52 Low Cost Business Ideas [Cheap Startups 2022]
Building a business with little or no capital will come with its fair share of challenges, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible to be successful.
With sufficient research, a solid plan, and some extra time, there are plenty of ways to build your business from scratch, regardless of your startup budget.
We’ve identified 52 low startup cost business ideas (from real world examples) that can be launched with $0 - $10,000 dollars.
Here's the list of the cheapest startup ideas:
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💰UNDER $1,000 TO START
1. Start a newsletter
Did you know that in the past five years there has been more than a 50% increase in the number of people who read newsletters?
Email newsletters are a great way to connect with customers and potential customers. It's a newsletter's job to inform, persuade, and sell to your audience.
Matt Paulson started MarketBeat, a finance blog, over 11 years ago:
My name is Matt Paulson and I’m the founder of MarketBeat, a financial media company that empowers individual stock investors to make better trading decisions by providing objective financial information and real-time market data.
MarketBeat is expected to generate approximately $8 million in revenue in 2019 and end the year at about 1.3 million unique email subscribers.
2. Start a subscription box business
A subscription box business is a type of business where customers subscribe to receive a niche set of products on a monthly basis. Subscription boxes are in high demand today as customers enjoy receiving a variety of products from various brands.
Some of the benefits to starting a subscription box business are:
- The revenue is predictable as it is a recurring business
- Adds more value to customer service as this creates a unique shopping experience
- Customers can access exclusive products and also customize them based on their interest
- Profit margin can range from 40%-60%
You can start a subscription box business by understanding the real market needs. Because of its highly competitive nature, it is important to find your niche and provide quality products based on your customer's interests. Additionally, it is important to decide what items should go in your box. The quantity, size, and design of the box plays key role in grabbing the customer's attention. Apart from the basics, you should also make sure that the items are bright and colorful.
Lastly, building a good relationship with the fulfillment companies will be profitable as this business is a routine task. If you have 100 subscribers, you will need a service that will pick up and deliver your products. In addition to this, marketing your service can be an advantage. In order to promote the service, you can build your website, create special offers to attract and retain customers.
Lindsay Scholz started Vowed Box Co., a subscription box business, over 4 years ago:
I’m Lindsay Scholz, and I’m the founder of Vowed Box Co. – a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind.
Since the brand is still in its infancy and we’re still working through wholesale costs, my monthly income is roughly $600. For being a side business, I look at any profit as a win, but of course, the goal is to see this grow in 2019!
Photo credit: Brooke Michelle Photography
3. Start a natural beauty product business
Natural beauty products consist of items like: aloe vera, honey or cocoa butter. They contain no chemical or synthetic elements.
The global natural skin care products market size was valued at $6.7 billion in 2021.
Thinking about launching a beauty product line? What's holding you back? Check out our case studies below to see how others have done it!
Mel young started Flowerdale Valley, a natural beauty product business, about 5 years ago:
Hello, my name is Mel. I run a skincare business called Flowerdale Valley. I named the business Flowerdale valley because that's where I live, in a small town called Flowerdale in country Victoria, Australia.
Now, my business provides my income for me and my kids.
4. Start a jewelry making business
The global jewelry market size was valued at $278B in 2018 and is expected to reach $292B by 2025.
The industry comprises manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and jewelry designers. Unlike many other industries that have gone through leaps in technology, the jewelry industry has remained untouched for over 40 years.
Lindsay Ann Gottschall and Courtney Joy Bleier started Ann + Joy, a jewelry making business, ago:
Hello there! We are Lindsay Ann Gottschall and Courtney Joy Bleier, two sisters from Miami who started Ann + Joy. We make handmade real flower and resin jewelry and sell online and in stores around the world. We take pride in being one of the first companies to make real flower jewelry. During our first year of business, we blossomed almost immediately into a very successful Etsy shop. Etsy was constantly featuring our products on its website and in promotional emails. We are proud to say that since starting in early 2017 we have had over 5,000 sales online.
For all the readers, we are providing a 20% off coupon to our Etsy shop. Use code: STARTERSTORY at checkout!
5. Start a podcast
Do you have knowledge and passion that you'd love to share with other people? Or perhaps you are a content creator and looking for ways to expand your revenue streams? If you match any of these criteria, then becoming a podcast host could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Podcasts are the new radio. Podcasting is one of the fastest-growing mediums for online audio, and it's not expected to slow down any time soon. But unlike traditional radio, podcasts are driven by content creators who have a passion for sharing stories with their listeners.
One of the main benefits that come with starting a podcast is the minimal investment needed to get started. All you need is a computer or phone with a microphone and a way to host it online. You can even create one on your own website if you want.
Jeremy Enns started Counterweight Creative, a podcast, about 6 years ago:
Hey there! I’m Jeremy Enns, the founder and Storyteller In Chief at Counterweight Creative, a podcast production and strategy agency.
I started the company 3 years ago, in 2016 with one client, making $15/hour and have grown into a team of 10 contractors producing more than 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10K/mo.
6. Start a bridal accessories store
Bridal accessories are a great way to help you complete your wedding day look. Bridal accessories are something similar that surrounds weddings in our society. Bridal accessories are all the rage nowadays. These pretty things create the perfect set of accessories for the bridal.
The Bridal Wear market in the USA is estimated at $26B in the year 2020.
A bridal accessories store can provide you with abundant income and the ability to hire. Bridal occasions are very special and endure several phases. You could start a bridal accessories business with access to millions of customers starting from the first introduction till they get married.
Vivian Chan started East Meets Dress, a bridal accessories store, almost 4 years ago:
Hello! My name is Vivian and I’m one of the co-founders of East Meets Dress. We’re the first modern fashion company to bring Asian-American representation and inclusion to the traditional wedding industry by combining contemporary cultural designs, quality craftsmanship, and a dedicated customer experience.
East Meets Dress has been entirely bootstrapped from Day 1 (we got started with less than $100 over a weekend). Neither my co-founder nor I had any prior experience in fashion or entrepreneurship, but through a lot of hard work, hustle, and trial and error, we've been able to grow our team and company to a 6-figure annual recurring revenue ($25k/month) in one year and help hundreds of brides across the world celebrate their heritage in style.
Our wedding cheongsams
7. Start a niche accessories brand
Niche accessories make excellent small business ideas. The profit margins in these businesses are pretty large because of the markup on the products. You could have a small Etsy store or sell them through marketplace sites such as Amazon, Facebook, and eBay.
The niche market for custom accessories is estimated to be nearly $473.46B by 2020 and it contains a variety of product categories ranging from jewelry, handbags, and small leather goods to house decorations and small fashion apparel accessories. Niche accessories is currently enjoying strong growth, which is projected to continue during this decade as well.
Braxton Manley started Braxley Bands, a niche accessories brand, about 5 years ago:
My name is Braxton Manley and I am a 23-year-old living in Austin. I started Braxley Bands with my dorm-mate Grant Andrews as a class project at Texas Tech about 3 years ago.
We created an elastic Apple Watch band and started making them by hand on my Nana’s sewing machine. We have since scaled the business from an original $20 upfront for materials to $100K a month on Shopify. No other capital or investment was ever put into the business.
8. Start a wedding planner business
Lia chhabra started Shaadivaale, a wedding planner business, over 4 years ago:
My regards to everyone who’s reading this interview. Thanks, Starter Story for providing the platform where entrepreneurs can share their journeys and ventures openly.
I started it in 2018 as a side business with my job. Initially, I gave my all to this and after 3 years, I can finally say that I have achieved some sort of satisfaction with the work that we’re doing. Many vendors are reliant upon us for work and it makes me so happy when people appreciate our portal after they see results coming in.
9. Start a digital agency
A digital agency's task is to make a business reach its advertising, marketing, or technology-related goals. Anyone with enough passion and determination can start and run a profitable digital marketing agency. With the right skill set, the right tools, and the right mindset you can start a successful digital agency.
The global digital agency market reached a value of nearly $305B in 2020. The future growth prospects of the digital agency market are projected to be high due to the rising population of people consuming and creating content through digital channels.
Hailey Brooke McFadden started Power Move Marketing, a digital agency, over 2 years ago:
I am Hailey Brooke McFadden and I was a 4 season starter on the volleyball team at Wake Forest University, captain, and libero my senior year. I was a 4x Academic All-ACC honoree and 3x Dean’s list honoree and graduated from Wake Forest in 3.5 years with a BA in communication with a minor in film studies.
I wanted to make a company that knew how to market to women and also cultivated a culture internally that respects women and give them a chance to thrive. Ironically, PMM now works with several companies whose target audience is male and we have still been able to crush it!
10. Start a women's clothing line
Starting a women's clothing brand is a great way to get into entrepreneurship. You don't need to have millions of dollars or a huge amount of experience to start your own clothing line—just the drive and determination to be your own boss.
Women's fashion has come a very long way over the last decade, and there are tons of opportunities for growth! There are always new trends emerging and old ones coming back around again too—so there will always be an audience for your new designs if you keep up with the times (and stay on top of them).
Gia Paddock started Boutique Rye, a boutique, almost 5 years ago:
Hi everyone, my name is Gia, and I am the owner of Boutique Rye. We are a women’s clothing and accessories boutique that is all online!
We have anywhere from clothes that are appropriate for work or clothes that will make you turn heads on a night out on the town. I try and buy clothes with many different styles in mind. I'd like to think that we are a one-stop shop for a diverse group of women!
11. Start a niche blog
Growing a niche blog can be an incredible way to build an income on the Internet. Starting a blog in any niche is easy. You simply need a domain, hosting, and WordPress to start blogging. The hard part comes when you try to monetize your website traffic. Making income from your blog, and making a blog that actually pays you the money takes time, work, and effort.
There are more than 500 million blogs out of 1.7 billion websites. Over 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages each month. Users produce around 70 million new posts and 77 million new comments each month. Content marketing is predicted to be an industry worth $412.88B by 2021.
Patrick Hess started AFH Media LLC, a niche blog, over 7 years ago:
My name is Patrick Hess and I am the creator of Bar Games 101, a website about a wide variety of games to play with your friends and family.
As our library of game-focused content expands, traffic is increasing as well, with over 200K monthly unique visitors and revenue over $4,000 for the month of August.
12. Start a sustainable clothing line
Starting a sustainable clothing company can seem like a daunting task, but with the right skills and resources in place, it doesn't have to be. And thanks to more and more technologies becoming available there is a greater chance of success than has ever been had before.
The sustainable clothing market shrunk from $6.35B in 2019 to $6.14B in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impact. But the sustainable clothing market size will keep growing in the coming years, Experts predict it will reach $8.25B by 2023.
Pepe Martín García started Minimalism Brand, a sustainable clothing line, over 4 years ago:
Hi, my name is Pepe Martín I´m the co-founder of Minimalismbrand. We started our business two years ago. We are two founders.
13. Start a home decor business
Are you a talented interior designer? Do you know that you can turn your hobby into a side income opportunity? Home décor as a side hustle is a great opportunity to build a brand as you earn extra income. To launch a successful home décor side hustle, you first need to work on your portfolio. The portfolio communicates to your potential customers your potential when it comes to home décor. You may use your home as an example or request a friend for an opportunity to do their home décor as a sample for your portfolio. Once you have a portfolio, market your business, and remember to include photos from your previous gigs to increase the chances of closing a sale.
Sarah Giller Nelson started Less is More Organizing Services, a home decor business, over 12 years ago:
My name is Sarah Giller Nelson and I am organized. I experience a sense of calm when I walk into well-ordered spaces. I enjoy feeling unencumbered. Knowing how to sift through, sort out, and organize all the “stuff” a household needs comes naturally to me and is a skill that I draw upon all the time.
I currently have a staff of three professional organizers operating in two states. We serve on average 95 households per year. About 85% of our clients are repeat customers, buying 10 hours or more of organizing services. Typically, they hire us to work on one space, like a closet or a kitchen. Once they see how quickly we can make the changes that they need, they hire us to organize many other rooms in their house as well.
14. Start a stationery business
Stationery business generally involves designing and printing paper-based products like greetings cards and invitations for events. Over the years, the range of stationery products has widely increased to non-paper based items such as pen, pencil, art materials which supplement the writing, decorative items, folders, computer consumables etc.
Here are the common types of stationery businesses:
- Retail store (selling to customers)
- Wholesale supplies (to B2B, retail stores)
- Online store (direct to customers per order placed)
- Home-based/part-time (mainly selling items on personal contact )
Starting a stationery business will also require you to register your business with state government business and tax offices to obtain a trade name registration and obtain a business permit from your local town or county clerk. A stationery business can also be started from home or through an e-store. This business can be easily be promoted on social media platforms.
Another way to attract customers is to provide additional services like home delivery, rewards, and deals. Using these promotion techniques can retain existing customers as well as attract new customers.
Ruth Daro started Seniman Calligraphy, a stationery business, over 7 years ago:
Hi, I’m Ruth and I run Seniman Calligraphy a custom stationery design studio where I do calligraphy, watercolor, illustration, and graphic design for bespoke wedding invitations and other paper goods. Basically, printing and manufacturing.
This year, I’m averaging at $13,000 gross per month.
15. Start a dog walking business
Do you love dogs? If yes, you can turn your love for animals into a lucrative side hustle that can help you pay extra toward your mortgage, save for a vacation, or even clear that student’s loan.
If you choose to offer dog walking services as a side hustle, you could earn an average income of between $10,000 and $30,000 per year. As a dog walker, sitter or boarder, you offer your services to dog owners looking for a caregiver for their puppy. Register on a legitimate dog-walking app and create a compelling profile to get started.
Melodi Landi started Furry Fellas Pet Service LLC, a dog walking business, about 16 years ago:
Hi. My name is Melodi Landi. I am the Founder & Owner of Furry Fellas Pet Service LLC.
Furry Fellas has been voted in the TOP 3 Pet Sitting / Dog Walking Company within the RI / MA area for 8 years in a row!
16. Make a handcrafted drums business
Start a handcrafted drums business in an industry ready to boom. Firsthand drum builders and craftspeople have long sought out solid places to connect, guild-style, on the web. If you're on a shoestring budget, think about starting a handcrafted drums business.
The global handcrafted Drums & IBCs Market is expected to hit a market value of $16B by 2022 and is expected to reach $22.5B from 2022 to 2029. Starting your own handcrafted drums business in the modern age is much easier than it used to be. Because of the rise in sites like eBay over the past 20 years, it's much easier to pick up some used equipment and have your own drum kit up and running for a fraction of the cost of buying new.
Oran started Goya, a handcrafted drums business, almost 4 years ago:
Hello, my name is Oran and I handcraft steel tongue drums used by musicians and also for sound therapy/meditation. The tongues or notes are tuned in a way that they all resonate with each other making it very easy to create alluring melodies, when the tongue is hit with you finger or a mallet, it vibrates creating sound waves. There is a hole underneath allowing sound to escape. No musical background is needed to play, so they are suitable for all ages and abilities.
Sales vary from month to month but tend to average out at $2000 a month from my website www.goya.ie. I’m continually creating new designs and experimenting with sounds which is a perfect way for me to spend my time.
17. Start a children's clothing business
The children's clothing business has grown rapidly over the last few years, and in 2022 was valued at $263.30 billion.
Starting a children's clothing business gives you the opportunity to be your own boss while working in a field you enjoy. While you have to be prepared to work long hours and put in lots of hard effort, it can be extremely rewarding if successful.
Charles Carette started Bambox, a subscription box business, almost 5 years ago:
Hello, I am Charles Carette, CEO & Co-founder of Bambox. We developed the first monthly subscription-based ecommerce for baby essentials combined with a virtual assistant to guide new parents throughout their baby’s first 3 years. We operate in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
18. Become a temporary tattoo artist
Starting a tattoo business is not as difficult as you might think. If you have the talent, ability, and guts, you already have the most important qualities for starting your own tattoo company. Tattoo Artists in the US Market Size in 2022 is $1.4B.
The tattooing business is profitable and popular and it is one of the most rewarding careers that you can have. However, it requires a huge amount of commitment and hard work.
Tattoo shops have strict standards for artists who work in shops, so to have an ideal career as an artist, you might have to go the freelance route. It can be a short-term or long-term career which means you must be prepared before you take on such a responsibility. It won't come with a million-dollar salary at first, but once you've developed a good reputation and have completed enough work, the money will start rolling in.
Anslea started Forgotten Mermaids, a temporary tattoo artist, about 4 years ago:
Hello!
(The first batch of tattoo packs.)
Over the last 12 months, we’ve expanded our products to include two tattoo designs in six colors, swimsuits, and clothing, all with the unifying “mermaid scale” theme. These last six months we’ve averaged about $1,000/month in mostly passive income.
19. Start a handmade paper goods business
The handmade paper goods market is growing globally due to the increase in environmental consciousness among people. The gift of handmade is a tradition with a long history. According to data collected by the US Census Bureau, each year the number of handmade goods made by individuals in the USA rises by 3%. Handmade paper goods are not an exception.
The handmade paper goods market size is expected to reach $7.3B by 2020. The business of crafting paper goods was largely untouched until the start of Etsy, which has since grown into an international curated marketplace. Those who could craft unique and innovative pieces landed themselves a successful eCommerce store, living off of bare-bones websites and making their creations available to customers far and wide.
Abigail Butler started Chirps & Cricket Design Studio, a handmade paper goods business, over 7 years ago:
Hi there! My name is Abigail Butler and I am the designer, maker and owner of Chirps & Cricket Design Studio. Chirps & Cricket is a small, Denver, Colorado-based design studio specializing in graphic design services, custom illustration, handcrafted paper goods and bespoke invitations.
Illustration, design and packaging for The Patient Zeros ‘Born Again’ EP. The band requested a hand-drawn illustration with a psychedelic feel.
New Mexico State University’s Campus Map featuring food options.
20. Start a dating coaching business
Ta'Veca Collins started Romance On The Go, Concierge Services, a dating coaching business, over 10 years ago:
Hello! I'm Ta'Veca Collins, MSW, Registered Clinical Social Worker (Florida) Owner and operator of Romance On The Go, Concierge Services (ROTGO-Est. 2012), a small business that promotes romance and intimacy.
Prior to becoming a preferred vendor at The W and other local hotels, we were only being hired once or twice a month. Since April 2019, we are steadily booked and executing services every weekend (Saturday and Sunday) and at least twice throughout the week. I’m always telling potential “Romantics” during a consultation, that any day of the week is a day to be romantic! We are grossing approximately $3,200.00 monthly. One of the most amazing aspects that we value is that we are constantly generating business for our local preferred vendor network (local small businesses) (Private Chef, Massage Therapist, Treat Maker, Florist, Gondola, and Transportation). Not only are we spreading romance, but we are also spreading wealth too!
“Meet The Tolberts” - They spent their Honeymoon in Fort Lauderdale, FL. and we executed this sunrise picnic with a mini photoshoot.
21. Start a beach wedding company
Sha'Quanna Davis started Dreams & Details Events, LLC, a beach wedding company, over 2 years ago:
Hi guys! My name is Sha’Quanna Davis and I am the founder of Dreams & Details Events. I started the business last year after losing my job.
I just started my business in November 2019 after years of doing previous party planning and I have obtained two clients so far and earned $500. But the rest is yet to come! I am networking in the community and getting my name out and building strong business relationships with other business owners.
💸UNDER $10,000 TO START
23. Start a photo printing business
Jainam Shah started CanvasChamp, a photo printing business, over 10 years ago:
Hello, my name is Jainam Shah, and I am one of the founders of CanvasChamp. We make a variety of custom photo products for home decor and gifting purposes, most notably canvas prints, acrylic and metal prints. We have a lot many other products already launched and soon will introduce even more.
We started in March 2012, with just custom canvas prints and now have more than 60+ personalized photo gifts products with revenue of 1.5m$+/mo. We still have a long way to go with the potential of scalability and growth.
24. Start a backpack line
Fred Perrotta started Tortuga, a backpack line, about 12 years ago:
Hi, I’m Fred Perrotta, the co-founder, and CEO of Tortuga.
Over the past nine years, we’ve bootstrapped our way to seven figures in revenue.
Team Tortuga on a retreat in Montreal
25. Start a drinkware brand
A drinkware brand sells home and houseware products like cups, koozies, mugs and other drinking accessories.
Dylan Jacob started BrüMate, a drinkware brand, over 5 years ago:
Hello, my name is Dylan Jacob and I am the founder of BruMate, AKA, The Dehydration Company. We are a unique insulated drinkware brand with a sole focus on the adult beverage community.
I launched our first product line in November 2016. We did $250,000 in sales from November-December 2016, 2.1M in sales in 2017, and we are now doing over 1.1M/mo in sales, in over 1000 retailers nationwide, and are on track to do 20M this year with roughly 35-45% bottom line depending on our ad-spend.
26. Start a makeup academy
Anastasia Andreani started Vizio Makeup Academy, a makeup academy, over 11 years ago:
Hi, my name is Anastasia Andreani. I grew up in the Midwest, in a small town outside Chicago. From a very young age, I was drawn to the world of beauty and art. Growing up wasn’t easy. My parents got divorced when I was very young, which led me to start working and hustling to make money at a young age. I have always been a free-willed spirit with the intention of paving my own way in life.
Vizio Makeup Academy has enrolled over 3,300 students and generated $2.4M in revenue this year. We have been contributing a lot of energy and time into our growth strategies, so we aim to double and triple our earnings in the years to come.
27. Become a toy maker
Mat Hofma & Erik Polumbo started Mini Materials, a woodworking business, over 7 years ago:
My name is Mat Hofma, and I created Mini Materials. We sell miniature masonry and woodworking supplies like cinder blocks, red bricks, pallets, lumber, and even molds to pour your own cinder blocks.
Since then we've expanded to different styles of mini masonry and even kits to build models.
28. Start a 3d printing business
3D printing also known as additive manufacturing makes it possible to produce a physical item by assembling a material layer by layer.
If you love creating stuff, then a 3D printing business may just be for you.
Roy Kirchner started Ultimate 3D Printing Store, a 3d printing business, almost 7 years ago:
My name is Roy Kirchner, an entrepreneur from Odessa, Florida. After years spent in the automobile and marketing and advertising industries, I decided in 2014 to form a new company solely focused on emerging new technology, 3D printing.
I started my company with an initial, out-of-pocket investment of $65,000, and today we are averaging monthly gross sales of $330,000.
29. Start a phone case business
Andrew Moore started Felony Case, a phone case business, over 10 years ago:
Hi, I’m Andrew Moore, the founder, and designer at Felony Case, a Toronto based company designing unique iPhone cases. I founded Felony Case in 2012, and since then we’ve created several flagship iPhone case designs.
The first studded cases I was making by hand
Our Kaleidoscope Cases
30. Start a membership management software
Mitch Colleran started Join It, a membership management software, over 5 years ago:
Hi there!
As of March 2019, Join It is making $20,000/month and growing!
31. Start a hair product line
There's a reason we often talk about trends in hip-hop and pop culture when we talk about hairstyles — they often have a lot to do with advancements in the hair product industry. The industry is expected to grow to 102 billion dollars by 2024.
Mikey Moran started Private Label Extensions, a hair product line, over 9 years ago:
Hi! My name is Mikey Moran and I am one of the owners of Private Label Extensions. We started this company a little over 5 years ago to create another option for women looking for amazing quality hair and entrepreneurs looking to get into the hair industry.
We’ve made a lot of mistakes during our business journey but have learned from them all and have seen an increase in business. We went from selling a few thousand dollars a month to over $650,000 monthly and even had a $1,000,000 month. One of our biggest accomplishments was being ranked #278 of the fastest-growing companies by Inc Magazine for 2018.
32. Start an online food business
TJ Clark started Healthy Chew, a healthy meal delivery service, about 6 years ago:
Hi, my name is TJ and I am the co-founder and CEO of Healthy Chew.
When we first started, we sold around 200 bowls each week. We currently sell around 10,000 bowls each month. Most companies like this start the same way, cooking from their primary residence for family and friends. We were no exception. But as we continued to grow, we spent time and money to work out of rentable commercial kitchens until we were able to afford our own.
33. Start a custom prints business
Custom print businesses often focus on printing everything including business cards, photos, and even custom T-shirts.
To start an online custom prints business, choose a niche that will help your business stand out and attract the right target audience. Then, focus on producing quality prints of different sizes, materials, and designs. You may hire designers online or search for designs in online design communities. Then, validate the designs before you begin mass production. Finally, set up an online store, and launch the business.
Remember that with the growth in popularity of selling custom prints, expect to face stiff competition. Therefore, you ought to market your custom prints on social media to maximize your reach.
Zach Katz started Framed Tweets, a custom prints business, about 5 years ago:
Hi! I’m Zach Katz, and I started Framed Tweets to give people a simple way to beautifully frame their favorite tweets as art, to remember and enjoy forever.
34. Start an online masquerade masks store
Josh Bluman started VIVO Masks, a online masquerade masks store, almost 9 years ago:
Hi, I’m Josh Bluman and I’m a marketing professional turned ecommerce business owner. I started VIVO Masks with my business partner, Jackson Cunningham, over 6 years ago. We started dropshipping masquerade masks from Italy to people looking for unique and high end masquerade masks to wear to their masquerade parties, balls or fundraisers.
We sell everything from simple party masks to exquisite high-end masquerade masks that often win ‘best of the ball’. In just our third month in business, we did 30K in monthly revenue, and now we have set up established processes and systems to continue operating the business while we explore new products and ventures.
35. Start a swimwear line
Evan Waldenberg started Junk In Your Trunks, a swimwear line, about 4 years ago:
Hey there I’m Evan Waldenberg, the founder of Junk in your Trunks. Clothing from trash for the wonderful piece of garbage you are. We’re making swim trunks out of recycled plastic bottles.
Up to about $25k/mo but rapidly growing, we just haven’t had the inventory to keep up with demand lately. We’re at a really interesting time because our company was/is still in its infancy and we managed to land an investment from Barstool Sports on a new shark-tank style show they debuted recently called The Big Brain. Gave up a decent amount of equity (the final deal doesn’t look exactly like what was discussed on the show, I’m happy with where we landed but gotta stay 🤐) but it really changed what the future of this business looks like as we’ve given ourselves an opportunity for a lot of awareness in our core market at minimal capital expense (this is exciting but also a risk as Barstool is an extremely polarizing company in the market and hasn’t really executed on these types of partnerships before).
36. Start a subscription box business
A subscription box business is a type of business where customers subscribe to receive a niche set of products on a monthly basis. Subscription boxes are in high demand today as customers enjoy receiving a variety of products from various brands.
Some of the benefits to starting a subscription box business are:
- The revenue is predictable as it is a recurring business
- Adds more value to customer service as this creates a unique shopping experience
- Customers can access exclusive products and also customize them based on their interest
- Profit margin can range from 40%-60%
You can start a subscription box business by understanding the real market needs. Because of its highly competitive nature, it is important to find your niche and provide quality products based on your customer's interests. Additionally, it is important to decide what items should go in your box. The quantity, size, and design of the box plays key role in grabbing the customer's attention. Apart from the basics, you should also make sure that the items are bright and colorful.
Lastly, building a good relationship with the fulfillment companies will be profitable as this business is a routine task. If you have 100 subscribers, you will need a service that will pick up and deliver your products. In addition to this, marketing your service can be an advantage. In order to promote the service, you can build your website, create special offers to attract and retain customers.
Lindsay Scholz started Vowed Box Co., a subscription box business, over 4 years ago:
I’m Lindsay Scholz, and I’m the founder of Vowed Box Co. – a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind.
Since the brand is still in its infancy and we’re still working through wholesale costs, my monthly income is roughly $600. For being a side business, I look at any profit as a win, but of course, the goal is to see this grow in 2019!
Photo credit: Brooke Michelle Photography
37. Start a SEO agency
An SEO agency is a company that provides search engine optimization services to businesses. The function of an SEO agency is to help businesses rank higher in the search engines through organic or paid means.
SEO is a rapidly growing industry, with experts across all aspects of the field already making six-figure incomes and expecting to see these types of earnings grow dramatically over the next few years. Getting into SEO today, before it gets too saturated, will allow you to establish a strong base in a new career, with a great chance for success.
It's easier than ever to start your own SEO agency. The tools are there and the competition isn't as stiff as it used to be. If you're considering starting an SEO or digital marketing agency it might be a good idea to learn how other digital agencies succeed.
Alan Silvestri started Growth Gorilla, a SEO agency, about 4 years ago:
Hey there! My name is Alan Silvestri and I’m the founder of Growth Gorilla, a link building service for SaaS companies (Software as a Service). I started the company end of summer 2018 so it’s been going for a little less than a year.
The company has grown from zero to 10k in monthly recurring revenue mostly in the last 7 months and most of our clients have stayed with us for a minimum of 4 months, so we’re pretty happy with how things are going and excited for the future!
38. Start a skin care product line
The skincare business is a multi-billion dollar one, and it shows no sign of slowing down. New anti-aging products are entering the market at a nearly exponential rate, and the competition for consumers' money is growing more and more.
The industry was valued at 130 billion USD in 2021 and will expand at an annual growth rate of 4.6% up to 2030. This is surely a type of business that you should not miss. You'll need to build your creativity on your products and make sure that it is all safe and useful in improving the skin of your customers.
Meredith Moseley-Bennett & Yolanda Grbic started Oh My Balm, a skin care product line, over 5 years ago:
Oh My Balm was founded two years ago and we make kitchen-crafted all-natural body products. Our tagline is “Two Mom’s Making it Real.”
We promote them through our marketing, as they work on several different projects that create a life of prosperity for African women and their families. You can find more about them here. The other charity that is close to our hearts is Behind The Scenes, which provides financial support to entertainment technology industry professionals if they, or their immediate dependent family, are seriously ill or injured. We make a body butter, “Crew,” and we give a portion of the proceeds of every tin sold to BTS. This got us mention in several entertainment industry magazines.
39. Start a sustainable clothing line
Starting a sustainable clothing company can seem like a daunting task, but with the right skills and resources in place, it doesn't have to be. And thanks to more and more technologies becoming available there is a greater chance of success than has ever been had before.
The sustainable clothing market shrunk from $6.35B in 2019 to $6.14B in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impact. But the sustainable clothing market size will keep growing in the coming years, Experts predict it will reach $8.25B by 2023.
Pepe Martín García started Minimalism Brand, a sustainable clothing line, over 4 years ago:
Hi, my name is Pepe Martín I´m the co-founder of Minimalismbrand. We started our business two years ago. We are two founders.
40. Start an ice cream product
Stephen Layton started The Good Scoop, a ice cream product, over 6 years ago:
Hello! My name is Stephen Layton and I am one of the founding members of The Good Scoop located in the greater Sacramento region. We make all of our own ice cream in house using fresh local and all-natural ingredients.
Some of our best selling and most popular flavors include our banana, rosewater, lavender, and salted cookies and cream. We use fresh seasonally available ingredients, so we use peaches in the summertime and apples in the fall. Some of our more interesting flavors include horchata, honey wasabi, peppermint bark, and olive oil.
41. Start an IoT startup
Craig Rabin started The Airhook, a IoT startup, over 7 years ago:
My name is Craig Rabin, from an early age I spent his time dreaming up inventions. These are now a source of inspiration as I make sketches from my childhood a reality, thanks to 3D printing. My entrepreneurial spirit and passion started early and led me to start my first business when I was 16 years old. Since then, I’ve moved from Chicago and have gone on to create eleven companies... woo!
Since launch, we’ve shipped to every state in the U.S. and have a presence in 73 countries around the world! Plus, The Airhook has been featured in over 100 publications and was the first product in history to win Steve Harvey’s Funderdome on ABC in 2017 and won Travel Product of The Year in 2019.
42. Start a professional organizing business
Amber Barrett started Arranged by Amber, a professional organizing business, over 3 years ago:
Hey there! My name is Amber Barrett and I’m the founder and CEO of Arranged by Amber. I started this business in 2018 as a Professional Organizing service, but through pivots and lots of trial and error, this business now supports other Professional Organizers by implementing business systems and automation into their businesses.
Today, Arranged by Amber averages $8,000/month helping Professional Organizers implement business strategies and systems that save them time and money.
43. Become a business coach
Are you thinking of starting a career as a business coach?
Becoming a business coach can be a great way to help aspiring entrepreneurs while earning a healthy income. If you have skills in specialized business fields such as marketing, e-commerce, stress management, or leadership, then you may want to consider becoming a coach.
Many small-business owners are finding it hard to get started, grow, and succeed. As a business coach, your job will be to help entrepreneurs identify new opportunities and take advantage of the ones they already have.
Kamil Sattar started E-commerce Mentoring , a business coach, about 5 years ago:
Hello, my name is Kamil Sattar. I am an entrepreneur who’s developed many six-figure drop shipping businesses. I’ve also created systems to maximize opportunities in different markets and I’ve started companies in many industries. One of those companies specializes in helping people who are seeking to create drop ship companies of their own.
That’s the best part of it. The techniques that I have learned are replicable. You can rinse and repeat and create new drop shipping stores.
Of course, with every store that I open, I am able to learn new things. With every new thing that I learn, it helps me improve my system that I use to create these six and seven-figure stores and it helps me improve my process for helping others generate their stores.
44. Start a mom blog
Carly Campbell started Mommy On Purpose, a mom blog, over 83 years ago:
I’m Carly, a full time stay at home mom, full-time blogger. I run two semi-related businesses - Mommy on Purpose, a mom lifestyle blog focusing on new motherhood and home life (monetized only through traffic), and Blogging Like You Mean It, which supports new bloggers in their journey to monetize their blogs (monetized only through product sales and email marketing).
But more important to me than any of that, I will never have to leave my kids in daycare to go out and work - my mom blog alone makes 8-10,000 Canadian dollars per month, both when I work hard on it AND when I take a month off.
45. Start a fashion business
In 2022, the fashion industry is valued at $473.42B, with a growth rate of 8.3% over last year. To become successful in this highly competitive & ever-growing industry you must have passion, perseverance, and the ability to take risks.
With platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the way that fashion products are marketed online has completely changed, so it's important to keep up with these trends.
Lisa Miller-Mecham started Creative Fashion Blog, a fashion business, over 4 years ago:
Hello! My name is Lisa Miller-Mecham. I’m a creative mom of 4 who runs a craft/sewing website called CreativeFashionBlog.com. I started out as an accessory designer, turned award-winning fashion designer, turned DIY blogger… and now a profitable sewing pattern maker.
Creative Fashion Blog maintains several streams of passive income where I can set my own hours, be present for my family, and share my creativity, projects, and tutorials.
My best month so far in 2020 has generated slightly over $15,000 while working part-time. I’m actually launching a course next month to show other creative women how to do the same!
46. Start a dropshipping business
Dropshipping allows you to start your online e-commerce store without stock-keeping. Therefore, you do not need huge capital, and the risk is minimal because the manufacturer is responsible for the inventory and ships it directly to the customer. Therefore, your responsibility remains marketing and offering customer service. To succeed, you need a mastery of online marketing and a focus on improving customer experience.
Kamil Sattar started E-commerce Mentoring , a business coach, about 5 years ago:
Hello, my name is Kamil Sattar. I am an entrepreneur who’s developed many six-figure drop shipping businesses. I’ve also created systems to maximize opportunities in different markets and I’ve started companies in many industries. One of those companies specializes in helping people who are seeking to create drop ship companies of their own.
That’s the best part of it. The techniques that I have learned are replicable. You can rinse and repeat and create new drop shipping stores.
Of course, with every store that I open, I am able to learn new things. With every new thing that I learn, it helps me improve my system that I use to create these six and seven-figure stores and it helps me improve my process for helping others generate their stores.
47. Become a children's book writer
Graeme McGaw started OrderOfBooks.com, a children's book writer, about 11 years ago:
My name is Graeme McGaw, and I run the OrderOfBooks.com network of book websites.
The websites have been in existence for a decade now and currently make six figures per year.
48. Start a skin care product line
The skincare business is a multi-billion dollar one, and it shows no sign of slowing down. New anti-aging products are entering the market at a nearly exponential rate, and the competition for consumers' money is growing more and more.
The industry was valued at 130 billion USD in 2021 and will expand at an annual growth rate of 4.6% up to 2030. This is surely a type of business that you should not miss. You'll need to build your creativity on your products and make sure that it is all safe and useful in improving the skin of your customers.
Meredith Moseley-Bennett & Yolanda Grbic started Oh My Balm, a skin care product line, over 5 years ago:
Oh My Balm was founded two years ago and we make kitchen-crafted all-natural body products. Our tagline is “Two Mom’s Making it Real.”
We promote them through our marketing, as they work on several different projects that create a life of prosperity for African women and their families. You can find more about them here. The other charity that is close to our hearts is Behind The Scenes, which provides financial support to entertainment technology industry professionals if they, or their immediate dependent family, are seriously ill or injured. We make a body butter, “Crew,” and we give a portion of the proceeds of every tin sold to BTS. This got us mention in several entertainment industry magazines.
49. Start a penny portrait business
Maury McCoy started Penny Portrait, a penny portrait business, over 14 years ago:
My name is Maury McCoy, I’m the creator of the Penny Portrait Kit. This kit allows anyone to create a crazy cool portrait of Abe Lincoln out of pennies. It’s a fun experience and the final work of art is stunning conversation starter you can hang on your wall. You can be guaranteed it will be worth at least $8.46. (It takes 846 pennies...)
We include a booklet with info about coin collecting, Lincoln history, chemistry experiments you can do with pennies and even include a collectible 1943 steel penny with each kit.
50. Start a mens grooming product
Ray Moyers started HUSKYBEARD, a mens grooming product, over 5 years ago:
Hi I’m Paul, a 22 year old Korean American entrepreneur and founder of HUSKYBEARD, a 6-figure beard grooming brand. This was my first ever business and I’ve since sold it. I am now operating another Shopify store with a partner, on set to produce $1M by next year. I also consult and mentor eCommerce store owners on ecomswift.com.
I’ve scaled using Facebook Ads primarily, with some SEO, Amazon, Reddit, and Email Marketing on the side. I’m proud to have accomplished a 30% customer retention rate with this passionate community.
51. Start a men's underwear brand
Underwear is an integral part of every man's daily routine. For a long time, men's underwear has been boring plain white or black or gray. But now, underwear companies are starting to change the status quo. With the rise of athleisure and more men wanting to feel comfortable in their own skin, men's underwear has become a big part of the fashion world.
If you too want to start a funky or stylish men's underwear line then do consider all the points mentioned below:
- Identify your target market and ideal customers
- Search for manufacturers
- Add some unique qualities to your product
- Build a product that's comfortable yet has a fun element or style quotient
- Offer variety
- Invest in marketing (Consider Influencer marketing or brand collaboration)
Krystian Frencel started Bunch of Animals, a men's underwear brand, over 3 years ago:
Hello, my name is Krystian Frencel, and I’m the founder of Bunch of Animals, a men’s luxury underwear brand, AKA, the Bentley of banana hammocks. I’m also the co-founder of a Toronto based design and development studio, 3magine. I don’t have previous e-commerce experience and have never been involved in creating a physical product. I have wanted to combine my experience in web design/development with creating a physical product and learning e-commerce for some time now.
Let’s start at the very beginning.
52. Start a time tracking app
A time tracking app is a tool used allows its user to clock in/out via an internet-connected device, or to use a stopwatch to record the start and end of tasks. The time tracker apps also have the analytics and reporting features that consolidate the data, so users can gain insights on time spent on different tasks, projects and clients.
The growing need among managers and enterprises to improve employee productivity and the adoption of remote work culture are some of the factors contributing to the high demand for time tracking apps.
Therefore, if you are looking for the best App-based business, you may consider developing the time tracker application. Here is a high level overview of some steps to get you started working on your Time tracker App business idea.
- Define the project scope
- Choose a software development methodology
- Formulate the approach for your development project
- Create a project team
- Develop the project plan with timelines
- Test the prototypes
- Find suitable API solutions
- Publish the Apps
Dean A. Logan started Labor Sync, a time tracking app, almost 13 years ago:
My name is Dean Logan, the co-founder, and CEO of Labor Sync. Labor Sync was founded in 2009 along with my father and CFO Al Logan and CTO Joe Burger.
The amazing thing about Labor Sync is our expansive global presence for such a small company, only 12 employees! Our product is available in over 17 languages and used in over 100 countries.
CEO Dean Logan
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