29 Business Ideas For UX Designers [2024]

Updated: September 4th, 2024

Interested in starting a business as a doctor in 2024?

If managed well, building a business as a doctor could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for Doctors?

We put together 29 of some of the best doctor business ideas you can start in today.

For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other doctor businesses to help you see what it takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a digital agency ($186K/month)

As a UX/UI designer, starting a digital agency could be a viable way to supplement your income or even transition into a fully-fledged business. Leveraging your expertise in user experience and interface design, you could help businesses reach their advertising, marketing, or technology-related goals by creating seamless and engaging digital experiences. Your unique skill set allows you to optimize websites, apps, and other digital channels to ensure a user-centric approach, which is becoming increasingly valuable in the expanding digital market.

With the global digital agency market reaching nearly $305B in 2020 and expected to continue growing, there are immense opportunities for entrepreneurial-minded UX/UI designers. You could offer a range of services from user research, wireframing, and prototyping to complete digital solutions, helping clients stand out in an increasingly crowded digital landscape. By aligning your creative skills with strategic business objectives, you could carve a niche for yourself in a lucrative industry.

How much you can make: $100 — $3,699,632/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

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

How We Started A $100K/Month Company That Provides Transcription Services

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.

Read by 13,477 founders

2. Become a digital product designer ($89.1K/month)

Starting a digital product designer business could be an excellent side hustle for UX designers looking to diversify their income streams. As a multidisciplinary professional, you already possess the skills necessary to take a product from initial concept to launch. Capitalize on this by creating user interface design PSD templates and selling them to new businesses or other designers, thereby building a strong portfolio while generating passive income.

In addition, the demand for high-quality digital products has never been higher, with many designers seeking ways to build websites, sell products online, and enhance productivity. By offering ready-made designs, you could tap into this market, providing valuable resources that save businesses time and effort. Implementing some actionable techniques, like identifying niche markets or leveraging online marketplaces, could easily lead to the creation of a sustainable digital product design business.

How much you can make: $3,500 — $300,000/month

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

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

How I Started A $69K/Month Software Agency After A Failed Product Launch

A software agency started by a non-technical founder helps diverse clients with their minimum lovable product, boasting a revenue of over $700,000 this year with a 20% profit margin and a team of 8.

Read by 25,958 founders

3. Start a niche web design business ($50K/month)

Starting a niche web design business could be an excellent venture for you as a UI/UX designer, leveraging your existing skill set in visual design, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. By focusing on a specialized market—such as law, home improvement, videography, or fashion—you could establish yourself as an expert in that field. This specialization positions you to command higher fees and attract clients who are specifically looking for tailored industry-specific design solutions.

Moreover, your strong communication skills, analytical thinking, and attention to detail could help you create compelling, user-centered websites that meet the unique needs of niche businesses. This could not only supplement your income but also offer you the opportunity to build a reputable side business or even transition into a full-time entrepreneurial career. The skills and qualities you have developed as a UI/UX designer make you well-equipped to excel in a niche web design business.

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

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

How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)

How I Left Silicon Valley And Started A $100K/Month Digital Agency

Never Settle, a digital agency with over 1,000 completed projects and a focus on lean methodology and building relationships with clients, has made a name for itself in the eCommerce space, offering comprehensive solutions to businesses of all sizes while maintaining consistent and moderate growth.

Read by 7,272 founders

4. Become a software developer ($51.7K/month)

As a UX designer, collaborating with a software developer to start a software development business could offer a highly lucrative and exciting opportunity. Your expertise in creating user-friendly and intuitive designs will complement the technical skills of a software developer, ensuring that the end product is not only functional but also provides a superior user experience. The combination of design and technical proficiency is crucial for developing successful software solutions that meet the needs of modern users.

You could focus on emerging trends like mobile apps and cloud-based solutions, addressing the increasing demand for convenient access to data and applications. By leveraging your UI/UX skills, you could develop software that stands out in the market for its aesthetic appeal and ease of use. Additionally, considering the high earning potential in the software development industry, this could be a highly profitable venture, with median salaries for developers reaching around $110,140 annually.

How much you can make: $500 — $350,000/month

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

How We Started A $350K/Month Business Developing Software Tools For Ecommerce Brands

SkyVerge, a software company, has grown rapidly with revenue of $350,000 per month, over 100,000 eCommerce customers, and a globally distributed team of 30 people, all through starting with consulting projects and building focused and solutions-based products, acquiring small products from other developers, and focusing largely on content marketing and providing excellent customer support.

Read by 39,449 founders

5. Start a list your room

As a UI/UX designer, you could leverage your keen eye for aesthetics and user experience to create an appealing and seamless listing for a room rental business. By designing an intuitive and visually engaging interface for your listing, you could attract more potential renters and provide them with a superior browsing experience, setting your offering apart from the competition.

Additionally, your skills in usability testing and user feedback can help you continuously improve your listings and interactions with renters. This side venture not only supplements your income but also allows you to apply and hone your design skills in a practical business scenario, opening up opportunities to showcase your work to a wider audience.

6. Start a wordpress maintenance services ($24.3K/month)

As a UX designer, leveraging your technical skills to offer WordPress maintenance services could be a seamless and profitable venture. This business idea involves managing, updating, and optimizing WordPress websites to ensure they run smoothly, catering to a growing number of website owners who lack the expertise or time to handle the intricacies themselves. By handling tasks such as security updates, plugin and theme management, speed optimization, and troubleshooting, you could supplement your income with a steady stream of recurring revenue from monthly service plans.

What makes this especially appealing is the opportunity to combine your technical savvy with the potential for growth. You could start small and eventually scale by hiring a team of specialists or using automation tools to manage the workload. Not only does this provide a lucrative income stream, but it also allows you to help businesses maintain and improve their websites, offering them peace of mind and ensuring a positive user experience for their visitors.

How much you can make: $600 — $100,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 22 days (?)

How I Started A $1.4K/Month WordPress Support Service

Work Hero is a WordPress support and maintenance service that went from working with one website in December 2019 to 13 recurring customer sites today, earning ~$1470/month with most customers paying an unlimited fee of $149/month.

Read by 7,842 founders

7. Build a chrome extension ($72.8K/month)

As a UI/UX designer, you could leverage your design expertise to create highly intuitive and user-friendly Chrome extensions. These small software programs enable you to customize web browser functionality, offering endless possibilities for tools that could significantly enhance user productivity or security. By focusing on crafting elegant, accessible interfaces, you could differentiate your extension from the competition, making it more attractive to potential users.

If you have programming and coding skills, you could capitalize on this by developing and selling your own extension on the Chrome Web Store. Alternatively, offering your extension for free and generating revenue through advertising could also be viable. This entrepreneurial path allows you to both showcase your design skills and create a potentially profitable business venture, making it an excellent side project or even a full-time endeavor.

How much you can make: $10 — $450,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 21 days (?)

How We Started A $350K/Month Business Developing Software Tools For Ecommerce Brands

SkyVerge, a software company, has grown rapidly with revenue of $350,000 per month, over 100,000 eCommerce customers, and a globally distributed team of 30 people, all through starting with consulting projects and building focused and solutions-based products, acquiring small products from other developers, and focusing largely on content marketing and providing excellent customer support.

Read by 39,449 founders

8. Build a resumes web page

As a UI/UX designer, you could leverage your design skills to build a streamlined, user-friendly resumes webpage to help people craft impressive CVs and secure job opportunities. By focusing on intuitive navigation and visually appealing templates, you could create a platform that stands out in the crowded digital job market.

Starting this kind of venture can supplement your income or even evolve into a full-fledged business, especially with the increasing demand for online profiles. Your expertise in user experience can ensure that job seekers have an easy and pleasant experience, making your service indispensable in today’s job-hunting landscape.

How much does it cost to start: $20 (?)

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

9. Start a SEO services ($87.4K/month)

As a UI/UX designer, you could leverage your design expertise into starting an SEO services business to supplement your income or create a side business. Your knowledge of user behavior and website usability could be a significant asset in optimizing website content effectively, ensuring not just higher search engine rankings but also improved user experience.

This business venture involves tasks like optimizing website content, building quality backlinks, and conducting keyword research – all of which align well with your existing skillset. With a computer, internet connection, and some basic SEO knowledge, you could offer your services to small businesses looking to enhance their online presence, all without a large upfront investment.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $800,000/month

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

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

How I Started A $28K/Month Boutique SEO Company

This case study describes the journey of Russell Michelson who, after leaving his corporate job, turned his WordPress skills into a thriving boutique SEO agency earning $20k/month, thanks to client referrals and Upwork.

Read by 9,629 founders

10. Start a cleaning service ($128K/month)

As a UI/UX designer with a knack for detail and a strong sense of user needs, you could channel these skills into launching a cleaning service. This side hustle requires minimal capital to start, and with free time on weekends or weekdays, you could offer your services to neighbors and steadily scale as you gain experience. You'd be applying your meticulous attention to detail in a new context, ensuring every client’s home is spotless while supplementing your income.

Given the average hourly rate of $17.32 for house cleaners, there's potential for a significant income boost. Additionally, starting a cleaning business taps into an extensive market, ensuring there's always demand for your services. As you continue to grow your client base and reputation, this side business could evolve into a full-fledged venture, allowing you to balance design projects with a thriving cleaning service.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $600,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 70 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 7 hours/week

How I Started A $100K+/Month Home Cleaning Service For Busy Individuals And Airbnb Hosts

MaidThis®, launched by Neel Parekh in Los Angeles with just one cleaner in 2013, has achieved over $10 million in total revenue by focusing on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, thanks to its successful remote business model and new-age marketing tactics, and has now launched MaidThis Franchise to expand the business further.

Read by 21,843 founders

11. Start a hair vlog

As a UX/UI designer, starting a hair vlog could be a brilliant way to supplement your income while leveraging your existing skills in design, user experience, and digital content creation. Your expertise in creating visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces translates well into producing high-quality, engaging video content for your vlog. You could use your design skills to create visually stunning tutorials and product reviews that keep viewers coming back for more.

Additionally, your experience in user experience design could help you create a seamless and intuitive experience for your audience across various platforms, including YouTube, social media, and your own website. By understanding the needs and preferences of your audience, you could tailor your content to be both informative and entertaining, maximizing viewer engagement and retention. This venture not only allows you to explore a new creative outlet but also opens up opportunities for advertising revenue and sponsored content, offering a lucrative side business or even a full-fledged entrepreneurial endeavor.

12. Become a glass blower

As a UX designer, you could leverage your keen sense of aesthetics and design to create intricate glass pieces that resonate with your artistic vision. The experience of shaping and blowing glass can provide a tactile and immersive creative outlet, fostering a balance between your digital and physical craftsmanship. This side venture could not only supplement your income but also enrich your portfolio with unique, handcrafted pieces that showcase your diverse design skills.

With your background in user experience, you could design glassware that offers both beauty and functionality, ensuring a cohesive user experience in every piece. Additionally, marketing your glass creations through an online store or social media platforms could be an excellent way to engage with your audience, applying your UX expertise to create a seamless shopping experience for your customers. This business idea merges your existing talents with a new, tactile medium, opening up fresh entrepreneurial opportunities.

13. Start an employee onboarding software

As a UX designer, you could leverage your expertise in creating seamless, user-friendly experiences to develop an employee onboarding software. This business idea involves designing a platform that guides new hires through every step of the onboarding process, from signing documents to understanding company culture, ensuring they have all the information they need at their fingertips. The intuitive interface you design would help new employees easily access essential information, complete paperwork, and learn about their roles, all while allowing managers to track progress in real-time.

By streamlining the onboarding process, your software could reduce administrative burdens, boost new hire productivity, and enhance retention rates. This venture could cater to the growing need for efficient onboarding solutions in modern workplaces, making it a valuable tool for companies looking to improve their employee integration processes. With your UX skills and a well-thought-out development and marketing strategy, you could turn this idea into a profitable business that significantly impacts employee satisfaction and business success.

How much you can make: $1,833,333/month

How Rob Rawson Bootstrapped Time Doctor to $22M ARR in 14 Years

Discover how two founders transformed personal frustrations into Time Doctor, a bootstrapped SaaS juggernaut generating an impressive $22 million annually by leveraging strategic SEO, paid ads, and a focused remote work model.

Read by 23 founders

14. Start a hightop sneaker business ($2.5K/month)

As a UI/UX designer, your keen eye for aesthetics and understanding of user experience could translate seamlessly into the world of hightop sneakers. Leveraging your design skills, you could create visually captivating and ergonomically sound sneaker designs that stand out in a crowded market. Your expertise in user research could easily transfer to understanding your target audience's preferences, ensuring that each sneaker model not only looks good but also appeals to various demographics.

Moreover, your knowledge of user journeys can be applied to the customer purchasing experience, from sleek website design to engaging social media content. Collaborating with influencers and utilizing strong visual storytelling can significantly enhance your marketing efforts. With a combination of bespoke designs and strategic digital engagement, your hightop sneaker business could flourish as a lucrative side gig or even as a full-time endeavor.

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

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

How long does it take to build: 337 days (?)

I Started A $48K/Year Newsletter For Sneaker Heads

Founder Casey Woodard started KickFlips, a sneaker and streetwear flipping resource, which currently brings in around $4,000 per month in revenue with roughly $150 in expenses, boasting a little over 1,500 users almost exclusively through word of mouth and referrals.

Read by 13,902 founders

15. Become a Facebook ads consultant ($801K/month)

As a UI/UX designer, your expertise in user behavior and experience makes you uniquely suited to excel as a Facebook ads consultant. By leveraging your understanding of user interface interactions and flow, you could create highly engaging and effective ads that drive significant website traffic for your clients. Your design skills would also enable you to craft visually appealing ad creatives that attract more clicks and conversions.

This side business not only allows you to supplement your income but also offers the potential for passive, predictable earnings. As you master the art of managing ad campaigns and optimizing performance, you could expand your client base and tap into a thriving market. Given the increasing success of Facebook ads consultants, this venture holds promising opportunities for entrepreneurial-minded UI/UX designers looking to diversify their income streams.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $8,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,175 (?)

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

How I Disrupted The Ad Industry And Grew My Business To $20M/Year

MonetizeMore founder and CEO shares his success story of growing his ad optimization business to over $20M in annual revenues by focusing on the offering that delivered the best results, using content marketing for lead generation, and establishing strategic partnerships with complimentary businesses.

Read by 21,886 founders

16. Substack newsletter ($42.6K/month)

As a UI/UX designer, starting a Substack newsletter could be an excellent way to supplement your income by sharing your expertise and insights with an engaged audience. You could write about industry trends, user experience principles, design best practices, and case studies, attracting both fellow designers and businesses looking to improve their UX strategies. Your specialized knowledge makes your perspective highly valuable, and there are readers who would be willing to pay for quality, well-crafted content that helps them solve real-world design challenges.

Moreover, by consistently providing high-value content, you could build a loyal subscriber base that grows gradually over time. Substack handles the technical aspects such as subscriptions and payments, allowing you to focus on creating compelling and informative content. This side business could not only boost your income but also establish you as a thought leader in the UI/UX field, opening doors to more opportunities, including speaking engagements, workshops, and consulting gigs.

How much you can make: $160 — $250,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 20 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A $140K/Month Flights And Holidays Deals Newsletter

I Know The Pilot founder Garth Adams shares how he grew his airfare and accommodation deals newsletter from a simple WordPress site to over 780,000 email subscribers, 110,000 app users, and 550,000 Facebook fans on a 100% free business model, and how he's pivoted domestically during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read by 14,438 founders

17. Start a gift wrapping service

As a UI/UX designer, you could leverage your keen eye for aesthetics and design principles in starting a gift wrapping service. Your understanding of color theory, composition, and user experience can help you create beautifully wrapped gifts that stand out and delight customers. This business idea requires minimal capital, allowing you to begin without significant financial risk.

Additionally, your skills in marketing and user engagement can be effectively utilized to promote your service online. You could request recommendations from satisfied clients to build credibility and attract new customers, thus supplementing your income or growing a side business. This venture aligns well with an entrepreneurial spirit, offering a creative outlet while capitalizing on your current design expertise.

18. Start a product development consulting business ($119K/month)

Starting a product development consulting business could be a natural extension of your skills as a UI/UX designer. By leveraging your experience in user-centered design, you could guide businesses through the intricacies of transforming ideas into market-ready products. Your background in user experience would allow you to excel in market research, prototype creation, and product launch strategies, effectively bridging the gap between concept and execution.

In this role, you could employ your creative problem-solving abilities while engaging in strategic planning, ensuring that each product reaches its full potential. The dynamic nature of the work, interacting with various industries, would keep your projects interesting and multifaceted. Each successful project could enhance your reputation, building rewarding relationships and potentially leading to a fulfilling and lucrative side business or full-time venture.

If you're detail-oriented and passionate about innovation, starting a product development consulting business could be your path to an exciting new professional chapter. This endeavor utilizes your existing skill set while offering the opportunity to create impactful solutions for a wide array of clients.

How much you can make: $21,000 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,000 (?)

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

I Built $140K+ MRR SaaS With No Audience & Sold It For $3.5M

This case study is about a founder who launched a paywall platform for content creators in 2019, bootstrapping it from $0 and eventually selling it for $3.5M on Flippa, with the platform generating between $125,000 - $142,000 in Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) on 95% margins.

Read by 10,038 founders

19. Start an on-site chair massage business

As a UI/UX designer, you could leverage your understanding of user-centered experiences to craft a highly satisfying on-site chair massage business. By offering brief, relaxing massage sessions at offices, events, and public spaces, you can provide immediate stress relief and productivity boosts to busy professionals who value wellness solutions during their hectic schedules.

Your skills in observing and understanding user needs can be translated into recognizing when and where these services are most beneficial. Additionally, your knack for effective communication and customer empathy will ensure a standout experience, helping to quickly build a loyal client base. By marketing this service strategically on social media and local platforms, you could expand gradually by hiring additional therapists, ultimately creating a go-to wellness solution that complements your design career.

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

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

How I Started A $2K/Month Mobile Bodycare Experiences Business

Jenni Jo, a licensed massage therapist, shares her story of creating a mobile body care spa in a custom Airstream to cater to the niche market of touring entertainers, with features such as massage tables, lounging spaces, custom cabinetry, lighting, music, and aromatherapy, inspiring other entrepreneurs to keep taking steps towards their dreams.

Read by 7,036 founders

20. Start a Personalized Jewelry Business

As a UI/UX designer, starting a Personalized Jewelry Business could be a lucrative way to leverage your design skills to create unique, user-centered pieces. Just like crafting intuitive digital experiences, you could channel your eye for detail and user empathy into designing custom jewelry that resonates with individual tastes and preferences. The art of creating personalized jewelry offers versatility, from adding a simple stone to crafting intricate pieces with settings, engravings, and sizing.

In addition, the principles of UI/UX design, such as understanding user needs and creating aesthetically pleasing, functional designs, align well with the intricacies of jewelry design. You could offer custom-made watches, bracelets, and other jewelry items by collaborating with expert jewelers. This venture allows you to supplement your income without requiring prior experience in jewelry making—your existing talents for creating beautiful, user-oriented designs are your primary assets.

21. Start a breath freshener business

As a UX/UI designer, venturing into the breath freshener business presents a unique opportunity to leverage your design skills in an emerging market. You could utilize your expertise to create not only an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly product packaging but also a seamless e-commerce experience that enhances customer satisfaction. Given the breath freshener market's demand for on-the-go solutions, your understanding of consumer behavior could guide the creation of a product that is both effective and visually appealing.

Developing a distinct brand identity and engaging marketing campaigns would be crucial to standing out in this crowded marketplace. Your ability to conduct thorough market research will be invaluable in identifying customer preferences and competitive gaps. With rising awareness about oral hygiene, the potential for a successful side business—or even a full-fledged company—in the breath freshener market is significant for those who are innovative and committed to quality.

How much you can make: $1,100/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,500 (?)

How I Created A Breath & Hand Freshening Spray And Got Featured On Shark Tank

Sprëtz is the world's first all-natural 2-in-1 freshening spray that instantly removes odors from breath and hands, currently serving customers in all 50 states and internationally, featured on ABC's Shark Tank and created by creator and co-owner Tony Gauthier.

Read by 7,301 founders

22. Start a skin care product line ($110K/month)

As a UI/UX designer, your keen eye for design and user experience could give you a significant advantage in starting a skincare product line. You could apply your design skills to create visually appealing product packaging and a seamless online shopping experience, both of which are crucial in this competitive, multi-billion dollar industry. Furthermore, your understanding of user-centered design principles could help you create products that meet the actual needs and preferences of your customers, ensuring both safety and effectiveness.

By leveraging your knowledge of design and user experience, you could differentiate your skincare products in a crowded market. Your ability to conduct user research and usability testing could also help refine your products and marketing strategies, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty. With the skincare industry projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.6% up to 2030, this venture presents a lucrative opportunity to diversify your income and potentially build a thriving business.

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

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

How Two Moms Started A Business Selling Homemade Body Butter

Two moms start a side hustle selling all-natural body products, doubling sales since their launch in 2017 with over 75 craft shows, promoting a non-profit source for their shea butter and self-promotion through podcasts, lining up retail interest from exposure.

Read by 34,860 founders

23. Start a charging accessories business

As a UI/UX designer, venturing into a charging accessories business could be a lucrative side hustle that complements your design skills. You could leverage your expertise to craft an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly online store, showcasing a curated selection of high-demand products like fast chargers, power banks, and wireless charging pads. Companies like Anker and Belkin could serve as inspiration for the type of high-quality items you would offer.

Given that the demand for reliable charging solutions is ever-growing, this venture offers a consistent revenue stream rooted in our tech-dependent lifestyles. Through diligent research and sourcing of durable, efficient products, combined with compelling marketing strategies, you could meet a fundamental need while ensuring customer satisfaction. Your attention to design details could be a significant advantage in standing out in this competitive market.

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

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 9,753 founders

24. Start an online tv site

As a UI/UX designer, you could leverage your skills to create an engaging and user-friendly online TV site. Your expertise in crafting intuitive navigation and visually appealing layouts would ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for viewers, setting your platform apart in the crowded digital entertainment market.

Additionally, your understanding of user behavior and design principles could help you create personalized recommendations and features that keep users coming back, thus increasing viewer retention and potential ad revenue. This venture not only allows you to supplement your income but also offers a scalable business model that can grow as your audience expands.

25. Start a patreon

Starting a Patreon could be a lucrative way for a UX designer to supplement their income or even develop a side business. By offering exclusive content such as design tutorials, toolkits, or deep-dives into your design process, you could attract an audience willing to pay for such valuable insights. This allows you to monetize your expertise and provide ongoing support to a community of aspiring designers or those looking to enhance their skills.

Moreover, you could create tiers of membership, offering personalized feedback, one-on-one mentorship sessions, or early access to your latest projects. This tiered system not only provides multiple revenue streams but also allows you to build a loyal subscriber base. As your Patreon community grows, so too does the potential to turn it into a full-fledged business, giving you both financial stability and creative freedom.

26. Start a FBO sales and advisory services business

Starting an FBO (Fixed Base Operator) sales and advisory services business could be a lucrative way for UI/UX designers to leverage their unique expertise. With your design skills, you could create intuitive and engaging digital interfaces for FBO clients, enhancing their online presence and service bookings. This would not only showcase your ability to optimize user experiences but also help aviation businesses streamline their operations and attract more customers.

Moreover, your background in user-centered design could be invaluable in advising FBOs on improving their customer experience and workflow efficiencies. By conducting thorough user research and applying your knowledge of design principles, you could offer insights that lead to more satisfied clients and better operational outcomes. This side business allows you to use your core skills in new ways, expanding your professional horizons and potentially creating a significant new income stream.

27. Start an online gift shop business ($122K/month)

As a UI/UX designer, starting an online gift shop business could be a seamless fit given your expertise in creating intuitive and visually appealing user experiences. Your skills in designing engaging and user-friendly websites would be pivotal in developing a standout ecommerce platform that enhances customer satisfaction and drives sales. Leveraging your design skills, you could craft an online store that not only showcases curated, unique gifts but also provides a smooth and enjoyable shopping journey.

The flexibility of an online gift shop business means you could integrate it as a side hustle while still maintaining your full-time role. By employing your unique ability to understand user behavior, you could source products that resonate with your target audience, offering them a personalized and thoughtful shopping experience. Additionally, with your knowledge of marketing and user engagement, you could effectively utilize social media, email campaigns, and influencer partnerships to boost your brand's visibility and drive traffic to your store, turning your entrepreneurial aspirations into reality.

How much you can make: $550 — $800,000/month

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

How I Started A $500K/Month Stuffed Animal Care Packages Ecommerce Brand

Meet Tyler Macke, the 21-year-old founder of SendAFriend, an e-commerce brand that sells stuffed animal care packages, which began with $50k in revenue in 2019 and is now on track to make $5M in revenue this year, while donating 10% of revenue to children's hospitals throughout the United States.

Read by 18,067 founders

28. Start an open-source project scheduling application

As a UI/UX designer, starting an open-source project scheduling application could be an excellent way to supplement your income or even launch a side business. By designing an intuitive and visually appealing platform, you could create a tool that helps teams manage timelines, allocate resources, and monitor project progress with full transparency and efficiency. Given that most companies are always on the lookout for innovative and cost-effective project management solutions, your unique design expertise could set your application apart from the competition.

Furthermore, offering an open-source solution allows you to tap into a community-driven approach, ensuring the application remains adaptable and constantly updated through user contributions. This approach not only reduces dependence on a single development team but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration. Engaging with a community of developers and strategically marketing your solution could lead to significant growth opportunities while also making a meaningful impact on the digital workspace.

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

I Grew My Open-Source Software Side Project To $3K/Month [$0 Spent On Ads]

GanttProject, a popular free open-source project scheduling application, generated $3000-5000 monthly through the pay-what-you-want model, despite not spending a single dollar on paid traffic, and has now grown to over 2-3k monthly active users.

Read by 4,694 founders

29. Start a nail polish remover business

As a UI/UX designer, you could leverage your skills to create a unique and eye-catching brand for your nail polish remover business. The current market for nail polish removers is robust, with a consistent demand driven by the frequent use of nail paints as a core part of many women’s beauty routines. Your expertise in creating aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly designs would be invaluable in developing attractive packaging that stands out on store shelves and appeals to customers.

Additionally, your knowledge of user experience could help you design nail polish remover pads that are not only effective but also easy and pleasant to use, enhancing customer satisfaction. You could also use your design skills to create compelling marketing materials and an engaging online presence, which are crucial for modern business success. By combining your design prowess with the steady demand in the beauty market, you could build a profitable side business or even a full-fledged enterprise.

meet the author
Pat Walls