The 12 Best Home-Based Business Ideas To Start In Puerto Rico [2024]
Interested in starting a business in in 2024?
We put together 36 of the best businesses you can start in today.
For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of how you can start your profitable, home-based small business in .
Here's the full list:
1. Start a podcast ($2.42M/year)
Starting a podcast is a powerful way to build a community, share knowledge, and inspire others while potentially generating significant income. In Puerto Rico, John Lee Dumas launched Entrepreneurs On Fire, an award-winning podcast that interviews inspiring entrepreneurs. From its humble beginnings as a daily podcast in 2012, it has expanded into a comprehensive business offering online courses, coaching, and masterminds, with Podcasters’ Paradise generating nearly $4 million in revenue.
For entrepreneurial-minded individuals in Puerto Rico, John Lee Dumas' success with Entrepreneurs On Fire showcases the immense potential of starting a podcast from home. You could follow in his footsteps, leveraging the flexibility of podcasting to create content that resonates with audiences worldwide. For more on Dumas' journey from commercial real estate to podcasting pioneer, check out the full case study here.
John Lee Dumas grew his award-winning podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire, into a business offering online courses, coaching, and a mastermind program, generating nearly $4 million in revenue from his flagship product, Podcasters’ Paradise.
2. Start a travel company ($3.31M/year)
If you're passionate about exploring and enjoy helping others discover new places, starting a travel company in Puerto Rico could be an exciting venture. With the island's rich culture, stunning beaches, and unique heritage sites, there is a significant market for tailored travel experiences. You could specialize in niche travel packages that showcase the best of Puerto Rico, attracting both domestic and international tourists.
By focusing on specific audiences—such as adventure seekers, history buffs, or eco-tourism enthusiasts—you could carve out a distinct niche in this competitive industry. Additionally, Puerto Rico's geographic location makes it an ideal hub for organizing multi-destination trips across the Caribbean. For more insights into starting a travel company, check out more details on the business idea and successful case studies.
Under30Experiences is a travel company for people aged 21-35 that runs small group trips around the world, with over 800 five-star reviews on Facebook, Google, and Yelp combined, and nearly hitting $5M in revenue before the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Start a cbd business ($1.02M/year)
Starting a CBD business in Puerto Rico in 2024 presents a compelling opportunity due to the burgeoning awareness and acceptance of CBD's health benefits. With market trend researchers projecting the CBD market to grow by a CAGR of 21.7%, you could tap into a fast-expanding industry and cater to local demands for natural health solutions, especially for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and migraines.
You could explore various high-potential niches within the CBD sector, such as becoming a CBD distributor, forming cooperatives, or running a CBD podcast. Given Puerto Rico's unique regulatory environment and cultural context, establishing a CBD business could make you a pioneer in a rapidly growing space. For inspiration and insights, check out some successful CBD business case studies on Starter Story.
Plain Jane, an online CBD company founded by two college roommates, offers unique products and has generated over $20K a month in sales within five months, attracting and retaining customers through social media, authentic stories, and content.
4. Build an analytics tool ($2.04M/year)
Starting an analytics tool business in Puerto Rico offers promising opportunities given the increasing emphasis on data-driven decision making. With the rise in big data, businesses—both small and large—are keen to leverage data for operational insights and performance enhancements. You could build a tool that meets these needs, providing a valuable service to a wide array of clientele on the island.
Additionally, Puerto Rico's growing tech ecosystem and the presence of several established and burgeoning enterprises make it an ideal market for an analytics tool. If you have strong technical skills, you could create a tool that helps local businesses visualize and analyze their data with ease, enhancing their strategic capabilities. For inspiration and successful examples, check out these case studies on our website. Learn more about this business idea here.
Plausible Analytics, a privacy-friendly web analytics tool, reached $4,557 MRR and 743 paying subscribers by focusing on content marketing and engaging relevant communities, rather than paid advertising, while positioning itself as a lightweight, cookie-free and affordable alternative to Google Analytics.
5. Start a travel agency ($2.14M/year)
A travel agency is a fantastic home-based business idea for Puerto Rico, especially given the island's status as a top tourist destination with its rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and diverse attractions. You could leverage your local knowledge to create custom and unique travel experiences that big corporations can't offer, capturing the attention of both local and international visitors seeking an authentic Puerto Rican adventure.
With relatively low startup costs, you could run your agency online, connecting travelers to various local service providers like accommodations, tours, and transportation. This approach allows you to earn commissions from these service providers while giving clients tailored travel experiences. For more insights, check out detailed information and successful case studies that could guide your entrepreneurial journey.
Marissa Daniels runs a successful travel agency, Spread Your Wings Travel, that hit $100,000 in sales within a year of launch and provides payment plan options for its all-inclusive vacations, and she hopes to help 100 families supplement their income through the business.
6. Start a smoking accessories brand ($400K/year)
The smoking accessories industry in Puerto Rico is a growing billion-dollar market, offering a unique opportunity for you to carve out a niche. Given the area's thriving tourism industry and culturally vibrant lifestyle, you could tap into a clientele that includes both locals and visitors looking for quality and distinctive smoking products.
To stand out, you should focus on creating a brand that is professional yet fun and unique, resonating with the lifestyle and tastes of your target market. Building a reputation for reliability and relatability will be key to gaining trust and loyalty from customers. For more detailed insights on starting this business, visit Starter Story's page on smoking accessories brands, or check out success stories from entrepreneurs in this field.
This case study showcases how a smoking accessories brand called Tetra created a unique and elevated position in the industry, and has since grown to average nearly $20,000 per month in revenue with no outside investment and just a $12,000 initial founders’ outlay.
7. Start an etsy shop ($570K/year)
Starting an Etsy shop in Puerto Rico could be a fantastic opportunity due to the unique cultural and artistic heritage of the island. With a rich tradition in crafts, textiles, and other handmade goods, you could tap into a diverse market of customers who appreciate authentic and unique products. Plus, operating online allows you to reach global audiences while working from the comfort of your own home.
Given Puerto Rico's booming tourism industry, your Etsy shop could also serve as a great platform to sell souvenir-like items or products that reflect Puerto Rican culture. By setting up a visually appealing storefront with high-quality photos, you can attract a steady stream of customers. For more specifics on starting an Etsy shop and to read about successful Etsy sellers, you can explore detailed case studies here.
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.
8. Start a 3d printing business ($1.99M/year)
Starting a 3D printing business in Puerto Rico could be a creative and lucrative venture. Given the growing interest in innovative technologies on the island, you could tap into various markets such as education, healthcare, and local manufacturing, which are increasingly recognizing the benefits of 3D printing.
By learning 3D modeling and design skills, and investing in the right equipment, you could produce custom products that cater to the specific needs of the community. You could also look into successful 3D printing business case studies for inspiration and guidance on effectively running your business.
For more details, please visit our detailed guide on starting a 3D printing business.
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.
9. Start a video production company ($1.99M/year)
Starting a video production company in Puerto Rico could be a lucrative venture due to the rising demand for high-quality video content across various industries. As businesses increasingly adopt digital marketing strategies, the need for engaging video content, such as commercials, online ads, and product showcases, is on the rise. You could tap into this growing market and help local businesses enhance their online presence and reach a broader audience.
In addition, Puerto Rico’s vibrant culture and picturesque landscapes provide a unique backdrop for creative video projects, making it an attractive option for both local clients and international projects. Learn more about the video production company business idea and explore successful case studies to see how other entrepreneurs have turned this concept into a thriving business.
Lemonlight CEO, Hope Horner, co-founded an on-demand video production company that has produced over 7,000 videos for more than 3,000 brands, generating over $6 million in sales and growing to a 45-person team, all without taking any outside capital and being recognized in Inc 5000 and Entrepreneur 360 for three years in a row.
10. Start a beauty business ($1.85M/year)
Starting a beauty business in Puerto Rico offers immense potential thanks to the rapid growth of the global beauty industry, valued at $511B in 2021 and predicted to exceed $716B by 2025. Puerto Ricans have a growing interest in beauty and personal care, which means you could tap into a vibrant and expanding market.
With the beauty sector’s annual compounded growth rate of 4.75%, there are numerous lucrative opportunities, particularly in makeup, skincare, and hair products. Explore more about launching your own beauty business, and see successful case studies of entrepreneurs who have thrived in this industry.
Private Label Extensions is a hair distribution and technology company that builds hair brands from A to Z for entrepreneurs, achieving over $650,000 in monthly sales and ranked #278 of the fastest-growing companies by Inc Magazine for 2018.
11. Start a media company ($2.52M/year)
Starting a media company in Puerto Rico offers unique opportunities due to the island's vibrant culture and diverse population. You could tap into the bilingual nature of local audiences, creating content in both English and Spanish to reach wider demographics. This dual-language approach can help you stand out and attract a variety of advertisers and sponsors interested in engaging with a diverse market.
Additionally, Puerto Rico's beautiful landscapes and lively events can provide rich, visually appealing content for your platform. You could leverage these local assets to create compelling stories, videos, and podcasts that resonate with both locals and tourists. For inspiration, check out successful case studies to see how others have thrived in this field.
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.
12. Start a military name badge business
Starting a military name badge business in Puerto Rico could be a promising venture due to the substantial military presence on the island. With several military installations and a significant number of veterans residing in Puerto Rico, the demand for personalized military badges and related items is steady and consistent.
Moreover, you could tap into online sales, allowing you to extend your reach beyond local customers. By leveraging e-commerce platforms and social media, you could easily market your products to military personnel and veterans across the United States. For inspiration and insights, check out some successful case studies of entrepreneurs who have thrived in this niche.
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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.
