36 Low Cost Alibaba Business Ideas

Updated: July 24th, 2023

If you are looking for alibaba related business ideas to begin your path to entrepreneurship, you are in the right place.

With starting a alibaba related 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 product review blog

A product review blog typically includes a description of the product, as well as a rating and review. This can be anything from reviewing gadgets to books to software.

To start a product review blog, you need to have strong writing skills and be familiar with the available products. You should also have a good understanding of how to market your blog and generate traffic.

The recent trend that is making this business more popular is the growth of social media. With more people using social media, businesses are looking for ways to connect with their customers. Product review blogs provide businesses with a way to connect with their customers and generate positive reviews.

Starting a product review blog is a great way to share your opinion on different products. This type of blog can be very profitable, as you can generate revenue through advertising and affiliate marketing.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)

How long does it take to build: 35 days (?)

How My Blog With Body-Safe Sex Toys Reviews Turned Into A $2K/Month Side Hustle

Sex blogger turns a free WordPress blog into a $2,000 a month part-time digital business by investing in education, self-hosting, and building relationships within the NSFW community.

About
Cy started Super Smash Cache about 9 years ago
Revenue
Cy grew the business to $2K/month
Costs
It cost Cy $14 to start the business
Read by 16,929 founders

2. Start an ecommerce platform

Over the past decade, eCommerce has become an indispensable part of the global retail framework. According to statistics, over 2 billion people prefer shopping online.

While brick-and-mortar stores are still making more sales compared to online sales, the adoption of eCommerce is still rising, mainly because of the increased speed and convenience of online shopping.

Therefore, starting an eCommerce platform could set you on the right path to building a futuristic business.

How much you can make: $100 — $83,333,333/month

How long does it take to build: 110 days (?)

How We Started A $700K/Month Business Getting Targeted Traffic For Online Sellers

StoreYa co-founders Eyal Reich and Yariv Dror, along with CTO Pasha Zaft, created a suite of marketing and advertising apps that include Traffic Booster, which has generated an average of $700,000 MRR and helped the business win a 2018 Google Acquisition Performance award, as well as becoming a PayPal exclusive advertising partner.

About
Eyal started StoreYa over 11 years ago
Revenue
Eyal grew the business to $2M/month
Costs
It cost Eyal $5000 to start the business
Read by 9,958 founders

3. Start a dropshipping business

Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products to customers without holding inventory.

Instead, when a customer makes a purchase, you buy the product from a third-party supplier, who then ships it directly to the customer.

To start a dropshipping business on a budget, choose a niche or category of products you want to sell.

Next, set up an online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. Then, find reliable suppliers from platforms like AliExpress, list their products on your store, and focus on marketing and customer service to grow your business.

Remember to carefully manage your expenses and monitor your profit margins to ensure profitability.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month

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

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

How I Started A $100K/Month Business Mentoring Dropshipping Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.

About
Kamil started E-commerce Mentoring almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Kamil grew the business to $100K/month
Costs
It cost Kamil $1000 to start the business
Read by 23,337 founders

4. Start a payment app

A payment app lets you accept payments from anywhere, using your mobile phone or tablet. It’s best for business owners and professionals to get payments for products or services occasionally or irregularly.

Starting a payment app is an excellent way of making passive income online. It doesn’t require much initially, and the revenue can be significant.

Payment apps are quite popular nowadays, allowing people to pay for goods and services with the tap of a button on their phones. Creating a new payment app can help you capture a share of this growing industry and virtually endless niche for your business.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 165 days (?)

How I Created A $60K/Month App That Collects In-Person Payments Through Stripe

Payment.co, an app built on top of the Stripe payment gateway for creating card-present charges, has grown to process over $70M in volume annually since launching in 2015, with the app collecting a 1% service fee on every single charge.

About
Ryan started Payment for Stripe about 9 years ago
Revenue
Ryan grew the business to $60K/month
Read by 18,385 founders

5. Start a blog

In recent years, blogging has become a highly sought-after & lucrative Business. This location-independent business is a creative outlet to reach a broader audience and even work at any time. According to Optinmonster’s list of blogging statistics and facts:

  • Blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of gathering online information.
  • 77% of internet users read blogs.
  • Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages.

Originally blogging started as an online journal, but today it is a highly profitable career option. Many people are choosing blogging as their full-time career and are earning their bread and butter from this profession.

If you want to start blogging as a side hustle or as a full-time profession, choose a niche you will enjoy writing about and have a content strategy ready. Then, create a mailing list, and decide on a good blog posting routine to keep your audience engaged.

How much you can make: $200 — $160,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 37 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

About
Kelan started The Savvy Couple over 7 years ago
Revenue
Kelan grew the business to $20K/month
Costs
It cost Kelan $500 to start the business
Read by 26,191 founders

6. Start a fashion accessories brand

Fashion accessories are an integral part of our wardrobes and are chosen specifically to compliment a person's outfit.

Typical fashion accessories include footwear, apparel, jewelry, wallets, handbags, hair accessories, and watches.

The global fashion accessories market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.3% during the forecast period (2021 - 2026).

How much you can make: $1,500 — $40,480,000/month

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

How We Invented A $10K/Month Innovative Cuff Adapters

CuffStyle created Cuff Adapters, silicone tabs that fit over shirt cuff buttons allowing cufflinks to be worn with standard button-down shirts, and has sold over 2,000 packs and received 100+ reviews with a 4.6/5 star rating on Amazon, with plans to move into big-box retail and B2B sales.

About
Eric started Cuff Style about 5 years ago
Revenue
Eric grew the business to $50K/month
Read by 6,573 founders

7. Start a laptop accessories brand

Laptop accessories are items that enhance the functionality of a laptop. These can include external hard drives, docking stations, and carrying cases.

To start a laptop accessories brand, you will need strong marketing and design skills. You should also have a good understanding of the laptop market and what accessories are more popular.

The recent trends in the laptop accessories industry are moving towards eco-friendly and sustainable products. Businesses are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact and offer their customers products that are made from sustainable materials.

Starting a laptop accessories brand is a great way to enter the world of product design. This type of business growing in popularity as people are looking for ways to personalize their laptops.

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

How long does it take to build: 342 days (?)

How We Designed A $1M/Month Portable Monitor For Laptops

Mobile Pixels Inc developed a portable monitor for laptops, the Duex, which raised $1.5m in pre-sales on Kickstarter/IndieGoGo and generated $4.3m in 2019 and is on track to bring in $12m in 2020, by pivoting to adjacent verticals based on the market and attracting attention through word-of-mouth branding.

About
Jack started Mobile Pixels almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Jack grew the business to $1M/month
Costs
It cost Jack $100000 to start the business
Read by 8,464 founders

8. Start a hair product line

Starting a hair product line can be a fun and profitable way to build a new income stream. It's also fairly easy, as long as you plan it out (and maybe do a little bit of market research before creating your sales funnel). 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.

How much you can make: $550 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 382 days (?)

How I Started A $650K/Month Hair Extensions And Products Business

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.

About
Mikey started Private Label Extensions about 11 years ago
Revenue
Mikey grew the business to $650K/month
Costs
It cost Mikey $14000 to start the business
Read by 36,065 founders

9. Become a herbal and ayurvedic products distributor

Experts anticipate that the global ayurvedic herbs market will reach $21.6 billion in the next few years. They attribute this market increment to the product's ability to preserve health and wellness by keeping the mind, body, and spirit balanced and preventing diseases rather than treating them.

With the growing demand for herbal and ayurvedic products, selling these herbs and spices on Alibaba is a great option for entrepreneurs interested in starting an online business.

You can simply list the products on eCommerce platforms or start dropshipping service.

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

How long does it take to build: 356 days (?)

My Healthcare Experience Inspired Me To Create A $300K/Year Herbal Supplement

Peace. Love. Hormones. is a female reproductive health company creating a women's reproductive health movement, which has grown from an initial order of 100 units to 10,000 in just 9 months, and offers herbal nutraceuticals, a menstrual health app, a podcast, and eBooks.

About
Maddie started peace. love. hormones. over 2 years ago
Revenue
Maddie grew the business to $40K/month
Costs
It cost Maddie $40000 to start the business
Read by 2,636 founders

10. Start an online jewelry store

The online jewelry store industry has been growing rapidly. More and more people are buying cheaper jewelry online because it is easier and has a much more extensive selection.

The United States jewelry market was valued at about $76B in 2020, and diamond is considered to be the most valuable and lucrative among all forms of jewelry.

If you’re considering starting an online jewelry store to tap into this market, it’s crucial to choose the right e-commerce platform that can support your business needs and enable seamless transactions with your customers.

A great platform can help you showcase your products, manage your inventory, process payments securely, and provide an enjoyable shopping experience to your customers.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $833,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

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

Starting And Growing A Jewelry Business To $4.6M/Year

Taylor & Hart CEO Nikolay Piriankov tells the story of the company's journey from a diamond trading business to an award-winning, disruptive e-tailer of custom-designed, ethical engagement rings and fine jewelry, offering a bespoke design service through specifically developed technology online and instore, and growing to £4-6M in annual revenue.

About
Nikolay started Taylor & Hart over 10 years ago
Revenue
Nikolay grew the business to $385K/month
Read by 18,893 founders

11. Dropshipping men's grooming products

The global market for men’s grooming products is witnessing steady growth due to growing consumer preferences, and it is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.29% in the next few years.

Products such as shaving foams, face creams, after-shave lotions, and body sprays are among the highest in-demand men’s grooming products.

To start a men’s grooming products dropshipping business, high-quality research products, find a market, build a website and launch the business. Remember, as you begin the drop shipping business, people will come up with ideas. Listen to your customers, and implement necessary ideas to ensure the company is booming.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $650,000/month

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

Growing And Selling An Online Beard Care Business

A 22-year-old Korean American entrepreneur shares the story of how he pivoted from a beard growth cosmetic business to a beard care brand, built a strong community with a 30% customer retention rate, and scaled to a six-figure revenue with primarily Facebook ads.

About
Ray started HUSKYBEARD over 7 years ago
Revenue
Ray grew the business to $3.5K/month
Read by 15,166 founders

12. Start a crypto cybersecurity system

Cybercriminals can gain access to entire investments by stealing crypto wallet account keys. Therefore, you must treat crypto accounts with the utmost caution.

Cyber security experts focus on helping companies secure their networks and data from attacks by cybercriminals. Blockchain technologies are receiving massive attention from the research community in different application fields.

Becoming a cybersecurity expert focusing on crypto can be a rewarding career. Coinbase and other cryptocurrency exchanges use blockchain in cybersecurity, allowing users to trade everything from Bitcoin to Litecoin and Ethereum on the company’s secure blockchain platform.

How much you can make: $91,000 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 300 days (?)

How I Started A $45K/Month Cybersecurity Consulting Firm For Startups

Cybersecurity consulting firm Eden Data, launched in March 2020, scaled to four team members and generated over $45k MRR without large startup costs through their unique Virtual CISO offering, which outsources cybersecurity and compliance needs for a flat monthly price, rather than charging by the hour or for long-term commitments.

About
Taylor started Eden Data almost 4 years ago
Revenue
Taylor grew the business to $230K/month
Read by 33,932 founders

13. Start a cosmetic store

The cosmetic industry is growing rapidly. Starting a cosmetic shop can be highly profitable, but only if you stock trendy, skin-friendly products.

If you are passionate about the beauty industry, consider starting a cosmetics brick-and-mortar shop.

Cosmetic shops sell products ranging from anti-aging, aromatherapy, lotions, beauty spa, cosmetic store, and even make-up.

To start a cosmetic store, research the market and source products from well-known brands in the beauty industry.

How much you can make: $8,500 — $490,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

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

How I Started A $8.5K/Month Cosmetics Brand

A former felon's passion for makeup and skincare led her to launch FBI Cosmetics, which has grossed over $62,000 in sales since July 2020, through social media marketing, brand partnerships, and online sales at Walmart.com.

About
Alexis started FBI Cosmetics Inc. about 3 years ago
Revenue
Alexis grew the business to $8.5K/month
Costs
It cost Alexis $1500 to start the business
Read by 7,288 founders

14. Start a gift cards selling business

We all love receiving gifts from friends for occasions such as birthdays, weddings, or festival celebrations like Christmas and Easter. As times change, people's tastes and preferences are changing rapidly, and offering variety is the best way to fulfill customers' expectations.

Therefore, if you are looking for a good business idea, you may consider setting up a gift card shop at a convenient location. A strip mall with high traffic of target customers makes a good choice for a gift card business.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $35,000/month

How long does it take to build: 65 days (?)

How The Pandemic Inspired Me To Bootstrap A $180K/Year Online Greeting Card Business

EcardForest, a digital greeting card company that allows multiple people to sign and send ecards, generated over $15K in monthly revenue by prioritizing environmental protection and privacy, optimizing their website for speed and user experience, and investing in quality and advertising, while remaining agile and efficient.

About
Dayana started EcardForest Ltd almost 3 years ago
Revenue
Dayana grew the business to $15K/month
Costs
It cost Dayana $30000 to start the business
Read by 4,334 founders

15. Start a phone case business

With the number of mobile phone users increasing, there are opportunities for accessory makers such as phone case manufacturers to make a profit. Building a business around making and selling phone cases is relatively easier to produce. You can print labels on-demand, starting with a lower risk, or buy them in bulk and sell them online.

The global mobile phone protective cover market is expected to reach 75.62 billion in the next few years.

Phone protective covers often make a statement and reflect a person’s social and cultural preferences. Phone case manufacturers take advantage of such considerations and keep their products relevant and up-to-date to attract a more extensive customer base.

Remember, as with any industry with a low entry barrier, there will be competition. Therefore, you must study customers’ tastes and preferences and offer customized phone cases.

How much you can make: $120,000 — $125,000/month

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

How I Started And Grew A $50K/mo Phone Case Business

Felony Case, a Toronto-based company designing unique iPhone cases, started as a small shop on Etsy and has grown to become an internationally recognized fashion iPhone case brand sold in top tier retailers like Nordstrom, Holt Renfrew, Indigo, Urban Outfitters, Revolve, Free People, and made over half a million dollars in revenue last year.

About
Andrew started Felony Case about 12 years ago
Revenue
Andrew grew the business to $120K/month
Read by 27,383 founders

16. Start a drinkware brand

A drinkware brand sells home and houseware products like cups, koozies, mugs, and other drinking accessories. If you've decided to try and create a business selling drinkware, there are certain things you need to know. You can do it from the comfort of your own home. You can get started for free, avoiding the hefty cost of setting up a brick-and-mortar shop. And if you take advantage of the right marketing strategies, you could be on your way to making money within a few weeks. The demand for custom-branded drinkware in the workplace has increased substantially over the past decade.

How much you can make: $416,000 — $12,000,000/month

I Grew A Drinkware Brand To $1.1M/Month At 23 Years Old

BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.

About
Dylan started BrüMate about 8 years ago
Revenue
Dylan grew the business to $12M/month
Skills
Design Skills
Costs
It cost Dylan $5000 to start the business
Read by 92,294 founders

17. Start a product reselling business

A product reseller purchases ready-made products from other entrepreneurs and sells them to its own customers. Starting a reselling business means you do not have to go through all product development steps and build an audience.

If you have niche expertise, you can start a successful reselling business faster and earn attractive profits.

Like dropshipping, reselling business model makes it easier for average consumers to find and purchase products. If you plan to launch a reselling business, you must come up with effective marketing strategies.

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

How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)

$17K in the Last 30 Days: Building a Reselling Business from Scratch

Case study: These founders are flipping used items for up to 10 times their original cost, with their first acquisition being purchased for $50 and sold for $450, and have set a target of making $250,000 in the upcoming 12 months through their eBay store specializing in professional car care supplies and electrical and tools.

About
They started Second Time Sellers about 3 years ago
Revenue
They grew the business to $17K/month
Costs
It cost $50 to start the business
Read by 692 founders

18. Start a supplements company

A supplement business makes money by selling dietary supplements, vitamins, protein powders, and health foods to customers.

These products are often sold directly to customers or through distributors and retailers.

Your target customers will likely include fitness enthusiasts, health-conscious individuals, wellness influencers, and those who prioritize their nutrition daily.

Starting a supplement brand is becoming increasingly popular because it's relatively inexpensive, and you can run the business from your home.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 245 days (?)

How An Active Duty Soldier Built $6M/Year Bare Performance Nutrition

A military officer turned entrepreneur built sports nutrition brand Bare Performance Nutrition from $15,000 in year one to on track to generate $6m in revenue this year, leveraging social media platforms and creating interactive, relatable and valuable content to create a community and a brand voice.

About
Nick started Bare Performance Nutrition about 12 years ago
Revenue
Nick grew the business to $3.5M/month
Costs
It cost Nick $20000 to start the business
Read by 39,829 founders

19. 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.

How much you can make: $500 — $1,333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 190 days (?)

How We Grew Our Baby Subscription Box To $60K MRR

Argentinian startup Bambox has grown its monthly recurring revenue to $60,000 and ships more than 1,100 boxes of baby essentials a month, a figure expected to help it achieve an annual recurring revenue of about $750,000 in 2019, after launching its first subscription service in July 2017. 

About
Charles started Bambox over 6 years ago
Revenue
Charles grew the business to $60K/month
Costs
It cost Charles $100 to start the business
Read by 15,861 founders

20. Start an affiliate marketing business

Are you looking for a side hustle to pay you a passive income? Affiliate marketing is one of those side hustles that will pay you well over the long term. It is a way to earn money online by promoting other companies' products and services. You will be paid a commission for each sale you make as an affiliate marketer.

To get started, learn how to find the right product and brand to partner with. For example, you may prefer becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store, partnering with a manufacturer, and marketing their products for a commission.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 55 days (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

About
Spencer started Buildapreneur over 6 years ago
Revenue
Spencer grew the business to $80K/month
Read by 22,204 founders

21. Start a stationery business

A stationery business sells stationery products such as paper goods, notebooks, greeting cards, and envelopes.

The best part about starting a stationery business is that it's relatively easy and inexpensive to get started.

Since there are so many different types of products available in this industry, there are endless opportunities for creativity, customization, and expansion.

You could even start out small by selling your products on Etsy or eBay before opening up an actual storefront.

How much you can make: $200 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)

How I Started A $12K/Month Business Selling Productivity Planners Online

Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.

About
Jess started Planner Peace over 8 years ago
Revenue
Jess grew the business to $22.5K/month
Read by 61,681 founders

22. Start a furniture business

The furniture industry involves designing, manufacturing, and selling various types of furniture for household and commercial purposes. With the increase in flexible workspaces and the real estate industry’s growth, the furniture business’s demand is boosted.

The furniture business is easy to start and does not require high investments. However, it is first essential to know your niche, for example, office, domestic, home furniture, and luxury items.

The furniture business needs a lot of preparation and prior knowledge. Taking business classes, learning about your local market, and making a solid business plan is advisable. In general, if your products are unique and one of a kind, consumers will be willing to pay a higher, including the shipping cost.

How much you can make: $1,700 — $999,999/month

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

How I Took My Woodworking Hobby Full Time To Build A Successful Brand

Sasha Weekes, owner of Timber Grove Studios, turned her fine arts and cabinetmaking education into a successful home-based woodworking business that grew from a side project to netting 20-50% profits month-to-month and up to $10,000 in sales during peak periods through Etsy, with her company's growth continuing to increase through other social media outlets.

About
Sasha started Timber Grove Studios over 6 years ago
Revenue
Sasha grew the business to $6.5K/month
Read by 57,156 founders

23. Start a fashion business

In 2022, the fashion industry was 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 essential to keep up with these trends.

How much you can make: $100 — $40,480,000/month

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

How I Make $10K/Month Selling Printable Sewing Patterns From My Fashion Blog

Learn how this DIY blogger turned sewing pattern maker generates over $10k per month in passive income, and discover her tips for building an authentic brand on a budget.

About
Lisa started Creative Fashion Blog almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Lisa grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Lisa $50 to start the business
Read by 25,249 founders

24. Start a niche accessories brand

Niche accessories make excellent small business ideas. The profit margins in these businesses are pretty significant because of the product markup. 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 are currently enjoying strong growth, projected to continue during this decade.

How much you can make: $600 — $1,500,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 44 days (?)

How We Turned $20 Into A $100K/Month Accessory Brand

Braxton Manley started Braxley Bands with only $20, creating an elastic Apple Watch band and scaling the business to an impressive $100K a month on Shopify, all without any other capital or investment.

About
Braxton started Braxley Bands almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Braxton grew the business to $100K/month
Costs
It cost Braxton $20 to start the business
Read by 14,991 founders

25. Start a vintage reselling business

Designer vintage collection rises in value as it ages, making it a profitable business.

To start the vintage reselling business, research the market to find highly valued items. Then, analyze the target audience to determine what qualities they are likely to look out for when buying vintage products.

To start the business, you can source vintage products from craigslist and eBay.

Provided you can source quality products and target an audience with a bigger budget, you can earn good profits from a vintage reselling business.

26. Start a sneaker business

Experts estimate the current sneaker market at $2 billion and expect it will blow up to $30 billion in the next few years. Compared to other online businesses, the sneaker resale market has grown exponentially and become very profitable.

While the sneaker business is very profitable, competition is still very high, and it might take time for new sellers to establish a client base. If you are starting a sneaker business, you must immerse yourself in the sneakerhead culture, especially the sneaker collection.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $500,000/month

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

How I Started A $50K/Month Business Customizing Sneakers

Meet Blake Barash, a custom shoe painter who grew his business from his bedroom to now making $50k per month and employing six people.

Revenue
Blake grew the business to $60K/month
Costs
It cost Blake $1000 to start the business
Read by 15,920 founders

27. Start a women's fashion business

The Women’s fashion market has been growing steadily over the past years. Experts project that the industry growth will continue over the next couple of years, with stores focusing on niche products or specialty offerings.

The women’s fashion industry is large, which presents an advantage to entrepreneurs because even by capturing a small percentage of the market, there is still a lot of room to gain profits. Besides, the diverse market presents a huge opportunity for expanding into different fashion accessories. Entrepreneurs can choose from dresses to pants to shirts, coats, and other women's accessories.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $11,750,000/month

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

I Started A Luxury Sustainable Womens Fashion Brand

KAHINDO is a sustainable women's luxury fashion brand that celebrates African fashion and promotes ethical work practices, with annual sales of $60k and wholesale clients like Rent The Runway.

About
Kahindo started KAHINDO almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Kahindo grew the business to $5K/month
Costs
It cost Kahindo $20000 to start the business
Read by 2,702 founders

28. Start a renewable energy equipment and devices selling business

Renewable energy equipment and devices refer to apparatus permanently installed on premises used for the generation, transmission, or utilization of mechanical or electrical power. With increased technological advancements, renewable energies have a significant impact.

Businesses and households are finding efficient and creative new ways of producing and storing renewable energy to meet the rising energy demand. As investments in renewable energy are rising, demand for renewable energy equipment and devices is rising. Therefore, starting a business in this line can be profitable.

How much you can make: $50,000 — $600,000/month

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

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

How I Started A $600K/Month Company Selling Low Cost Solar Energy

Clean Energy Solutions, a solar-energy provider based in LA, has grown over 6700% from 2014 to 2019, with monthly revenue around $600,000 and plans to expand its energy-efficient affordable housing division, thanks to its unique solar program allowing clients to save money using solar energy at a lower price than their utility would charge.

About
David started Clean Energy Solutions about 10 years ago
Revenue
David grew the business to $600K/month
Read by 65,920 founders

29. Start an export directory business

Publishing an electronic copy of export businesses can make you rich. Millions of entrepreneurs globally are looking for income and business opportunities through online directories.

You can start by creating a simple import/export directory that features information about global manufacturers, wholesalers, and agents seeking to expand their product lines.

30. Start a natural beauty product business

Natural beauty products include 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!

How much you can make: $300 — $325,000/month

How long does it take to build: 227 days (?)

How A Mother Of Two Started A $5K/Month Skincare Business From Home

A mother-of-two started a $5k/month skincare business after experimenting with beeswax and honey to create luxurious all-natural products, growing her business to attain over $7,500 in sales per month via multiple sales streams, including $4,000 per month at markets.

About
Mel started Flowerdale Valley over 6 years ago
Revenue
Mel grew the business to $5K/month
Read by 23,353 founders

31. Start a machinery exports business

Hundreds of manufacturers are looking for platforms where they can buy the latest machinery in a hassle-free manner. Whether you are assembling machinery or an entrepreneur interested in starting your machinery exports, an online business can be a profitable venture.

You can start a new or used machinery business and sell the equipment at the best price, such that you are maximizing the profit margins.

How much you can make: $142,000/month

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

I Bought A Dying Used Machinery Marketplace And Grew It To 1.7M$/Year

French entrepreneur Thomas Bordier took over a failing B2B marketplace in 2003 which now grows the industrial machinery resale market with 300 yearly auctions and an annual $1.7 million turnover from over 25 million worldwide assets promoting offers for over 600 transactions yearly and now launching a new project, Valorexo to create better pricing for used machinery.

About
Thomas started Exapro about 20 years ago
Revenue
Thomas grew the business to $142K/month
Costs
It cost Thomas $30000 to start the business
Read by 4,204 founders

32. Become an Alibaba reseller

Alibaba resellers buy products from a manufacturer or a supplier and sell them to retailers. To start, find a good product to sell on Alibaba. The things to consider when looking for products to buy and resell include:

  • Is there a demand for the product?
  • Can you source it cheap enough?
  • Is there a healthy profit margin from the sale of that product?

Arguably, the most difficult step in finding a product to resell on Alibaba or any other online platform is the hardest step in starting the reselling business. Once you have found the most profitable niche, the next step is signing for your reseller account on alternative platforms like own Shopify, amazon, or eBay platform and uploading your listings.

33. Start a handmade goods business

A handmade craft business entails selling own-crafted products on online platforms like Alibaba, Etsy, an independent website, or social media.

To succeed in selling handmade goods, you'll need solid creative skills. Your creativity can help you build a strong brand.

And with online marketplaces, handmade shopping has become a popular trend.

In recent years, consumers worldwide have shown their support of independent businesses and entrepreneurs, especially those venturing into the handmade goods business.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $150,000/month

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

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

The $27K/Month Company That Turns Photographs Into Custom Handmade Portraits

PortraitFlip is a successful startup that delivers handmade portraits globally with a clientele base in the USA and yields 3.5crs through their 100% customer satisfaction guarantee, and they started with an initial investment of only Rs.23,000.

About
Sunny started PortraitFlip LLC over 6 years ago
Revenue
Sunny grew the business to $45K/month
Costs
It cost Sunny $60 to start the business
Read by 10,246 founders

34. 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 2020.

A bridal accessories store can provide you with high income and the ability to hire. Bridal occasions are exceptional and endure several phases. You could start a bridal accessories business with access to millions of customers from the first introduction until they get married.

How much you can make: $50,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How I Built A Six Figure Business Bringing Asian Culture To The American Wedding Industry

East Meets Dress, an e-commerce store that offers Chinese wedding dresses and traditional outfits, grew to a six-figure annual recurring revenue ($25k/month) in just one year by targeting Asian-American brides in the U.S and high school students looking to wear cheongsams to prom to celebrate their heritage.

About
Vivian started East Meets Dress over 5 years ago
Revenue
Vivian grew the business to $50K/month
Costs
It cost Vivian $100 to start the business
Read by 18,697 founders

35. Start a product sourcing expert business

Product sourcing specialists help companies reach more efficient sourcing processes to save costs and maximize profitability. As a product sourcing specialist, you will negotiate with the suppliers to obtain goods, materials, and services at the best prices.

To excel as a product sourcing specialist, you must have strategic sourcing approaches and extensive knowledge of the commodity industry.

How much you can make: $75,000/month

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

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

Consulting Fashion Entrepreneurs After Quitting My Corporate Job [$900K/Year In Revenue]

Alice James Global, a fashion brand consulting firm, has experienced impressive growth, supporting over 30 brands per month and achieving an average annual growth of 60% over the last three years, with notable collaborations with brands such as Target, Nordstrom, and HomeGoods.

About
Alice started Alice James Global about 7 years ago
Revenue
Alice grew the business to $75K/month
Costs
It cost Alice $10000 to start the business
Read by 653 founders

36. Start a pet accessories business

With the increasing number of pet owners globally, the pet accessories market is booming. Pet accessories include items that promote the health and wellness of pets and improve pet handling. Examples of pet accessories include pet treats, toys, collars and tags, leashes, pet beds, food and water bowls, poo bags, clothing, costumes, etc.

To start a pet accessories business, market research and focus on the highly demanded pet products.

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

How long does it take to build: 268 days (?)

This Designer Cat Furniture Brand Does Over $300K/Month In Sales

Tuft + Paw, a modern cat brand founded by Jackson Cunningham, started as an importer of exquisite cat furniture and, after raising $150k from Kickstarter, graduated to manufacturing products, seeing sales grow to over $300k per month and now raising $2m from famed investors including Alexis Ohanian.

About
Jackson started Tuft & Paw over 7 years ago
Revenue
Jackson grew the business to $300K/month
Costs
It cost Jackson $1000 to start the business
Read by 5,416 founders

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.