Older Warriors - niches for retired experts

[Un]retire yourself with of these profitable niches for retired experts. Created for South Africans, these are practical, feasible, real-life, no BS niches that can put money in your pocket. There’s something here for everybody – whether you’re good with hands-on work, strategic advising, or creative solutions.

🕒 Work just 10 hours a week and pocket R5,000 – R7,000 in extra cash. 🚀 Double your effort to 20 hours (a typical work-week is 40-hours) and double your earnings! 🔧

What You’re Looking For –

  1. Activity (staying sharp & engaged)
  2. A purpose other than pruning shrubs or playing golf.
  3. Flexibility (no 9-5 commitments)
  4. Extra money (an extra R10k or R15k make a huge difference.

These 17 Niches give all of the above.

The idea is not to be fixated on a niche but to understand how to take a tight, specific niche from a broader industry and run with it – – I.E: Broader industry (handyman services) = Niche service (Shower door repairs).

Let’s dive into the 17 Profitable Niches for Retired Experts.

1: Shower Door Repair Specialist

Why this niche? Because many of the less expensive doors (rental apartments) have a tendency to get stuck, the door rollers beak off due to grime that sets in – resulting in tenants losing a portion of their deposit to offset costs of repairs. Herein lies the opportunity – nobody wants to do this.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.

2. Toilet Cistern Repairs Expert

Why this niche? Because cistern failure is quite common – especially in rental apartments. You don’t need to be a certified plumber to do this work (and plumbers don’t like this work because it’s too small) – Specialization allows you to offer this service for less than a plumbing contractor – as with shower door repairs, herein lies the opportunity.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


3: Air Con Installer

Why this niche? There’s a shift to buying air-conditioning units online (acdirect.co.za & others). Buyers don’t know how to size the units, and need advisory and someone to install it. Specialize in installation of split – wall units for high-end homes and small businesses – where the home or business owners buy the unit/s direct and you advise and install. If you’re an expert at this, AC installation, can be one of the best niches for retired experts.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.

4: Electric stove conversion (Induction or LPG)

Why this niche? Stove elements get old and stop working efficiently (also they’re energy inefficient) – there’s a shift to conversions, either to inductions (high efficiency quick heating) or LPG (gas) – if you’re qualified (and certified) , this can be a lucrative niche.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


5: Architectural visionary

Why this niche? Here’s a proven lucrative niche for a (un)retired designer, architect – bringing a vision to life BEFORE spending money on expensive plans. You could upsell to full service plans or budget advisory service. This niche can also include model-building. As an ex-designer, Interior design maestro, you’ve got the software required to offer this service.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


6: Bicycle repairs

Why this niche? Bicycles & cycling is a growing market and repair experts are in demand – especially personalized service like you can offer as a (un)retired specialist. You can offer mobile or collection & delivery services. Get in with cycle communities and become noticed quickly.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


7: Burglar door installer

Why this niche? Security is a real concern for home and business owners – and there’s no need to take up welding. You can become an approved installer for quality fabricators like XPANDA – or speak to MAXIDOR and other – your job is to access the space, measure, order, follow up – and install (simple tools). Basically a niche taken off the handyman service sector – but specialization allows you a higher level of efficiency.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


8: Video Door Bell Installer

Why this niche? Security is in demand and homeowners are looking for affordable (but reliable) options. A Video Door ‘Bell’ is a valuable accessory allowing owners to access via their phones. It’s a useful device for high-end apartment and townhouse owners and a great niche for a retired expert, especially if combined with an associated niche.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


9: Mattress (rug) cleaning

Why this niche? Boring businesses is the name of the game these days. There’s nothing sexy about cleaning mattresses and rugs (but it’s a proven lucrative task-based niche that allows for a flexible lifestyle business). Target high-end residential, boutique hotels and AIRBNB. The key is good equipment and with some practice, you can have this (un)retired business up and running in a couple of weeks.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


10: Loans application Advisory Assistance

Why this niche? If you’re have the knowledge and experience in banking – or accounting, this could be the right niche for you. For a small fee, you can help small (and medium size) business owners with their loan applications and compliance. An initial 30-minute virtual meeting and document check (an hours work) could be worth R1k (or more). You could expand this to compliance and/or tax advisory services.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


11: Business buy & sell audit / analysis

Why this niche? For ex-CEOs and business owners, advisory and over-sight on buying or selling a business is a valuable service. Advice, oversight, auditing, etc. before buying or selling a business can save the owner thousands (if not millions).

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


12: Wallpaper hanging expert

Why this niche? There’s a shift to buying wallpaper online (wallpaper online – or wallpaper warehouse are two popular online stores). Someone needs to hang the wallpaper (DIY is a risky business after forking out R4k) – wallpaper hanging can be worth R1k for two hours work and just 4 jobs / month can bring in R5k or more. Work just 15-days a month and you could earn R15k plus / m.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


13: Small spaces garden and plant advisory / design

Why this niche? If you love gardening and plants, have the knowledge and design flair – you can combine a hobby with work. This is a popular service for high-end clients living in apartments or townhouses with smaller garden spaces. Provide great renders, and it’s hard to say no to a beautiful space.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


14: Pet flap doors –

Why this niche? This is a great niche if combined with another similar niche – it takes 30-minutes to an hour to install a pet flap door – worth R750 + the cost of the door R250 = R1k. Two / week = R1,5k (R5k – 6k /m) Combined with a similarly priced niche, you have the potential to earn R15k / m. Start with the flap door – and then move on to another supplementary niche.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


15: Door hanging Specialists

Why this niche? Of all the niches for retired experts, this is one of my favourite – because good door installers are in short supply – and if you price it right – you’ll hardly run out of jobs. Pitch to homeowners – builders – developers – all looking for expertise in hanging a door properly.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


16: Wood shutter blinds & window blinds installer 

Why this niche? Customers are buying blinds (and shutters & curtains) online through sites like Blinds Direct. You can help measure – then be the one to install them when they arrive. Of course you can network with interior brick-and-mortar suppliers, interior designers and others. Do a good job once – and you’re guaranteed repeat business.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


17: Laptop keyboards cleaning

Why this niche? Ever had a stuck keyboard? Everyone has. Would you rather take your laptop to an unknown un-personalized store or to a friendly (un)retired person you trust? With the right cleaning kit, you could clean keyboards at home, client premises or even a coffee shop.

If you take on this niche – list it here on Older Warriors.


There you have it – 17 profitable niches for retired experts. Help a fellow retiree un-retire – suggest a niche below!

For more niches – head over to the Hall-of-Masters (categories) and see where your service fits in.

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