Starter Story
Starter Story
Home
Ideas
Case Studies
Explore
Start A Business
Ideas
Tools
Share Your Story
About Us
Ideas
Interviews
Start A Business
Tools
About

50 Low Cost Business Ideas with High Profits (2021)

Starter Story

Seeking to start a low-cost business with high-profit but not quite sure what to start?

The good news is, there are so many opportunities to become an entrepreneur and build an innovative product/service in this line of work.

If you're looking to start your own low-cost business with high ROI, there are several low-investment options you can choose from.

We put a list together below of the most profitable low-cost business ideas with high-profit you can start today!

Here they are:

1. Start a test prep business ($12K/year)

Tyler York from San Francisco started Achievable almost 5 years ago, a test prep business.

  • Revenue: $1,000/ month
  • Founders: 2
  • Employees: 0
  • Location: San Francisco

The idea for Achievable came from my cofounder Justin, an engineering leader who built the product and team behind Cerego, a platform for lifelong learning. Cerego used a method called spaced repetition to help students memorize large bodies of knowledge over time, like a new language or the periodic table. Spaced repetition is very powerful and effective, but only when the student is committed and can stick to the schedule. We saw an opportunity to take this technological innovation to a highly motivated consumer segment: professionals preparing for life-changing, income-gating, career-advancing exams.

You can save yourself a lot of time, money, and headache by spending the extra time to really understand each market and each customer within that market to find the truly best customer to build for.

As it turns out, most of the test prep industry is far behind what we’d consider standard user experience today, especially on mobile. While some more consumer-focused segments like the SAT market are pretty far along, the professional market has languished. Even in 2020, many of our competitors don’t have true mobile experiences or any kind of ‘adaptive learning’ that has become the de facto standard of test prep software.

how-we-launched-a-1k-month-finra-sie-and-finra-series-7-test-prep-tool-for-professionals

-  
Tyler York, on starting Achievable ($1,000/month) full story ➜

2. Start a mobile app development business ($984K/year)

Tim Bornholdt from Minneapolis, MN, USA started The Jed Mahonis Group almost 9 years ago, a mobile app development business.

  • Revenue: $82,000/ month
  • Founders: 2
  • Employees: 6
  • Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA

Growing up, I’ve always been into technology. I built my first website when I was in first grade, I built my first graphing calculator app when I was in sixth grade, and I used to run the internet’s largest website dedicated to Ralph Wiggum from The Simpsons.

I waited in line for the iPhone the day it launched in 2007, and I was instantly hooked. I knew I had to learn how to build software for this device. Eventually, I learned how to jailbreak my device which allowed me to run custom apps on it (this being before the launch of the App Store).

Even though I had a passion for technology, I never really wanted a career in it. My dream job was to work as a technical director for live television broadcasts, and the only class that was close to that at my school was the capstone course for the Professional Journalism program. I ended up switching my major from Computer Engineering to that and abandoned any dreams of professionally writing software.

how-we-started-a-82k-month-custom-ios-and-android-apps-development-agency

-  
Tim Bornholdt, on starting The Jed Mahonis Group ($82,000/month) full story ➜

3. Start a web development business ($744K/year)

Ty Fujimura from New York, LA, NJ started Cantilever Web Design & Development about 9 years ago, a web development business.

  • Revenue: $62,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 6
  • Location: New York, LA, NJ

I’m the son of a therapist and an artist, and both sides of that upbringing prepared me well to manage a creative business! I was always playing with code and design growing up, and was lucky enough to have my dad’s tech hand-me-downs to learn on.

I regret bootstrapping because it forced us into making decisions based on the fear of running out of money, rather than on trying to find long-term value.

I majored in Mathematics at NYU, but while in classes I started to get the itch to design again. I did some portfolio pieces in photoshop but needed a website. I taught myself the basics by spending hours in Barnes & Noble reading every web design and development book I could find (even though I couldn’t afford to take them home) and got hooked.

how-i-started-a-750k-year-web-development-agency

-  
Ty Fujimura, on starting Cantilever Web Design & Development ($62,000/month) full story ➜

4. Start a blogging business ($60K/year)

Chhavi Agarwal from New Delhi, Delhi, India started Mrs Daaku Studio over 2 years ago, a blogging business.

  • Revenue: $5,000/ month
  • Founders: 2
  • Employees: 3
  • Location: New Delhi, Delhi, India

I am a licensed attorney in India and right after my master’s in law, I started working with a leading company as a lawyer. I worked there for about two years before I quit my job to become more location independent.

Choose a niche in whatever you start. It is critical for streamlining your efforts and make money.

My job paid me well but I worked 12 hours a day, I was exhausted by the end of each day, spent my weekends sleeping and I almost quit the things I liked to do - for example, sketching, yoga, traveling, etc.

how-this-couple-makes-5k-month-generating-content-about-ways-to-make-money-online

-  
Chhavi Agarwal, on starting Mrs Daaku Studio ($5,000/month) full story ➜

5. Start an affiliate marketing business

Examples of a successful affiliate marketing business:

6. Start a personal training business ($720K/year)

Chris Anderson from Overland Park, Kansas, USA started Live Fit almost 10 years ago, a personal training business.

  • Revenue: $60,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 1
  • Location: Overland Park, Kansas, USA

I started Live Fit because I felt I was running out of options in the industry I loved so much. Personally, I felt the misses in the personal training industry and wanted to change that. Personal Training, as well as all types of fitness, can be very intimidating to most people. And honestly, the people that are most intimidated by fitness are often the people that need it the most. I set out to create a company that provided the same types of exercises, programming, and results as generally all fitness companies, but I wanted to make it a comfortable experience from the moment a potential client stepped through our doors.

All our processes, our studio layout, our team of trainers we have hired, and our entire mission are based on making clients feel comfortable, appreciated, and valued. We do things differently and over the past 10 years, I have seen other companies in our area follow our lead. Long gone are the days of slamming weights, extremely loud music, and uncomfortable gym environments. People want to go where they feel comfortable and respected.

I have always loved sports and started at a young age, with my dad as my coach. I continued athletics through high school and went on to run college track where I based my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees entirely on building my career in the fitness industry. The last thing I was willing to do was to throw it all away based on a lack of opportunity, so I created my own with Live Fit. I believe in spirituality and the law of attraction and base my life on those principles. So in early 2011 when I couldn’t focus on my spiritual study and spiritual growth because my mind was consumed with running numbers about opening my own company, I knew that was a sign from God it was time to create something great.

how-i-started-a-60k-month-personal-training-company

-  
Chris Anderson, on starting Live Fit ($60,000/month) full story ➜

7.

8. Start a consulting business ($240K/year)

Akhil Suresh Nair from City of Westminster, England, United Kingdom started Xena Intelligence by Parzenn Partners almost 3 years ago, a consulting business.

  • Revenue: $20,000/ month
  • Founders: 3
  • Employees: 0
  • Location: City of Westminster, England, United Kingdom

I had a couple of years of experience working for a large corporation back in India. I genuinely felt that I was just a cog in the wheel and that whatever I did had little to no impact in the real world.

We were at a crossroads at that time – filled with constant self-doubt about the career path we wanted to take. We could have easily applied for corporate jobs in the US or in India, but we chose to follow our hearts by continuing to work in our consulting business.

I reached out to a few small businesses I had developed good relationships during my corporate career and started helping them out on developing marketing strategy to scale their businesses and also to instill robust operational efficiencies in their business processes. I realized that I was able to add considerable value to their businesses and that I felt a sense of satisfaction in being able to make their lives better. I soon started consulting for over 20 small businesses in India.

how-two-friends-from-india-bootstrapped-a-management-consulting-business

-  
Akhil Suresh Nair, on starting Xena Intelligence by Parzenn Partners ($20,000/month) full story ➜

9. Start a catering business ($240K/year)

Nestor Nidome from Crestmore, California, USA started Elegante Catering ago, a catering business.

  • Revenue: $20,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 10
  • Location: Crestmore, California, USA

For as long as I can remember I have always been attracted to the idea of being a business owner. I’ve tried many businesses starting with my own DJ company. I got some business cards, printed them at Staples, passed them out, and waited for the calls.

It took a bit of time, but eventually, the calls started to come in and bookings started to happen. I did that for a couple of years until one of the DJ gigs some gangsters got into it and I was almost in the middle of a gang fight. Thank GOD things calmed down, but after that, I started looking for another business!

During this same time, the whole tech bubble was growing and I wanted a part of it. I took some coding classes in college and started using HTML to code my website from scratch. I kind of borrowed a lot of ideas from Yahoo but it was going to be mainly focused on my local city. I visited some businesses and got some of them to advertise. Things seemed to be going well when the bubble burst and I was once more left to venture out and look for something else.

how-i-found-success-with-a-20k-month-catering-company-after-starting-many-businesses

-  
Nestor Nidome, on starting Elegante Catering ($20,000/month) full story ➜

10. Start a teaching & consulting business

Examples of a successful teaching & consulting business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a teaching & consulting business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

11. Start a podcasting business ($204K/year)

Examples of a successful podcasting business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a podcasting business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

12. Start an online influencer business

Examples of a successful online influencer business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a online influencer business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

13. Start a digital art & design business

Examples of a successful digital art & design business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a digital art & design business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

14. Start a social media marketing business ($96K/year)

Examples of a successful social media marketing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a social media marketing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

15. Start a writing & editing business

Examples of a successful writing & editing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a writing & editing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

16. Start a recruiting business

Examples of a successful recruiting business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a recruiting business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

17. Start a graphic designing business

Examples of a successful graphic designing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a graphic designing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

18. Start a cleaning & maintenance business

Examples of a successful cleaning & maintenance business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cleaning & maintenance business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

19. Start an e-book sales business

Examples of a successful e-book sales business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a e-book sales business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

20. Start a youtube video creation business

Examples of a successful youtube video creation business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a youtube video creation business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

21. Start an online course sales business

Examples of a successful online course sales business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a online course sales business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

22. Start a home tutoring business

Examples of a successful home tutoring business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a home tutoring business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

23. Start a resume writing service business

Examples of a successful resume writing service business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a resume writing service business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

24. Start a digital product sales business

Examples of a successful digital product sales business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a digital product sales business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

25. Start a travel consulting business

Examples of a successful travel consulting business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a travel consulting business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

26. Start an IT support business

Examples of a successful IT support business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a IT support business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

27. Start an interior designing business

Examples of a successful interior designing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a interior designing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

28. Start a real estate brokering business

Examples of a successful real estate brokering business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a real estate brokering business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

29. Start an etsy business

Examples of a successful etsy business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a etsy business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

30. Start an ecommerce reselling business

Examples of a successful ecommerce reselling business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a ecommerce reselling business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

31. Start an ebay business ($120K/year)

Examples of a successful ebay business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a ebay business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

32. Start a data analysis business

Examples of a successful data analysis business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a data analysis business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

33. Start a bookkeeping business

Examples of a successful bookkeeping business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a bookkeeping business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

34. Start a wedding photography business

Examples of a successful wedding photography business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a wedding photography business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

35. Start a stock photo sales business

Examples of a successful stock photo sales business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a stock photo sales business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

36. Start an event planning business ($420K/year)

Examples of a successful event planning business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a event planning business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Check out all of our event planning business case studies ➜

And for some real world inspiration, give Akshay Patel's story on creating Simply Decor and Events a read:

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.

how-i-started-a-35k-month-event-decor-business

-  
Akshay Patel, on starting Simply Decor and Events ($35,000/month) full story ➜

37. Start a handyman service business

Examples of a successful handyman service business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a handyman service business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

38. Start a recycling business

Examples of a successful recycling business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a recycling business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

39. Start an airbnb hosting business

Examples of a successful airbnb hosting business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a airbnb hosting business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

40. Start an in-home senior care business

Examples of a successful in-home senior care business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a in-home senior care business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

41. Start a child care business

Examples of a successful child care business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a child care business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

42. Start a photo editing business

Examples of a successful photo editing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a photo editing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

43. Start a tour guide service business

Examples of a successful tour guide service business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a tour guide service business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

44. Start a candle making business

Examples of a successful candle making business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a candle making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

45. Start an electronics repairing service

Examples of a successful electronics repairing service:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a electronics repairing service:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

46. Start a furniture upcycling business

Examples of a successful furniture upcycling business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a furniture upcycling business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

47. Start a home bakery business

Examples of a successful home bakery business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a home bakery business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

48. Start a meal planning business

Examples of a successful meal planning business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a meal planning business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

49. Start a personal styling business

Examples of a successful personal styling business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a personal styling business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

50. Start a car washing and detailing business

Examples of a successful car washing and detailing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a car washing and detailing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

article

Share this article:

Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published.

More posts like this:
20 Inspiring Small Business Ideas Earning At Le...
Starter Story
52 Business Ideas You Can Start With Little Cap...
Samantha Walls
How To Come Up With An Idea For Your Business
Starter Story
About
FAQ