30 Business Ideas For DevOps Engineers [2024]

Updated: September 3rd, 2024

Interested in starting a business as a doctor in 2024?

If managed well, building a business as a doctor could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for Doctors?

We put together 30 of some of the best doctor business ideas you can start in today.

For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other doctor businesses to help you see what it takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a micro saas ($82.9K/month)

As a DevOps engineer, starting a micro-SaaS business could be a highly feasible and lucrative venture. Leveraging your technical skills and deep understanding of various systems, you could develop specialized software solutions that cater to niche markets within the tech industry. For instance, you might create tools to streamline continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) processes or to address specific pain points in cloud infrastructure management.

By focusing on these targeted issues, you could deliver highly customized solutions that directly cater to the specific needs of your audience. This would not only ensure precision but also foster a closer relationship with your customer base, potentially leading to more sustainable income over time. Prioritizing customer feedback will allow you to refine your product continually, ensuring its relevance and long-term success in the market.

Starting a micro-SaaS business allows you the flexibility to build solutions that can scale as your business grows. By choosing the right platform and constantly iterating based on user input, you could create a side business—or even a full-fledged enterprise—that leverages your expertise and benefits your professional growth.

How much you can make: $117 — $1,766,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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 23,511 founders

2. Start a saas company ($176K/month)

Starting a SaaS company could be a perfect fit for a DevOps engineer looking to supplement their income or launch a full-fledged business. Leveraging your technical expertise, you could develop subscription-based software products, such as advanced project management tools, automation engines, or workflow designers that capitalize on your experience in streamlining operations and automating processes.

Given your background in integrating and optimizing various software environments, you could build and market a high-quality SaaS product that addresses pain points you've encountered firsthand in the industry. With the growing demand for efficient and cost-effective cloud solutions, your SaaS company could attract businesses looking to reduce their IT costs while gaining high-quality software solutions.

The potential for high margins and flexibility makes it an attractive venture, as evidenced by the success of companies like Salesforce, which has achieved significant revenue through SaaS offerings. As more businesses shift toward cloud-based solutions, a DevOps engineer with entrepreneurial ambitions could find considerable success in this burgeoning market.

How much you can make: $20 — $4,160,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

I Turned My Side Project into A $26K/Month SaaS Tool

AI-powered web application, Excelformulabot.com, generates Excel formulas within seconds for a subscription fee of $6.99/month or free for five formula requests per month, resulting in $14k/month in recurring revenue since its launch in September 2022, accruing millions of visitors through word of mouth, influencer marketing, SEO, and PPC, implemented through no-code web application Bubble.io, while preparing to penetrate a B2B market and focus on B2B outreach in the future.

Read by 21,974 founders

3. Start a tech talent platform ($852K/month)

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your deep understanding of tech needs and industry demands to start a tech talent platform. This business would bridge the gap between tech professionals and companies looking for specialized skills. By creating an online service where employers post job listings and tech experts showcase their skills, you could facilitate meaningful job matches.

Given the growing demand for specialized tech skills, this venture holds considerable promise. You wouldn’t just be connecting job seekers with employers; you'd be fostering a vital network that supports professional growth for both parties involved. Additionally, your tech background could help ensure the platform is user-friendly and effective, making your service a valuable resource in the tech recruitment space.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $5,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 133 days (?)

We Bootstrapped A Tech Talent Platform To $1.2M Sales In Our First Year

CloudDevs, a tech talent platform that sources and vets freelance tech talent and matches them with companies, has achieved $1 million in GMV in its first year, plans to achieve 100% growth year on year, and focuses on customer loyalty through its Net Promoter Score metric.

Read by 17,233 founders

4. Start an ai platform ($402K/month)

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your expertise in automation, continuous integration, and deployment to establish a successful AI platform. This platform could provide tools and frameworks to help companies seamlessly integrate artificial intelligence into their operations, catering to the increasing demand for AI solutions without the need for them to hire specialized teams.

With your background in streamlining processes and enhancing productivity, you could develop ready-made solutions for data analysis, machine learning models, and automation. By offering a plug-and-play solution, you enable organizations to optimize their operations and make informed decisions with minimal technical barriers, tapping into a lucrative and growing market.

Starting an AI platform business could not only supplement your income but potentially become a thriving enterprise. Given the rising demand for AI technologies, the opportunities for growth and impact in this field are substantial.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $3,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

The App I Built In 12 Hours Now Makes $15K/Mo

A founder shares how he built AudioPen.ai, a tool that transcribes voice notes, generating $15,000 monthly with minimal costs and no paid marketing, highlighting the importance of focusing on the product, word of mouth, and personal communication with users for sustainable growth.

Read by 14,031 founders

5. Start a cloud management software ($129K/month)

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your existing skills to develop cloud management software, a critical tool as more companies migrate to the cloud. This business idea revolves around aiding organizations to manage their cloud resources efficiently, covering aspects like data storage, cost optimization, and security compliance. By utilizing your expertise, you could design intuitive interfaces and robust backend systems that simplify the complexities of cloud management for users.

The market for cloud management tools spans various industries, from healthcare to finance, providing a significant growth opportunity. With the increasing reliance on cloud-based operations, there is a high demand for effective management solutions. If you are entrepreneurial-minded and driven to solve intricate challenges, starting a cloud management software business could be a rewarding and lucrative venture.

How much you can make: $25,000 — $330,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How We Partnered With Salesforce To Develop A $330K/Month Laboratory Information Management SaaS

Third Wave Analytics developed the world's first cloud-based and customizable LIMS platform on Salesforce, generating $330k monthly revenue from clients such as Ohio State University and Boston University School of Medicine while partnering with the University of California-Berkeley for a COVID-19 study; founder Savitra Sharma advises aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on clear objectives to meet their goals.

Read by 8,111 founders

6. Start a sales automation platform ($171K/month)

As a DevOps engineer, you possess a unique blend of software development expertise and an understanding of operational efficiencies, making you well-suited to develop a sales automation platform. By creating a solution that streamlines and automates various sales processes such as lead generation and follow-ups, you could significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of business operations. This allows sales teams to focus more on closing deals rather than getting bogged down with repetitive administrative tasks.

Moreover, the growing demand for digital transformation and business efficiency makes this an opportune moment to launch such a platform. With the right blend of technical skills and knowledge of sales strategies, you could craft a tool that is both highly effective and adds enormous value to businesses striving to improve their sales processes. This entrepreneurial venture could not only supplement your income but potentially evolve into a thriving main business.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,666,667/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)

On Starting A $160K/Month CRM & Automations Company After A US Air Force Career

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.

Read by 11,998 founders

7. Start a wordpress maintenance services ($24.3K/month)

If you're a DevOps engineer seeking to supplement your income or start a side business, offering WordPress maintenance services could be a pragmatic choice. With your technical expertise in managing systems, automation, and ensuring seamless operations, you are well-equipped to handle critical tasks such as security updates, plugin and theme management, speed optimization, backups, and troubleshooting for WordPress websites. This aligns perfectly with your skills in maintaining and optimizing complex systems.

The demand for WordPress maintenance services is growing, primarily because many website owners lack the technical know-how or time to manage their sites effectively. By offering your services, you could tap into a market that values peace of mind and reliability. Moreover, with businesses and bloggers often opting for recurring monthly service plans, you could establish a steady stream of income.

The scalability of this business model is also a significant advantage. As demand increases, you could automate routine tasks or even hire a team to help manage the workload, thereby expanding your business without taxing your personal time excessively. Combining your DevOps skills with WordPress maintenance services offers a satisfying, profitable, and low-barrier way to diversify your professional activities.

How much you can make: $600 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)

How long does it take to build: 22 days (?)

How I Started A $1.4K/Month WordPress Support Service

Work Hero is a WordPress support and maintenance service that went from working with one website in December 2019 to 13 recurring customer sites today, earning ~$1470/month with most customers paying an unlimited fee of $149/month.

Read by 7,824 founders

8. Start a no code platform ($308K/month)

Starting a no-code platform could be an excellent entrepreneurial avenue for a DevOps engineer. With your background in automating workflows and managing infrastructures, you already possess the skills to optimize processes and ensure reliability, which are crucial for any software development. By leveraging a no-code platform, you could create custom applications for clients who lack programming skills but need efficient and reliable software solutions.

The democratization of app development through no-code interfaces can help you quickly bring ideas to life, offering customized solutions to small businesses or solo entrepreneurs who may not have the budget for extensive development work. This approach also allows you to test and iterate on products more rapidly, enabling a quicker go-to-market strategy. Given the growing demand for digital solutions in various sectors, launching a no-code platform as a side business could turn into a lucrative and scalable venture.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $3,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $749 (?)

How long does it take to build: 85 days (?)

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 10,755 founders

9. Start an ecommerce platform ($202K/month)

Starting an eCommerce platform could be a lucrative side business or even a full-time venture for DevOps engineers. Given that over 2 billion people prefer shopping online, this market is booming with opportunities. As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your skill set to build and maintain a robust, scalable, and secure eCommerce website that offers a seamless user experience.

The advanced automation, continuous integration, and deployment skills you possess could allow you to implement efficient workflows, reducing downtime and improving customer satisfaction. Moreover, your expertise in cloud infrastructure ensures high availability and performance, which are crucial for eCommerce success. By utilizing your unique technical skills, you could not only supplement your income but potentially create a substantial, future-proof business in the ever-growing digital marketplace.

How much you can make: $100 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

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 20,162 founders

10. Start a beverages business ($1.79M/month)

As a DevOps engineer, starting a beverage business could offer a unique way to supplement your income and leverage your operational and process optimization skills. You could harness your expertise in automation and efficiency to streamline the production process, ensuring a high-quality product at reduced costs. Furthermore, your knack for data analysis could help you understand consumer preferences and trends, allowing for the creation of beverages that meet market demand precisely.

By incorporating cloud-based solutions and scalable infrastructure, you could efficiently manage a beverage manufacturing line or distribution network, ensuring timely delivery and inventory management. This could be a small coffee shop catering to local preferences or a larger operation producing unique soft drinks or juices. Starting a beverage business allows you to blend your technical skills with a new entrepreneurial venture, creating a fresh revenue stream while diversifying your professional portfolio.

How much you can make: $500 — $12,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)

I Grew A Drinkware Brand To $1.1M/Month At 23 Years Old

BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.

Read by 112,334 founders

11. Start an innovation and technology co. ($1.99M/month)

As a DevOps engineer, your expertise in streamlining development processes and managing infrastructure makes you uniquely positioned to start an innovation and technology company. You could leverage your skills to offer consulting services that integrate cutting-edge technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT into everyday business operations. By doing so, you could help businesses enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and ultimately stay competitive in a fast-paced technological landscape.

The demand for tech consulting services is strong due to the rapid pace of technological advancement. By staying ahead of tech trends and engaging with clients to create bespoke tech solutions, you could carve out a niche market that values your problem-solving abilities and tech expertise. Starting Innovation and Technology Co. could provide you with an enriching entrepreneurial journey, aligning your passion for technology with the growing needs of businesses looking to innovate.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $13,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)

How We Designed A $200K/Month Idea Management Software

UK-based Idea Drop is a software-as-a-service (SAAS) allowing businesses to identify, refine and execute innovative ideas through its platform, which is already being used by MT, Ericsson, and the Kent Police Force, offering a public challenge facility allowing clients to crowdsource ideas, with one Covea idea implemented via the platform estimated to save the company £2.5m over five years.

Read by 7,559 founders

12. Start a shopify ecommerce agency ($105K/month)

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your strong technical proficiency and problem-solving skills to establish a Shopify eCommerce agency, turning your expertise into a profitable side business or even a full-time venture. Your understanding of system automation, infrastructure management, and continuous integration pipelines could easily translate into effective eCommerce solutions, such as optimizing Shopify store performance, ensuring seamless integrations, and maintaining robust, scalable online storefronts.

By combining your technical background with targeted learning in SEO, web development, and eCommerce marketing, you could offer comprehensive services to retailers looking to enhance their online presence and boost sales. Joining an existing agency could provide practical experience and industry insights, allowing you to define your niche and systematically grow your client base. This approach not only supplements your income but also diversifies your professional portfolio, opening new entrepreneurial avenues aligned with your current skill set.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 95 days (?)

How I Started A $100K/Month Shopify Ecommerce Agency

Velstar, a UK-based Shopify Plus partner agency, has seen impressive year-on-year revenue growth of at least 100% every year, due to their focus on building engaging and conversion-focused eCommerce websites, and highly effective growth marketing for direct-to-consumer brands on Shopify, with big ambitions for 2020 including launching a local Shopify Plus meetup, an eCommerce podcast, investing in content marketing and hiring their first business development personnel.

Read by 9,102 founders

13. Start a flashlight app business

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise and understanding of software development lifecycle to create and market a simple yet indispensable utility like a flashlight app. With your experience in automation, deployment, and continuous integration, launching and maintaining a high-quality flashlight app could be a seamless process. You could also implement analytics and monitoring to gather user data, iteratively improving the app based on real-time feedback.

Additionally, the skills you've honed in cloud infrastructure and service orchestration could enable you to efficiently manage backend services, ensuring your app remains lightweight and performant. This entrepreneurial venture could not only supplement your income but also let you build a portfolio of mobile applications, opening doors to more significant opportunities in the tech industry. Plus, the low barrier to entry and potential for a sizable user base make it a promising side business idea.

14. Start a sports bar business

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your analytical and problem-solving skills to effectively manage the operations of a sports bar business. Your experience with managing complex systems could be directly applied to optimizing the logistics, inventory management, and even the customer experience through technology solutions like automated ordering systems and data-driven promotions. This technical proficiency could provide a significant operational advantage, making your sports bar more efficient and customer-friendly.

Additionally, your understanding of cloud services and continuous integration could help you build a robust online presence for your sports bar, including a dynamic website and active social media engagement. This would not only attract a steady customer base but also minimize downtime and ensure seamless service, much like the systems you manage as a DevOps engineer. By combining your technical expertise with a passion for sports, you could create a unique, thriving business that stands out in a competitive market.

15. Start a sexual enhancement products

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise to venture into the growing market of sexual enhancement products, where the demand for quality and innovation is high. Developing an e-commerce platform to sell supplements, lubricants, and other devices would allow you to utilize your skills in automation, cloud services, and continuous deployment, ensuring a seamless customer experience and operational efficiency.

With increasing awareness and acceptance of sexual health, this business offers a promising revenue stream with the potential for repeat customers and high margins. Thorough market research and a solid grasp of regulatory requirements are crucial to succeeding in this sensitive but lucrative industry. By balancing discretion with effective marketing, you could build a loyal customer base and establish a strong presence in the expanding market for sexual enhancement products.

How much you can make: $500/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

I Started A Profitable Sex Toy Shop With Just $1,200

Founder Montoya "Chocolate" Walton started an online adult shop named Behind Chocolate Eyes, LLC with just $1,200, and has made $2.5k+ in total revenue in only 4 months through online purchases and events, with plans to expand her business to a mobile adult shop and increase her social media following.

Read by 5,750 founders

16. Start an e-commerce order fulfillment business ($4.68M/month)

Starting an e-commerce order fulfillment business offers a promising avenue for DevOps engineers looking to supplement their income or create a side business. With your technical expertise, you could develop a robust, automated warehouse management system that optimizes product storage, packaging, and shipping operations. This would allow you to leverage your skills in automation, integration, and scalable systems to provide seamless fulfillment services that can easily integrate with popular e-commerce platforms.

Additionally, your understanding of infrastructure and continuous delivery can help you establish a reliable and efficient fulfillment infrastructure. This would enable you to handle merchant inventory storage, customized packaging, and domestic shipping logistics proficiently. By focusing on the backend operations and ensuring speedy, dependable delivery, you allow your clients to concentrate on maximizing their sales without the hassle of fulfillment logistics.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $25,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How This Immigrant Entrepreneur Built A $60M/Year Fulfillment Business

ShipMonk, a technology-driven fulfillment center, went from $130K in revenue in 2014 to nearly $30M in 2018 and was named America's Fastest Growing Fulfillment Center, with projected revenue of $60M for 2019.

Read by 18,159 founders

17. Start a custom metal cups business

As a DevOps engineer, your technical skills could translate seamlessly into starting a custom metal cups business. Leveraging your familiarity with automation and precision could enable you to adopt laser engraving technology for creating highly personalized metal cups and utensils. Customization and personalization are key trends among modern consumers, making this venture not only innovative but also commercially viable.

Moreover, your problem-solving abilities and attention to detail could be invaluable in setting up efficient workflows for design and production. This side business could serve as a creative outlet while supplementing your income, allowing you to capitalize on the increasing demand for unique, customized products.

18. Start a cashbacks sites business

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise to start a cashbacks site business. By optimizing backend systems for efficiency and scalability, you can handle large volumes of transactions and user data securely. Your skills in automation and continuous integration could further streamline operations, reducing the need for constant manual oversight.

Additionally, your understanding of cloud services and infrastructure management allows you to build a robust, cost-effective platform. This business would not only diversify your income but also allow you to apply your DevOps knowledge in a new, entrepreneurial context.

19. Start a hair care business ($139K/month)

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your analytical skills and technical proficiency to innovate within the hair care industry by developing unique, data-backed products. By applying your problem-solving abilities, you could streamline the formulation process, ensuring the quality and effectiveness of your hair care products. Additionally, your experience with automation and workflow optimization could help you efficiently manage production and distribution channels.

Furthermore, competing in the beauty industry requires a strong online presence and effective digital marketing, areas where your technical expertise can be particularly advantageous. You could develop a sophisticated e-commerce platform and use data analytics to tailor marketing strategies to customer preferences. With your keen understanding of system architecture, scaling your business to meet customer demands would be more manageable, enabling you to carve out a niche in this competitive market.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $550,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Went From Hairstylist To Running My Own $3.3M Salon Business

This case study follows the founder of Urban Betty, who started her salon business with only one contractor, and now has two locations with over 50 employees, growing from 1.5 million to 3.4 million in revenue from 2014-2018, and investing around 2% of its gross income every year in Yelp, Google, and Facebook Ads.

Read by 21,512 founders

20. Start a green florist business

As a DevOps engineer with a passion for sustainability, you could channel your technical prowess and entrepreneurial spirit into starting a green florist business. By leveraging your project management and automation skills, you could optimize your supply chain to ensure eco-friendly practices, from sourcing organically grown flowers to minimizing waste.

Additionally, your expertise in cloud technologies and continuous integration could help you build an efficient online platform for orders and customer management. With flowers being a timeless way to express emotions and sympathy, a focus on green and sustainable practices could carve out a profitable niche while aligning with growing eco-conscious consumer trends.

How much you can make: $120,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Started A $120K/Month Modern Flower And Plant Shop

Green Fresh Florals + Plants owner and creative director Carlos Franco explains how he built a unique, authentic, and profitable modern flower and plant shop in San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood, growing from one employee to a $120k per month business through customer service, a focus on design, and a deep love for his craft.

Read by 5,262 founders

21. Start a niche investment platform ($126K/month)

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise to create a niche investment platform that deals in alternative asset classes like collectibles, cryptocurrencies, real estate, or even athletic prospects. Utilizing your skills in automation, continuous integration, and cloud infrastructure, you could build a transparent and resilient trading ecosystem tailored to specialized investors.

This platform could offer unique portfolio combinations and exclusive membership options, helping you establish a dedicated user base. Plus, you'd generate recurring revenue through transaction fees and premium subscriptions. In a world where traditional markets are increasingly volatile, your niche platform could provide a valuable diversification tool, attracting brokers and traders with specific passions and interests, such as fine wine or emerging athletic talents.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $600,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How We Started A $40M Real Estate Investment Fund

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.

Read by 13,235 founders

22. Start a healthy food business

As a DevOps engineer with an entrepreneurial mindset, you could effectively leverage your analytical skills and problem-solving abilities to start a healthy food business. This venture can meet the growing demand for nutritious options, offering a dynamic solution for consumers seeking wholesome, additive-free meals suitable for various dietary needs, from vegan to paleo.

You could harness your expertise in automation and efficiency to streamline operations, from sourcing fresh ingredients to managing inventory. Furthermore, applying your knowledge of software tools can optimize delivery logistics and enhance customer experience through a user-friendly online ordering system. This innovative approach will cater to health-conscious consumers who value quality and variety, making your business a standout in the burgeoning healthy food market.

23. Start a large items delivery business

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your keen organizational skills and proficiency in managing large-scale processes to create a successful large items delivery business. Given the rise of e-commerce, companies increasingly require reliable logistics for delivering bulky items such as furniture and appliances, a market need you could fill efficiently.

Your DevOps experience in automating workflows and optimizing systems would be invaluable in streamlining operations, ensuring timely and damage-free deliveries. By utilizing your technical acumen, you could implement tracking systems and perhaps even develop an app to improve customer experience, setting your business apart from the competition.

Starting a large items delivery business in 2024 presents a lucrative opportunity to generate additional income. With strategic planning and a focus on operational excellence, you could turn this side business into a profitable venture, all while maintaining your full-time role as a DevOps engineer.

24. Start an office upholstery business

As a DevOps engineer, you could consider leveraging your organizational and project management skills to start an office upholstery business. Office upholstery is a key element of interior design that enhances the workplace environment, fostering creativity, productivity, and collaboration among employees. By targeting local companies, you could create a niche market offering tailored upholstery solutions that meet specific needs.

Additionally, your technical background allows you to introduce streamlined processes, such as an efficient scheduling system for consultations and installations or even an online platform for clients to customize their orders. This side venture could not only supplement your income but also tap into the growing demand for comfortable and aesthetically pleasing office environments.

25. Start a chair covers business

As a DevOps engineer, starting a chair covers business could provide an excellent opportunity to supplement your income or transition into a full-time entrepreneurial endeavor. Your technical background equips you with problem-solving skills, precise project management, and the ability to effectively automate repetitive tasks, all of which can be applied to optimize the logistics and operations of a chair covers business.

You could leverage your experience with automation tools to streamline the inventory management and booking system, ensuring timely delivery and setup for various events. DevOps methodologies like continuous improvement and iterative development could also help you fine-tune your services, responding flexibly to customer needs and feedback.

Moreover, the flexibility of this business allows you to run it part-time, fitting around your existing commitments. With the consistent high demand for stylish event decor, you could tap into a lucrative market while utilizing your knack for innovation and efficiency to stand out from competitors.

26. Start a coffee business ($10.5K/month)

Starting a coffee business could be a compelling side venture for a DevOps engineer looking to supplement their income or diversify their skills. DevOps engineers are adept at managing complex systems, automating tasks, and optimizing performance, which are all valuable skills that can translate well into running an efficient and profitable coffee shop.

By leveraging your problem-solving abilities and technical know-how, you could streamline operations, manage inventory, and even create a tech-savvy environment—perhaps integrating innovative ordering systems or offering free Wi-Fi to attract a tech-savvy crowd. Moreover, the community-oriented nature of a coffee shop offers a break from the digital space while still allowing you to build something tangible and rewarding. With your dedication and a knack for creating seamless experiences, your coffee business could become a local favorite.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $13,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)

How We Started A $8K/Month Blog For Coffee Lovers

Little Coffee Place, a website hub of coffee market information founded by Demri Robinson and Rodrigo, generates on average $8k to $10k a month and has 80,000 monthly viewers, with most of their income coming from Amazon affiliation, other coffee affiliates, and Mediavine advertisements.

Read by 11,316 founders

27. Start an egg production business

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your technical skills and problem-solving mindset to streamline and optimize an egg production business. Implementing automation techniques, you might set up systems to efficiently manage feeding schedules, temperature controls, and egg collection processes, allowing you to run the business smoothly alongside your current profession.

In addition, your expertise in monitoring and optimization could prove valuable in maintaining the health and productivity of your flock. By establishing data-driven practices, you could ensure high-quality egg production and identify any issues early, thus minimizing potential losses and increasing profitability.

This side business could provide a steady supplemental income and potential growth opportunities, diversifying your income streams while applying your DevOps skills in a completely new and practical context.

28. Start a smart home camera business ($509K/month)

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your expertise in software, automation, and cloud services to start a smart home camera business. Your technical skills would allow you to design robust, scalable, and secure camera solutions that can be remotely managed via smartphones—a feature highly valued by consumers for convenience and security purposes.

The smart home camera market is expected to reach $18 billion by 2030, presenting an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurial-minded individuals. By combining your background in DevOps with this growing market, you could develop innovative products that stand out for their reliability and advanced features, establishing a profitable side business or even a full-time venture. Investing in equipment, software, and R&D would be essential initial steps, setting the stage for long-term success in this thriving industry.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Going Viral And Selling 300,000 Cameras In 6 Months

Wyze Labs' CEO and founding members, who met while working at Amazon, have successfully launched their first product, a smart home camera, in October 2017, selling over 300k units within the first six months, using a direct-to-consumer low margin, high volume model along with their strong relationships with suppliers in China.

Read by 21,932 founders

29. Start a golf blog

As a DevOps engineer with a passion for golf, starting a golf blog could be an excellent entrepreneurial venture to supplement your income or even become a potential full-time business. Given your analytical skills and experience in automation, you could streamline the process of managing the blog, from automating social media updates to optimizing website performance for a better user experience.

Golf is a sport enjoyed by individuals of all ages, offering a broad audience for your content. You could leverage your technical acumen to utilize data analytics for insight into trending golf topics and tailor your content accordingly. Consistent, detailed, and high-quality posts could establish your blog as a go-to resource, attracting sponsors and advertisers interested in targeting golf enthusiasts.

How much you can make: $3,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

My Golf App Side Project Makes $36K/Year

Golf course software startup Live Tourney saw $18k in revenue, with $3k MRR after launching in 2023, focusing on a simple web-based live leaderboard solution for golf events and targeting customer growth through cold calls and innovative recruitment strategies.

Read by 2,783 founders

30. Become a professor

As a DevOps engineer, you could leverage your expertise to become a part-time professor, teaching courses in cloud computing, containerization, or CI/CD pipelines. Many institutions are seeking knowledgeable professionals to educate the next generation of tech specialists, and your real-world experience can provide invaluable insights to students.

This could not only supplement your income but also enhance your professional network and credentials. Additionally, you might discover potential collaborators or even future employees among your students, further supporting your entrepreneurial endeavors. Embracing this role can diversify your career opportunities while giving back to the community by shaping future DevOps talent.

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.