18 Business Ideas For Painters [2024]
As a painter, you might be wondering how to take your skills to the next level in 2024. Diversifying your income with fresh business ideas could be the key to financial growth and creative satisfaction. Whether you're looking to supplement your income or fully transform your career, there are untapped opportunities waiting for you.
The art world is vast and evolving, offering numerous avenues for entrepreneurial painters. You could explore options such as offering online courses, creating a YouTube channel, or selling custom merchandise featuring your artwork. These ventures allow you to monetize your creative talents beyond traditional painting.
Additionally, collaborations with interior designers, opening an art studio, or hosting painting workshops could expand your reach. This article will help you uncover practical and profitable business ideas tailored for painters like you.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other painter businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start an etsy shop ($47.5K/month)
Etsy offers a fantastic platform for painters to supplement their income or even make it their main gig. By opening an Etsy shop, you could reach a global audience, turn your unique artwork into sellable products, and build a loyal customer base. Utilizing Etsy's marketplace could enable you to showcase your talent, increase your visibility, and create an additional stream of revenue without a significant upfront investment.
Why start an Etsy shop?
- You could reach a global audience, giving your art exposure to potential customers from all around the world.
- It allows you to create a visually appealing storefront that can function as a digital portfolio.
- Start-up costs are low, making it accessible even if you're just looking to test the waters.
For further details, visit Starter Story for insights into starting your Etsy shop.
How much you can make: $100 — $750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
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.
2. Start an art business ($61.4K/month)
Starting an art business could be an excellent way for painters to turn their passion into profit. By launching an art business, you’ll have the flexibility to work on your schedule, set your prices, and pursue something you truly enjoy—all while generating income. With numerous avenues available, such as selling your artwork online, showcasing it in galleries, or participating in craft fairs, there’s plenty of opportunity for entrepreneurial-minded artists.
For more inspiration, check out these art business startup costs.
Why start an art business?
- You could set your own schedule, allowing you to balance your art with other commitments.
- There are multiple revenue streams available, from online sales to gallery exhibitions.
- Turning your passion into a business allows you to monetize what you love doing—painting.
How much you can make: $876 — $415,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Innerglow Art is a successful custom abstract painting business that incorporates scripture and personable connection with buyers to produce beautiful and unique artwork.
3. Start a search platform ($55K/month)
Starting a search platform might not seem like an obvious choice for a painter, but it opens up some exciting possibilities. As an artist, you possess a unique perspective and a creative approach that can help you build a search platform tailored to specific needs within the art community. Imagine creating a tool that helps artists find tutorials, materials, inspiration, or even art events more efficiently. The demand for niche information retrieval is high, and your artistic insight could make your platform an indispensable resource.
Why start a search platform?
- Leverage your creativity to design a platform that stands out and serves a specific niche.
- Diversify your income streams and stabilize your financial future beyond just selling art.
- Meet the high demand for specialized information, potentially becoming a go-to resource in your field.
For more insights, check out these pros and cons of starting a search platform.
How much you can make: $100 — $200,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Bootstrapped founder Fed shares the success of his community-focused products, The Hive Index and GummySearch, which have helped over 10k people find online communities each month and generated $60k in revenue in its first year, respectively.
4. Become a painter ($30.5K/month)
Starting a business as a painter can be a rewarding way to monetize your artistic skills while enjoying the freedom of being your own boss. Whether you paint houses, create stunning murals, or offer custom art pieces, the demand for skilled painters is consistent and offers various income opportunities. Working as a painter allows you to merge your passion for art with practical applications, ensuring a fulfilling career that resonates with your creative spirit.
Why becoming a painter?
- You could earn a living doing what you love. Turning your passion for painting into a business can be incredibly fulfilling and financially rewarding.
- You could enjoy flexible work hours. As a painter, you can set your own schedule, providing a balance between work and personal life.
- There is a consistent demand for skilled painters. From residential projects to commercial properties, the need for quality painting services is always present.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out some painter success stories on Starter Story.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $160,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 130 days (?)
Innerglow Art is a successful custom abstract painting business that incorporates scripture and personable connection with buyers to produce beautiful and unique artwork.
5. Become an online dating consultant ($15.9K/month)
While it may seem unrelated at first glance, starting an online dating consultant business could be a lucrative side income for a painter. Your artistic eye and attention to detail can help clients create visually appealing profiles that stand out. Moreover, your creativity can assist clients in crafting unique and engaging messages to potential matches, helping them make a memorable first impression.
Why becoming an online dating consultant?
- You could use your artistic skills to help clients design eye-catching profiles, showcasing your unique perspective.
- This business allows you to engage your creativity in new ways, writing compelling messages and bios.
- It’s a flexible side business that can easily be managed alongside your painting projects, potentially diversifying your income streams.
For more information on starting an online dating consultant business, visit Starting your Online Dating Consultant Business.
How much you can make: $1,300 — $30,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 47 days (?)
The Match Artist helps singles take amazing photos for their online dating profiles through a 3-hour executive shoot, coaching, and email course, pioneering a new genre of photography, with an average monthly revenue of $5,000-$6,000 and a plan to double down on paid ad campaigns in the future.
6. Start a food & beverage company ($32.1K/month)
Venturing into the food and beverage industry offers painters a dynamic avenue to supplement their income or even start a full-fledged business. By tapping into your natural creativity and understanding of aesthetics, you could design a brand that not only stands out but also resonates with consumers on a visual and sensory level. With the right recipes and branding, you could create unique culinary experiences that satisfy both the eyes and taste buds.
Why consider starting a food and beverage company?
- Painters naturally possess a keen eye for detail and creativity, which can be leveraged in designing visually appealing products and branding.
- The food and beverage market is constantly growing and evolving, presenting endless opportunities for innovation.
- This business is highly versatile, allowing you to explore different niches such as gourmet meals, organic beverages, or specialty snacks.
For more inspiration and insight, you can explore some entrepreneurial success stories here.
How much you can make: $500 — $80,000/month
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
How Andy Hayes built a 7-figure online loose leaf tea business, with one of the largest tea subscription boxes and a curated selection of tea accessories, generating half of their revenue from a la carte tea sales and half from their popular tea of the month club community.
7. Start an eBikes business ($540K/month)
Starting an eBikes business could be a lucrative side venture or even a main source of income for painters looking to diversify. With the rapidly growing market for eBikes, particularly among millennials, this business aligns well with urban trends focused on health and sustainability. Plus, it provides a flexible schedule that can easily be adjusted to accommodate your painting projects.
For entrepreneurs eager to capitalize on this innovative market, setting up an eBikes business in 2024 could be particularly promising. To learn more about the costs and profitability, check out our comprehensive guide on how to start an eBikes business.
Why start an eBikes business?
- There is high demand in urban areas where public transport options are limited.
- Flexible working hours allow you to continue focusing on your painting.
- E-bikes are environmentally friendly, appealing to the growing market focused on sustainability.
How much you can make: $110,000 — $1,200,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Tower Electric Bikes is a direct-to-consumer eBike brand co-founded by Stephan Aarstol and Mark Cuban, which has done over $36 million in sales since its $150,000 investment in 2012, and produced and sold everything from paddleboards to electric bikes for half the retail price, with the aim of creating the world's first famous eBike brand.
8. Start an online t-shirt business ($86.2K/month)
As a painter, starting an online t-shirt business could be a fantastic way to supplement your income and make extra money while showcasing your artistic talents. Your unique designs and the creative touch you bring to your paintings can easily translate into eye-catching t-shirt prints that can attract a broad audience. Leveraging an online store means you could reach a global market without the overhead costs associated with a physical store, allowing you to focus on what you love - creating art. For additional insights, check out success stories from others who have ventured into this industry.
Why starting an online t-shirt business?
- You could reach a global audience. Your artwork on t-shirts could be worn by people all over the world.
- Low initial investment. With print-on-demand services, you don't need to invest heavily in inventory.
- Diversify your revenue streams. An online t-shirt business allows you to earn money from your art in a different format.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $275,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)
Texas-born apparel brand Tumbleweed TexStyles has grown to serve over 150 retailers throughout the southern United States, selling an estimated 90,000+ products yearly and making an annual $1.2m in sales, thanks to the founders' unique designs, focus on giving back to the education community and successful “guerilla marketing” tactics.
9. Start a tea business ($201K/month)
Starting a tea business can make sense if you are a painter looking to diversify your income or create a side business. Given your creative skills and eye for aesthetics, you could create unique tea blends, aesthetically pleasing packaging, and an immersive brand experience that appeals to tea enthusiasts. Additionally, the tea market is vast and continues to grow, providing ample opportunity to tap into a profitable niche.
Explore how to start your tea business by considering the different types of tea, such as herbal, green, or black, and determining which aligns best with your target audience. Ensure to cover essential aspects like registering your business as a legal entity, completing tax registrations, and considering insurance. For more detailed guidelines, check out this guide on how to start a tea business to kickstart your journey.
Why start a tea business?
- Tea and art share a culture of detailed craftsmanship that can distinguish your brand.
- Leveraging your artistic flair can enhance your product packaging, making it more appealing and marketable.
- With a growing health-conscious market, tea's numerous health benefits provide a strong selling point, setting a steady demand for your product.
How much you can make: $9,000 — $707,997/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
How Andy Hayes built a 7-figure online loose leaf tea business, with one of the largest tea subscription boxes and a curated selection of tea accessories, generating half of their revenue from a la carte tea sales and half from their popular tea of the month club community.
10. Start a jewelry making business ($248K/month)
Starting a jewelry making business could be a lucrative avenue for painters looking to supplement their income or even create an entirely new business. Just like your paintings, jewelry design is another form of artistic expression, allowing you to channel your creativity into each unique piece. With the global jewelry market expected to reach $292B by 2025, there's ample opportunity to transform your artistic skills into a profitable venture.
For more on starting your own jewelry making business, you can explore additional resources on Starter Story.
Why consider a jewelry making business? - You could leverage your existing artistic skills to design intricate and unique jewelry pieces. - The market for jewelry is vast and growing, providing numerous opportunities for income and customer engagement. - Creating jewelry offers a new medium for creative expression, diversifying your artistic portfolio.
Taking the leap into jewelry making can be a fulfilling and financially rewarding complement to your painting career.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $2,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
A primary school teacher found his passion for jewelry-making, turning it into a successful business generating $2500-3000 per month through sales at the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market, online, and through stockists, with plans to expand and eventually make it his full-time profession.
11. Start a fertility business
For painters looking to supplement their income or start a side business, a fertility business might be an unexpected but lucrative venture worth considering. Given the increasing public awareness and demand for accessible fertility treatments, diving into this high-turnover and high-profit-margin industry could offer significant flexibility and reward. Before launching, however, thorough research and legwork will be essential to effectively market your services and establish your brand in this specialized field. To get started, take a look at these insights on how to begin your fertility business journey here.
Why consider starting a fertility business?
- High demand and profitability make it a viable secondary income source alongside your art.
- Flexibility allows you to manage both your painting career and a new venture seamlessly.
- You could diversify your entrepreneurial portfolio, leveraging skills like marketing and customer engagement in a different industry.
How much you can make: $150,000/month
Legacy, a male fertility company founded by Khaled Kteily in 2018, offers a mail-in kit for at-home sperm testing and cryogenic storage of sperm, with its base product at $195 and a $3,995 "For Forever" package, and has reported an average of $150,000 in monthly revenue.
12. Start a natural beauty product business ($66.8K/month)
If you're a painter, venturing into the natural beauty product business could be a creative and profitable endeavor. Just as you blend pigments to create stunning art, you could mix natural ingredients such as aloe vera, honey, or cocoa butter to make unique and chemical-free beauty products. This allows you to not only explore a different form of artistry but also tap into a booming market valued at $6.7 billion in 2021.
You could easily leverage your existing creativity and attention to detail to design effective, aesthetically pleasing beauty product lines. Plus, painting and creating beauty products both require a keen understanding of aesthetics and composition, making this side business a natural extension of your skills.
Why start a natural beauty product business?
- You could diversify your income streams by tapping into a $6.7 billion market.
- Your existing skills in mixing colors and textures will easily transfer to creating appealing and effective beauty products.
- The demand for natural, chemical-free products is on the rise, opening up significant growth opportunities for your business.
Check out our case studies and tips to see how others have successfully launched their own natural beauty product businesses!
How much you can make: $300 — $658,333/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
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.
13. Start a content creation business ($80.3K/month)
Starting a content creation business makes perfect sense for painters looking to supplement their income or even transition into a new career. As a painter, your expertise in visual storytelling can be leveraged to create compelling content that resonates with audiences. This can be in the form of blogs, tutorials, or social media posts that share your artistic journey, techniques, and industry insights.
By offering niche-specific expertise, you could provide targeted messages that cater to client goals and audiences, enhancing marketing campaigns and brand stories. Whether you opt for freelance gigs or run a full-service content studio, the freedom and creativity involved in content creation are well-aligned with an artist's skill set. For further information, you can explore successful content creation business stories on Starter Story.
Why consider a content creation business?
- You could use your visual storytelling skills to create engaging content that captivates audiences.
- The personalized approach backed by your artistic talent positions you to drive lead generation and visibility in a content-driven market.
- Offering niche-specific expertise allows you to create targeted and impactful campaigns, whether freelance or via a full-service agency model.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Power Move Marketing is an innovative digital marketing company founded by Hailey Brooke McFadden, which has achieved an impressive monthly income of $22,075 and is projected to make almost $300,000 in its first year, by offering a one-stop-shop for e-commerce businesses looking for a marketing powerhouse with a female positive culture.
14. Start a travel-planning app business ($91.3K/month)
As a painter with an entrepreneurial spirit, creating a travel-planning app can be an exciting way to supplement your income and diversify your business ventures. The online travel industry is growing rapidly, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 9.0%. Thus, launching a travel-planning app could open new avenues for revenue as more people seek convenient online solutions for their travel needs.
By developing an app, you can cater to various travel needs, such as itinerary planning, booking, location tracking, or language translation, offering users a one-stop platform that simplifies the entire travel process. Given your creative background, you could bring a unique aesthetic and user-friendly design to the app, making it not only functional but also visually appealing.
Why start a travel-planning app business?
- You could leverage the growing online travel industry and tap into a large, lucrative market.
- Designing an app might allow you to flex your creative muscles beyond painting, marrying functionality with beautiful design.
- An app could provide a steady stream of passive income as users engage with it for their travel needs.
For more detailed information on how to start a travel-planning app business, explore insights and success stories here.
How much you can make: $22,000 — $233,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Visa List is a successful micro start-up that provides one-stop visa information for travellers, earning $5000/month on average with 350K monthly active users and has helped over 2 million users with their visa requirements, all starting from a personal frustration with visa processes.
15. Start an ice cube business
Starting an ice cube business can be a smart supplemental income stream for painters. Given that ice making requires low capital investment and minimal equipment—just an ice maker, water, and power source—this can easily fit into a painter's schedule and workspace. If managed efficiently and marketed well, you could turn this side venture into a consistently profitable opportunity while continuing to focus on your art.
Why consider starting an ice cube business?
- Low startup costs mean you won't need to divert much capital from your main painting business.
- Flexible operations allow you to balance ice production with your painting projects.
- A stable, year-round demand for ice ensures a reliable supplementary income stream.
To learn more about the logistics and potential of starting an ice cube business, check out some success stories from entrepreneurs who have made it work.
How much you can make: $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
Learn how a team from Mississippi State University turned a classroom project into a $1.2 million year business selling liquid-activated, light-up drink cubes and sensory toys for kids, which are now sold in 37 countries.
16. Become a blogger ($15.7K/month)
Looking for a business idea you can start from home? One great option to explore is to start your own blog. As a painter, you could share your journey, techniques, and tips with a global audience, transforming your passion into a lucrative side income or even a full-fledged business. With the flexibility of working from anywhere and minimal startup costs, this avenue is ideal for entrepreneurial-minded painters looking to supplement their income.
What’s amazing about blogging is that anyone can start with just a computer and the internet. You don’t need any special talents or previous experience to begin. The best part is that it can be one of the most rewarding passive income business ideas you can start.
Check out success stories and marketing ideas for bloggers.
Why becoming a blogger?
- You could showcase your work to a broader audience, creating more opportunities for commissions and collaborations.
- Blogging could establish you as an expert in your field, attracting followers and potential clients who value your insights.
- Your blog could generate passive income through ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts, allowing you to earn money even when you're not actively working.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $70,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $425 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Express Writers, a content writing agency, grew from a $75 investment to surpassing $80k MRR within seven years through content marketing, client focus, and steady growth with a debt-free business model.
17. Start a playwriting business
If you're a painter with a flair for storytelling, starting a playwriting business could be a unique and profitable venture. As a visual artist, your ability to evoke emotion and create vivid scenes can translate seamlessly into the world of theater. Crafting compelling narratives and characters can complement your artistic skills, offering you another creative outlet while supplementing your income.
Why consider starting a playwriting business?
- Diversify your creative portfolio by exploring another artistic medium that complements your painting.
- Monetize your talent for storytelling and gain recognition in a new industry.
- Network with a diverse community of artists, actors, and directors, broadening your professional opportunities.
For more information on the startup costs and pros and cons of a playwriting business, you can check out this page on Starter Story: /ideas/playwriting-business/startup-costs.
18. Start a respite care service
Starting a respite care service can be a lucrative side business or a full-time endeavor for a painter looking to diversify their income. With the growing need for quality care services, especially for seniors, providing in-home respite care can offer valuable relief for both families and caregivers. As a painter, you already possess traits such as attention to detail, patience, and creativity, which can be highly beneficial in this compassionate line of work. Additionally, the flexibility of managing your painting projects and respite care appointments allows you to balance both endeavors effectively.
Why consider starting a respite care service?
- Diversified Income Stream: This venture can supplement your income while allowing you to maintain your primary focus on painting.
- Growing Market: The U.S. care services market is expected to reach $748.5B by 2030, making it a financially promising industry.
- Transferable Skills: Your innate patience and attention to detail as a painter are invaluable qualities for providing excellent care to seniors and giving families peace of mind.
For more detailed insights into starting a respite care service, you can visit this Starter Story link.
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.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
