The 41 Best Home-Based Businesses To Start In Spain [2024]

Updated: June 21st, 2022

Interested in starting a business in Spain in 2024?

We put together 41 of the best businesses you can start in Spain today.

In this list of ideas, you can find:

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

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

Here's the full list:

1. Start a luxury watch business

A luxury watch business is a company that specializes in selling high-end, premium-quality wristwatches.

These watches are often crafted with high-end materials, precision engineering, and meticulous attention to detail, resulting in timepieces that are not only functional but also highly desirable status symbols.

The business involves sourcing or designing luxury watches, establishing a brand identity, and marketing these elegant timepieces to a discerning clientele who appreciate fine craftsmanship and exclusivity.

Running a luxury watch business involves managing inventory, providing excellent customer service, marketing, and maintaining financial stability. It also requires staying updated on industry trends and continuously improving operations for long-term success.

How much you can make: $480,000/month

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

How We Launched A $2.5M Luxury Watches Marketplace

Chronoexpert, a luxury watches marketplace, has seen revenue exceeding 2.5M Euros in less than three years, with a growth potential of more than 20% YoY in the pre-owned market, highlighting the viability and potential of a pre-loved focus.

Read by 7,371 founders

2. Start an ecommerce retailing business

Starting an ecommerce retailing business can be your gateway to the vast online market. At its core, this business involves selling products directly to consumers through an online store.

Combine your passion for products with a user-friendly e-commerce platform like Shopify or WooCommerce, and you’re well on your way. The beauty of ecommerce is its flexibility—you can choose products that align with your interests or tap into trending consumer demands.

From setting up a professional website to managing inventory and handling marketing strategies, expect to wear many hats. Yet, the rewards are compelling: a global customer base, potential for scaling, and control over your brand.

If you’re eager to blend creativity with commerce, ecommerce retailing offers a promising avenue to explore. Dive in to create your own online retail empire.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $3,000,000/month

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

How We Started A $100K/Month Startup Incubator And Investment Fund

Learn how Bcombinator, a startup incubator co-founded by a serial entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience, has launched around 25 startups and worked with over 100 entrepreneurs with their incubation, acceleration, mentoring, training, networking, and investment fund programs.

Read by 5,275 founders

3. Start a business startup instruction business

Starting a business startup instruction business can be your next big venture.

This business focuses on guiding aspiring entrepreneurs through the complexities of launching their own startups. From ideation to actual execution, your role is to provide a structured roadmap, essential resources, and expert advice.

Many dream of starting a business but don't know where to begin. By offering a blend of educational content, workshops, and one-on-one consultations, you can fill that gap and help others bring their visions to life.

This business doesn't require a hefty initial investment, but it does demand a robust understanding of the startup ecosystem, keen problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate effectively. It’s not just about inspiring others; it's about equipping them with the know-how to succeed.

How much you can make: $2,246 — $1,399,996/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 110 days (?)

How We Started A $100K/Month Startup Incubator And Investment Fund

Learn how Bcombinator, a startup incubator co-founded by a serial entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience, has launched around 25 startups and worked with over 100 entrepreneurs with their incubation, acceleration, mentoring, training, networking, and investment fund programs.

Read by 5,275 founders

4. Start a web development business

A web development business is a company that builds and takes care of websites. They typically use coding and design skills to create online spaces that meet the needs of individuals or businesses.

These businesses help ensure websites work well and look good, playing a key role in the online presence of their clients.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $700,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

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

On Starting A Web Development Agency In The Early 00s And Growing It To $75K/Month And 20 Employees

LA TEVA WEB, a web design and online marketing agency in Spain, started with just one person and has grown to a team of 20 professionals, becoming profitable and achieving growth every year with the key to success being a good academic background that helps to devise a sound strategy, love for the work, and a good team committed to the project in the long term.

Read by 7,477 founders

5. Start a content marketing agency

Content is the currency of the digital world. Today, more and more businesses need to work with writers and content marketers. If you want to get into these kinds of jobs, you should start a writers' or content marketing agency.

Worldwide content marketing industry revenue was estimated at roughly $66B in 2021. The source projected that it would increase to $76B in 2022 and that it would continue growing over the further years to reach $137B in 2026.

Content marketing will continue to grow in significance with the increased use of digital channels. Therefore, the demand for content marketers is projected to grow by 27% over the next few years.

How much you can make: $500 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

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

We Took Our Agency From Zero To $720K/Year In 3.5 Years

Find out how a creative content marketing agency grew from a team of two with only €500 in the bank, to a 10+ person team generating €720k a year, by prioritizing a niche market, providing excellent service, word of mouth, and consistent quality work.

Read by 4,918 founders

6. Build an analytics tool

Analytics tools are software or apps that help people to make data-driven decisions. They do this by providing users with the ability to access, visualize, and analyze the data.

If you have strong technical skills, then this could be a profitable business idea for you.

QlikView is one of the best Self-Service Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Data Analytics tool. In 2022, QlikView generates $750M in revenue.

With the rise of big data, more companies are realizing the importance of data and are looking for ways to make use of it.

Building an analytics tool is a great business idea because it's a tool that can be used by businesses of all sizes. Small businesses can use it to make better decisions about their operations, while larger businesses can use it to track and improve their performance.

How much you can make: $20 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,750 (?)

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

I Spent All My Savings Developing A Ghostboard Analytics Tool

Ghostboard is a GDPR-ready analytics tool for Ghost bloggers that achieved an MRR of $450, without spending any money on ads, and plans to focus on marketing and add more open-source projects for the future.

Read by 2,978 founders

7. Start a marketing agency

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

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

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

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

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

How My Agency Helped Customers Generate Over $5.8M in Online Sales

This case study follows the story of Brice Gump, founder and CEO of Major Impact Media, a hybrid agency/education company that has generated over $5.8M in online sales for their clients through their marketing services.

Read by 3,603 founders

8. Start a shoe brand

Starting a shoe business can be very lucrative - you can make money by selling shoes, but you can also make money by buying shoes and then reselling them at a higher price.

It's an industry that's been around for hundreds of years, so it's well-established and has plenty of room for growth—especially if you can get in at the ground level. It's also easy to start with minimal investment: even if you only have enough money for two months' worth of inventory, you can still get started right away.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 455 days (?)

How We Created A $65K/Month Healthy Children's Footwear Brand That Sells Almost Everything On Launch Day

Zapato FEROZ is a thriving children's footwear company whose sales have grown exponentially to reach $60,000 per month in the last 12 months, with 80% of sales made directly through their website, due to their dedication to producing the highest quality, healthy shoes for babies and children.

Read by 9,634 founders

9. Start a motorcycle riding and safety class business

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 360 days (?)

On Creating A Sticker That Works As A Motorist Identification Service

By leveraging QR codes, two tech-savvy bikers created a lifesaving Motorist Identification Service with a 60% gross margin, quickly achieving market interest by redesigning their website three times and seeing initial sales within just two weeks.

Read by 4,037 founders

10. Start an online plant store

An online plant store is an excellent business venture any time of the year. No wonder, this idea is catching the fancy of many young entrepreneurs across the globe.

The market size of the plant and flower growing sector in the United States reached $15.23B in 2020. Starting a plant store from scratch isn't easy and it can be a daunting task, especially for newbies. There are a lot of things to consider. But the good news is, with online plant shopping on the rise, starting a plant storage business is easier than ever before.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $100,000/month

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

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

How We Started A $2K/Month Plants Ecommerce Using No Code Tools

Spanish co-founders launch profitable e-commerce business selling natural garden kits with air plants, generating an average monthly revenue of $2K in only 4 months, using only No Code tools, social media, and email campaigns to promote, and planning to scale and expand to new markets.

Read by 5,048 founders

11. Start a sms marketing business

SMS marketing refers to sending promotional campaigns or transactional messages for marketing purposes using text messages.

With 85% 0f adults in the US owning a smartphone, SMS is an excellent way to reach customers directly. Recent statistics show that approximately 55% of US retailers plan to increase investments in mobile SMS marketing.

Typical applications of SMS marketing include:

  • Personalized promotions
  • Offers or discounts
  • Remarketing campaigns
  • Online surveys

Given the widespread adoption of SMS marketing, you better start your SMS marketing platform and offer businesses the service based on once-off purchases or long-term subscriptions.

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

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

I Learned To Say No To Other Projects & Focused On Growing My $600K/Year SMS Platform

An entrepreneur built a successful SMS platform for small and medium-sized companies, boasting over 12,000 corporate accounts in countries like Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile, with customer loyalty and recurring purchases as the basis of the project's revenue.

Read by 4,716 founders

12. Start a freelancer platform

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

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

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

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

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

How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)

How I Started A $3K/Month Online Coworking For Freelance And Entrepreneurs

SinOficina is an online coworking space for Spanish-speaking freelancers and entrepreneurs that generates $3,000 per month in revenue, which founder Bosco Soler built by sharing his journey with his audience, delegating tasks, collaborating with formidable people and using WordPress, Slack, Mailchimp, Airtable, Crowdcast, Zapier and Notion.

Read by 8,969 founders

13. Start an online language coaching business

The world has become more globalized. Businesses have become cross-border, and executives have to travel to meet new customers. One thing that is obvious is that there is a need for language translation services.

If you have proficiency in one or more foreign languages then you can consider working as a language coach.

Teaching a language online is intensive as you have to meet and communicate with the audience often, and check their progress. If you are looking for an opportunity to earn working online, consider starting online language lessons.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $120,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $280 (?)

How long does it take to build: 33 days (?)

Transforming The Love For Languages Into A $30K/Month Arabic Online Learning Platform

Andalus Institute is an online language learning institution that teaches Arabic to students in an average study period time of 15 months, unexpectedly crossing 6 figures in revenue within the first 6 months of launch and has since averaged $30,000 per month in revenue.

Read by 5,646 founders

14. Start a dropshipping business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

How We Started A $25K/Month Business Helping People Sell Online Without Owning Any Stock

Founder of Hustle Got Real shares how he turned a side hustle into a business generating $18,000/month with over 15,000 customers in 25+ countries, and offers insight into the process of designing, prototyping, and launching a successful e-commerce software tool.

Read by 17,106 founders

15. Develop a dropshipping software

A successful dropshipping business is only as good as its software. Online sellers use dropshipping software to automate the process of listing items online, receiving customer orders, and sharing details with suppliers to fulfill the orders.

If you have coding experience and understand how dropshipping software works, consider building your dropshipping software.

To start, analyze what’s available in the market today, and identify gaps. Come up with strategies for filling these gaps, and start building your software.

Test it out with a few online retailers, optimize and launch.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $75,000/month

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

How We Started A $25K/Month Business Helping People Sell Online Without Owning Any Stock

Founder of Hustle Got Real shares how he turned a side hustle into a business generating $18,000/month with over 15,000 customers in 25+ countries, and offers insight into the process of designing, prototyping, and launching a successful e-commerce software tool.

Read by 17,107 founders

16. Start a digital goods platform

The market for digital goods continues to expand, making it a compelling business opportunity.

Launching a digital goods platform allows creators and consumers to exchange non-physical items like eBooks, music, stock photos, and software. Think of it as an online marketplace for digital content.

This business model is attractive because it minimizes the complexities and overhead of physical goods. You won't need to handle shipping, and inventory management is virtually non-existent. However, a successful platform requires robust technology, effective marketing, and user-friendly design.

If you have a knack for digital content and tech, this idea could be a goldmine. You'll not only create a space for digital artisans to showcase their work but also tap into an ever-growing market. It's a venture that demands dedication but offers the flexibility and scalability to grow on your terms.

How much you can make: $13,400 — $150,000/month

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

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

How We Started A $150K/Month Platform Where Streamers Can Monetize Their Audience

Streamloots is a marketplace where viewers can buy real-time interactions with live streamers, allowing content creators to monetize their audiences and earning over $1M in just the last quarter with a community of more than 12K active streamers.

Read by 11,107 founders

17. Start an online rug store

Online rug stores sell fine hand-woven or hand-dyed antique rugs, carpets, and textiles. Some potential customers looking to purchase exceptional old rugs, carpets, and materials are auctions, collectors, academics, museum curators, and homeowners.

If you are a home décor enthusiast, purchase and resell rare and important rugs or carpets online or even open a store in the neighborhood. If you are starting, always begin with a nearby product, something local or with close suppliers. Costs will be less, and probably logistics problems will go near zero.

Also, take controlled risks, as it's easier to test and fail cheaper than ever. Online services and tools make you ready to launch with a few bucks, so go try, sell and take feedback. Probably, you are nearer than you think to success.

As you advance, source fine textiles and fragments of rugs from Europe, Persia, India, Turkey, Morocco, China, and other countries respected for their rug-making expertise.

Market your rugs and carpets online or open a local rugs store targeting rug and tag run & carpet lovers.

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

How much does it cost to start: $1,525 (?)

How We Started Selling Rugs And Carpets Online In The Early 2000s

Mundoalfombra.com is a Spanish-based rug and carpet e-commerce retailer that has seen 20% growth since the beginning of the decade, making around $23K/month revenue, and plans to further internationalize in the future.

Read by 13,869 founders

18. Start a children's footwear brand

Designing adorable and functional shoes for kids is more than just a business; it's a chance to shape childhood experiences. A children’s footwear brand focuses on creating comfortable, stylish, and durable shoes tailored specifically for young feet.

Starting a children's footwear brand involves market research, understanding the nuances of children's foot health, and keeping up with fashion trends. You'll need to partner with reliable manufacturers who can produce quality shoes that meet safety standards. Additionally, effective branding and engaging marketing strategies will be crucial to appealing to both kids and their parents.

This business idea appeals because it merges creativity with practicality, allowing you to make an impact on an essential aspect of children’s lives. While the startup process involves intricate details from design to distribution, the reward is a brand that kids love and parents trust.

How much you can make: $250,000 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 195 days (?)

How We Created A $65K/Month Healthy Children's Footwear Brand That Sells Almost Everything On Launch Day

Zapato FEROZ is a thriving children's footwear company whose sales have grown exponentially to reach $60,000 per month in the last 12 months, with 80% of sales made directly through their website, due to their dedication to producing the highest quality, healthy shoes for babies and children.

Read by 9,634 founders

19. Start an online coworking platform

An online coworking platform is a website or app that connects remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, allowing them to work together in a virtual shared workspace.

It provides tools for collaboration, communication, and access to resources like virtual meeting rooms or project management tools.

To start this business on a budget, you can begin by creating a user-friendly website or app using affordable website-building platforms or hiring freelancers for development.

Focus on building a strong community by offering free trials or low-cost memberships initially to attract users.

As the platform grows, you can explore monetization options like paid memberships, premium features, or partnerships with businesses for additional revenue streams.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,200 (?)

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

How I Started A $3K/Month Online Coworking For Freelance And Entrepreneurs

SinOficina is an online coworking space for Spanish-speaking freelancers and entrepreneurs that generates $3,000 per month in revenue, which founder Bosco Soler built by sharing his journey with his audience, delegating tasks, collaborating with formidable people and using WordPress, Slack, Mailchimp, Airtable, Crowdcast, Zapier and Notion.

Read by 8,969 founders

20. Start a bicycle company

A surge in exercise and heightened anxiety over public transportation during the Covid-19 pandemic are reasons more people have embraced biking.

Apart from being a form of exercise, using bicycles is also good for the environment as there are no emissions.

Therefore, starting a bicycle company can be a profitable venture. Research the market and choose a niche. Then, register your brand and focus on the production of high-quality bicycles.

How much you can make: $25,000 — $1,000,000/month

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

How We Built A $250K/Month Fixed Gear Bike Business

How Santafixie became a successful fixed-gear bike business with a monthly turnover of €200,000 and its own product line, while focusing on SEO, brand awareness, and reducing marketing costs.

Read by 10,693 founders

21. Start a social media analytics business

Unlock the power of social media data with a social media analytics business. This venture involves helping companies understand and leverage their social media metrics to improve their online presence and marketing strategies.

You'll provide insights into engagement rates, audience demographics, and performance trends through analytical tools and personalized reports. The goal is to enable businesses to make data-driven decisions to boost their brand and sales.

By offering this service, you stand to become an essential partner for firms looking to outpace their competitors in the digital landscape. The demand for actionable insights in social media is growing, making this a timely and promising business opportunity for those who excel in data analysis and strategic planning.

Starting this business involves acquiring the right analytical tools, building expertise in social media platforms, and fostering strong client relationships for sustained growth.

How much you can make: $12,000 — $749,998/month

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

Bootstrapping A $100K/Month Social Media Planner And Analytics Tool

Metricool, a SaaS social media management tool, built a business with a Freemium model, starting with just $50k in investment and now boasts over 5,000 clients, more than 400,000 users, and over $1 million of annual recurring revenue.

Read by 8,865 founders

22. Start a sustainable clothing line

Starting a sustainable clothing company can seem like a daunting task, but with the right skills and resources in place, it doesn't have to be. And thanks to more and more technologies becoming available there is a greater chance of success than has ever been had before.

The sustainable clothing market shrunk from $6.35B in 2019 to $6.14B in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impact. But the sustainable clothing market size will keep growing in the coming years, Experts predict it will reach $8.25B by 2023.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $100,000/month

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

How We Started A $18K/Month Sustainable And Durable Clothing Brand

Minimalismbrand is a sustainable and durable clothing brand that has achieved $200k in annual revenue after starting with just €2k, focusing on quality over quantity, and prioritizing transparency through showing their numbers and production process.

Read by 8,918 founders

23. Start an eBikes business

An electric bike has an electric motor to assist the rider while pedaling. Market data shows that the annual Ebike sales crossed more than 880,000 Ebikes.

Besides providing benefits for body health and fitness, e-bikes have become the best for reducing urban traffic, especially in cities where it isn’t an effective public transportation business.

Ebikes market demand is higher among millennials who prefer riding for health benefits and because riding Ebikes enables them flexibility in choosing routes.

Therefore, starting an Ebikes business in 2024 can be a great business decision.

How much you can make: $110,000 — $1,200,000/month

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

How I Started A $110,000/Month Business With My Father Selling Green Tech Products

Learn how a Spanish green tech retail business increased revenue year to date by as much as the entire revenue from 2018, with the aim of reaching USD 1 million in 2019, by introducing ad-hoc technical proposals, professional installation services and designing and manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for electric mobility vehicles.

Read by 9,906 founders

24. Start a watch brand

Launching your own watch brand is a fantastic opportunity to tap into the thriving global market for luxury accessories and innovative timepieces.

By focusing on utilizing quality materials and distinctive designs that reflect your customer’s personal style and vision, you can develop an iconic brand identity and turn your passion into profits.

Whether you choose to debut a high-end mechanical watch collection or smartwatches with integrated technology, starting a watch company offers you the chance to make your mark on the wristwatch industry.

Through strategic branding and marketing efforts, your startup watch brand can capture market share and grow from a small business to a flourishing fashion empire.

How much you can make: $1,500 — $480,000/month

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

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

How We Started Button Watch And Grew To $1.5M/Year

Button Watch, founded in 2018 by three co-founders, has grown to $1.5M in revenue and more than 1000 combinations of interchangeable cotton straps with a unique button-fastening system.

Read by 10,147 founders

25. Start a food startup

Starting a food business can involve opening your own restaurant, bakery, food truck, cake shop, or even starting a business or blog online.

Other kinds of food businesses include manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Food businesses prepare a wide range of foods such as snacks, sweets, and meals to sell directly to consumers and also include cafeterias at workplaces and similar facilities.

If you have a passion for food, starting a food business can be an extremely fun, challenging, and rewarding business venture.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $3,000,000/month

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

How We Crowdfunded And Validated Our Meal Replacement Product

KUIK Meal, the sweet and savory complete food powder company, crowdfunded €5,000 in 5 weeks to secure production of the first 400 units and has since served 14,000 meals across Spain, France, and Portugal with a 36% growth in revenue from the last 6 months of 2018 to the first 6 months of 2019.

Read by 8,500 founders

26. Start a ticketing platform business

A ticketing platform business allows individuals or organizations to sell tickets to events online. This can include concerts, sports games, festivals, and more.

The ticketing platform handles all aspects of ticket sales, from setting up the event and ticket options to processing payment and distributing the tickets.

To run a successful ticketing platform business, it is essential to have a user-friendly website and a reliable ticket distribution system. Then, establish partnerships with event organizers and venues to expand the number of events available on the platform.

Marketing efforts to reach potential customers and regular updates to the platform to improve the user experience can also help drive sales. Overall, a ticketing platform can be a lucrative business opportunity for those with a strong understanding of the events industry and a knack for building and maintaining client relationships.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month

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

How We Started A $1M Event Ticketing Platform From Spain

Palco4, a disruptive ticketing company, transacts 4 million tickets per year and has a presence in 13 countries with an average monthly turnover of $100k USD, achieving its success through a versatile platform, optimized and efficient value chain, and a business model focused on the promoter.

Read by 6,500 founders

27. Become an author

Becoming an author is an exciting journey that involves creating and publishing written works, such as books, novels, or articles that reflect one’s ideas, stories, or expertise.

You can establish yourself through traditional publishing routes or self-publishing, utilizing your literary skills to connect with readers and potentially earn revenue from book sales.

Traditional publishing involves submitting a manuscript to a publishing house or literary agent who will review and decide if it is suitable for publication.

On the other hand, self-publishing gives authors complete control over the publishing process, allowing them to publish their work independently and market it on their own.

You can generate income through book sales, royalties, and opportunities such as speaking engagements or workshops.

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 (?)

How To Write A Travel Guidebook And Sell Thousands Of Copies

Learn how a writer and tour guide turned her niche knowledge of the Spanish island of La Palma into a successful book business, earning ⅓ of her modest income through sales of her self-published guide book to the island's astronomical observatory and other publications, often selling directly to observatory visitors and other outlets, and how the books promote her income-earning work.

Read by 6,619 founders

28. Start an email automation platform

Tired of juggling countless emails? Enter the world of email automation platforms. These tools streamline the process of sending personalized emails to your audience, saving time and ensuring consistency.

Building an email automation platform involves developing software that can segment your audience, personalize content, and schedule emails. The real work includes collaborating with developers, marketers, and customer service teams, understanding clients' needs, and continuously optimizing the software for better performance.

With businesses increasingly relying on digital marketing, the demand for efficient email solutions continues to rise. Starting this venture offers a chance to provide essential tools that enhance communication and boost engagement strategies. If you're tech-savvy and eager to develop impactful solutions, creating an email automation platform could be your next successful business endeavor.

How much you can make: $21 — $4,160,000/month

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

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

Bootstrapping A Spanish Email Marketing Company To $1M ARR

Spanish email marketing software start-up Acumbamail achieved an average revenue of $85,000 per month, while providing a service to almost 40,000 clients, after bootstrapping the company from scratch with $4,000 in start-up funds.

Read by 8,176 founders

29. Become a financial advisor

A financial advisor helps people manage their money and reach their financial goals by providing personalized advice on investments and overall financial planning.

To start a business in this field, you should consider a solid financial background, relevant certifications, and good people skills.

Building credibility through education, gaining experience, and networking are key steps to success in the financial advisory business.

How much you can make: $5,600 — $2,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,550 (?)

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

How I Started A $30K/Month Economic And Financial Services Business

AGESEM, led by CEO David Civit, provides personalized tax and legal advice to small to medium businesses in Catalonia, boasting a reliable portfolio of about 250 SMEs and increasing revenues by more than 20% every year, with the aim to turn the traditional office into a 4.0 services company.

Read by 4,890 founders

30. 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 (?)

How Our Sustainable Corporate Merchandising Became a $40K/Month Business

Spanish-based startup Sheedo is making waves in the traditional merchandising industry with its seed-infused, tree-free and non-toxic paper concept and pulling in €40k in monthly revenue, supplying customers including Coca-Cola, Inditex, Sony, Deloitte, and Air France.

Read by 6,164 founders

31. Start an user feedback app

Imagine having direct insight into customer needs and preferences at your fingertips. That's the power of a user feedback app. This business idea revolves around creating a platform that solicits, organizes, and analyzes customer feedback in real time.

By developing an app that integrates seamlessly with websites, mobile apps, and even email campaigns, you can help businesses gather valuable insights without disrupting the user experience. This tool could provide companies with actionable data to improve their products, services, and overall customer satisfaction.

Setting up this business requires technical know-how—app development, data analysis, and user experience design are key components. But the payoff is huge: tapping into what customers actually want, which translates to better business decisions and a stronger market position. This idea offers the potential for recurring revenue through subscription models, making it a solid option for a sustainable business.

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

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

How I Created A Micro-SaaS To Gather User Feedback Using No-Code Tools

How a Barcelona-based entrepreneur built a micro-SaaS for gathering user feedback using no-code tools, sharing his experience of designing, prototyping, and launching the business, as well as lessons learned and resources used along the way.

Read by 8,109 founders

32. Start a laptop accessories brand

Laptop accessories are items that enhance the functionality of a laptop. These can include external hard drives, docking stations, and carrying cases.

To start a laptop accessories brand, you will need strong marketing and design skills. You should also have a good understanding of the laptop market and what accessories are more popular.

The recent trends in the laptop accessories industry are moving towards eco-friendly and sustainable products. Businesses are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact and offer their customers products that are made from sustainable materials.

Starting a laptop accessories brand is a great way to enter the world of product design. This type of business growing in popularity as people are looking for ways to personalize their laptops.

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

How long does it take to build: 186 days (?)

How We Started A $500K/Month Portable Batteries And Charging Accessories Business

Chargeasap, a Sydney-based startup, has raised over $3.7 million and delivered to more than 130 countries, and now generates over $500,000 per month selling a range of portable batteries and charging accessories.

Read by 9,742 founders

33. Become a business coach

Are you thinking of starting a career as a business coach?

Becoming a business coach can be a great way to help aspiring entrepreneurs while earning a healthy income. You may want to consider becoming a coach if you have skills in specialized business fields such as marketing, e-commerce, stress management, or leadership.

Many small-business owners are finding it hard to get started, grow, and succeed. As a business coach, your job will be to help entrepreneurs identify new opportunities and take advantage of the ones they already have.

How much you can make: $3,500 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,749 (?)

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

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

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

Read by 25,756 founders

34. Start a motorcycle parts business

Starting your own motorcycle parts business is a great way to earn money, meet interesting people, and see the world. If you have a genuine interest in motorcycles and a deep desire to run your own business, then starting a motorcycle parts business is an excellent career option.

A motorcycle parts business can be a lucrative business. This is because there are many parts and accessories that you can sell to your customers. You can start a motorcycle parts business with just a small investment, but it is important that you understand how much money you are willing to invest upfront before starting up your own business.

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

How Two Brothers Started A $4.8M/Year Motorcycle Parts Manufacturer

TAB Performance doubles annual sales with introduction of Zombie baffle, from manufacturing Harley-Davidson motorcycle exhausts, with founders attributing growth to constant evolution and listening to customers.

Read by 12,668 founders

35. Start a resume and cover letter business

Resumes and cover letters are crucial tools for job seekers to advertise their skills and experiences to potential employers.

Starting resume and cover letter writing is a profitable idea you can pursue as a full-time career or a side hustle. However, it requires dedication and passion to be successful. A resume and cover letter business can be both lucrative and fulfilling by helping others achieve their career aspirations.

The resume writing business is a multi-million dollar industry. Everyone is worried about making sure that they have a good resume. The resume and cover letter writing business is actually one of the coolest things you can do at first.

You get to help people turn their careers around and serve them in your own way.

How much you can make: $3,500 — $62,500/month

How much does it cost to start: $35 (?)

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

I Launched A $30K/Year Etsy Shop That Sells Resume Templates [Side Hustle]

Founded by a corporate career coach in 2018, ByRecruiters has sold over 6,000 digital resume templates in 50+ countries, generating $1,500 to $4,000 per month and boasting a 116.91% return on ad spend through Etsy.

Read by 17,133 founders

36. Start a saas company

SaaS (Software as a Service) is software that allows users to access and use it over the internet. It is a subscription-based service that provides users with access to software that they can use for their business. It offers a variety of features, including a project management tool, an automation engine, and a workflow designer.

To start a SaaS company you should be familiar with the SaaS business model and have a good understanding of how to build and market a SaaS product. You should also have strong technical skills and be able to develop a high-quality software product.

Salesforce is one of the best SaaS companies in the world. Salesforce provides an integrated CRM platform that brings companies and customers together. The company is one of the most innovative cloud software solutions providers on the market, generating nearly all its annual recurring revenue from SaaS tools. According to Salesforce's latest financial reports, the company's current revenue (TTM) is $26.49 B.

Starting a SaaS company is a great way to enter the tech industry. This type of company is growing in popularity as more businesses are looking for ways to save money and reduce their IT costs. SaaS companies typically have high margins and offer a lot of flexibility for entrepreneurs.

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

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

Bootstrapping A $100K/Month Social Media Planner And Analytics Tool

Metricool, a SaaS social media management tool, built a business with a Freemium model, starting with just $50k in investment and now boasts over 5,000 clients, more than 400,000 users, and over $1 million of annual recurring revenue.

Read by 8,865 founders

37. Become an Axie Infinity player

The simplest way to earn money online is by playing games such as Axie Infinity. The NFT based online game pays players in cryptocurrencies. However, to earn crypto playing Axie Infinity, you should build a team of three Axies to battle against bot monsters or against other players. Also, completing the daily quests or challenges adds up more money.

Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week

38. Start a proposal software app

A proposal software app is a program that streamlines the process of creating, sending, and closing proposals, quotes, contracts, and other sales documents. The common users of proposal apps include consultants and business executives who want to generate a personalized and professional-looking proposal. A good example of a proposal software app is Proposify

In creating your proposal app, first, understand how the target users interact with their proposals. Then, provide them with a suite of options so they choose ones that they feel convenient to use. Ensure your software enables the user to produce sleek business proposals quickly.

Typically, the proposal software should be intuitive for any user and should include critical automation and support client interaction tracking, to make proposal creation easy. Build a great product that solves your customer’s pain.

Finally, set up a customer support team that will be directly responsible for guiding customers through the onboarding process, and work towards retaining and expanding accounts.

How much you can make: $570,000/month

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

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

How We Built Proposify And Grew To $7M ARR

Proposify, an online business proposal SaaS company, currently serving over 8,000 customers and doing over $7M in annual recurring revenue, was founded by CEO Kyle Racki who turned his old proposal app idea into a successful business by focusing on user pain points, building a great product, and prioritizing customer service.

Read by 10,039 founders

39. Start a healthy snack food business

Businesses with healthy snacks are becoming increasingly popular. This is because people are becoming more conscious of what they eat and the ingredients used in their food products.

Compared to a few decades ago, more people value health over anything else. A tasty snack food business can be a great way to turn your passion for snacking into profit.

The global healthy snacks market is expected to reach $152B by 2030, and there’s no sign of this slowing down. Healthy snacks can include anything from protein bars to gluten/dairy-free alternatives to chips, cookies, crackers, and more.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $3,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)

How We Started A Caffeine Gum Product, Sold 12 Million Pieces, And Landed A Deal With CVS

Neuro co-founders Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen developed their functional gum and mint products to offer a portable, healthy, and efficient alternative to energy drinks and supplements, hitting 12M pieces sold and generating ~$500k in monthly revenue with over 25% repeat customer rate and retail presence in over 6,500 locations including 5,000 CVS stores.

Read by 20,012 founders

40. Start a pdf conversion business

As pdf has become an essential format for about every industry it only makes sense that everyone would want the ability to convert their documents in both ways. This is great news for anyone looking to start a business centered around converting pdf.

Starting a pdf conversion business can help you earn extra income and take control of your career. Professional pdf conversion services are in great demand.

Many medium to large companies prefer to present their documents in pdf rather than Microsoft Word. Besides, various official and private organizations prefer PDF versions of documents for security. This creates an opportunity for anyone to start a profitable business by establishing a standalone pdf conversion company.

How much you can make: $8,500 — $15,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $450 (?)

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

How I Developed A $3.5K/Month Tool That Converts HTML To PDF

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.

Read by 10,847 founders

41. Start a men's underwear brand

Underwear is essential to any person’s wardrobe, and the men’s underwear industry has grown quite large.

Many companies, such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Hugo Boss, specialize in men’s underwear. These companies have been able to keep up with the demand of this growing industry by offering quality products at reasonable prices.

The demand for men’s underwear has risen because it offers an alternative to traditional cotton briefs. Men are increasingly realizing that they don’t want the same old thing when it comes to their underwear; they want something that feels like luxury and provides them with comfort and support.

With so many opportunities available today, it’s easy to see why more people are turning to this industry to start their businesses.

How much you can make: $800 — $25,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 470 days (?)

How We Built A Boxer Briefs Brand To $5K/Month With Zero Experience

Founder Krystian Frencel shares how he built a men's luxury underwear brand, Bunch of Animals, to $5,000/month with no previous e-commerce or product creation experience, offering softer than soft boxer briefs featuring seamless designs in collaboration with artists from around the world.

Read by 33,311 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.