22 Black-Owned Online Businesses To Support

Updated: July 24th, 2023

At Starter Story, we support #BlackLivesMatter.

Here are some of the amazing black-owned businesses and founders we've been lucky to showcase over the years:

1. Start a film production company ($60K/year)

How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

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

Latham Ford from Los Angeles, California, USA started No Idea Films, LLC almost 7 years ago, a film production company.

  • Revenue: $5,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 4
  • Location: Los Angeles, California, USA

Case Study

Hello! I’m Latham Ford and I started a Film, TV & Media Production Company in 2016. I built the company on intellectual property: scripts, ideas, and pitches. Whether they are ideas or scripts that I created and wrote or collaboration. Underneath that is the actual content creation and production. I have produced and written a few short films and pitch ideas. In 2018, I won the best film, $10,000 for a short film I wrote called Daddy’s Big Girl, at the Gentlemens Jack Daniels & Code Black Lionsgate Film Contest, held in Miami, FL.

Since then, life has been moving fast. I’ve been pitching my scripts to studios, sold a few ideas to production companies and produced some really cool digital content for brands. Then I acquired some amazing partners which propelled us to the next level. Check out our production reel.

on-starting-a-film-tv-media-production-company

2. Start a balloon decor business ($240K/year)

How much you can make: $20,000/month

Janeen Brown from started Balloon Haus LLC about 6 years ago, a balloon decor business.

  • Revenue: $20,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 16
  • Location:

Case Study

I’m Janeen Brown! Founder and CEO of Balloon Haus LLC. In February 2018, I started Balloon Haus - the first opulent online and in-store Balloon boutique - where lifestyle and decor enter a "luxury" level of design. Our team consists of dedicated and loyal employees in Toronto, Atlanta, Detroit and South Florida destined to create iconic balloon memories to last a lifetime.

how-i-started-a-20k-month-balloon-installations-and-decorations-business

3. Start a wireframing software business ($72K/year)

How much you can make: $6,000 — $550,000/month

How long does it take to build: 1095 days (?)

Brian Nyagol from Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya started Brainverse Technologies Ltd over 10 years ago, a wireframing software business.

  • Revenue: $6,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 15
  • Location: Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya

Case Study

Hello, my name is Brian Nyagol. Thank you for stopping by to read my story. I’m the founder and CEO of Brainverse Technologies, a software and branding company based in Kenya, Africa, and focusing on helping small and medium-sized enterprises digitize their business, digitalize their processes and build effective digital footprints. We believe a strong brand is one that exudes irresistible attraction that sticks in the minds of people, in whichever form they get in touch with it. That is our definition of a perfect brand.

On average, we turn in monthly revenue of $4,500, 64% of which come from new large project engagements, and the rest from upgrades, maintenance, and short term projects. We get 80% of our projects through referrals from previous customers and 20% from our offline and digital direct marketing efforts.

how-i-started-a-4-5k-month-digital-services-and-software-development-agency

4. Start a dirt bike business ($78K/year)

Stephen Wright from England, United Kingdom started Social Reach over 5 years ago, a dirt bike business.

  • Revenue: $6,500/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 2
  • Location: England, United Kingdom

Case Study

Hi, I’m Stephen and I am the founder and owner of Micro Bikes UK, an e-commerce store that specializes in kids quad bikes (4 wheelers) dirt bikes, scooters and ride on toys.

We are on track to hit six figures in revenue for this financial year and we dropship 90% of our products.

launching-a-mini-dirt-bike-shop-and-growing-to-6-000-month

5. Build an iphone app ($36K/year)

How much you can make: $150 — $2,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,500 (?)

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

Dominic Morris from Sacramento, California, USA started HoopMaps over 7 years ago, a iPhone app.

  • Revenue: $3,000/ month
  • Founders: 2
  • Employees: 4
  • Location: Sacramento, California, USA

Case Study

Since we launched, we have amassed over 90,000 users across 11 countries outside the United States an have appeared on international media outlets such as SportsCenter and Shark Tank and partnered with The Big 3 professional basketball league.

how-we-started-hoopmaps-went-viral-and-got-on-shark-tank

6. Start a taxi cab company ($3M/year)

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

Albert Williams from New York, New York, USA started Best Deal Car Service about 10 years ago, a taxi cab company.

  • Revenue: $250,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 9
  • Location: New York, New York, USA

Case Study

My name is Albert Williams. I am the President and CEO of The Best Deal Group of Companies. located in the Boogie Down Bronx. Best Deal is a transportation company, who specializes in local community transportation, Corporate Transportation as well as Non Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT).

Below is a picture of our cars gathered to pick up 30+ passengers for one of corporate accounts

how-i-built-a-3-5m-year-taxi-company-competing-with-uber-lyft

7. Start an it company ($120K/year)

How much you can make: $500 — $2,400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,400 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

Maanda Mulaudzi from started Common Sense Holdings over 4 years ago, a IT company.

  • Revenue: $10,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 2
  • Location:

Case Study

Hello, my name is Maanda Mulaudzi and I am the founder of Common Sense Holdings. We are a startup based in Johannesburg, South Africa and we have been in business for just over a year.

We currently turnover $5,000 a month but we are looking to have a 100% increase in monthly revenue from early next year with potential new clients.

how-i-left-a-professional-skateboarding-career-to-start-developing-it-and-mobile-solutions

8. Start a junk removal business ($48K/year)

How much you can make: $4,000 — $37,000,000/month

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

Matthew Jones from Atlanta, Georgia, USA started MJ Home and Truck Services about 7 years ago, a junk removal business.

  • Revenue: $4,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 4
  • Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Case Study

My name is Matthew Jones. I have a waste management company, MJ Home and Truck Services. We specialize in junk removal and cleaning services. I service residential and commercial clients...most are repeat customers.

We usually complete a minimum of 20 projects a week and the project costs range from $75 and go up depending on the number of items we have to pick up from the customer. We price based on the type of items, weight, quantity, and labor/disposal costs. We provide free estimates and usually only need a description or photo of what a customer has to generate an exact price they will have to pay. There are no hidden costs.

how-i-started-a-4k-month-junk-removal-service

9. Start a fruit delivery business ($60K/year)

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

Ivory Mouzon from Miami, Florida, USA started Honeydew over 5 years ago, a fruit delivery business.

  • Revenue: $5,000/ month
  • Founders: 2
  • Employees: 0
  • Location: Miami, Florida, USA

Case Study

My name is Ivory Mouzon and I’m the Chief Accountability Officer and Founder of Honeydew Lists.

We just launched a few weeks ago, but we are expecting to bring in at a minimum of $5000 in our first month.

making-5k-per-month-mailing-people-melons

10. Start a shoelace brand ($1.5M/year)

How much you can make: $14,000 — $125,000/month

Tim Talley from Rochester, New York, USA started U-Lace No-Tie Sneaker Laces ago, a shoelace brand.

  • Revenue: $125,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 2
  • Location: Rochester, New York, USA

Case Study

I’m Tim Talley and I am the founder and CEO of U-Lace No-Tie Sneaker Laces. U-Lace is the originator of the modular No-Tie Sneaker Lace. Our product is a stretchy woven lace segment that is designed to span just a single set of sneaker eyelets at a time. A couple of packs of U-Laces transforms most pairs of lace-up sneakers into slip-on that never need to be tied or untied.

Sparkly Gold Ltd. Edition Pumas with U-Lace’s Sparkly Gold Classic Laces

how-i-got-mark-cuban-to-invest-in-my-1-5mm-year-tieless-shoelaces-business

11. Start a coffee roasting business ($1.08M/year)

How much you can make: $7,500 — $150,000/month

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

Mike Mwenedata from South Portland, Maine, USA started Rwanda Bean Coffee about 10 years ago, a coffee roasting business.

  • Revenue: $90,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 20
  • Location: South Portland, Maine, USA

Case Study

My name is Mike Mwenedata. I immigrated to America 6 years ago from Rwanda. I’m the co-founder of Rwanda Bean Coffee Company. We source single origin coffee from Rwanda and roast the beans to perfection here in South Portland, Maine

By expanding to include our own retail locations we have been able to increase revenue from under $3000 per month to over $45k per month in less than 1 year.

how-a-rwandan-immigrant-started-a-coffee-roasting-business

12. Start a screen printing business ($96K/year)

How much you can make: $8,000 — $80,000/month

How long does it take to build: 205 days (?)

Antoine Taylor from Los Angeles, California, USA started The Cause about 7 years ago, a screen printing business.

  • Revenue: $8,000/ month
  • Founders: 2
  • Employees: 3
  • Location: Los Angeles, California, USA

Case Study

My name is Antoine Taylor and I own an apparel and printing company called The Cause International that donates a percentage of its profits back to those in need.

Since the start of our company we have given back to The Boy & Girls Club of South Side Chicago, Skid Row, Flint Michigan, and our most recent giveback was to Guatemala where we installed water filtration systems to villages that did not have clean water.

how-i-started-an-apparel-printing-business-focused-on-giving-back

13. Start a jewelry making business ($240K/year)

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

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

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

Aziza Browne from Asheville, North Carolina, USA started Aziza Jewelry about 20 years ago, a jewelry making business.

  • Revenue: $20,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 1
  • Location: Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Case Study

Hi there! My name is Aziza and I am the founder of Aziza Jewelry. Some of my most well-known pieces include my colorful gemstone hoop earrings and Mother-Daughter Earring Sets. My Mother-Daughter Earring Sets have become quite popular lately as a gift that men have been purchasing for the women in their lives as “Push Presents” (gifts for a new mom just after giving birth).

how-i-started-a-5k-month-side-hustle-selling-custom-word-necklaces

14. Become a freelance app developer ($72K/year)

How much you can make: $10,000 — $91,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $350 (?)

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

Marvin Collins Hosea from Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya started Apps:Lab almost 7 years ago, a freelance app developer.

  • Revenue: $6,000/ month
  • Founders: 2
  • Employees: 5
  • Location: Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya

Case Study

My name is Marvin Hosea, I have been developing software for more than five years now and I am the founder and lead at Apps: Lab KE. We are a team of expert software developers, data analysts, and designers specializing in problem-solving using technology and data for businesses and communities.

We are good at what we do and that is software development as stated by our slogan Heart of Tech

how-i-started-a-3-7k-month-software-company-in-kenya

15. Start a marketing agency ($156K/year)

How much you can make: $1,300 — $465,583,333/month

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

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

Emenike Emmanuel from Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria started Entrepreneur Business Blog over 7 years ago, a marketing agency.

  • Revenue: $13,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 6
  • Location: Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

Case Study

My parents told me that my name is Emenike Emmanuel. I’m the CEO of Entrepreneur Business Blog. In 2018, I was recognized as one of the top 100 social media marketing influencer to follow in 2019.

Currently, EntrepreneurBusinessBlog.com generates a monthly revenue of $1,500+ from those income sources I listed above.

how-a-young-entrepreneur-from-nigeria-started-a-profitable-blog

16. Start a dating coaching business ($42K/year)

How much you can make: $1,500 — $683,333/month

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

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week

Ta'Veca Collins from Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA started Romance On The Go, Concierge Services almost 12 years ago, a dating coaching business.

  • Revenue: $3,500/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 0
  • Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

Case Study

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.

“Meet The Tolberts” - They spent their Honeymoon in Fort Lauderdale, FL. and we executed this sunrise picnic with a mini photoshoot.

how-i-started-a-business-where-i-plan-romantic-date-nights-for-couples

17. Start a digital magazine ($600K/year)

How much you can make: $50,000 — $800,000/month

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

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

Drew Williams from Toronto, Ontario, Canada started SWAGGER Magazine almost 17 years ago, a digital magazine.

  • Revenue: $50,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 25
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Case Study

My name is Drew Williams and I run and operate a digital lifestyle magazine for men called SWAGGER Magazine. SWAGGER Magazine is one of the first products created under our parent company, Swagger Publications Inc.

SWAGGER Magazine currently pulls in about 1-2k per month and is growing rapidly. Our primary source of revenue is sponsored posts, and celebrity features which we call "Kings of Swag". We currently own the trademark for “Swagger” in Canada and share that mark with Proctor & Gamble after a $100,000 trademark war.

swagger-starting-a-digital-men-s-magazine

18. ($14.4K/year)

Warnisha Foster from Ocala, Florida, USA started Kiss My Crown Essentials almost 4 years ago, a business.

  • Revenue: $1,200/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 1
  • Location: Ocala, Florida, USA

Case Study

My name Warnisha Foster I am the CEO of Kiss My Crown Essentials. I founded Kiss My Crown Essentials in March of 2020 and I started offering my products a few at a time to see how they would go over with the public. My first product was Strawberry Rose’ Champagne Soap. The idea for this soap came from looking at my life as a single mom of four I started to feel burned out. I needed something to make me feel feminine, Make me feel like a woman, Grown and sexy. This did the trick.

Our mission here a KMCE is to let mothers like myself know that we are seen, we are beautiful and we are a necessity.

on-starting-a-homemade-organic-soap-brand-from-the-kitchen

19. Start an exercise app ($3K/year)

How much you can make: $250 — $1,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 142 days (?)

Justin Anyanwu from Raleigh, North Carolina, USA started Lazy Jar over 6 years ago, a exercise app.

  • Revenue: $250/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 0
  • Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

Case Study

My name is Justin Anyanwu. I came to the US from Nigeria in 1998. I’m now a citizen, and every day, I thank my mother for bringing me here. I love this country.

It was started in October of 2017 as a proof of concept. We re-launched the app this year in March, today we’re averaging $250 a month from the app.

how-i-launched-an-app-that-charges-people-if-they-don-t-exercise

20. Start a niche blog ($0/year)

How much you can make: $200 — $100,000/month

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

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

Natasha Magino from Washington D.C., Washington, D.C., USA started The Vibe Room almost 6 years ago, a niche blog.

  • Revenue: $0/ month
  • Founders: 2
  • Employees: 0
  • Location: Washington D.C., Washington, D.C., USA

Case Study

Hello! We are The Vibe Room, a digital magazine found by Natasha Magino and Isabel Yu. The magazine is currently run by Natasha Magino, Shaakira DeLoatch, and Jasmin Dixon.

In our first year, The Vibe Room has had 5 successful issues and networking events. We’ve featured over 30 diverse creatives, artists, entrepreneurs and the like. We average 80 attendees at our events and surpassed 1,000 followers on Instagram. Imagine what we will do in year two…

on-starting-an-online-magazine-about-the-creative-industries

21. Start a beach wedding company ($0/year)

How much you can make: $165,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,600 (?)

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

Sha'Quanna Davis from Delray Beach, Florida, USA started Dreams & Details Events, LLC over 4 years ago, a beach wedding company.

  • Revenue: $0/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 1
  • Location: Delray Beach, Florida, USA

Case Study

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.

on-starting-a-beach-weddings-and-elopements-company

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.