21 Business Ideas For History Lovers [2024]
Are you a history buff with a knack for entrepreneurship? If so, you're in for a treat. There are countless ways to transform your passion for history into a thriving business in 2024.
Imagine sharing captivating historical narratives through guided tours or specialized travel services. You could also create a business offering historically-themed merchandise or educational content.
From curating historical artifacts to hosting immersive events, the possibilities are endless. Dive into this article to explore business ideas uniquely suited for history enthusiasts like yourself.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other history lover businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As a history lover, starting a niche blog offers a wonderful opportunity to share your passion and expertise with a wider audience, while also creating a potential income stream. By focusing on a specific historical topic—whether it's medieval Europe, the American Civil War, or ancient civilizations—you could attract a dedicated following eager to learn and engage with your content. Monetization strategies such as affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and collaborations with heritage brands make it possible to turn your blog into a profitable endeavor. For more inspiration, check out these success stories of niche bloggers.
Why starting a niche blog?
- You could connect with a like-minded community passionate about history.
- You could monetize your expertise through various income streams like ads and affiliate links.
- You could establish yourself as an authority in your chosen historical niche.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
2. Start a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel as a history lover provides a platform to share your passion for the past and various historical insights with a global audience. You could create riveting content on lesser-known historical events, biographies of enigmatic figures or even walk-through historical sites to bring history to life. This creative outlet could generate income through advertisements, sponsorships, and merchandise sales, offering both financial reward and personal satisfaction.
Building a successful channel does require effort, including regular content creation, video editing, and audience engagement. However, the endeavor can be deeply gratifying, allowing you to connect with like-minded individuals who share your fascination with history. For more insights, explore this page on profitability.
Why starting a YouTube channel?
- It turns your historical knowledge into engaging, visually appealing content.
- Advertising and sponsorship opportunities can transform your passion into a profitable venture.
- Connecting with a global community of history enthusiasts can be immensely rewarding.
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.
3. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast is an excellent way for history lovers to share their passion while supplementing their income or even building a full-fledged business. Podcasts are a popular form of entertainment and information-sharing, allowing you to delve deep into historical events, figures, and periods, and engage an audience eager to learn and discuss these topics. With basic recording equipment and an affordable hosting platform, you can start creating episodes that could attract sponsors or advertisers as your audience grows. For more insights, check out these podcast startup costs on Starter Story.
Why consider starting a podcast?
- It allows you to share your passion for history with a broader audience.
- You can build an engaged community of like-minded history enthusiasts.
- Monetization opportunities such as sponsorships and advertisements can turn your hobby into a lucrative side business.
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.
4. Start an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a history lover, starting an online course sales business could turn your passion into a profitable venture. People around the globe are eager to learn about different aspects of history, and you could create and sell courses on topics you know and love. Whether it's ancient civilizations, world wars, or historical methodologies, you have the expertise to dive deep and create compelling course content.
Why launch an online course sales business?
- The e-learning market is booming, with potential earnings from a market expected to be worth over $645 Billion in the next few years.
- You could turn your knowledge and passion into passive income, earning money as students enroll year-round.
- Sharing your love for history through teaching could be extremely fulfilling, offering both financial and intellectual rewards.
If you're interested in learning more, check out entrepreneurial insights and success stories from Starter Story.
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.
5. Start a niche website ($107K/month)
For history lovers, starting a niche website can be a fantastic way to blend your passion with income generation. By focusing on a specific historical period, event, or theme, you could create engaging content that attracts like-minded enthusiasts. This venture allows for both creative expression and potential revenue streams through avenues such as affiliate marketing, ad placements, and selling digital products. For more inspiration, check out some niche website success stories for further insight into how to get started.
Why start a niche website?
- You get to dive deep into topics you love and share your knowledge with an engaged audience.
- It's a flexible business model; you can work on it part-time or turn it into a full-time job.
- Monetizing your expertise can turn your passion for history into a profitable venture.
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.
6. Start an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business can be an excellent opportunity for history lovers to supplement their income or even start a full-fledged business. By promoting and recommending historical books, documentaries, and other products, you could turn your passion for history into a thriving online venture. The key to success in affiliate marketing is to find the right historical products and brands to partner with and leveraging your knowledge to attract and engage your target audience. To see just how profitable this business can be, check out these affiliate marketing success stories.
Why starting an affiliate marketing business?
- Passive income potential: Once you set up your affiliate links, you could continue to earn money with minimal ongoing effort.
- Monetize your passion: You could turn your deep knowledge of history into a source of income by recommending historical products you love.
- Flexible and scalable: Affiliate marketing allows you to work on your own terms, scaling your efforts as you grow your audience.
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.
7. Start a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
For history lovers, starting a subscription box business can be a fascinating and profitable way to share your passion for the past. By curating a monthly collection of historically themed items, such as replicas, educational materials, and period-specific curiosities, you could create a unique product that appeals to fellow history enthusiasts. Not only can this endeavor supplement your income, but it also offers a platform to educate and inspire others.
Why start a history-themed subscription box?
- You could tap into a niche market of fellow history enthusiasts, leading to strong customer loyalty and recurring revenue.
- Your passion for history will be reflected in the quality and authenticity of your product, making it a standout choice in the subscription box industry.
- The business model emphasizes regular customer interaction, allowing you to share your knowledge and love for history on a consistent basis.
To dive deeper into how to succeed in this business, explore our subscription box business success stories.
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.
8. Start an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
As a history lover, starting an ecommerce reselling business offers a unique opportunity to combine your passion for the past with a profitable side venture. You could curate and sell a variety of history-inspired items, such as vintage books, antique collectibles, and replicas of historical artifacts, catering to fellow history enthusiasts. This approach not only allows you to share your love for history but also helps you connect with a community that appreciates the significance of each item you offer. For more details on the possibilities and challenges involved, check out these ecommerce reselling business success stories.
Why starting an ecommerce reselling business?
- You could turn your knowledge of history into a specialized niche, attracting customers interested in historically authentic items.
- It's a low-investment opportunity where you could start small on social media and scale up gradually by creating a dedicated website.
- The reselling model allows you to focus on curation and community engagement rather than production, making it easier to manage alongside other commitments.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.
9. Start a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
Starting a stock photography business is an excellent way for history lovers to monetize their passion and knowledge. By capturing high-quality, historically-themed images, you could fulfill the demand for unique and captivating visuals in marketing, education, and publishing. This side business or full-time venture allows you to combine your love for history with creativity and earn a potentially passive income by uploading your photos to various stock photography platforms.
Investing in good photography gear and honing your skills could help you build an impressive portfolio. Check out the profitability and marketing ideas to get started.
Why starting a stock photography business?
- You could provide valuable resources for history-themed marketing campaigns, educational projects, and publications.
- You could turn your passion for history into a steady stream of passive income with a well-curated stock photo portfolio.
- You gain the flexibility to work on your own schedule, allowing you to pursue other historical interests simultaneously.
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.
10. Create a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
For history lovers with entrepreneurial ambitions, developing a mobile app offers an exciting opportunity to merge their passion for the past with modern technology. You could create an app that brings historical events, figures, and places to life through interactive timelines, virtual tours, or educational games. This not only allows you to share your enthusiasm for history with a broader audience but also taps into the lucrative app market.
Moreover, a mobile app can supplement your income or even become a primary revenue stream if marketed effectively. By leveraging your deep knowledge of history, you can design features that engage and educate users, providing them with an enriching experience and encouraging them to explore further.
Why create a mobile app?
- Mobile apps are integral to daily life, creating demand for innovative and engaging platforms.
- Tapping into your historical expertise can provide unique and educational user experiences.
- A well-designed and marketed app can become a significant source of income, turning your passion into profit.
Learn more about successful mobile app ventures and get inspired by checking out these mobile app success stories.
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.
11. Start an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As a history lover, creating an email marketing tool offers a unique way to channel your passion for the past into a thriving, modern business. Imagine crafting emails that captivate audiences with historical narratives and fascinating facts while helping businesses effectively reach their customers. With the email marketing industry expected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028, there's an ample opportunity to carve out a niche that leverages historical intrigue to engage and convert readers.
Why start an email marketing tool?
- You could infuse historical storytelling techniques into email campaigns, making emails more engaging and memorable.
- Helping businesses connect through the timeless art of storytelling taps into both your passion and a lucrative market.
- By blending history with technology, you create a unique selling point that differentiates your tool from others on the market.
For more insights and to get started, check out starterstory.com email marketing tool tips.
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.
12. Start a stock investing business ($30.3K/month)
Starting a stock investing business would make sense as a history lover because the financial markets are deeply rooted in historical trends and patterns. Your affinity for history can help you understand and analyze market movements, economic cycles, and the impact of historical events on stock performance. By leveraging your historical insights, you could make well-informed decisions that might give you an edge in the stock market.
Why consider starting a stock investing business?
- Understanding historical trends can give you valuable insights. History often repeats itself, and recognizing past patterns could help you predict future market movements.
- A historical perspective can enhance your strategy. Knowing how markets reacted to similar events in the past can inform your current investment strategies and risk management.
- Turn your passion for history into profit. Use your unique knowledge of historical events and cycles to make informed investment decisions, combining your love for history with financial success.
For more insights and tips, check out success stories of stock investing businesses.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $160,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Ticker Nerd is a monthly subscription service for investors that surfaces and analyzes trending stocks before the hype train arrives, and now has $4.5k in monthly recurring revenue from its newsletter without spending a single dollar on advertising, having validated the business via subreddits and organic Product Hunt launch strategy.
13. Start a social media automation business ($139K/month)
Turning your love for history into a thriving business can be quite exhilarating. For a history enthusiast, starting a social media automation business might seem like an unconventional path, but it has incredible potential. By developing tools and services to schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data across various platforms, you could help clients—from small businesses to influencers—save time and enhance their social media presence. Not only does this meet the burgeoning need for consistent and strategic social media engagement, but it also entails staying updated on social trends, which can be a fascinating endeavor for anyone who enjoys diving deep into patterns and changes over time.
Why start a social media automation business?
- You’ll tap into a booming market with high demand for automation solutions.
- You could leverage analytical skills to improve social media strategies for clients.
- You would merge your passion for uncovering trends with a profitable business venture.
To learn more about starting your social media automation business, you can check out 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.
14. Develop a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
Starting a lead generation tool could be an excellent venture for history lovers. While it may not seem directly related to your passion, this business can capitalize on your analytical skills and attention to detail—qualities often honed through studying history. By leveraging your understanding of significant trends and patterns, you could develop a tool that efficiently identifies potential customers for businesses, automating a labor-intensive process and allowing companies to focus on conversion. For more insights into starting this profitable venture, check out these marketing ideas for lead generation tools.
Why create a lead generation tool?
- High Demand: Businesses are eager to streamline their marketing efforts, making the demand for efficient lead generation solutions high.
- Transferable Skills: Your knack for conducting detailed research and analyzing patterns can be a huge asset in developing a robust lead generation tool.
- Scalability: Once developed, a lead generation tool can serve numerous clients simultaneously, providing a scalable source of income.
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.
15. Start an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a history lover, starting an AI-based business solution offers a unique opportunity to merge your passion for the past with cutting-edge technology. By integrating AI solutions, you could streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and provide data-driven insights to businesses across various sectors. Not only do AI tools automate repetitive tasks, but they also offer valuable customer insights and predict market trends with impressive accuracy, positioning your business as an essential partner in a rapidly evolving market. For more insights, check out our comprehensive guide on AI-based business solution profitability.
Why consider starting an AI-based business solution?
- AI tools can dramatically enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs.
- With user-friendly platforms and robust support, no tech background is needed.
- The growing demand for AI solutions offers a lucrative and expanding market.
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.
16. Create an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
For history lovers, starting an AI writing tool can be an engaging and lucrative endeavor. Leveraging your deep understanding of historical events and contexts, you could develop an AI writing tool that generates well-researched and compelling content for academic papers, blogs, and educational materials. This business not only satisfies the current demand for high-quality content but also allows you to share your passion for history in a modern, innovative way.
Why create an AI writing tool?
- You could automate the content creation process, making it more efficient and error-free.
- You would help businesses, bloggers, and students by providing a reliable source for historically accurate information.
- You could transform your historical expertise into a profitable venture, meeting the rising demand for specialized content.
Learn more about the possibilities of AI writing tools on Starter Story.
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.
17. Start a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
If you’re a history lover looking to delve into a side business or even transition into a full-time venture, starting a WordPress plugin business could be an exciting and rewarding option. Think of it as creating tools that can solve pressing problems for other history enthusiasts who run blogs or websites. By focusing on developing plugins that address specific needs, you could turn your passion for the past into a profitable and scalable business. For more detailed insight on getting started, check out this comprehensive guide on how to start a WordPress plugin business.
Why start a WordPress plugin business?
- You could convert your historical expertise into niche plugins that engage and educate users.
- The demand for WordPress plugins is high, offering solid revenue opportunities.
- Developing plugins provides a creative outlet to merge your tech skills with your love for history.
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.
18. Start a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
If you are a history lover with an entrepreneurial spirit, starting a health and wellness app could be an innovative way to combine your passions. By integrating historical health practices and wellness routines from different cultures and eras, you could create a unique app that educates users while helping them achieve their health goals. Imagine guiding users through ancient Roman diet plans or medieval European fitness routines, enriching their wellness journey with historical insights.
Think of this app as a bridge between the past and present, offering a unique selling point that sets you apart in a crowded market. By employing market research, collaboration with health experts, and effective marketing strategies, you could build an app that not only supports users' wellness goals but also piques their interest in historical lifestyles.
Why start a health and wellness app?
- You could offer a unique blend of historical wisdom and modern wellness practices, appealing to both history lovers and health enthusiasts.
- By educating users about wellness practices throughout history, you’re adding value beyond typical health advice.
- The growing healthcare market presents a lucrative opportunity, and your historical twist could capture a niche audience.
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.
19. Start a real estate investment firm ($398K/month)
Starting a real estate investment firm could be an ideal venture for history lovers looking to channel their passion into a profitable business. Delving into historical properties can offer unique opportunities for preservation and restoration, allowing you to combine your love for history with strategic investments. Moreover, historical buildings often carry a distinct charm and potential for significant appreciation, making them valuable assets in your investment portfolio.
Why start a real estate investment firm?
- You could specialize in restoring and preserving historic properties, ensuring their legacy endures.
- Investing in unique, historical buildings can set you apart in the real estate market and attract niche buyers.
- The stories and architecture of historical properties can offer a more fulfilling and enjoyable investment experience.
For more insights on starting a real estate investment firm, check out these success stories: /ideas/real-estate-investment-firm/success-stories
How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 210 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.
20. Start a cold email service business ($170K/month)
If you have a passion for history and a knack for storytelling, starting a cold email service business could be a strategic move. Cold emailing is a method that has been around for years, similar to how historical figures corresponded through letters. By harnessing your writing skills and understanding of historical narratives, you could craft compelling and persuasive emails that connect businesses with prospective clients, much like how historical letters connected individuals and nations.
Furthermore, this business idea plays to a history lover's strength of researching and understanding different contexts and audiences—skills crucial for targeting the right clientele through email campaigns. Platforms like Starter Story offer insights on successful business models, which could be invaluable as you scale your venture.
Why start a cold email service business?
- Leverage your ability to craft compelling stories to engage potential clients.
- Use research skills honed through historical study to effectively target and analyze audience needs.
- Scale a service-based business by building on a method with proven past and modern-day success.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $450,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)
How long does it take to build: 35 days (?)
GMass, an email marketing platform that allows users to send cold emails and email marketing campaigns with Gmail, has attracted over 500,000 user signups, including major tech companies like Uber, LinkedIn, and Google, and now generates over $200K in monthly recurring revenue through a successful content marketing strategy and focused ad spend.
21. Develop an online survey tool ($304K/month)
Starting an online survey tool can be a natural segue for history lovers who appreciate the intricacies of data collection and analysis. By developing a platform that allows businesses to gather customer feedback efficiently, you could leverage your understanding of historical research methods to create more nuanced and effective surveys. This venture allows you to combine your passion for history with a growing business opportunity in the digital economy. For more insights, check out some success stories on Starter Story.
Why developing an online survey tool?
- As a history enthusiast, you are skilled in research methodologies, which can enhance the quality of data collection.
- Businesses are increasingly relying on data-driven decisions, creating a high demand for effective survey tools.
- This business offers scalable growth opportunities, enabling you to supplement your income while fulfilling your passion for historical inquiry.
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.
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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.
