer

• Ice cream cart or smoothie stand – Great for local events or parks;
• Surf, paddleboard, or kayak rentals – Works near water or resorts;
• Pop-up kids camps – STEM, art, or outdoor-themed camps for a few weeks;
• Tour guide or local experiences – Especially in touristy areas.

Fall

• Pumpkin patch or fall-themed events – Great for families and local marketing;
• Back-to-school tutoring or coaching – Help kids catch up or get ahead;
• Fall home decor – Think wreaths, candles, and cozy products;
• Photography mini sessions – Outdoor fall sessions book fast.

Winter

• Holiday market booth – Sell crafts, gifts, or food;
• Snow removal or holiday light setup – In high demand in colder areas;
• Gift wrapping services – Easy to offer locally or as a mobile service;
• Online gift shop or Etsy store – Seasonal products like ornaments or digital templates.

Bonus: Holiday-Based Businesses

• Valentine’s Day boxes or floral services;
• Easter baskets or treat delivery;
• Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift bundles;
• Black Friday digital product sales (great for bloggers or creators).

How to Keep Money Coming in Year-Round

Just because your business is seasonal doesn’t mean your income has to be. Here’s how to keep the cash flowing in the off-season:

Add digital products that sell all year.

You can turn your seasonal know-how into passive income. Think printables (planners, checklists), templates (social media posts, contracts), or mini courses that help others start a similar biz.

Example: If you run a summer kids camp, create a downloadable guide for planning themed camp days at home.

Once created, these products can earn year-round without extra work.

Also read: How Kim George Earns 5 Figures Monthly with KDP Books, Courses + Templates

Offer early bird bookings for the next season.

Lock in income ahead of time by opening up your calendar months in advance.

Offer bonuses or discounts for people who book early—it helps with cash flow and planning. This works well for services like photography, holiday events, and rentals.

Create seasonal bundles you can relaunch every year.

Group your products or services into themed bundles tied to specific holidays or seasons.

You can update the visuals or bonuses each year, but keep the core offer the same.

Example: A fall-themed decor bundle, or a Valentine’s Day gift set for digital download.

Pair up two different seasonal gigs.

If your business only runs a few months a year, balance it out with another in a different season.

Run a surfboard rental in summer and switch to holiday gift wrapping in winter. You stay busy, diversify your income, and avoid long dry spells.

Final Thoughts

Seasonal businesses don’t have to be small or temporary. With the right planning, they can be simple to run, profitable, and repeatable.

If you’ve been wanting to test a business idea without going all in full-time, this could be your way in.

Start with one season, keep it focused, and try it out. You might be surprised how much you can earn in just a few months.