47 Low Cost Business Ideas with High Profits [2023]
A low cost business idea is one that requires little to no upfront investment and has a high chance of generating profits quickly.
There are many low-cost business ideas that you can start without any initial investment. We’ll go over 48 low cost and low maintenance business ideas, including:
- Selling your skills or expertise
- Selling products you already own
- Selling services you already offer
- Starting a blog and monetizing it with ads, affiliate links, or sponsorships
- Creating an online course to sell
And dozens more! Here’s the list:
1. Become a graphic designer
Graphic designing involves creating sketch designs and materials for corporate clients, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and publishers. Besides, graphic designers provide visual solutions to specific company images, log design, and branding problems.
Graphic design is an excellent career for creative thinkers who enjoy using their talent and artistic skills combined with technology and communication abilities to come up with unique solutions for their clients.
Hi, I’m Mike Moloney, the founder of FilterGrade. FilterGrade is a marketplace for creators where you can find digital assets such as presets, LUTs, video templates, and much more.
Today thousands of creators from all around the world buy and sell digital products on FilterGrade and more than 450,000 users visit the site every month.
2. Start a test prep business
Parents often make their kids take test prep classes. This is because they don't know how to best prepare their kids for tests. This means that you might find yourself needing a business to help teach your kids in the most optimal way.
Whether you're a current student or a recent graduate, test prep can be an excellent way to earn income. Forty percent of USA students are predicted to need some form of tutoring or test preparation this year. Test prep businesses are on a mission to help students and companies succeed in the standardized test prep industry.
Hi, my name is Tyler York and I’m one of the founders of Achievable, a test prep company focused on career-advancing professional exams.
Our goal is to take the guesswork out of test prep. With Achievable, you study, you follow our program, you know where you stand, and when you’re ready - you succeed. That’s the Achievable difference.
3. Start an etsy business
If you are an artist looking for ways to turn your skills into revenue, Etsy is your platform. Etsy is a marketplace for artists and can bring in extra income or even replace your current job. You can create art pieces and create a successful Etsy shop. Once your Etsy shop is online, consider joining a team to help you learn Etsy’s basics and how to market stuff on Etsy.
My name is Sasha Weekes and I’m the 25 years old owner of Timber Grove Studios. Our home-based woodshop is nestled in the hills of PEI’s countryside, and we specialize in decorative shelving and home decor with a focus on minimalist design and simplicity. Each piece is made to order with 20+ color options, meaning it will be the perfect fit for each customer's space. We ship Canada and U.S. wide.
Moving twice in two years has definitely caused organizational, financial and opportunity hiccups, but the business has grown steadily regardless so we’re very excited about where 2020 will take us. We’ve learned what to focus on during which months, as revenue can range anywhere from $2000 during slow months to $10,000 during high months. Net profit has run anywhere between 20-50% throughout the life of the business and varies month to month. It’s closer to 20% right now as we’ve been spending all we can on new tools and materials for our new larger products and our Christmas stock.
4. Create an online course
Online course businesses are one of the fastest-growing online business models. Creating an online course is an awesome way to generate extra income because it allows you to monetize the knowledge you already have. More people are taking online courses every day, and the COVID pandemic has accelerated that, with some online learning platforms having seen 15-fold growth in the number of users.
Another advantage is that these new platforms are so easy to use for instructors that you don't have to worry at all about the tech side of the business. You just need to focus on creating exciting content that is informational & engaging at the same time.
Starting an online course allows you to eliminate some of the huge costs associated with setting up a physical training facility, and it's a great way to reach as many people as possible.
Hey! We are Kelan and Brittany Kline the founders and co-owners of the popular personal finance blog The Savvy Couple.
We are currently on pace to make over $250,000 this year alone with our personal finance blog!
5. Start a youtube channel
For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement. In addition, YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation.
In this article, we'll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers. While there's no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube's popularity to earn extra income.
If you want to join the Youtube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months.
I am Chhavi, the founder and owner of the blog and YouTube channel Mrs Daaku Studio along with my husband Amit.
Our blog, YouTube channel, and products are designed to help you achieve what we have (...and, more).
6. Write an ebook
An ebook is a digital book that can be read on a computer, tablet, or other electronic devices. Writing an ebook is a great way to communicate your message to the world. You can share your expertise and help people learn while doing something that you love.
Ebooks are a great way to build your personal brand, establish yourself as an expert in your field, and gain a following. It's also a great way to make money! This form of publishing allows you to publish your work for the world to see without having to go through a publisher.
You can make money by selling ebooks on platforms like Amazon and Apple Books.
In the year 2016, we had negligible revenue from the blog but the blog has grown substantially since then. Our average revenue is about $17K per month. Our gross profit margin is about 80% since we maintain a very small team and there are no physical products. Our target is to achieve 100% revenue growth by the end of next year.
7. 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.
My name is Spencer Mecham. In 2016 I first heard about an industry called affiliate marketing and in 2017 I founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate business.
8. Start a podcast
Do you have knowledge and passion that you'd love to share with other people? Or perhaps you are a content creator and looking for ways to expand your revenue streams? If you match any of these criteria, then becoming a podcast host could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Podcasts are the new radio. Podcasting is one of the fastest-growing mediums for online audio, and it's not expected to slow down any time soon. But unlike traditional radio, podcasts are driven by content creators who have a passion for sharing stories with their listeners.
One of the main benefits that come with starting a podcast is the minimal investment needed to get started. All you need is a computer or phone with a microphone and a way to host it online. You can even create one on your own website if you want.
Hey there! I’m Jeremy Enns, the founder and Storyteller In Chief at Counterweight Creative, a podcast production and strategy agency.
I started the company 3 years ago, in 2016 with one client, making $15/hour and have grown into a team of 10 contractors producing more than 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10K/mo.
9. Become a mobile personal trainer
Do you love helping people through their fitness journey? If you want a great side hustle to earn extra income, consider becoming a personal trainer.
The fitness trainer side hustle can be an adamant industry to earn good money. However, once you develop a reputation as a good trainer, you can get more clients through referrals. You need to register for the certification course to start offering personal trainer services .
To attract your first clients, consider online advertising, and seek referrals from every customer.
Hey everyone! I am Chris and in March 2011 I started Live Fit. Live Fit is a personal training company that was created to change the standards in the personal training industry. Early on I focused on building a company that is not only based on results, as most fitness companies are, but that is also focused very heavily on relationships. Relationships create trust, trust creates buy-in, and buy-in leads to the accountability and dedication it takes to get results.
10. Start a life coaching business
Life coaching has become an increasingly popular career choice. A life coach helps people in various areas of their lives using a combination of emotional intelligence, professional knowledge, and experience.
Life coaching is a global industry worth over $2.85 billion, and the number of life coaches has increased by 33% between 2015-2019.
This is a very profitable business and can be started at virtually no cost. You'll need a computer, a high-speed Internet connection, and a LinkedIn account to start. Then, you can begin coaching part-time in your spare time until you build up your clientele.
Hi everyone! My name’s Fotis Panagiotakopoulos and I’m the founder of GrowthMentor, a platform where you can connect with vetted growth mentors for one-on-one calls.
The mentors are primarily made up of growth marketers, product managers, founders, and startup veterans with years of experience. Over 2,500 mentorship calls have been booked on the platform to date.
11. Start a consulting business
Consulting businesses are booming, more so than ever before, and seeing year-over-year growth. With an accumulated value of about $250B, the global consulting industry is one of the biggest markets within the professional services sector.
If you want to start your own consulting business with valuable insights from industry experts, reading about their entrepreneurial journey will help you decide how you should go about it.
Hey there! My name is Taylor Hersom and I am the founder of Eden Data. Eden Data is a cybersecurity consulting firm focused on helping startups build better security as they grow.
Since starting the company in March of 2020, we have scaled to four team members and an MRR of $45k, all through remote services and nearly no startup costs.
12. Become a freelance web developer
Are you passionate about technology and looking for a way to earn extra income while working on your terms? How about becoming a freelance web developer? Firstly, web development is a highly sought-after skill in every industry. Secondly, the pay rate is higher than freelance writers, and freelance graphic designers earn. As a freelance web developer, you put yourself in a high-value proposition. However, it would be best to learn languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript to get started. Find a niche and start building anything and everything. Create a personal brand and build up your portfolio.
I’m Ty Fujimura, Founder, and CEO of Cantilever Web Design and Development. We work with clients from the International Monetary Fund and IBM to local small businesses and startups. They come to us because they are looking for superior results from their websites, and we deliver that by providing their visitors with an outstanding experience and giving them a reason to come back.
13. Start a catering business
A catering business is responsible for providing food & beverage-related services for vast types of events.
Catering businesses are known to be more flexible than other businesses because they don't have to worry about location or pricing and can even work 24/7. They can cater anywhere and offer any price point that they want.
However, starting a catering business requires a lot of planning. To start a successful catering business , you'll need to plan and prepare menus, manage budgets, handle clients, and more. In addition, catering allows you to meet more people and show off your cooking skills.
Hi, my name is Nestor Nidome and I am the founder and owner of Elegante Catering. Serving the Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside county) and now have expanded to serve all of Southern California. Our customers, mostly higher middle class, have enjoyed our delicious menu ranging from full service plated meals, made to order pasta bars to buffet-style menus such as Mexican fajitas bar and tacos.
Weddings because there is no higher compliment than to have the bride and groom come up to us complimenting us and letting us know how all their guests are raving about the food. As for corporate caterings we like to make it as simple as possible for them. We have 12 different menus they can choose from so that every month their employees enjoy a different menu. Plus once we have their information all they have to do is text us the Date, Menu, and Time they want. We understand that they have better, more important things to do than order food. This has allowed us to grow our monthly sales to $20,000.
14. Start a mobile app development business
Mobile app development is the process of creating software applications that run on mobile devices. These apps can be used for a variety of purposes, including games, productivity, and social networking.
Starting a mobile app development business is a great way to enter the world of software development. This type of company is growing in popularity as businesses are looking for ways to reach their customers through mobile apps.
To start a mobile app development company, you need to have strong technical skills and be able to develop high-quality software. You should also have a good understanding of how to market and sell mobile apps
Hi! 👋 My name is Tim Bornholdt, and I’m a co-founder of The Jed Mahonis Group. We are a custom iOS and Android app development consultancy, and we specialize in building native mobile app solutions for businesses of all sizes.
We’ve grown at a steady pace over the past eight years. We currently work with several large and small organizations including Great Clips, Profile by Sanford Health, Green Mill, and the USA CUP. My business partner and I started the company right out of college by investing $250 each and have since turned it into a nearly seven-figure a year agency.
15. Start an online influencer business
An online influencer business is a company or service that gets products or services sold through popular online users. It can be a very lucrative form of marketing.
As technology has advanced, more and more influencer businesses are starting to rise. These are people or companies who become famous for being influential on various topics.
More and more companies are investing in online influencer marketing because this channel is successful for new product exposure or for sharing news about a brand through voice-overs on popular online videos. You can work with these online influencers in different ways including the use of affiliate marketing or product embeds with sponsorship.
My name is Brett Owens and I am the Founder and Chief Matchmaker at Afluencer. We match Brands with the best Influencers to promote their products. And likewise, we help Influencers (from Nano to Micro to Mega), Creators, and Ambassadors find “Collabs”, which are paid gigs being offered by Brands.
Here’s an excerpt from our latest influencer newsletter where we talk about the latest pay-per-post opportunities being offered in our app:
16. Start a digital art & design business
Digital art and design is often used to create visual content for websites, apps, and other digital platforms.
Digital art and design businesses can be either freelance or full-time.
They can work in-house for larger companies or as independent contractors for other businesses or individuals.
My name is Courtlyn Jones and I am the CEO and the founder of The Design Database, an online platform, and community designed to be a support system for Creatives (designers, artists, writers, photographers, architects, etc.) by connecting them with clients who are looking to hire now.
Since launching in late July, over 200 Creatives and 25 companies have created accounts on our platform, we have received grant funding from the HerRise Pitch Competition by HerSuiteSpot, and we’ve raised over $10,000 crowdfunding on Kickstarter. We are off to a very exciting start!
17. Become a social media marketer
Social media marketing is gaining website visitors or customers by promoting your company on social media. To succeed in social media marketing, you must regularly post tasty, entertaining, and engaging share material on your social media channels.
Everybody knows that social media is a tool that has become extremely important to businesses of all sizes. It allows them to connect with people worldwide and provides a platform for customer service. Social networks are changing the way we do marketing. They offer an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and organizations to reach millions instantly.
Nowadays, it is easy to earn money through social media marketing. You just need to invest some time and effort to make a profit. Social media has been an essential part of many businesses marketing campaigns, and it is expected to be a significant part of any company’s future.
I’m Kelsey Chance and I run Good Chance Creative, a creative agency specializing in social media content creation! I work with companies to manage their social media pages, take and post custom lifestyle imagery of their products and services, and strategize creative ways to keep their social media posts, reels, stories, and videos on-trend and successful!
Behind the scenes - shooting a tabletop recipe video for a client’s social media page
18. Start a writing & editing business
A writing and editing business is a business that provides writing, editing, and sometimes proofreading services. Such businesses market their services to businesses, corporations, and individuals who might require those types of services.
The earning potential of writing and editing is incredible. Freelancing is one of the best ways to earn some extra money. If you like writing and editing, then freelancing can provide you with an opportunity to prove yourself as an expert, increase your network and help steer your career in a new direction.
Writing is one of the easiest businesses you can start. You might dream of becoming a professional writer, selling your stories to famous magazines, or writing books that millions around the planet will read.
I’m Sara Davies, founder of Prooftheword, a complete editing and proofreading site that gives customers the ultimate editing service for any document. I’m a sole trader, so I work alone. All the editing and proofreading is done by me, along with everything else. I sort out my invoices, do my own accounts, file my own tax returns – everything.
My editing skills are excellent, which is my main selling point. People come to me because they know I will do a great job! I have a wide range of customers, from students to book writers and regular magazines. My work has grown over the years and, while I’m not making millions, I regularly take home around £1,200 a month.
19. Start a recruiting business
A recruiting business is a service and advice-based business that helps companies and organizations find the right candidates for their jobs. These businesses usually serve as a medium between the two entities to create a win-win situation. The job seeker can get the job of their dreams, while the business entity can get a fit candidate for the job.
Recruiting is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. Over the past ten years, businesses are struggling to find quality employees and candidates are searching for more opportunities. If you know this, then you have everything you need to make money fast with recruiting.
Starting a recruiting business from scratch is easier than you think. You can have your own staffing agency in just a few weeks and start making a great income while working less.
Hi, I’m Kingsong, CEO of Techintern.io. We connect startups and tech companies with the best software developer students at colleges across North America like Waterloo, Harvard, Berkeley, and more. We work with startups to hire really strong and motivated technical interns, many of who have experience at top companies like Google or Facebook.
We’ve worked with companies like Afterpay, Zumper, and Yugabyte and recently achieved #1 Product of the Day and #2 Product of the Week on Product Hunt.
20. Start a cleaning & maintenance business
A Cleaning & Maintenance business is a service-based business in which you are the owner, operator, and lone employee. In a cleaning and maintenance business, you provide a specific service such as carpet servicing or pest control. It's important to note that although it seems straightforward, this business type can grow very quickly if done properly.
Cleaning and maintenance can be a real hassle, especially if you have a lot of employees or just your own staff. The cleaning and maintenance industry generates over $40B a year in the US alone. This makes it one of the largest, most competitive industries in the USA.
Starting a cleaning and maintenance business is pretty easy. You can start small with residential clients or businesses. Just make sure you check with your local government to ensure licensing (or certification) requirements.
Hey! My name is Neel Parekh and I am the Founder and CEO of MaidThis® & MaidThis® Franchise, a cleaning franchise that helps residential homeowners and short-term rental hosts (Airbnb, VRBO, etc) with their cleanings.
- We made our niche focus on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, in addition to regular home cleaning, which is a rapidly growing industry. We became the first cleaning franchise specializing in vacation rental cleaning.
- Local businesses are often pretty old school and typically aren’t the best with marketing, especially digital marketing. We’re bringing new-age marketing tactics to this old-school industry.
- Remote work: we’ve been able to stay extra nimble and lean with having a global workforce. This was initially done out of necessity so I could travel, but quickly became a huge competitive advantage. Our office team works across 8 different countries.
21. Start a home tutoring business
A home tutoring company is an educational company that offers private tutoring from a tutor who visits the students at the student’s home.
Home tutoring is a growing business opportunity for motivated people and comes with the flexibility of working anytime, anywhere, and creates a passive income.
If you love teaching and helping others, one way to make money is to start a home tutoring business. Whether you want to tutor kids or adults, there’s a niche for you.
Once you have started your home tutoring business, promote it by putting fliers at other stores and on bulletin boards at colleges and libraries. Also, engage parents and guardians for home tutoring opportunities.
22. Start a resume and cover letter business
A resume & cover letter is short documents used to advertise yourself for an open job. This document also helps with winning over the hiring manager and provides evidence that you have what it takes to get the job done.
Starting a resume and cover letter business is an excellent way to make money. You can start this as a side-hustle or a full-time career. Running a resume and cover letter business could be very lucrative, yet it is also something that you should put your heart into. Resume and cover letter businesses are not only able to make a living but they can also find joy in helping others become successful.
The resume writing business is a multi-million dollar industry. Everyone is worried about making sure that they have a good resume. The resume and cover letter writing business is actually one of the coolest things you can do at first. You get to help people turn their careers around and serve them in your own way.
Hi, my name is Ana Colak-Fustin and I am the founder of ByRecruiters, a website and resume shop for job seekers (originally named Recommended By Recruiters). In 2018, I started an Etsy shop selling resume templates that have since supported over 6,000 job seekers on their career journey.
Since 2018, I have sold over 6,000 resume templates supporting job seekers from 50+ countries. Today my business brings in between $1,500 to $4,000 per month.
23. Sell digital products
Digital products are top-rated. They’re easy to create and share and a great way to build a business.
Digital products can be software-based, like an app or game, or information-based, like an ebook or course. They can also be something else entirely—like a membership site or a community. The possibilities are endless!
So what makes digital products such a great way to build a business? Well, first of all, they’re effortless to create. You don’t have to hire anyone else to do it for you; you can do it yourself! And because there’s no risk of having inventory sitting around in your garage, digital products can be sold directly from your website without worrying about moving merchandise.
I’m Codie Sanchez, and I am the Founder and owner of Contrarian Thinking. Our mission is to free minds and build the bank accounts of our readers. Specifically, we strive to help one million people become financially, philosophically, and physically free.
We currently have over 100,000+ newsletter subscribers and a community of over 1.5 million people across our social media platforms with a run rate of $3m this year.
24. Start a travel consulting business
Travel consultants offer clients advice on all things related to travel, including destinations, airfare, accommodations, and activities. Be it flights or cruises, and you can bridge the gap between customer and service provider with a travel consulting business.
You can start a travel-related consulting business without being an expert in the travel industry. The U.S. travel and tourism industry generated $1.9 trillion in economic output, supporting 9.5 million American jobs and accounting for 2.9% of the U.S. GDP. At 14.5% of international travel spending globally.
Traveling the world is a dream that a lot of people have. Starting a travel consulting business is a fantastic way to create a passive income, travel the world, and help others at the same time. Travel consulting is one of your best ways to start a business on the side to earn more money.
Manoj: Kamlesh Ramchandani and I (Manoj Tulsani) are the founders of Rayna Tours and Travels. Fueled by our deepest interest in travel and entrepreneurship, we kicked off our business journey a decade ago from a small travel counter inside a five-star hotel in Dubai.
Kamlesh: We’ve been in the industry for over a decade and have now become a niche provider of destination management services in Dubai. As a one-stop, customer-oriented business for all travel needs, our main organizational goal is to design and craft travel services and packages in such a way that each of them ideally responds to the dynamic market trends as well as our clients’ specific travel requirements. We offer our full suite of travel solutions through our wholly-owned Rayna Group.
25. Start an IT support business
Do you enjoy fixing technology problems and believe that you can fix others? If your answer to this question is yes, you might be an ideal candidate for developing an IT support business.
An IT support business is the work that the computer specialists in an organization do to assist their customers and establishments. The IT support expert groups are responsible for setting up and maintaining some crucial information systems and networks.
Starting an IT support business can be challenging, but it can potentially pay off better than your 9 to 5 job. IT support business can be a lucrative way to make money, and the demand is increasing rapidly.
Hi, my name is Boris and I am the founder and CEO of the software development company TRIARE based in Ukraine. We help businesses and startups to transform their ideas into accomplished digital solutions.
I want to share how personal and collective responsibility paired with patience and consistency can help you build a profitable, respected business. It’s not easy, but it shouldn’t be painful. Here’s my story.
26. 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.
Well, to make a long story short, my mother and I started this company together in 1996. I was working as a staff interior designer at a private firm in NYC, and my mother, Rosemarie was the manager of the Estate and Trust department at a large Law Firm. We both HATED our jobs and dreamed of doing our 'own thing'. We had no idea what that looked like, and so we turned to our passion..antiques and design.
That passion has morphed into a boutique design firm that boasts over 1M in annual revenue and has completed hundreds of trophy projects.
27. Start a real estate brokering business
Real estate brokering involves helping individuals and businesses buy, sell, and rent properties. As a real estate broker, you will connect buyers and sellers, negotiate prices, and handle the paperwork. To start a successful real estate brokering business, you must obtain a state license. This typically involves completing a certain number of real estate courses and passing a licensure exam.
In addition to a license, you will also need a strong understanding of the local real estate market and a network of clients and contacts. Marketing and networking skills are essential for attracting new business and building your client base. You should also be organized and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines, as real estate transactions can be complex and time-sensitive.
To run a successful real estate brokering business, you must stay up-to-date on industry trends and regulations. This may involve continuing education courses and keeping abreast of changes in local zoning laws and market conditions.
Overall, real estate brokering requires legal knowledge, marketing savvy, and strong negotiation skills. If you are driven and passionate, starting a real estate brokering business can be a rewarding and lucrative career path.
Sanya Gurnani and Biju Ashokan are the founders of Radius Agent, an online real estate brokerage focused on helping agents succeed.
The company gives real estate agents the appropriate tools to market and brand themselves, generates leads, and uses technology to increase sales conversions.
Their Series A funding of $13.1 million accelerates their expansion plans as they aim to reach a 5X growth rate and add eight more states by 2022.
Listen to the full podcast on podcasts.apple.com ➜
28. Start an ecommerce reselling business
An eCommerce reseller purchases services or goods for resale rather than consumption. Becoming an eCommerce reseller is a great way to launch an online business without worrying about production costs.
To start an eCommerce reseller business, you do not need a website immediately! You can focus on a social media-based reseller business and create a website later as your business grows.
My name is Greg Shuey and I am the founder of Empyre Off-Road. Empyre Off-Road is an online e-commerce business that sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner vehicles.
29. Start an ebay business
eBay business is one of the most fun, and profitable side hustles you should try. You can earn between up to thousands of dollars per month selling on eBay. eBay business is a great side hustle idea because the platform has millions of loyal users. Besides, the platform is best for selling collectibles and different niche market items. But you can also sell old furniture or clothes that are collecting dust at home.
My name is Adam Torkildson (Tork to my friends). I run Tork Media, which is the umbrella company to several ventures I’m in various stages of running and/or funding.
I’m a partner and founder of 7 very different ventures; ranging from a solar farm in Bakersfield to selling sportscards on eBay (which is the one I like to talk about the most).
30. Start a data analysis service
A data analysis service is a great way to help businesses make sense of their data. This type of service can be used to provide insights into customer behavior, improve marketing campaigns, or simply help businesses make better decisions.
If you're interested in starting up a data analysis service, You will need knowledge in data analysis and the ability to communicate effectively with clients so they can benefit from what insights have been found by analyzing their information properly - this way it's not just about making money but also helping others!
iTechArt is a leading custom software development company that helps both startups and enterprises streamline their analytics process. They also generated revenue of $209 billion in 2019, while creating more than a million jobs over the past three years.
Starting a data analysis service is a perfect business idea for those with analytical skills and a desire to help businesses to make better use of their data. This business is in high demand and can be very profitable, with data analysts earning high salaries.
My name is Chelsea Rhoads and I am the CEO/Co-Founder of pup-eeze, the smartest device on four legs. pup-eeze is a wellness tracker for dogs that tracks activity, monitors location and automates our dog’s lives by connecting them with hundreds of smart home devices giving ourselves and our dogs the ability to monitor, maintain and change the environment of the home if we’re concerned about separation anxiety or well-being.
We’ve had great success speaking with and testing the wellness tracker among those who love their dogs and love technology. We thought, “we bring our dogs on every other journey with us, why not include them in the technology journey as well?” With the overwhelming support from the technology community we were able to strategically partner with an emerging leader in the IoT enterprise solution field; Fathym.
31. Start a bookkeeping business
A bookkeeping business keeps track of monies coming into and out of business and maintains an accurate financial record, as per the International Association of Bookkeepers.
As a bookkeeping business, your role is to help small and medium-sized enterprises in the:
- Preparing their year-end tax and VAT returns
- Keeping on top of day-to-day cash flow
- Running finances efficiently
To become a bookkeeper, you must be accurate in your work and understand financial topics well.
32. Start a wedding photography business
Starting a wedding photography business is a great way to turn your passion for photography into a profitable career. As a wedding photographer, you will capture the special moments and memories of a couple’s big day.
This involves coordinating with the couple to understand their vision for the photographs, scouting locations for the shoot, and using your creative skills to take stunning photographs.
To start a wedding photography business, you must invest in high-quality equipment such as a camera, lens, and lighting. You will also need to have a strong portfolio of your work to show potential clients and should consider joining a professional organization like the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International.
Marketing is also an essential aspect of running a successful wedding photographer business. This can involve creating a website and social media presence, networking with wedding planners and venues, and advertising in local wedding magazines or blogs.
Overall, being a wedding photographer requires a combination of technical skills, creativity, and business acumen. But with hard work and dedication, it can be a rewarding career that allows you to share in the joy of a couple’s special day.
I’m Pranesh Padmanabhan, 33, a first-generation entrepreneur and the Founder of Studio 31, a 12-years-old creative wedding photography and film company, that has been recognized by many premium publications in India. Studio 31 captures over 350 weddings every year and more than 90% of our customers are NRIs who travel to India for their weddings. On average, our annual revenue is about a million dollars.
One unique thing about why couples book Studio 31 is the overall customer experience that it provides, which is largely missing in the wedding photography industry in India.
33. Sell stock photos
Stock photography is the supply of licensed photographs for specific uses. If you have a camera and love traveling or taking photos, you can start your own stock photo business.
Create a stock photography website and upload the best shots to start your stock photography business. To ensure professional images, you can hire freelance photographers and photo editors. Alternatively, you can invest in a professional camera and learn the art of photography before launching your business.
Running a stock photo website allows you to create unlimited earning potential. Besides, stock photographers enjoy flexible working hours and have the potential for passive income.
Hi! I'm Viktor and I run a free stock photo site picjumbo. Anyone can visit it and download any photo of mine for free, without any registration or email input, and use it for their blog, website, Instagram, or even a billboard.
While all photos are free, you can buy the All in One Pack to download all the free photos to your computer at once or sign up for PREMIUM Membership to get access to more unreleased photos, entire collections, and extra content every month. Together with advertising, these are the main sources of income and currently, picjumbo is above the $10,000/month mark.
34. Start an event planning business
Event planners handle different tasks related to making the business a success. Some of the event planner’s responsibilities include:
- Conducting research
- Creating the event design
- Finding an ideal site
- Arranging for food, décor, and entertainment
- Planning logistics to and from the event
- Sending invitations
- Supervising at the site etc
The events industry has grown enormously in the past year. According to research, consumers’ appetite for outdoor events is rising and will not slow anytime soon. Therefore, setting up an outdoor event planning and management company can be lucrative.
Hello, I am Akshay Patel from Albuquerque, NM the land of enchantment. I started an event rental and decor company that led me to an event venue. The View Event Center is a lavish space that is an indoor and outdoor event venue with panoramic city views. Our high-end venue with experienced staff will assist from venue decor to the smallest details entailed in making memories of a lifetime. Simply Decor, Tents, and Events ensures exclusive decor and thrives to bring your event to life through customized, elegant decor for all of their clients.
The full-service company will individually work with every client to design their event that will intrigue every eye in the room. Our company is broad that we get many different types of customers and we make many great connections with them as well. The company was making upwards of $380,000 a year.
35. Become a handyman
Handyman offers various home repair services based on their skill set and the customer’s needs. Also known as a fixer, the handyman repairs works both on the interior and exterior.
The handyman business is a great part-time opportunity, and you can earn a high-profit margin while the overhead costs are low.
I’m Dan Stewart and I’m the founder of Dundas Valley Pools. We help homeowners with swimming pools in Southern Ontario, Canada maximize the summers in their backyard. We do this by providing personalized, on-site services such as pool openings/ closings, pool maintenance, equipment installations, pool renovations, and new pool installations. Since our humble beginnings in May of 2016 we have serviced 350+ pools, opened and closed 200+ pools, and have installed tons of high-quality pool equipment, pool liners, and winter safety covers for happy customers throughout Southern Ontario.
Dundas Valley Pools has grown from a company producing very little revenue in 2016 to a company that is earning an average of $8000/ month net revenue during the on-season. This year we hope to actually double that number. This is due to our expansion into more technical services as well as taking on larger jobs-- namely, new pool installations.
36. Start a recycling business
The waste and recycling business offers several opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to start a company with a modest investment.
If you are passionate about caring for the environment, get into the recycling business. To start, you can ask individuals to drop recycling off at your facility or provide drop-offs in the form of dumpsters.
Before you begin business operations, register the facility with the local government and prepare the equipment. Remember, the success of your recycling business depends on the equipment you use.
37. Start an airbnb hosting business
Do you have an extra room or an unoccupied house in your home? You can turn that property into a revenue-generating asset by starting an Airbnb listing. Airbnb is one of the world’s largest accommodation platforms. According to experts, Airbnb’s future is undoubtedly bright.
Therefore, starting an Airbnb business can be rewarding. To start, prepare your Airbnb listing and set it up accordingly. To increase bookings, offer the best services, and encourage the guests to leave a positive review.
My name is Gary Fox, and I run HostButlers, an Airbnb concierge service in Dublin, Ireland.
Since we started nearly four years ago, we have hosted over 200,000 people and have been profitable from month 5.
38. Start an in-home senior care business
With the busy lifestyle, family members are often absent and employ in-home caregivers to look after the elderly parents.
Caregivers assist the elderly with personal care routines, including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and exercising. Caregivers also oversee medication & prescription usage and administer medicine.
Researchers anticipate a shortage of more than 100,000 caregivers for the elderly in the next decade. Therefore, starting an in-home senior care business is a great opportunity if you enjoy caring for the elderly and spending time with them. You can choose to work as an overnight caregiver or whichever work schedule suits you.
My name is Gareth Mahon. I’m the co-founder and CEO of The CareSide, a home care and nursing service provider for elderly individuals in Australia. We are based in Perth, Australia.
We launched our company in 2017. Over the past 3 years, we have scaled to $5 million in revenue.
39. Start a child care business
Starting a childcare business is a great way to build a steady income. You will have the opportunity to be your boss and set your hours even from home. You will have the satisfaction of building one-on-one relationships with children and watching them grow over the years.
A childcare business is an excellent idea. It is both a personal and economical investment for its owners. This is especially true if you are considering starting your non-profit organization or becoming licensed to provide child care. Running a childcare business allows you to help children develop while also making money. As with any business endeavor, running a childcare business has its ups and downs, but it can be very rewarding.
40. Start a photo editing business
Photo editing businesses edit and retouch existing photos for their clients. The service ranges from cleaning up image blemishes and lighting issues. The photo editing business can be a fun and rewarding venture. The profit margin largely depends on your target customers and your set rate.
If starting a photo editing business, conduct market research and ensure competitive rates to keep attracting customers.
Ivan created Photopea, an advanced free photo editor, as a solo founder. It has 10 million sessions/month, and it's generating $100,000 a month from ads.
41. Start a tour guide service business
Tour guides are members of the hospitality and travel industry. Professional tour guides ensure itineraries are met and that tourists are informed entertainingly. Tour guiding businesses lead guests on excursions that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
To start a tour guide business, explore your location and its potential for attracting tourists. Understand the regulatory environment and create a business plan detailing your services and how you intend to deliver value to the customers.
Manoj: Kamlesh Ramchandani and I (Manoj Tulsani) are the founders of Rayna Tours and Travels. Fueled by our deepest interest in travel and entrepreneurship, we kicked off our business journey a decade ago from a small travel counter inside a five-star hotel in Dubai.
Kamlesh: We’ve been in the industry for over a decade and have now become a niche provider of destination management services in Dubai. As a one-stop, customer-oriented business for all travel needs, our main organizational goal is to design and craft travel services and packages in such a way that each of them ideally responds to the dynamic market trends as well as our clients’ specific travel requirements. We offer our full suite of travel solutions through our wholly-owned Rayna Group.
42. Become a candle manufacturer
Candle manufacturing is one of the best small business ideas you can start from home. Making candles comes with a low startup cost and does not require much equipment. If you plan to start a candle manufacturing business, hone your craft and get comfortable with the candle-making process.
My name is Kevin Gillespie, and along with Garrett Le’ Tourneau, we created Wax & Wick, the 100% soy candles with wood wicks.
Some notable differentiation between Wax & Wick and traditional candles is that our branding is simple, the style of the candle will fit with any decor, and we use only 100% soy wax and Fsc-Certified wood wicks. Our impact on the environment is intentionally small.
43. Start an electronics repairing service
Electronics repair businesses repair damaged or malfunctioned equipment such as televisions, stereos, computers, phones, and gaming devices. If you love working with electronics and are interested in working as a repair technician, consider starting your own electronics repair business.
The electronics repair business can be profitable and fun if you love and enjoy keeping the devices working.
To start, hire electronics service technicians to keep your business growing. Find someone who will treat customers with trust, honesty, and the highest degree of courtesy while exhibiting the highest levels of technical competency.
44. Start a home bakery
- Ila Prakash Singh started her home bakery and catering business in 2007 with just Rs. 5,000.
- Before starting her journey as a business woman, she spent around a decade working in the hospitality industory. She also worked for renowned hospitality giants like such as the Sheraton Hotel and Taj
- Her home-run bakery is called Truffle Triangles and presently she is selling baked items worth of approx Rs. 10,000/day.
Read the full story on whatshot.in ➜
45. Start a personal styling business
A personal stylist advises individuals on aesthetic choices such as new fashion trends, clothing styles, colors, and make-up. To become a personal stylist, you must have a detailed style portfolio, a qualification in fashion, make-up, or a related discipline. Prior experience in the fashion industry will be an added advantage.
My name is Brian McEuen, and I'm the founder of On Brand. We help guys shop for clothes online by curating personalized selections as if they were walking into their very own store. We're like Spotify for clothes! Another way to put it: imagine those “Top 25 T-Shirts for this Summer” lists curated just for you down to the right size, fit, style, and color!
I currently have about 75 users and an annualized revenue run rate of $1800.
46. Start a car washing and detailing business
The carwash business is already a multi-billion-dollar industry with room for growth.
With the number of vehicles per household increasing daily, starting a car wash and detailing business could be a profitable idea.
If you have a piece of vacant land in the right location, you can get into the carwash business. You can set up an in-bay automatic carwash, self-washing carwash, touch-free carwash, or a wide range of other options.
My name is Josh Belk and I’m the founder of Belk Mobile Detailing. Belk Mobile Detailing is a mobile automotive detailing business in Springfield, Missouri. We come directly to our customer’s homes to make their vehicles look new again. I’m currently a co-owner in the business, with the other owner being my brother Austin.
We have four main types of customers that use our services: professionals, business owners, busy moms, and people looking to sell their vehicles. Our business has been generating an average of $8,000 over the past 12 months and detailing 60-80 vehicles per month.
47. Start a furniture upcycling business
Furniture upscaling is when old or discarded furniture is converted into something usable. Repurposing old furniture is not only a fantastic approach to handling unused items, but it can also be a profitable business venture.
To start a furniture upscaling business, find a great location and advertise your business. Clients will bring their unloved furniture to your store, where you will add style to make it look new and a great addition to their homes.
Hey! 👋 I'm Pat Walls, the founder of Starter Story.
Get our 5-minute email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Need help organizing your social media empire? This free ClickUp template offers everything you need to:
- Strategize and execute on business goals
- Stay on track with comprehensive checklists
- Automate routine tasks to go to market even faster
Get the free template today!
"An amazing network of founders that truly want to help each other grow their business."