The 40 Best Home-Based Businesses To Start In Kentucky [2024]
Interested in starting a business in Kentucky in 2024?
We put together 48 of the best businesses you can start in Kentucky today.
For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of how you can start your profitable, home-based small business in Kentucky.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a website hosting platform ($14.2M/year)
If you have a knack for technology and are looking for a lucrative home-based business in Kentucky, you could start a website hosting platform. This field offers high potential, as businesses are increasingly in need of reliable, mobile-friendly websites. One successful example is Duda Website, founded by Itai Sadan in Louisville, Kentucky, which now generates an average of $14.2 million per year. Duda provides a comprehensive website builder designed to help digital marketing agencies and SaaS platforms create beautiful, responsive websites.
Sadan and his team identified the growing demand for mobile-first web experiences and developed a tool to convert desktop websites into mobile-friendly formats. They initially reached customers through direct sales and PPC ads, which has now evolved into a robust platform catering to various client needs. You could follow in Sadan’s footsteps right here in Kentucky and tap into this promising industry. For more details, check out this case study.
Duda's CEO started the website builder in 2009 and now makes an average of $14.2M/year, offering solutions for businesses needing mobile-friendly online presence.
2. Start a bathroom appliance business ($6M/year)
Starting a bathroom appliance business in Kentucky could be a lucrative and fulfilling venture. Imagine offering unique, high-end kitchen and bath products that aren't typically found in big box stores. Erlanger, KY saw Howard Law successfully launch Magnus Home Products, an e-commerce business specializing in such items. With products ranging from unique bathroom sinks to farmhouse sinks and bathtubs made from diverse materials, Magnus Home Products has significantly grown, doubling sales each year and projecting $5,000,000 in revenue.
You could follow in the footsteps of Magnus Home Products, which was started in Erlanger, KY. By curating a mix of unique and high-quality products, building strong vendor relationships, and providing excellent customer service, you may achieve similar success. To learn more about Howard Law's journey and gain insights, you can read the case study.
Magnus Home Products, an e-commerce business specializing in unique high-end kitchen and bath products, has doubled their sales each year since starting in August 2017 and is projected to reach sales of $5,000,000 this year.
3. Start a hammock brand ($960K/year)
If you have a knack for outdoor relaxation and the entrepreneurial spirit, starting a hammock brand in Kentucky could be an excellent idea. You could follow in the footsteps of Hammock Sky, a successful hammock brand started in Hollywood, Kentucky. Initially founded by an American expat in Thailand, Hammock Sky was acquired by TCM, which scaled the business to impressive heights, reaching $2.4 million in sales.
Hammock Sky offers a variety of high-quality, large hammock products that cater to all relaxation needs, successfully engaging customer loyalty and influencer marketing. Their journey demonstrates the possibilities in this niche market, highlighting how strategic product quality and online engagement can lead to substantial success. For more details on how Hammock Sky achieved this, you can read the full case study here.
Hammock Sky, owned by TCM, has increased sales to $2.4M through producing larger, higher quality hammocks and hammock chairs that cater to everyone’s relaxation needs and promoting greater customer loyalty and engaging with influencers on various online platforms.
4. Start a graphic design business ($50.4K/year)
Starting a graphic design business in Kentucky could be a highly rewarding endeavor, offering the flexibility to work from home and cater to diverse local and global clientele. For instance, DesignPac, founded by SumanJung, is a remarkable example of such an enterprise that was initiated in Louisville, Kentucky. This company provides a unique productized service, renting out skilled web professionals on a monthly or hourly basis, thus delivering a full-service web agency experience at an affordable price.
By looking at businesses like DesignPac, you can see the vast potential and opportunities for providing specialized services to startups, small businesses, and agencies. This model optimizes resources by tapping into a global workforce, ensuring quality service while remaining cost-effective. To learn more about how SumanJung launched this successful startup and their journey, you can check out the full case study here.
DesignPac provides a unique productized service that rents out skilled web professionals on a monthly/hourly basis, allowing startups, small businesses, and agencies to access a full-service web agency at an affordable price.
5. Start a niche blog
Starting a niche blog presents a unique opportunity to share your passions and expertise with a targeted audience while generating potential revenue through various channels like ads, sponsorships, and crowdfunded support. Additionally, focusing on a specific topic can help you build a dedicated reader base who value your specialized insights, creating a community around your subject matter.
A great example of this in Kentucky is Compelling Science Press, started by Joe Stech in Louisville. Joe turned his love for science fiction into a successful niche blog, publishing short stories twice a year and gaining 1,600 Patreon supporters. Read more about Joe's journey here. His story illustrates how you could transform a personal hobby into a viable home-based business, even on a part-time basis.
A software manager has found success with Compelling Science Fiction, which publishes short stories twice a year, paying authors 6 cents per word with the funds raised from his 1,600 readers on Patreon; revenue from ads and Google and Facebook ads was too high and Kickstarter campaigns have been more successful.
6. Start a real estate business ($3.37M/year)
Starting a real estate business in Kentucky could be a promising venture, especially if you have a background in architecture and a thorough understanding of the real estate field. Kentucky offers diverse opportunities in both residential and commercial properties, thanks to its growing population and vibrant local economy.
With your finely honed visual awareness and knowledge of building materials and structures, you could tap into the burgeoning real estate market, leveraging the demand for quality housing and business spaces. Check out these successful case studies for inspiration and practical insights to help you get started.
This case study is about T. C. Lewis & Co, a real estate investment and management firm that successfully diversified their approach to include sales, development, remodeling, and construction, with property management being the key to investor doors and organic growth.
7. Start a beverage company ($17.7M/year)
Starting a beverage company in Kentucky offers a wealth of opportunities due to the state's rich history in the beverage industry, particularly its world-renowned bourbon production. Leveraging this heritage, you could innovate with new beverage concepts that might attract both local and national markets. Additionally, Kentucky's strong agricultural sector provides easy access to high-quality ingredients, which could be a vital asset for creating distinctive and high-quality beverages.
Moreover, the lower cost of living and business operation compared to many other states allows for better margins and room for experimentation. If you're keen to explore this further, here are more details on starting a beverage company. For inspiration, check out some successful case studies of beverage businesses that have thrived.
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.
8. Start a pet company ($4.12M/year)
Kentucky's love for pets makes starting a pet business a promising opportunity for animal enthusiasts. With a rising number of pet owners in the state, you could provide essential services such as grooming, pet-sitting, or even developing pet products from the comfort of your home. This flexibility allows you to cater to your clients' varying schedules and needs, making it easier to carve out a niche in the local market.
Moreover, Kentucky’s diverse rural and urban regions mean you could tailor your services to suit different communities, whether it’s offering mobile grooming services in rural areas or setting up a pet daycare in more urban settings. For inspiration and more information on starting your own pet business, you could check out our detailed guide and explore successful case studies of other entrepreneurs who have thrived in this sector.
Furry Fellas Pet Service LLC is a successful pet sitting and dog walking business that brings in over half a million dollars in sales per year, boasts 3,500-4,000 social media followers, employs 42 individuals and has been voted in the top 3 pet sitting/dog walking companies in the RI/MA area for eight years in a row.
9. Start a skills training business ($1.14M/year)
A skills training business is particularly promising in Kentucky, where the demand for workforce development and professional upskilling continues to rise. Given Kentucky's diverse economy, ranging from manufacturing to healthcare, you could tap into various sectors by offering specialized training programs that meet local industry needs.
Moreover, the relatively low cost of living in Kentucky allows you to operate your business at lower expenses compared to other states. By focusing on a website-oriented online presence, you can reach a wider audience and offer flexible training options. For more insights on starting a skills training business, you could visit this detailed guide and review successful case studies on Starter Story.
Online learning community Frontend Mentor has over 200,000 members, with over 1,500 paid subscribers generating over $15,000 MRR, offering professionally designed challenges to improve front-end coding skills with a freemium business model and a focus on real-life experience.
10. Become a crystal healing therapist
Starting a crystal healing therapy business in Kentucky could be a great opportunity for those with a passion for holistic and alternative medicine. The increasing popularity of wellness trends and alternative health practices has sparked interest in crystal healing, making now an ideal time to tap into this burgeoning market.
Given the blend of urban and rural areas in Kentucky, you could cater to a diverse clientele by offering in-home therapy sessions or setting up a tranquil brick-and-mortar facility. Learn more about starting a crystal healing therapist business here. Additionally, several successful case studies highlight the profitability and demand for this unique service, offering valuable insights for your venture. Check out some inspiring success stories here.
11. Start a children's clothing business ($3.99M/year)
Starting a children's clothing business in Kentucky could be a lucrative venture thanks to the growing demand for stylish and affordable kids’ apparel. Kentucky offers a supportive community and a lower cost of living, which means you could allocate more resources toward designing, producing, and marketing your unique clothing line.
Additionally, the state's numerous family-oriented events and festivals provide ample opportunities for you to showcase and sell your products locally. Engaging with these communities could help you build a loyal customer base more quickly. For inspiration and guidance, explore successful case studies of existing children's clothing businesses.
Argentinian startup Bambox has grown its monthly recurring revenue to $60,000 and ships more than 1,100 boxes of baby essentials a month, a figure expected to help it achieve an annual recurring revenue of about $750,000 in 2019, after launching its first subscription service in July 2017.
12. Start a personal care products ($4.04M/year)
Personal care products could be a lucrative opportunity for Kentucky entrepreneurs, especially with the growing trend towards wellness and self-care. With the population increasingly interested in organic, vegan, and cruelty-free options, you could carve out a niche that appeals to this conscientious demographic.
Kentucky's vibrant local culture and strong sense of community can be leveraged to build a loyal customer base. You could start small with a few hero products and scale based on customer feedback, utilizing social media and influencer partnerships to amplify reach. For more insights on starting this business, check out this guide and read successful case studies.
Bey Moss, an e-commerce platform selling sea moss-infused health and wellness products, made over $800,000 to-date with less than $10,000 overall in ads after validating the product idea through reviews and feedback and leveraging their social media following to build a Bey Moss community.
13. Become a content strategist ($767K/year)
Starting a content strategist business in Kentucky offers numerous opportunities, thanks to the state’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and diverse industries. With the increasing number of small businesses and startups across the state, there is a rising demand for professionals who can help companies develop effective content strategies that align with their business goals. As a content strategist, you could leverage your skills to support the flourishing local businesses in reaching their target audiences and expanding their market presence.
In addition, the relatively low cost of living and operational expenses in Kentucky allows you to set up and run your business cost-efficiently from home. You could tap into the network of local enterprises varying from the thriving agricultural sector to the bourgeoning tech startups, providing tailored content strategies suited to their unique needs. For more insights and successful case studies, you might want to check out detailed guidance on becoming a content strategist and explore success stories from entrepreneurs who have thrived in this field.
Draft founder, Karl, built a productized service for technical content, generating $10k in (mostly) recurring revenue in just three months of running the business, showing the success of skill-stacking and the impact of word of mouth and maintaining a strong network in a service business.
14. Start an ecommerce brand ($959K/year)
Starting an ecommerce brand in Kentucky could be a lucrative venture due to the state's growing digital infrastructure and strategic central location. With lower overhead costs compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores and the potential to tap into a national or even global market, you could see significant returns on your investment. You'd be able to source or create unique products and sell them directly to consumers through platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, taking full control of your brand identity and customer experience.
Kentucky's infrastructure supports efficient shipping and logistics, providing you with a distinct advantage in handling inventory and fulfilling orders quickly. The combination of these resources and the increasing interest in online shopping makes Kentucky an ideal state for launching your ecommerce brand. To get inspired and learn from those who have succeeded, check out these successful ecommerce brand case studies on Starter Story.
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.
15. Start a wine vending business
Kentucky is renowned for its bourbon, but the state is also progressively embracing the wine culture, making a wine vending business a promising venture. With popular tourist attractions such as the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and numerous local festivals, you could position your vending machines in strategic locations to attract wine enthusiasts seeking something unique and convenient.
The burgeoning wine industry in Kentucky provides a ripe market for innovative services like wine vending. By ensuring compliance with licensing and permit requirements, you could tap into various high-traffic areas and events. Check out successful case studies for inspiration on how to effectively launch and grow your wine vending business in Kentucky.
16. Start a freelance marketplace business ($1.49M/year)
Starting a freelance marketplace business in Kentucky offers a wealth of opportunities due to the state's increasing embrace of remote work and a growing pool of skilled freelancers. With industries ranging from healthcare to manufacturing, and educational institutions producing highly qualified graduates, you could connect local businesses with talented professionals across a wide range of fields.
Moreover, as more individuals in Kentucky seek flexible work arrangements, your marketplace could become a vital resource for both freelancers and companies looking to fill temporary jobs or special projects. To get inspired, check out some successful case studies from others who have launched similar businesses. Starting your freelance marketplace might just be the entrepreneurial venture that aligns with Kentucky's evolving work landscape. Learn more about this exciting business idea.
Flexiple is a customer-funded profitable business, generating $80K in gross monthly revenues on an average over the last 6-months, driven by their focus on connecting high-quality freelancers with companies looking for reliable and remote talent, while continuously iterating on their business model and expanding into complementary areas like tech hiring and content marketing.
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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.
