28 Business Ideas For Platform Engineers [2024]
Interested in starting a business as a platform engineer in 2024?
If managed well, building a business as a platform engineer could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for platform engineers?
We put together 28 of some of the best platform engineer business ideas you can start in today.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other platform engineer businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a mobile app development business ($141K/month)
As a platform engineer, starting a mobile app development business could be a natural extension of your technical skills and software development expertise. Your existing knowledge of scalable systems, cloud infrastructure, and deployment automation would provide you with a solid foundation to create high-quality mobile applications, whether for games, productivity tools, or social networking platforms. This venture would not only allow you to leverage your existing experience but could also offer a lucrative way to supplement your income.
Moreover, businesses today are increasingly seeking to connect with their customers through mobile apps, making this a growing market with substantial demand. With your understanding of system design and performance optimization, you could differentiate your offerings by ensuring reliable, efficient, and user-friendly mobile applications. This entrepreneurial path could pave the way for an entire business, leveraging both your technical skills and newfound insights into app marketing and sales.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $700,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
This case study features Md. Yousuf Ali, the founder of Rank Trends, who shares how he started a successful digital marketing agency, which generated a revenue of over $6k per month through SEO and video production services.
2. Start an AI-based business ($27.9K/month)
As a platform engineer, you could leverage your expertise in building scalable systems and infrastructure to start an AI-based business. By creating AI-driven solutions that optimize cloud resources, automate routine tasks, or enhance system security, you position yourself as a valuable resource for companies looking to innovate their IT operations.
Additionally, you could develop AI tools or platforms that assist other engineers and developers in managing complex, multi-cloud environments more efficiently. This could diversify your income streams and potentially evolve into a thriving standalone business, allowing you to capitalize on the growing demand for AI in tech infrastructure.
How much you can make: $100 — $200,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 40 days (?)
LowCode Agency uses no/low code tools to build custom-made apps at 80% lower cost and 70% faster than traditional app development agencies, growing double digits every month and targeting $150,000 in sales in their first year.
3. Start a micro saas ($82.9K/month)
As a platform engineer, starting a micro-SaaS business could be an excellent way to supplement your income and leverage your technical skills. You could create targeted software solutions for niche markets, capitalizing on the inefficiencies or specific pain points you encounter in your daily work. This approach allows you to stay within your area of expertise while addressing unique problems that larger SaaS companies may overlook.
Since you already have in-depth knowledge of various platforms, you could develop highly customized solutions that meet the nuanced needs of your customer base. By focusing on a distinctive problem, you can build a more intimate relationship with your users and refine your product based on their feedback. This strategy ensures not only precision in addressing customer needs but also fosters a loyal user community, making your micro-SaaS venture both effective and sustainable.
How much you can make: $117 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
SuperLemon, a WhatsApp plugin for Shopify eCommerce stores, crossed $29,000 in MRR as of July 2020, with 20,000 users from 50+ countries and 1700+ paying customers, all acquired through organic marketing strategies and a relentless focus on customer service and satisfaction.
4. Start a two sided marketplace ($20.3K/month)
As a platform engineer, starting a two-sided marketplace could be an excellent opportunity to leverage your skills in infrastructure and system design to create a robust, scalable platform. By connecting service providers with consumers, similar to platforms like Airbnb or eBay, you could focus on ensuring seamless user experiences, secure transactions, and effective user verification processes. Your understanding of scalability and performance optimization would be critical in handling increasing user loads, making your marketplace more valuable as it grows.
Moreover, your expertise in automation and integration could simplify the onboarding process for both sides of the marketplace, enhancing user satisfaction and retention. With a solid grasp of network effects, you would be well-equipped to implement strategies for user acquisition and engagement, driving the marketplace’s dynamic growth. This entrepreneurial direction could not only supplement your income but also evolve into a thriving full-time venture if you manage to address significant pain points for both buyers and sellers.
How much you can make: $100 — $100,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
Muver is a mobile app for gig workers allowing them to multi-app seamlessly between Uber, Uber Eats, Doordash, Grubhub, Lyft, Instacart, and more within a single app with over $270k revenue in the past 12 months.
5. Start an ecommerce plugin ($23.4K/month)
As a platform engineer, venturing into the creation of an e-commerce plugin could be a lucrative side business or even a full-time opportunity. With your strong coding skills and deep understanding of various e-commerce platforms, you could develop a versatile plugin that integrates seamlessly with popular online stores. This would allow businesses to enhance their operations by adding new features, automating tasks, and improving their overall efficiency through your innovative solutions.
Given the growing demand for e-commerce plugins, your expertise could be pivotal in meeting the needs of businesses aiming to streamline their online sales processes. By focusing on creating a high-quality plugin with essential features like a shopping cart, payment gateway, and product catalog, you could generate a steady stream of income while significantly impacting e-commerce workflows. This entrepreneurial venture leverages your skill set, making it a practical and promising business idea.
How much you can make: $117 — $54,999/month
How much does it cost to start: $6,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
SuperLemon, a WhatsApp plugin for Shopify eCommerce stores, crossed $29,000 in MRR as of July 2020, with 20,000 users from 50+ countries and 1700+ paying customers, all acquired through organic marketing strategies and a relentless focus on customer service and satisfaction.
6. Start an email marketing tool ($249K/month)
As a platform engineer, launching an email marketing tool presents a remarkable opportunity to supplement your income or even build a full-fledged business. Leveraging your expertise in software development, automation, and system architecture, you could design a robust platform that simplifies the creation, management, and automation of email campaigns for users. Given the booming email marketing industry, projected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028, the demand for optimized, user-friendly tools is extraordinarily high.
You could tap into this market by developing features that cater to various needs, from small businesses to large enterprises. Your technical know-how allows you to incorporate advanced functionalities like personalized content, analytics, and seamless integration with other marketing tools. Not only would this meet the evolving demands of your target audience, but it would also position you as a crucial player in a rapidly expanding industry.
How much you can make: $120 — $2,083,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 170 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
7. Start a cloud management software ($129K/month)
As a platform engineer, you could leverage your expertise to develop cloud management software, addressing a critical need in the rapidly digitizing world. This software would assist companies in efficiently managing their cloud resources, covering aspects such as data storage, security compliance, and service monitoring. By creating user-friendly interfaces and robust backend systems, you could offer solutions that enhance the efficiency and security of cloud infrastructures.
The market potential for cloud management tools is significant, spanning various industries like healthcare and finance. Developing such software could not only supplement your income but also introduce you to a highly technical yet rewarding entrepreneurial venture. If you are motivated by solving complex problems and have a knack for software development, starting a cloud management software business could be the perfect next step in your career.
How much you can make: $25,000 — $330,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Third Wave Analytics developed the world's first cloud-based and customizable LIMS platform on Salesforce, generating $330k monthly revenue from clients such as Ohio State University and Boston University School of Medicine while partnering with the University of California-Berkeley for a COVID-19 study; founder Savitra Sharma advises aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on clear objectives to meet their goals.
8. Start a business communications software ($1.73M/month)
As a platform engineer, starting a business in business communications software offers a unique opportunity to capitalize on your technical expertise. You could develop cutting-edge tools that streamline communication within and between companies, enhancing workflow efficiency and productivity. Your deep understanding of backend systems and scalability will be crucial in creating reliable, user-friendly software that businesses will rely on daily.
In a market increasingly focused on technology and remote work, the demand for innovative communication solutions is massive. By leveraging your skills to bridge communication gaps and foster collaboration, you have the potential to significantly impact how companies operate. This venture not only complements your existing knowledge but also allows you to explore untapped opportunities in the booming business software industry, making it an exciting proposition for any entrepreneurial platform engineer.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $10,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
PEAR Cards is a card-based tool/game that empowers players to open up and initiate positive conversations, and with the help of Ad Magic, their Kickstarter had an all-or-nothing fundraising goal, which they met with so much support the company is now growing through the power of Twitter and Instagram.
9. Start an email app business ($64.6K/month)
As a platform engineer, venturing into an email app business capitalizes on your technical expertise and understanding of system architectures. You could develop an application that streamlines email communication by offering smart filtering, prioritization, and AI-driven responses—addressing the widespread issue of cluttered inboxes. This aligns with the growing need for efficient digital communication tools, positioning your app to capture a significant market share.
Creating this platform requires skills in software development and user interface design, areas where you already excel. By focusing on innovative features that differentiate your product from established players like Gmail and Outlook, you stand to offer a uniquely valuable service. This business endeavor not only leverages your existing knowledge but also has the potential to significantly supplement your income, transforming a side project into a lucrative venture.
How much you can make: $21 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Leave Me Alone, a web service that helps users easily unsubscribe from unwanted emails, launched in January 2019 and made $1,186 in revenue in its first month, with a successful Product Hunt launch and a focus on being an open startup contributing to its success.
10. Start a customer intelligence analytics business ($107K/month)
As a platform engineer, you could leverage your strong background in data infrastructure and analytics to start a customer intelligence analytics business. By helping companies understand and analyze their customer data, you would enable them to make data-driven decisions that can significantly enhance their business strategies. Your technical skills in managing data pipelines, databases, and analytics tools would be instrumental in setting up a robust customer intelligence platform.
With the growing popularity of this field, you could position your services to cater to both small businesses looking to optimize their marketing and sales tactics and larger enterprises aiming to improve customer retention rates. Given the success of established companies like Verint, which garnered $1.3 billion in revenue in 2022 by offering similar solutions, there's a promising market potential for your expertise. This venture could become a lucrative side business or even evolve into a full-fledged entrepreneurial endeavor in the customer intelligence space.
How much you can make: $100 — $840,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
EspoCRM, an open-source CRM application for small and mid-size businesses, has seen an average of over 16,000 downloads per year and makes up to $30k per month, offering efficient tools to systematize customer data, improve sales cycles, and automate routine administrative tasks.
11. Start a data analytics software business ($454K/month)
As a platform engineer, leveraging your expertise to start a data analytics software business could be a highly profitable endeavor. You could utilize your skills in system architecture, automation, and performance optimization to develop robust, scalable analytics solutions tailored for specific industries or niches. By focusing on creating intuitive tools like custom reporting dashboards, you could help companies make data-driven decisions more efficiently.
Identifying a niche market and its unique data needs would be crucial first steps. With your background, you could build sophisticated yet user-friendly software that addresses those needs, making data analysis accessible and action-oriented for your clients. This venture not only has the potential to supplement your income but also allows you to apply your technical skills to solve real-world business problems, ultimately offering significant value to your customers.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,200,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
Diesel Laptops, a B2B company that sells diesel diagnostic hardware, software, and services, successfully doubled revenue each year to make $20 million annually within three years, grew from its founder's garage and dining room table to a 21,000 square foot facility with over 90 employees by listening to customer pain points and offering the bundled products, technical support and repair information to attract and retain diesel technicians and repair shop owners.
12. Start a content marketing business ($91.3K/month)
As a platform engineer, your deep understanding of technology and systems can be a substantial asset in starting a content marketing business. By leveraging your expertise, you could create detailed, informative content that resonates with tech-savvy audiences and helps businesses convert leads effectively. Given that businesses with a content marketing strategy see 67% more leads than those without, your insights could be invaluable in crafting compelling, technical narratives that stand out.
Additionally, your engineering background equips you with the analytical skills to employ SEO strategies effectively and optimize content performance across various platforms. You could team up with content creators to produce high-quality, relevant content while providing strategic direction rooted in data and technical proficiency. This synergy could position your content marketing business as a go-to service provider for tech companies looking to enhance their online presence and lead generation.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 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.
13. Start a data mining and analytics tools business ($237K/month)
As a platform engineer, you could leverage your expertise to start a data mining and analytics tools business, turning raw data into actionable insights. By developing software that extracts, processes, and analyzes vast amounts of data, you could help industries like finance, healthcare, and retail uncover valuable patterns and trends. This expertise can position you as a pivotal player in an increasingly data-driven world.
Getting started would involve utilizing your strong understanding of programming, statistics, and machine learning to create sophisticated tools. With the growing demand for data-driven decision-making, your innovative solutions could help businesses make smarter strategic decisions, driving their success and transforming industries. This business not only utilizes your technical skills but also taps into the booming market for analytics, offering both challenges and substantial rewards.
How much you can make: $450 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 107 days (?)
Parseur, the data extraction tool, helps businesses automate their data entry process, catering to multiple industries such as food delivery, real estate and marketing, and has grown to over $40k in revenue per month since its launch in 2017.
14. Start an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a platform engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise to start an AI-based business solution, supplementing your income and capitalizing on your existing skills. By integrating AI into business operations, you could help companies streamline their processes, enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and make data-driven decisions. For instance, AI tools can automate repetitive tasks, provide valuable customer insights, and predict market trends, offering substantial value to businesses looking to gain a competitive edge.
Given the rapidly growing demand for AI solutions, this venture presents a lucrative opportunity. You could develop specialized AI applications tailored to optimize various aspects of business processes such as customer service, inventory management, and personalized marketing. Even if you don’t have an extensive background in AI, many platform providers offer user-friendly interfaces and robust support systems that could ease the development process. This entrepreneurial path could allow you to innovate and significantly impact business performance.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
15. Start a startup instructing business ($28.4K/month)
As a platform engineer, starting a startup instructing business could be an excellent way to supplement your income by leveraging your technical expertise and experience in building scalable, reliable systems. You could provide invaluable guidance on technical infrastructure, system architecture, and DevOps strategies to new startups, helping them avoid common pitfalls and accelerate their development cycles.
By focusing on specialized areas such as cloud implementation, automation, and system reliability, you could carve out a niche market that distinguishes you from more general business advisors. Utilizing a basic website or social media profiles to market your services, you could attract early-stage tech startups in need of tailored advice.
Offering your services at an affordable rate initially can help you build a client base and gain referrals, gradually establishing your reputation. This approach not only enhances your professional network but also offers the potential for a rewarding side hustle or even a future full-time endeavor.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
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.
16. Start an investment consulting business ($263K/month)
As a platform engineer, you could leverage your analytical skills and penchant for problem-solving by starting an investment consulting business. Your expertise in building and maintaining complex systems could translate seamlessly into the precise and strategic nature of financial advising. You already have a solid grounding in data analysis, algorithm optimization, and risk management—skills that are highly valued in the investment world.
Starting an investment consulting business would allow you to offer tailored investment strategies, helping clients grow and protect their financial assets. You could build strong client relationships and provide personalized financial advice, all while staying on top of market trends. This venture not only offers the potential for a rewarding side income but also enables you to diversify your professional portfolio and make wise financial decisions your primary gig.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $2,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.
17. Start an ecommerce marketing agency ($411K/month)
As a platform engineer, starting an ecommerce marketing agency could be a seamless transition that leverages your extensive technical skills and understanding of digital infrastructure. You could apply your expertise in building scalable, high-performing platforms to help online sellers optimize their ecommerce operations, from website performance to implementing the latest technologies.
In addition, your problem-solving skills and ability to stay updated with emerging trends would be invaluable for helping ecommerce businesses adapt and grow in a rapidly changing market. By focusing on building and maintaining reliable, efficient platforms, or even specializing in a particular niche, you could offer end-to-end services or targeted solutions that address the unique challenges faced by ecommerce brands.
This venture could not only supplement your income but also provide a fulfilling opportunity to utilize your technical prowess in a new and dynamic industry.
How much you can make: $7,500 — $8,300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Iman Gadzhi made over $1.2M in profit within two years with his social media marketing agency and education company, where he teaches entrepreneurs how to start and scale a profitable SMMA, with over 45 of his students making over six figures with their SMMA, and over 300 students having quit their regular jobs.
18. Start a dating coaching business ($13.2K/month)
As a platform engineer, starting a dating coaching business offers a unique opportunity to utilize your analytical and problem-solving skills in a different context. By applying your methodical approach to evaluating and improving systems, you could analyze clients' dating behaviors and systematically identify areas for improvement. This logical and structured guidance can be especially valuable for clients who need clear, actionable steps to enhance their dating success.
Moreover, your ability to dissect complex problems and develop efficient solutions can translate seamlessly into offering tailored advice for individuals navigating the often-confusing world of dating. By creating a user-friendly website, you could attract a broad range of clients, including teenagers, divorced individuals, or older adults, helping them refine their dating strategies. This side business not only supplements your income but also provides a rewarding avenue to make a positive impact on people's lives.
How much you can make: $1,300 — $30,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 47 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week
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.
19. Start a consulting business ($106K/month)
As a platform engineer, starting a consulting business could be a lucrative and fulfilling side gig or full-time enterprise. Your deep understanding of cloud infrastructure, DevOps practices, and scalable system architecture positions you uniquely to offer specialized advice to companies aiming to optimize their technology stacks. In a booming industry worth approximately $250 billion globally, there's a significant demand for expert guidance.
You could help startups or established businesses with infrastructure automation, continuous integration, and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, or cloud migration strategies. By leveraging your technical knowledge and industry experience, you could offer tailored solutions that drive operational efficiency and innovation. Exploring the entrepreneurial journeys of successful consultants could offer you vital insights as you navigate this promising path.
How much you can make: $100 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Cybersecurity consulting firm Eden Data, launched in March 2020, scaled to four team members and generated over $45k MRR without large startup costs through their unique Virtual CISO offering, which outsources cybersecurity and compliance needs for a flat monthly price, rather than charging by the hour or for long-term commitments.
20. Become a paid test user
As a platform engineer, you could leverage your specialized knowledge to become a paid test user for various software platforms and tools. By offering your expertise in evaluating these systems, you provide valuable feedback that developers and companies need to refine their products. This side business could be particularly lucrative given your deep understanding of system architecture, integration, and performance metrics.
Furthermore, your ability to identify and diagnose potential vulnerabilities or inefficiencies makes your input highly valuable. You could market your services to startups looking for experienced eyes to vet their initial products, or established companies aiming to optimize their existing platforms. This not only supplements your income but also keeps you engaged and sharp in the latest industry trends and technologies.
21. Develop a design tool ($408K/month)
As a platform engineer, you could leverage your technical skills and understanding of user-friendly interfaces to develop a design tool that caters to both designers and non-designers. By creating software that includes essential features like template libraries, drag-and-drop functionality, and collaborative options, you could streamline the design process for users who need to create marketing materials, web content, and other digital assets.
The increasing demand for digital content means there's a robust market for design tools that simplify professional-looking design creation. With your background in platform engineering, you could excel in developing a reliable and efficient tool, ensuring high performance and ease of use, which could attract a steady customer base and supplement your income. By combining creativity with your technical acumen, this could be a compelling and rewarding business venture.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $2,290,747/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 250 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.
22. Start a wordpress maintenance services ($24.3K/month)
As a platform engineer, starting a WordPress maintenance service could be a seamless side business or full-time venture. Leveraging your technical skills, you could manage, update, and optimize WordPress websites for clients who lack the expertise or time to handle these intricate tasks themselves.
This business idea allows you to tackle challenges like security updates, plugin and theme management, speed optimization, backups, and troubleshooting—all areas that align well with your existing skill set. Plus, the recurring nature of maintenance contracts provides a steady stream of income, making it a scalable model that can grow as you hire additional experts or automate processes.
If you’re interested in a tech-centered business that offers valuable services to a growing market, WordPress maintenance services could be a fulfilling and profitable endeavor. It's an opportunity to use your skills to ensure websites run smoothly, without the need to develop new platforms from scratch.
How much you can make: $600 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)
How long does it take to build: 22 days (?)
Work Hero is a WordPress support and maintenance service that went from working with one website in December 2019 to 13 recurring customer sites today, earning ~$1470/month with most customers paying an unlimited fee of $149/month.
23. Start a recruitment business ($333K/month)
As a platform engineer, you could leverage your deep understanding of the technical landscape to start a recruitment business specialized in the tech industry. Your insider knowledge of the skills and qualifications necessary for roles within platform engineering would allow you to effectively match employers with the right candidates.
You could begin by understanding your client's specific hiring needs and then utilizing your network, screening potential candidates, and leveraging various tools and platforms to find the perfect fit. This venture could capitalize on your existing skill set in interviewing and negotiating contracts, making it a seamless transition.
In today's competitive job market, a recruitment business run by someone with your expertise could save companies significant time and resources, while also ensuring a great match for both the employer and the employee. If you're entrepreneurial-minded and enjoy the process of helping people find the right job, this could be an incredibly rewarding side business or even a full-time endeavor.
How much you can make: $5,138 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Virtual Latinos is a win-win-win situation platform connecting entrepreneurs and business owners with top pre-vetted talent from Latin America while helping fellow Latinos find jobs with an average salary two to four times higher than in their home countries.
24. Start an online pharmacy
As a platform engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise to establish a robust, secure, and efficient online pharmacy platform. Given the rising number of internet consumers and the increasing reliance on web-based services, this business model holds substantial potential for growth. Your skill set can ensure a seamless customer experience, employing advanced security measures to protect sensitive health data and managing the backend systems to handle high traffic efficiently.
By using your engineering abilities, you could innovate on automation, streamline order handling, and create a user-friendly interface that sets your online pharmacy apart from competitors. Additionally, your understanding of scalable infrastructure would enable you to accommodate the business as it grows, ensuring sustained performance and customer satisfaction.
This venture not only supplements your income but also allows you to apply your technical skills in a thriving industry, making it an ideal side business or potentially a full-time endeavor.
How long does it take to build: 700 days (?)
25. Become an author ($227K/month)
As a platform engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise and deep understanding of complex systems to author books or articles focused on DevOps, cloud computing, infrastructure automation, or similar topics. Your experience dealing with real-world challenges and providing solutions makes you uniquely positioned to offer valuable insights that can guide other professionals in the field.
You could start by publishing short articles or e-books, using platforms like Amazon Kindle or your own blog, to establish your credibility and gather a readership. Traditional publishing is another path, where your industry insights might attract interest from publishers looking for content experts.
By diversifying your income through book sales, royalties, and potentially speaking engagements or workshops, you could build a supplementary income stream or even transition into a full-time author role, if desired.
How much you can make: $200 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
This case study follows full-time thriller and action-adventure author Nick Thacker who earns between $10k to $20k per month from writing, predominantly through Amazon Kindle Unlimited sales, and goes in-depth into his self-publishing strategy which maximizes sales and minimizes costs, such as developing a mailing list and utilizing print-on-demand services.
26. Start a product photography business ($27.2K/month)
Starting a product photography business could be an intriguing avenue for a platform engineer looking to supplement their income. Your technical expertise and problem-solving skills can complement the meticulous nature of catching the perfect shot and editing photos for commercial use. Online merchants are always in need of high-quality images to showcase their products, so your proficiency can help fill this demand.
You could use your knowledge of digital platforms to set up an efficient workflow for managing client projects and edits. Moreover, combining your engineering background with photography could enable you to develop innovative solutions that make your service standout, such as custom automation scripts for rapid photo processing. This side venture could provide not only financial rewards but also a creative outlet, making it a well-rounded entrepreneurial pursuit.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $84,239/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
27. Start a social media management business ($128K/month)
As a platform engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise to start a social media management business. Your analytical skills would be invaluable for marketing analysis and developing data-driven strategies that enhance your clients' online presence. Understanding the backend mechanisms of social platforms could also help you optimize account setups and develop tailored solutions to boost engagement.
You could manage social media accounts, create and schedule posts, and devise strategies to grow your clients' followings, all while maintaining the flexibility of choosing your work schedule and preferred niches. This type of side business could seamlessly complement your technical day job, allowing you to diversify your income sources and make a significant impact in digital marketing.
How much you can make: $100 — $550,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study is about how the founder of AdvertiseMint, a Facebook advertising agency, started the company with just one employee and has since grown it to 25 employees, managing close to $100 million in digital media buys for clients such as Coca-Cola and Viacom.
28. Start a jewelry product ($167K/month)
As a platform engineer, starting a jewelry business could be an exciting way to blend your technical skills with your creative interests. The meticulous attention to detail and problem-solving skills you use daily can be invaluable when designing custom or unique jewelry pieces. With your ability to create efficient and optimized systems, you could streamline the production process and logistics of your business.
You could utilize online platforms like Etsy or build your own ecommerce site to reach a wide audience, leveraging your tech expertise to create a user-friendly shopping experience. Social media, particularly Instagram, can help you market your products effectively, drawing on your ability to analyze data and trends to target the right customers. By offering personalized and limited-edition jewelry, you could build a loyal customer base and turn your artistic passion into a profitable side business or even a full-time venture.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $415,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Taylor & Hart CEO Nikolay Piriankov tells the story of the company's journey from a diamond trading business to an award-winning, disruptive e-tailer of custom-designed, ethical engagement rings and fine jewelry, offering a bespoke design service through specifically developed technology online and instore, and growing to £4-6M in annual revenue.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
