25 Unique Business Opportunities For The New Year
Interested in starting a Unique Business for the new year?
People probably looking at the New Year as an opportunity to make a switch, either within the business or with current clients, and gain a competitive advantage in the process.
The new year is a perfect time to create a vision for your unique business. It's one of the best ways one can grow their business.
We put together a list of the best unique business ideas you can start for the New Year.
Here is a list of the top 25 unique businesses you can start for the New Year:
1. Start an amazon FBA business
Amazon is ripe with opportunity, which is making it possible for people to make a lot of money with little investment or effort.
Amazon has over 2.3B visitors per month, With this huge audience, Amazon is an amazing opportunity to start your own business. In fact, you can sell products with very low competition.
How much you can make: $2,300 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Jeff started Stoic Muse, a creative side project selling 100-150 t-shirts per month ($3K revenue) on Etsy, without any upfront costs for prototyping or manufacturing, by learning graphic design and using Print on Demand to fulfill the merch.
2. Start an affiliate marketing business
Are you looking for a side hustle to pay you a passive income? Affiliate marketing is one of those side hustles that will pay you well over the long term. It is a way to earn money online by promoting other companies' products and services. You will be paid a commission for each sale you make as an affiliate marketer.
To get started, learn how to find the right product and brand to partner with. For example, you may prefer becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store, partnering with a manufacturer, and marketing their products for a commission.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
3. Become a social media influencer
Social media has become integral to people's lives and daily routines. Given the importance of social media, brands are flocking to different social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok in the hope of connecting with their target audience.
A popular approach taken by these brands is engaging social media influencers. A social media influencer has established credibility in a specific industry and has access to a vast audience they can persuade to act based on recommendations.
Anyone can become a social influencer so long as they have the right strategy. Choose a popular niche based on your interests and start creating relevant content.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
4. Start a food truck
Food trucks are a highly profitable business that offers customers a variety of meal options out of a mobile truck. This basically operates inside a large vehicle equipped with kitchen and food products. Starting a food truck is a dream for many people, but it's more challenging than it looks. To make it work, you need the ideal location and menu.
To start a food truck business in a particular city, it is mandatory to check what kind of food trucks are already operating, identify a gap, and bring in some new experiences. Then, with the right plan and the right approach, you can be on your way to starting your own food truck empire.
How much you can make: $30,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Food Fleet grew over 160% in just one year and managed over 20 million in sales for its clients, securing multiple contracts with the likes of Sodexo, Levy Restaurants and more, due to its understanding of catering client needs and its advanced turnkey and design services.
5. Start a grocery delivery service
Grocery delivery is an on-demand service where clients shop for groceries, and you deliver to their commercial or residential premises.
As a carrier in grocery delivery, you have an opportunity to maximize your output, as you can serve multiple customers in one trip. Besides, you get to choose your preferred working time and location.
How much you can make: $385,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 35 days (?)
Learn how Send Eats grew from packing dozens of orders per month to tens of thousands, with a monthly revenue of $385k, by providing lightning-fast order fulfillment for eCommerce brands primarily within Shopify, and how they utilized their personal network and went from shipping out of a bread factory to their own 30,000 sq ft warehouse.
6. Digital products
Digital products are top-rated. They’re easy to create and share and a great way to build a business.
Digital products can be software-based, like an app or game, or information-based, like an ebook or course. They can also be something else entirely—like a membership site or a community. The possibilities are endless!
So what makes digital products such a great way to build a business? Well, first of all, they’re effortless to create. You don’t have to hire anyone else to do it for you; you can do it yourself! And because there’s no risk of having inventory sitting around in your garage, digital products can be sold directly from your website without worrying about moving merchandise.
How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
7. Start a web design & online marketing business
If you know about website design and marketing concepts then starting your own web design and online marketing business could be the perfect opportunity for you to do so.
The online marketing industry is the second largest industry in the United States and continues to grow. The online marketing industry is massive. It is estimated to grow by 30% annually, reaching $400B in the next four years.
How much you can make: $8,000 — $800,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
How Shannon Mattern built a DIY web design training business from scratch that now generates $10k/month in revenue through affiliate commissions and courses, without outside investment or debt.
8. Start an interior design business
Interior design involves decorating and furnishing interior spaces like homes and offices to make them functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.
To start an interior design business on a budget, begin by offering consultations to advise clients on decorating their spaces, source budget-friendly furniture and materials from discount outlets, start with smaller projects like single rooms to build a portfolio and market your services on social media and by word-of-mouth referrals.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $110,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Mother and daughter duo turn passion for antiques and design into a boutique design firm with over $1 million in annual revenue and hundreds of trophy projects, showcasing the importance of grit, determination, and passion in building a successful business.
9. Start a t-shirts business
Starting a t-shirt business is simple and anyone can do it. It's also a great way to make money on the side or even start out as a full-time business.
If you are someone who enjoys creating beautiful designs and has a sense of humor, then starting a t-shirt business might be the perfect venture for you. It's also a great way to make extra money on the side while working on a hobby.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $1,333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $9,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 42 days (?)
This case study follows the story of a successful online business that has made 7.2 million dollars in sales since 2012, with profits of around 30-45%, and the founders share insights on lessons learned and tools used.
10. 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.
11. Start an online travel agency
An online travel agency is a web-based marketplace that allows consumers to research and book travel products and services.
Nearly 1 billion people make travel bookings online. Besides, 70% of travelers research trips on mobile devices.
With the online booking trend on an upward trajectory, 2024 is a great time to start an online travel agency.
How much you can make: $100,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
How a first-time founder grew the first-ever online travel agency in Bangladesh to 700+ airlines and one million-plus hotels worldwide, with a 50% increase in revenue in October 2021 compared to pre-Covid sales and aiming to hit break-even by March 2022.
12. Start an in-home senior care business
With the busy lifestyle, family members are often absent and employ in-home caregivers to look after the elderly parents.
Caregivers assist the elderly with personal care routines, including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and exercising. Caregivers also oversee medication & prescription usage and administer medicine.
Researchers anticipate a shortage of more than 100,000 caregivers for the elderly in the next decade. Therefore, starting an in-home senior care business is a great opportunity if you enjoy caring for the elderly and spending time with them. You can choose to work as an overnight caregiver or whichever work schedule suits you.
How much you can make: $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
The CareSide scaled to $5 million in revenue over 3 years by utilizing a data-driven approach to sales and marketing, with a focus on Google Adwords and Facebook ads, and implementing extensive automation into back end systems.
13. Become a blogger
Are you looking for a business idea you can start from home? One great option to explore is to start your own blog.
With the flexibility of location independence, you can work on your blog from anywhere in the world!
What’s amazing about blogging is that anyone can start with just a computer and the internet! Besides, you don’t need any special talents or previous experience to start.
It’s an open field that welcomes anyone who has a passion for writing and sharing their thoughts with the world. The best part is that it can be one of the most rewarding passive income business ideas you can start.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $70,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $425 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Express Writers, a content writing agency, grew from a $75 investment to surpassing $80k MRR within seven years through content marketing, client focus, and steady growth with a debt-free business model.
14. Start a property management business
Property management companies maintain a residence’s status quo by representing the property owners. The property management company markets the property and collects rent on behalf of the owners.
With the demand for housing increasing annually, the property management business is lucrative. Property managers earn commissions and have an opportunity to maximize profits by working for as many clients as they can handle.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $200,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,400 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Livit International, a support ecosystem and service provider for startups and scale-ups in Bali, has enabled 750+ entrepreneurs to build disruptive businesses with a global impact through its coworking spaces, innovation and event spaces, HR and Strategic Business Partner services, tech and non-tech recruitment, remote work education, and business support services.
15. Start a home tutoring business
A home tutoring company is an educational company that offers private tutoring from a tutor who visits the students at the student’s home.
Home tutoring is a growing business opportunity for motivated people and comes with the flexibility of working anytime, anywhere, and creates a passive income.
If you love teaching and helping others, one way to make money is to start a home tutoring business. Whether you want to tutor kids or adults, there’s a niche for you.
Once you have started your home tutoring business, promote it by putting fliers at other stores and on bulletin boards at colleges and libraries. Also, engage parents and guardians for home tutoring opportunities.
How much you can make: $100,000 — $830,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
Third Space Learning has become the largest online tutoring company in the UK schools market with around 75% of English primary schools and over 100,000 teachers signed up, generating around £8m in revenue this year and delivering nearly 800,000 hours of teaching to just under 70,000 pupils since 2015, with plans to expand globally in the future.
16. Start an online video editing business
Video editors manage camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics, and special effects to produce the final film or video product. To become an online video editor, you must have media production and communication knowledge and the ability to work with others.
To start a video editing business, you can outsource video editing skills from an experienced professional. Your role will be to pick video footage from the customers and upload them for the video editor to do the magic.
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: 180 days (?)
VEED.IO, a London-based start-up co-founded by Sabba and her partner, offers a simple online video editing platform using batch job cloud architecture to help social media managers across the world auto subtitle, filter, rotate videos and much more, earning the company $5,300 MRR and the founders Ramen profitability within just a year of starting.
17. Start an ecommerce marketing agency
Ecommerce agencies help online sellers achieve their eCommerce business goals through creative, technology, and marketing skills.
Hiring an eCommerce agency enables online sellers to start an eCommerce business or grow an existing one without employing full-time staff.
The eCommerce industry is often changing, and online sellers must match the current trends or risk being paced out by the competition. Balancing between production, launching creative services, and working on growing their eCommerce brands can be extremely difficult. Thus, the brands have no other option than hire eCommerce agencies.
Starting an eCommerce agency can be a profitable and fulfilling business opportunity. If you plan to state your eCommerce agency, educate yourself on the current trends and focus on building digital skills. You may focus on a particular niche or offer end-to-end services to your customers.
How much you can make: $7,500 — $8,300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
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 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.
19. 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 (?)
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.
20. Start a mobile coffee shop business
A mobile coffee shop is a business that brings the convenience of a coffee shop directly to customers through a mobile vehicle, such as a food truck or trailer. The mobile coffee shop can travel to various locations, including events, festivals, construction sites, and office parks, offering a variety of coffee drinks, pastries, and snacks.
To run a successful mobile coffee shop, it is essential to have a reliable vehicle equipped with a coffee machine, refrigeration, and storage for all necessary equipment and supplies. It is also essential to have a well-trained staff who can efficiently prepare and serve coffee drinks and handle cash and customer interactions.
Marketing and promotion are also key to the success of a mobile coffee shop. Utilizing social media, email lists, and word-of-mouth referrals can help spread the word about the business and attract new customers. Having a consistent schedule and location is also helpful so customers know when and where to find the mobile coffee shop.
Another tip for running a successful mobile coffee shop is to have a diverse menu that caters to various customer tastes and dietary restrictions. Offering options such as dairy-free and plant-based milk and a selection of teas, smoothies, and other beverages can help attract a larger customer base.
Overall, a mobile coffee shop can be a rewarding and lucrative business opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the food and beverage industry. With careful planning and attention to customer satisfaction, a mobile coffee shop can become a popular and successful business in any community.
How much you can make: $15,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
This case study follows the co-founder of Camper Cafe, a mobile coffee van business which started as a hobby and now has 6 units that supply the UK's biggest sporting events, commercial and film shoots, generating around £150k from working only 70 days of the year.
21. Start an online books business
Want to turn your passion for books into a business? Consider starting an online books business. This venture involves creating a platform where customers can browse, purchase, and download eBooks or order physical copies directly to their doorsteps.
An online books business allows you to tap into both the digital and physical book markets, offering a diverse range of genres and formats. You'll need a user-friendly website or app, partnerships with publishers or self-publishing authors, and logistics for physical deliveries. Marketing your platform through social media and book forums can generate buzz and drive traffic to your site.
The beauty of this business lies in its scalability—you can start small and expand your offerings over time. If you love books and are willing to manage an eCommerce platform, this could be an exciting and rewarding opportunity.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $149,986/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Foreword Reviews is a media company that started out as a magazine with a print run of 7,500 copies, serving as a brochure for publishing services including foreign rights exchange and digital content, and twenty years and some intense pivots later, it has become one of the most profitable in the book business.
22. Start an aerial imagery business
The sky's the limit with an aerial imagery business. This venture involves using drones or aircraft to capture high-quality images and videos from above.
From real estate to agriculture and construction, a range of industries demand aerial views for various purposes such as planning, marketing, and monitoring projects. The core of your business would be to offer these imaging services on a contractual basis. You'll need to invest in reliable drone technology and perhaps even get certified, depending on regional regulations.
This business stands out because of its niche market and evolving technological advancements. As industries continue to seek more dynamic ways to manage and visualize their operations, your ability to provide superior aerial imagery could be highly lucrative. Interested in capturing a bird's-eye view and turning it into a profitable endeavor? This might be the business idea you’re looking for.
How much you can make: $1,000,000/month
TerrAvion delivers subscription imagery overnight throughout the growing season, having been founded in 2013 by Robert Morris and Cornell Wright, with flights taking place every day of the year capture image data and allowing their customers to have a real up-to-date picture of their fields.
23. Start a personal assistant business
Feeling overwhelmed with daily tasks and seeking some relief? Consider starting a personal assistant business.
In simple terms, you'll provide administrative and organizational support to busy professionals or individuals. From managing emails and schedules to booking travel and running errands, you help your clients focus on what truly matters to them.
This business appeals to those with a knack for organization and a desire to make others' lives easier. With the growing demand for work-life balance, there's never been a better time to dive in.
Starting is straightforward; you only need a reliable computer and a phone. As you gain experience and trust, you can even specialize in niche markets, whether that's helping entrepreneurs, artists, or busy parents. If you're detail-oriented and enjoy multitasking, this could be a fulfilling path to explore.
How much you can make: $66,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Learn how Mary Marsh founded virtual assistant services company, Aim2Assist, which has grown over 75% since its launch in 2014, with monthly revenue currently at $66k, offering premium services primarily to C-level executives.
24. Start a business podcast
Launching a business podcast could be your golden ticket to carving out a unique niche in the digital age. Essentially, a business podcast involves creating audio content focused on industry insights, trends, and expert interviews that provide value to business enthusiasts and professionals alike.
To get started, you'll need a clear vision of your podcast's theme and target audience. Craft compelling episodes, secure industry leaders for interviews, and utilize quality recording equipment. Marketing your podcast through social media and leveraging platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts will be crucial.
Imagine cultivating a platform where you engage with followers, influence markets, and generate ad revenue. A business podcast offers low upfront costs and flexible scheduling, fitting seamlessly into your busy life. The real work lies in consistency and quality to build a loyal listener base. If you have a passion for business and communication, this venture could be incredibly rewarding.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $349,983/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Empire Flippers is a thought leader in brokering online business deals, having brokered over $50 million worth of deals and grown their pool of potential buyers by hundreds every month through a focus on content marketing and middle-of-funnel content.
25. Start a pet sitting business
A pet sitter is a professional who provides daily care for pets while the pet owners are at work or on vacation. The pet sitter's duties include:
- Cooking special meals for pets as instructed by pet owners.
- Reporting any behavioral issues to pet owners.
- Playing with the pets to encourage their mental and physical stimulation.
One of the advantages of working as a pet sitter is that it's not a stressful career. You also get to work with different animals while enjoying a work-life balance.
How much you can make: $15,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
A technician-turned-CEO built an in-home pet care enterprise that generates $8k per month by documenting business operations and empowering employees, inspired by the successes of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc and researcher Brené Brown's work on vulnerability and empathy in the workplace.
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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.
