77 Profitable One-Person Business Ideas (2024)
Starting a one-person business is one of the biggest trends of 2024 and beyond.
Although starting a business on your own can be challenging, being a solopreneur has huge benefits:
- Keep things simple – It’s just you starting out with no dependants, no complexity.
- It's cheaper – You can start with little or now money, and even while you have a full-time job.
- Your own style – You make the rules, the culture, the hours, everything — it’s just you.
- 100% equity – The startup is 100% yours.
We went through our database of successful businesses and found the best examples of solo founders.
Here they are:
1. Digital courses. ($3.8M/year)
After handling loads of stress as an SVP of sales, Justin decided to step down from his job and start a consulting business. He started creating digital content from there on, and have been moving forward ever since, releasing courses, building a massive following, and double down on his solopreneurship efforts.
How much they make: $3.8M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 0
Solopreneur Justin Welsh built a knowledge business through social media with over $2M in annual revenue and no full-time employees, offering flagship digital courses with a monthly revenue of $80K and $45K respectively, through LinkedIn and Twitter growth as well as organic and affiliate marketing.
2. Frame your favorite tweets as art ($114K/year)
Zach was avoiding a New Year's party his parents were hosting downstairs and scrolled through Twitter - suddenly he thought "what if you could frame a tweet?" That night, he built a simple website & tweeted a link to some random people he found on Twitter, and the next morning woke up to find Framed Tweets featured on Product Hunt, Mashable, Uncrate, and a few other websites.
How much they make: $114K/year
How much did it cost to start: $999
Current team size: 0
Framed Tweets, an online store that offers customers the opportunity to frame tweets as art, started by grossing $20k in its first year and increasing to $110k in the second year, and now has monthly gross sales of $20k from Instagram ads, spending about $300 a day.
3. Music production tools. ($1.44M/year)
A former music producer himself, Mordern Producers is Adrian's way of giving back to the music production community and leveling the playing field between up-and-coming, independent producers and the big league industry players. Helping other artists achieve success is the driving motivation for Adrian.
How much they make: $1.44M/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 0
Modern Producers is an e-commerce platform that sells software and tools for modern music producers and has more than doubled its revenue annually, earning $1.1 million in sales in 2019.
4. Healthy drinks ($1.8M/year)
Julien, the founder and CEO of Natura Wellness, came up with the idea for his food tech company after realizing the lack of natural and healthy drinks on the French market. After conducting extensive research on ingredients and formulating the perfect recipes, he launched Natura Wellness and quickly gained a following on Instagram. With a strong focus on customer experience and continuous improvement, Natura Wellness has experienced impressive growth, with sales reaching almost $500,000 in its second year of operation.
How much they make: $1.8M/year
Current team size: 8
French founder builds Natura Wellness, a food tech company offering a range of 12 unique and healthy Superdrinks for specific personal objectives that has experienced 1,200% growth, making nearly $500,000 in sales by the second year.
5. Jewelry and accessories ($2.4M/year)
Chrissie Lam from San Francisco, California, USA started Love Is Project over 7 years ago, a niche jewelry business.
- Revenue: $200,000/ month
- Founders: 1
- Employees: 2
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
We've also been featured on the cover of Glamour (on Anne Hathaway’s wrist), in Refinery29 and Elle, and on an episode of Good Morning America in November 2018. We are featured as one of Oprah’s favorite Valentine’s Day gifts in the February 2019 issue.
6. Online language tutoring ($1.44M/year)
While working at an agency in London, Alex was taking online Swedish lessons with a tutor through a site. However, he wasn't satisfied by the quality of all the tutors there, and only liked one named Isabella. It then struck him that he could build such an online tutoring site, except hire only carefully scrutinized tutors for a better user experience.
How much they make: $1.44M/year
Current team size: 0
Founder of Lingoci shares how he launched his online language tutoring platform with just $300 and no coding skills, and has since grown it to around $60k/month in revenue, mostly through Google Ads and a focus on continuous improvement.
7. Online fitness training ($984K/year)
Ryan recognized the limitations of gyms, from people not being able to afford it to people who aren't able to hire a trainer due to availability issues. Taking this online could be massive. Not physically fit at the time and ready to dive into self-development, Ryan started TeamFFLEX with zero dollars and a lot of drive within.
How much they make: $984K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 0
This case study is about a former personal trainer who launched his online personal training platform, TeamFFLEX, starting with no money and a lot of drive, and grew it into a 6-figure business in less than a year, now doing $48,000 a month with potential for continued growth.
8. Trade show booths ($360K/year)
Founder's friend approached him for help in designing a booth display. The final product stood out and caught the attention of other exhibitors, which made the founder realize its potential.
How much they make: $360K/year
Current team size: 0
Founder Ryan Schortmann started a custom trade show display company offering easy-to-use, portable display kits for small and medium-sized businesses that have since hit over $30k in monthly revenue, reinvesting in marketing efforts to increase online sales.
9. Gaming modifications ($2.76M/year)
Founder Kyle Capel came up with the idea for Hand Held Legend while restoring old Game Boys as a hobby during graduate school. He began selling modified consoles on eBay and realized there was a market for DIY upgrades and modifications. After launching the company with a Shopify store and one product, they have experienced consistent revenue growth, with nearly 40% of sales coming from international customers.
How much they make: $2.76M/year
Current team size: 5
Founder Kyle Capel started Hand Held Legend, a DIY upgrade shop for vintage handheld consoles, which generates an average revenue of $27,000 a month and grew 30% in Q1 of 2020, offering an array of modern LCD upgrades for various consoles and serving an audience of mostly male customers aged between 13 and 45, 40% of which are international.
10. Preppy men’s clothing. ($252K/year)
The idea for a prep brand came to Miriam while she was attending her alma matter during Law school, and happened to notice tacky looking ties that were worn by the students. Shocked to see they were made by reputed brands, she did some research and was instantly connected with the idea, even without a background in fashion.
How much they make: $252K/year
Current team size: 0
Lazyjack Press, a luxury men's accessories brand, offers high-quality, Italian silk ties, pocket squares, bow ties, and socks with uniquely named designs and a focus on fun, appealing to audiences of all ages, and is primarily sold through trade shows and pop-up shops.
11. Leather webcam covers. ($240K/year)
Arthur Lhermitte, a French fashion designer, came up with the idea for his brand, Striiiipes, after studying fashion design in Paris. In 2018, he launched a successful Kickstarter campaign for Leather Webcam Covers, raising an impressive 20,273 euros from 1,996 backers in just 20 days. Lhermitte's goal was to create a small, affordable, and sustainable product using leather leftovers, making a positive impact in the fashion industry.
How much they make: $240K/year
Current team size: 0
French fashion designer Arthur Lhermitte raised 20,273 euros thanks to 1,996 backers in just 20 days on Kickstarter using micro-suction tape and leather leftovers to create "Quickstarter" product, leather webcam covers.
12. Podcast marketing strategy ($192K/year)
Jeremy Enns, the founder of Counterweight Creative, came up with the idea for his podcast production business after realizing his passion for podcasts and his background in audio engineering made him well-suited to help others produce high-quality shows. With just one client and making $15/hour at the start, Enns grew his business into a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week, with revenue exceeding $10,000 per month.
How much they make: $192K/year
Current team size: 0
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
13. Premium cocktail mixers ($540K/year)
Christopher bought this business from the original founder in 2017 after he fell in love with their products at local bottle shops. He was struggling to make a good cocktail on his own, and this was the first one his wife also loved!
How much they make: $540K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 0
How Christopher Thomas turned a struggling cocktail mixer brand into a consistent low five-figure business by investing in e-commerce growth and customer reviews, focusing on all-natural ingredients, and revamping the website and packaging.
14. Referral marketing software ($216K/year)
He was working for a startup in the event analytics space. A customer suggested a feature for attracting more attendees to events. The idea was to allow people to jump higher in the queue by inviting (or referring) more people to the event.
Several months later, remembered the idea and decided to build an MVP referral program as a widget instead of a web application.
How much they make: $216K/year
Current team size: 0
ReferralHero is a profitable, referral marketing platform with over 6,000 customers and MRR of around $18,000/month, built by founder Manuel Frigerio as an MVP in just four days, with growth coming from content marketing and SEO.
15. Hand crafted watches. ($240K/year)
As a watch fanatic from childhood himself, Steve had took a leap to enter into the watch world as an entrepreneur. He kept repurposing materials to make watches and eventually started his own store.
How much they make: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 0
Novo Watch creates unique, handcrafted watches made from reclaimed materials, with the Coalbanks collection watch selling out immediately and achieving their first-ever $16,000 day.
16. Skin care products business ($180K/year)
Leslie had been suffering from red bumps on her body for 20 years. She visited several dermatologists but the problem persisted. One day, she decided to visit an aesthetician who recommended mandelic acid. Within three weeks of using it, her problem was gone, bringing her immense relief. This experience motivated her to start her own business so that she could share her discovery with others.
How much they make: $180K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 0
Almond Clear, a line of skincare products formulated with mandelic acid, saw a revenue increase of about 20% each month for the first nine months after launching on Amazon in December 2017, finishing the first year of sales averaging around $15,000 per month in revenue.
17. Navy clothing and accessories ($240K/year)
Erin found inspiration on her Instagram and started an online store that sells navy-colored items. Her spouse supported her idea.
How much they make: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
Current team size: 0
Navy-obsessed Erin Hornyak founded navyBLEU, an online boutique dedicated to the color, which has seen approximately 250 orders from 210 customers to date and attracted the attention of influencers and a boutique PR firm to spread the word.
18. Stationary and product design ($156K/year)
Ruth had a passion for creating things with her hands, especially during the holidays when she loved to give gifts. She picked up modern calligraphy as a hobby and soon discovered that making bespoke custom wedding invitations allowed her to combine all the things she loved. After three months of regular practice, she decided that her skills were good enough to do calligraphy work for others, so she started the business.
How much they make: $156K/year
Current team size: 0
An inspiring case study of how one woman turned her passion for calligraphy and bespoke wedding invitations into a successful business that now grosses an average of $13,000 a month, using Instagram as the main driver for attracting and retaining customers.
19. Remote work blog. ($156K/year)
Starting a remote work blog was both a pain point for Sireesha (while she was searching for remote jobs) and a way to earn a passive income.
How much they make: $156K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 0
Sireesha Narumanchi shares how she turned her passion for flexible, remote work into a successful blog generating five figures a month by focusing on affiliate marketing, email marketing and SEO.
20. Aftermarket vehicle accessories ($540K/year)
Mitchel Matthews, the 22-year-old entrepreneur behind Adrenaline Offroad, was inspired by his love for trucks and off-roading. After building up his own truck and gaining a following on YouTube, he saw an opportunity to start selling aftermarket vehicle accessories to his passionate audience. By using his own money and profits from the business, he was able to start and grow Adrenaline Offroad into a successful eCommerce store, now making 5 times the amount of money he used to make per month.
How much they make: $540K/year
Current team size: 3
This case study follows an inspiring 22-year-old entrepreneur who started an eCommerce store for aftermarket vehicle accessories, making 5x the amount of money he used to make per month, and generated over $90,000 in sales last year.
21. Push-up padding inserts ($480K/year)
Jocelyn Thompson, founder of Epiphany LA, came up with the idea for her business when she was disappointed with the quality and options of padding inserts for swimsuit tops. After ordering several different products online and finding them unsatisfactory, she saw a gap in the market for a properly designed insert that looked natural and provided the desired effect. With a check for $15,000, Thompson was able to start her business and launch her product on Amazon, where it quickly gained traction and success.
How much they make: $480K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 0
Epiphany LA's founder Jocelyn Thompson created a foam push-up padding insert to combat the market saturation of thick, pointy, and ill-sized padding inserts mostly offered in two sizes only, with her product currently patent-pending and earning around $12,000 a month mainly from Amazon USA, where customer reviews and organic SEO proved to be key.
22. Turkish beach & bath towels ($144K/year)
Grace, the founder of The Bali Market, had 15+ years of experience in retail and a degree in Retail from the University of Wisconsin - Stout. While searching for a product to sell, she turned to something she personally used and loved - Turkish towels. After finding the right manufacturer and realizing the potential of her product, she made the urgent decision to pivot off Amazon and build her own brand on Shopify. This move paid off, as The Bali Market quickly connected with its target market and broke the 6-figure mark after less than 2 years in business.
How much they make: $144K/year
Current team size: 0
Grace shares how she pivoted her Turkish beach and bath towel business, The Bali Market, off Amazon, growing it to 6-figures in sales after less than 2 years in business through building a strong brand with cohesive messaging, a focus on email marketing, and investing in quality branding and photography.
23. Chocolate benefitting animal rescue. ($144K/year)
Sarah Gross Feoli, the founder of Rescue Chocolate, came up with the idea to combine her love for animal welfare and chocolate after adopting a homeless pit bull. In the second month of its existence, Rescue Chocolate started turning a profit, and now, eight years later, it has partnered with hundreds of rescue groups and continues to donate all profits to animal rescue organizations.
How much they make: $144K/year
Current team size: 0
Rescue Chocolate is an NYC-based vegan, organic and fair-traded chocolate company that donates profits to animal rescue organizations and has partnered with hundreds of fundraising groups in 8 years.
24. Sustainable swimwear and bucket list group trips for women ($300K/year)
The founder's passion for marine life led her to notice the environmental impact of plastic waste and fishing nets during her travels. Through extensive research, she found a sustainable way to dispose of these materials and established a swimwear company that uses fabric made from the waste.
How much they make: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 0
OceanZen is a successful sustainable swimwear brand that has manufactured and sold thousands of bikinis worldwide, after being launched by Steph with only $5000 in her final year at university.
25. Fulfilling life design services. ($120K/year)
Zack's coaching business was born out of his personal desire for self-improvement. He spent years experimenting with various strategies to improve his well-being, and his successful transformation caught the attention of others. Inquiries about his methods led him to establish a coaching business.
How much they make: $120K/year
Current team size: 0
A Hollywood film editor and director generated over $160,000 in revenue from his online coaching program with a list of under 5000, and currently generates around $10,000/month via the program while balancing a full-time job editing television, with his flagship product 'Focus Yourself' generating $50k in part-time sales in the first year.
26. Whiteboard explainer video company ($120K/year)
Marco Gatti, the founder of Whiteboard.ee, came up with the idea for his business when he saw the power of animated videos in promoting books by Robert Cialdini, a renowned Psychology and Marketing professor. He realized the potential of using video animations to communicate more effectively with customers, but existing services were too expensive. So he took matters into his own hands and started creating animated videos for his family's company, which received positive feedback and led him to launch his own video animation company.
How much they make: $120K/year
Current team size: 0
Italian entrepreneur Marco Gatti shares how he started Whiteboard.ee, a video marketing company that creates personalized animated videos, with a focus on doodle whiteboard animation, and currently invoices about $10,000 per month, having recently expanded internationally.
27. Marketing agency ($120K/year)
Sam Wilcox, the founder of Tribecto Automations, came up with the idea for his business while working at InvisiblePPC, where he re-designed and rebuilt sales processes using CRM and automation tools. He started doing consulting as a side gig, and after 12 months of hard work, Tribecto was making more than his full-time role. Eventually, he decided to take the chance and run Tribecto Automations full-time, leading to consistent growth and profitability.
How much they make: $120K/year
Current team size: 0
Tribecto Automations re-designed sales and marketing processes for B2B companies, growing from $5k/month to $10k/month, through creating a defined productized service model and using specific software tools for email marketing, CRM, webhooks and Zapier.
28. Sports data ($96K/year)
Tyler started betting on sports during the World Cup 2008, and he ventured into this not to make money, but to help people. No wonder when he did started charging, business flooded through the door.
How much they make: $96K/year
Current team size: 0
Learn how a 27-year-old entrepreneur uses his love for sports and numbers to make $200-$600 per day by predicting the outcome of sporting events with his proprietary systems, which produce winners at a 60%+ rate, all without any significant startup costs or overhead.
29. Custom balloon installations ($240K/year)
Rilee was tasked with using balloons to bring some excitement to a friend's gender reveal party. The exposure she received from this opportunity led to her being featured on social media by Kim Kardashian, boosting her confidence and validating her vision.
How much they make: $240K/year
Current team size: 0
BalloonWorks quadrupled revenue and doubled its team in 2019, without any outside funding, while specializing in creating dynamic balloon installations for brands and celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Kyle Richards, and Maybelline Cosmetics.
30. Plush with a purpose ($420K/year)
Justin Baum, a Creative Director in the advertising industry, came up with the idea for ZZZ Bears while filming a commercial at a Marine base and buying his daughter a teddy bear. Realizing that the bear helped alleviate her fears and knowing the sacrifices of military families, he decided to create a line of teddy bears dressed in military uniforms that would protect kids as they sleep. After facing initial challenges with manufacturing and marketing, the business gained success through Facebook ads and partnerships with military exchanges and major retailers like Target.
How much they make: $420K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 0
This case study is about how the founder of ZZZ Bears created and grew a line of military teddy bears named SGT SLEEPTIGHT, primarily selling to military families and gaining success through Facebook ads and partnerships with military exchanges, Target, and TAPS, while also learning important lessons such as the power of mentors and seeking help.
31. A lightweight project management tool for wordpress. ($132K/year)
The founder worked previously as a freelancer. She faced difficulties in finding a suitable platform to manage her clients' project assets. Despite trying different project management tools, the quality of these tools proved to be subpar, which led to her using email as the primary mode of communication.
Determined to find a better solution, she decided to create her own platform. She developed a page on her website that allowed clients to log in and access all the project assets that had been collected. She shared her experience with others about the portal and how it had helped her manage customer projects. After receiving a lot of encouragement from her peers, she eventually decided to sell it.
How much they make: $132K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 0
Laura Elizabeth built a $4-10k/month lightweight project management tool for WordPress called Client Portal, which provides clients with a branded, accessible space to access project deliverables and status updates, and has grown organically with the aid of podcasts, email courses, and Google searches.
32. Candy surprise boxes ($78K/year)
After moving to Japan and discovering the diverse and unique candies available, Bemmu Sepponen came up with the idea for Candy Japan. With flavors and varieties that are hard to find outside of Japan, Bemmu decided to start a subscription service that would send surprise boxes of Japanese candy to people all around the world. Since launching in 2011, Candy Japan has shipped over $1 million worth of candy and has paid Bemmu's living expenses in Japan for 7 years.
How much they make: $78K/year
Current team size: 0
This case study follows Bemmu Sepponen and his business Candy Japan, a service that has shipped over $1M worth of Japanese candy to people all over the world and has paid Bemmu's living expenses in Japan for seven years, however, the company has seen a decline in subscribers due to changes in the industry and in costs.
33. Online course on mvp development ($72K/year)
Bram had extensive experience working and coaching with early-stage startups, and No-Code MVP became an outlet to let all that knowledge into a product.
How much they make: $72K/year
Current team size: 0
A stay-at-home father created No-Code MVP course, which teaches people the mindset, process, and tools they can use to build and validate their startup and business ideas without any knowledge or learning how to code, generating $8,000 in a pre-sale over 3 weeks and is on track to make $6,000/month.
34. Coaching for agency owners ($72K/year)
Anthony Tumbiolo, the founder of ServiceBasedBusinesses.com, came up with the idea for his business while running his multimillion-dollar digital agency, Jakt. He realized that there was a need for a community where digital agency owners could come together, connect, and learn from each other's experiences. With revenues of approximately $6k per month, Tumbiolo is focused on providing valuable resources and support to his members in order to help them grow and scale their own agencies.
How much they make: $72K/year
Current team size: 0
ServiceBasedBusinesses.com is a community for agency owners created by the founder of multimillion-dollar digital agency Jakt that provides access to exclusive resources and Q&A sessions, generates $6k/month in revenue, and serves agencies with revenues ranging from $100k/year to $2M+.
35. Ethically sourced gifts ($72K/year)
Judith Treanor came up with the idea for her business, Temples and Markets, after traveling extensively throughout Southeast Asia and being inspired by the creativity and resilience of the artisans she met. She wanted to expose their unique creations to a broader market and help others overcome "Buyers' Regret" by offering products that could usually only be found on one's travels. Since launching, Judith has used PR, SEO, and email marketing to attract and retain customers, with 85% of her traffic coming from SEO.
How much they make: $72K/year
Current team size: 0
Temples and Markets founder Judith Treanor sources handmade, unique and sustainable artisan products from Southeast Asia for her online store, curating accessories, bags, jewelry and home decor to appeal to conscious consumers aged 30-55 who love to travel, with a 24% returning customer rate and an online conversion rate of .33%.
36. Zapier specialist agency ($66K/year)
Working as a Zapier freelancer on Upwork, Andrew saw how busy he got working with clients. His rates had even quadrupled. After this, starting an agency was just the right choice.
How much they make: $66K/year
Current team size: 0
Luhhu, an agency that helps businesses automate their processes using Zapier, was built as a result of the founder's accidental stumble into a freelance career as a Zapier expert, and has become profitable with low fixed running costs and around 1-3 inquiries per day coming mostly from organic search and the Zapier Experts Directory.
37. Luxury beach and compeittion swimwear ($60K/year)
The idea for such a brand came when Ally had ordered a suit online for her bikini competition, but wasn't quite happy with it. This gave her the push to start Amanda Louise for herself and other athleyes.
How much they make: $60K/year
Current team size: 0
AmandaLouise started in 2014 as a fitness competition swimwear brand and has since broken into mainstream luxury swimwear, with the brand being featured in the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimwear Issue and launching a couture made-to-order collection in collaboration with Gretchen Rossi of Bravo TV’s The Real Housewives of Orange County.
38. Boxer briefs ($60K/year)
Krystian Frencel, founder of Bunch of Animals and 3magine, was inspired to start his men's luxury underwear brand after discovering Stonemen Underwear on Instagram. He was captivated by the seamless prints and the way they made him feel more confident. However, he realized there were limitations to the available options and decided to create his own line of soft, beautifully designed boxer briefs.
How much they make: $60K/year
Current team size: 0
Founder Krystian Frencel shares how he built a men's luxury underwear brand, Bunch of Animals, to $5,000/month with no previous e-commerce or product creation experience, offering softer than soft boxer briefs featuring seamless designs in collaboration with artists from around the world.
39. Vintage-inspired travel patches maker ($120K/year)
Mike’s idea was a combination of his interest in vintage clothing, style, and old movies, with his love of menswear and fashion, and travel.
How much they make: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K
Current team size: 0
Serial entrepreneur grows modern vintage-inspired travel patch company to over $5,000 in monthly sales volume with a 100+% growth rate by expanding product line and utilizing online marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon.
40. Luxury branding ($120K/year)
Elva Li, a brand stylist and designer, came up with the idea for her luxury branding agency when she realized that she could combine her love for creating beautiful designs with her passion for helping female entrepreneurs turn their visions into premium brands. After building her side hustle while working full-time in her corporate job, Elva launched her business by offering branding and website design services and gradually increased her prices as her portfolio grew. With a clear business plan and a commitment to taking massive daily action, Elva successfully quit her job and turned her side hustle into a thriving business.
How much they make: $120K/year
Current team size: 1
How one founder started a luxury boutique branding house and quit her corporate job, becoming a successful entrepreneur with a team of contractors, interns, and VAs, expanding services to personal styling, social media management, and content creation, while building an online course and planning to become a community for female entrepreneurs.
41. Tourist visa information ($264K/year)
Hari realized that the visa application process lacked a one-stop online resource for travelers. He decided to aggregate all relevant information and present it in a simplified format.
How much they make: $264K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
Current team size: 0
Visa List is a successful micro start-up that provides one-stop visa information for travellers, earning $5000/month on average with 350K monthly active users and has helped over 2 million users with their visa requirements, all starting from a personal frustration with visa processes.
42. Handcrafted soap. ($60K/year)
Angela had always loved soaps and scents. She took the required chemistry classes in her degree and learned more about saponification, from where she joined similar communities and started her brand.
How much they make: $60K/year
Current team size: 0
Alegna Soap is a successful handmade soap retailer who uses events, personalized client touches and weekly blogs to retain customers that trust the brand, while running the three major legs of the business which are retail, private label and teaching/speaking, and maintaining a healthy balance between each leg.
43. T-shirts with the printed text of us state names made from food, renamed with pun ($60K/year)
Chris's eight year old suggested him the idea of "food named states". A photo series based on this idea went viral on Instagram, and a couple years later, Chris started developing a Shopify store for t-shirts based on the same concept.
How much they make: $60K/year
Current team size: 0
The Foodnited States, an online shop selling illustrated state-themed merchandise, started generating an extra $3-5k monthly with only 11 states available, having relied heavily on organic social media and an email list to attract customers, with user-generated content and collaborations with photographers and brands being its most effective marketing tools.
44. Natural beauty products ($60K/year)
Mel, the founder of Flowerdale Valley, came up with the idea for her skincare business when she realized that the beeswax and honey from her farm could be used to create a hydrating and anti-aging cream. She started selling her first product, Bee Balm, along with honey, and gradually expanded her product range over the years. Now, her business brings in approximately $7,500 in sales per month and provides her income for her and her children.
How much they make: $60K/year
Current team size: 0
A mother-of-two started a $5k/month skincare business after experimenting with beeswax and honey to create luxurious all-natural products, growing her business to attain over $7,500 in sales per month via multiple sales streams, including $4,000 per month at markets.
45. Ebooks ($54K/year)
Angela, the founder of the blog Stray Curls, turned her passion for illustration and creativity into a profitable online business. Her skills in computer science, graphic design, and illustration came in handy in creating a unique blog that helps young women establish creative online businesses.
With her colorful illustrations and engaging content, Angela has built a loyal following. She continues to grow her business by using email marketing and creating digital products that cater to her audience's needs.
How much they make: $54K/year
How much did it cost to start: $99
Current team size: 0
Angela shares how she turned her love for creating comics, drawings and graphic design into a successful blog and business that helps young women build creative online businesses, earning $4.5k a month on her blog and selling digital products.
46. User design inspiration ($53.8K/year)
Ramy Khuffash, the founder of Page Flows, came up with the idea for his business after launching a successful design inspiration newsletter called UI Movement. Through conversations with subscribers, he realized that there was a demand for more realistic design inspiration, which led him to create Page Flows, a library of videos showcasing popular products in use. The business now generates around $4,500 per month in revenue.
How much they make: $53.8K/year
Current team size: 0
Page Flows is a library of inspiration videos for digital product designers and makes about $4,500 per month in revenue from a small, one-off price, with slow and steady growth and long-tail keyword SEO as key drivers of success.
47. Abstract art pieces ($51.6K/year)
Painting had helped Sarah channel her emotions of getting rejected from grad schools in a positive way, as she had been the "artsy" girl in college as well. It started as a hobby but within a few months, her friends and family encouraged her to sell her art. Seeing the demand on her store, she started Innerglow Art.
How much they make: $51.6K/year
Current team size: 0
Innerglow Art is a successful custom abstract painting business that incorporates scripture and personable connection with buyers to produce beautiful and unique artwork.
48. Cuddle therapy and online course/mentorship ($136K/year)
Sam Varnerin came up with the idea for Snuggle with Sam after stumbling upon the concept of professional cuddling in a newsletter. Despite initially thinking it wasn't a real job, Sam saw the potential and signed up with an agency. However, after encountering various issues, Sam decided to create their own systems and eventually started their own independent professional cuddling practice.
How much they make: $136K/year
Current team size: 0
Professional cuddler, Sam Varnerin, developed her successful one-to-one cuddle service, Snuggle with Sam, as a result of recognising the universal human need for connection and touch, which also led to her opening Sam’s Snuggle School, a course for aspiring professional cuddlers.
49. Help to make money online ($252K/year)
Niall Doherty started eBiz Facts after being inspired by a friend who built his own affiliate website to $40,000 per month. Niall saw the opportunity to provide honest and transparent information in the "make money online" niche and decided to create a website dedicated to helping people make money online, focusing on in-depth reviews and helpful content. His dedication to his readers' best interests has led to steady growth in his business and trust from his audience.
How much they make: $252K/year
Current team size: 0
This case study is about a website called eBizFacts.com, which helps people make money online through in-depth reviews of products and services related to building an online business. The business earns $4,000 per month consistently through affiliate marketing and has 4,731 email subscribers. The founder focuses on providing accurate information rather than maximizing profit and aims to make his site the ultimate gateway for anyone looking to build an online business.
50. Niche e-commerce ($0/year)
While working in an uninspiring marketing role at a Fortune 500 company, Amanda Austin found new purpose after a keyword search for non-competitive products led her to the untapped niche of dollhouse miniatures. Today, her ecommerce store, Little Shop of Miniatures, averages $4,000 in monthly revenue, reflecting the power of identifying overlooked markets.
How much they make:
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 0
Little Shop of Miniatures is a dropship ecommerce store founded by Amanda Austin, offering thousands of dollhouse kits and miniatures; since launching in November 2017, the site attracts over 11% of returning customers, sees 700 referrals from Pinterest per week, and grew 212% YoY, with an $800/month profit that triples in the holiday season.
51. Urban hiking tours ($45K/year)
After leaving her job at Google, Alexandra Kenin took time off to explore San Francisco and realized that others might want to experience the city's hidden gems. With inspiration from local hiking groups, Airbnb experiences, and coupon promotions, she started Urban Hiker SF, offering urban hiking tours that have attracted thousands of tourists and corporate clients, generating up to $8,000 per month in revenue during the peak tourist season. Alexandra also established herself as an expert on hiking in San Francisco by writing a book and partnering with travel marketplaces and DMCs.
How much they make: $45K/year
Current team size: 0
Alexandra Kenin started Urban Hiker SF in 2012, offering urban hiking tours around San Francisco and making $40,000 to $45,000 every year, with corporate tours being the biggest money maker, and has also written a book, Urban Trails San Francisco, which has sold over 8,000 copies since its launch in 2016.
52. Premium lifestyle apparel ($36K/year)
Tramell McInnis, the founder of LilKong Brand, was inspired to start his lifestyle designer fashion brand after growing up in Compton and not having access to high-end designer fashion. Knowing the importance of knowledge and research in the industry, he teamed up with an experienced head designer and built a brand that offers creative and unique clothing options for young to middle-aged individuals with middle to high-class income.
How much they make: $36K/year
Current team size: 0
Tramell McInnis, owner of LilKong Brand, talks about his start-up experience, challenges faced in choosing the perfect manufacturer and launching a premium fashion brand, and his vision of expanding a young lifestyle designer fashion brand appreciated by middle to high-class income customers with 3-year estimated evaluation of $300K.
53. Hand lettered stationery products ($48K/year)
Jordyn came up with the idea for her business after making hand-lettered greeting cards during her boyfriend's boot camp. With a background in graphic design, she started Jordyn Alison Designs in 2016, but it wasn't until three years later that she saw significant growth and began expanding her product offerings. Now averaging $3,000 a month, Jordyn focuses on wholesale and the digital side of her business, with plans to get her products into over 100 stores nationwide and start licensing her artwork.
How much they make: $48K/year
Current team size: 0
Jordyn Alison Designs owner Jordyn, has grown her hand-lettered stationary business to average $3,000 a month by expanding her product line to include greeting cards, vinyl stickers, notepads, apparel and more, while also using social media to promote her launches and gauging customer interest.
54. Soap, lotions & bubble bath ($48K/year)
Sandy Engels, the founder and artisan of The Purple Sage, came up with the idea for her business after realizing that there are women like her who have cared for others for decades and are now ready to prioritize self-care. She started making soap and bath products and eventually created her signature product, Bubbleaux, a bubble bath that provides a luxurious and pampering experience. With her rebranded company and a loyal client base, Sandy's business has grown steadily, and she is now focused on leveraging videos and live streams to connect with her customers in the future.
How much they make: $48K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2.5K
Current team size: 0
A modern midlife woman crafts a soap company that encourages women to live and love boldly, garnering an average revenue of $2,800 a month by focusing on a collection of scents and products that results in a loyal client base.
55. Resume, linkedin writing; telecommunications content writing (website content, blog posts, case studies, etc.) ($36K/year)
Mike McRitchie, the founder of a resume writing and web marketing content business, came up with the idea after realizing he had a large network of LinkedIn connections in the telecom industry. He decided to leverage his expertise and offer resume writing services to his connections, which quickly converted 50% into paid clients. Through consistent blogging and strategic marketing efforts, Mike was able to grow his side hustle and double his income to over $30,000 in just two years.
How much they make: $36K/year
Current team size: 0
This case study follows a business owner who doubled his income from side hustles in two years, earning over $30,000 annually by writing resumes and LinkedIn copy, blogging weekly, and increasing rates as he attracted more clients from online platforms like Craigslist and LinkedIn.
56. Bow ties ($30K/year)
Paul Kaster, the founder of Crooked Branch Studio and Carbon Cravat, came up with the idea for his business in 2015 when he received a wooden bow tie as a gift. Dissatisfied with the execution, he believed he could make a better one and started experimenting with designs. After successfully selling a few wooden bow ties on Etsy, he launched a Kickstarter campaign at the age of 16 to refine his design and gain publicity. Since then, he has expanded his business and now earns a passive income of around $1000 per month with minimal upkeep.
How much they make: $30K/year
Current team size: 0
Crooked Branch Studio owner, Paul Kaster, shares how he turned a handcrafted wooden bow tie business into a self-running income stream that generates $1000/month in profit with minimal upkeep through outsourcing and diversifying revenue.
57. Handcrafted jewelry. ($30K/year)
Alex Moore, a primary school PE teacher, came up with the idea for his handmade jewelry business after finding gold in New Zealand and wanting to incorporate it into his wedding ring. He took jewelry making classes and started making pieces for family and friends, which led to him selling his designs on Etsy and eventually at a local market. Moore's revenue now averages between $2500-3000 per month, with customers from all over the world.
How much they make: $30K/year
Current team size: 0
A primary school teacher found his passion for jewelry-making, turning it into a successful business generating $2500-3000 per month through sales at the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market, online, and through stockists, with plans to expand and eventually make it his full-time profession.
58. Romance concierge services ($42K/year)
Ta'Veca Collins, a Registered Clinical Social Worker, came up with the idea for Romance On The Go after her bridesmaids surprised her with a beautifully decorated honeymoon suite on her wedding night. Recognizing the need for a one-stop-shop for romance and intimacy services, Ta'Veca started charging her family and friends, eventually turning her passion into a fully operational business that promotes romance and intimacy. She has since expanded her services and partnered with local small businesses to provide a comprehensive and unforgettable experience for couples.
How much they make: $42K/year
Current team size: 0
Meet Ta'Veca Collins, founder of Romance On The Go, a concierge service that promotes romance and intimacy; since becoming a preferred vendor for The W Hotel Fort Lauderdale, their gross income has increased to around $3,200.00 monthly, and they are currently expanding their team to meet the demands of new partnered hotels.
59. Landing pages ($168K/year)
As a startup folk with an experience in building various tech projects, plus being an ex-cofounder of a web development company, Alexander saw how users struggle with making good landing pages, and he applied his skills and experience to build an easy builder!
How much they make: $168K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 2
The founder of Unicorn Platform, Alexander Isora, created a landing page builder which generates over $2,200 in MRR and hosts 2,819 websites. Isora developed an MVP, created crowdfunding, and attributes the success of his product to a good MVP, reputation, and offering good support for customers.
60. Editing and proofreading service ($24K/year)
Lenny Bron, also known as The Blog Proofreader, came up with the idea for his business after noticing multiple grammar and spelling mistakes in personal finance blogs. He started by sending emails offering his proofreading services for free to gain experience and attract clients. Through persistence and networking, he now has four regular clients and consistently makes around $2,000 per month.
How much they make: $24K/year
Current team size: 0
A proofreader was able to build a consistent income of ~$2,000 per month from scratch with zero experience in the field, no expenses, and barely any upfront costs by targeting bloggers and content creators who want their content to be copy edited and proofread.
61. Reusable paper ($24K/year)
Caylee, the founder of Swipies, came up with the idea for her reusable paper business when she received lamination samples for a project and wanted to write on them. After experimenting with different materials and designs, she created portable whiteboards that don't smudge and started selling them through her Shopify store. Despite initial challenges, Caylee has grown her business to ship products to 42 states and 30 countries, with an average revenue of $2,000 per month.
How much they make: $24K/year
Current team size: 0
Founder Caylee shares the story of how she started a reusable paper company, Swipies, whilst working at Facebook, growing it into a business that has been shipped to 42 states and 30 countries, with clients including Airbnb and General Assembly, and revenue averaging $2,000 per month.
62. Cork maps ($48K/year)
Nick Fortosis, the founder of GEO 101 Design, came up with the idea for his business when he combined his love of woodworking and CNC machining. After experimenting with different projects, he found success selling marble hexagon coasters on Etsy. However, when competitors emerged, he decided to create cork maps, which quickly gained popularity. Through professional photos, engaging with customers on social media, and utilizing Google Shopping ads, Fortosis has been able to attract and retain customers for his personalized home décor products.
How much they make: $48K/year
How much did it cost to start: $200
Current team size: 0
GEO 101 Design founder Nick Fortosis created unique cork maps using a CNC router in his garage workshop, and grew sales to $2,000/month through his website and Etsy shop, with plans to double revenue year over year.
63. Onsite sanctuary experiences ($60K/year)
Jenni Jo, a licensed massage therapist with years of experience in the touring and entertainment industry, had the idea to create a mobile body care spa in the form of a renovated Airstream trailer. Inspired by her work with artists like Faith Hill and Amos Lee, she wanted to provide on-site therapeutic healing without the hassle of hauling equipment. Since launching her Peace Pod business, Jenni Jo has received press coverage and support, and is currently working towards profitability and future expansion opportunities.
How much they make: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $40K
Current team size: 0
Jenni Jo, a licensed massage therapist, shares her story of creating a mobile body care spa in a custom Airstream to cater to the niche market of touring entertainers, with features such as massage tables, lounging spaces, custom cabinetry, lighting, music, and aromatherapy, inspiring other entrepreneurs to keep taking steps towards their dreams.
64. Leather harnesses and lingerie. ($62.9K/year)
Jessica Ding, the founder of Love Lorn Lingerie, started her business on a whim after making a few leather designs and selling them on Etsy. Fast forward a few years, and her side hustle is now a self-sufficient business, providing her with extra income and a creative outlet. Jessica sources materials herself, designs all the products, and handles marketing, leveraging platforms like Instagram and in-person events to attract and retain customers.
How much they make: $62.9K/year
Current team size: 0
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.
65. Plausible science fiction. ($0/year)
Joe Stech, a software team manager, launched Compelling Science Fiction after discussing his passion for the genre with his wife. He used a simple landing page to attract hundreds of subscribers and eventually paid professional rates to over 50 authors, resonating with 1600 dedicated readers.
How much they make: $0/year
Current team size: 0
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.
66. Automated email follow up software. ($42K/year)
Mike Taber came up with the idea for Bluetick.io after experiencing the frustration of sending follow-up emails and tracking responses manually. He validated the idea by conducting customer interviews and collecting prepayments, and then hired a team of developers to build the product. After improving the website and launching, he focused on email marketing to attract and retain customers.
How much they make: $42K/year
Current team size: 0
Bluetick.io is a self-funded SaaS app that helps salespeople, customer success reps and busy founders close the loop with their customers using sequences of automated email follow ups, achieving $1,000 MRR without writing a single line of code through customer validation and prepayments.
67. Custom bingo card creation ($18K/year)
Beth K., a busy mother of 5 and former elementary school teacher, came up with the idea for BingoCardCreator.com while on maternity leave. She purchased the already established business through the online broker FE International, and has since learned the ins and outs of running a business through trial and error. The business earns an average of $1200 per month and provides Beth with flexibility and additional income for her family.
How much they make: $18K/year
Current team size: 0
This case study showcases an entrepreneur who purchased an established online business generating $1,200 per month, and provides insights into what it takes to grow and run a successful yet small business while improving skills in digital marketing.
68. High intent software buyers. ($40.5K/year)
Phil Strazzulla, founder of SelectSoftware, came up with the idea for his business after building a personal brand in the HR space through a weekly whiteboard video series. He realized that HR professionals were struggling to choose the right software for their needs, and saw the opportunity to create an online review site, similar to NerdWallet or WireCutter, for HR software. With organic search traffic growing at 30% per month and revenues hitting $1k per month, SelectSoftware has gained traction in the market.
How much they make: $40.5K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50
Current team size: 0
VC-turned-entrepreneur Phil Strazzulla, who previously built a successful b2b SaaS business, shares how he bootstrapped an online review site for HR software into a viable business with over $1k monthly revenues in just 3 months through organic search traffic growth and selling high intent leads.
69. Subscription box ($12K/year)
Meredith Vaish, the founder of Pause Box, came up with the idea after leaving her corporate job due to a repetitive stress injury. During her year-long break, she discovered the power of intentional pauses and wanted to make spiritual retreats accessible to modern, non-religious individuals. With over 20 years of experience in brand and email marketing, she launched Pause Box in September 2019 and has been generating nearly $1k in monthly revenue.
How much they make: $12K/year
Current team size: 0
Founder of Pause Box, Meredith Vaish, shares how she launched a business helping people take intentional breaks, with her revenue in the first year almost hitting $1k per month through virtual retreats, personalized pause day designs and a new Pause Box containing retreat essentials.
70. Medium publication ($0/year)
Dave Schools founded Entrepreneur’s Handbook after a casual lunch note with a millionaire turned into two viral stories on Medium, catapulting the publication from under 100 views to over 100,000 monthly views. Entrepreneur’s Handbook now boasts 68,000 followers, helping founders navigate the unpredictable journey of turning ideas into income.
How much they make:
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 0
Entrepreneur's Handbook is a successful Medium publication with over 68,000 followers, and founder Dave Schools has generated revenue through branded partnerships, advertorials, and members-only content.
71. Educational products ($18K/year)
Alex, the founder of ESL With Purpose, LLC, came up with the idea for his business after realizing the need for fun and dynamic learning tools for English language learners. Starting with a dice game to help learners with phrasal verbs, he later developed the Phrase It™ cards. After testing the products with teachers and receiving permission from local schools, he embarked on the journey of designing and manufacturing the dice and cards. Despite facing setbacks and a failed product launch, Alex persisted and now averages 2-3 sales per day, generating between $600-$1,000 per month.
How much they make: $18K/year
Current team size: 0
Phrase It™ is an English language learning tool that was started with an initial investment of $4,500 and has since grown to an average of 2-3 sales per day on Amazon, with ongoing customer engagement and retention through social media, conferences, influencers, and valuable content.
72. Ballroom dancing practice guide. ($3.3K/year)
Katie, also known as The Girl with the Tree Tattoo, started her business as a simple blog to share her experiences as a ballroom dancer. After realizing there was a gap in the training of adult ballroom dance students, she wrote two books and developed a solo practice guide, which she launched through a paid beta group that quickly sold out.
How much they make: $3.3K/year
Current team size: 0
A ballroom dancer turned author created a successful business by starting a blog, writing books, and launching a signature offer, The Solo Practice Guide, which helps ballroom dance students build an effective routine for practicing on their own that fits their life.
73. Matching mom & baby clothing ($12K/year)
After becoming a mother and wanting to stay at home with her baby, Rosalee Andrea Rester was inspired by her sister-in-law's soap-making business to start her own stay-at-home business. While on a trip to Canada, she came up with the idea to put adult designs on baby shirts and showcase local art, leading to the creation of Babywit.com. Despite facing challenges such as copyright issues and counterfeit products, Rester has persevered and is now rebuilding her business to align with her vision.
How much they make: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $900
Current team size: 0
Founder Rosalee Andrea Rester shares lessons learned from running her baby apparel t-shirt company, Babywit.com, for over 16 years, including focusing on a business that is loved and nurtured, staying current with changing markets, and testing ideas before investing large sums in production.
74. Minimalist paper wallets ($48K/year)
Kan Yamamoto, the designer of Kamino Wallet, came up with the idea after searching for a slim, functional, and eco-friendly wallet but couldn't find one on the market. He quickly prototyped the design using paper and received positive feedback, leading him to launch the business. Despite facing challenges with customer acquisition, Kan continues to grow his business, generating around $1,000 in sales and maintaining a strong personal connection with his customers.
How much they make: $48K/year
Current team size: 0
Designer Kan Yamamoto started an eco-friendly paper wallet side hustle that now brings in around $1,000 in monthly sales, with 35-40% gross margins and 60-100 daily visitors mainly through organic search, Instagram, and Reddit.
75. Sustainable, fair-trade, lifestyle products ($12K/year)
Jhumkee Iyengar, a seasoned product design consultant, was inspired by her interactions with rural women in India to launch Ohrna, a sustainable and fair-trade lifestyle products brand. Drawing upon her expertise in design, Iyengar chose jute as the primary material and taught rural women artisanal skills to create handcrafted backpacks, totes, and more. Ohrna combines traditional techniques with contemporary designs and has trained and employed around 15 women, generating $12,000 in revenue in its second year.
How much they make: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K
Current team size: 2
Ohrna is a sustainable lifestyle products brand that empowers rural women in India by providing them with training and resources to create embroidered jute products, with current revenues of around $12,000 and 15 women employed.
76. Shoes and apparel ($12K/year)
Drew McNamara, the founder of Creative Souls, came up with the idea for his business while in a social entrepreneurship class during his junior year of college. He was inspired by a non-profit that had artists with disabilities selling their artwork on shirts, but noticed that no one was printing their designs onto shoes. This led him to create Creative Souls, a brand that prints designs from individuals with disabilities onto canvas shoes and apparel, providing them with opportunities for success and income.
How much they make: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $45K
Current team size: 0
Creative Souls is a shoe and apparel brand that prints designs created by individuals with disabilities onto their products, paying artists over $1,000 since August 2019, with an average of $1,000 monthly sales, while providing opportunities for people with disabilities to earn money by creating art.
77. Intentional movement for moms ($18K/year)
Kate Johnson, a CrossFit and Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coach, started her personal training business TulaFit to fill the gap in supporting women during pregnancy and postpartum. After experiencing her own struggles with pelvic pain, low back pain, and diastasis recti, Kate became passionate about educating and empowering women with strategies that support long-term strength and function. Through workshops, coaching services, and online consultations, Kate has been able to reach and help hundreds of women.
How much they make: $18K/year
Current team size: 0
CrossFit and Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coach, Kate Johnson, started TulaFit in 2018 to educate and empower pregnant and postpartum women with mindset and movement strategies, resulting in a growing business which has enabled her to reach hundreds of women through workshops, virtual sessions and social media interactions.
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.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
