The 40 Best Home-Based Businesses To Start In Wisconsin [2024]
Interested in starting a business in Wisconsin in 2024?
We put together 39 of the best businesses you can start in Wisconsin today.
For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of how you can start your profitable, home-based small business in Wisconsin.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a soap business ($1.2M/year)
Starting a soap business in Wisconsin could be a rewarding venture, leveraging the state's appreciation for quality, handcrafted goods. One inspiring example is Mirai Clinical, founded by Koko Hayashi, which is based in Spring Valley, WI. This business targets baby boomers with innovative deodorizing body, hair, and home care products, boasting monthly sales of $100,000 primarily through Shopify and Amazon.
Mirai Clinical's success lies in its unique offering: a persimmon soap that addresses body odor associated with aging, a niche yet impactful market. By focusing on senior-friendly designs and human customer service, Koko has turned a personal experience into a thriving eCommerce business. For more on this successful venture, you can read the full case study here.
This case study features a Japanese female entrepreneur who started an eCommerce business offering deodorizing body, hair, and home care products, with monthly sales of $100,000 mostly from Shopify eCommerce and Amazon, targeting baby boomers and offering solutions for body odor associated with aging in the USA.
2. Dropshipping men's grooming products ($960K/year)
Dropshipping men's grooming products could be a lucrative home-based business idea for anyone in Wisconsin. With a focus on natural and high-quality products, you could tap into a market that's increasingly conscious about the ingredients in their personal care items. A prime example of success in this niche started in Blue Mounds, WI. Kyle LaFond founded American Provenance and has achieved over $3M in lifetime revenue by offering natural grooming products for men.
American Provenance began in a renovated machine shed on a 4th generation family farm and grew its reputation by getting products on over 4,000 shelves nationwide. By focusing on creating their own products with minimal, recognizable ingredients, Kyle built a brand that resonated with health-conscious consumers. This demonstrates that with the right approach and dedication, you could build a successful dropshipping business from the comfort of your home in Wisconsin.
American Provenance, a natural products manufacturing company, achieved over $3M in lifetime revenue by creating high-quality natural products intended primarily for men, with a unique approach of building their reputation and customer base one store at a time.
3. Start a seo & lead generation service ($720K/year)
Starting an SEO & lead generation service in Wisconsin could be a lucrative endeavor, given the state's thriving small business community and burgeoning digital landscape. Wisconsin businesses, especially in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and technology, often need help to navigate the complexities of digital marketing and reaching potential customers online.
By offering SEO and lead generation services, you could help local companies improve their online visibility, attract more qualified leads, and grow their customer base. With low startup costs and the potential to work from home, this business model aligns well with the modern, flexible work environment and Wisconsin’s strong support systems for entrepreneurs. For inspiring success stories and additional insights, you can check out these successful case studies.
A link building company co-founded by Justas Markus has grown to make an average of $35k per month in recurring revenue with a focus on delivering high-quality services through manual processes and focusing on fewer markets.
4. Start an artificial intelligence business ($720K/year)
With the rapid growth of the global artificial intelligence market, projected to increase by approximately 54% YoY and surpass $22 billion in the coming years, Wisconsin presents an exciting landscape for launching an AI-related business. You could leverage this booming industry by tapping into various sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture, all of which are integral to the state's economy.
Given Wisconsin's robust research institutions and a supportive ecosystem for tech startups, you could find ample resources and networking opportunities to scale your business. For more detailed insights and success stories, check out these AI business ideas and explore the success stories of entrepreneurs who have already thrived in this space.
AdviNOW Medical uses artificial intelligence to automate clerical work, resulting in doctors being able to focus solely on patients and patients seeing more doctors every day, leading to increased profitability while solving healthcare issues.
5. Start a copywriting business ($419K/year)
Starting a copywriting business in Wisconsin could be a lucrative opportunity thanks to the state's growing digital economy and diverse array of small enterprises. With the increasing demand for high-quality content to boost online presence, local businesses could benefit from your knack for creating compelling copy. You could provide services such as website content, email marketing, or newsletters to help these businesses engage and capture their target audience effectively.
Additionally, the flexible nature of copywriting work allows you to operate from the comfort of your own home, catering to clients both within and outside of Wisconsin. This business idea is particularly attractive for entrepreneurial-minded individuals looking to leverage their writing skills into a profitable venture. For more guidance on starting a copywriting business, visit our detailed business idea page. Also, check out some successful case studies to gain inspiration and insights.
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.
6. Start an audio sharing app ($720K/year)
In Wisconsin, starting an audio-sharing app could offer significant potential due to the increasing global trends in music streaming and the state's robust tech ecosystem. With the world’s audio streaming market continuing to grow, having an innovative app tailored to local needs can carve out a unique niche for you, particularly given Wisconsin's vibrant university scene which fosters talent and innovation.
Moreover, an audio-sharing app can tap into the rich cultural heritage and music diversity of Wisconsin, offering local artists a dedicated platform to reach wider audiences. By building your audio-sharing app, you could contribute to and benefit from the ongoing growth in streaming subscribers, creating a profitable venture in your home state. For more inspiration, take a look at these successful case studies.
Wavve, a SaaS product helping podcasters and audio creators promote their content on social media, has grown to $75k in monthly recurring revenue with over 70,000 signups and clients including ESPN Radio, Dave Ramsey, and BBC.
7. Start a project management tool ($1.95M/year)
Starting a project management tool business in Wisconsin could be a stellar opportunity due to the state's thriving business environment and increasing reliance on technology for efficiency improvements. As local organizations, from manufacturing to healthcare, strive to streamline operations and boost productivity, a tailored software solution could address specific regional needs. By offering a web or mobile application through a SaaS model, you could cater to the diverse technological ecosystem across Wisconsin.
Moreover, developing such a tool allows you to tap into various industries that require robust project management solutions, such as construction, education, and public services. With the innovative edge, you could differentiate your tool by incorporating unique features like Gantt charts, time tracking, and collaboration tools. For inspiration, you may check out our successful case studies to see how others have thrived in this field.
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.
8. Start a content marketing business ($1.1M/year)
Starting a content marketing business in Wisconsin could be a lucrative opportunity due to the increasing demand for digital marketing expertise among local businesses. Companies with a strong content marketing strategy generate 67% more leads than those without, creating a significant opportunity for you to offer your services and drive meaningful results for your clients.
Wisconsin's diverse economic landscape, with its mix of manufacturing, agriculture, and technology sectors, offers numerous potential clients needing tailored content strategies to reach their target audiences effectively. Learn more about this business idea and discover real success stories from entrepreneurs who have thrived in this field.
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.
9. Start a hair product line ($3.83M/year)
Starting a hair product line could be a fantastic business opportunity in Wisconsin due to its diverse population and growing interest in personal care products. With the hair care industry projected to reach $102 billion by 2024, you could tap into a lucrative market by offering innovative and high-quality hair products tailored to local consumer preferences.
Given the state's active fashion and lifestyle scene, influenced by trends in hip-hop and pop culture, your hair product line could quickly resonate with Wisconsin's trendy and fashion-forward community. For more details on how to start and succeed in this niche, check out our guide to starting a hair product line and explore successful case studies for inspiration.
Private Label Extensions is a hair distribution and technology company that builds hair brands from A to Z for entrepreneurs, achieving over $650,000 in monthly sales and ranked #278 of the fastest-growing companies by Inc Magazine for 2018.
10. Start a dental handpiece repair business
A dental handpiece repair business could be a lucrative opportunity in Wisconsin. Dental practices are abundant throughout the state, and these high-precision tools are in constant use, requiring regular maintenance and repair. With your expertise in repairing dental handpieces, you could provide an essential service that dentists rely on to keep their operations running smoothly.
Additionally, starting this business out of your home could minimize overhead costs while allowing flexibility on when and how you work. As the dental industry continues to expand, the demand for skilled repair services remains steady. To learn more about this business idea and see how others have succeeded, click here and check out these successful case studies.
11. Start a meal prep business ($2.22M/year)
Starting a meal prep business in Wisconsin offers numerous possibilities due to the growing demand for convenient, healthy meals amidst the busy lifestyle of its residents. With a strong agricultural background, Wisconsin provides easy access to fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, ensuring high-quality and nutritious meals that could set your services apart.
Moreover, Wisconsin's diverse population and increasing trend toward healthy living could make your meal prep business highly attractive. Leverage your excellent communication skills and punctuality to build a loyal customer base. To get inspired and see real-life examples, check out successful meal prep delivery business case studies. For a more in-depth look at starting this type of business, visit Starter Story’s detailed guide.
Healthy Chew is a profitable weekly meal preparation service that grew from 200 to 10,000 weekly bowls in just over 3 years, with an overall sales figure of $1.8 million, achieved through effective branding and personalised customer service.
12. Start a pond construction business
For entrepreneurial-minded individuals in Wisconsin, starting a pond construction business could be a lucrative opportunity due to the state's numerous rural and suburban areas, which often have large properties suitable for pond installations. With a growing interest in sustainable living and aquaculture, many locals may seek to install fish ponds either for personal enjoyment or to support small-scale farming ventures.
Additionally, Wisconsin’s diverse climate and landscape create a variety of challenges and opportunities for pond construction projects, allowing you to showcase your specialized skills. You could carve a niche by offering customized pond solutions tailored to the state's unique environmental conditions. For more detailed information on starting this business, check out our comprehensive guide and success stories from other entrepreneurs who have made their mark in this field.
13. Start a paintball game center business
Starting a paintball game center business in Wisconsin offers a fantastic opportunity to tap into the state's strong outdoor recreation culture. Wisconsin's diverse landscapes, ranging from dense forests to open fields, provide an ideal backdrop for setting up an exciting and varied paintball course, attracting both locals and tourists looking for adventure and team-building activities.
Furthermore, with a growing interest in unique recreational activities and the opportunity to host events such as birthday parties, corporate outings, and leagues, you could build a steady client base year-round. A successful paintball business can thrive in Wisconsin, given the state's favorable climate for outdoor activities extending well through three seasons. This entrepreneurial venture not only promises potential financial rewards but also allows you to engage with a community eager for dynamic and fun experiences.
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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.
