16 Business Ideas For Stoics [2024]
As a stoic entrepreneur, you seek business ideas grounded in practicality and virtue. In 2024, there are numerous opportunities that align with stoic values and offer the potential for meaningful impact.
You could explore ventures that emphasize sustainability and ethical practices, echoing the stoic commitment to nature and integrity. Whether it's eco-friendly products or a service focused on minimalism, these ideas resonate with stoic ethics.
Another avenue might be in wellness and mental health. Providing tools or services that promote inner peace and resilience could not only prove beneficial but also align with the stoic pursuit of a balanced life.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other stoic 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 aligns well with Stoic principles by allowing you to share your wisdom and expertise on a particular subject while maintaining a sense of purpose and serving others. Stoics value rational thought and self-discipline, which are essential qualities for consistently creating valuable content and growing an engaged audience. This endeavor not only provides a platform to impart knowledge but also offers the potential for monetization through affiliate marketing, collaborations, and other revenue streams.
For practical advice on starting your own niche blog, check out the "success stories" shared by others who have turned their passions into profitable ventures.
Why starting a niche blog?
- It allows you to share your specialized knowledge with a dedicated audience, helping others while fostering a sense of community.
- As a Stoic, you can create meaningful content that reflects your values and insights, establishing yourself as a thought leader in your chosen niche.
- The income potential through various monetization strategies—like affiliate marketing and brand partnerships—can supplement or even replace your primary income, offering financial stability.
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)
For those who embody stoic principles and seek both creative freedom and potential revenue, starting a niche website could be an ideal venture. By focusing on a specialized topic you are passionate about, you could cultivate a dedicated audience and serve them with targeted content and products. This business model allows for deep, thoughtful engagement with a subject area, aligning well with the stoic commitment to depth and mastery. Whether through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling digital products, a niche website provides multiple avenues for monetization, creating a reliable source of passive income over time. For more insights, explore how entrepreneurs succeeded with niche websites on Starter Story.
Why starting a niche website? - It allows you to focus deeply on a subject, aligning with stoic values of mastery and depth. - The varied monetization options offer potential passive income, freeing your mind from financial anxieties. - It gives you the freedom to create and share meaningful content, enhancing both personal growth and community impact.
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 a real estate investment firm ($398K/month)
Starting a real estate investment firm offers a significant opportunity for those interested in building wealth through property. This business involves purchasing, managing, and selling real estate assets to generate profit, aiming for steady income from rentals and potential appreciation of property values. For a stoic, the systematic and rational approach required for real estate investment aligns well with the philosophy of focus and resilience, making it a venture worth considering.
Why consider a real estate investment firm?
- Real estate can provide consistent and substantial returns over time, reflecting the stoic principle of long-term planning.
- Managing properties demands a disciplined approach and emotional resilience, qualities that are core to stoicism.
- Real estate investment offers a tangible sense of accomplishment and control, furthering your commitment to living a purposeful and effective life.
For more details on how to succeed, explore the pros and cons of starting a real estate investment firm.
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.
4. Start an outstation car rentals
Starting an outstation car rental business aligns well with stoic principles, emphasizing simplification, discipline, and resilience. By providing reliable transportation for travelers, you can cultivate a sense of purposeful work and contribute to others' journeys, turning routine car trips into meaningful experiences. Moreover, managing a car rental business requires stoic virtues like patience and foresight, equipping you to better handle uncertainties and risks in the business landscape. For more details on what it takes to start, explore the startup costs of an outstation car rentals business.
Why start an outstation car rentals business?
- It provides a stable income stream as travel remains a constant demand.
- You can practice stoic virtues such as customer service excellence and operational efficiency.
- Managing a fleet of cars enables you to improve problem-solving skills and cultivate a robust business mindset.
5. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Creating a podcast aligns perfectly with stoic principles, focusing on meaningful content that enlightens and educates listeners. As a stoic entrepreneur, you could harness the discipline and clarity of thought inherent in stoicism to craft a podcast that resonates with an audience seeking wisdom and practical advice. With the low initial investment required and the growing popularity of podcasts, this venture could become a substantial source of supplementary income or even a primary business. For insights on starting and thriving in this industry, explore how successful podcasts profit.
Why consider starting a podcast?
- You could share valuable knowledge and ideas in a format that promotes deep reflection and engagement.
- The startup costs are minimal, making it accessible and low-risk to begin.
- It allows you to cultivate a dedicated audience, providing opportunities for sponsorships and direct monetization.
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.
6. Start a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
Starting a subscription box business could be an excellent opportunity for a stoic, as it emphasizes consistency, provides a steady income stream, and allows for deep focus on delivering quality products within a chosen niche. This business model aligns with the stoic values of discipline and purpose, as you will need to meticulously curate your offerings and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction. Moreover, the predictable nature of subscription revenue could afford you the peace of mind to focus on continual improvement and growth.
Why consider launching a subscription box business?
- Subscription models offer reliable, recurring revenue, allowing you to focus on quality and consistency.
- Curating niche products fosters deep understanding and mastery, aligning with stoic principles.
- Building strong customer relationships and service adds meaningful value to your work and community.
For more information on starting a successful subscription box business, you could explore real-life success stories here.
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.
7. Start a martial arts gear business
Starting a martial arts gear business aligns with Stoic principles by fostering discipline, resilience, and a service-oriented mindset. As a Stoic, you could find satisfaction in providing high-quality equipment that empowers practitioners to pursue personal excellence and mental fortitude. Additionally, this business idea emphasizes utilitarianism, offering products that serve a critical function in martial arts training regimes.
Why consider a martial arts gear business?
- Martial arts align well with Stoic virtues of discipline and perseverance, making it easier to relate to your customers.
- You could meet a steady demand for quality equipment, creating a stable income stream.
- The business allows you to make a meaningful impact by aiding others in their journey toward physical and mental improvement.
For more insights on the pros and cons of starting a martial arts gear business, check out Starter Story.
8. Start an auction platform
Starting an auction platform aligns well with stoic principles of self-discipline, resilience, and strategic thinking. In creating such a marketplace, you can foster a community where buyers and sellers engage in fair and transparent transactions. Your role would involve optimizing the user experience through seamless payment processing and robust security measures, ensuring a credible and efficient platform.
If you're considering this venture, visiting Auction Platform Success Stories can provide insightful examples. Embracing the nuances of seller fees and advertising models while maintaining robust security protocols ensures both buyer and seller trust, a cornerstone of any successful auction platform.
Why start an auction platform?
- Starting an auction platform requires strategic thinking and problem-solving—skills that highly align with stoic practices.
- The focus on building a trusted and secure community resonates with stoic values of integrity and honesty.
- The flexible business model offers many possibilities for revenue generation and community engagement, providing both financial and personal fulfillment.
How much you can make: $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
Auction King, a live online auction website for unique items, overcame issues with buggy sites and lost inventory to become a profitable business with plans to expand, as well as packaging and selling their software to other auction houses.
9. Become a corporate photographer ($23.4K/month)
Starting a corporate photography business would align well with Stoic principles by allowing you to focus on providing value through your work and ensuring you contribute meaningfully to your clients' success. As a Stoic, you could approach each assignment with a clear mind, aiming to understand the specific needs and goals of each client. This could help you create impactful images that effectively communicate a company's brand and vision.
Why consider corporate photography?
- It offers a blend of creativity and practicality, allowing you to produce tangible results for businesses.
- Reliable service and clear communication skills are highly valued, aligning with Stoic virtues of integrity and diligence.
- This venture could provide a fulfilling way to express your passion for photography while helping organizations achieve their marketing goals.
For more detailed steps on starting a corporate photography business, check out these success stories.
How much you can make: $8,300 — $50,001/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of an Indian first-generation entrepreneur who built Studio 31, a profitable and award-winning wedding photography and film company capturing over 350 weddings annually, with a unique focus on customer experience and organic marketing, serving more than 90% NRI clients and generating an annual revenue of about a million dollars.
10. Start a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
Starting a WordPress plugin business aligns well with stoic principles by focusing on solving specific problems through useful, efficient solutions. As a stoic, your goal of providing value and utility to others falls in line with developing plugins that address particular needs within the WordPress community. This venture allows you to create meaningful work that can be shared widely and improve the functionality of countless websites, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and supplementary income.
Why starting a WordPress plugin business?
- You could create solutions that make a genuine impact, helping people overcome technical challenges.
- This business model involves initial development and then passive income, freeing you from constant daily tasks.
- Selling useful products resonates with stoic values by enabling you to contribute positively to others' lives.
Discover more about starting a WordPress plugin business by visiting Starter Story here.
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.
11. Start a chair design company
Starting a chair design company could be a fulfilling endeavor for a stoic, allowing you to create functional art that aligns with core principles of utility and aesthetics. This venture enables you to practice self-discipline, patience, and meticulous attention to quality—traits Stoicism emphasizes. With an eye for ergonomic design and an appreciation of craftsmanship, you could design chairs that blend comfort with timeless elegance.
By partnering with skilled artisans and leveraging online platforms to showcase your work, you could build a brand that resonates with those who value both form and function. This not only provides creative satisfaction but also offers a sustainable business model.
Why start a chair design company?
- Designing chairs integrates aesthetics and functionality, allowing you to create meaningful, useful products.
- The business fosters collaboration with local craftsmen, supporting community and craftsmanship.
- Creating chairs for everyday use connects you to your customers on a fundamental level, enhancing their daily lives.
For more ideas and insights on starting a chair design company, visit Starter Story.
12. Start an outdoor shooting range business
Starting an outdoor shooting range business aligns with Stoic principles by allowing you to create a self-sustaining venture rooted in discipline, control, and measured risk. The growing market, projected to exceed $38.6 billion in the next decade, offers a tangible opportunity to generate income while fostering a community centered on skill improvement and safe practice. You could leverage structure and order, which resonate deeply with Stoic values, and build a business that not only meets market needs but also promotes personal growth and community engagement. For more information on startup costs and profitability, you can check out this detailed guide.
Why consider starting an outdoor shooting range business?
- You could create a disciplined, structured environment that nurtures the growth of accurate marksmanship.
- The increasing demand for regulated shooting ranges offers a high-potential market for financial success.
- Running a safe and lawful shooting range allows you to contribute positively to your community by promoting responsible firearm and archery usage.
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
13. Start a social media analytics business ($177K/month)
Starting a social media analytics business aligns well with Stoic principles by enabling you to focus on rational planning and data-driven decision-making. This venture involves helping companies understand and use their social media metrics to enhance their online presence and marketing strategies, a service that is both valuable and in demand. By providing insights into engagement rates, audience demographics, and performance trends, you could empower businesses to make considered, effective decisions, thereby contributing meaningfully to their growth and success.
Why consider a social media analytics business?
- You could cultivate mindful expertise in data analysis and strategic planning, skills highly valued in today's digital economy.
- This business fosters resilience and adaptability as you continually learn and refine your analytical methods to meet evolving market demands.
- Providing this service helps businesses make rational, informed decisions, aligning with the Stoic value of wisdom through understanding.
Check out more tips and success stories on Starter Story about starting a social media analytics business.
How much you can make: $12,000 — $749,998/month
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Metricool, a SaaS social media management tool, built a business with a Freemium model, starting with just $50k in investment and now boasts over 5,000 clients, more than 400,000 users, and over $1 million of annual recurring revenue.
14. Start a health and wellness podcast
Starting a health and wellness podcast aligns seamlessly with Stoic principles, offering an opportunity to share wisdom and promote well-being. Podcasts are a growing medium, accessible to anyone with a computer or phone, making them a low-investment and high-impact way to expand your audience and attract potential revenue streams. For Stoics, this venture isn't just about income, but about exchanging valuable insights that contribute to collective health and happiness.
Why start a health and wellness podcast?
- You could use your podcast to cultivate an audience seeking practical advice on living a balanced life, aligning with the Stoic emphasis on virtue and self-improvement.
- Minimal investment is required, allowing you to focus on the quality and content of your message rather than worrying about significant financial commitments.
- A podcast enables you to reach a global audience, multiplying your impact and enabling you to share Stoic teachings on health and wellness far and wide.
For more detailed guidance and success stories, consider visiting Starter Story's section on health and wellness podcasts.
How much you can make: $3,600/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Learn how a body positive nutritionist and registered dietitian grew her full-time private practice, earning $56k in her first year, through networking and getting mentorship from SCORE.
15. Start a sneaker reseller business ($37.5K/month)
Starting a sneaker reseller business could align well with stoic principles of resilience, discipline, and pragmatism. By purchasing sneakers at a lower cost and reselling them at a higher price, you demonstrate practical wisdom and strategic patience—a nod to the stoic virtue of prudence. Navigating market trends and holding out for the right moment to maximize profit can add to the fulfillment of this entrepreneurial journey. For more details and success stories, check out Starter Story's sneak peek into the sneaker reselling business.
Why start a sneaker reseller business?
- Resilience: Enter an industry that requires you to adapt to market trends and consumer preferences, building emotional resilience.
- Financial Growth: Create an income stream with the potential for high profit margins, especially by timing sales to high-demand periods.
- Strategic Patience: Apply stoic principles by waiting for the best moment to sell, teaching the value of patience and tactical decision-making.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $140,000/month
How long does it take to build: 213 days (?)
This case study follows founder Chris Casseday's journey in creating 513 Kicks, an online sneaker shop that went from sporadic income to an average profit of $2,000 per month within two years through strategic branding, SEO, social media, and email marketing.
16. Start a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel offers stoics a unique opportunity to share their knowledge, passions, and philosophy with a global audience while potentially earning supplemental income. You could create content that embodies stoic principles, providing value and wisdom to viewers seeking guidance or practical advice in their daily lives. With consistent effort and quality content, your channel can attract ads, sponsorships, and even merchandise sales.
Embracing the journey of building a YouTube channel aligns well with stoic virtues of discipline, patience, and resilience. Whether you're sharing how-to guides, vlogs, or educational content, this platform allows for personal growth and purposeful living.
Why start a YouTube channel?
- It's an opportunity to positively impact others by sharing stoic wisdom and practical advice.
- You can cultivate a like-minded community, enriching both your life and the lives of your followers.
- It offers the potential for financial reward through multiple revenue streams, aligning with the stoic principle of utilizing resources wisely.
For more detailed insights, visit this Starter Story page.
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.
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.
