20 Boring Business Ideas That Make Money (2024)
Interested in starting a profitable business that many people won't touch?
We have searched for some relatively boring & unconventional business ideas that can turn out to be highly profitable for you. You've probably seen a few of these business ideas already and thought they were too traditional. Sometimes, these are the best and most profitable business ideas to start.
The following is a list of 20 "boring" business ideas that I've come up with by looking at a few different industries and expanding on them.
In this list of 20 boring business ideas, you can find:
- Home-based boring businesses.
- Low-investment online business ideas.
- Unique business opportunities that are incredibly profitable.
1. Start an animal bone cleaning service
The pristine-looking skeletons you see in museums or bright white skulls hanging from walls are real animal bones and skulls that were cleaned and preserved.
Cleaning animal bones may sound boring! But do you know that animal skulls and bones is a profitable business? Animal bones and skulls are not only a good display for residential and commercial places, but they are also a good teaching tool. Your clients can be hunters, anatomy professionals, conservationists, and pet lovers.
Therefore, starting a bone cleaning and bleaching business can be a great business.
How much you can make: $2,000/month
Dermestidarium is a successful side business that uses flesh-eating beetles to clean animal bones for display, started by Carla Brauer who had no hopes of it turning into a business, but grew it into a busy side-hustle and more recently a primary work with client base growing each year.
2. Start a plumbing business
With hands-on knowledge in plumbing, you can start a business that focuses on diagnosing and repairing plumbing issues, installing fixtures, and maintaining plumbing systems.
As a plumber, your day-to-day activities will involve responding to service calls, troubleshooting plumbing problems, conducting installations or repairs, and providing guidance to clients on plumbing-related matters.
How much you can make: $40,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
A second-generation family-owned plumbing and leak detection business shares their success in obtaining repeat business through word of mouth referrals, staying true to their core principles, and using cutting-edge technology to provide top-notch service to clients.
3. Start a funeral service
For many, death is one of the most challenging life events. For that reason, starting a funeral business may sound awkward and unconventional. However, if you think about it, death is a “natural” and essential part of life. Therefore, starting a funeral business can be a profitable business idea. A funeral service provides the following services:
- Burial services
- Cremation services
- Repatriation services
- Memorial services
- Pet cremation
- Exhumation Services
If you are starting a funeral service, you may choose some or all of the above services.
4. Start a storage facility
Starting a storage space business is an accessible venture that allows you to utilize unused space effectively.
Additionally, you can start this with little capital. If you have available space, such as a warehouse, garage, or unused rooms, you can repurpose it for storage purposes.
Apart from renting out storage space, self-storage facilities make money by selling locks, cardboard boxes, packing supplies, insurance, and other products.
Pros of starting a storage space business include the following:
- Great profit potential
- Growing demand
- Low overhead compared to other businesses
- Requires minimal management
How much you can make: $150,000 — $2,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
How a logistics company grew its revenue over 300% in 2 years, starting with just 2 vans and 25k+ square feet of warehouse space, and focused on relationships, efficiency, and building trust with its customers.
5. Start a fulfillment business
As e-commerce becomes the pillar in our retail landscape, fulfillment businesses are becoming more important.
Fulfillment companies enable e-Commerce by processing order receipts, packing, delivering, and handling returns from clients. These businesses act as a third-party warehouse and their core responsibilities include preparing and shipping orders. Thus, they store goods until they are ready to send to stores and customers. If you are planning to start a fulfillment service, some of the services will include:
- Same day-delivery
- Customer support through chat, text, and phone call
- Complete order tracking from arrival at the fulfillment center to delivery to customer's door
- Custom API integration
- Climate-controlled storage space
To start a fulfillment center you need to find space, streamline with software, and set up and understand business KPIs with the target e-Commerce companies.
How much you can make: $150,000 — $25,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
ShipMonk, a technology-driven fulfillment center, went from $130K in revenue in 2014 to nearly $30M in 2018 and was named America's Fastest Growing Fulfillment Center, with projected revenue of $60M for 2019.
6. Start a home automation business
Home automation uses modern technologies like sensors, internet and automation control to create centrally controlled lighting, home security and HVAC services.
The home automation business targets homeowners in the upper-middle to upper class. You can market your services by partnering with home improvement businesses to gain market exposure. Create a social media presence and use the platforms to educate your target customers about the business.
How much you can make: $70,000 — $4,000,000/month
Konnected founder Nate Clark shares how he developed an open-source solution to his own home security struggles, growing the business to generate an estimated $1 million in sales annually.
7. Start a furniture flipping business
Flipping furniture is a business idea that can make you money by working a few hours a week. From kitchen tables to dressers and armories, plus, you can turn old pieces of furniture into a masterpiece that someone would be interested in paying for.
If you have a few hours a week and you enjoy checking out wooden furniture, flipping household or office units can be a profitable business idea for you. Some furniture flippers earn a 6-figure profit per year, from furniture flipping.
How much you can make: $8,300 — $17,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)
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.
8. Start a mobile auto detailing service
A mobile carwash business reaches clients whenever possible and offers its services conveniently. Therefore, car owners do not need to drive to different locations looking for a car wash, as the mobile service provider is there for the client.
The advantage of offering a mobile car wash business is that clients will call you to their location whenever they need their vehicles cleaned. You can serve more customers based on convenience compared to an immobile car detailing business.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $20,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Learn how former tech salesman, Matt Paskow, left the industry to start Fresh Look Mobile Auto Detailing, a profitable mobile auto detailing business generating around $5k per month that focuses solely on SEO, Google AdWords, and Google My Business for marketing.
9. Start a freelance writing business
Freelance writing can be a good career choice if you are looking for a flexible online job.
Working as a freelancer gives you the flexibility to define your work schedule. You can work from home at any time. Freelance writers work across various niches, writing about various topics assigned by the client,
To earn good money as a freelance writer, you need the following personal qualities:
- Strong writing skills
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Stay on the cutting edge
- Be a self-starter
- Be up-to-date with the current writing tools & writing trends
- Proper communication skills
How much you can make: $700 — $320,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
10. Start a transcription business
A transcription service converts live or recorded speech into a written or electronic text document. Transcription service is in demand globally across industries.
Becoming a transcriptionist can be a side hustle or a full-time job, so long as you have the right gear.
Do you plan to become a transcriber ? Take an online transcriptionist course and work on your listening skills. To succeed, you need a good typing speed and excellent language command.
How much you can make: $100,000 — $200,000/month
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
How this founder started a $100K/month guaranteed transcription service for medical, legal, law enforcement, financial, academic and general business industries, winning the NASPO ValuePoint transcription services contract over 26 other companies and learning valuable lessons about getting a coach and getting as much PR as possible.
11. Start a tree maintenance business
The tree service business is a great venture because homeowners and commercial property owners will always have trees that need attention.
A tree service business offers services such as pruning branches, cutting away dead branches or pruning, transplanting, tree removal, and stump grinding, among others. Tree service companies use climbing and rigging techniques to help in the maintenance and appearance of trees.
Starting a tree trimming & tree maintenance service can be a great business opportunity, however, you will need specific skills to perform the tasks.
How much does it cost to start: $8,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
12. Become an interior designer
Interior designing involves making indoor spaces safe, functional, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting essential & decorative items such as colors, lighting, and materials.
The global luxury interior design market is growing at a CAGR of 9.0%. The growth metrics show there is great potential for entrepreneurs targeting households.
If you are starting a luxury interior design business, focus on style and specialty. Add valuables with creative professions, such as interior design, so you stand out from the rest. Ensure you hire the right people and hone the brand identity.
How much you can make: $100,000 — $415,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Mother and daughter duo turn passion for antiques and design into a boutique design firm with over $1 million in annual revenue and hundreds of trophy projects, showcasing the importance of grit, determination, and passion in building a successful business.
13. Become a real estate agent
Real estate agents are professionals who assist clients in marketing and selling their properties. They also assist the buyers in purchasing properties. Their services include meeting clients, advising them about market conditions, and providing guidance through the process of buying or selling properties.
A real estate career can be financially rewarding. However, the work requires good management skills, organization skills, customer service, handling complex paperwork and socially promoting yourself.
The pros of becoming a real estate agent include earning extra commission from clients and also setting your own working hours.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Residential real estate company, Vesta Preferred, celebrates their 10th year of operation with 80% referral-based business and focus on relationship building, recently achieving their goal of 1000 new leases and $120M in real estate sales in 2019.
14. Start an online language coaching business
The world has become more globalized. Businesses have become cross-border, and executives have to travel to meet new customers. One thing that is obvious is that there is a need for language translation services.
If you have proficiency in one or more foreign languages then you can consider working as a language coach.
Teaching a language online is intensive as you have to meet and communicate with the audience often, and check their progress. If you are looking for an opportunity to earn working online, consider starting online language lessons.
How much you can make: $240 — $13,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 212 days (?)
Marlena Jorn started Marlena Jorn Tutors in teaching German to a group of people privately; she learned through experience what worked best to design her class structure and advertising/marketing materials, and from word of mouth has gained a very successful response so far.
15. Start a home cleaning service
Mopping floors, making beds, cleaning other people’s bathrooms, and vacuuming surfaces are not everyone’s cup of tea. However, if you are looking for a quick way to earn money, consider starting your home cleaning business.
Home cleaners earn per hour or chore, and can work for as many hours to maximize their income. Office-going people or parents with kids to look after do not have the time to clean their houses. Others are just messy and lazy and prefer paying a home cleaning services to keep the house in order.
To start a home cleaning business you do not need any particular skills or prior experience. You can advertise online, perform tasks, get referrals and build a steady clientele.
How much you can make: $83,000 — $600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 37 days (?)
MaidThis®, launched by Neel Parekh in Los Angeles with just one cleaner in 2013, has achieved over $10 million in total revenue by focusing on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, thanks to its successful remote business model and new-age marketing tactics, and has now launched MaidThis Franchise to expand the business further.
16. Start an adult day care business
Adult daycare service is a planned program of activities in a professional care setting designed for elderly people who require supervised care. Adult daycare services enable seniors to socialize and enjoy planned activities in a group setting while receiving needed treatment.
The services of an adult day care vary based on owners’ preferences.
Whatever the range of services, the intent is primarily to provide the elderly an opportunity to get out of the house and receive mental and social stimulation and other care they need.
17. Start a Garment Retail Store
While garment retail stores are getting a lot tougher because of huge discount department store chains, they are still a viable business idea for entrepreneurs who are willing to commit extra time and effort to make a sale.
If you are planning to start a garments retail store, develop a strong business strategy that clearly differentiates you and gives shoppers a reason to walk into your store. You will need capital for funding the inventory, paying rent, and some cash reserve to market your business.
18. Start a laundromat
The first laundromat opened in the United States in 1887. It was invented by the entrepreneur Josephine Cochrane, who was frustrated with having to wash her family’s laundry by hand.
The laundromat is a self-service facility that provides washing and drying machines for personal use. There are many different types of machines available, including coin-operated ones and those that require a card. They also provide various types of detergents and fabric softeners for use with the machines.
A laundromat can make a lot of money if it is in the right location and has the right prices.
How much you can make: $9,300 — $83,333/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
A digital marketer purchased Nina's Laundromat in Northcote, Australia in July 2021, investing in its digital presence and upgrading the machines to create a new brand. Within 12 months, the revenue doubled and the store added a commercial laundry service, bringing an additional AUD24K per year.
19. Start a mold remediation service
Mold removal and remediation service are not very desirable business ideas, but they are profitable businesses. Mold removal professionals charge a premium price due to the nature of the work, and especially the biohazards involved.
Besides, residential and commercial clients are willing to pay for this kind of specialized service by experienced professionals. If you love cleaning messy places and treating and disinfecting surfaces, mold remediation is a service that will earn you as much profit.
20. Start a crime scene cleanup business
Are you ready to work in situations that may include bloodborne pathogens? Crime scenes and trauma cleanup business idea is one of the fastest-growing and highly profitable businesses you can start today.
The crime scene cleaning business involves handling dozens of cold cases which involves double-checking crime scenes. You can offer cleaning up after suicides, homicides, and other types of violent crimes. Also provide emergency services for when an unexpected death occurs at a home or business.
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- 8,628 business ideas
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
