The Best 49 Online Business Ideas You Can Start In 2024
If you have goals to become an entrepreneur, then starting a business from home is likely to be your first step to begin your journey toward financial freedom.
Starting from the comfort of your own house allows you to spend more time with your family, take care of any kids or pets, and still earn additional income at the same time.
We put together a list of businesses you can start from home today:
1. Start a podcast
The podcast business involves creating and producing audio content that people can listen to online.
It’s a popular form of entertainment and information-sharing.
To start a podcast business on a budget, you'll need a few key steps.
First, choose a niche or topic that you're passionate about and that has an audience.
Next, get basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones.
Then, find a free or affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes.
Finally, promote your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth to build an audience and potentially attract sponsors or advertisers.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
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.
2. Start a freelance writing business
Freelance writing can be a good career choice if you are looking for a flexible online job.
Working as a freelancer gives you the flexibility to define your work schedule. You can work from home at any time. Freelance writers work across various niches, writing about various topics assigned by the client,
To earn good money as a freelance writer, you need the following personal qualities:
- Strong writing skills
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Stay on the cutting edge
- Be a self-starter
- Be up-to-date with the current writing tools & writing trends
- Proper communication skills
How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
3. Start a youtube channel
For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement. In addition, YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation.
In this article, we'll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers. While there's no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube's popularity to earn extra income.
If you want to join the Youtube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
4. Create an online course
An online course business involves creating and selling digital classes teaching specialized skills or knowledge to subscribed students.
As an entrepreneurial course creator, you identify educational gaps around topics you have expertise in and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials.
With flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, building a student base provides passive income potential.
For founders who enjoy information-sharing, launching an online course platform presents a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents with small startup costs by serving eager lifelong learners seeking convenient access to emerging subjects.
How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
5. Become an online fitness coach
Online fitness coaching is using live or recorded video to offer fitness classes to an online audience at a fee. To become successful in business, online fitness coaches should possess the following personal qualities:
- Stay focused on clients’ needs and goals
- Be ready to walk the talk
- Ask the clients questions
- Focused on educating the client
- Adjust to a language clients understand
Increase in number of internet usersand more hours spent online, online businesses will keep thriving.
Therefore, fitness coaches looking to expand their businesses or venture into new markets can consider starting an online fitness coach business.
How much you can make: $250 — $82,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
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.
6. Start a women's clothing line
Starting a women’s clothing brand is a great way to enter entrepreneurship. You don’t need to have millions of dollars or vast experience to start your clothing line—just the drive and determination to be your own boss.
Women’s fashion has come a long way over the last decade, and there are many growth opportunities! New trends are constantly emerging, and old ones are returning, too, so there will always be an audience for your new designs if you keep up with the times (and stay on top of them).
How much you can make: $500 — $600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
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.
7. Become a freelance app developer
A freelance app developer is a programmer who creates mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. Freelance app development business targets creating various apps that give a user-friendly experience.
To become a freelance app developer, first, touch up on your skills. There are several courses available online. Once you obtain the certification, choose your niche and focus on your skill set.
Then the best way to showcase your work is to build a portfolio website where you will display your skills, projects, and testimonials. Another way to promote yourself is to create your brand and blog. This will, in turn, build a network, and you will be able to connect with people and attract more clients.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
A software agency started by a non-technical founder helps diverse clients with their minimum lovable product, boasting a revenue of over $700,000 this year with a 20% profit margin and a team of 8.
8. Start a resume writing business
The resume writing business is a service that helps job applicants write professional resumes, provide details about their past experiences, and highlight their skills. Resume writing makes it easier for clients to capture hiring managers’ attention and shows they are fully qualified on paper.
A successful resume writer should have strong communication skills, proofreading skills, typing skills, and relevant business experience. Besides, the resume writer should have strong interpersonal skills and proven success.
According to glassdoor, 68% of job seekers who hire professional resume writers find a job within 90 days. The study also points out that professionally written resumes score jobs faster and earn more.
Therefore, the demand for professional resume-writing businesses will keep increasing.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $62,500/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
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.
9. Become a proofreader
Proofreading business is a service that helps customers review their written work and ensure it is ready for publication. Typically, a proofreader corrects grammatical errors and provides the written piece meets any relevant style guide.
As a proofreader, you can work online, allowing you to choose what time to work.
If you plan to start a professional proofreading business, make sure you possess the following skills:
- Have an excellent grasp of grammar
- Ability to correct mistakenly capitalized words
- Familiarity with the proper use of capitalization
- Use spell-checkers to flag misspelled words
Proofreading is a great way to enhance content quality. With the increased use of written content marketing to reach a broader market, the demand for professional proofreaders has grown tremendously. Professional proofreaders earn an average of $12/hr. And $30/hr.
Therefore, consider proofreading as a business if you are looking for a great side hustle idea or simply looking for ways to increase your income.
How much you can make: $2,000/month
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.
10. Start a handmade goods business
A handmade craft business entails selling own-crafted products on online platforms like Alibaba, Etsy, an independent website, or social media.
To succeed in selling handmade goods, you'll need solid creative skills. Your creativity can help you build a strong brand.
And with online marketplaces, handmade shopping has become a popular trend.
In recent years, consumers worldwide have shown their support of independent businesses and entrepreneurs, especially those venturing into the handmade goods business.
How much you can make: $200 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 92 days (?)
A patch embroidery business based in New York City has grown to earn $6,500 per month on average within 18 months of starting, thanks to no custom embroidered minimum patches and a strong Instagram presence, with a future focus on B2B customers.
11. Start a niche blog
Starting a niche blog can be a great way to engage with a passionate online community by sharing your expertise on a specific topic.
The first step is to identify a profitable and underserved niche, such as fashion, video games, film reviews, cooking, and more.
Find your niche and create unique and informative content, such as articles, commentary, news, how-to guides, top product lists, convention coverage, video interviews, and spotlights.
To monetize your blog, gain visibility and followers, provide affiliate links, grow a YouTube channel, collaborate with relevant brands, and speak at events.
To succeed in niche blogging, you need to have a passion for your topic, create engaging content, and regularly engage with your followers.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
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.
12. 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 (?)
Never Settle, a digital agency with over 1,000 completed projects and a focus on lean methodology and building relationships with clients, has made a name for itself in the eCommerce space, offering comprehensive solutions to businesses of all sizes while maintaining consistent and moderate growth.
13. Become a college counselor
A college counselor is a professional who assists students with their educational and professional goals. The role helps students navigate careers they hope to pursue after college. Therefore, in this business, you support students undergoing personal or familiar challenges in choosing their career paths. To become a successful college counselor, you must possess the following qualities:
- Organized with your practice
- Practice ethically and professionally
- Educate yourself
- Confidence in your position and responsibility.
- Respectful and non-judgmental
The demand for school and college counselors is growing tremendously. Therefore, it is a great time to start offering the services.
How much you can make: $50,000 — $57,345/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
EdTech company ConnecPath created WeAdmit, a platform for data science-backed college counseling, acquiring a $50,000 per month run rate, 20 paid contracts and 10 about to be signed, which aims to match students with the right mentors and offer a predictions service based on IQ and personality.
14. Start a finance blog
A finance blog is a feature appearing as part of an online publication relating to finance and consisting of articles or personal commentary. A finance blog earns income through sponsored content or simple marketing programs. To succeed in business, a finance blogger should:
- Have a good writing background
- Understand the industry from a concept or fundamental standpoint
- Be passionate about the topics
- Be well organized and maximize the work schedule.
Starting a finance blog involves a low financial investment, while there is a considerable possibility for success. There are minimal overhead costs, saving you time and money. Therefore, starting a finance blog is an incredible business opportunity.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Financial media company MarketBeat, founded by Matt Paulson, provides objective financial information and real-time market data to empower individual stock investors to make better trading decisions, generating approximately $8 million in revenue in 2019 and ending the year with over 1.3 million unique email subscribers due to a freemium model with 75% of revenue from advertising and 25% from subscriptions.
15. Create an online course
An online course business involves creating and selling digital classes teaching specialized skills or knowledge to subscribed students.
As an entrepreneurial course creator, you identify educational gaps around topics you have expertise in and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials.
With flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, building a student base provides passive income potential.
For founders who enjoy information-sharing, launching an online course platform presents a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents with small startup costs by serving eager lifelong learners seeking convenient access to emerging subjects.
How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
16. Start a digital agency
A digital agency’s task is to make a business reach its advertising, marketing, or technology-related goals. Anyone with enough knowledge and passion for digital marketing can start and run a profitable digital marketing agency. With the proper skill set, the right tools, and the right mindset, you can start a successful digital agency.
The global digital agency market reached a value of nearly $305B in 2020. The future growth prospects of the digital agency market are projected to be high due to the rising population of people consuming and creating content through digital channels.
How much you can make: $100 — $3,699,632/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
How this founder started a $100K/month guaranteed transcription service for medical, legal, law enforcement, financial, academic and general business industries, winning the NASPO ValuePoint transcription services contract over 26 other companies and learning valuable lessons about getting a coach and getting as much PR as possible.
17. Start a meal prep business
A meal preparation business is a service that delivers prepared meals to its clients in the comfort of their own homes. The meal preparation business is a fast-emerging niche that offers a real opportunity to earn good money. To succeed, the starter must be efficient in the meal preparation and ensure proper communication skills. Besides, the entrepreneur must keep time when it comes to delivery to avoid customer disappointment.
A global survey shows that demand for food delivery service is on the rise. This is as people get busier with their careers and other more important tasks, leaving limited time to prepare meals and bond with friends.
Therefore, starting a meal preparation business can be a great way to earn extra monies.
How much you can make: $50,000 — $600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 6 days (?)
Healthy Chew is a profitable weekly meal preparation service that grew from 200 to 10,000 weekly bowls in just over 3 years, with an overall sales figure of $1.8 million, achieved through effective branding and personalised customer service.
18. Start an exercise app
A fitness app business focuses on selling fitness classes to application users. The ideal market includes fitness coaches, who opt to purchase a ready-made fitness app to engage their target audience and grow their business.
To start an exercise app, you need to learn to code and develop strong analytical skills. Besides, you need well-honed communication skills and learn to deliver projects on time.
With the uptake of online fitness classes increasing, it is such an excellent time for app developers to focus on this growing niche. Typically, online coaches are looking for well-developed applications to help them reach the target audience. Therefore, app developers looking for great business opportunities can choose to focus on the exercise app industry.
How much you can make: $250 — $1,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 142 days (?)
Joel Runyon built an iPhone fitness app called MoveWell that currently brings in about $1,200-$1,800 per month, and is looking to expand the business by adding coaches, more content, and branded partnerships.
19. 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 (?)
Innerglow Art is a successful custom abstract painting business that incorporates scripture and personable connection with buyers to produce beautiful and unique artwork.
20. Start a travel booking app
The travel industry is a booming business, and it’s only getting bigger. Online booking apps have made it easier for people to book their travel arrangements, and they are becoming more popular each year.
If you want to start a travel booking app, you should have a strong understanding of the travel industry and be experienced in programming too.
The recent trends that are making this business more popular are the growth of the travel industry and the rise of mobile technology. Businesses are looking for ways to offer their customers a convenient way to book travel arrangements.
Starting a travel booking app can be interesting and profitable. It offers a unique opportunity to develop an app that can be used by businesses to reach their customers. This is a great opportunity for those who want to get involved in the travel booking industry and learn more about how it works.
How much you can make: $2,800 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 285 days (?)
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.
21. Start a skills training business
It is a great idea to start a skill training business with a website-oriented online presence, aimed towards helping people learn new skills. Starting your own skills training business doesn’t require a lot of money, but it can have a significant impact on your life and others.
The global skills training market is expected to reach $47.2B by 2027. If you’re looking for financial freedom, starting your own skills training business is the way to go. Training clients and building an impressive portfolio will allow you to charge higher rates and start living the life of your dreams.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $350,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Online learning community Frontend Mentor has over 200,000 members, with over 1,500 paid subscribers generating over $15,000 MRR, offering professionally designed challenges to improve front-end coding skills with a freemium business model and a focus on real-life experience.
22. 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 (?)
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.
23. Start a tech support business
In today’s world, technology plays a crucial role in our day-to-day lives. Therefore, the need for technical support has become increasingly critical. A tech support business can provide invaluable assistance and troubleshooting services to individuals and companies facing software, hardware, or any other technology problems.
If you’re considering starting a tech support business, you must have a solid understanding of technical skills and possess experience in IT support roles.
Providing exceptional customer service is critical to the success of your tech support business. Actively listening to your clients and thoroughly diagnosing their issues is crucial. Additionally, offering clear and patient support will help you to build a loyal client base.
Finally, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and maintain a comprehensive knowledge base to address a wide range of technical questions and problems effectively. This will help you to provide your clients with the best possible service and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
How much you can make: $150 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
A passionate computer-coder entrepreneur shares the story behind his successful PDFShift business which after a year and a half generates $3.2k of monthly revenues with the focus now on growth.
24. Start a Coffee Subscription Box
Coffee Subscription Box is a business that delivers high-quality coffee to your door. Coffee subscription boxes are popular with those who like to try new flavors or types of coffee. A subscription box will include a variety of coffees from different places and at different times.
You can also use this subscription box idea to market your business by offering discounts or other incentives to people who sign up for your coffee club.
The Coffee Subscription Box business idea is easy to start and it is very profitable because it is affordable. Consumers spend over $74 billion on coffee and the coffee industry generates over $68 billion in income per year.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $65,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week
Blue Coffee Box increased its monthly revenue to $14,000 by offering a specialty coffee subscription service that curates from various roasters after being inspired by a trip to the United States and learning about the niche coffee subscription service they offer.
25. Start a maid service software
Consumer demand for maid service is increasing at a significant rate. Experts attribute the increase in demand to the growing number of households and increasing disposable income.
High demand has created multiple opportunities, including starting a maid service software.
If you are interested in technology-based business opportunities, you can build a maid service software that connects customers to available domestic workers.
You do not need to be a programmer to build maid service software. You can hire programmers through online freelancing platforms like Upwork or purchase a ready-made service and tweak it to suit your business model.
How much you can make: $237,177/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 80 days (?)
Amar Ghose co-founded ZenMaid, a software company servicing the house cleaning industry, which has now passed the half a million dollar yearly mark and intends to break the one million dollar a year barrier in late-2020, using paid advertising as a lead magnet and extensive email marketing funnel.
26. Start an adventure travel agent
Adventure travel is a type of tourism in which the tourist seeks out and experiences various physical, emotional, and mental challenges.
Adventure travel agents are experts in the field of adventure travel. The travel agents know what to expect and can help you with everything from booking flights, to finding the right hotel, to getting a visa.
Adventure travel agents book trips on travelers’ behalf and helps them plan the trips. They know the best places to visit, what time of year suits that destination, and what experiences are available. A successful adventure travel agency starts with a solid business plan. A good business plan is a foundation for any business and can be the difference between success and failure.
What should you include in your adventure travel agency business plan? A feasibility study, a marketing strategy, financial projections, a SWOT analysis, and more. The key to success is finding a niche you are passionate about and well-versed in.
How much you can make: $7,500 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 175 days (?)
Araratour, led by Nune Tatunts, experienced impressive revenue growth, doubling its 2018 revenue to bring in $13,000 a month in 2019, offering combined tours around the Caucasus and Central Asia, and now has an office in three countries.
27. Start a journal brand
A journal is a newspaper or a magazine that covers a particular subject or a professional activity based on the author's thoughts and feelings. The beauty of journaling is there is no right or wrong way to start.
The approach depends on your personal experience and can take many forms.
Find a journaling habit that works for you and create a writing routine. Get creative and journal about anything that comes to mind, so long as it interests your target audience.
How much you can make: $200 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.
28. Start a stationery business
A stationery business sells stationery products such as paper goods, notebooks, greeting cards, and envelopes.
The best part about starting a stationery business is that it's relatively easy and inexpensive to get started.
Since there are so many different types of products available in this industry, there are endless opportunities for creativity, customization, and expansion.
You could even start out small by selling your products on Etsy or eBay before opening up an actual storefront.
How much you can make: $200 — $260,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.
29. Start a natural beauty product business
Natural beauty products include aloe vera, honey, or cocoa butter. They contain no chemical or synthetic elements.
The global natural skin care products market size was valued at $6.7 billion in 2021.
Thinking about launching a beauty product line? What’s holding you back? Check out our case studies below to see how others have done it!
How much you can make: $300 — $658,333/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Bey Moss, an e-commerce platform selling sea moss-infused health and wellness products, made over $800,000 to-date with less than $10,000 overall in ads after validating the product idea through reviews and feedback and leveraging their social media following to build a Bey Moss community.
30. Start a board game
Ever thought about turning your love for board games into a business? Launching a board game business involves designing unique games that captivate players and create memorable experiences.
You'll need to brainstorm innovative concepts, develop engaging gameplay mechanics, and test prototypes extensively. Once your game has a solid foundation, look into manufacturing options and consider crowdfunding to handle production costs.
This venture is both creatively fulfilling and commercially viable, offering a chance to bring joy to countless households. If you're passionate about games and looking to invest in a rewarding project, starting a board game business could be the perfect avenue for your entrepreneurial spirit.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
How Will Roya built a $100K/month business selling and designing playing cards and decks, using Kickstarter to fund his own decks, and focusing on great customer service, SEO, and new products to retain customers.
31. Start a Greeting Cards Business
People use greeting cards to mark births, deaths, graduations, anniversaries, and other parties or events.
If you love helping people celebrate special occasions, starting a greeting card business can be a great business opportunity.
When starting a greeting card business, choose a potential niche and write a business plan.
Then, find an ideal spot to sell the greeting cards.
For instance, you can offer greeting card design and posting services, so customers can choose the best designs and post greeting cards online.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 77 days (?)
Joker Greeting sells unique prank gifts, including a non-stop musical birthday card, an idea raised by the founders visiting their mom's house, having no website or marketing and yet raising $92,073 on Kickstarter in 30 days due to being picked up by media, enabling them to sell 15,000 units in the first year, owned SEO for their niche, selling almost 40,000 units in 2017 and expected to reach 50,000 to 60,000 in 2018 with a small team, using Shopify and various social media channels with lots of organic traffic.
32. Start a men's grooming company
A men’s barbershop just covers basic hair and facial hair needs. However, a men’s grooming service offers other services like waxing, plucking, facial peels, deep tissue massage, and much more.
According to experts, the demand for male grooming products and services will grow at approximately 6% CAGR, to reach $110 Billion in the next few years.
Therefore, 2024 could be the best time to start a men’s grooming business.
How much you can make: $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
American men's grooming company Beardbrand has grown from a $30 investment to seven figures and bootstrapped its expansion, thanks to a focus on content creation that allows the firm to control its audience and own its email database. The company originated after founder Eric Bandholz attended a beard enthusiasts' gathering and coined the term "urban beardsman" to describe traditional men who "didn't fit the typical stereotypes," and has benefited from coverage including a New York Times piece and TV appearance on Shark Tank.
33. Become a corporate trainer
Harness your expertise to help businesses thrive with corporate training.
Corporate training involves developing and delivering customized programs to sharpen the skills and enhance the performance of employees within a company. By designing courses tailored to an organization’s specific needs, you’ll provide valuable insights and tools that foster professional development.
Entering this field means more than just teaching; it requires extensive research, strategic planning, and effective communication to ensure impactful delivery. You’ll need to stay updated on industry trends and continuously adapt your programs to be relevant and engaging.
For those with a passion for education and a knack for understanding business dynamics, corporate training offers a fulfilling career path. It’s a direct way to make a tangible difference in workplace culture and efficiency, all while establishing yourself as a trusted advisor in professional growth.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $20,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
A 22-year-old entrepreneur from Vienna built a $10k/month personal growth business by executing ideas quickly and targeting needs, as well as delivering quality services and personal connections to his customers.
34. Start a pet store
Pet stores are retail businesses that sell animals and pet supplies. They are a leading industry category with sales of approximately $4.5B U.S dollars and positive sales growth of 2.7%.
You can set up a pet store in many places, like supermarkets, malls, or pet supply stores.
The first thing to do is to find a location for your store. A good place would be an area with many residential buildings, schools, and colleges as this will give you access to many customers. It would help if you also looked for a location near public transport as it will make it easier for people to come and visit your store.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,833,333/month
How long does it take to build: 238 days (?)
Mechanical engineer and avid bike rider Mike Leon turned his hobby of creating a safe bike-to-leash attachment for his service dog into a 6-figure business, shipping from hundreds to thousands of 1-Running-Dog Bike Tow Leashes per year to dog owners, military and law enforcement, and search and rescue teams.
35. Start a PPC consulting agency
Paid advertising offers a 200% ROI. Considering the enormous potential PPC brings to a business, startups incorporate the same in their marketing strategy. However, many business owners do not understand how to implement PPC campaigns.
Do you understand digital marketing and how paid advertising works? Starting a PPC consulting business can be rewarding. If you do not know how Google ads work, you can outsource a PPC consultant to enhance your paid advertising campaigns.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $390,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $4,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Big Flare is a location-independent PPC advertising agency that spends over $3M per year on Google Ads for their small to mid-sized e-commerce clients, with a team of five spread across five different countries and timezones, and plans to grow to a $10M+ company within 10 years.
36. 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 (?)
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.
37. Start a therapy business
Therapists are professionals licensed to help patients cope with mental and emotional challenges. A therapist listens to the client's challenges and works with the client in developing a plan to confront the challenges and achieve an improved life.
If you plan to become a therapist, you should consider what type of therapy you wish to provide. Then, earn the necessary certifications and licenses to practice.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
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.
38. Start a gift store
Running a gift store business involves selecting and selling unique, personalized products suitable for both special events and everyday celebrations.
As a business owner, you have the opportunity to source and showcase festive home decorations, gourmet delicacies, and handmade crafts that cater to different seasons and occasions throughout the year.
With the flexibility to offer various items and services driven by creativity and location, building a thriving local gift store allows owners to shape the shopping experience and create a sense of nostalgia in their community.
For aspiring entrepreneurs who possess a talent for adding special touches, opening a gift shop provides an opportunity to turn their passion into profit while designing cheerful and memorable experiences for their customers.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $749,997/month
How much does it cost to start: $6,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
This case study features a flight attendant who started an e-commerce business selling educational tooth fairy kits that include real foreign coins, which now generates around $8,000 per month in sales.
39. Start a CBD business
Cannabidiol, abbreviated as CBD, is becoming a household name, and its proponents believe this is for good reasons. Reports indicate that CBD treats several conditions, including chronic pain, inflammation, migraines, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, and anxiety.
Market trend researchers indicate the CBD market will grow by a CAGR of 21.7 % over the next few years. Rising awareness of cannabidiol’s health benefits and its effectiveness in managing pain are some factors propelling the CBD industry’s growth.
Therefore, starting a CBD business in 2024 could be the best decision you are yet to agree to. Some high-potential CBD business ideas and opportunities include:
- Become a CBD distributor.
- Form CBD cooperatives.
- Run a CBD podcast.
- CBD marketer.
- CBD blogger and reviewer.
- Make and sell CBD bottles and containers.
- Start a CBD subscription box service.
- Start a CBD courier business.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Plain Jane, an online CBD company founded by two college roommates, offers unique products and has generated over $20K a month in sales within five months, attracting and retaining customers through social media, authentic stories, and content.
40. 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
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.
41. 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. 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 (?)
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.
42. Start a life coaching business
Life coach helps people in various areas of their lives using a combination of emotional intelligence, professional knowledge, and experience.
Life coaching is a popular industry worth over $2.85 billion, and the number of life coaches has increased by 33% between 2015-2019.
This is a very profitable business and can be started at virtually no cost. You’ll need a computer, a high-speed Internet connection, and a LinkedIn account to start. Then, you can begin coaching part-time in your spare time until you build up your clientele.
How much you can make: $100 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
GrowthMentor, a platform connecting vetted growth mentors for one-on-one calls, founded by Fotis Panagiotakopoulos, has had over 2,500 mentorship calls booked to date and has seen success in using word of mouth, content marketing, and leveraging other people's networks as the primary drivers of customer acquisition.
43. Start a branding agency
A branding agency helps create, develop, maintain and improve brands. The role of branding agencies is to create, plan, measure, and manage branding strategies for clients to support them in advertising and other promotions.
Business branding has always been a vital part of a business. With branding, businesses reach more customers daily and stay relevant to their existing customers. As companies compete to get more customers and remain relevant, there is a high demand for branding solutions.
Starting a branding agency can be a profitable and satisfying business venture. To start a branding agency, you must be able to weave together disparate pieces of data and information into compelling narratives so you can help a business convey its story or express its unique values and culture.
How much you can make: $1,300 — $350,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
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.
44. Start a jewelry making business
The global jewelry market size was valued at $278B in 2018 and is expected to reach $292B by 2025.
The industry comprises manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and jewelry designers. Unlike many other industries that have gone through leaps in technology, the jewelry industry has remained untouched for over 40 years.
If you know how to make jewelry, then this might be a great way to make some extra money.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $2,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
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.
45. Start a travel blog
If you are an avid traveler, you will agree there is nothing like arriving on a tropical island. The exotic creatures, clear oceans, palm trees, plenty of water activities, and cool weather are some reasons travelers choose tropical destinations.
Do you live on a tropical island? Or maybe you are a blogger looking for the next idea. How about starting a blog relating to tropical island destinations? You can mention all the fantastic sightseeing sites, water activities, and other fun activities available to travelers.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)
Two friends started an online book club that now has 570 members and generates £10,500 MRR, by addressing the problem of 'Tsundoku,' charging a monthly subscription fee for one non-fiction book, one inspiring meetup, and one custom cocktail, inspiring conversation and community.
46. 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
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.
47. Start a mom blog
Parenting may be an overwhelming journey. Mothers result to the internet to read stories from other moms.
Reading mom’s blogs makes parenting feel less alone a long way. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or passionate about parenting, you can consider starting a mommy blog.
You can make money through affiliate links or by selling your merchandise on the blog. To increase traffic to your blog, include resourceful and encouraging content.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $10,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
Mom blogger creates two related businesses, one generating 8-10k Canadian dollars per month in traffic revenue, and another offering courses to new bloggers about how to monetize their sites, all at an initial investment of $2,000, and largely based on her Pinterest presence.
48. Build a SEO tool
SEO tools provide data and alerts about the health and success of a website. Website owners and businesses are looking for tools to help them quickly identify and fix SEO issues. Thus, starting an SEO business that focuses on developing SEO tools can be a rewarding career.
How much you can make: $2,800 — $850,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Solo founder Todd Hooper bootstrapped Prerender.io from zero to $2.5 million in ARR over 5 years by releasing an open-source project on Github and turning it into an SEO-friendly version of React, Angular, and Javascript websites, and then offering it as a SaaS service for businesses.
49. Start a career transition coaching business
Thinking about helping people redefine their career paths? A career transition coaching business might be for you. Career transition coaching involves guiding individuals through significant career shifts, whether they're looking to switch industries, find new roles, or re-enter the workforce.
The process requires a deep understanding of clients' goals, coupled with actionable strategies to help them achieve their aspirations. You’ll work closely with clients, offering personalized advice, resume revamps, interview preparation, and networking strategies.
If you have a knack for motivating others and a background in career development or human resources, consider diving into this rewarding field. Helping people navigate their career journeys not only changes their lives but also builds a fulfilling, impactful business for you.
Starting a career transition coaching business might be a challenging endeavor, but the potential to make a real difference and build a solid client base is substantial. The demand for quality career advice is growing, making this a timely and meaningful business opportunity.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $10,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $540 (?)
How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)
instamentor is a job interview coaching platform launched in Jan 2021 with $120K annual revenue, helping young professionals and fresh college graduates break into the tech industry by offering 1:1 paid coaching sessions with experienced industry mentors and career consulting.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
