Every Vermont entrepreneur wants to be successful. And starting your own business is an exciting step to take, especially if you’re confident about your business idea. But what if you’re still figuring out the best business to start in Vermont? Deciding on the best small business in Vermont for you depends on your personal strengths as much as it depends on Vermont’s business trends and needs.

As a trusted business partner to many small businesses, we can help you brainstorm good business ideas. And once you’re ready to start your own business, our Vermont startup business resources and services can get help you get started quickly!

The Most Profitable Small Business Ideas in Vermont

Vermont boasts natural beauty and great outdoor sports. So the best business to start in Vermont might be something you’re passionate about or something that fills a need in your area. Below are 8 types of businesses that can be profitable in the State of Vermont. 

Idea #1: Short-Term Rental Accommodations

Vermont boasts some of the best skiing and hiking on the east coast. Why not take advantage of it and rent out a room or two in your house or condo? Or, if you’re particularly flexible, rent out your house when you know you’re going to be out of town. Of course, the best place to start a business in Vermont for short-term rentals is close to desirable ski mountains or trails. 

Short-term rental providers need to be aware that Vermont imposes certain taxes on short-term rentals. Cities and counties may also require permits or licenses. Be sure to check the Vermont Department of Taxes Short-Term Rentals requirements, as well as your municipal licensing restrictions before renting out your home!

Idea #2: Clothing Sales

Passionate about cool vintage clothes? Interested in funky sweaters? Vermont is home to many vintage shops. The best business to start in Vermont may be opening a fun clothing store. You could choose the option of selling your wares in a storefront, but you also have the option of having an exclusively online store. Depending on the needs and demands of your area, these are both great options!

Idea #3: Customized Tours

Tourism in Vermont is a multi-billion dollar industry. Why not claim a piece of that for yourself? Some great business ideas in Vermont could include providing customized tours to out-of-towners, depending on your interest and expertise. Whether you’re an expert hiker or you know everything about Vermont dairy, there’s bound to be a tourist who wants to know about it. 

Idea #4: Photography 

Are you handy with a camera? Maybe photography is the best business to start in Vermont for you! Whether you’re snapping couples taking in the natural beauty for destination weddings or you’re following families on customized tours, there’s bound to be a market for beautiful photographs. 

Idea #5: Agriculture

Vermont is known for its agriculture, especially its dairy industry! Even if you don’t have traditional farmland or experience with agriculture, you might still be able to make this a great choice for you through urban farming. Not only can your farming activities earn you revenue through the products you sell, but your farming business can also be a tourist attraction. In fact, Vermont’s Department of Agriculture has great resources to help make agriculture and agritourism among the best of Vermont business.

Idea #6: Information Technology

Vermont’s tech industry lags behind the rest of the U.S. There’s lots of opportunity for a savvy entrepreneur to build a great business. In fact, because the best business to start in Vermont is one that draws on your unique skills, an IT pro could create a lucrative business nearly anywhere in Vermont. 

Idea #7: Professional Services

Do you have specialized training or licensing? As an accountant, licensed personal trainer, or hairstylist, you may be able to create a lucrative business using your training or license. Just make sure to identify the best place to start a business in Vermont, since you don’t want to open your salon in a town with 100 people and 15 salons.

You can also protect yourself as a professional business owner by starting your business as a professional LLC or professional corporation.

Idea #8: Moving Company

Since the onset of the pandemic, more and more people are flocking to Vermont’s open spaces. Why not help attract more people to Vermont and start a great small business at the same time? Offering safe, effective moving services can be a game-changer for many folks looking to move. Just make sure to check state, local, and federal regulations regarding moving companies.

With the help of our partners at Avalara, we offer a Business License Report Service. Our comprehensive Business License Report tells you what licenses and permits you need to obtain to operate your moving company so you don’t have to comb through thousands of regulations.

Why These Are the Best Small Businesses to Start in Vermont

These businesses are good businesses to start in Vermont because:

• You can start many of them as home-based businesses
• Most of them don’t require a lot of expensive equipment
• Many of them are part of in-demand or growth industries in Vermont
• They can have significant staying power

Don’t let these be the only factors you consider when you decide what kind of business to start. The best business to start in Vermont draws on your own expertise. Even if your vision isn’t the most popular business, many successful entrepreneurs have started extremely popular businesses with not-so-mainstream ideas. 

Best Cities in Vermont for Starting a Business

Vermont’s mountains and trails make it a natural choice for intrepid entrepreneurs. The best place to start a business in Vermont may depend upon your love of snow and what kind of skiing you like best. The three best cities for starting a business in Vermont include:

• Burlington
• Rutland
• Bennington

These cities are Vermont’s population centers and house most of Vermont’s top industries and healthcare facilities, as well as the University of Vermont.

The first thing to do when executing your business ideas in Vermont is to choose a business entity format. Whether you want to start a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation with your new business idea, we can make it easy with our Vermont LLC Formation Service or our Vermont Corporation Formation Service. And if you don’t know which business entity type to start, we can help you Compare Different Business Structures. 

Why Form Your Business with Us?

We’ve been helping Vermont small business owners with their formation and compliance needs for years. We help take care of the paperwork so you can get down to business faster. And once your business is off the ground, we can help you keep it legally compliant with our Worry-Free Compliance Service. And we’re not just here for the big business events that come up a handful of times in the year. Our extensive catalog of business support services can help you manage your invoices, find business inspiration, and organize your important documents. 

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.