20 Business Ideas For Festival Attendees [2024]
Attending festivals is not just about enjoying music and arts; it's also a goldmine of business opportunities. Whether you're passionate about food, fashion, or technology, festivals present unique chances to turn your passion into profit. You could find creative ways to enhance the festival experience and make money at the same time.
Imagine selling handmade crafts or curated vintage clothing to festival-goers eager for unique items. Setting up a food stall with a twist on popular festival snacks could draw in crowds looking for something different. Or perhaps, offering tech rental services like portable chargers and VR experiences might appeal to the tech-savvy attendees.
By leveraging your interests and skills, you could create a side hustle or even a full-fledged business tailored to the festival scene. The possibilities are as diverse as the festivals themselves, providing ample opportunity to test your entrepreneurial spirit. Dive into the article to explore viable business ideas that could make your next festival not just fun but financially rewarding.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other festival attendee businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a fantastic business venture for festival attendees. Given the vibrant and diverse atmosphere of festivals, you could capture unique stories, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content that resonates with a broad audience. With relatively low startup costs, you can kick off your podcast journey with essential equipment like a microphone and headphones, and a good hosting platform. By leveraging your festival experiences, you could easily build an engaged audience and potentially attract sponsors or advertisers interested in niche content.
Check out Starter Story's podcast success stories for inspiration.
Why launch a podcast?
- Festivals are rich with unique content and stories, perfect for captivating an audience.
- You have the potential to generate income through sponsorships and advertising once you build a listener base.
- It's a budget-friendly venture, requiring only basic recording equipment and a passion for storytelling.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
2. Start a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
Starting a subscription box business could be a fantastic opportunity for festival attendees to generate an additional income stream. With your keen eye for unique products and understanding of what people enjoy, especially within niche festival communities, you could curate a themed box that keeps customers coming back for more every month. This business model allows you to engage with your festival passions year-round while leveraging your experiences and connections to provide exclusive and exciting products.
Discover successes and tips from other subscription box entrepreneurs.
Why consider starting a subscription box business?
- You could turn your festival experience and passion into a profitable niche market.
- A subscription-based model offers recurring revenue, providing more financial stability.
- You could create a community around your boxes, fostering customer loyalty and engagement.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
3. Start a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
Starting a dropshipping business as a festival attendee is a smart way to generate additional income without the need for hefty upfront investments. By focusing on products that align with the festival vibe—think custom apparel, accessories, or unique festival gear—you could cater to a built-in audience that shares your interests. All you need is a reliable online store, and you can manage the business from anywhere, including while attending festivals. Check out some dropshipping business success stories here.
Why consider starting a dropshipping business?
- Low initial investment: You don't have to purchase inventory upfront, reducing financial risk.
- Flexibility: Manage your online store from anywhere, even while enjoying your favorite festivals.
- Niche opportunities: Festival goers have unique tastes, giving you a specific market to cater to with your product selection.
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
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.
4. Start a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
For festival attendees with a knack for creating compelling video content, starting a YouTube channel might be your next big move. A YouTube channel offers you the opportunity to share your expertise, passions, or hobbies while potentially earning revenue through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise. Your channel could focus on anything from how-to guides and vlogs to educational content and entertainment. Despite the hard work involved, the payoff can be significant, offering both creative fulfillment and financial reward.
Why start a YouTube channel?
- Festivals provide rich, engaging content, making it easier to attract and entertain an audience.
- Capturing and sharing unique festival experiences can draw viewers who are interested in your firsthand accounts and behind-the-scenes looks.
- A successful channel can create multiple streams of revenue, including ad revenue, sponsored content, and merchandise sales.
Ready to learn more? Check out our detailed guides on starting a YouTube channel on Starter Story.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
5. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
Starting a print-on-demand business as a festival attendee is a fantastic way to supplement your income and potentially build a scalable side business. Festivals are brimming with creative energy and unique trends, giving you endless inspiration to design custom products like apparel, phone cases, and home goods. By leveraging dropshipping production and fulfillment services, you could sell your one-of-a-kind items on platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and eBay without needing upfront inventory.
Why start a print-on-demand business?
- You could design unique products that resonate with festival-goers, tapping into a ready-made market.
- With minimal startup costs and no need for inventory, it's a low-risk way to launch a business.
- The flexibility to manage your store from anywhere allows you to run your business while still enjoying festivals.
For more insights on the profitability and startup costs, visit the Starter Story.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
6. Create a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a festival attendee, creating a mobile app could be a smart way to leverage your unique experiences and interests to generate extra income. Whether you have an idea for a festival guide, social networking app specifically for festival-goers, or even event planning tools, developing a mobile app allows you to share your innovative solutions with a wider audience. With the right vision, some coding knowledge (or a skilled developer), and a clear understanding of your user base, you could create an app that stands out in the crowded market.
Why create a mobile app?
- Festival-goers have a unique set of needs, which you can address with a specialized app.
- Mobile apps can provide a scalable source of income, especially if you manage to attract a large user base.
- You’re already familiar with the festival scene, so you have a head start in identifying potential valuable features.
For success stories and more inspiration, visit Starter Story.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
7. Start a niche website ($107K/month)
As a festival attendee, you could leverage your unique experiences and insights by creating a niche website dedicated to festival culture. This platform could serve as a go-to resource for festival reviews, survival guides, insider tips, and curated content on everything from music lineup insights to camping gear recommendations. By targeting a dedicated audience of festival-goers, you could transform your passion into a thriving online business that generates revenue through affiliate marketing, ad placements, and selling digital products such as guides and merch. Discover inspiring success stories from niche website creators on Starter Story.
Why start a niche website?
- You could tap into a highly engaged community of festival enthusiasts who crave specialized content.
- A niche website allows for creative freedom, letting you share your personal festival experiences and tips.
- Once established, your website could become a source of passive income, earning money even when you're attending your next festival.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
8. Start a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
If you have a passion for photography and frequently attend festivals, starting a stock photography business could be a lucrative side hustle or full-time venture. Festivals provide vibrant, diverse, and dynamic scenes that are perfect for creating high-quality stock images. You could capture the unique moments and colorful atmosphere of these events and sell your photos to businesses for marketing purposes, building a passive income stream as your portfolio grows.
To start, invest in good photography gear and learn the basics of stock photo requirements. Creating an online presence can help you sell your images faster and at higher margins, connecting you with buyers who are looking for unique and eye-catching visuals. For more tips on how to get started, check out these marketing ideas.
Why starting a stock photography business?
- Festivals provide an abundance of unique and marketable photo opportunities.
- Building a portfolio of high-quality images can create a source of passive income.
- With a solid online presence, you could sell your photos quickly and profitably.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
9. Start an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As a festival attendee, you’re constantly surrounded by like-minded individuals and potential customers. Starting an email marketing tool allows you to tap into this vibrant community, helping businesses promote upcoming events, share updates, and engage their audience. With the email marketing industry expected to reach $2.53B by 2028, there’s never been a better time to break into this booming field.
A simple step to begin can be as easy as buying a domain and hosting account. From there, you can explore endless possibilities for creating tools used by entrepreneurs, startups, and even real estate agents. For more insights and tips, visit Starter Story's email marketing tool tips.
Why starting an email marketing tool?
- It’s a versatile marketing channel, ideal for numerous industries from startups to real estate.
- The industry is growing rapidly, offering a wealth of opportunities for innovation and profit.
- Festival attendees are well-positioned to network and find early adopters for their tool.
How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
10. Start a social media automation business ($139K/month)
Imagine managing multiple social media accounts effortlessly while driving engagement and growth. That’s the essence of a social media automation business. As a festival attendee, leveraging your network and experiences to offer tools and services that schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data could allow you to earn by enhancing the online presence of small businesses and influencers.
With the burgeoning need for consistent and strategic social media engagement, there’s a significant demand for automation. The real work involves developing or integrating software solutions, staying updated on social media trends, and building relationships with clients to tailor services to their needs. If you have a knack for technology and marketing, starting a social media automation business can be both a lucrative and fulfilling endeavor.
Why starting a social media automation business?
- You could work remotely, allowing you to juggle festival attendance and your entrepreneurial venture.
- You could capitalize on your tech-savviness and social media insights gained from attending various festivals.
- The demand for efficient social media management tools is continually growing, providing a steady stream of potential clients.
For more ideas on starting a social media automation business, you can explore additional tips and success stories here.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
11. Start an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a festival attendee, starting an AI-based business solution offers an exciting opportunity to leverage cutting-edge technology for supplementary income or a full-scale business endeavor. AI tools can optimize business processes such as customer service, inventory management, and marketing by automating tasks and providing valuable data insights, leaving you more time to enjoy the festivals you love. With user-friendly platforms and robust support, you don't need to be a tech expert to get started, making it an accessible and lucrative option.
Why starting an AI-based business solution?
- AI tools automate repetitive tasks, freeing up your time and reducing operational costs.
- The market demand for AI solutions is rapidly growing, presenting a significant business opportunity.
- User-friendly platforms and excellent support systems make it easy to implement AI without a tech background.
Explore more about starting an AI-based business here.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
12. Start a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
Imagine an app that helps you achieve your health and wellness goals, one step at a time. A health and wellness app is a digital tool designed to offer personalized fitness routines, nutrition plans, mental well-being exercises, and progress tracking, all in one place.
By starting this business, you'll be creating a platform that not only reminds users to drink water but also guides them through yoga practices and meal plans, tailored to their individual needs. Think of it as a virtual coach in your pocket, offering expert advice whenever you need it. For more details, check out these health and wellness app success stories here.
Why start a health and wellness app?
- Festivals are packed with health-conscious individuals, providing a ready audience for your app.
- You can integrate community features to connect festival-goers, boosting user engagement and retention.
- Leveraging festival buzz, you could market your app effectively and build a loyal user base quickly.
How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.
13. Start a niche investment platform ($167K/month)
As a festival attendee, starting a niche investment platform could open up exciting opportunities to supplement your income or even create a full-fledged business. By leveraging modern technology, you could create transparent trading ecosystems catering to specialized investors interested in alternative assets like collectibles, cryptocurrencies, real estate, or athletic prospects. This focus not only diversifies investment options but also attracts a unique user base, providing recurring revenue through transaction fees and premium subscriptions.
Considering the growing interest in alternative assets amid volatile stock markets, launching this platform could meet the needs of passionate brokers and traders looking for asset diversification. For additional information on startup costs, you can visit our guide on niche investment platform startup costs.
Why consider starting a niche investment platform?
- Specialized platforms attract a loyal and niche user base, creating more predictable revenue.
- You could use your festival network to reach like-minded investors interested in alternative assets.
- Offering diversification options provides added value, making your platform indispensable for serious investors.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.
14. Start a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
If you're a festival attendee with a knack for web development or a unique solution to an issue many WordPress users face, starting a WordPress plugin business could be a lucrative side hustle or even a full-time venture. Plugins are essential for running successful websites, and if you can create one that solves a specific problem, you could tap into a recurring income stream by selling your plugin on platforms like CodeCanyon or your own website.
Why start a WordPress plugin business?
- High demand: Almost every WordPress site relies on plugins, ensuring a constant market for innovative solutions.
- Flexible income: With minimal overhead costs, you could earn passive income from sales while still enjoying your time at festivals.
- Scalability: Successful plugins can be continuously updated and improved, leading to long-term growth and potential subscription models.
If you’re interested in this opportunity, check out how to start a WordPress plugin business for detailed guides and tips.
How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.
15. Become a food photographer
Attending festivals provides a unique opportunity to tap into diverse culinary experiences, making it an excellent setting for starting a food photography business. You could capture vibrant and mouthwatering images of dishes and drinks that vendors and food trucks offer. These images can then be leveraged for social media marketing, menus, and other promotional materials. By building a strong online presence, you could develop a dynamic portfolio that attracts clients and boosts your food photography career. For more on how to get started, explore these tips for aspiring food photographers.
Why consider becoming a food photographer?
- High demand for quality food images in the food and beverage industry.
- Direct access to diverse and unique food subjects at festivals.
- Opportunities to network with vendors and businesses at events.
How much you can make: $11,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 15 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of Sean Audet, who built an award-winning commercial photography studio specializing in food and product photography, growing it from a part-time experiment to a full-time career that brings in around $11,000 a month, emphasizing the importance of taking risks and embracing new opportunities for aspiring founders in building and growing their own business.
16. Develop a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
Creating a lead generation tool as a festival attendee could be a game-changing opportunity. Festival environments are overflowing with businesses that are always on the lookout for new customers, and you could provide them a solution to capture and convert those leads efficiently. By leveraging your tech-savvy skills and marketing knowledge, you can develop software that automates the client-finding process, freeing up companies to focus on what they do best.
The high demand for effective lead generation tools makes this a lucrative business idea. You could integrate your tool with various digital touchpoints, collecting essential data like email addresses, phone numbers, and customer interests. For more insights, check out this page on the costs involved in starting a lead generation tool business.
Why developing a lead generation tool?
- The demand is high: Businesses of all sizes are eager to streamline their marketing efforts.
- Automates the tedious process: Helps companies focus on converting leads rather than finding them.
- Leverages your existing skills: Combines tech-savviness and marketing expertise into a profitable venture.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.
17. Start an online course sales business ($85K/month)
Starting an online course sales business could be a great fit for you as a festival attendee. With your diverse experiences and skills picked up from various festivals, you could create and sell courses on unique topics like event planning, music production, or arts and crafts. By leveraging the flexibility of online platforms, you could turn your festival insights into a stream of passive income.
According to Forbes, the e-learning market is expected to exceed $645 billion in the next few years, offering a huge financial opportunity. For more details and ideas, you can check out Starter Story.
Why consider an online course sales business?
- It leverages your festival expertise to monetize unique knowledge and skills.
- You could create a passive income stream, allowing you to earn money even while attending or traveling between festivals.
- With minimal initial investment, you could set up and start selling courses quickly, especially on user-friendly platforms designed for e-learning.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
18. Develop an online survey tool ($304K/month)
As a festival attendee, starting an online survey tool could be a strategic business move that taps into the growing demand for data collection. You could help businesses gather valuable customer feedback through a convenient, cost-effective platform that combines a survey builder, data collection tools, and reporting systems. Given the increasing popularity of online surveys, this could become a profitable side business or even a full-time venture.
Why develop an online survey tool?
- Festivals are rich in diverse opinions, making them ideal for gathering varied customer insights.
- As a festival attendee, you could have a unique perspective on what engages people, helping you tailor your survey tool to better meet business needs.
- The growing trend of businesses using online surveys means you could tap into a lucrative, expanding market.
For further inspiration, check out some success stories.
How much you can make: $40 — $1,600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
19. Create an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As a festival attendee, you could leverage the growing trend of AI writing tools to supplement your income or even start a side business. The concept revolves around developing a digital platform powered by Artificial Intelligence to assist in content creation, catering to businesses, bloggers, and students who need engaging and accurate text. By offering a tool that streamlines the writing process, you can capitalize on the high demand for quality content and the desire for time-efficient solutions.
Imagine providing an AI writing tool that automates content creation, making it error-free and swiftly produced, which would be incredibly beneficial for busy festival-goers and professionals alike. This innovative business idea not only aligns with the future of technology but also addresses a pressing need in the market today. For more information, you might find insights on profitability and startup costs useful by checking out Starter Story's resources here.
Why consider developing an AI writing tool? - It offers a high-demand solution that streamlines content creation, saving time and reducing errors. - The market for AI-driven tools is rapidly expanding, providing substantial growth opportunities. - Starting this business allows you to innovate and stand out in a technologically advanced niche.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.
20. Start an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a festival attendee, starting an affiliate marketing business could be a lucrative side hustle that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. By promoting products and services you genuinely enjoy at festivals, you can earn commissions for each sale generated through your unique affiliate links. It’s an excellent opportunity to leverage your social connections and festival experiences to supplement your income or even build a full-fledged business over time. For more information on starting an affiliate marketing business, check out some success stories here.
Why starting an affiliate marketing business?
- You could earn passive income by promoting products you love and already use at festivals.
- It requires minimal upfront investment, making it a low-risk business venture.
- Your festival experiences provide a unique platform to reach like-minded audiences and boost sales.
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 (?)
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.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
