The 72 Best Business Ideas To Start In Nigeria [2024]

Updated: June 21st, 2022

Interested in starting a business in Nigeria in 2024?

We put together 72 of the best businesses you can start in Nigeria today.

In this list of ideas, you can find:

  • Home-based businesses to start in Nigeria
  • Profitable online business ideas
  • Unique business opportunities for Nigeria
  • Low investment business ideas (under $5k to start)
  • Easy businesses you can start in Nigeria today

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, + a step-by-step on how to start your small business in Nigeria.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a marketing agency

Marketing agencies can be a great option for businesses looking to advertise in different ways. For businesses, hiring a marketing company can help them achieve success as they don't have to spend money on employees or needed equipment. Marketing agencies are not inexpensive and there are many different variables that come into play when deciding which one is the best fit for your business.

You want to start a marketing agency, but don't know where to begin. You're not alone, there are thousands of entrepreneurs across the globe that have the same ambition. Luckily for you, compiled a list of how other agencies were able to grow their agency and scale effectively.

How much you can make: $1,300 — $8,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

How A Young Entrepreneur From Nigeria Started A Profitable Blog

This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.

Read by 12,317 founders

2. Start a custom prints business

Custom print businesses often focus on printing everything, including business cards, photos, and even custom T-shirts.

To start an online custom prints business, choose a niche to help your business stand out and attract the right target audience. Then, focus on producing quality prints of different sizes, materials, and designs. You may hire designers online or search for designs in online design communities. Then, validate the designs before you begin mass production. Finally, set up an online store, and launch the business.

Remember that with the growth in popularity of selling custom prints, expect to face stiff competition. Therefore, you should market your custom prints on social media to maximize your reach.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,000,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

How I Started A $25K/Month Online Printing Business In Nigeria

How a Nigerian-based online printing business servicing over 5,000 active customers generates an average $25,000 monthly revenue and a net profit of 20%, with a monthly order fulfillment of approximately 500 and 45% YoY growth.

Read by 5,131 founders

3. Start a niche investment platform

A niche investment platform is a custom-tailored online exchange that deals with alternative asset classes such as collectibles, cryptocurrencies, real estate, or athletic prospects.

As a founder of such a platform, you can make use of modern technology to create transparent trading ecosystems that cater to specialized investors.

You can provide flexibility around portfolio combinations, which will help you build an exclusive user base.

This, in turn, will provide recurring revenue through transaction fees and premium subscriptions.

For those seeking alternatives amid volatile stock markets, a niche exchange offers asset diversification to brokers and traders who have a passion for fine wine or up-and-coming athletes.

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 13,314 founders

4. Start a barber shop

Are you passionate about men’s grooming and looking to start a low-investment business with a high-profit margin? A barbershop can be a great business idea since it will never hit a low a season. Men and boys always look for grooming, no matter how bad the economy is.

Therefore, starting a barbershop can be a profitable business venture.

How much you can make: $125,000/month

How I Started A $125K Barber Shop, Beard Grooming Brand And Barbering Academy

Antonio Camilleri built Antonio's Barber Shop from a small two-chair operation to two locations servicing over 250 daily clients and €1.5M in annual revenue with a product line generating a 30% profit.

Read by 8,661 founders

5. Start an exterior home cleaning service

Exterior home cleaning washes away dirt, dust, and grime accumulation from exterior walls, windows, and sometimes, even the roof.

The global cleaning services market is growing rapidly owing to the rising awareness about the importance of hygiene and increased concerns about occupants’ wellbeing.

With the acceptance of home cleaning services on the rise, starting an exterior cleaning service can be a good business opportunity.

How much you can make: $30,000/month

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

How I Started A $20K/Month Exterior Home Cleaning Service Company

Aiming to be environmentally responsible and customer-focused, Nicholas Ciano's exterior home cleaning company averaged around $20,000/month after incorporating all the aspects he liked with a previous employer, so he set out to do it better with a small advertising budget and a truck, offeringspecials and discounts for first-time customers as well as offering a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all services.

Read by 8,826 founders

6. Start an art business

Starting an art business can be a great idea if you have a passion for art.

You’ll be able to work on your schedule, set your prices, and do something you love—while supporting yourself or even making money!

There are so many different avenues available to you as an artist-entrepreneur right now—from selling your work online (on sites like Etsy), through galleries or museums, or even at craft fairs and flea markets.

How much you can make: $876 — $415,000/month

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

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

How I Turned My Hobby For Painting Into A Successful Art Business

Innerglow Art is a successful custom abstract painting business that incorporates scripture and personable connection with buyers to produce beautiful and unique artwork.

Read by 53,368 founders

7. Start a screen printing business

Creating a screen printing business is a blend of creativity and craftsmanship. At its core, screen printing involves transferring designs onto various surfaces, typically textiles like t-shirts and hoodies. This is done using a mesh screen, ink, and a squeegee.

This business idea is appealing for those who have a flair for design and a knack for hands-on projects. You can cater to a wide array of clients— from local businesses needing branded merchandise to individuals wanting custom apparel for events.

To start, you’ll need some basic equipment and materials, but the initial investment is relatively low compared to many other manufacturing businesses. Once you master the techniques, the potential for growth is substantial. There is always a demand for personalized, high-quality printed products, making screen printing a lucrative and fulfilling venture.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $80,000/month

How long does it take to build: 205 days (?)

From Scrubbing Floors To Running A $1M Screen Printing Business

This case study features an entrepreneur who started a screen printing company with no financing or investors, and despite struggling for the first few years, was able to grow his business to hit $80,000 in revenue in October 2018 and is set to hit $1 million by the end of 2019.

Read by 16,957 founders

8. Start a shipping company

A shipping company can be a great business to start. You can get the support and training that you need to run a successful small business. You may already have some of the resources at hand. This could include what you need to transport goods and a vehicle or two that you can use to get these materials from point X to point Y.

Shipping is a crowded industry. Starting your own shipping company isn't as hard as it used to be. With the explosion in eCommerce, there's an increasing demand for small package shipping. Becoming a shipping company entrepreneur has its rewards. Shipping is an area where there's a lot of potentials to earn bounties, it serves as a good source of income.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $2,400,000/month

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

How I Started A $20K/Month Auto Shipping Broker Business

Nationwide Auto Transportation ships approximately 4,000 vehicles per month and has served more than 50,000 customers, offering custom services such as help for clients who cannot find suitable carriers for their vehicle.

Read by 30,691 founders

9. Start a woodworking business

While many see woodworking as a hobby to pass the time, it is a profitable blue-collar business with growth potential. If you are skilled, passionate, and looking for a blue-collar side hustle, consider starting a woodworking business.

Starting a woodworking business allows you to work from home. Besides, you can scale the business easily and enjoy unlimited earning potential. Some opportunities you can go for include building custom wood pieces, teaching others about woodworking, starting a woodworking blog, and flip furniture.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $40,001/month

How long does it take to build: 204 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Took My Woodworking Hobby Full Time To Build A Successful Brand

Sasha Weekes, owner of Timber Grove Studios, turned her fine arts and cabinetmaking education into a successful home-based woodworking business that grew from a side project to netting 20-50% profits month-to-month and up to $10,000 in sales during peak periods through Etsy, with her company's growth continuing to increase through other social media outlets.

Read by 59,647 founders

10. Start an online jewelry store

The online jewelry store industry has been growing rapidly. More and more people are buying cheaper jewelry online because it is easier and has a much more extensive selection.

The United States jewelry market was valued at about $76B in 2020, and diamond is considered to be the most valuable and lucrative among all forms of jewelry.

If you’re considering starting an online jewelry store to tap into this market, it’s crucial to choose the right e-commerce platform that can support your business needs and enable seamless transactions with your customers.

A great platform can help you showcase your products, manage your inventory, process payments securely, and provide an enjoyable shopping experience to your customers.

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

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

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

Starting And Growing A Jewelry Business To $4.6M/Year

Taylor & Hart CEO Nikolay Piriankov tells the story of the company's journey from a diamond trading business to an award-winning, disruptive e-tailer of custom-designed, ethical engagement rings and fine jewelry, offering a bespoke design service through specifically developed technology online and instore, and growing to £4-6M in annual revenue.

Read by 20,962 founders

11. Start an affiliate marketing business

Are you looking for a side hustle to pay you a passive income? Affiliate marketing is one of those side hustles that will pay you well over the long term. It is a way to earn money online by promoting other companies' products and services. You will be paid a commission for each sale you make as an affiliate marketer.

To get started, learn how to find the right product and brand to partner with. For example, you may prefer becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store, partnering with a manufacturer, and marketing their products for a commission.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)

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

How I Built A $3.5K/Month Authority Site With A Full Time Job

Bar Games 101 is an authority website about classic bar games with over 200K monthly visitors and revenue over $4,000 for the month of August, achieved through consistent publishing of researched articles and outsourcing by the founder.

Read by 31,455 founders

12. Start a mobile photography business

Want to start your own photography business? You're not alone. With the rise of social media and photo-sharing, blogging, and online retailing, it's never been easier to start making money behind your camera.

There are photographers shooting weddings, creating images for ad campaigns, freelancing for magazines, touring the world, taking photographs of destinations — the list is endless!

To start mobile photography in Nigeria, research the target audience and determine which specialization area is more lucrative. Invest in high-quality, professional cameras, lenses, and a computer with professional software photo-editing software.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $500,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 190 days (?)

Embracing the Experience Economy with a $300K/mo Photo Booth Startup

Photobooth Supply Co. offers a profitable business opportunity through their sleek and portable photo booths, with up to 97% satisfaction rate and a focus on customer experience, in a fast-growing event industry where photo booths are exploding.

Read by 16,909 founders

13. Start a graphic design business

Graphic designers create logos, brochures, ads, and other marketing materials for companies and organizations. They also design websites and other digital content, including social media graphics.

Graphic designers may specialize in one type of design (such as print or web design), or they can be generalists who do everything from logo design to social media graphics.

Starting a graphic design business can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. It’s not easy, but if you’re passionate about design and want to make a living, starting your own graphic design business is a great way to go.

Consider a suitable pricing structure when starting a graphic design business in Nigeria. You may charge the customers per hour or fixed pricing based on the project’s nature.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $1,750,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 87 days (?)

How Two Friends Bootstrapped A SaaS Business To $55K MRR

Learn how two friends bootstrapped a SaaS business to $55k monthly recurring revenue (MRR) by creating a simple graphic design tool for non-designers and focusing on content marketing for customer acquisition.

Read by 21,467 founders

14. Start an event planning business

Event planners handle different tasks related to making the business a success. Some of the event planner’s responsibilities include:

  • Conducting research
  • Creating the event design
  • Finding an ideal site
  • Arranging for food, décor, and entertainment
  • Planning logistics to and from the event
  • Sending invitations
  • Supervising at the site etc

To start this business on a budget, begin by honing your organizational and communication skills.

Next, create a detailed business plan outlining your services, target market, and pricing structure.

Utilize free or low-cost online tools for marketing, and consider starting small by offering services for smaller events before expanding your business as you gain experience and resources.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

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

How I Started A $35K/Month Event Decor Business

Akshay Patel's event rental and decor business, Simply Decor, Tents, and Events, saw an average ticket price of $2,000, as their advertising budget decreased from $20k to $5k, leading to 40% of their clients coming through social media advertising, 30% from expos, and 30% online in google, yahoo, and other platforms.

Read by 17,922 founders

15. Start a catering business

A catering business is responsible for providing food & beverage-related services for vast types of events.

Catering businesses are known to be more flexible than other businesses because they don’t have to worry about location or pricing and can even work 24/7. They can cater anywhere and offer any price point that they want.

However, starting a catering business requires a lot of planning.

To start a successful catering business in Nigeria, you'll need to plan and prepare menus, manage budgets, handle clients, and more.

In addition, catering allows you to meet more people and show off your cooking skills.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $6,000,000/month

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

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

Pivoting From Social Media Aggregator To $6M/Month People Search Tool

Spokeo is a people information service helping over 15 million users a month search and connect with others through organizing over 14 billion records into easy-to-understand reports generating over $6M per month.

Read by 20,898 founders

16. Start a content writing company

Content writing involves writing, editing, and publishing content in a digital format. Examples of content include a blog post, product description, and podcast script—eBooks, press releases, or landing page content.

Becoming a content writer allows you to work as your boss. Therefore, you choose whatever working schedule suits you and take a manageable workload. Moreover, content writing helps you develop essential skills you may not obtain from regular writing.

Content writing is a highly-on-demand service, as companies compete for the online audience who often begin their shopping journey by searching for relevant and educative content online. Therefore, a content writing company is an excellent source of passive income.

To start a content writing company in Nigeria, research the market and choose a suitable niche. Sketch a proper business plan and create a website. Hire a pool of talented writers and leverage modern technology to streamline operations.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $550,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)

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

These Twin Brothers Mastered SEO And Created A $60K/Year African Information Blog

Twin brothers from Nigeria launched multi-niche website, Information Guide Africa, which now attracts over 200k unique visitors per month and generates $60k annually through ad networks, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts.

Read by 3,608 founders

17. Start a waste management business

Waste management is a booming industry with a lot of potential for growth. Waste management companies are in charge of collecting and transporting waste from households, business areas, and other sources. They also collect recyclable materials and sell them to recycling centers.

The market for waste management is huge, but it may be difficult to enter due to the high capital requirements. However, if you have the resources and expertise, there's a lot of opportunity to make it big in this industry.

How much you can make: $6,500 — $230,000/month

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

How I Started A $41K/Month Residential Waste Removal Service

This case study showcases the story of a locally owned and operated residential waste removal business based in Colorado Springs started with a pick-up truck and a $35k loan, which now has 51 dumpsters, two roll-off dumpster delivery trucks, two residential garbage trucks, and is projecting $700-800k in sales for 2020.

Read by 14,532 founders

18. Start a digital marketing business

Digital marketing businesses serve local and international companies to expand their reach and grow revenue. A top reason digital marketing is so exciting is that the field is constantly evolving and is easy to learn.

If you plan to start a digital marketing business in Nigeria, educate yourself and understand how digital marketing agencies work. Then, focus on building your digital skills and advancing your career through online digital marketing courses.

To stand out, find a digital marketing niche and focus on the audience interested in your services.

How much you can make: $100 — $1,250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

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

How I Went From Freelancer To Making $5M In 3 Years With My Growth Agency

Learn how Wealth Ideas Agency Founder/Head of Growth, Chris Anthony, went from a one-man agency to $5M revenue in three years, to now generating $120K/month while helping other agencies implement a proven lead generation system.

Read by 3,363 founders

19. Become a mobile personal trainer

Do you love helping people through their fitness journey? If you want a great side hustle to earn extra income, consider becoming a personal trainer.

The fitness trainer side hustle can be an adamant industry to earn good money. However, once you develop a reputation as a good trainer, you can get more clients through referrals. You need to register for the certification course to start offering personal trainer services in Nigeria.

To attract your first clients, consider online advertising, and seek referrals from every customer.

How much you can make: $600 — $60,000/month

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 4 hours/week

How We Launched A $25K/Month Interactive Live Streaming Group Fitness Workout Platfrom During The Pandemic

Sweat from Home is a two-way, interactive, and live-streaming group fitness workout startup that has held over 800 classes since March 2020, generates $25k in monthly recurring revenue, and has donated over $7k to 6 different charities; they aim to become the world's best live-streamed fitness class.

Read by 9,166 founders

20. Start an online advertising agency

An online advertising agency helps businesses promote their products or services on the internet.

To start this business on a budget, first learn the basics of digital marketing through free online resources.

Create a professional website and set up profiles on social media platforms to showcase your skills.

Build a portfolio by working on mock campaigns or offering discounted services to friends and family, and gradually market your services to attract clients.

With dedication, you can grow your agency over time.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

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

How I Started A $120K/Month Online Course For Social Media Marketing Agencies

Iman Gadzhi made over $1.2M in profit within two years with his social media marketing agency and education company, where he teaches entrepreneurs how to start and scale a profitable SMMA, with over 45 of his students making over six figures with their SMMA, and over 300 students having quit their regular jobs.

Read by 15,822 founders

21. Become a temporary tattoo artist

Starting a tattoo business is not as difficult as you might think. If you have the talent, ability, and guts, you already have the essential qualities for starting your own tattoo company. The Tattoo Artists market size in the US in 2022 is $1.4B.

The tattooing business is profitable and famous, and it is one of the most rewarding careers that you can have. However, becoming a tattoo artist in Nigeria requires a lot of commitment and hard work.

Tattoo shops have strict standards for artists who work in shops, so to have an ideal career as an artist, you might have to go the freelance route. It can be a short-term or long-term career, so you must be prepared before taking on such a responsibility. It won’t come with a million-dollar salary at first, but once you’ve developed a good reputation and have completed enough work, the money will start rolling in.

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

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

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

How I Started A Passive Income Business While Living Out Of A Van

Forgotten Mermaids creator Anslea shares how she started a passive income business while living out of a van, creating mermaid temporary tattoos and accessories, and has grown to average $1,000 per month in mostly passive income over the last six months.

Read by 9,187 founders

22. Start a recruiting agency

The global online recruitment market size was $29B in 2019 and is projected to reach $43B by 2027.

The best way to assess the success of a Recruiting Agency is to review what their clients say about them and the results achieved for those clients.

As a recruiter, you dream of landing your first client, but once you do, you realize it’s only the start of what you hope will be a successful business. Have you ever wondered how to start a recruiting agency business? There’s so much you can learn from books, but nothing beats getting real-world experience.

How much you can make: $100 — $320,000/month

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

How I Started A $3M/Year Remote Worker Recruitment Agency

DistantJob is a unique recruitment agency that specializes in finding full-time remote employees, and with $3 million in annual revenue, they offer small to medium-sized tech companies an edge over big competitors who are not willing to hire remotely.

Read by 12,073 founders

23. Start a media company

A media company is a business with professional editors and writers that create and publish content periodically. Media companies distribute content in different forms, including video, audio, and video.

To start a media company, determine the kind and size of the audience you are targeting. Then, create catchy content your potential audience will want to share or invite their friends to checkout.

Remember, quality content is nothing without a high-quality underlying platform. The content distribution platform should be easily accessible to your audience. Otherwise, your media company will not deliver quality results.

How much you can make: $150 — $4,100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,100 (?)

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

How I Turned A Crappy Idea Into A $3M/Year Business

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.

Read by 78,046 founders

24. Start a blog

In recent years, blogging has become a highly sought-after & lucrative Business. This location-independent business is a creative outlet to reach a broader audience and even work at any time. According to Optinmonster’s list of blogging statistics and facts:

  • Blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of gathering online information.
  • 77% of internet users read blogs.
  • Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages.

Originally blogging started as an online journal, but today it is a highly profitable career option. Many people are choosing blogging as their full-time career and are earning their bread and butter from this profession.

If you want to start blogging as a side hustle or as a full-time profession, choose a niche you will enjoy writing about and have a content strategy ready. Then, create a mailing list, and decide on a good blog posting routine to keep your audience engaged.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

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

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

These Twin Brothers Mastered SEO And Created A $60K/Year African Information Blog

Twin brothers from Nigeria launched multi-niche website, Information Guide Africa, which now attracts over 200k unique visitors per month and generates $60k annually through ad networks, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts.

Read by 3,608 founders

25. Start a furniture business

The furniture industry involves designing, manufacturing, and selling various types of furniture for household and commercial purposes. With the increase in flexible workspaces and the real estate industry’s growth, the furniture business’s demand is boosted.

The furniture business is easy to start and does not require high investments. However, it is first essential to know your niche, for example, office, domestic, home furniture, and luxury items.

The furniture business needs a lot of preparation and prior knowledge. Taking business classes, learning about your local market, and making a solid business plan is advisable. In general, if your products are unique and one of a kind, consumers will be willing to pay a higher, including the shipping cost.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $999,999/month

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

How I Took My Woodworking Hobby Full Time To Build A Successful Brand

Sasha Weekes, owner of Timber Grove Studios, turned her fine arts and cabinetmaking education into a successful home-based woodworking business that grew from a side project to netting 20-50% profits month-to-month and up to $10,000 in sales during peak periods through Etsy, with her company's growth continuing to increase through other social media outlets.

Read by 59,647 founders

26. Start a skin care product line

The skincare business is a multi-billion dollar one, and it shows no sign of slowing down. New anti-aging products are entering the market at a nearly exponential rate, and the competition for consumers' money is growing more and more.

The industry was valued at 130 billion USD in 2021 and will expand at an annual growth rate of 4.6% up to 2030. This is surely a type of business that you should not miss. You'll need to build your creativity on your products and make sure that it is all safe and useful in improving the skin of your customers.

How much you can make: $300 — $1,000,000/month

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

How Two Moms Started A Business Selling Homemade Body Butter

Two moms start a side hustle selling all-natural body products, doubling sales since their launch in 2017 with over 75 craft shows, promoting a non-profit source for their shea butter and self-promotion through podcasts, lining up retail interest from exposure.

Read by 34,852 founders

27. Start a real estate business

Are you a qualified architect with a broad range of knowledge in the real estate field? Starting a real estate business can be a profitable venture.

Real estate involves purchasing, selling, managing, or investing in land and buildings.

To become a successful real estate business owner, you must have finely honed visual awareness and a strong understanding of various building materials and structures.

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

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

How I Started A $500K/Month Real Estate Investment Business

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.

Read by 12,046 founders

28. Become a social media marketer

Social media marketing is gaining website visitors or customers by promoting your company on social media. To succeed in social media marketing, you must regularly post tasty, entertaining, and engaging share material on your social media channels.

Everybody knows that social media is a tool that has become extremely important to businesses of all sizes. It allows them to connect with people worldwide and provides a platform for customer service. Social networks are changing the way we do marketing. They offer an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and organizations to reach millions instantly.

Nowadays, it is easy to earn money through social media marketing. You just need to invest some time and effort to make a profit. Social media has been an essential part of many businesses marketing campaigns, and it is expected to be a significant part of any company’s future.

How much you can make: $100 — $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 57 days (?)

How I Left My Job To Start A $50K/Month Digital Advertising Agency Specialized In Facebook Ads

This case study is about how the founder of AdvertiseMint, a Facebook advertising agency, started the company with just one employee and has since grown it to 25 employees, managing close to $100 million in digital media buys for clients such as Coca-Cola and Viacom.

Read by 11,968 founders

29. Start a dropshipping business

Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products to customers without holding inventory.

Instead, when a customer makes a purchase, you buy the product from a third-party supplier, who then ships it directly to the customer.

To start a dropshipping business on a budget, choose a niche or category of products you want to sell.

Next, set up an online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. Then, find reliable suppliers from platforms like AliExpress, list their products on your store, and focus on marketing and customer service to grow your business.

Remember to carefully manage your expenses and monitor your profit margins to ensure profitability.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

How I Started A $100K/Month Business Mentoring Dropshipping Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.

Read by 25,756 founders

30. Start a boutique

You may consider opening a boutique if you are passionate about the fashion and textile industry.

A boutique is a shop that sells clothes. Opening a boutique is a dream for entrepreneurs who want to experience the joy and freedom of owning a cash business. Starting a boutique is easy and can be managed by a single individual. In addition, a boutique requires a comparatively smaller capital to start.

To succeed, the boutique owner must coming creativity and passion.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $25,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How I Grew My Clothing Boutique to $10K/Month in 6 Months

Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.

Read by 36,945 founders

31. Start a film production company

A film production company is responsible for producing video content for social media, corporate promotions, television programs, commercials,s or other media-related fields. Ideally, the responsibilities of a video production company include scripting, location scouting, and also logistics to ensure a successful film.

Starting a film production company can be a daunting task. However, you can set up your business for success with proper guidance. Here are important steps for creating a video production company:

  • Determine the company niche
  • Choose a suitable company name
  • Draft a solid business plan
  • Hire an advocate to lead all legal matters of starting a company
  • Fund your business
  • Acquire video production equipment and skills
  • Create a website and market your film production company

If you are starting a video production company from scratch, consider creating some proof-of-concept projects so you can market the business. Alternatively, you may buy a franchise or an existing business.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $1,500,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 65 days (?)

How I Started A $500K/Month Video Production Company From My Bedroom in LA

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.

Read by 18,323 founders

32. Start a freelancer platform

Freelancer platform is a place where people come with skills and services to offer and people come who need those skills and services. So we can say freelancer platforms are a marketplace for sellers and buyers of services and skills.

The freelancing industry is growing rapidly and it's becoming a popular career option for people who are "non-traditional" employees. The global Freelance Platforms market size is expected to reach $6.7B by the year 2025. While working on a full-time job, freelancers simultaneously work on a freelance career. The platforms available online help them to increase their business by attracting new clients.

With all of the businesses looking for help on their websites, it would be a good idea to start a freelancer platform. Freelance platforms do well because people have jobs that need to be done and businesses have the resources to pay for the job at hand.

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

How much does it cost to start: $6,100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 100 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 17,327 founders

33. Start a private nurse service

Private nurses provide one-on-one medical care to patients who are homebound or in an institution, such as a hospital, nursing home or other such facilities.

A private nursing attendant's responsibilities include taking care of the daily activities of patients like bathe, feed, maintain personal hygiene. Most of the private nurses live with the patient's family in their home, and may also work for long hours.

To become a private duty nurse, you will need to earn a registered nursing degree (RN) or a licensed practical nurse degree (LPN). Registered nurses with 2-3 years of relevant experience can then pursue their career as private duty nurses. Obtaining an advanced certification can also increase more career options.

Private nurses are usually hired by an individual or an agency. However, they work at a patient’s private residence and get paid by the individual. The career scope of private nursing practice is expected to increase by 7% in the coming years, with the increased aging population and the need for home care.

Pricing of a registered private nurse in the US would cost around $25+ an hour, which is approximately $4000 per month.

34. Start a food truck

Food trucks are a highly profitable business that offers customers a variety of meal options out of a mobile truck. This basically operates inside a large vehicle equipped with kitchen and food products. Starting a food truck is a dream for many people, but it's more challenging than it looks. To make it work, you need the ideal location and menu.

To start a food truck business in a particular city, it is mandatory to check what kind of food trucks are already operating, identify a gap, and bring in some new experiences. Then, with the right plan and the right approach, you can be on your way to starting your own food truck empire.

How much you can make: $30,000 — $1,500,000/month

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Took Food Trucks Corporate And Built A $18M Business

Food Fleet grew over 160% in just one year and managed over 20 million in sales for its clients, securing multiple contracts with the likes of Sodexo, Levy Restaurants and more, due to its understanding of catering client needs and its advanced turnkey and design services.

Read by 15,654 founders

35. Start an affiliate marketing business

Are you looking for a side hustle to pay you a passive income? Affiliate marketing is one of those side hustles that will pay you well over the long term. It is a way to earn money online by promoting other companies' products and services. You will be paid a commission for each sale you make as an affiliate marketer.

To get started, learn how to find the right product and brand to partner with. For example, you may prefer becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store, partnering with a manufacturer, and marketing their products for a commission.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)

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

How I Built A $3.5K/Month Authority Site With A Full Time Job

Bar Games 101 is an authority website about classic bar games with over 200K monthly visitors and revenue over $4,000 for the month of August, achieved through consistent publishing of researched articles and outsourcing by the founder.

Read by 31,455 founders

36. Start a kids store

The kid's store business is a large market attracting millions of annual global sales and steady growth. If you plan to start a kids store business, you can specialize in clothing, toys, and accessories or sell all of these in one store.

Research the local market to discover what is appealing, and find the best suppliers. Define a business model and apply for applicable licensing. For kids apparel stores, a physical storefront acts as an anchor and helps build a local customer base. An online store will help you reach a wider market as you supply to those outside your locality.

How much you can make: $1,250 — $1,000,000/month

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

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

How I Started A 1.6K/Month LEGO Reselling Business At The Age Of 14

A high school student turned his love for LEGO into a $1.6k/month business, Summerfield's Toys, by reselling sets online through eBay, BrickLink, and Facebook Marketplace, in addition to buying and reselling brand new sets.

Read by 27,915 founders

37. Start a niche web design business

Niche web design business focuses on a specialized market such as law, home improvement, videography, fashion, etc. typically, when a web designer niches down their services, they are simply choosing to concentrate on one industry and create websites for businesses within the particular niche. To become a niche web designer, consider honing the following skills and personal qualities:

  • Visual design, HTML, CSS, JavaScript
  • Strong communication skills
  • Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Teamwork and research skills
  • Attention to detail

Narrowing your focus to a particular niche gives you a higher chance of becoming a recognized expert and places you in a better position to charge more for your services.

How much you can make: $200 — $200,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)

Empowering Nigerians To Learn Tech With Our $1K/Month Education Business

"Case Study: Olidrel Hub, a Nigerian tech training platform, attracts over 80 interested participants with word-of-mouth marketing, receives initial investment of $2000, and aims to empower 2,000 youths in the next 5 years."

Read by 1,388 founders

38. Become a freelance web developer

Are you passionate about technology and looking for a way to earn extra income while working on your terms? How about becoming a freelance web developer? Firstly, web development is a highly sought-after skill in every industry. Secondly, the pay rate is higher than freelance writers, and freelance graphic designers earn. As a freelance web developer, you put yourself in a high-value proposition. However, it would be best to learn languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript to get started. Find a niche and start building anything and everything. Create a personal brand and build up your portfolio.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $148,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

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

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

39. Start a blog

In recent years, blogging has become a highly sought-after & lucrative Business. This location-independent business is a creative outlet to reach a broader audience and even work at any time. According to Optinmonster’s list of blogging statistics and facts:

  • Blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of gathering online information.
  • 77% of internet users read blogs.
  • Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages.

Originally blogging started as an online journal, but today it is a highly profitable career option. Many people are choosing blogging as their full-time career and are earning their bread and butter from this profession.

If you want to start blogging as a side hustle or as a full-time profession, choose a niche you will enjoy writing about and have a content strategy ready. Then, create a mailing list, and decide on a good blog posting routine to keep your audience engaged.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

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

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

These Twin Brothers Mastered SEO And Created A $60K/Year African Information Blog

Twin brothers from Nigeria launched multi-niche website, Information Guide Africa, which now attracts over 200k unique visitors per month and generates $60k annually through ad networks, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts.

Read by 3,608 founders

40. Start a soap making business

Are you looking for an easy business you can start from home? Soap making is a relatively easy cottage business you can start today.

Soap is one of the products you will find in every household. Therefore, soap is a product that will remain in demand, making soap making business a lucrative idea.

To start a soap-making business from home, research the competition and choose the niche your business will focus on. You can make scented soaps mixed with essential oils or non-scented soaps for washing utensils.

Choose a business name and create a business plan indicating your entity type, mission statement, and soap marketing strategy.

How much you can make: $1,200 — $20,000/month

How long does it take to build: 747 days (?)

On Starting A Homemade Organic Soap Brand From The Kitchen

Kiss My Crown Essentials founder Warnisha Foster shares her journey from creating organic soap products in her kitchen to selling over 500 soaps in her first month with a mission to let mothers know that they are seen, beautiful, and a necessity.

Read by 7,641 founders

41. Start a cosmetic store

The cosmetic industry is growing rapidly. Starting a cosmetic shop can be highly profitable, but only if you stock trendy, skin-friendly products.

If you are passionate about the beauty industry, consider starting a cosmetics brick-and-mortar shop.

Cosmetic shops sell products ranging from anti-aging, aromatherapy, lotions, beauty spa, cosmetic store, and even make-up.

To start a cosmetic store, research the market and source products from well-known brands in the beauty industry.

How much you can make: $8,500/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

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

How I Started A $8.5K/Month Cosmetics Brand

A former felon's passion for makeup and skincare led her to launch FBI Cosmetics, which has grossed over $62,000 in sales since July 2020, through social media marketing, brand partnerships, and online sales at Walmart.com.

Read by 8,716 founders

42. Start a mobile phone cases & accessories kiosk

The increasing adoption of mobile phones and other handheld devices has created a secondary demand for phone accessories. Experts project the mobile phone accessories market will reach $166 Billion in the next decade.

High-demand mobile phone accessories include phone cases, batteries, headphones, portable speakers, etc.

Opening a mobile phone accessories kiosk can be a profitable way to make money. Do you plan to start a mobile phone accessories kiosk? Find a busy shopping mall where people buy phones. You can sell mobile phone accessories in retail or wholesale only.

How much you can make: $125,000/month

Selling One Million Phone Accessories

Phone Loops founder Jean-Philippe Brousseau developed and launched his first product after realizing how often he dropped his phone and caused costly repairs, and to date, the company has sold over one million Loops in 66 countries.

Read by 9,207 founders

43. Start a gym

Over the last decade, more people across the globe have become self-aware of the importance associated with living a healthy lifestyle.

As a result, the gym has become a trend for millions of people, leading to a rapid increase in the size and popularity of the global fitness industry. According to statistics, the global fitness club industry is worth over $96 billion.

Therefore, starting a gym could be a great business opportunity.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $1,200,000/month

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

How I Started A $60K/Month Personal Training Company

Live Fit, a personal training company founded in 2011, grew from earning $80,000 in their first year with two trainers to earning over $760,000 in 2019 with 12 trainers and two locations, thanks to a focus on building trusting relationships and providing a variety of services to clients.

Read by 8,577 founders

44. Start a car washing and detailing business

The carwash business is already a multi-billion-dollar industry with room for growth.

With the number of vehicles per household increasing daily, starting a car wash and detailing business could be a profitable idea.

If you have a piece of vacant land in the right location, you can get into the carwash business. You can set up an in-bay automatic carwash, self-washing carwash, touch-free carwash, or a wide range of other options.

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

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

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

I Left Tech & Built My Own Car Detailing Business [My Hobby]

Learn how former tech salesman, Matt Paskow, left the industry to start Fresh Look Mobile Auto Detailing, a profitable mobile auto detailing business generating around $5k per month that focuses solely on SEO, Google AdWords, and Google My Business for marketing.

Read by 4,569 founders

45. Start an audio sharing app

An audio-sharing app is a streaming application that delivers sound or music without the need of downloading files from the internet.

Examples of audio sharing apps include Spotify, Apple, Music, and Pandora.

The global music streaming market size has increased YoY since its inception and has become the primary revenue source for most music labels.

The trend is attributed to the global music streaming subscriber base growth which is expected to reach 2.81 Billion in the next few years. Given the trends, building your audio sharing app is a great app business idea that will allow you a slice of the pie.

To start an audio-sharing app business, follow these steps:

  • Research the main features of an audio-sharing application
  • Apply for the respective license
  • Hire a team of music application developers
  • Develop the audio sharing app UI/UX design
  • Decide the Audio sharing app's minimum viable product

To achieve success with your audio-sharing app, get started asap!

How much you can make: $20,000 — $100,000/month

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

On Creating An App To Help Families Record Their Memories As It Was A Podcast

Saga, a private family podcast app, was founded to help families save the life stories of loved ones through audio and has raised $1.8 million in seed funding to date, has thousands of users across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and is set to launch on Android.

Read by 12,954 founders

46. Start a sports betting website

Sports betting has continued to become popular over the past years. Although sports betting is still not legal everywhere, the global betting market is huge and can be lucrative. If you love sports and looking for a profitable sporting-related business, you may consider starting a sports betting website.

However, before starting your sports betting website, make sure sports betting is legal in your state and that you have the required permits and licenses.

How much you can make: $30,000/month

How long does it take to build: 175 days (?)

I Started A $360K/Year Podcast About Sports Betting

Discover how Sean Green turned his sports gambling podcast into a multi-million media empire generating $30K/month in revenue and over a million downloads annually.

Read by 5,756 founders

47. Start a small chops packaging business

48. Start a car rental business

Starting a car rental business can be a profitable venture for those interested in the auto industry.

Retail and corporate are the main segments within the car rental industry. Retail car rentals focus on individuals who rent cars for shorter periods, while corporate car rental targets companies that want to transport clients or employees.

If you are starting a car rental business in Nigeria, target airports, hotels, railway stations, commercial offices, and other high-traffic areas.

Market your business, hire employees who will manage the operations and keep records, and purchase business insurance for both cars and employees.

How much you can make: $870 — $10,000/month

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

How We Started A Camper Van Rental Business and Quit Our Full Time Jobs

ROAMERICA, a campervan rental company founded by Taylor Hood and Gretchen Bayless who quit their full-time jobs to focus on their business and have expanded their fleet quickly to meet the demand of adventure-seeking customers, with most of their web traffic coming from organic Google searches and a focus on social media and brand awareness.

Read by 37,457 founders

49. Start a restaurant

If you love cooking and are passionate about entrepreneurship, starting a restaurant can be a fun and lucrative business.

To get started, choose a great location, and hire an excellent support team. You will need a chef to inspect the food and line cooks, waiters, and waitresses to serve the customers. No matter the restaurant type, you need great culinary and business skills to make your dream come true.

If you plan to open a restaurant in Nigeria, gain insight from consumer preferences and focus on serving modern consumers what they need.

How much you can make: $124,998 — $2,000,000/month

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

Starting A $1.5M Healthy Meals Delivery Business

One Life Meals is a Toronto-based healthy meal delivery service that made 14,500 meals per month and generated $130k in monthly sales in 2018 through their one-on-one consultation, lean protein and seasonal veggies-based meals, and their focus on the client experience.

Read by 22,343 founders

50. Become a virtual assistant

Virtual assistants support businesses, teams, or individuals by performing administrative tasks remotely. As businesses these days tend to outsource their tasks, the demand for virtual assistants is growing rapidly.

Becoming a virtual assistant is flexible, as you can choose a work schedule and location at your convenience. Many virtual assistants in Nigeria have a dedicated home office where they work in a quiet and distraction-free environment.

To become a virtual assistant, identify a niche you like and undertake any training. Then, figure out how much to charge your customers and create an online presence where you can apply for jobs. As a virtual assistant, you can define your work schedule depending on your availability.

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

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

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

On Starting A Business Training Virtual Assistants

Filipino Virtual Assistance by FVA Business Consultancy, founded by Julmar Grace Locsin, offers online and offline training to empower marketers, enable businesses, and equip freelancers which has trained 25,000 students from their 31 courses, has 16 coaches assigned from different territories, and fifteen in the FVA team for global digital leadership that will impact the world through digitalization, one life at a time.

Read by 8,432 founders

51. Start a taxi cab business

If you are an experienced driver and know your city well, starting a taxi cab business can be a very lucrative side hustle.

Here are the steps on how to start a taxi cab business.

  • Secure your business licenses
  • Secure financing and purchasing equipment
  • Purchase a commercial insurance

How much you can make: $250,000/month

How I Built A $3.5M/Year Taxi Company Competing With Uber & Lyft

Albert Williams grew a $3.5 million transportation company, The Best Deal, from a niche transportation sector; he attributes the company's success to providing excellent service and committing to continuous learning.

Read by 10,523 founders

52. Start a day care center business

Do you know that daycare centers are lucrative businesses? The industry grossed over a billion dollars in the US last year. The demand is rising, which is why many entrepreneurs have jumped aboard the idea of starting a daycare center business. This is a rewarding experience, especially if you have children or are in the education field.

Listed are the steps to start a daycare center business.

  • Register your business
  • Get all required daycare permits and licenses requirements
  • Get certifications
  • Get insurance
  • Prepare your daycare center.
  • Hire needed staff
  • Promote your business

53. Start an email marketing business

Email marketing is a popular and effective way for businesses to reach their target audience and promote their products or services.

With the rise of the internet and the increasing use of email as a communication tool, starting an email marketing business can be a lucrative and rewarding venture.

An email marketing business involves creating and sending marketing emails to a list of subscribers. The emails can be newsletters, promotional messages, or other types of content designed to engage and convert the recipient into a customer. The business owner is responsible for building and maintaining the email list, creating the content, and sending the emails using specialized software.

To start an email marketing business, you must have a strong understanding of marketing principles and a good grasp of best practices. This includes creating compelling subject lines, segmenting your email list, and analyzing your campaigns’ results. You will also need to be proficient in email marketing software like Mailchimp or Constant Contact.

To run a successful email marketing business, you must clearly understand your target audience and what they are interested in. This will help you create relevant and engaging content that resonates with your subscribers and encourages them to take action. A solid call to action in your emails is crucial, whether it’s visiting your website, making a purchase, or signing up for a newsletter. Starting an email marketing business requires marketing skills, expertise, and a willingness to learn and improve continuously. The right strategies and tools can be a rewarding and successful way to reach your target audience and grow your business.

How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 165 days (?)

How I Launched A $200K/Month Gmail Mail Merge Tool

GMass, an email marketing platform that allows users to send cold emails and email marketing campaigns with Gmail, has attracted over 500,000 user signups, including major tech companies like Uber, LinkedIn, and Google, and now generates over $200K in monthly recurring revenue through a successful content marketing strategy and focused ad spend.

Read by 13,695 founders

54. Start a dry cleaners business

Dry cleaning is a business that takes clothing, linens, and other fabrics and cleans them with no water. The dry cleaning process uses chemicals to clean the fabric and make it look new again. This process can remove stains, soil, and odors from your clothes.

People will always need their clothes washed so that this business model can succeed. Starting a dry cleaning business is a great way to enter the industry.

To maximize profitability, offer multiple services beyond the typical dry cleaning like wash and fold service.

How much you can make: $26,500 — $100,000/month

How long does it take to build: 70 days (?)

How We Started A Laundry And Dry Cleaning Franchise Business In India

Pick My Laundry, India's on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning service provider has developed a mobile app and website serving almost 50,000 customers in its first year after signing up 100 third-party laundry services and franchising its model with over 50 franchises across more than 15 Indian cities.

Read by 8,021 founders

55. Start a fashion design business

Fashion design offers a unique avenue to express creativity and make an impact in an ever-evolving industry. Launching a fashion design business involves creating original clothing and accessory designs, crafting prototypes, and managing various aspects of production and sales.

At its core, this business requires vision, talent, and an understanding of market trends. You'll need to sketch designs, select fabrics, and bring your creative concepts to life, either independently or by collaborating with manufacturers.

The potential for growth is significant. You could start with a small collection of pieces, gradually expanding as you build your brand. Whether you aim to create a high-end luxury line or focus on eco-friendly, sustainable fashion, the industry is ripe with opportunities.

Starting a fashion design business isn't without its challenges, but the rewards of seeing your ideas transform into tangible products and establishing a presence in the fashion world can make it all worthwhile.

How much you can make: $150 — $525,000/month

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

How I Started My Own Lingerie Business Side Hustle

Love Lorn Lingerie started as a side hustle and now generates $1.9k per month in revenue through Etsy and local events, with plans to expand into wholesale and increase marketing efforts to eventually replace the founder's day job.

Read by 30,228 founders

56. Start a mobile auto detailing service

A mobile carwash business reaches clients whenever possible and offers its services conveniently. Therefore, car owners do not need to drive to different locations looking for a car wash, as the mobile service provider is there for the client.

The advantage of offering a mobile car wash business in Nigeria is that clients will call you to their location whenever they need their vehicles cleaned. You can serve more customers based on convenience compared to an immobile car detailing business.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $20,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

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

I Left Tech & Built My Own Car Detailing Business [My Hobby]

Learn how former tech salesman, Matt Paskow, left the industry to start Fresh Look Mobile Auto Detailing, a profitable mobile auto detailing business generating around $5k per month that focuses solely on SEO, Google AdWords, and Google My Business for marketing.

Read by 4,569 founders

57. Start a hotels business

If you are considering starting a hotel, then it is time to implement your plan. There are five key elements to understand if you want to succeed in this industry: location, size, budget, experience, and market demand.

Here are some tips to consider before forming a hotel:

  • Name your business
  • Decide on a marketing strategy
  • Start by renting out a room in your home.
  • Hire a business capital broker
  • Try Airbnb
  • Make a marketing plan
  • Offer complementary services

How much you can make: $15,000 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 325 days (?)

Starting A 5 Star Boutique Resort And Event Center Based On A Fiction Book Lore

Boyd Hollow Resorts is launching a 5-star boutique resort and event center based on a fiction book that will be the first of many Villages to be built around the world, with over 200 event inquiries received before launching.

Read by 7,701 founders

58. Sell building materials

A building material business trades materials used in the construction industry.

The building materials include loose rocks, sand, iron, bricks, cement, poles, cement, and all other materials the building contractors need. Your target market will be building and construction managers, hardware, and contractors.

To promote your business, get featured in industry magazines and online forums. Create a website and ensure an active online presence through social media and SEO.

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

I Make $20K/Month Selling Tiny Cinder Blocks Online

Startup Mini Materials sells miniature masonry and woodworking supplies with a cult following gained through viral videos, social media and email newsletters.

Read by 32,549 founders

59. Start a transportation service

Transportation businesses offer ridesharing services, haul consumer goods, or ship supplies and products from one location to another. They target individual passengers, other companies, or global business partners.

If you are starting a transportation service in Nigeria, decide who and what you will serve, set up the business structure, register the business, and apply for the required business licenses or permits. To ensure a profitable business, incorporate proper hiring procedures and keep up with maintenance and recertifications.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $1,080,000/month

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

How We Developed A $6K/Month Parcel Tracking Software While In College

Deepfinity, a proptech/logistics company, has developed an internal parcel tracking software tool that's helping large buildings cope with the influx of online shopping, and has been growing 20% MoM since making its first revenue 1.5 years ago, currently making $6K/Month.

Read by 8,487 founders

60. Start a water purifying business

It is a very lucrative industry, especially if you select the right location for your business, and will be the center of attention in the coming years.

Water is a necessity. Daily, around the world, billions of people require clean drinking water and sanitation services. However, millions don’t have access to safe and affordable water. They either have to purchase it or otherwise search for systems that can purify water for consumption. This is where the water purifying business comes in handy.

Listed are the steps to start a water purifying business.

  • Plan your business
  • Register your business name
  • Complete all required business documents to run your business
  • Get insured
  • Promote your business

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

How much does it cost to start: $7,558 (?)

How long does it take to build: 232 days (?)

We Developed A $18K/Year Patented Ayurvedic Alkaline Water [India]

Pyotam is India's first ayurvedic alkaline beverage brand that provides water solutions through expertise and innovation, boasting a monthly revenue averaging Rs. 1,00,000/- ($13K) from a customer base of around 250 customers having sold 1,400 bottles so far.

Read by 3,749 founders

61. Start a healthy food processing business

With the growing preference for healthy and functional food, starting a healthy food processing plant can be rewarding.

The advancements in the food processing industry, innovation in processing technology, and continuous growth in demand for processed food are some excellent reasons to consider opening a healthy food processing business.

To start a healthy food processing plant, find out a market gap, and research the demand. Understand customers changing tastes and focus on offering the best throughout.

How much you can make: $52,944/month

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

How I Healed My Injury With Bone Broth And Bootstrapped A $540K/Year Business

Bluebird Provisions Bone Broth is North America's fastest-growing bone broth brand, doing 49,000 per month and growing 50% YoY, with 5000% growth in customer base since starting, thanks to an SEO-focused strategy, email marketing, referrals, and Amazon.

Read by 3,934 founders

62. Start a solar panel installation business

The solar panel installation business is a growing industry. In the past decade, solar panels have become more affordable and attractive to consumers. This has led to an increase in demand for solar panel installation services.

Solar energy is one of the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly forms of energy available today. It produces no greenhouse gas emissions or other toxic chemicals that can harm the environment or human health.

A solar panel installation business should consider investing in marketing strategies that will help them reach their target audience and sell their services effectively.

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

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

Our Solar Installation Business Just Hit $24M/Year

Solar Energy Partners, a solar-focused company founded by Alex K Williams, has achieved more than 400% growth since inception, and is expanding into new markets while offering best customer service and training programs.

Read by 4,488 founders

63. Start a gym

Over the last decade, more people across the globe have become self-aware of the importance associated with living a healthy lifestyle.

As a result, the gym has become a trend for millions of people, leading to a rapid increase in the size and popularity of the global fitness industry. According to statistics, the global fitness club industry is worth over $96 billion.

Therefore, starting a gym could be a great business opportunity.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $1,200,000/month

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

How I Started A $60K/Month Personal Training Company

Live Fit, a personal training company founded in 2011, grew from earning $80,000 in their first year with two trainers to earning over $760,000 in 2019 with 12 trainers and two locations, thanks to a focus on building trusting relationships and providing a variety of services to clients.

Read by 8,577 founders

64. Start a tiny house building business

People love living in small spaces. They're affordable and easy to maintain. Starting a tiny house-building business is a great way to help people and make money. You need to be licensed and insured to work in the state you live in, and you will also need a business license. Additionally, you will also have to research how much it costs to build a tiny house as well as what materials are needed for the project.

Tiny houses are becoming increasingly popular, offering a unique opportunity for you to get involved in the construction industry. The tiny homes industry is expected to grow to 3.57B by 2026.

How much you can make: $295,000 — $10,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 700 days (?)

We Make $1.8M/Year Renting Tiny Homes To Travelers

Tiny Away, a network of eco-friendly 'tiny houses' across Australia, has grown to over 75 private locations and brings in an average of $156,000 in monthly rental revenue, appealing to city dwellers seeking unique and comfortable accommodation experiences.

Read by 7,635 founders

65. Start a cleaning & maintenance business

A Cleaning & Maintenance business is a service-based business in which you are the owner, operator, and lone employee. In a cleaning and maintenance business, you provide a specific service such as carpet servicing or pest control. It's important to note that although it seems straightforward, this business type can grow very quickly if done properly.

Cleaning and maintenance can be a real hassle, especially if you have a lot of employees or just your own staff. The cleaning and maintenance industry generates over $40B a year in the US alone. This makes it one of the largest, most competitive industries in the USA.

Starting a cleaning and maintenance business in Nigeria is pretty easy. You can start small with residential clients or businesses. Just make sure you check with your local government to ensure licensing (or certification) requirements.

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

How much does it cost to start: $499 (?)

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

How I Started A $100K+/Month Home Cleaning Service For Busy Individuals And Airbnb Hosts

MaidThis®, launched by Neel Parekh in Los Angeles with just one cleaner in 2013, has achieved over $10 million in total revenue by focusing on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, thanks to its successful remote business model and new-age marketing tactics, and has now launched MaidThis Franchise to expand the business further.

Read by 21,827 founders

66. Start a personal trainer marketplace

The Personal trainer marketplace is a marketplace of personal trainers and fitness instructors. The latest market trends indicate that the global personal training industry is growing at an exponential rate. With this, the demand for reliable and competent personal trainers and trainers-in-training is also rising.

The market size of the Personal Trainers industry in the United States is $13B in 2022. It increased faster than the Life Sciences sector overall.

How much you can make: $25,000 — $200,000/month

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

How We Launched A $25K/Month Interactive Live Streaming Group Fitness Workout Platfrom During The Pandemic

Sweat from Home is a two-way, interactive, and live-streaming group fitness workout startup that has held over 800 classes since March 2020, generates $25k in monthly recurring revenue, and has donated over $7k to 6 different charities; they aim to become the world's best live-streamed fitness class.

Read by 9,166 founders

67. Start a laundry business

Starting a laundry business can be a fulfilling and lucrative venture for entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in their communities. With the right equipment and a commitment to providing excellent customer service, this business idea has the potential to thrive in a variety of locations.

One unique aspect of starting a laundry business is the opportunity to offer specialized services, such as eco-friendly detergent options or same-day turnaround for busy professionals. Additionally, partnering with local dry cleaners or offering pickup and delivery services can set your business apart from competitors and attract a loyal customer base.

In terms of upfront costs, starting a laundry business will require a significant investment in commercial-grade washing machines and dryers, as well as a convenient and well-located storefront. However, with the right marketing strategies and a focus on providing top-notch service, this investment can quickly pay off and result in a thriving business.

Overall, starting a laundry business is a rewarding and potentially profitable venture for entrepreneurs who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities. With the right approach and a commitment to excellence, this business idea has the potential to succeed in a variety of settings.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $100,000/month

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

How We Started A Laundry And Dry Cleaning Franchise Business In India

Pick My Laundry, India's on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning service provider has developed a mobile app and website serving almost 50,000 customers in its first year after signing up 100 third-party laundry services and franchising its model with over 50 franchises across more than 15 Indian cities.

Read by 8,021 founders

68. Start an interior decorating business

Interior design is one of the most exciting and rewarding fields to enter. Interior designers help clients create functional, beautiful spaces that reflect their personalities.

The demand for Interior decor is booming and showing no signs of slowing soon. If you love enhancing the look of interior spaces, starting an interior décor business can be a great business idea.

To start an interior décor business, you must possess a working knowledge of space planning, textiles, color schemes, and more. You will work with architects, engineers, and builders to plan the look and function of indoor spaces.

How much you can make: $400 — $110,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

How We (Mother And Daughter) Started A $1M/Year Boutique Design Firm

Mother and daughter duo turn passion for antiques and design into a boutique design firm with over $1 million in annual revenue and hundreds of trophy projects, showcasing the importance of grit, determination, and passion in building a successful business.

Read by 8,885 founders

69. Start a party rental business

A party rental business helps people get the products or the services they need to make their party a fun-filled event.

Party rental businesses can include:

  • Photo booth rental
  • Renting wedding clothes
  • Party boat rental
  • Sound equipment rental
  • Outdoor equipment rental
  • Cake structure rental

To start a party rental business, begin with what you know much better. Then as you gain experience, you may diversify to renting other party accessories or partner with experts in different fields.

How much you can make: $3,500 — $500,000/month

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

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

How I Started A $35K/Month Event Decor Business

Akshay Patel's event rental and decor business, Simply Decor, Tents, and Events, saw an average ticket price of $2,000, as their advertising budget decreased from $20k to $5k, leading to 40% of their clients coming through social media advertising, 30% from expos, and 30% online in google, yahoo, and other platforms.

Read by 17,922 founders

70. Start an auto repair business

Many people just love to tinker with, fix and repair cars. This is an all-consuming hobby for some people. They like to take things apart and figure out how things work. The process of fixing and repairing cars is almost therapeutic for them.

An auto repair business is a rewarding way to make extra money or build an entire business.

You can do it in the comforts of your own home, working around your schedule and getting paid handsomely for it. The United States automotive service market is expected to reach $75B by 2026.

How much you can make: $415,000/month

How long does it take to build: 40 days (?)

I Quit My Full-Time Job & Launched A $5M/Year Towing & Auto Repair Business

Finish Line Towing & Auto Repair is Wisconsin's largest roadside assistance provider, bringing in $5 million in annual sales through its dedication to customer service, effective dispatching, and clean service, with a goal of expanding to other markets in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Read by 4,750 founders

71. Start a bread bakery

You’ve heard the term “breadwinner”, but did you know there is a growing market to bake bread, which could potentially make you a “breadmaker?” If you love baking but want to make extra money, consider a bread making business. The industry is flourishing and has tons of growing potential. On average, the typical U.S. resident consumes 37.4 pounds of bread annually. It is a small scale manufacturing business that can be started with little investment & from the comfort of your home.

How much you can make: $30,000/month

72. Start an oil production business

The oil manufacturing business is highly profitable small scale business and can be started with little money. Oil is used for various purposes like cooking, manufacturing soaps, cosmetics & hair products.

Oil can either be produced at home or in manufacturing units depending on the scale you want. The most important aspect is maintaining consistency in quality & hygiene standards. If that is maintained then you can easily create your own brand of oils & even start exporting.

How much you can make: $29,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,970 (?)

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

How I Started a $348K/Year Natural Bath and Body Products Business

Thulisa Naturals founder, Anusha Moodley, shares the journey of building her natural bath and body product company, which boasts a 25% post-tax profit after generating $29k in monthly revenue and expanding into 123 retail stores across the US.

Read by 4,792 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.