20 Business Ideas For Puzzle Solvers [2024]
Are you passionate about solving puzzles and think it could be more than just a hobby? In 2024, you could transform your puzzle-solving skills into a thriving business. From escape rooms to educational apps, the possibilities are diverse and exciting.
Imagine creating engaging escape room experiences that challenge and delight players. You could also design and sell your own unique board games or puzzles. Additionally, developing a puzzle-based app or online platform could open doors to a global audience.
By leveraging your love for puzzles, you could not only entertain others but also build a successful and rewarding business. Ready to delve into these opportunities? This article will guide you through some of the top business ideas for puzzle solvers in 2024.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other puzzle solver businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog centered around puzzles can be a fulfilling and lucrative endeavor for puzzle solvers. By creating engaging content such as puzzle reviews, solving techniques, and brain teasers, you could attract a devoted audience eager to dive deeper into this niche. As your blog gains traction, there are numerous avenues for monetizing your content, including through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and merchandise sales. Consider exploring niche blog success stories to get inspired by others who have walked this path.
Why start a niche blog?
- You could leverage your expertise to build a community of like-minded puzzle enthusiasts.
- Creating and sharing unique content could establish you as an authority in the puzzle-solving world, opening doors for collaborations and sponsorships.
- A niche blog allows you the flexibility to work from anywhere, providing an additional or primary income stream doing something you love.
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 niche website ($107K/month)
Are you a puzzle solver looking for a way to supplement your income or even start a side business? Building a niche website could be the perfect solution for you. By focusing on a specialized topic within the puzzle-solving world, you can create targeted content that resonates with a dedicated audience.
With the right combination of engaging articles, tips, and puzzle-solving resources, your niche website can attract a loyal following. Monetization options such as affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling digital products could turn your passion into a steady income stream [Starter Story]. Given the intricacies and appeal of puzzles, there is ample opportunity to create engaging content that keeps visitors coming back.
Why start a niche website?
- Your deep knowledge of puzzles can help you create highly targeted content that attracts a dedicated audience.
- It offers passive income potential as your content continues to draw visitors and generate revenue over time.
- You have creative freedom to explore and share your passion for puzzles while achieving financial independence.
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.
3. Start an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a puzzle solver, starting an AI-based business solution would allow you to leverage your natural problem-solving skills in a highly impactful and innovative field. The ability to optimize various business processes using AI technology presents a unique challenge that could captivate your analytical mind while also offering substantial financial rewards. By integrating AI solutions, you can create a more efficient, data-driven environment for businesses, helping them reduce costs, automate repetitive tasks, and gain valuable insights into customer behavior and market trends.
Why consider starting an AI-based business solution?
- The demand for AI solutions is rapidly growing, offering a lucrative market opportunity.
- AI tools can automate repetitive tasks, allowing businesses to focus on higher-level strategic efforts.
- With user-friendly platforms and strong support systems, you don’t need a tech background to get started; your problem-solving skills are the key.
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.
4. Create a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
Turning your puzzle-solving talents into a mobile app business could be a rewarding venture for entrepreneurial mindsets. Developing a mobile app involves the creative process of designing engaging interfaces, planning user experiences, and ensuring the app's functionality. With the pivotal role of mobile apps in today's world, your innovative idea could not only solve specific user problems but also entertain millions, creating a potential revenue stream.
To start, you don’t need to be a coding expert; you can either learn the basics or hire a skilled developer. Marketing will be crucial—focus on making your app discoverable for potential users. If you have a unique idea that caters to puzzle enthusiasts or addresses a particular need, app development could become a profitable side business or even a full-time endeavor. For more insights, check out examples of successful mobile app ventures on Starter Story.
Why create a mobile app?
- Mobile apps are integral to daily activities, providing a vast market for innovative solutions.
- Leveraging your puzzle-solving skills can lead to the creation of engaging and unique user experiences.
- A well-executed app can generate substantial income and transform your idea into a thriving business.
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.
5. Start a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an excellent opportunity for puzzle solvers to supplement their income or even build a full-time business. By creating compelling content around solving puzzles, offering strategies, and reviewing puzzle games, you could attract a dedicated audience of fellow enthusiasts. Not only do you get to share your passion, but you also open up revenue streams through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise deals. Learn more about starting a successful channel at Starter Story.
Why consider a YouTube channel?
- It leverages your unique puzzle-solving expertise to create engaging content that can attract a niche audience.
- Monetizing your channel through multiple revenue streams, such as ads and sponsorships, offers financial rewards.
- It provides a flexible platform where your passion for puzzles can transform into a thriving business opportunity.
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.
6. Create an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
Creating an AI writing tool is a lucrative business idea for puzzle solvers due to its inherent complexity and need for innovative problem-solving. By developing a tool that automates content creation, you could cater to a wide range of clients, including businesses, bloggers, and students who need compelling and error-free content. This enterprise not only leverages technology but also addresses a growing market demand for efficient content generation.
Why start an AI writing tool business?
- Puzzle solvers excel at identifying patterns, which is crucial for developing sophisticated AI algorithms.
- The market for AI-driven content solutions is expanding, providing numerous opportunities for profitability.
- Helping streamline writing processes for others adds immense value, positioning your business as an essential tool for productivity.
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.
7. Start a volleyball accessories business
If you're a puzzle solver considering how to supplement your income, a volleyball accessories business could be your perfect match. Puzzle-solving skills translate well into identifying what volleyball enthusiasts need and creating products that solve their problems, from ergonomic knee pads to custom jerseys. This business idea taps into the growing popularity of recreational sports, allowing you to merge creativity and strategic thinking while meeting a specific market demand.
Why start a volleyball accessories business?
- You could leverage your problem-solving skills to design innovative products that address specific needs in the volleyball community.
- The growing popularity of recreational sports means there is a rising demand for high-quality, reliable accessories.
- This business allows for creativity in product development and marketing, offering a balanced mix of fun and practicality.
For more detailed insights and success stories, you might want to check out this page on Starter Story.
How much you can make: $1,000,000/month
CROSSNET, the world's first four-way volleyball game, went from $74,000 in revenue in 2018 to $2,250,000 in sales in just one year by attracting customers through social media, email marketing, and exclusive distribution agreements with retailers like Target.
8. Start an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business could be the perfect side hustle for puzzle solvers, offering a blend of creativity and strategy in selecting the right products to promote. As an affiliate marketer, you could generate a passive income by recommending products aligned with your interests and skills, earning commissions for each sale you drive. This business model allows you to leverage your problem-solving abilities to analyze market trends and optimize your promotional tactics to maximize revenue.
For example, consider partnering with an eCommerce store to promote puzzle-related products that you are passionate about. You could delve into the nuances of affiliate marketing strategies by exploring success stories from other affiliate marketers to understand what works best.
Why start an affiliate marketing business?
- It provides a stream of passive income, allowing you to earn money even while you're focusing on other projects.
- You can utilize your analytical skills to identify high-demand products and effective marketing strategies.
- It requires minimal startup costs, making it a low-risk venture to supplement your existing income.
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.
9. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
For those with a knack for solving puzzles, starting a print-on-demand business could be a strategic and creative way to supplement your income. This type of business involves designing custom products such as apparel, home goods, and phone cases, which are then sold through online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy. Leveraging your unique problem-solving skills, you could create eye-catching, puzzle-themed merchandise that appeals to a niche audience, all without the hassle of managing inventory.
By employing dropshipping production and fulfillment services, you can focus on perfecting your designs while orders are produced and shipped directly to customers. This business model offers the flexibility to operate from home, making it an ideal side hustle or even a full-time venture when your products gain traction. For a deeper dive, check out this Starter Story success story on print-on-demand businesses.
Why start a print-on-demand business?
- Minimal upfront costs mean you can start small and scale as demand increases.
- Your problem-solving skills can help in creating unique, engaging designs tailored to your niche.
- Running operations from home provides flexibility, allowing you to work at your own pace and set your own hours.
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.
10. Start a social media automation business ($139K/month)
If you love solving puzzles and have a knack for technology and marketing, starting a social media automation business might be the perfect fit for you. This venture involves creating tools and services that help manage multiple social media accounts, schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze performance data. With the growing demand for effective and consistent social media engagement, there's a significant need for these automated solutions.
A social media automation business can be lucrative, especially given how many small businesses and influencers are looking to streamline their online presence. By offering software solutions and personalized services, you could help clients save time and enhance their social media strategies while building a profitable side hustle or full-fledged business. Check out this page for more tips on starting a social media automation business.
Why start a social media automation business?
- There's high demand for social media management services due to the need for consistent engagement.
- You could leverage your puzzle-solving skills to create innovative, efficient automation solutions.
- Building relationships with a diverse range of clients allows for customization and higher satisfaction.
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 a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
For puzzle solvers looking to supplement their income or start a business, dropshipping offers a low-risk, high-reward opportunity. As a puzzle solver, you have the analytical mind to tackle inventory management efficiently and can optimize product selection to appeal to specific niches. With dropshipping, you can focus on strategic challenges and marketing tactics to stand out in a competitive market.
Why start a dropshipping business?
- It requires minimal upfront investment, allowing you to test different products without significant financial risk.
- Your problem-solving skills will be useful in navigating the complexities of supply chain management and customer service.
- You can work from anywhere, giving you the flexibility to balance this venture alongside your puzzle-solving hobbies or other commitments.
For more insights, you can check out these dropshipping marketing ideas to boost your business.
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.
12. Develop a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
For a puzzle solver, starting a lead generation tool business aligns perfectly with your skills in problem-solving and logic. Imagine the satisfaction of creating a system that automates the tedious task of acquiring new clients, freeing companies to focus on converting leads into sales. Your analytical abilities are essential for designing algorithms that efficiently gather and analyze customer data from various digital sources.
By developing a lead generation tool, you meet the high demand from businesses eager to streamline their marketing efforts and grow their customer base. Interested in learning more about what it takes? Check out this Starter Story on lead generation tool startup costs.
Why is developing a lead generation tool a good idea?
- You’ll use your problem-solving skills to create a high-demand product, making marketing more efficient for businesses.
- You’ll benefit from a recurring revenue model, as companies often pay ongoing fees for high-quality leads.
- You’ll have the satisfaction of turning a complex, manual process into an automated, intelligent solution.
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.
13. Start a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
Embarking on a journey to create a health and wellness app aligns perfectly with a puzzle solver's knack for deciphering complex problems and creating elegant solutions. This digital tool can offer personalized fitness routines, nutrition plans, mental well-being exercises, and progress tracking, all in one seamless platform. By leveraging your problem-solving skills, you could design an app that helps users achieve their health goals while tapping into a booming market.
Picture this: your app is a virtual coach guiding users through yoga practices, tailored meal plans, and reminders to drink water. Such an endeavor requires market research, collaboration with health experts, and effective marketing strategies, but the potential for positive impact is immense. If you’re passionate about health and technology, this could be your path to making a meaningful contribution while building a thriving business. For more inspiration, check out these health and wellness app success stories.
Why should you start a health and wellness app?
- You'll leverage your puzzle-solving expertise to create an intuitive, user-friendly platform.
- The growing interest in personal health offers a lucrative market with high demand for innovative solutions.
- You could make a significant impact on users' lives by providing them with accessible tools to achieve their wellness goals.
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.
14. Start a niche investment platform ($167K/month)
Starting a niche investment platform allows puzzle solvers to leverage their analytical skills and create an ecosystem that caters to alternative asset enthusiasts. By focusing on specialized markets such as collectibles, cryptocurrencies, and real estate, you could offer a unique value proposition to investors looking to diversify their portfolios. This not only creates a recurring revenue stream through transaction fees and premium subscriptions but also taps into the growing demand for alternative investments amid volatile stock markets.
Why start a niche investment platform?
- Leverage your analytical skills: Creating a transparent trading ecosystem requires a keen eye for details and patterns, aligning perfectly with a puzzle solver's skill set.
- Build a specialized community: Focus on niche markets to attract a loyal user base interested in alternative assets, such as fine wine or emerging sports talents.
- Recurring revenue: Generate income through transaction fees and premium subscriptions, offering financial flexibility and growth potential.
For more insights, check out this comprehensive guide on starting a niche investment platform.
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.
15. Start an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
Starting an email marketing tool business is a strategic decision for puzzle solvers with entrepreneurial inclinations. It involves developing software that helps businesses automate their email campaigns, which is akin to solving complex puzzles of communication and engagement. The email marketing industry is thriving, with the global market expected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028, offering abundant opportunities to generate leads, increase sales, and build a sustained revenue stream.
Why consider starting an email marketing tool?
- Capture a booming market. The email marketing industry is growing rapidly, offering a lucrative business opportunity.
- Leverage problem-solving skills. Developing an email tool involves intricate problem-solving, perfect for puzzle solvers.
- Create impactful solutions. Help businesses efficiently reach their customers, driving growth and brand loyalty.
For more insights on starting an email marketing tool, visit Starter Story's success stories.
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.
16. Start an online course sales business ($85K/month)
If you are a puzzle solver, starting an online course sales business could be a lucrative side hustle or even a full-fledged venture. You have a natural knack for thinking critically and solving complex problems, which makes you uniquely qualified to teach others. By creating and selling online courses, you could share your skills while generating passive income.
The e-learning market is booming, expected to be worth over $645 billion in the next few years. All you need to get started is to choose a target audience, develop your content, and select a platform to host your course. For more tips on how to begin, check out online course sales business tips on Starter Story.
Why start an online course sales business?
- You could turn one-time effort into long-term passive income, drawing in new students continuously.
- You already excel at breaking down complex puzzles, making you well-suited to teach challenging topics in an engaging way.
- The satisfaction of helping others learn and grow can be a rewarding personal experience.
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.
17. Start a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
If you have a knack for solving puzzles and want to leverage that skill into a business, starting a subscription box business could be an excellent venture. Subscription boxes that center around puzzles and brain teasers are in high demand, providing customers with a regular dose of mental challenges. By curating unique and captivating puzzles in a monthly subscription box, you could build a loyal customer base while generating consistent revenue.
Check out how other entrepreneurs have successfully navigated the subscription box business for some inspiration here.
Why start a subscription box business?
- Capitalize on your passion by creating engaging puzzle-themed boxes that others will love.
- Build a recurring revenue stream, offering regular income each month.
- Reach a niche market of puzzle enthusiasts looking for the next mental challenge delivered to their door.
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.
18. Develop an online survey tool ($304K/month)
As a puzzle solver, starting an online survey tool can be a thrilling side business or even a primary venture. Your knack for intricate details and problem-solving can be effectively utilized to design intuitive surveys that capture precise customer feedback. This is a growing field as businesses increasingly rely on data to make informed decisions, offering you ample opportunities to innovate and stand out.
For inspiration, consider the success of tools like Typeform, which has seen substantial growth due to its usability and efficiency. An online survey tool allows businesses to collect valuable insights cost-effectively, paving the way for improved services and products. Furthermore, with the right approach and dedication, this venture could evolve into a significant revenue stream.
Why start an online survey tool?
- Your problem-solving skills will allow you to design efficient and user-friendly survey interfaces.
- There’s a growing market demand for effective data collection tools.
- You could harness your analytical mindset to offer unique insights, giving you a competitive edge.
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. Start a cold email service business ($170K/month)
Unlock additional income opportunities by starting a cold email service business. This venture entails crafting and sending targeted email campaigns to prospective clients on behalf of businesses, making it a fascinating and lucrative endeavor for those with a puzzle solver's mindset. With your skills in analytical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning, a cold email service business could be a perfect fit for your expertise.
By leveraging your ability to interpret data and understand client needs, you could create compelling email campaigns that deliver results. As you start small with lead generation for local businesses, your success stories can help you scale and attract larger clients. With an ever-present demand for effective marketing solutions, this business is grounded in a mixture of creativity and technical knowledge—a perfect playground for a puzzle solver.
Why starting a cold email service business?
- Your analytical mind can decode complex patterns in audience behavior, maximizing campaign effectiveness.
- You could enjoy a scalable business model, starting with smaller clients and gradually ramping up as you demonstrate success.
- By combining creative writing skills with data-driven insights, you'll offer a service that’s both innovative and results-oriented.
See success stories and insights about starting a cold email service business at Starter Story.
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.
20. Start a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
Starting a stock photography business can be a great fit for puzzle solvers due to the meticulous nature of both fields. As a puzzle solver, your keen eye for detail and pattern recognition can give you an edge in capturing visually compelling and marketable stock images. Additionally, the satisfaction you derive from solving intricate puzzles can translate seamlessly into the challenge of creating and curating a diverse portfolio of high-quality photos.
Further, the passive income potential from selling stock photos aligns well with your problem-solving mindset, giving you the opportunity to focus on quality over quantity. By investing in good photography gear and boosting your online presence, you could quickly see returns on your investment.
Why starting a stock photography business?
- It leverages your attention to detail in identifying and capturing marketable images.
- You could build a passive income stream by uploading high-quality photos to stock photography platforms.
- Creating a varied portfolio taps into your problem-solving skills, offering an ongoing, rewarding challenge.
To see real-life success stories and get more tips, visit our profitability guide for stock photography businesses here.
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.
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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.
