45 Absentee Owner Business Ideas For 2024

Updated: July 24th, 2023

If you are looking to start an absentee owner business idea to begin your path to entrepreneurship, you are in the right place.

With starting an absentee owner business, there are plenty of opportunities that can help you follow your dreams and build a successful career. 

In this post, you will discover profitable business ideas, perfect for those who want to have a flexible job, capable of multiplying the average income, while becoming your own boss.

Check out the full list below to help you find your next idea!

Here they are:



1. Start a karaoke bar business

Karaoke bars provide karaoke equipment so people sing publicly on a set stage.

The karaoke bars are high-traffic and can generate income quickly compared to standard nightclubs.

Karaoke bars feature essential lighting and giveaways to encourage singers and their participation and let the booze flow!

How much you can make: $12,000/month

How We Raised $45K To Build A Mobile Karaoke

Kelli Bielema and Vanessa Resler run The AirScream, a mobile karaoke lounge in a vintage Airstream located in Seattle, WA, which began as a successful Kickstarter campaign raising $45k.

About
Kelli started The AirScream almost 5 years ago
Revenue
Kelli grew the business to $12K/month
Read by 8,634 founders

2. Start a photo booth business

A photo booth business involves providing a portable and automated photography setup that allows individuals to take fun and creative pictures at events or venues.

This business is becoming more popular for various occasions like weddings, parties, and corporate events, providing a unique and entertaining experience for guests.

To start a photo booth business, you need to invest in quality equipment, create a user-friendly website to showcase your services and market your business to event planners and individuals hosting celebrations.

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

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

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

My Journey To Starting A $4.2M/Year Photobooth Company

This case study follows the journey of TapSnap, a photo booth company that grew to over 100 franchised locations in North America, servicing over 10,000 events every year and recognized as one of North America's fastest growing and best new technology franchises.

About
Scott started TapSnap almost 12 years ago
Revenue
Scott grew the business to $350K/month
Read by 16,217 founders

3. Start a VR escape room

Google searches for Escape Room VR has been growing globally. That means that awareness and demand for virtual reality escape rooms are increasing. Therefore, VR escape rooms have the potential for massive growth over the next few years.

To start a VR escape room business, create a business plan. A good business plan should help you track market trends and outline an operational strategy. Select the VR escape room you want to open and select the best location. Finally, select the VR escape room games and consider licensing requirements.

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

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

How We Started A $12M/Year Escape Room That Brings In 400,000+ Players Annually

PANIQ ROOM is a global network of immersive escape room experiences with 20 locations, generating annual revenue of $10 million, aiming to reach 30 locations, $15 million in revenue, and 400,000 players annually, while investing in in-house production capabilities with Indestroom and focusing on marketing through Google Ads, Groupon, and social media platforms.

About
Akos started Paniq Escape Room over 9 years ago
Revenue
Akos grew the business to $1M/month
Costs
It cost Akos $500000 to start the business
Read by 2,612 founders

4. Start a banquet hall rental business

5. Start a drive-in movie theater

A drive-in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor movie screen and a projection booth. The drive-in cinema structure is designed so customers can watch the movies while staying in their cars.

Based on the structural design, the drive-in cinema must be spacious. To start a drive-in cinema, you may hire a piece of land or purchase land large enough to host many customers.

6. Start a bounce house business

The bounce house business provides inflatable structures for parties and events. These structures, also known as bounce houses, are designed to provide a fun and safe space for children to play and have a good time.

To start this business, you must invest in a few bounce houses, a reliable transportation method to transport them to events, and insurance to cover any accidents or injuries. You must also market your business and reach out to potential clients to book events.

To operate this business successfully, you must ensure that your bounce houses are well-maintained, clean, and safe. You should also be reliable and provide excellent customer service to build a good reputation in the community.

7. Start a golf course business

If you are a golfer, it is easier to fall in love with owning a golf course. A golf course business can be a passive idea and a great retirement plan.

To start, you can purchase a ready golf course. Alternatively, if you own a piece of land, you can do your golf course. The golf course is a passive source of income and similar to real estate, and its value increases over time. Therefore, the golf course business idea can be a profitable and secure investment.

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

How long does it take to build: 580 days (?)

I Make $500k/Month Selling Premium Golf Clubs

BombTech Golf is an ecommerce business that sells premium golf clubs direct-to-consumer; the BombTech Driver, which was the company's flagship product, was launched in 2017 and contributed to $6.3 million in sales that year, with the founder having designed the club with the help of engineering students at a local college before using Facebook to engage his audience in the design and production process.

About
Tyler started BombTech Golf over 12 years ago
Revenue
Tyler grew the business to $1M/month
Read by 45,594 founders

8. Start a private ambulance services business

9. Start a property flipping business

Are you thinking about getting into the property flipping business?

Flipping houses (or homes) involves buyers purchasing distressed properties, fixing them up, and then reselling them for a good profit. The trick is to find a house that you can buy below market value and then turn around, sell it, and make money on it.

How much you can make: $80,000/month

Inspiring Leadership through Self-Actualization with Jordan Isham
About
Jordan started My Tennessee Home Solution over 4 years ago
Revenue
Jordan grew the business to $80K/month
Read by 21 founders

10. Start a foreign currency exchange business

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

11. Start an oil tank farming business

A tank farm, often called an oil depot, is a continuous area with all tanks and equipment used for field storage of oil in tanks. LPG and other petroleum products are stored in tank farms before being sent to end consumers or retail facilities.

As new gas stations arise and existing ones seek to expand their operations, oil tank farming will continue gaining popularity. Therefore, starting an oil tank farming business can be a profitable venture.

12. Start a Dairy Farming Business

Dairy farming is a business that involves the raising of dairy cattle to produce dairy products. The products made from dairy farming include milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and other dairy products.

Dairy farming is one of the most profitable businesses in the world. It is one of the few industries where a small farmer can earn more than an industrialist.

The average salary for a dairy farmer in the United States is $48,733 as of October 27, 2022. However, the salary range typically falls between $45,405 and $54,912.

This business can be started on any scale, depending on your financial position, availability of land, and capital required for starting this business. You will need proper land for your cows and other animals that will be used in the process of producing dairy products.

13. Start a tent rental business

14. Start a personal concierge business

A personal concierge is a professional who makes arrangements and performs tasks on behalf of busy people. Services offered by a personal concierge include:

  • Carrying out personal errands
  • Event planning
  • Moving/relocation services
  • Dinner reservations
  • Home and carpet cleaning services
  • Home repair and maintenance services, e.tc.

Personal concierges work remotely and can serve many people. To become a personal concierge, choose a niche and write a business plan. Determine the business structure and obtain necessary licenses or permits. Finally, register and market your business.

How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

15. Start a paint and sip studio business

16. Start a hedge funds investment business

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

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

How I Launched My Hedge Fund That Makes $1.2M/Year In Revenue

Secvolt, a highly successful hedge fund that generated a record-breaking 262.10% returns for investors in 2022, shares their journey on developing their proprietary quant models and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals around the world.

About
Divakar started Secvolt about 2 years ago
Revenue
Divakar grew the business to $100K/month
Read by 1,593 founders

17. Start a mortgage brokerage business

A mortgage broker is an intermediary who helps homebuyers choose the best mortgage lenders and facilitates the mortgage application process.

To start a mortgage brokerage business, you must complete the pre-licensure program and an official test. Getting an internship with an established mortgage brokerage company will help you gain experience before you can go into private practice.

How much you can make: $80,000 — $17,500,000/month

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

My Proptech Startup Makes $960K/Year Helping People Save Money On Their Mortgage

Toronto-based real estate tech company, Perch, offers a free analytics platform with personalized insights for homebuyers and homeowners, and has saved its users an average of $1,500 per year on their mortgage, with a 174% referral rate, and has raised $1m in seed round funding.

About
Alex started Perch almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Alex grew the business to $80K/month
Costs
It cost Alex $80000 to start the business
Read by 3,548 founders

18. Start a co-working space rental business

The co-working spaces are becoming essential in the post-pandemic world. Experts estimate five million people will occupy coworking spaces in the next few years. The projections are based not only on the growth the coworking industry has experienced over the past few years but also on the sharp increase in the number of startups coming up each year.

Therefore, creating your coworking space business will become a lucrative opportunity. To create a coworking space, do proper market research to ensure you have the demand for a co-work space in your target area.

Then, focus on finding an ideal location to attract the maximum number of customers.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $300,000/month

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

I Created An Airbnb For Startups In NYC & Make $3.6M/Year

The founder of The Farm Soho, one of the earliest New York City co-working spaces, shares how he built his affordable workspace model for solopreneurs and startups, as well as discussing his tips for attracting and retaining customers while navigating the challenges of running a business.

About
Lucas started The Farm Soho almost 10 years ago
Revenue
Lucas grew the business to $300K/month
Read by 3,867 founders

19. Buy a towing truck

A tow truck is fitted with winches and hoist mechanisms for freeing and pulling stuck, broken, or damaged vehicles. The tow truck businesses make money by charging customers for tows. If you have a passion for the automobile industry and are considering the best truck business ideas, then starting a towing business would be ideal.

To secure repeat customers, serve vehicle owners well, and work with garage owners and insurance companies.

20. Start a party bus business

21. Start a car rental business

Starting a car rental business can be a profitable venture for those interested in the auto industry.

Retail and corporate are the main segments within the car rental industry. Retail car rentals focus on individuals who rent cars for shorter periods, while corporate car rental targets companies that want to transport clients or employees.

If you are starting a car rental business , target airports, hotels, railway stations, commercial offices, and other high-traffic areas.

Market your business, hire employees who will manage the operations and keep records, and purchase business insurance for both cars and employees.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $583,333/month

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

How We Started A Camper Van Rental Business and Quit Our Full Time Jobs

ROAMERICA, a campervan rental company founded by Taylor Hood and Gretchen Bayless who quit their full-time jobs to focus on their business and have expanded their fleet quickly to meet the demand of adventure-seeking customers, with most of their web traffic coming from organic Google searches and a focus on social media and brand awareness.

About
Gretchen started ROAMERICA over 8 years ago
Revenue
Gretchen grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Gretchen $25000 to start the business
Read by 36,216 founders

22. Start a network marketing business

The network marketing model depends on person-to-person sales by an independent representative. The individual distributors market and sell the products to a local network of friends, relatives, and people they know.

Networking marketing can also be online, where the marketer targets and recruits followers to join the network marketing agency.

23. Start a transport and logistics business

A transport and logistics business moves goods and materials from one location to another. Depending on your client’s needs, you can use a truck, train, boat, or plane. To start this business, you will need a fleet of vehicles, a team of drivers, and a warehouse or storage facility. You will also need to obtain the licenses and permits to operate legally.

To operate this business, you must communicate with your clients to understand their shipping needs and negotiate prices. You will then need to plan routes and schedules for your drivers and ensure that all goods are transported safely and efficiently. You will also need to track shipments and update clients on the status of their deliveries.

In addition to transportation, you may also offer warehousing and storage services. This service would involve receiving and storing goods in your warehouse until they are ready to be shipped out. You may also provide value-added services such as packing and labeling to help your clients save time and effort.

Overall, running a transport and logistics business requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent customer service. If you are up for the challenge, this can be a rewarding and lucrative business opportunity.

How much you can make: $12,000 — $415,000/month

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

I Quit My Full-Time Job & Launched A $5M/Year Towing & Auto Repair Business

Finish Line Towing & Auto Repair is Wisconsin's largest roadside assistance provider, bringing in $5 million in annual sales through its dedication to customer service, effective dispatching, and clean service, with a goal of expanding to other markets in Wisconsin and Illinois.

About
Johnny started Finish Line Towing & Repair over 6 years ago
Revenue
Johnny grew the business to $415K/month
Costs
It cost Johnny $200000 to start the business
Read by 3,908 founders

24. Start a cooking gas station business

Estimates show that global LPG consumption is set to increase.

A critical factor that positively impacts the market is the augmenting growth in the automotive industry and the increasing requirement for energy-efficient fuel. Furthermore, widespread adoption by domestic end-users is boosting the cooking gas industry.

Therefore, starting an LPG refilling station might be a profitable venture.

25. Start a billboard and outdoor advertising business

Starting a billboard and outdoor advertising business can be a lucrative and exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs. This business involves leasing space on billboards and other outdoor structures to advertisers who want to reach a broad audience through visual marketing.

To start a billboard and outdoor advertising business, you will need to secure leases for billboard locations and negotiate rates with advertisers. You will also need to design and install the advertisements and maintain and repair the billboards. It is essential to have a strong understanding of the local market and demographics to target your advertising campaigns effectively.

In addition to the practical skills needed for this business, you should also have excellent communication and negotiation skills to work with advertisers and secure leases. Strong marketing and sales skills will also be beneficial in attracting new clients and growing your business.

To run a successful billboard and outdoor advertising business, it is essential to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices constantly. It would help if you also were willing to adapt and pivot your strategies as needed to meet the changing needs of your clients and the market.

With hard work and dedication, a billboard and outdoor advertising business can be a lucrative and rewarding career path.

26. Start a dance studio

The dance studio business idea involves providing a space for people to learn and practice various dance styles, such as ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and salsa. To start this business, you will need a space to hold classes, essential equipment, and instructors. You must schedule classes, advertise the business, manage finances, and create a positive student experience to operate it.

How much you can make: $8,400 — $40,000/month

How long does it take to build: 912 days (?)

How I Grew My Fitness Studio To $480K/Year Despite The Pandemic
About
Bryan started The LOOK Fitness about 8 years ago
Revenue
Bryan grew the business to $40K/month
Costs
It cost Bryan $150000 to start the business
Read by 2,920 founders

27. Start a home staging service

With the rise of online home selling, the need for home staging services has been increasing rapidly.

A home staging business can be an affordable and scalable venture, providing ample opportunity for growth and profitability.

Those who have a keen eye for design and enjoy collaborating with clients can find a rewarding career in home staging.

A professional home stager assesses both the interior and exterior spaces of a property and offers expert guidance on how to enhance its overall aesthetic appeal.

From selecting furniture and décor to arranging lighting and artwork, every detail is carefully considered to create an inviting and attractive atmosphere that appeals to potential buyers.

How much you can make: $1,700,000/month

$1.7 Million a Month: How Meridith Baer Built a Crazy Successful Home-Staging Business

Home stager Meredith Baer turned a $500,000 sale into a thriving business with Meridith Baer Home, expanding operations from California to Connecticut, New York, Florida, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and even Cabo San Lucas.

About
They started Meridith Baer over 26 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $1.7M/month
Read by 912 founders

28. Start a television station business

29. Start a wi-fi hotspot service business

30. Start a serviced office leasing business

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

How long does it take to build: 74 days (?)

Building A $1.2M/Year Commercial Office Space Center In Dubai

Dubai-based Spacebox Business Center offers luxury private offices, dedicated and hot desks to a large freelancing workforce while achieving 80% occupancy in its two prime locations, driving leads through Google Ads and social media while securing clients with Clever Corp.

About
Jai started SpaceBox Business Center almost 2 years ago
Revenue
Jai grew the business to $100K/month
Costs
It cost Jai $300000 to start the business
Read by 1,184 founders

31. Start a student hostel business

32. Start a science and technology park business

33. Start a self storage business

34. Start a sandwich and salad delivery business

35. Start a transitional housing business

36. Start an apartment rental business

An apartment is a private residence divided into several separate dwellings. If you are interested in starting an accommodation and housing-related business, apartment rental can be a good fit. Your target customers can be business executives, dignitaries, travelers, etc.

To start your business, look for a strategic location and build or buy a ready property. When purchasing an apartment, you may need to renovate the property to be suitable for rental.

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

37. Start a stone quarry business

38. Start an aquarium house business

The aquarium business stocks a variety of home aquariums and supplies, along with a varied stock of freshwater and saltwater fish. Also, an aquarium business offers system startup and maintenance.

Starting an aquarium is a very profitable retail business. Luckily, starting an aquarium business in metropolitan cities is very easy. To start an aquarium business, write a plan and find an ideal commercial space for the company.

Before launching the ornamental fish business, you should know how big the market is, conduct a competition analysis to determine who you are against, and craft a competitive strategy.

How much you can make: $5,800/month

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

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

How I Bought My Friends Business For $2500 And Grew It To $100K/Year

Aquarium maintenance business owner, Larry McGee, generates $100,000 annually servicing 60+ aquariums in central Arkansas-area businesses, while also offering offline and online marketing courses; his repeat customer base is key to his 25-year success.

About
Larry started Aquatic Designs, Inc. almost 29 years ago
Revenue
Larry grew the business to $5.8K/month
Costs
It cost Larry $1 to start the business
Read by 3,998 founders

39. Start a real estate wholesaling business

How much you can make: $80,000/month

Inspiring Leadership through Self-Actualization with Jordan Isham
About
Jordan started My Tennessee Home Solution over 4 years ago
Revenue
Jordan grew the business to $80K/month
Read by 21 founders

40. Start an uber driver business

Uber is the top ridesharing and delivery platform that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As an uber driver, you have the chance to set your schedule. You can drive with the Uber app anytime, day or night. Uber app gives you driving directions and suggestions, enabling you to maximize your profitability and make money on your terms.

To get started, check the driving requirements for your area, sign up online, and choose the cities you would like to drive in. Ensure the car types meet Uber’s specifications.

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

How I Built A $3.5M/Year Taxi Company Competing With Uber & Lyft

Albert Williams grew a $3.5 million transportation company, The Best Deal, from a niche transportation sector; he attributes the company's success to providing excellent service and committing to continuous learning.

About
Albert started Best Deal Car Service over 10 years ago
Revenue
Albert grew the business to $250K/month
Read by 10,004 founders

41. Start a security guard business

A security guard business provides security solutions including assessments, measures, and personnel to ensure the safety and security of its clients’ properties and events.

Starting a security business requires certain prerequisites such as obtaining the necessary licenses, insurance, and providing adequate training to employees.

Success in the security guard business depends on building a reputation for reliability, professionalism, and excellent customer service.

It’s important to have a clear understanding of the client’s needs and to develop a customized security plan to meet those needs.

A strong marketing strategy and networking with potential clients can also help grow the business.

How much you can make: $2,000,000/month

Perfect timing Security SaaS Hits $12m Revenue, Closes $80m on $500m Valuation last week

Cyber security SaaS platform Coro offers cloud security services to mid-market enterprises, securing a total of $81.5 million in funding and a $500 million valuation, with 4,500 clients on the platform and reaching a $1 million run rate in 2019.

About
Dror started Coro over 10 years ago
Revenue
Dror grew the business to $2M/month
Read by 801 founders

42. Start a private hostel business

A private hostel is a residential premise or center set up by a private entity to accommodate paying guests on a rental basis for a fixed duration. Private accommodation for tourists and travelers can be a good option if you love meeting and hosting different people while creating a passive income from your business.

Setting up your own private hostel business takes a lot of planning. First, find the ideal location and check all the local zoning laws. Then, procure (buy/lease) a perfect building and equip it with beds and other accommodations for guests.

To attract business, network with tours and travel companies and advertise the business on social media.

How long does it take to build: 730 days (?)

43. Start a taxi cab business

If you are an experienced driver and know your city well, starting a taxi cab business can be a very lucrative side hustle.

Here are the steps on how to start a taxi cab business.

  • Secure your business licenses
  • Secure financing and purchasing equipment
  • Purchase a commercial insurance

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

How I Built A $3.5M/Year Taxi Company Competing With Uber & Lyft

Albert Williams grew a $3.5 million transportation company, The Best Deal, from a niche transportation sector; he attributes the company's success to providing excellent service and committing to continuous learning.

About
Albert started Best Deal Car Service over 10 years ago
Revenue
Albert grew the business to $250K/month
Read by 10,004 founders

44. Start a sports radio station

A sports radio station is a business idea that creates a platform for sports enthusiasts to get updated on their favorite sports teams, players, and events. This business idea can be started by setting up a radio station that broadcasts sports-related content or by creating a digital platform, such as a sports radio app. Listeners can access that on their phones or computers. You will need a team of sports experts who can provide commentary and analysis and a source of funding to cover the costs of setting up the station or app.

You can start by conducting market research to determine the demand for sports radio in your area and reach out to potential sponsors and advertisers to help support your business. With the right team and marketing strategy, you can quickly build a loyal audience of sports fans and turn your sports radio station into a profitable business.

45. Start a RV park business

Do you love outdoor ventures? Starting an RV Park can be a high-yielding investment with high returns on your money.

If you have idle land, you can build an RV park and tailor your park to your customer’s needs. An RV Park must-have features and amenities that make camping sites stress-free and as fun as possible.

How long does it take to build: 600 days (?)

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.