Are you a college student who is looking to earn some money without having to deal with the humiliations and degradation that can come from some other entry-level positions where you don’t get to be your own boss? Then have you tried starting your very own business? The prospect seems ludicrous at first. You might balk at the idea of putting in many arduous hours to get the means to even start your company. It might even seem easier to work somewhere else on somebody else’s terms instead of on your own. However, it can be easy and relatively simple to start your own business, even as a student. You don’t have to have millions of investor dollars and a large workspace in order to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.

This option is majorly appealing to the many college students out there who want to work in order to help pay off some of their debilitating expenses and debt, but who still want to do something within the realm of what they are studying or the occupation that they aspire to. The latter quality just isn’t fulfilled by taking a low paying retail job. Of course, retail jobs are easier to get, though they may overwork and underpay you. It is coming from a place of privilege to encourage college students to try to make it on their own rather than take a steady job, but if the option to create a business is available to you, financially, then don’t let fear hold you back from your dreams.

If you are a student who wants experience in the real world, then creating a dorm based business is the perfect opportunity to do so. That way you can be your own boss, make much more money, and follow your passions, whatever they may be. You’ll get some hands-on experience before you try to join a bigger company, or perhaps you’ll expand on the business you create in college and watch it grow successfully even after you finish your degree.

Besides, creating a company or simply selling your services that relate to your major both look great on a resume. If you are looking to apply to grad school, then you can demonstrate your ability to be a leader who strives to forge a path in your chosen field. If you plan on getting a job that is in the scope of what you want to do straight out of college, then employers will also look kindly on your forward-thinking and independence. It’s a win-win!

Even if you feel you won’t be successful in this business endeavor, don’t worry. Yes, it is scary to fail, but at least you took the chance, and there’s nothing wrong or embarrassing about attempting to do what you really want in life. If you fail you’ll only learn more about how to navigate the confusing world you’re bound to step into after you graduate college, only now you have a safety net for when you fall, allowing yourself the perfect space to explore your chosen field.

Now that the idea of starting a business from your dorm has appealed to you, you may wonder what exactly you should be selling. This really depends on your own limitations: what you want to do and what you are currently studying. For some, these ideas will come easier than for others. For example, if you are a communications or liberal arts major, then you could sell your service of editing copy for a publication or website. You can also offer to write whole articles for blogs and manage your own talent.  By becoming a freelance writer, you can learn about how to negotiate compensation for writing, a very useful skill for the future that might not be taught in the classroom, but is definitely important to the modern English major who might not find work right away after they finish school.

If you are a business major, you can sell consulting services for small companies while also learning a bit more about the intricacies of having your own business. You can also write blog entries for companies on topics like finance and economics for which you specifically are equipped to write about. In writing these articles for blogs, you can get some research done that will help you in your professional life after college. Also, by actually running a business, you are furthering your education and carving out a place for yourself in the world of commerce.

You can also use the leverage of your youth to sell your services of being cognizant of how to operate social media for companies that want to sell their business on those platforms. Businesses always want tech-savvy young people working for them in order to peddle their merchandise to a profitable demographic. You can create your own business where you work on social media and publicity for many companies all at the same time, selling your services as your own individual company for others to outsource from. This option is great for any student who already spends too much time on social media and is great with editing software. Additionally, if you are studying graphic design then you can work as a freelance designer for companies who want new logos or perhaps an entirely new design for their website.

However, some people don’t really feel comfortable selling services like these because they aren’t confident enough in their capabilities: after all, they are still in school to learn how to do these things, how should they know enough to conduct actual business like this? I assure you that this feeling is common. Many students are unsure if they have what it takes to strike out on their own just yet, but have faith: you can still start your own business, even if said business has nothing to do with your major or your intended career path.

For example, if you have something to sell, then sell it! This sounds too easy to be true, but this product can literally be anything. If you have some sort of hobby then you can monetize it now and sell that hobby right out of your dorm room. Many artistic people who don’t necessarily want to pursue the arts professionally still sell their art on platforms like Etsy and make a great deal of money. You can charge people for commissions or sell your homemade jewelry, so you can make cash from doing what you already love.

There is a freelance career for any interest you may excel at. If you are good at makeup then you can offer your services as a makeup artist for special events. Promise a high-quality job at cheaper rates than Sephora and you can make some well-earned money. You can also become a freelance tutor for younger kids if you were especially talented at one subject in high school or middle school. Good, one on one tutoring is always sought after by parents, and you can offer your skills and relatability as two commodities that make for a perfect tutor for any kid.

If those options didn’t appeal to you then you can always start a dog walking business. If your college is located in a wealthy area, then you’re in luck. People will often pay a high fee for this service, and while walking multiple dogs at once, you can make some serious cash. If you have experience volunteering at an animal shelter or walking your own dog then you can advertise this to your potential clients. There is also the choice of starting a cleaning service. You can clean other students’ dorm rooms if you are starting by yourself, so you can have a smaller space. But if you have a group of friends who similarly want to make some money, then you can start targeting larger houses and apartments in your area. All you need to do it spring for some money to buy a couple of cleaning supplies, most of which are probably already in your arsenal, and you’re good to go.

You can literally sell anything that you can offer as a good or service. All you need is a little bit of faith and you can make it as a student entrepreneur. Just set up a professional-looking website, print out some flyers, and tack up some posters on a community bulletin board and you are starting what could be a very lucrative endeavor. Know how to market yourself correctly. For example, if you are offering dog walking services, try putting flyers in the mailboxes of some of the wealthier houses you see on a walk. If you’re trying to be a freelance writer, hang up a poster with your contact information on the wall of a café that you know is frequented by other writers. Selling your services and starting out on your own are all about making the most of what you have. Read more about being a student entrepreneur at StorageScholars.com.