The 39 Best Home-Based Businesses To Start In Connecticut [2024]

Updated: September 9th, 2024

Interested in starting a business in Connecticut in 2024?

We put together 42 of the best businesses you can start in Connecticut today.

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of how you can start your profitable, home-based small business in Connecticut.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a crm business ($600K/year)

Starting a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) business could present a lucrative opportunity for you in Connecticut. CRMs are essential tools for businesses of all sizes, helping them manage interactions with current and potential customers, streamline processes, and enhance profitability. Given the increasing necessity for digital-first strategies, a CRM business can meet a growing demand in various sectors.

A prime example of a successful CRM enterprise is Workbooks CRM, founded by John Cheney. Initially based in the UK, Workbooks expanded into the US market in 2018, choosing East Hartford, Connecticut as its operational hub. The company recognized a gap in the market for affordable CRM solutions targeted at mid-sized businesses and has since grown to serve over 1,400 customers across 30 countries. If you're interested in more details about their journey, you can read the full case study.

How We Started A $50K/Month Cloud-Based CRM Software

Workbooks CEO, John Cheney, shares how he identified a gap in the market for affordable CRM solutions for mid-sized businesses and, after raising over £8m in seed capital, expanded globally, serving over 1,400 customers across 30 countries.

Read by 5,298 founders

2. Start an electronics repair business ($48K/year)

Starting an electronics repair business could be a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a knack for fixing gadgets and a passion for technology. In Connecticut, the success of businesses like Allen Chiang's Retro Radio Farm highlights the potential in this field. Allen has turned his hobby of repairing and restoring vintage radios into a profitable side business, making around $50,000 annually, with an impressive growth rate of 20% per year.

By offering unique services like Bluetooth MP3 upgrades for old radios, Allen has carved out a niche market. This example shows that you could successfully combine technical skills, creativity, and a love for retro tech to start a thriving home-based electronics repair business in Connecticut. The story of Retro Radio Farm demonstrates that even a side business can grow significantly with the right approach and dedication.

Finding and Repairing Retro Radios Turned into a Successful Side Hustle

Retro Radio Farm founder, Allen Chiang, earns $50k per year as a side business restoring old radios and offering Bluetooth MP3 upgrades, with the business growing 20% every year.

Read by 8,502 founders

3. Start a b2b lead generation service ($2.07M/year)

In Connecticut, a B2B lead generation service could be a highly lucrative business venture due to the diverse and robust business community within the state. With major industries such as finance, insurance, and manufacturing, there's a consistent demand for high-quality leads to drive business growth. By leveraging your skills in sales, data analysis, and relationship-building, you could tap into this demand and help businesses thrive by providing them with a steady pipeline of prospective clients.

Additionally, the proximity to major business hubs like New York City and Boston further amplifies the opportunity as companies in these regions often seek reliable lead generation partners. To gain a deeper understanding of this business idea and see how other entrepreneurs have found success, check out more details on B2B lead generation services and explore our successful case studies. This could be your path to building a scalable, impactful business in Connecticut.

How I Started A $12K/Month Digital Marketing Agency While Traveling Around The World

A 20-year-old digital nomad and serial entrepreneur shares his journey of starting a successful digital marketing agency, Nomads with Solutions, which specializes in Facebook lead generation, and offers insights on client acquisition, personal branding, and focusing on self-improvement.

Read by 10,054 founders

4. Create a mobile app ($844K/year)

Starting a mobile app business in Connecticut could be a golden opportunity given the state's thriving tech scene and high demand for innovative solutions. Connecticut is home to a strong network of tech professionals and resources, making it easier for you to find the right talent and support to bring your app idea to life.

Moreover, with its diverse and affluent population, Connecticut offers a promising market for apps that cater to a range of needs—from productivity tools to leisure activities. This could make your marketing efforts more effective and pave the way for strong user engagement and potential revenue. To see how others have successfully ventured into this field, check out these inspiring success stories on Starter Story. For more information about starting a mobile app business, visit our detailed guide here.

We Started A $6M/Year Bachelorette Party App

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.

Read by 11,002 founders

5. Build a chrome extension ($874K/year)

Starting a business creating Chrome extensions in Connecticut offers you the opportunity to tap into a tech-savvy market with an innovative product. With your skills in programming and coding, you could develop a unique extension that boosts productivity or enhances user security, meeting the specific needs of Connecticut's diverse and educated workforce.

Beyond the state, selling your extension on the Chrome Web Store provides scalable revenue opportunities through direct sales or advertising. For inspiration and actionable insights, check out these successful case studies of people who have already made their mark in this space. This business idea allows you to leverage your technical skills while operating from the comfort of your home.

How We Started A $350K/Month Business Developing Software Tools For Ecommerce Brands

SkyVerge, a software company, has grown rapidly with revenue of $350,000 per month, over 100,000 eCommerce customers, and a globally distributed team of 30 people, all through starting with consulting projects and building focused and solutions-based products, acquiring small products from other developers, and focusing largely on content marketing and providing excellent customer support.

Read by 39,372 founders

6. Build an ai tool ($3.57M/year)

If you're living in Connecticut and have strong technical skills, building an AI tool could be a lucrative business opportunity in 2024. The state is home to a thriving healthcare and finance sector, where AI applications are increasingly in demand to streamline operations and improve customer service.

Connecticut's strategic location offers access to top-tier universities and tech talent, making it an ideal environment to develop innovative AI solutions. By creating AI tools such as chatbots or machine learning platforms, you could carve out a niche in a market expected to reach revenues of over $100 billion by 2025. For more details on starting this type of business, check out our in-depth coverage here and explore some successful case studies.

How I Started A $40K/Month AI-Powered Recruiting App

SkillSoniq, the world's first AI-powered recruiting app, connects companies with skilled freelancers on a trial basis, saving companies 60%+ in hiring costs and earning $350,000+ in gross revenues in its first year, with a current average of $40,000 a month, and plans to raise a second round of seed funding to achieve escape velocity and continue to form a world-class company.

Read by 9,548 founders

7. Start a mobile app development business ($1.69M/year)

Starting a mobile app development business in Connecticut could be an excellent opportunity given the state's robust tech industry and the increasing demand for mobile apps across various sectors. Whether it's for local businesses looking to enhance their customer engagement or startups seeking to enter the digital marketplace, your skills in creating high-quality software could meet a growing need.

Additionally, Connecticut's strong focus on innovation and its support for tech entrepreneurs provide a conducive environment for your mobile app development business to thrive. You could benefit from local networking opportunities, tech meetups, and state-funded grants aimed at fostering technological advancements. Ready to dive in? Explore more about this business idea here or get inspired by these successful case studies.

How I Started A $6K/Month SEO And Digital Marketing Agency In Bangladesh

This case study features Md. Yousuf Ali, the founder of Rank Trends, who shares how he started a successful digital marketing agency, which generated a revenue of over $6k per month through SEO and video production services.

Read by 12,516 founders

8. Start a seo & lead generation service ($720K/year)

Starting an SEO & lead generation service in Connecticut presents a promising opportunity given the state's myriad of small businesses and startups seeking to strengthen their digital presence. By helping local companies attract and convert potential customers online, you could play a crucial role in their growth and success, fostering a vibrant business ecosystem in the region.

With Connecticut's relatively high median income and educated workforce, many businesses likely have the budget and inclination to invest in quality marketing services. By focusing on becoming proficient in lead generation and various digital marketing techniques, you could establish a robust client base and capitalize on recurring business. For inspiration, check out some successful case studies for this business idea.

How I Started A $35K/Month Agency Specialized On Link Building

A link building company co-founded by Justas Markus has grown to make an average of $35k per month in recurring revenue with a focus on delivering high-quality services through manual processes and focusing on fewer markets.

Read by 14,470 founders

9. Start an ecommerce plugin ($281K/year)

Starting an e-commerce plugin business in Connecticut could be a lucrative opportunity, given the state's growing tech industry and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem. With a high number of SMBs (Small to Medium Businesses) looking to expand into online sales, your skills in developing tailor-made plugins could be in high demand.

Additionally, Connecticut's well-educated workforce and access to major markets make it an excellent location for launching such a tech-focused venture. You could help local businesses streamline their operations and improve customer experiences by automating tasks through custom plugins. For more insights, check out successful case studies of e-commerce plugins and explore comprehensive details about this business idea here.

How We Developed A $29K/Month WhatsApp Plugin For Shopify

SuperLemon, a WhatsApp plugin for Shopify eCommerce stores, crossed $29,000 in MRR as of July 2020, with 20,000 users from 50+ countries and 1700+ paying customers, all acquired through organic marketing strategies and a relentless focus on customer service and satisfaction.

Read by 23,573 founders

10. Start a no code platform ($3.69M/year)

Investing in a no-code platform business in Connecticut could be a lucrative opportunity, especially given the state's robust educational institutions and thriving tech sector. You could empower small business owners and hobbyists across Connecticut to develop and deploy their own applications without needing extensive technical skills. This democratization of app development is particularly appealing in a state known for its entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.

Moreover, with the increasing demand for digital solutions in today's market, you could turn imaginative ideas into practical and affordable applications. Whether targeting local startups or educational institutions aiming to teach tech skills, the possibilities are expansive. For more details on this business idea, check out this article or review some successful case studies to get inspired.

How I Started A $7K/Month Marketplace To Connect Companies With No-Code Talent

Codemap.io is a freelance & agency marketplace for no-code, low-code, and automation, enabling anyone to hire no-code experts to build their products, MVPs, and apps up to 10x cheaper and faster than with traditional development, with 900+ clients, close to $2,000,000 in created projects, and 110+ hires made, all achieved in less than 6 months.

Read by 10,779 founders

11. Start an ecommerce platform ($2.43M/year)

Starting an eCommerce platform could be a smart move in Connecticut's flourishing business environment. With a state known for its robust economy and high standard of living, residents have significant purchasing power, making online shopping a viable market. The convenience and speed of eCommerce are major selling points, and targeting a local audience could carve out a niche for unique, Connecticut-specific products.

Moreover, you could draw inspiration from successful eCommerce case studies on Starter Story to help navigate the initial stages. Utilizing Connecticut's excellent internet infrastructure and business-friendly policies, you could efficiently scale your eCommerce platform. This business model offers the versatility to operate from home, minimizing overhead costs and providing a flexible work-life balance.

How I Left My Job To Start A $9K/Month CAD Design Business

A 3D CAD designer and product inventor who started as a side hustle and averaged $9,000 a month in revenue, shares his insights on the ups and downs of owning a service-based business alongside an eCommerce store, as well as lessons learned in customer acquisition and in generating multiple streams of passive income.

Read by 20,198 founders

12. Start an email marketing tool ($2.82M/year)

Starting an email marketing tool business in Connecticut is a promising venture due to the state's diverse economic landscape and thriving small business sector. With numerous startups and entrepreneurs in the area, you could cater to a market eager for effective digital marketing solutions, helping local businesses grow their customer base and sales through targeted email campaigns.

Connecticut's proximity to major metropolitan hubs like New York and Boston also offers the potential to expand your user base beyond state lines. As the global email marketing tool market is expected to reach $2.53B by 2028, launching your own tool here could be your gateway to tapping into a booming industry. For more details and inspiration, check out successful case studies on our website.

I Built A SEO Tool That's Completely Free For Users [From Lebanon]

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.

Read by 14,127 founders

13. Start an ecommerce brand ($959K/year)

Starting an ecommerce brand in Connecticut presents a golden opportunity given the state's high median income and tech-savvy population. You could capitalize on the region's rich history and unique culture by offering products that resonate with local consumers, from artisanal crafts to innovative tech gadgets.

Additionally, Connecticut's robust logistics infrastructure and proximity to major consumer markets like New York and Boston could enable efficient shipping and fulfillment options, giving your ecommerce venture a competitive edge. For more details on how to start, visit this guide and get inspired by these successful case studies.

How I Turned A $5K Investment Into A $7.2M Apparel Brand

This case study follows the story of a successful online business that has made 7.2 million dollars in sales since 2012, with profits of around 30-45%, and the founders share insights on lessons learned and tools used.

Read by 8,757 founders

14. Start a website building agency ($2.38M/year)

Starting a website building agency in Connecticut could be a smart business move, given the state's robust and diverse economy. With sectors ranging from finance to healthcare needing a strong online presence, you could tap into various markets right from your home. The global website building market is projected to grow significantly, doubling from $7 billion in 2021 to $14.3 billion by 2026, presenting ample opportunities for growth and profit. For more details on this business idea, click here.

Moreover, the flexibility of running a website building agency means you could set your hours and scale your operations at your own pace. Imagine earning five figures a week with just one client, as some successful case studies have shown. As more businesses recognize the importance of a digital footprint, your skills could become indispensable, making Connecticut an excellent state to launch this venture.

How I Started A $750K/Year Web Development Agency

Cantilever Web Design and Development, with clients including IBM and small businesses, reached a revenue of over $750k last year with a gross margin of 50% by prioritizing Digital Hospitality, fostering high-quality relationships, and constantly improving their process and philosophy.

Read by 42,592 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.