The 38 Best Home-Based Businesses To Start In Utah [2024]
Interested in starting a business in Utah in 2024?
We put together 60 of the best businesses you can start in Utah today.
For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of how you can start your profitable, home-based small business in Utah.
Here's the full list:
1. ($21.2M/year)
Starting a digital products marketplace could be a lucrative home-based business idea. Gumroad, founded by Sahil Lavingia, is a prime example of such a venture. This platform allows creators to easily sell digital products like eBooks, music, and software directly to consumers, providing an accessible way to monetize their skills and content.
Although Gumroad was originally started in San Francisco, California, its business model is highly adaptable and could thrive in Utah's growing tech community. If you have a knack for creating digital content, you could build a similar platform from your home, leveraging Utah's supportive environment for startups. To learn more about Gumroad's journey, check out this case study.
Learn how Sahil Lavingia grew Gumroad from a weekend project into an e-commerce powerhouse generating $21.2 million annually, using nothing more than elbow grease and cold emails to drive their early growth.
2. Start a seeds business ($4.8M/year)
Starting a seeds business could be an excellent home-based entrepreneurial opportunity in Utah. With increasing interest in home gardening and organic produce, you could tap into a thriving market for heirloom, non-GMO, and organic seeds. An inspiring example in Salt Lake City, Utah is True Leaf Market, founded by Parker Garlitz. This independent seed company has grown into a profitable enterprise generating $400k/month by offering a diverse range of seeds and gardening supplies through various channels like their website, Amazon, and brick-and-mortar stores.
Read more about how Parker started and grew True Leaf Market in Utah by checking out their detailed case study. By following a similar path, you could create a successful seed business right from your home, embracing Utah's robust market for sustainable and organic gardening products. This could be your opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the growing home gardening movement.
True Leaf Market, an independent seed company offering heirloom, non-GMO, and organic seeds, growing supplies, and starter kits, has grown to a profitable $400k/month business, with revenue diversified across their website, 3rd party online sellers, Amazon, eBay, brick and mortar health food stores, and fulfillment services, and plans to continue growth through acquisitions and onboarding 50 to 100 new SKUs monthly.
3. Start a fire safety business ($3.65M/year)
Starting a fire safety business in Utah could be a great opportunity, especially given the increasing awareness and demand for safety solutions. One area you could explore is creating products that prevent common household fires. A prime example is FireAvert, a business started by Peter Thorpe in Utah, which focuses on fire prevention.
Peter, a full-time firefighter in Provo, Utah, designed a product that plugs into ovens and cuts power if a synced smoke detector goes off, addressing unattended cooking—the leading cause of home fires. His company saw substantial success, generating over $2 million in revenue in 2018 and expecting to double it the following year. You could draw inspiration from FireAvert's story to create your own fire safety venture in Utah, tapping into this crucial need.
Firefighter turned entrepreneur Peter Thorpe invented FireAvert, a product that plugs into an oven and automatically cuts power to the stove and range if a synced smoke detector goes off, resulting in over $2 million in revenue in 2018 alone, with projections for double that in 2019 and the creation of a FireAvert outlet and smart home integration in the upcoming future.
4. Create a coding platform ($2.83M/year)
Creating a coding platform is a fantastic business opportunity if you’re tech-savvy and have a passion for education. For instance, Lane Wagner started Boot.dev in Salt Lake City, Utah, focusing on teaching backend development through a unique, RPG-style coding game. By concentrating on Python and Go, Boot.dev managed to increase its monthly revenue from $3,000 to $26,000 within a year. This remarkable growth was fueled by narrowing the product focus and leveraging organic marketing strategies like sponsored podcasts and SEO.
Starting a coding platform in Utah, like Boot.dev, allows you to tap into the burgeoning tech scene while offering valuable skills in high demand. If you’re considering this path, be inspired by Boot.dev's success and its strategic pivots, which significantly contributed to its rapid growth. To learn more about Boot.dev’s journey, you can read their case study.
Boot.dev founder Lane Wagner increased monthly revenue from $3,000 to $26,000 in a year by narrowing his product focus to a learning path for backend development in Python and Go, increasing memberships and marketing organically through sponsored podcasts and SEO.
5. Create an online course ($1.5M/year)
Creating an online course allows you to leverage your expertise and share valuable knowledge with a global audience, without the overhead costs associated with traditional classroom settings. By designing and selling courses online, you could provide flexible and convenient education to students anywhere, earning a substantial income in the process.
Gabriel Kramer, based in Eagle Mountain, Utah, did just that with his business SI Certs, a platform offering online test prep courses for construction inspectors. Successfully turning his background in construction inspection into a high-revenue business, Gabriel scaled SI Certs to $45,000/month, with projections to reach $60,000/month. To read more about Gabriel Kramer’s journey and how he built this thriving online course business, check out the full case study.
SI Certs CEO Gabriel Kramer shares how he turned his experience as a construction inspector into an online test prep course business that made over $45,000/month in revenue last year, and is projected to make $60,000/month this year.
6. Start a guitar company ($1.2M/year)
If you have a passion for music and are looking to start a home-based business in Utah, you could consider starting a guitar company. There’s a unique opportunity in crafting specialized or high-quality guitars, drawing inspiration from businesses like KLOS Guitars, which was co-founded by Adam Klosowiak. Launched in 2015 in Provo, Utah, this company innovated the market with durable, portable carbon fiber guitars and ukuleles. The successful Kickstarter campaign, which helped them generate over $1 million in funding, highlights the demand for unique musical instruments.
KLOS Guitars particularly stands out for its travel-friendly guitar, which can be disassembled and fits neatly into a portable gig bag. This venture has turned into a thriving business with monthly sales over $100,000, showcasing the potential profitability of a well-executed guitar company in Utah. For more insights into their journey and success, you can read their case study here.
KLOS Guitars CEO and co-founder Adam Klosowiak created a unique line of carbon fiber guitars and ukuleles, launching with a successful Kickstarter campaign that has since led to over $1 million in funding, with current monthly sales over $100K mainly through Shopify.
7. Start a fashion blogging business ($120K/year)
Starting a fashion blogging business is a fantastic home-based business idea that allows you to leverage your creativity and passion for fashion into a profitable venture. By sharing insights, style tips, and DIY projects through engaging content, you could attract a dedicated audience and generate multiple streams of income through advertising, sponsorships, and digital products.
Take inspiration from Lisa Miller-Mecham's Creative Fashion Blog, which she started in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lisa transformed her passion for DIY fashion into a thriving business that generates over $10,000 per month in passive income through her sewing patterns and other digital products. To learn more about her journey and gather tips for building an authentic brand on a budget, you can read her full case study here.
Learn how this DIY blogger turned sewing pattern maker generates over $10k per month in passive income, and discover her tips for building an authentic brand on a budget.
8. Start a mom blog ($36K/year)
Starting a mom blog could be a great business opportunity if you have a passion for sharing your motherhood experiences and providing valuable advice to fellow moms. In Utah, Audrey Marshall successfully launched "Mommy Enlightened," a blog that quickly grew to earn over $3,000 per month within a year and a half. Audrey's blog offers advice on pregnancy, babies, toddlerhood, and general motherhood, providing a supportive community for new mothers.
By diversifying her income streams through ad revenue, affiliate income, and product sales, Mommy Enlightened has become a thriving home-based business in Utah. If you're looking to start a similar venture, Audrey's journey can serve as an inspiring model. You can read more about her story and how she built her successful mom blog here.
This case study follows a blogger who started making over $3,000 per month within a year and a half of launching her blog about motherhood, and shares tips on diversifying income streams, networking, and prioritizing spending.
9. Start a children's clothing business
Starting a children's clothing business could be a fantastic opportunity, especially if you're based in Utah. Utah's strong sense of family and community values makes it an ideal location for a business focused on kids and their well-being. You could build a brand that offers durable, stylish, and functional clothing designed to encourage outdoor play and exploration.
Sawyer, a children's clothing brand launched by Cameron Olthuis in Park City, Utah, serves as an inspiring example. This direct-to-consumer business produces high-quality, timeless designs that promote the benefits of outdoor activities for kids. You could follow a similar path, leveraging local manufacturing and a mission-driven approach to create a loyal customer base. For more details about Sawyer's journey, you can read the complete case study here.
Sawyer, a direct-to-consumer kids clothing brand, encourages kids to explore nature through durable products with striking designs; despite being bootstrapped and manufacturing in house, the brand growth sees consumers frequently purchasing up to 8 times in less than a year, with a solid brand strategy based on quality products and timeless design.
10. Start an online advertising agency ($2.12M/year)
Starting an online advertising agency in Utah offers numerous opportunities for growth and success. Utah's booming tech industry, including hubs like Silicon Slopes, has created a demand for effective online marketing strategies to promote products and services. By leveraging these connections, you could help local businesses improve their online presence and reach a broader audience.
Additionally, the relatively low cost of living in Utah allows you to start this business on a budget, gaining skills through free digital marketing resources and building your portfolio with mock campaigns or discounted services. As your expertise grows, offering your services to local enterprises could establish a loyal client base and help you expand your agency effectively. For inspiration, check out successful case studies from other entrepreneurs who have built thriving online advertising agencies.
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.
11. Start a marketing automation platform ($1.95M/year)
Starting a marketing automation platform in Utah could be a great venture given the state's burgeoning tech scene and supportive ecosystem for startups. With Silicon Slopes in your backyard, you'll be surrounded by a community of tech enthusiasts and resources that can foster growth and innovation for your business.
Such a platform would address the needs of Utah's numerous startups and mid-sized businesses looking to maximize their marketing efficiency. By offering a solution that automates repetitive tasks and centralizes marketing efforts, you could provide valuable tools that help local businesses focus more on strategy and creativity. Check out some successful case studies of marketing automation platforms to see how others have paved the way.
GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
12. Start a web design & online marketing business ($1.55M/year)
Utah's thriving tech scene and increasing number of small businesses present a lucrative opportunity for starting a web design & online marketing business. The state is home to the burgeoning "Silicon Slopes" area, which is attracting startups and established companies alike, all of which require strong online presences and effective marketing strategies.
Given the fact that the online marketing industry is the second-largest in the U.S. and is estimated to grow by 30% annually, you could tap into this expanding market. By leveraging your expertise in web design and marketing concepts, you can help local businesses optimize their online capabilities, thereby significantly boosting your chance of success. For more insights, check out this detailed guide on starting a web design and online marketing business and read success stories from other entrepreneurs in this field.
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.
13. Start a ppc agency ($1.94M/year)
Starting a PPC agency in Utah could be a highly profitable venture thanks to the state's growing tech industry and the increasing importance of digital marketing. With 45% of small businesses using PPC advertising and Utah's vibrant startup ecosystem, there is a robust market for your services.
Capitalizing on this demand, you could offer a comprehensive range of PPC campaigns, from strategy and design to SEO and performance analysis. Utah's dynamic business environment provides a fertile ground for brands looking to maximize their ROI through effective online advertising. For inspiration, check out these success stories and consider getting certified in AdWords and Bing Ads to enhance your offerings.
Digital Position, a digital marketing agency, was founded by Roger Parent, who was unhappy being underpaid at his job; the company is now generating over $330k/month in revenue, and aims to generate $5m in 2022, with a long-term goal of hitting $30m before Parent is 40.
14. Start a business growth service ($1.81M/year)
A business growth service could be an exceptional opportunity in Utah, given the state's vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and rapidly expanding tech sector. By leveraging your strategic insights and expertise, you can help local businesses navigate their growth journeys, optimize their operations, and maximize revenue potential. Utah's business landscape, which is rich with startups and established enterprises alike, provides a fertile ground for offering tailored support that meets the unique needs of various industries.
Additionally, with the increasing complexities of the modern business environment, companies are keen to invest in specialized growth services to gain a competitive edge. You could assist Utah businesses by enhancing their digital marketing strategies, improving customer acquisition processes, and refining their operational models. To learn more about this business idea and see successful case studies, check out these details and success stories on Starter Story.
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.
15. Start a social media marketing service ($1.17M/year)
Utah's booming small business landscape makes it an ideal place for launching a social media marketing service. With a diverse range of startups and established companies looking to enhance their online presence, you could provide a valuable service by managing content, boosting engagement, and fine-tuning strategies on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Given Utah’s strong entrepreneurial community and its high internet penetration rates, you could swiftly tap into a market hungry for digital marketing expertise. Plus, a social media marketing service offers flexible working hours and scalability, allowing you to expand as you pick up more clients. To see how others have successfully started this type of business, check out some successful case studies and explore more details on this business idea.
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
16. Start a b2b lead generation service ($2.07M/year)
Starting a B2B lead generation service in Utah is a strategic choice due to the state's burgeoning tech scene and diverse business landscape. With major tech hubs in Salt Lake City and the Silicon Slopes area, many businesses are in constant need of high-quality leads to fuel their growth. You could tap into this ongoing demand by helping these companies identify and connect with potential clients, ultimately fostering substantial business opportunities.
Moreover, with a strong local network and an understanding of Utah's unique market dynamics, you could provide tailored lead generation solutions that cater specifically to the needs of businesses in the region. This could set you apart from national competitors, making your service indispensable to Utah-based companies. For more insightful details, check out this in-depth overview and be inspired by successful entrepreneurs in this field.
A 20-year-old digital nomad and serial entrepreneur shares his journey of starting a successful digital marketing agency, Nomads with Solutions, which specializes in Facebook lead generation, and offers insights on client acquisition, personal branding, and focusing on self-improvement.
17. Start a digital agency ($2.23M/year)
Starting a digital agency in Utah is an excellent business idea due to the state's burgeoning tech scene and high entrepreneurial spirit. With the growing demand for digital marketing services, you could tap into a wide range of local businesses looking to boost their online presence and reach their advertising, marketing, or technology-related goals.
Moreover, Utah's robust small business community offers plenty of networking opportunities, making it easier to secure your first clients and build a strong portfolio. Equipped with the proper skill set, the right tools, and the entrepreneurial mindset, you could establish a highly profitable digital agency in Utah. For more detailed insights, check out this guide to starting a digital agency and successful case studies.
How this founder started a $100K/month guaranteed transcription service for medical, legal, law enforcement, financial, academic and general business industries, winning the NASPO ValuePoint transcription services contract over 26 other companies and learning valuable lessons about getting a coach and getting as much PR as possible.
18. Start a branding agency ($783K/year)
Given Utah's thriving economy and strong entrepreneurial spirit, starting a branding agency could be a golden opportunity. The state's diverse industries—from tech startups in Silicon Slopes to hospitality in Park City—create a fertile ground for helping businesses establish and maintain their brand identity.
Moreover, the demand for high-quality branding is ever-present as companies aim to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. By opening a branding agency, you could assist Utah-based businesses in reaching new heights, ensuring they not only capture the attention of local audiences but also remain relevant in an increasingly digital world. For inspiration, check out successful case studies of branding agencies.
How one founder started a luxury boutique branding house and quit her corporate job, becoming a successful entrepreneur with a team of contractors, interns, and VAs, expanding services to personal styling, social media management, and content creation, while building an online course and planning to become a community for female entrepreneurs.
19. Start a life coaching business ($237K/year)
Utah's unique blend of vibrant culture and strong community values makes it an ideal environment for launching a life coaching business. As a life coach, you could tap into the growing demand within a state that prioritizes personal development and well-being. Leveraging the state's high internet connectivity and tech-savvy population, you could easily start this venture with minimal upfront investment and operate it from the comfort of your home.
Additionally, Utah's strong entrepreneurial spirit—evident in its robust startup ecosystem—provides a supportive backdrop for your new business. Many successful case studies have shown the profitability and scalability of life coaching. For more insights on how to kickstart your coaching journey, visit this guide.
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.
20. Start a freelance writing business ($751K/year)
Starting a freelance writing business in Utah offers the opportunity to tap into a stable and growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, bolstered by the state's proactive support for small businesses. Given Utah's burgeoning tech scene and vibrant economy, you could find a plethora of clients needing content creation, from tech companies to e-commerce businesses.
This career path gives you the flexibility to set your own schedule and work from the comfort of your home, which is ideal for those valuing work-life balance. For more insights, check out our detailed overview on freelance writing and see how others have succeeded in this space through our successful case studies.
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.
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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.
