Best Small Business Ideas In The Sims 4

Summary

• Sims 4 allows players to run their own businesses like daycare centers, laundromats, and metaphysical shops.
• Businesses offer unique activities, from running petting zoos to managing wineries, adding depth to Sims’ entrepreneurial ventures.
• The variety of businesses in the expansion pack caters to diverse playstyles and interests, offering profitable and rewarding experiences.

The Businesses & Hobbies expansion for The Sims 4 opens up a world of possibilities, letting players design and manage their own custom businesses. From crafting the perfect spa resort to running a lively secret club, the expansion allows Sims to explore entrepreneurial ventures that suit a wide variety of playstyles.

Players can control every detail, from business activities and employee tasks to the types of customers they’d like to attract, to ensure that each small business is uniquely its own. Explore some creative ideas for small businesses that players can implement in their games.

10

Daycare Center

Give The Littlest Sims A Place To Learn, Play, And Grow

• Business Activities: Perform Puppet Shows, Play On Playground Equipment, Play With Toys, Play With Infant & Toddler Toys, Sleep
• Employee Tasks: Be Friendly, Care For Little Ones, Clean, Cook, Run Lectures And Classes

For the first time without mods, Sims can finally run their own daycare center, providing a safe and enriching space for infants and toddlers. Parents from all over the neighborhood can drop off their little ones while they tackle their daily responsibilities. Simply go into the Customer Criteria section of the business settings, select Supervised Customer, and disable “Customer Stays at Business” to achieve this.

Hire trained employees to handle everything from feeding and diaper changes to playtime and naps. Builders can outfit the space with cribs, toddler beds, playpens, and an assortment of toys to keep the tiny customers entertained, while playground equipment and puppet theaters add an extra layer of fun for children. Whether Sims are running the business or attending it as a customer, daycare centers are both rewarding and profitable.

9

Laundromat

Turn Weekly Chores Into A Social Hotspot

• Business Activities: Be Friendly, Do Laundry, Browse And Buy Items
• Employee Tasks: Be Friendly, Clean, Fix Objects

Who knew laundry day could double as a community gathering? With the popular Laundry Day Stuff Pack, Sims can operate a laundromat, charging customers to use their washing machines and dryers to clean their clothes. To keep visitors entertained, add cozy seating areas where neighbors can chat, build friendships, and maybe even spark a little romance over the hum of spinning clothes. A coffee/tea bar could also give customers something to do as they wait for their load to be done.

Shelves stocked with detergent, soaps, and other cleaning supplies can provide extra income while — at the same time — making the place feel more authentic to real life. With employees on hand to keep the machines running smoothly and the space spotless, this business can be both practical and lucrative.

A Mystical Haven For Spellcasters, Crystal Admirers, And The Spiritually Curious

• Business Activities: Browse And Buy Items, Cast Helpful Spells, Cast Chaotic Spells, Cast Spells, Do Gemology, Do Research, Meditate, Read, Use Cauldron, View Collectibles
• Employee Tasks: Cast Helpful Spells, Do Tarot Readings, Run Lectures And Classes, Tend Tattoo Table, Use Cauldron

Step into an enchanting world where magic, mysticism, and metaphysical wonders come to life. A metaphyiscal shop is the perfect gathering place for spellcasters to refine their craft, read ancient tomes, and stock up on items like wands, brooms, and rare potion ingredients. Crystal enthusiasts can browse dazzling gemstone displays, while those seeking guidance can book a tarot reading from an in-house mystic — especially exciting for players with the Life & Death expansion or Crystal Creations stuff pack.

Players can encourage different occult Sims to visit the shop by editing the Customer Criteria settings. To add even more intrigue, tattoo booths can offer Sims a chance to mark their spiritual journey with symbolic ink. With cauldrons bubbling, arcane lectures unfolding, and auras of mystery filling the air, this business is as spellbinding as it is prosperous.

7

Movie Theater

Big Screens, Big Dreams, And Blockbuster Moments

• Business Activities: Browse And Buy Items, Drink Bar Drinks, Eat Popcorn, Watch Live Entertainment, Watch Movies On TV, Watch TV
• Employee Tasks: Acting Routines, Clean, Make Treats, Mix Bar Drinks, Tend Bar

Transform Sim’s world with the ultimate cinematic experience by running a fully functional movie theater. Using the Movie Hangout Stuff Pack, players can design cozy indoor screening rooms with plush recliners and projectors or use a little imagination to go retro with a drive-in theater.

Beyond just watching films, this venue can serve as a hotspot for celebrity meet-and-greets, red carpet premieres, and even acting workshops hosted by famous actors and celebrities. A well-stocked concession stand ensures customers can grab handmade candy, popcorn, and drinks while they enjoy the show. Whether it’s a casual movie night or a glitzy premiere, this business is sure to bring the drama — in the best way possible.

6

Petting Zoo

Get Up Close And Personal With The Cutest Critters In Town

• Business Activities: Care For Animals, Browse And Buy Items, Horses Play And Learn, Look For Frogs, Pets Play And Learn, Play With Pets
• Employee Tasks: Care For Animals, Care For Livestock, Care For Pets, Care For Ranch Animals, Clean

For players and Sims who love animals, a petting zoo offers the perfect opportunity to interact with a variety of friendly creatures. Cows, chickens, llamas, rabbits, goats, and even horses can become the stars of this charming business, providing endless entertainment for visitors of all ages. Customers can feed and pet the resident animals while exploring the grounds, making it an excellent spot for families and animal enthusiasts alike.

To keep things running smoothly, owners can hire employees to handle animal care or tending to produce stands stocked with farm-to-table goods like milk, wool, and eggs. Add a cozy café to complete the experience, giving Sims a place to relax with a warm drink after a fun-filled day with furry and feathered friends.

5

Farmer’s Market

Fresh Flavors, Local Charm, And A Feast For The Senses

• Business Activities: Browse And Buy Items, Be Friendly, Flower Arranging, Tend Garden
• Employee Tasks: Clean, Offer Paid Mentoring, Run Classes and Lectures, Tend Garden, Tend and Harvest Garden

A farmer’s market can bring the community together with homegrown produce, handcrafted goods, and mouth-watering farm-fresh meals. Sims who love gardening, cooking, and baking can turn their passion into profit by selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and homemade treats straight from the stalls of their small business.

Beyond shopping, visitors can take part in hands-on experiences, like learning flower arranging or receiving expert gardening mentorship from seasoned green thumbs. Employees can be hired to help maintain the market’s lively atmosphere by keeping things tidy, assisting customers, and hosting skill-building workshops. For a quick grocery run or a weekend outing filled with fresh finds and friendly faces, this business offers a little something for everyone.

4

Secret VIP Nightclub

A Hidden Hotspot Where The Real Fun Begins After Hours

• Business Activities: Be Romantic, Dance, Drink Bar Drinks, Hug, Kiss, Play Darts, Play Who’s Up Party Games, Watch Live Entertainment, Wear Costumes From Costume Trunk
• Employee Tasks: Be Romantic, Clean, DJ, Do Comedy, Play An Instrument, Sing, Tend Bar, Tend Tattoo Table

Not every business is as innocent as it seems. With the right setup, a quiet café or bookstore can conceal something far more scandalous. After customers request a specific book title as a passcode, the “librarians” can let them in behind a hidden bookcase door, where a secret nightclub awaits — complete with a bar, dance floor, live entertainment, and plenty of cozy corners for Sims to get up close and personal.

The Businesses & Hobbies expansion’s unexpected romance-focused activities make this venue perfect for a little mischief, where VIP guests can dance, flirt, and let loose away from prying eyes. Assign employees to keep the drinks flowing, spin the hottest tracks, and even run tattoo stations for Sims looking to commemorate their wild night. This business is all about mystery, excitement, and unforgettable memories.

3

Cat Café

Purr, Sip, And Relax In The Coziest Café In Town

• Business Activities: Be Friendly, Browse And Buy Items, Care For Animals, Drink Coffee, Drink Tea, Eat, Pets Play And Learn, Play With Pets
• Employee Tasks: Bake, Cook, Care For Animals, Care For Pets, Clean, Tend Coffee/Tea Bars And Counters

Why settle for ordinary coffee shops when Sims can enjoy their latte with a side of feline companionship? A cat café offers the purrfect blend of cozy ambiance and adorable entertainment, giving Sims a place to unwind with a warm drink while playful cats roam freely. Customers can even be encouraged to bring their own cats (using the Supervised Customer setting) to socialize or simply enjoy the company of the café’s resident kitties.

Hire help to keep things running smoothly by preparing fresh pastries, brewing top-notch coffee and tea, and ensuring the furry guests are happy and well-cared for. Stop in for a quick caffeine fix or spend hours curled up with a cat and a good book at a cat café small business.

2

Bar & Winery

Sip, Swirl, And Savor The Finest Handcrafted Drinks

• Business Activities: Browse And Buy Items, Drink Bar Drinks, Drink Ranch Nectar, Make Ranch Nectar, Play Pub Games
• Employee Tasks: Clean, Offer Paid Mentoring, Run Lectures And Classes, Tend Bar, Tend Garden, Tend And Harvest Garden

A regular bar is one thing, but a venue where Sims can watch drinks being made — or even craft their own — is a game-changer. This small business combines a social hangout with an interactive experience, letting customers sample expertly mixed drinks or fresh nectar from the Horse Ranch expansion. Hobby classes introduce eager learners to the art of mixology, while mentorship sessions help aspiring vintners perfect their nectar-making skills.

A lush garden filled with homegrown ingredients ensures the freshest flavors, giving guests the chance to pick their own fruit before heading to the fermenting station. Between tastings, Sims can unwind with classic pub games or relax in a beautifully designed lounge, making an interactive bar and winery the perfect spot for casual outings and lively gatherings alike.

1

Spa Retreat

Sims Will Want To Nama-Stay At This Peaceful Palace Forever

• Business Activities: Bathe And Shower, Browse And Buy Items, Do Spa Activities, Do Yoga, Drink Tea, Meditate, Sleep, Use Hot Tub, Work Out
• Employee Tasks: Be Friendly, Clean, Give Massages, Offer Paid Mentoring, Run Lectures And Classes, Tend Coffee/Tea Bars And Counters

A day at the spa offers the perfect escape from the daily grind. With both the Spa Day game pack and the Businesses & Hobbies expansion pack, Sims can take relaxation to the next level. Business owners can create a high-end wellness center, complete with yoga classes, guided meditation, and soothing massages.

Customers might sip herbal tea in a serene lounge before slipping into the sauna or unwinding in a hot tub. For those seeking a more active experience, fitness areas and wellness mentorships provide a path to a healthier lifestyle. Whether designed as a tranquil retreat or a high-energy health club, this business promises an oasis of calm for every Sim in need of a break.