36 Low Cost Alibaba Business Ideas

Updated: July 24th, 2023

If you are looking for alibaba related business ideas to begin your path to entrepreneurship, you are in the right place.

With starting a alibaba related business, there are plenty of opportunities that can help you follow your dreams and build a successful career. 

In this post, you will discover profitable business ideas, perfect for those who want to have a flexible job, capable of multiplying the average income, while becoming your own boss.

Check out the full list below to help you find your next idea!

Here they are:



1. Start a product review blog

A product review blog typically includes a description of the product, as well as a rating and review. This can be anything from reviewing gadgets to books to software.

To start a product review blog, you need to have strong writing skills and be familiar with the available products. You should also have a good understanding of how to market your blog and generate traffic.

The recent trend that is making this business more popular is the growth of social media. With more people using social media, businesses are looking for ways to connect with their customers. Product review blogs provide businesses with a way to connect with their customers and generate positive reviews.

Starting a product review blog is a great way to share your opinion on different products. This type of blog can be very profitable, as you can generate revenue through advertising and affiliate marketing.

How much you can make: $1,200 — $110,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How My Blog With Body-Safe Sex Toys Reviews Turned Into A $2K/Month Side Hustle

Sex blogger turns a free WordPress blog into a $2,000 a month part-time digital business by investing in education, self-hosting, and building relationships within the NSFW community.

Read by 18,391 founders

2. Start an ecommerce platform

Over the past decade, eCommerce has become an indispensable part of the global retail framework. According to statistics, over 2 billion people prefer shopping online.

While brick-and-mortar stores are still making more sales compared to online sales, the adoption of eCommerce is still rising, mainly because of the increased speed and convenience of online shopping.

Therefore, starting an eCommerce platform could set you on the right path to building a futuristic business.

How much you can make: $100 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

How I Left My Job To Start A $9K/Month CAD Design Business

A 3D CAD designer and product inventor who started as a side hustle and averaged $9,000 a month in revenue, shares his insights on the ups and downs of owning a service-based business alongside an eCommerce store, as well as lessons learned in customer acquisition and in generating multiple streams of passive income.

Read by 20,198 founders

3. Start a dropshipping business

Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products to customers without holding inventory.

Instead, when a customer makes a purchase, you buy the product from a third-party supplier, who then ships it directly to the customer.

To start a dropshipping business on a budget, choose a niche or category of products you want to sell.

Next, set up an online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. Then, find reliable suppliers from platforms like AliExpress, list their products on your store, and focus on marketing and customer service to grow your business.

Remember to carefully manage your expenses and monitor your profit margins to ensure profitability.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

How I Started A $100K/Month Business Mentoring Dropshipping Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.

Read by 25,756 founders

4. Start a payment app

A payment app lets you accept payments from anywhere, using your mobile phone or tablet. It’s best for business owners and professionals to get payments for products or services occasionally or irregularly.

Starting a payment app is an excellent way of making passive income online. It doesn’t require much initially, and the revenue can be significant.

Payment apps are quite popular nowadays, allowing people to pay for goods and services with the tap of a button on their phones. Creating a new payment app can help you capture a share of this growing industry and virtually endless niche for your business.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 165 days (?)

How I Created A $60K/Month App That Collects In-Person Payments Through Stripe

Payment.co, an app built on top of the Stripe payment gateway for creating card-present charges, has grown to process over $70M in volume annually since launching in 2015, with the app collecting a 1% service fee on every single charge.

Read by 23,496 founders

5. Start a blog

In recent years, blogging has become a highly sought-after & lucrative Business. This location-independent business is a creative outlet to reach a broader audience and even work at any time. According to Optinmonster’s list of blogging statistics and facts:

  • Blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of gathering online information.
  • 77% of internet users read blogs.
  • Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages.

Originally blogging started as an online journal, but today it is a highly profitable career option. Many people are choosing blogging as their full-time career and are earning their bread and butter from this profession.

If you want to start blogging as a side hustle or as a full-time profession, choose a niche you will enjoy writing about and have a content strategy ready. Then, create a mailing list, and decide on a good blog posting routine to keep your audience engaged.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

Read by 28,850 founders

6. Start a fashion accessories brand

Fashion accessories are an integral part of our wardrobes and are chosen specifically to compliment a person's outfit.

Typical fashion accessories include footwear, apparel, jewelry, wallets, handbags, hair accessories, and watches.

The global fashion accessories market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.3% during the forecast period (2021 - 2026).

How much you can make: $1,250 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Launching A Jewelry Brand By Focusing On An Unattended Niche

Mazi + Zo offers high-quality and modern jewelry for sorority sisters and other women, developed by founder Lizzy Klein after discovering a lack of stylish options in the market, and is now expanding into the broader market with organic social media being the most successful channel.

Read by 9,274 founders

7. Start a laptop accessories brand

Laptop accessories are items that enhance the functionality of a laptop. These can include external hard drives, docking stations, and carrying cases.

To start a laptop accessories brand, you will need strong marketing and design skills. You should also have a good understanding of the laptop market and what accessories are more popular.

The recent trends in the laptop accessories industry are moving towards eco-friendly and sustainable products. Businesses are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact and offer their customers products that are made from sustainable materials.

Starting a laptop accessories brand is a great way to enter the world of product design. This type of business growing in popularity as people are looking for ways to personalize their laptops.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 186 days (?)

How We Started A $500K/Month Portable Batteries And Charging Accessories Business

Chargeasap, a Sydney-based startup, has raised over $3.7 million and delivered to more than 130 countries, and now generates over $500,000 per month selling a range of portable batteries and charging accessories.

Read by 9,742 founders

8. Start a hair product line

Starting a hair product line can be a fun and profitable way to build a new income stream. It's also fairly easy, as long as you plan it out (and maybe do a little bit of market research before creating your sales funnel). There's a reason we often talk about trends in hip-hop and pop culture when we talk about hairstyles — they often have a lot to do with advancements in the hair product industry. The industry is expected to grow to 102 billion dollars by 2024.

How much you can make: $550 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 272 days (?)

How I Started A $650K/Month Hair Extensions And Products Business

Private Label Extensions is a hair distribution and technology company that builds hair brands from A to Z for entrepreneurs, achieving over $650,000 in monthly sales and ranked #278 of the fastest-growing companies by Inc Magazine for 2018.

Read by 37,839 founders

9. Become a herbal and ayurvedic products distributor

Experts anticipate that the global ayurvedic herbs market will reach $21.6 billion in the next few years. They attribute this market increment to the product's ability to preserve health and wellness by keeping the mind, body, and spirit balanced and preventing diseases rather than treating them.

With the growing demand for herbal and ayurvedic products, selling these herbs and spices on Alibaba is a great option for entrepreneurs interested in starting an online business.

You can simply list the products on eCommerce platforms or start dropshipping service.

How much you can make: $39,999 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 178 days (?)

How I Started A Seven Figure Superfood Brand [From Nigeria]

Aspiring founders can learn from how Herbal Goodness grew from a single product to a six-figure superfood brand by leveraging organic ingredients like papaya leaves and seeds, utilizing strategic partnerships, and maintaining patience and persistence, achieving impressive revenue growth from $300 in their first year to over $30,000 in the second year.

Read by 6,029 founders

10. Start an online jewelry store

The online jewelry store industry has been growing rapidly. More and more people are buying cheaper jewelry online because it is easier and has a much more extensive selection.

The United States jewelry market was valued at about $76B in 2020, and diamond is considered to be the most valuable and lucrative among all forms of jewelry.

If you’re considering starting an online jewelry store to tap into this market, it’s crucial to choose the right e-commerce platform that can support your business needs and enable seamless transactions with your customers.

A great platform can help you showcase your products, manage your inventory, process payments securely, and provide an enjoyable shopping experience to your customers.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Starting And Growing A Jewelry Business To $4.6M/Year

Taylor & Hart CEO Nikolay Piriankov tells the story of the company's journey from a diamond trading business to an award-winning, disruptive e-tailer of custom-designed, ethical engagement rings and fine jewelry, offering a bespoke design service through specifically developed technology online and instore, and growing to £4-6M in annual revenue.

Read by 20,962 founders

11. Dropshipping men's grooming products

The global market for men’s grooming products is witnessing steady growth due to growing consumer preferences, and it is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.29% in the next few years.

Products such as shaving foams, face creams, after-shave lotions, and body sprays are among the highest in-demand men’s grooming products.

To start a men’s grooming products dropshipping business, high-quality research products, find a market, build a website and launch the business. Remember, as you begin the drop shipping business, people will come up with ideas. Listen to your customers, and implement necessary ideas to ensure the company is booming.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $650,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

Growing And Selling An Online Beard Care Business

A 22-year-old Korean American entrepreneur shares the story of how he pivoted from a beard growth cosmetic business to a beard care brand, built a strong community with a 30% customer retention rate, and scaled to a six-figure revenue with primarily Facebook ads.

Read by 17,160 founders

12. Start a crypto cybersecurity system

Cybercriminals can gain access to entire investments by stealing crypto wallet account keys. Therefore, you must treat crypto accounts with the utmost caution.

Cyber security experts focus on helping companies secure their networks and data from attacks by cybercriminals. Blockchain technologies are receiving massive attention from the research community in different application fields.

Becoming a cybersecurity expert focusing on crypto can be a rewarding career. Coinbase and other cryptocurrency exchanges use blockchain in cybersecurity, allowing users to trade everything from Bitcoin to Litecoin and Ethereum on the company’s secure blockchain platform.

How much you can make: $91,000 — $230,000/month

How long does it take to build: 300 days (?)

How I Started A $45K/Month Cybersecurity Consulting Firm For Startups

Cybersecurity consulting firm Eden Data, launched in March 2020, scaled to four team members and generated over $45k MRR without large startup costs through their unique Virtual CISO offering, which outsources cybersecurity and compliance needs for a flat monthly price, rather than charging by the hour or for long-term commitments.

Read by 35,814 founders

13. Start a cosmetic store

The cosmetic industry is growing rapidly. Starting a cosmetic shop can be highly profitable, but only if you stock trendy, skin-friendly products.

If you are passionate about the beauty industry, consider starting a cosmetics brick-and-mortar shop.

Cosmetic shops sell products ranging from anti-aging, aromatherapy, lotions, beauty spa, cosmetic store, and even make-up.

To start a cosmetic store, research the market and source products from well-known brands in the beauty industry.

How much you can make: $8,500/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A $8.5K/Month Cosmetics Brand

A former felon's passion for makeup and skincare led her to launch FBI Cosmetics, which has grossed over $62,000 in sales since July 2020, through social media marketing, brand partnerships, and online sales at Walmart.com.

Read by 8,716 founders

14. Start a gift cards selling business

We all love receiving gifts from friends for occasions such as birthdays, weddings, or festival celebrations like Christmas and Easter. As times change, people's tastes and preferences are changing rapidly, and offering variety is the best way to fulfill customers' expectations.

Therefore, if you are looking for a good business idea, you may consider setting up a gift card shop at a convenient location. A strip mall with high traffic of target customers makes a good choice for a gift card business.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $35,000/month

How long does it take to build: 92 days (?)

I Sell Digital Greeting Cards And Make $35K Per Month

30-year-old Val shares how she founded Thankbox, an online group card and gift collection service in Scotland that has been used to send over 40,000 cards, issued over $2 million worth of gift cards, and now pulls around $25k in revenue per month, with plans to expand and offer physical versions of cards.

Read by 6,469 founders

15. Start a phone case business

With the number of mobile phone users increasing, there are opportunities for accessory makers such as phone case manufacturers to make a profit. Building a business around making and selling phone cases is relatively easier to produce. You can print labels on-demand, starting with a lower risk, or buy them in bulk and sell them online.

The global mobile phone protective cover market is expected to reach 75.62 billion in the next few years.

Phone protective covers often make a statement and reflect a person’s social and cultural preferences. Phone case manufacturers take advantage of such considerations and keep their products relevant and up-to-date to attract a more extensive customer base.

Remember, as with any industry with a low entry barrier, there will be competition. Therefore, you must study customers’ tastes and preferences and offer customized phone cases.

How much you can make: $120,000 — $125,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Started And Grew A $50K/mo Phone Case Business

Felony Case, a Toronto-based company designing unique iPhone cases, started as a small shop on Etsy and has grown to become an internationally recognized fashion iPhone case brand sold in top tier retailers like Nordstrom, Holt Renfrew, Indigo, Urban Outfitters, Revolve, Free People, and made over half a million dollars in revenue last year.

Read by 29,365 founders

16. Start a drinkware brand

A drinkware brand sells home and houseware products like cups, koozies, mugs, and other drinking accessories. If you've decided to try and create a business selling drinkware, there are certain things you need to know. You can do it from the comfort of your own home. You can get started for free, avoiding the hefty cost of setting up a brick-and-mortar shop. And if you take advantage of the right marketing strategies, you could be on your way to making money within a few weeks. The demand for custom-branded drinkware in the workplace has increased substantially over the past decade.

How much you can make: $115,000 — $12,000,000/month

I Grew A Drinkware Brand To $1.1M/Month At 23 Years Old

BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.

Read by 112,800 founders

17. Start a product reselling business

A product reseller purchases ready-made products from other entrepreneurs and sells them to its own customers. Starting a reselling business means you do not have to go through all product development steps and build an audience.

If you have niche expertise, you can start a successful reselling business faster and earn attractive profits.

Like dropshipping, reselling business model makes it easier for average consumers to find and purchase products. If you plan to launch a reselling business, you must come up with effective marketing strategies.

How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)

18. Start a supplements company

A supplement business makes money by selling dietary supplements, vitamins, protein powders, and health foods to customers.

These products are often sold directly to customers or through distributors and retailers.

Your target customers will likely include fitness enthusiasts, health-conscious individuals, wellness influencers, and those who prioritize their nutrition daily.

Starting a supplement brand is becoming increasingly popular because it's relatively inexpensive, and you can run the business from your home.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

How An Active Duty Soldier Built $6M/Year Bare Performance Nutrition

A military officer turned entrepreneur built sports nutrition brand Bare Performance Nutrition from $15,000 in year one to on track to generate $6m in revenue this year, leveraging social media platforms and creating interactive, relatable and valuable content to create a community and a brand voice.

Read by 42,291 founders

19. Start a children's clothing business

The children's clothing industry has grown rapidly over the last few years, and in 2022 was valued at $263.30 billion.

Starting a children's clothing business gives you the opportunity to be your own boss while working in a field you enjoy. While you have to be prepared to work long hours and put in lots of hard effort, it can be extremely rewarding if successful.

How much you can make: $500 — $1,333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 190 days (?)

How We Grew Our Baby Subscription Box To $60K MRR

Argentinian startup Bambox has grown its monthly recurring revenue to $60,000 and ships more than 1,100 boxes of baby essentials a month, a figure expected to help it achieve an annual recurring revenue of about $750,000 in 2019, after launching its first subscription service in July 2017. 

Read by 17,865 founders

20. Start an affiliate marketing business

Are you looking for a side hustle to pay you a passive income? Affiliate marketing is one of those side hustles that will pay you well over the long term. It is a way to earn money online by promoting other companies' products and services. You will be paid a commission for each sale you make as an affiliate marketer.

To get started, learn how to find the right product and brand to partner with. For example, you may prefer becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store, partnering with a manufacturer, and marketing their products for a commission.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Read by 24,619 founders

21. Start a stationery business

A stationery business sells stationery products such as paper goods, notebooks, greeting cards, and envelopes.

The best part about starting a stationery business is that it's relatively easy and inexpensive to get started.

Since there are so many different types of products available in this industry, there are endless opportunities for creativity, customization, and expansion.

You could even start out small by selling your products on Etsy or eBay before opening up an actual storefront.

How much you can make: $200 — $260,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)

How I Started A $12K/Month Business Selling Productivity Planners Online

Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.

Read by 64,289 founders

22. Start a furniture business

The furniture industry involves designing, manufacturing, and selling various types of furniture for household and commercial purposes. With the increase in flexible workspaces and the real estate industry’s growth, the furniture business’s demand is boosted.

The furniture business is easy to start and does not require high investments. However, it is first essential to know your niche, for example, office, domestic, home furniture, and luxury items.

The furniture business needs a lot of preparation and prior knowledge. Taking business classes, learning about your local market, and making a solid business plan is advisable. In general, if your products are unique and one of a kind, consumers will be willing to pay a higher, including the shipping cost.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $999,999/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Took My Woodworking Hobby Full Time To Build A Successful Brand

Sasha Weekes, owner of Timber Grove Studios, turned her fine arts and cabinetmaking education into a successful home-based woodworking business that grew from a side project to netting 20-50% profits month-to-month and up to $10,000 in sales during peak periods through Etsy, with her company's growth continuing to increase through other social media outlets.

Read by 59,647 founders

23. Start a fashion business

In 2022, the fashion industry was valued at $473.42B, with a growth rate of 8.3% over last year. To become successful in this highly competitive & ever-growing industry, you must have passion, perseverance, and the ability to take risks.

With platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the way that fashion products are marketed online has completely changed, so it’s essential to keep up with these trends.

How much you can make: $100 — $2,100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

How I Make $10K/Month Selling Printable Sewing Patterns From My Fashion Blog

Learn how this DIY blogger turned sewing pattern maker generates over $10k per month in passive income, and discover her tips for building an authentic brand on a budget.

Read by 27,392 founders

24. Start a niche accessories brand

Niche accessories make excellent small business ideas. The profit margins in these businesses are pretty significant because of the product markup. You could have a small Etsy store or sell them through marketplace sites such as Amazon, Facebook, and eBay.

The niche market for custom accessories is estimated to be nearly $473.46B by 2020 and it contains a variety of product categories ranging from jewelry, handbags, and small leather goods to house decorations and small fashion apparel accessories. Niche accessories are currently enjoying strong growth, projected to continue during this decade.

How much you can make: $200 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

How Two Friends Started A $13K/Month Online Book Club From Bali

Two friends started an online book club that now has 570 members and generates £10,500 MRR, by addressing the problem of 'Tsundoku,' charging a monthly subscription fee for one non-fiction book, one inspiring meetup, and one custom cocktail, inspiring conversation and community.

Read by 28,567 founders

25. Start a vintage reselling business

Designer vintage collection rises in value as it ages, making it a profitable business.

To start the vintage reselling business, research the market to find highly valued items. Then, analyze the target audience to determine what qualities they are likely to look out for when buying vintage products.

To start the business, you can source vintage products from craigslist and eBay.

Provided you can source quality products and target an audience with a bigger budget, you can earn good profits from a vintage reselling business.

26. Start a sneaker business

Experts estimate the current sneaker market at $2 billion and expect it will blow up to $30 billion in the next few years. Compared to other online businesses, the sneaker resale market has grown exponentially and become very profitable.

While the sneaker business is very profitable, competition is still very high, and it might take time for new sellers to establish a client base. If you are starting a sneaker business, you must immerse yourself in the sneakerhead culture, especially the sneaker collection.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Started A $50K/Month Business Customizing Sneakers

Meet Blake Barash, a custom shoe painter who grew his business from his bedroom to now making $50k per month and employing six people.

Read by 17,379 founders

27. Start a women's fashion business

The Women’s fashion market has been growing steadily over the past years. Experts project that the industry growth will continue over the next couple of years, with stores focusing on niche products or specialty offerings.

The women’s fashion industry is large, which presents an advantage to entrepreneurs because even by capturing a small percentage of the market, there is still a lot of room to gain profits. Besides, the diverse market presents a huge opportunity for expanding into different fashion accessories. Entrepreneurs can choose from dresses to pants to shirts, coats, and other women's accessories.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

On Growing A Blog About Sustainable Fashion To 60K Monthly Visitors And $6K/Month In Revenue

This case study follows the founder of Sustainably Chic, a sustainable fashion blog with 60k monthly visitors and $6k monthly revenue, providing insights on building a successful blog, effective branding, and the importance of value and sustainability.

Read by 10,616 founders

28. Start a renewable energy equipment and devices selling business

Renewable energy equipment and devices refer to apparatus permanently installed on premises used for the generation, transmission, or utilization of mechanical or electrical power. With increased technological advancements, renewable energies have a significant impact.

Businesses and households are finding efficient and creative new ways of producing and storing renewable energy to meet the rising energy demand. As investments in renewable energy are rising, demand for renewable energy equipment and devices is rising. Therefore, starting a business in this line can be profitable.

How much you can make: $50,000 — $600,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Started A $600K/Month Company Selling Low Cost Solar Energy

Clean Energy Solutions, a solar-energy provider based in LA, has grown over 6700% from 2014 to 2019, with monthly revenue around $600,000 and plans to expand its energy-efficient affordable housing division, thanks to its unique solar program allowing clients to save money using solar energy at a lower price than their utility would charge.

Read by 68,091 founders

29. Start an export directory business

Publishing an electronic copy of export businesses can make you rich. Millions of entrepreneurs globally are looking for income and business opportunities through online directories.

You can start by creating a simple import/export directory that features information about global manufacturers, wholesalers, and agents seeking to expand their product lines.

30. Start a natural beauty product business

Natural beauty products include aloe vera, honey, or cocoa butter. They contain no chemical or synthetic elements.

The global natural skin care products market size was valued at $6.7 billion in 2021.

Thinking about launching a beauty product line? What’s holding you back? Check out our case studies below to see how others have done it!

How much you can make: $300 — $658,333/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How This Couple Started A $100K/Month Sea Moss Infused Health Supplements Brand

Bey Moss, an e-commerce platform selling sea moss-infused health and wellness products, made over $800,000 to-date with less than $10,000 overall in ads after validating the product idea through reviews and feedback and leveraging their social media following to build a Bey Moss community.

Read by 30,056 founders

31. Start a machinery exports business

Hundreds of manufacturers are looking for platforms where they can buy the latest machinery in a hassle-free manner. Whether you are assembling machinery or an entrepreneur interested in starting your machinery exports, an online business can be a profitable venture.

You can start a new or used machinery business and sell the equipment at the best price, such that you are maximizing the profit margins.

How much you can make: $142,000 — $400,000/month

How long does it take to build: 65 days (?)

How I Started A $400K/Month Business Selling Heavy Machinery

Machinery Partner's founder Ciaran made almost $500k in machinery sales last month targeting small to medium-sized contracting businesses in the US and aims to become the go-to digital dealership for heavy equipment, with its standout quality being accessible remotely, delivered directly from manufacturers.

Read by 11,201 founders

32. Become an Alibaba reseller

Alibaba resellers buy products from a manufacturer or a supplier and sell them to retailers. To start, find a good product to sell on Alibaba. The things to consider when looking for products to buy and resell include:

  • Is there a demand for the product?
  • Can you source it cheap enough?
  • Is there a healthy profit margin from the sale of that product?

Arguably, the most difficult step in finding a product to resell on Alibaba or any other online platform is the hardest step in starting the reselling business. Once you have found the most profitable niche, the next step is signing for your reseller account on alternative platforms like own Shopify, amazon, or eBay platform and uploading your listings.

33. Start a handmade goods business

A handmade craft business entails selling own-crafted products on online platforms like Alibaba, Etsy, an independent website, or social media.

To succeed in selling handmade goods, you'll need solid creative skills. Your creativity can help you build a strong brand.

And with online marketplaces, handmade shopping has become a popular trend.

In recent years, consumers worldwide have shown their support of independent businesses and entrepreneurs, especially those venturing into the handmade goods business.

How much you can make: $200 — $150,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 92 days (?)

How I'm Turning My Patch Embroidery Side Project Into A Full Time Business

A patch embroidery business based in New York City has grown to earn $6,500 per month on average within 18 months of starting, thanks to no custom embroidered minimum patches and a strong Instagram presence, with a future focus on B2B customers.

Read by 14,821 founders

34. Start a bridal accessories store

Bridal accessories are a great way to help you complete your wedding day look. Bridal accessories are something similar that surrounds weddings in our society. Bridal accessories are all the rage nowadays. These pretty things create the perfect set of accessories for the bridal.

The Bridal Wear market in the USA is estimated at $26B in 2020.

A bridal accessories store can provide you with high income and the ability to hire. Bridal occasions are exceptional and endure several phases. You could start a bridal accessories business with access to millions of customers from the first introduction until they get married.

How much you can make: $50,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How I Built A Six Figure Business Bringing Asian Culture To The American Wedding Industry

East Meets Dress, an e-commerce store that offers Chinese wedding dresses and traditional outfits, grew to a six-figure annual recurring revenue ($25k/month) in just one year by targeting Asian-American brides in the U.S and high school students looking to wear cheongsams to prom to celebrate their heritage.

Read by 22,201 founders

35. Start a product sourcing expert business

Product sourcing specialists help companies reach more efficient sourcing processes to save costs and maximize profitability. As a product sourcing specialist, you will negotiate with the suppliers to obtain goods, materials, and services at the best prices.

To excel as a product sourcing specialist, you must have strategic sourcing approaches and extensive knowledge of the commodity industry.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $75,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 95 days (?)

On Starting A Niche Web Design Business In The Dental Industry

Senthil Kumar spearheads Siva Solutions Inc, a game-changing digital marketing and software development company which caters to dentists using an array of well-crafted products to manage patient data and inquiries, thus enabling efficient management of processes, while boosting them to the 1st page on Google.

Read by 5,964 founders

36. Start a pet accessories business

With the increasing number of pet owners globally, the pet accessories market is booming. Pet accessories include items that promote the health and wellness of pets and improve pet handling. Examples of pet accessories include pet treats, toys, collars and tags, leashes, pet beds, food and water bowls, poo bags, clothing, costumes, etc.

To start a pet accessories business, market research and focus on the highly demanded pet products.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 268 days (?)

How I Started A Blog To Promote Pet Adoptions In India

Dog with Blog, a content-driven pet adoption network in India led by founder Abhishek Joshi, has successfully driven 900+ dog adoptions using social media and content marketing, and has an active community of 116k fans across its social handles.

Read by 8,892 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.