95 Business Ideas To Start In Canada (2024)

Updated: July 7th, 2022

Interested in starting a business in Canada in 2024?

With a nominal GDP of $1.73 trillion, Canada ranks globally as the tenth-largest economy. In addition, Canada has a homegrown technology sector, with a large majority of players in the software and computer services segment.

Some perks of launching your business idea in Canada are the availability of skilled labor, excellent infrastructure, and variety of natural resources (including oil and gas).

We put together 95 of the best businesses you can start in Canada today.

In this list of ideas, you can find:

  • Home-based businesses to start in Canada
  • Profitable online business ideas
  • Unique business opportunities for Canada
  • Low investment business ideas (under $5k to start)
  • Easy businesses you can start in Canada today

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, + a step-by-step on how to start your small business in Canada.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a food startup

Starting a food business can involve opening your own restaurant, bakery, food truck, cake shop, or even starting a business or blog online.

Other kinds of food businesses include manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Food businesses prepare a wide range of foods such as snacks, sweets, and meals to sell directly to consumers and also include cafeterias at workplaces and similar facilities.

If you have a passion for food, starting a food business can be an extremely fun, challenging, and rewarding business venture.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $61,650,000/month

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

I Started A $36M/Year Healthy Snack Business From My Dining Room Table [Canada]

Love Good Fats, a Canadian-based family of food products, has already exceeded $120 million in cumulative sales and is one of the fastest-growing bar brands in North America, thanks to founder Suzie Yorke's mission to bring back good fats and say goodbye to sugar.

About
suzie started Love Good Fats about 7 years ago
Revenue
suzie grew the business to $3M/month
Costs
It cost suzie $400 to start the business
Read by 4,677 founders

2. Start a handmade goods business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How I Started A $10K/Month Marketplace That Sells Handmade Goods From Independent Artist

Just Artisan is a handmade-only marketplace that has achieved over $15,000 in sales during December and is on track to expand with 400 vendors and 2,000 products since launching fully in June 2020.

About
Marcello started Just Artisan about 4 years ago
Revenue
Marcello grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Marcello $25000 to start the business
Read by 5,775 founders

3. Create an online course

An online course business involves creating and selling digital classes teaching specialized skills or knowledge to subscribed students.

As an entrepreneurial course creator, you identify educational gaps around topics you have expertise in and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials.

With flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, building a student base provides passive income potential.

For founders who enjoy information-sharing, launching an online course platform presents a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents with small startup costs by serving eager lifelong learners seeking convenient access to emerging subjects.

How much you can make: $350 — $3,735,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,700 (?)

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

I Turned A Failing Startup Idea Into A Successful E-Book Business

A small business owner and blogger shares how she turned her failing handmade marketplace into a successful e-book business that generates between $5,000 - $8,000 per month, by focusing on a blog that resonated with her audience and providing unique value in her e-books.

About
Erin started Made Urban about 12 years ago
Revenue
Erin grew the business to $5K/month
Costs
It cost Erin $5000 to start the business
Read by 4,264 founders

4. Start a bicycle accessories business

More people in Canada are cycling today than two decades ago. As the number of cyclists increases, the demand for bicycle accessories will keep growing.

How much you can make: $500 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

I Started A Side Hustle By Creating A Bicycle Accessory For Myself

To Go Cycles sells a beer-friendly saddle bag for bike enthusiasts and has already sold their product across Canada and the US, improving brand awareness by partnering with local breweries and cycling groups, and planning to expand globally and expand their product range.

About
Nathan started To Go Cycles almost 3 years ago
Revenue
Nathan grew the business to $500/month
Costs
It cost Nathan $4000 to start the business
Read by 2,372 founders

5. Start an online advertising agency

An online advertising agency helps businesses promote their products or services on the internet.

To start this business on a budget, first learn the basics of digital marketing through free online resources.

Create a professional website and set up profiles on social media platforms to showcase your skills.

Build a portfolio by working on mock campaigns or offering discounted services to friends and family, and gradually market your services to attract clients.

With dedication, you can grow your agency over time.

How much you can make: $2,797 — $1,250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

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

How Quitting My Job Allowed Me To Grow My Advertising Side Hustle Into An $80K/Month Agency

Adjust Media is a digital strategy agency offering services such as paid media management and email management that grossed ~$1M by the end of 2021 with impeccable service, a proactive performance, and a "merchant-first mentality" that keeps over half of their clients for over two years.

About
Uri started Adjust Media about 7 years ago
Revenue
Uri grew the business to $80K/month
Read by 4,079 founders

6. Become a children's book writer

If you are passionate about early childhood education, why not become a children’s book writer? Starting a children’s bookstore is a low-barrier-to-entry business you can start today.

You can write storybooks or subject textbooks for kids, publish and distribute them through the bookshops or your online bookstore, or sell them on Amazon and other online bookstores.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $50,000/month

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

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

How I Started A Six-Figure Niche Book Blog

OrderOfBooks.com is a website that lists books in both publication and chronological order and generates six-figure revenue after starting off as a resource for the founder and his friends, serving as a valuable resource for book readers.

About
Graeme started OrderOfBooks.com almost 13 years ago
Revenue
Graeme grew the business to $50K/month
Costs
It cost Graeme $200000 to start the business
Read by 17,068 founders

7. Start a surf brand

Tropical islands feature amazing beaches with calm waters and are great for surfing. The fantastic weather and calm waters make the beaches within the tropical islands an attractive destination for surfers.

Therefore, starting a surf brand in the tropical islands can be a profitable business. Alternatives include surfing lessons, surfing boards, and surfing accessories.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $100,000/month

How long does it take to build: 67 days (?)

These Childhood Friends Designed A $1.2M/Year Stand Up Paddleboard

Thurso Surf, founded by childhood friends, has quickly grown to become one of the best SUP brands in the highly competitive mid-range market, selling thousands of boards in dozens of countries since its launch in 2018, with traffic increased 16X since their first year in operation.

About
Shenglong started Thurso Surf over 7 years ago
Revenue
Shenglong grew the business to $100K/month
Costs
It cost Shenglong $5000 to start the business
Read by 3,251 founders

8. Start a recipe books business

If cooking is your passion, consider starting a recipe book business. You can create recipe books and sell them online or at a physical bookstore. To start a recipe book writing business, identify a niche and apply your creativity in creating unique recipes.

How much you can make: $26,000 — $62,000/month

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

I Reinvented Our Family Legacy & Built A $744K/Year Cookbook Business

Heritage Cookbook, an online website for custom cookbooks started by a mother roughly 20 years ago, now makes $744k a year and is about to undergo a relaunch after drastic improvements in design, templates, products and technology, with an aim to become the top site for recipe preservation.

About
Virginie started Heritage Cookbook about 20 years ago
Revenue
Virginie grew the business to $62K/month
Costs
It cost Virginie $10000 to start the business
Read by 3,713 founders

9. Start an email hosting service

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

I Built A $1.8M/Year Email Hosting Service [100% Self-Funded]

Thexyz is a self-funded email hosting service generating over $100k of recurring revenue each month, offering uncomplicated privacy and fantastic customer service, and expanding through international sales.

About
Perry started Thexyz over 16 years ago
Revenue
Perry grew the business to $150K/month
Costs
It cost Perry $50000 to start the business
Read by 3,657 founders

10. Start a NFT online course

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

Making $3.5K/Month With Online Commissioning Training Programs

Learn how one professional engineer created online commissioning training programs to help project managers and engineers deliver complex projects on time and budget, with over 10,000 people taking his free mini-course and growing interest in his courses.

About
Paul started Commissioning and Startup over 4 years ago
Revenue
Paul grew the business to $3.5K/month
Costs
It cost Paul $5000 to start the business
Read by 4,993 founders

11. Start a fundraising consulting business

A fundraising consulting business helps organizations, non-profits, and individuals raise money for various causes or projects.

As a consultant, you would identify funding needs and develop and implement a strategy to meet them, including researching funding sources, writing grant proposals, organizing fundraising events, and managing donor relations.

To start this business, you will need a strong understanding of fundraising, a network of potential funding sources, and possibly licenses or certifications.

To be successful, you will need excellent communication and networking skills, the ability to think creatively and strategically, and an understanding of industry trends and best practices. You will also need to manage your business finances, including setting service prices and tracking income and expenses.

How much you can make: $7,000 — $166,666,666/month

How long does it take to build: 195 days (?)

How I Started A Crowdfunding-As-A-Service Platform That Helped 200K Projects Raise Over $200M

ConnectionPoint's founder and CEO, Daryl Hatton, shares his experience of launching an enterprise-class crowdfunding-as-a-service platform that has helped almost 200,000 projects in 40+ countries raise over $200 million, and offers valuable insights on taking a focused approach to growth and pivoting the business to solve customer problems.

About
Daryl started ConnectionPoint over 15 years ago
Revenue
Daryl grew the business to $150K/month
Costs
It cost Daryl $600000 to start the business
Read by 5,897 founders

12. Start a solar energy auditing business

Solar energy auditing assesses solar systems to determine your household’s energy consumption.

A solar energy audit helps households build a proper solar system while ensuring value for the investment by:

  • Revealing potential energy wastage sources
  • Evaluating thermal envelope to reveal any inefficiencies that result in energy loss
  • Allowing solar energy specialists to customize the system based on specific energy requirements
  • Understanding current energy consumption

Property owners and buyers have realized the importance of solar energy audits in increasing the home's resale value. As a result, the demand for solar energy auditors is high, creating a business opportunity for entrepreneurs in that line.

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

How long does it take to build: 480 days (?)

How A Solar Startup Grew Their Organic Traffic By 69X In 15 Months

SolarFeeds, a two-sided marketplace connecting solar installers and suppliers, grew their organic traffic by 69 times in 18 months by focusing on SEO and building an audience through solar-related content before launching their platform.

About
Willie started SolarFeeds about 4 years ago
Revenue
Willie grew the business to $1K/month
Costs
It cost Willie $150000 to start the business
Read by 3,203 founders

13. Start a Greeting Cards Business

People use greeting cards to mark births, deaths, graduations, anniversaries, and other parties or events.

If you love helping people celebrate special occasions, starting a greeting card business can be a great business opportunity.

When starting a greeting card business, choose a potential niche and write a business plan.

Then, find an ideal spot to sell the greeting cards.

For instance, you can offer greeting card design and posting services, so customers can choose the best designs and post greeting cards online.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

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

On Starting A Gift Baskets Online Shop

Really Luxe is a gift basket business that specializes in "Gift Bouquets" incorporating luxury, world-renowned brands to ensure your gift is special in every way, with most of their customers residing in the province of Ontario and seeing a significant increase in and over hundreds of website traffic per day.

About
Valentina started Really Luxe over 3 years ago
Revenue
Valentina grew the business to $2K/month
Read by 4,091 founders

14. Start a fitness equipment company

A fitness equipment business is a type of physical activity-oriented business that produces, assembles, or sells physical fitness equipment.

Generally, fitness equipment is used in gyms, and schools, but can also be applied for personal use. These businesses can be run from a storefront or online service.

A fitness equipment business provides a unique opportunity for people to start their own business. It is an ideal opportunity for those interested in marketing, fitness, management and retail.

How much you can make: $9,300 — $1,200,000/month

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

My Gym Passion Led Me To Start A $15M/Year Fitness Equipment E-Commerce

Bells of Steel, an e-commerce fitness equipment company, generated $15 million in sales by creating a high-value product line and focusing on word-of-mouth marketing, email marketing, and social media ads.

About
Kaevon started Bells of Steel over 13 years ago
Revenue
Kaevon grew the business to $1.2M/month
Costs
It cost Kaevon $3500 to start the business
Read by 5,831 founders

15. Start a junk removal business

Households and businesses need help hauling away broken furniture, clearing out trash, and even emptying properties during a foreclosure. Therefore, the demand for junk removal services is high. Starting a junk removal business can be profitable if you own a box truck and are looking for self-employment opportunities.

To begin, perform market research in your area, and apply for the necessary regulatory permits or licenses. Build a website and market your services.

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

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

We Started A $15K/Month Eco-Friendly Junk Removal Business [In Just 20 Days]

Two mechanical engineering graduates start an eco-friendly junk removal and demolition business in Fredericton that generated nearly $8,500 within its first month of operation, and are on track to make a minimum of $20,000 a month with plans to have local teams in every major community in New Brunswick within a year.

About
Lewis started Integrity Junk Removal & Demolition almost 3 years ago
Revenue
Lewis grew the business to $15K/month
Costs
It cost Lewis $25000 to start the business
Read by 4,455 founders

16. Start an online shoe store business

How much you can make: $3,333 — $83,300,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)

How I Started A $15K/Month Asian Inspired Handcrafted Footwear Ecommerce

Meraki Design House founder Eman Bachani shares how she started a $15k/month Asian-inspired handcrafted footwear e-commerce company, with a focus on working with South Asian artisans and tapping into new markets during COVID through collaborations and influencer marketing.

About
Eman started Meraki Design House over 5 years ago
Revenue
Eman grew the business to $15K/month
Costs
It cost Eman $5000 to start the business
Read by 4,157 founders

17. Start a parcel tracking software

How much you can make: $5,000 — $65,000/month

How My Father And I Started A $780K/Year Business Reselling Parcels

A Canadian entrepreneur, Steve Setka, and his father bought an InXpress franchise in Mid 2017, starting as a parcel software platform  and now specializing in LTL less-than-truckload services as well, with a minor capacity in Full Truckload and ocean freight, with a projected revenue of CAD 1M.

About
Steve started InXpress Winnipeg over 6 years ago
Revenue
Steve grew the business to $65K/month
Costs
It cost Steve $10000 to start the business
Read by 4,688 founders

18. Start a sex toys business

The sex toy industry is growing rapidly, and there's no sign of this slowing down.

The reasons for this growth are varied. The rise of social media has made it easier to find out about new products and services, which has given companies greater access to their customer base and helped them grow their businesses. More people are also getting comfortable with buying things online; not only does this make it easier for them to shop in private, but it also helps them avoid embarrassment if they're nervous about their purchases being seen by other customers while they're waiting in line at a store.

The industry itself is changing as well: companies are offering more variety than ever before, which means that there's something for everyone—even those who might not have considered themselves interested in this sort of thing before now can find something that suits their needs perfectly!

There are already individuals who made it big in this industry and these stories are the proof of their success.

How much you can make: $500 — $5,260,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $625 (?)

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

How We Started A $125K/Month Ecommerce Network Focused On Adult Pleasure Products

Betty's Toy Box and Naughty North are a leading eCommerce network focused on adult pleasure products and accessories, growing over 60% last year with sales of approximately $125,000/mth, with sales increasing even further during Covid.

About
Carolyn started Betty's Toy Box about 10 years ago
Revenue
Carolyn grew the business to $125K/month
Costs
It cost Carolyn $2000 to start the business
Read by 9,912 founders

19. Start a shoe brand

Starting a shoe business can be very lucrative - you can make money by selling shoes, but you can also make money by buying shoes and then reselling them at a higher price.

It's an industry that's been around for hundreds of years, so it's well-established and has plenty of room for growth—especially if you can get in at the ground level. It's also easy to start with minimal investment: even if you only have enough money for two months' worth of inventory, you can still get started right away.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $83,300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 455 days (?)

How I Started A $185K/Month Baby And Children Vegan Footwear Brand

Stonz is a baby and children vegan footwear and accessories brand founded by Lisa Will, which started in 2004 and became a multimillion-dollar company with over 500 retail accounts, generating $185k in monthly sales.

About
Lisa started Stonz almost 20 years ago
Revenue
Lisa grew the business to $250K/month
Costs
It cost Lisa $150000 to start the business
Read by 11,342 founders

20. Build an iPhone app

The iPhone is the most popular mobile device in the world. It has changed how we interact with information, entertainment, and communication.

The iPhone has also changed the way we interact with each other. Since its release in 2007, it has become a staple in most people’s lives. It is more than just a phone; it is a tool for staying connected to friends and family and creating new connections.

The iPhone app market is an ever-changing landscape of innovation: it’s not just about making something that works well; it’s about creating something that stands out from the crowd.

It would help if you had something that appeals to your audience to succeed in this market. This can be as simple as ensuring your app has a catchy name or as complex as developing an entire brand identity around your app’s functionality.

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

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

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Started Developing And Launching Shopify Apps

Mokool Apps founder Mukul Verma shares his journey of expanding into the Shopify App Store, including how customer support is critical, and the importance of planning for the unexpected when launching a business.

About
Mukul started Mokool Apps about 4 years ago
Revenue
Mukul grew the business to $150/month
Costs
It cost Mukul $3000 to start the business
Read by 6,575 founders

21. 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.

How much you can make: $800 — $4,500,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 48 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Gamed The YouTube Algorithm and Went Viral With 25M Views

Mountain Fire Woodworks founder Cameron Vilcsak shares how he used YouTube to promote his log cabins, chainsaw carvings, and passion for woodworking, culminating in one of his videos that has gone viral with over 25 million views and counting.

About
Andrew started MTN SIDE BUILDERS almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Andrew grew the business to $40K/month
Costs
It cost Andrew $50000 to start the business
Read by 8,374 founders

22. Start an email unsubscribing service

How much you can make: $10,000 — $30,000/month

How long does it take to build: 48 days (?)

We Built A $360K/Year Gmail Plugin That Helps People Manage Their Inbox

Mailman, a tool that allows users to control when and what emails should land in their inbox, is a year-old company bringing in approximately $30k in MRR, while its upcoming features will improve users’ newsletter-reading experience and automate redundant tasks.

About
Mohit started Mailman almost 4 years ago
Revenue
Mohit grew the business to $30K/month
Costs
It cost Mohit $30000 to start the business
Read by 4,255 founders

23. Start a fun quizzes generation business

The fun quizzes generation business involves creating entertaining quizzes on various topics like personality traits, trivia, or niche interests and sharing them online for people to enjoy and share with others.

You'll need a computer, internet access, and a creative mind to start this business on a budget.

Begin by researching popular quiz topics and formats, and then use free online tools or platforms to create and share your quizzes.

You can monetize the business through advertising, sponsored content, or by offering premium quiz content for a small fee.

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

How much does it cost to start: $25 (?)

How long does it take to build: 5 days (?)

My Side Project Does One Simple Thing & Makes $14K/Year

Founder struggles to continue site while balancing career, family and health, but addictive trivia site still draws more than 200k visitors per month, operating as a profitable business since its inception, and yet to see any signs of slowing down.

About
Slavi started Random Trivia Generator almost 14 years ago
Revenue
Slavi grew the business to $1.2K/month
Costs
It cost Slavi $25 to start the business
Read by 3,742 founders

24. Start an ecommerce management software

How much you can make: $10,000 — $2,400,000/month

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

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

From Selling On eBay To Starting A $1.6M/Year eCommerce Agency

Prolific Zone is an eCommerce agency founded by Quin Amorim that has experienced significant growth, with a team of 18 people, a customer retention rate of over 80%, and generating an average of $140K per month helping brands sell their products internationally through Amazon and Walmart.

About
Quin started Prolific Zone over 5 years ago
Revenue
Quin grew the business to $138K/month
Costs
It cost Quin $3000 to start the business
Read by 3,212 founders

25. Develop a seo software

SEO software is a computer program that is designed to handle search engine optimization tasks by optimizing the website content, managing backlinks, and other SEO activities.

SEO is something that you need to do for your website or blog in order for it to get any traffic. Some of us are new to SEO, even if we are SEO experts. SEO isn't just a craft, but an art form as well.

Making your own SEO software is more than potentially profitable. It also lets you interact with the people who use your software and allows you to figure out best practices from the data you collect.

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

How much does it cost to start: $5,500 (?)

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

We Bootstrapped A $1M/Year SEO Platform [From Canada]

SearchEye is an SEO platform company that has bootstrapped its way to making $1 million a year, with a goal of hitting $100k per month by December 2021 and $500k per month by December 2022, and currently has around 20 active agency users of the platform.

About
Chris started SearchEye about 4 years ago
Revenue
Chris grew the business to $95K/month
Costs
It cost Chris $600000 to start the business
Read by 3,970 founders

26. Start an email newsletter business

How much you can make: $100 — $3,000,000/month

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

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

We're Using Our Agency Experience To Build A Paid Newsletter

We Do It Remotely founder Joseph Solomon began as a content agency, which then transformed into a 4-week training program earning $500-2500 per month and is now a paid newsletter focusing on offering actionable tips and insights to freelancers worldwide, most of whom are writers and marketers.

About
Joseph started We Do It Remotely almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Joseph grew the business to $500/month
Read by 3,680 founders

27. Start a finance blog

A finance blog is a feature appearing as part of an online publication relating to finance and consisting of articles or personal commentary. A finance blog earns income through sponsored content or simple marketing programs. To succeed in business, a finance blogger should:

  • Have a good writing background
  • Understand the industry from a concept or fundamental standpoint
  • Be passionate about the topics
  • Be well organized and maximize the work schedule.

Starting a finance blog involves a low financial investment, while there is a considerable possibility for success. There are minimal overhead costs, saving you time and money. Therefore, starting a finance blog is an incredible business opportunity.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $3,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $190 (?)

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

This Solo Founder Grew A Personal Finance Blog To $102K/Year

The Modest Wallet is a personal finance website founded by Ricardo Pina that generates an average of $8,500 a month in revenue by using an affiliate commission revenue model, with a strong emphasis on SEO to drive website traffic.

About
Ricardo started The Modest Wallet over 5 years ago
Revenue
Ricardo grew the business to $8.5K/month
Costs
It cost Ricardo $1500 to start the business
Read by 9,095 founders

28. Become an author

Becoming an author is an exciting journey that involves creating and publishing written works, such as books, novels, or articles that reflect one’s ideas, stories, or expertise.

You can establish yourself through traditional publishing routes or self-publishing, utilizing your literary skills to connect with readers and potentially earn revenue from book sales.

Traditional publishing involves submitting a manuscript to a publishing house or literary agent who will review and decide if it is suitable for publication.

On the other hand, self-publishing gives authors complete control over the publishing process, allowing them to publish their work independently and market it on their own.

You can generate income through book sales, royalties, and opportunities such as speaking engagements or workshops.

How much you can make: $200 — $9,259,259/month

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

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

How I Self-Published A Book And Earned $500 So Far

Andy Strote's book, How to Start a Successful Creative Agency, offers proven business tips for freelancers, employees, students, and side hustlers in the creative industry who want to take their business to the next level, with over 23 chapters covering client relationships, billing, and working with employees, with around $500 in sales since its launch.

About
Andy started How to Start a Successful Creative Agency over 4 years ago
Revenue
Andy grew the business to $500/month
Costs
It cost Andy $2000 to start the business
Read by 3,647 founders

29. 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.

How much you can make: $100 — $125,000/month

How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)

Making $15K/Month Connecting Interns With Companies Looking For Talent

Techintern.io connects startups and tech companies with the best software developer students at colleges across North America and has achieved #1 Product of the Day and #2 Product of the Week on Product Hunt, making $15,000 per month.

About
Kingsong started Techintern.io over 3 years ago
Revenue
Kingsong grew the business to $15K/month
Costs
It cost Kingsong $40000 to start the business
Read by 7,022 founders

30. Start a virtual matchmaking service

Matchmaking businesses identify and connect companies and people with common business interests or complementary services. The cost to start a matchmaking business is significantly less than that of most businesses and has a considerable profit margin.

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

How long does it take to build: 1200 days (?)

How I Started An Escort Service At 21 That Now Generates $200K/Month

Founder of a high-end escort service in The Netherlands discusses the ups and downs of running a controversial business, with revenue reaching multi-million dollars annually and a focus on creating a professional and intimate experience for clients.

About
Marike started Society Service about 18 years ago
Revenue
Marike grew the business to $200K/month
Costs
It cost Marike $5000 to start the business
Read by 80,194 founders

31. Become a business coach

Are you thinking of starting a career as a business coach?

Becoming a business coach can be a great way to help aspiring entrepreneurs while earning a healthy income. You may want to consider becoming a coach if you have skills in specialized business fields such as marketing, e-commerce, stress management, or leadership.

Many small-business owners are finding it hard to get started, grow, and succeed. As a business coach, your job will be to help entrepreneurs identify new opportunities and take advantage of the ones they already have.

How much you can make: $3,500 — $9,259,259/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

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

I Built An $816K/Year Online Business While Living Out Of A Van

The Uncaged Life, a business that helps coaches and solopreneurs get their first paying clients, has reached nearly $1M in revenue annually with just a small team of three part-time contractors, by niching down to one specialty and building a community through Facebook, email, and blogging.

About
Rebecca started The Uncaged Life over 12 years ago
Revenue
Rebecca grew the business to $68K/month
Costs
It cost Rebecca $250 to start the business
Read by 4,762 founders

32. 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.

How much you can make: $100 — $250,000/month

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

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

On Launching A Marketplace Of Knowledge And Ideas

Neuwly Live is a marketplace of knowledge and ideas that allows people to learn and advance together using live video, which has gained over 300 downloads in just one month.

About
Steve started Neuwly almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Steve grew the business to $100/month
Costs
It cost Steve $100000 to start the business
Read by 3,379 founders

33. Start a mortgage brokerage business

A mortgage broker is an intermediary who helps homebuyers choose the best mortgage lenders and facilitates the mortgage application process.

To start a mortgage brokerage business, you must complete the pre-licensure program and an official test. Getting an internship with an established mortgage brokerage company will help you gain experience before you can go into private practice.

How much you can make: $80,000 — $17,500,000/month

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

My Proptech Startup Makes $960K/Year Helping People Save Money On Their Mortgage

Toronto-based real estate tech company, Perch, offers a free analytics platform with personalized insights for homebuyers and homeowners, and has saved its users an average of $1,500 per year on their mortgage, with a 174% referral rate, and has raised $1m in seed round funding.

About
Alex started Perch almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Alex grew the business to $80K/month
Costs
It cost Alex $80000 to start the business
Read by 3,487 founders

34. Start a franchise specialist business

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

How I Created a Proven Franchise Growth System

Angela Coté Inc, a franchise advising and improvement company, shares their success story of using their signature method, The AC Method, which has already helped over 5500 franchisors in just 3 years, through refining their offerings, building trust with their clients, and taking imperfect action.

About
Angela started Angela Cote Inc over 4 years ago
Revenue
Angela grew the business to $100K/month
Costs
It cost Angela $10000 to start the business
Read by 4,152 founders

35. Start a digital agency

A digital agency’s task is to make a business reach its advertising, marketing, or technology-related goals. Anyone with enough knowledge and passion for digital marketing can start and run a profitable digital marketing agency. With the proper skill set, the right tools, and the right mindset, you can start a successful digital agency.

The global digital agency market reached a value of nearly $305B in 2020. The future growth prospects of the digital agency market are projected to be high due to the rising population of people consuming and creating content through digital channels.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $43,700,000/month

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

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

How Our SEO & PPC Agency Is Aiming $2M/Year With 40 Retainer Clients

NAV43 is a technical digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, CRO, and PPC services, known for its SEO delivery, averaging an MRR in the 6-figures with a client roster across e-commerce, lead generation, and publisher sites.

About
Ben started NAV43 over 7 years ago
Revenue
Ben grew the business to $95K/month
Costs
It cost Ben $25000 to start the business
Read by 1,319 founders

36. Start a marketing agency

Marketing agencies can be a great option for businesses looking to advertise in different ways. For businesses, hiring a marketing company can help them achieve success as they don't have to spend money on employees or needed equipment. Marketing agencies are not inexpensive and there are many different variables that come into play when deciding which one is the best fit for your business.

You want to start a marketing agency, but don't know where to begin. You're not alone, there are thousands of entrepreneurs across the globe that have the same ambition. Luckily for you, compiled a list of how other agencies were able to grow their agency and scale effectively.

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

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

How long does it take to build: 36 days (?)

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

About
Jeremy started Counterweight Creative almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Jeremy grew the business to $16K/month
Read by 17,540 founders

37. Start a woodworking business

While many see woodworking as a hobby to pass the time, it is a profitable blue-collar business with growth potential. If you are skilled, passionate, and looking for a blue-collar side hustle, consider starting a woodworking business.

Starting a woodworking business allows you to work from home. Besides, you can scale the business easily and enjoy unlimited earning potential. Some opportunities you can go for include building custom wood pieces, teaching others about woodworking, starting a woodworking blog, and flip furniture.

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

How long does it take to build: 204 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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

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

About
Sasha started Timber Grove Studios almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Sasha grew the business to $6.5K/month
Read by 58,122 founders

38. Start a phone case business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About
Andrew started Felony Case about 12 years ago
Revenue
Andrew grew the business to $120K/month
Read by 27,748 founders

39. Start an axe throwing business

Throwing axes is a great way to relieve stress, bond with friends and coworkers, and even make some money.

Axe throwing is a new and exciting activity that is growing in popularity, especially for corporate or business events.

How much you can make: $60,000 — $80,000/month

How We Started A $1M Axe-Throwing Party Business

Forged Axe Throwing is a successful axe throwing venue that teaches people the art of axe throwing while hosting tournaments, generating $960k of revenue per year and hosting over 30k people in their venue in a year.

About
James started Forged Axe Throwing about 7 years ago
Revenue
James grew the business to $60K/month
Read by 39,420 founders

40. Start a meal prep business

A meal preparation business is a service that delivers prepared meals to its clients in the comfort of their own homes. The meal preparation business is a fast-emerging niche that offers a real opportunity to earn good money. To succeed, the starter must be efficient in the meal preparation and ensure proper communication skills. Besides, the entrepreneur must keep time when it comes to delivery to avoid customer disappointment.

A global survey shows that demand for food delivery service is on the rise. This is as people get busier with their careers and other more important tasks, leaving limited time to prepare meals and bond with friends.

Therefore, starting a meal preparation business in Canada can be a great way to earn extra monies.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $4,170,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)

Starting A $1.5M Healthy Meals Delivery Business

One Life Meals is a Toronto-based healthy meal delivery service that made 14,500 meals per month and generated $130k in monthly sales in 2018 through their one-on-one consultation, lean protein and seasonal veggies-based meals, and their focus on the client experience.

About
Andrei started One Life Meals about 11 years ago
Revenue
Andrei grew the business to $130K/month
Read by 20,198 founders

41. Start a balloon decor business

Balloon decorations involve the creation of balloon-based arrangements and thematic shapes, covering backgrounds, ceilings, walls, columns, centerpieces, and entrances within the event and party venues. Balloon décor is popular in corporate events, entertainment and social events, children's parties, and weddings.

Balloon décor is a low overhead business and can be a profitable entrepreneurship opportunity. You do not need a storefront as you can work from home with a few pieces of equipment. You need proper planning skills to start and operate a successful balloon décor business. You should plan and analyze every step and challenge before starting the business.

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

How I Started A $20K/Month Balloon Installations And Decorations Business

Balloon Haus LLC, founded by Janeen Brown, is a successful balloon boutique generating an average of $20K/monthly, providing custom exquisite and trendy balloon installations and decorations to notable clients such as Instagram, Marriott, and American Express.

About
Janeen started Balloon Haus LLC about 6 years ago
Revenue
Janeen grew the business to $20K/month
Read by 31,016 founders

42. Start a men's underwear brand

Underwear is essential to any person’s wardrobe, and the men’s underwear industry has grown quite large.

Many companies, such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Hugo Boss, specialize in men’s underwear. These companies have been able to keep up with the demand of this growing industry by offering quality products at reasonable prices.

The demand for men’s underwear has risen because it offers an alternative to traditional cotton briefs. Men are increasingly realizing that they don’t want the same old thing when it comes to their underwear; they want something that feels like luxury and provides them with comfort and support.

With so many opportunities available today, it’s easy to see why more people are turning to this industry to start their businesses.

How much you can make: $800 — $475,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 470 days (?)

How We Built A Boxer Briefs Brand To $5K/Month With Zero Experience

Founder Krystian Frencel shares how he built a men's luxury underwear brand, Bunch of Animals, to $5,000/month with no previous e-commerce or product creation experience, offering softer than soft boxer briefs featuring seamless designs in collaboration with artists from around the world.

About
Krystian started Bunch of Animals over 5 years ago
Revenue
Krystian grew the business to $5K/month
Read by 30,957 founders

43. Start an aftermarket car parts business

The aftermarket car parts business is a lucrative opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs with a passion for cars and a desire to run their own businesses. This business idea involves selling aftermarket car parts, spare parts that the original vehicle manufacturer does not manufacture. These parts are typically used to repair or upgrade vehicles and can be found in various styles and brands.

To run an aftermarket car parts business, you will need to have a solid understanding of the car industry and the available types of parts. You will also need a good business plan, including a marketing strategy and a financial plan. You may need to invest in inventory, storage space, and a website or online store to sell your products.

There are several benefits to running an aftermarket car parts business. One of the biggest benefits is the potential for high profits, as car owners are often willing to pay a premium for quality aftermarket parts. This type of business can be run from various locations, including a physical storefront or online.

If you have a passion for cars and a desire to run your own business, the aftermarket car parts business may be the perfect opportunity. With the proper knowledge, planning, and marketing strategy, you can build a successful and profitable business in this exciting industry.

How much you can make: $45,000 — $325,000/month

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

How I Started A $12K/Month Aftermarket Vehicle Accessories

This case study follows an inspiring 22-year-old entrepreneur who started an eCommerce store for aftermarket vehicle accessories, making 5x the amount of money he used to make per month, and generated over $90,000 in sales last year.

About
Mitchel started Adrenaline Offroad over 6 years ago
Revenue
Mitchel grew the business to $45K/month
Read by 18,069 founders

44. Start an online fabric store

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

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

Bootstrapping An Online Fabric Shop and Growing to $20K/mo

Fridays Off Fabric Shop increased revenue by over 600% by building a substantial email newsletter list, using Instagram and Facebook ads, pushing search engine optimization, and delivering killer customer service.

About
Chantelle started The Fabric Loft about 11 years ago
Revenue
Chantelle grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Chantelle $15000 to start the business
Read by 16,844 founders

45. 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 I Started A $80K/Month Content Writing Business

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.

About
David started Article-Writing Co almost 13 years ago
Revenue
David grew the business to $125K/month
Read by 23,459 founders

46. Create a RV accessories store

How much you can make: $300,000 — $400,000/month

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

How We Created The World's Only RV Permanent Jack Pad

Origen RV Accessories has grown by an average of 124% YoY, grossing over USD 130,000 in the first year, and now carries over 40 SKUs, with six major distributors, and more than 300 RV dealerships, recently recording a NPS of 88 with their unique RV SnapPads.

About
Kent started Origen RV Accessories LTD. over 8 years ago
Revenue
Kent grew the business to $300K/month
Costs
It cost Kent $50000 to start the business
Read by 10,400 founders

47. Build an API

API is the acronym for “application programming interface” and is a software intermediary connecting applications.

More and more companies are adopting a digital business strategy to streamline their operations and provide better customer service.

Many benefits come with using an API, and we’ve compiled a list of the best API businesses today.

How much you can make: $3,600 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)

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

Creating An API for Developers Earning $15K/Month

Geocode.xyz, a geolocation API, has grown from thousands of daily users to over a hundred million in monthly API calls to revenues of over $15k per month, showing over 1,000% growth in the past year while providing a geocoding API for the world.

About
Ervin started Geocode.xyz over 7 years ago
Revenue
Ervin grew the business to $30K/month
Costs
It cost Ervin $10 to start the business
Read by 23,243 founders

48. Start a tea business

Tea is a hydrating beverage that comes in various flavors and types. History shows that people across the globe have been drinking tea for centuries.

According to experts, tea has a lower risk of different ailments, including cognitive issues such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and much more. Besides, some types of tea provide better sleep quality and help people relax, which lowers the risk of depression.

If you love drinking tea, starting your tea business could be profitable. First, decide the type of tea to start producing. The niche will depend on the audience you intend to reach.

Then, it would help if you determined the business type. Options include:

  • Tea farming
  • Processing and packaging plant
  • Tea tasting
  • Distributor or wholesaler
  • Tea shop
  • Tea blog

Register a legal entity and complete the tax registration for your tea business. Consider applying for insurance cover before launching your tea business.

How much you can make: $9,000 — $707,997/month

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

This Couple Left The Circus To Start A $9K/Month Matcha

VIRTUE Tea is a business founded by Andrea Legg and Alex Balcer who source high-grade organic tea from Asia through ethical supply chains, and their business, despite COVID, is now shipping tea and matcha to various locations in Canada and the U.S.

About
Alex started VIRTUE Tea almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Alex grew the business to $9K/month
Costs
It cost Alex $5000 to start the business
Read by 9,973 founders

49. 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.

How much you can make: $100 — $2,500,000/month

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

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

How These Cousins Started A $200K/Month Consultant Training And Coaching Business

Consulting Success® is a 7-figure, highly profitable business that offers courses and coaching programs for consultants looking to start or grow their consulting business, built through iterative content creation and audience validation.

About
Michael started Consulting Success almost 15 years ago
Revenue
Michael grew the business to $200K/month
Costs
It cost Michael $1000 to start the business
Read by 8,801 founders

50. Start a photo booth business

A photo booth business involves providing a portable and automated photography setup that allows individuals to take fun and creative pictures at events or venues.

This business is becoming more popular for various occasions like weddings, parties, and corporate events, providing a unique and entertaining experience for guests.

To start a photo booth business, you need to invest in quality equipment, create a user-friendly website to showcase your services and market your business to event planners and individuals hosting celebrations.

How much you can make: $350,000 — $500,000/month

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

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

My Journey To Starting A $4.2M/Year Photobooth Company

This case study follows the journey of TapSnap, a photo booth company that grew to over 100 franchised locations in North America, servicing over 10,000 events every year and recognized as one of North America's fastest growing and best new technology franchises.

About
Scott started TapSnap over 11 years ago
Revenue
Scott grew the business to $350K/month
Read by 16,111 founders

51. Start a litter removal business

How much you can make: $60,000/month

How I Started A $40K/Month Commercial Litter Cleaning Service

This case study follows Brian Winch, who started Cleanlots in 1981 as a side hustle for $250 startup capital and now generates over $500,000 yearly revenue cleaning 150 cities' commercial properties, sharing his experience through his book Cleanlots – America’s Simplest Business (https://cleanlots.com/).

About
Brian started CleanLots.com over 42 years ago
Revenue
Brian grew the business to $60K/month
Read by 15,745 founders

52. Start a clothing line

There are millions of fashion and clothing brands around the world.

From small, niche brands run out of people's apartments to huge brands like Nike & Uniqlo, starting a clothing brand is a great business that requires minimal costs to get started.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $9,975,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,434 (?)

How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)

How We Started A $60K/Year Stoner-Friendly Brand

In this case study Joseph and Gianfranco break down:

  • Start: How they built an Instagram following with stoner memes
  • Grew: Hitting 15K followers in 3 months thanks to being mentioned by High Times
  • Bootstrapped: How to get sales on Etsy and Amazon before having a website
Read by 7,888 founders

53. Start a graphic design app

A graphic design application is a SaaS application that allows users create online graphics. Examples of graphic design applications include Snappa, adobe Photoshop, and GIMP.

Modern businesses need digital branding, holograms, and poster designs, to maximize the customer reach abilities. Therefore, graphic designers are becoming the most in-demand professionals.

The high demand is a good basis for choosing graphic design applications as one of the best app business ideas in 2022. Before you kick start the graphics design app business idea, here are technical skills you may consider:

  • Design principles
  • Idea generation
  • Branding skills
  • Typography
  • Print designing
  • UX and UI Design

While coding skills and cross-platform development skills are important to start developing applications, you can hire developers online.

How much you can make: $100 — $83,500/month

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

How long does it take to build: 130 days (?)

How Two Friends Bootstrapped A SaaS Business To $55K MRR

Learn how Christopher:

  • Start: Left a $95K/year to build his dream business
  • Early traction: Got their first users thanks to an $89 keyword research tool
  • Quick validation: Hit $4K/month in less than 30 days

Start something. It seriously doesn’t matter if your first idea sucks and you completely bomb. You will learn so much in those first 3 - 6 months, and at a certain point, you need to apply what you’re learning from blog posts and podcasts.

Read by 20,018 founders

54. Start a women's clothing line

Starting a women’s clothing brand is a great way to enter entrepreneurship. You don’t need to have millions of dollars or vast experience to start your clothing line—just the drive and determination to be your own boss.

Women’s fashion has come a long way over the last decade, and there are many growth opportunities! New trends are constantly emerging, and old ones are returning, too, so there will always be an audience for your new designs if you keep up with the times (and stay on top of them).

How much you can make: $500 — $33,333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)

How We Started A $45K/Month Women's Workwear From Recycled Materials

This case study features LEZE the Label, a sustainable workwear brand that experienced 30% month-over-month growth and eliminated $180,000 in production debt, sharing insights on their crowdfunding strategy, customer-centric approach, and partnerships.

About
Karen started Leze Apparel Inc. about 6 years ago
Revenue
Karen grew the business to $45K/month
Costs
It cost Karen $5000 to start the business
Read by 8,071 founders

55. Start a leather business

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

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

Popov Leather: From Handmade Leather Wallets to $900K Revenue

Popov Leather is a Canadian company that makes and sells small leather goods online, with 2018 generating over $850k in revenue and doubling in revenue year-over-year since 2013 through direct-to-consumer sales, primarily for wallets, and backed by great customer service.

About
Ryan started Popov Leather about 11 years ago
Revenue
Ryan grew the business to $200K/month
Costs
It cost Ryan $200 to start the business
Read by 11,134 founders

56. Become a software developer

A software developer is a person who creates computer programs. They design, test, and oversee the creation of software for a variety of purposes including businesses, personal use, or social networking.

If you have strong technical skills and experience in programming, you can start a software development business. You should also have a good understanding of how the software works.

The average salary for software developers is $110,140. The best-paid 25 percent earn an annual income of up to 140K dollars while the lowest-paid workers make just under 84K dollars.

The recent trends in software development are moving towards mobile apps and cloud-based solutions. Businesses are providing a variety of programming languages and tools to create software that meets the client's needs.

Starting a software development company is the perfect way to explore in this exciting industry. This type of business is growing in popularity as businesses are looking for ways to offer their customers a convenient way to access their data and applications.

How much you can make: $1,700 — $465,583,333/month

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

How We Started A $350K/Month Business Developing Software Tools For Ecommerce Brands

SkyVerge, a software company, has grown rapidly with revenue of $350,000 per month, over 100,000 eCommerce customers, and a globally distributed team of 30 people, all through starting with consulting projects and building focused and solutions-based products, acquiring small products from other developers, and focusing largely on content marketing and providing excellent customer support.

About
Max started SkyVerge, Inc. about 11 years ago
Revenue
Max grew the business to $350K/month
Read by 35,400 founders

57. Start a podcast production company

A great podcast is an amazing tool. With the rise of podcasts, they've become a staple in daily lives, with many using them as a source of entertainment, fresh news, and education.

World Wide podcasting market size was estimated at $14.25 billion in 2021. Podcasts have seen a major resurgence in recent years, with more listeners and new shows than ever before. If you're thinking of getting into podcast production, you've probably noticed that it isn't a cheap endeavor. In fact, it can get quite expensive. The good thing is that there are ways to start your own podcast production company on a budget.

How much you can make: $400 — $125,000/month

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

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

About
Jeremy started Counterweight Creative almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Jeremy grew the business to $16K/month
Read by 17,500 founders

58. Start a cannabis business

Have you ever thought of starting your own cannabis business?

The cannabis industry has been continuously growing throughout the years. The legal marijuana sales are projected to reach $22 billion by 2022.

No matter your level of experience, the cannabis industry has a lot to offer. There are inspiring stories of entrepreneurs that made it big in this particular industry.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $3,100,000/month

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

How We Launched A $165K/Month Automated Home Growing Box

Grobo, a smart hydroponic growing system company that creates boxes for growing plants, is making $165K per month and increasing quickly, with its flagship products enabling users to easily grow food and cannabis at home.

About
Bjorn started Grobo almost 10 years ago
Revenue
Bjorn grew the business to $250K/month
Read by 10,320 founders

59. Start a children's footwear brand

How much you can make: $250,000 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 195 days (?)

How I Started A $185K/Month Baby And Children Vegan Footwear Brand

Stonz is a baby and children vegan footwear and accessories brand founded by Lisa Will, which started in 2004 and became a multimillion-dollar company with over 500 retail accounts, generating $185k in monthly sales.

About
Lisa started Stonz almost 20 years ago
Revenue
Lisa grew the business to $250K/month
Costs
It cost Lisa $150000 to start the business
Read by 11,318 founders

60. Start an online food business

Gone are the days when food lovers needed to leave their homes for delectable delights. Insert: online food business. This venture allows individuals or groups to offer ready-to-eat meals or pre-packaged ingredients for home preparation, straight to customers' doorsteps.

In simple terms, the business centers on creating and selling meals through an online platform. In a world perpetually pursuing convenience and variety, this idea caters to a diverse audience—busy professionals seeking nutritious meals, cooking novices craving guidance, or adventurous eaters exploring global cuisines.

As an owner of an online food business, you'll be involved in menu planning, sourcing ingredients, preparation, packaging, and delivering—while constantly innovating and adapting to the ever-changing food trends and dietary preferences. With the right blend of business acumen and culinary passion, the online food business can offer a unique opportunity to merge profit with satisfaction—giving people the gift of good food while filling a fundamental market gap.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $12,500,000/month

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

How I Launched A Gourmet Popcorn Brand From The Yukon

Klondike Kettle Corn, a gourmet popcorn company in the Yukon Territory, has grown its revenue by 67% and its Q1 revenue is up 39% from last year, by expanding its product line and collaborating with local businesses, while maintaining a strong social media presence.

About
Katie started Klondike Kettle Corn about 9 years ago
Revenue
Katie grew the business to $4.5K/month
Read by 10,433 founders

61. Become a proofreader

Proofreading business is a service that helps customers review their written work and ensure it is ready for publication. Typically, a proofreader corrects grammatical errors and provides the written piece meets any relevant style guide.

As a proofreader, you can work online, allowing you to choose what time to work.

If you plan to start a professional proofreading business in Canada, make sure you possess the following skills:

  • Have an excellent grasp of grammar
  • Ability to correct mistakenly capitalized words
  • Familiarity with the proper use of capitalization
  • Use spell-checkers to flag misspelled words

Proofreading is a great way to enhance content quality. With the increased use of written content marketing to reach a broader market, the demand for professional proofreaders has grown tremendously. Professional proofreaders earn an average of $12/hr. And $30/hr.

Therefore, consider proofreading as a business if you are looking for a great side hustle idea or simply looking for ways to increase your income.

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

How I Added $2,000 To My Monthly Income Proofreading Blog Posts

A proofreader was able to build a consistent income of ~$2,000 per month from scratch with zero experience in the field, no expenses, and barely any upfront costs by targeting bloggers and content creators who want their content to be copy edited and proofread.

About
Lenny started The Blog Proofreader almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Lenny grew the business to $2K/month
Read by 14,160 founders

62. Start a bedding company

At the end of a hard day, we all need a good night’s sleep. A good quality mattress, bedsheet, or pillow makes all the difference when it comes to sleeping comfortably. That’s why many people invest in quality bedding materials, making it a profitable business idea.

The first step to starting a bedding business is to choose your niche. You need to decide what bedding you want to specialize in, which will help determine the products you’ll sell. Do you want to focus on luxury sheets? Or perhaps more affordable linens that are still high-quality?

Next, you’ll need to find a manufacturer who can supply the bedding products you want to sell. You’ll want to research different options and ensure they can provide what you need at a reasonable price.

Once you’ve got all that lined up, start setting up your website and social media accounts! These are essential tools for any business owner—especially in today’s digital landscape.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $14,166,667/month

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

Selling Anxiety Reducing Blankets and Growing to $50k/month

Toronto-based entrepreneurs grow their side hustle into a rapidly expanding business, Hush Blankets, boasting 300% month-over-month growth with sales averaging $15,000 a day, focused on creating the ultimate weighted blankets to help users reduce anxiety, stress, and insomnia.

About
Aaron started Hush Blankets over 5 years ago
Revenue
Aaron grew the business to $2M/month
Costs
It cost Aaron $200000 to start the business
Read by 10,487 founders

63. Start a podcast

The podcast business involves creating and producing audio content that people can listen to online.

It’s a popular form of entertainment and information-sharing.

To start a podcast business on a budget, you'll need a few key steps.

First, choose a niche or topic that you're passionate about and that has an audience.

Next, get basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones.

Then, find a free or affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes.

Finally, promote your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth to build an audience and potentially attract sponsors or advertisers.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

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

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

About
Jeremy started Counterweight Creative almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Jeremy grew the business to $16K/month
Read by 17,510 founders

64. Start a food distribution business

How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,500,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 360 days (?)

How I Started A $10k/Month Business As A Vegan And Gourmet Food Distributor In Canada

As a non-English speaking immigrant and former teacher in Montreal, Milen Yordanov started a business by distributing Roobar organic protein bars and expanded to distributing Benjamissimo vegan chocolate with superfoods in Canada, making $120,000 in sales last year and growing despite the global crisis.

About
Milen started Benjamissimo almost 9 years ago
Revenue
Milen grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Milen $10000 to start the business
Read by 6,189 founders

65. Start a mom blog

Parenting may be an overwhelming journey. Mothers result to the internet to read stories from other moms.

Reading mom’s blogs makes parenting feel less alone a long way. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or passionate about parenting, you can consider starting a mommy blog.

You can make money through affiliate links or by selling your merchandise on the blog. To increase traffic to your blog, include resourceful and encouraging content.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $10,000/month

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

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

How I Started A $10K/Month Blog About Motherhood

Mom blogger creates two related businesses, one generating 8-10k Canadian dollars per month in traffic revenue, and another offering courses to new bloggers about how to monetize their sites, all at an initial investment of $2,000, and largely based on her Pinterest presence.

About
Carly started Mommy On Purpose about 8 years ago
Revenue
Carly grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Carly $2000 to start the business
Read by 8,945 founders

66. Start a watch brand

Launching your own watch brand is a fantastic opportunity to tap into the thriving global market for luxury accessories and innovative timepieces.

By focusing on utilizing quality materials and distinctive designs that reflect your customer’s personal style and vision, you can develop an iconic brand identity and turn your passion into profits.

Whether you choose to debut a high-end mechanical watch collection or smartwatches with integrated technology, starting a watch company offers you the chance to make your mark on the wristwatch industry.

Through strategic branding and marketing efforts, your startup watch brand can capture market share and grow from a small business to a flourishing fashion empire.

How much you can make: $1,500 — $320,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 272 days (?)

How I Built A Booming Watch Brand From Nothing

Founder Ronnie Teja's purpose-driven watch brand, Branzio, has seen $25k in sales per month and is set to double in the next six months thanks to a focus on branding and building an aspirational brand with a loyal customer base.

About
Ronnie started Branzio about 6 years ago
Revenue
Ronnie grew the business to $25K/month
Read by 22,578 founders

67. Become a Facebook ads consultant

Facebook ads are a great way to drive traffic to your website. If you run Facebook ads and promote the right products, it will bring you many customers. Knowing how to manage campaigns successfully to obtain the best results is essential.

Facebook ads consultant business is one of the favorite types of new businesses to start. Facebook ads consultant businesses are popping up all over the place. More and more consultants are finding success in this arena.

Starting a Facebook ads consultant business can make you earn an extra passive and predictable income. But the amount of money you can make depends on your niche, ad budget, and other factors.

How much you can make: $35,000 — $8,000,000/month

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

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

How I Disrupted The Ad Industry And Grew My Business To $20M/Year

MonetizeMore founder and CEO shares his success story of growing his ad optimization business to over $20M in annual revenues by focusing on the offering that delivered the best results, using content marketing for lead generation, and establishing strategic partnerships with complimentary businesses.

About
Kean started MonetizeMore about 14 years ago
Revenue
Kean grew the business to $8M/month
Read by 17,776 founders

68. Start a pcb circuit business

The PCB circuit industry involves the design and manufacture of printed circuit boards that serve as the core components of electronic devices.

Entrepreneurs in this field create intricate circuit layouts to ensure a seamless flow of electrical signals within electronic gadgets.

The PCB circuit business caters to a wide range of industries including consumer electronics, automotive, and telecommunications, and offers a dynamic and promising venture for individuals passionate about innovation and the ever-evolving field of electronics.

With the advancement of technology, this industry continues to grow and remain relevant.

How much you can make: $250,000 — $500,000/month

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

How We Created An Impossible Circuit Printer

Voltera manufactures a circuit printer that has surpassed expectations, with over thousands of units in 65 different countries being used in various industries, from business to education to government, making it a worthwhile investment for hardware engineers.

About
Alroy started Voltera almost 11 years ago
Revenue
Alroy grew the business to $250K/month
Costs
It cost Alroy $500000 to start the business
Read by 7,246 founders

69. Become an Airbnb host

If you are interested in becoming an Airbnb host, the first step is to create a listing for your property or a portion of it on the Airbnb platform.

This will allow travelers from all over the world to rent your space and enjoy a personalized and unique accommodation experience.

By creating a welcoming atmosphere and providing excellent service to your guests, you can enhance your profile and attract even more visitors to your property.

With the potential to earn a steady stream of passive income, becoming an Airbnb host can be an excellent way to monetize your property.

How much you can make: $1,333 — $270,000/month

How long does it take to build: 215 days (?)

How I Bootstrapped An Airbnb Management Service To $35K/Month

HostButlers is Ireland's first professional property concierge service for short-term rentals on Airbnb, boasting over 200,000 hosted guests and profitability from month 5.

About
Gary started Host Butlers over 8 years ago
Revenue
Gary grew the business to $35K/month
Read by 21,778 founders

70. Start a luggage storage business

How much you can make: $2,000 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $9,999 (?)

How We Started A $65K/Month World-Wide Luggage Storage Service

BagsAway Luggage Storage is a worldwide marketplace that connects travelers and locals with convenient, secure, on-demand storage locations across key cities; they have stored over 150k bags for travelers thus far, have expanded to 50+ cities and plan to expand worldwide with new funding and members joining in.

About
Eugene started BagsAway Luggage Storage over 6 years ago
Revenue
Eugene grew the business to $65K/month
Read by 8,853 founders

71. Start a bathroom appliance business

Bathroom appliances include bathtubs, toilets, sinks, taps, toilet seats, wall cabinets, and other wired fixtures like showers.

Homeowners often install bathroom appliances for functional and aesthetic reasons. High-quality bathroom appliances also improve the property's value and make the house livable.

To start a bathroom appliances business, research the market and understand consumer preferences. You can offer sales and installation services or partner with a professional appliance installer to help install the appliances.

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

How long does it take to build: 540 days (?)

Creating a Handheld Bidet Earning $10k/mo

Nadeef Bidet, a Canadian hand-held bidet company, shares the founder's journey in finding suppliers and manufacturing products, as well as his unique approach to marketing and building relationships with customers.

About
Ahmad started Nadeef Bidet almost 9 years ago
Revenue
Ahmad grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 11,388 founders

72. Start a proposal software app

A proposal software app is a program that streamlines the process of creating, sending, and closing proposals, quotes, contracts, and other sales documents. The common users of proposal apps include consultants and business executives who want to generate a personalized and professional-looking proposal. A good example of a proposal software app is Proposify

In creating your proposal app, first, understand how the target users interact with their proposals. Then, provide them with a suite of options so they choose ones that they feel convenient to use. Ensure your software enables the user to produce sleek business proposals quickly.

Typically, the proposal software should be intuitive for any user and should include critical automation and support client interaction tracking, to make proposal creation easy. Build a great product that solves your customer’s pain.

Finally, set up a customer support team that will be directly responsible for guiding customers through the onboarding process, and work towards retaining and expanding accounts.

How much you can make: $570,000/month

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

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

How We Built Proposify And Grew To $7M ARR

Proposify, an online business proposal SaaS company, currently serving over 8,000 customers and doing over $7M in annual recurring revenue, was founded by CEO Kyle Racki who turned his old proposal app idea into a successful business by focusing on user pain points, building a great product, and prioritizing customer service.

About
Kyle started Proposify over 11 years ago
Revenue
Kyle grew the business to $570K/month
Read by 9,131 founders

73. Become a shopify app developer

Have you thought about a career building Shopify apps?

Shopify is a Canadian e-commerce company that provides an online platform for entrepreneurs to set up their own online stores and sell products. Shopify is now valued at over $45B (as of 2022) with over 1.75M merchants using the platform worldwide.

To be able to build a plugin for Shopify, you need to know how to code. If not, then at least have some knowledge of HTML and CSS. You also need experience in the Shopify API and some basic knowledge about the Liquid template language for Shopify.

How much you can make: $150 — $65,000/month

How long does it take to build: 115 days (?)

How I Started Developing And Launching Shopify Apps

Mokool Apps founder Mukul Verma shares his journey of expanding into the Shopify App Store, including how customer support is critical, and the importance of planning for the unexpected when launching a business.

About
Mukul started Mokool Apps about 4 years ago
Revenue
Mukul grew the business to $150/month
Costs
It cost Mukul $3000 to start the business
Read by 6,564 founders

74. Start a water filter store

How much you can make: $1,500 — $200,000/month

How long does it take to build: 500 days (?)

Launching a Furnace Filter Store and Growing to $60k/month

PureFilters is an online supplier of furnace filters in Canada with a focus on customer experience, boasting a wide selection of the best brands and a roster of 300 five-star reviews, all achieved through rigorous process building, investments in automation and use of outsourced help to manage this $60k/mo business with less than 10-12 hours spent per week.

About
Jay started PureFilters almost 9 years ago
Revenue
Jay grew the business to $200K/month
Costs
It cost Jay $1000 to start the business
Read by 8,467 founders

75. Start a pool installation service

A pool installation service specializes in building and constructing new swimming pools for both residential and commercial clients.

This process involves obtaining necessary permits, preparing the site, installing plumbing and drainage, constructing the pool shell, adding finishes such as tiles and coping, installing equipment like pumps and filters, and completing landscaping and fencing around the pool area.

To run a successful pool installation service, it is essential to have skilled contractors with experience in excavation, masonry, plumbing, and working with pool materials.

Starting a pool installation service can be a profitable venture, as there is a high demand for new backyard pools and water features.

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

How I Started A $8K/Month Pool Service And Installation Business

Learn how a third generation business owner started a profitable pool service and installation business in Southern Ontario, earning an average of $8000/month net revenue during peak season and growing from servicing 0 to 350+ pools since May 2016 by doing things that don't scale, such as manually talking to customers and focusing on the ideal customer.

About
Dan started Dundas Valley Pools almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Dan grew the business to $8K/month
Read by 15,005 founders

76. Start a cell phone & computer repair shop software

Are you a person who has a knack for fixing things and is updated about the latest phone and computer updates and tech? For technology lovers with a talent for fixing phones and computers, opening a repair business may seem like the perfect venture.

Listed are the steps to start a cellphone and computer repair shop business.

  • Register your business
  • Secure necessary legal documents to operate a business
  • Find financing
  • Open a bank account for business transactions
  • Obtain insurance
  • Promote your business

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

77. Start a fulfillment by amazon business

How much you can make: $2,300 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $900 (?)

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

How I Started A $40K/Month Amazon FBA Seller Services Agency

How Danny Carlson started an Amazon FBA seller services agency, growing it to over 10 team members with 638+ Amazon sellers served, resulting in more than $40k per month in revenue through copywriting, photography, video, and Amazon PPC management services.

About
Danny started Kenji ROI over 7 years ago
Revenue
Danny grew the business to $105K/month
Read by 9,309 founders

78. Start a waterbottle business

How much you can make: $53,000 — $78,000/month

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

How We Created A $53K/Month Innovative Water Bottle

Pressa Inc, a company that sells an innovative water bottle called Pressa Bottle that allows users to juice and press real fruit into any beverage, has been able to generate just over $50k per month primarily through their .com and Amazon, while also selling their product in a few select retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillards, and Uncommon Goods, and is looking to scale up substantially with a hope of hitting $3M in sales next year.

About
Jesse started Pressa Inc. over 8 years ago
Revenue
Jesse grew the business to $53K/month
Costs
It cost Jesse $100000 to start the business
Read by 8,379 founders

79. Start an art business

Starting an art business can be a great idea if you have a passion for art.

You’ll be able to work on your schedule, set your prices, and do something you love—while supporting yourself or even making money!

There are so many different avenues available to you as an artist-entrepreneur right now—from selling your work online (on sites like Etsy), through galleries or museums, or even at craft fairs and flea markets.

How much you can make: $876 — $415,000/month

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

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

On Developing A Career As An Independent Artist And Graphic Designer

Independent artist Justin Erickson earns between $500-$1500 a month and offers advice on developing a career as an independent artist and graphic designer, from building a brand through printmaking, launching a business, attracting and retaining customers, and learning from other resources.

About
Justin started Justin Erickson Art about 7 years ago
Revenue
Justin grew the business to $876/month
Costs
It cost Justin $7025 to start the business
Read by 7,347 founders

80. Start a recruiting agency

The global online recruitment market size was $29B in 2019 and is projected to reach $43B by 2027.

The best way to assess the success of a Recruiting Agency is to review what their clients say about them and the results achieved for those clients.

As a recruiter, you dream of landing your first client, but once you do, you realize it’s only the start of what you hope will be a successful business. Have you ever wondered how to start a recruiting agency business? There’s so much you can learn from books, but nothing beats getting real-world experience.

How much you can make: $100 — $320,000/month

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

How I Started A $3M/Year Remote Worker Recruitment Agency

DistantJob is a unique recruitment agency that specializes in finding full-time remote employees, and with $3 million in annual revenue, they offer small to medium-sized tech companies an edge over big competitors who are not willing to hire remotely.

About
Sharon started DistantJob almost 16 years ago
Revenue
Sharon grew the business to $290K/month
Read by 11,290 founders

81. Start an embroidery business

Demand for embroidery supplies is growing globally, so starting an embroidery business in 2024 can be a great opportunity. The industry is experiencing a boom, and it has never been the best time to start your own embroidery business.

Before starting the business, weigh whether you have the right skills and knowledge of different fabrics and stitching. The size of embroidery equipment will depend on the size of the business you are looking to set up and how much you are expecting to grow.

Popular items within the embroidery business include:

  • Caps
  • T-shirts
  • Polo shirts
  • Shirts
  • Jackets
  • Sweatshirts

When choosing the items to stock up on, consider the types of customers always looking for embroidered goods and factor in the market size.

How much you can make: $6,500 — $10,000/month

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

How I Started A Successful Brand Selling Vintage Patches On Etsy

Serial entrepreneur grows modern vintage-inspired travel patch company to over $5,000 in monthly sales volume with a 100+% growth rate by expanding product line and utilizing online marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon.

About
Mike started Vagabond Heart almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Mike grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Mike $2000 to start the business
Read by 7,726 founders

82. Start a camera buying guide

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

How I Started A Digital Camera Reviews Website That Has 1.3 Million Unique Monthly Visitors

A software engineer turned founder started a digital camera review website as a side-hustle which turned into a successful online publication with up to 1.3 million unique monthly visitors, generating around $1,000 per month, attracting visitors through guest posts, focusing on desirable quality content, and through answering popular questions on Stack Exchange, providing helpful advice for other entrepreneurs.

About
Itai started Cybernium Inc. almost 19 years ago
Revenue
Itai grew the business to $1K/month
Costs
It cost Itai $350 to start the business
Read by 5,580 founders

83. Start an electronics repair business

The electronics industry itself is worth more than $2 trillion. And electronics repair is a lucrative business that can be started with little to no money.

One of the most important things an electronics repairman must do is to make sure they have the right tools and equipment for the job. This will include everything from soldering irons, wire cutters, screwdrivers and more. A good way to save money on these tools is by buying them used or refurbished.

It's also important for an electronics repairman to have a solid understanding of how electronics work, including the basics of circuit boards and electricity, so they can troubleshoot problems and fix them as efficiently as possible.

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

Finding and Repairing Retro Radios Turned into a Successful Side Hustle

Retro Radio Farm founder, Allen Chiang, earns $50k per year as a side business restoring old radios and offering Bluetooth MP3 upgrades, with the business growing 20% every year.

About
Allen started Retro Radio Farm about 10 years ago
Revenue
Allen grew the business to $4K/month
Read by 7,775 founders

84. Start a coffee roasting business

A coffee roasting business roasts green coffee beans to various roast levels. Recent market research has shown that the global coffee roaster market is increasing at a CAGR of 4.24% for the next six years.
Therefore, launching your coffee roasting business in 2024 can be profitable. Coffee roasters use large machinery, including a roaster and grinder, to turn the beans into a finished product. To start a coffee roasting business, research the market and find who else is roasting in your target area.

Then, find out where coffee sellers in your area are getting their supplies. You also need to know how many coffee shops are in your area.

Then, decide if you want to sell the coffee to individuals or to a coffee shop. Alternatively, you can sell the coffee in your coffee shop or deliver it to elite lodging establishments and restaurants.

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

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

Starting A Pedal-Powered Coffee Roasting Business

Canadian coffee start-up Firebean Coffee Roasters uses pedal power and wood-fire to roast small batches of coffee off-grid in the Boreal Forest while providing a really awesome experience to a small group of local and tourist customers.

About
Michael started Firebean Coffee Roasters about 9 years ago
Revenue
Michael grew the business to $7.5K/month
Costs
It cost Michael $1500 to start the business
Read by 4,990 founders

85. Start a niche blog

Starting a niche blog can be a great way to engage with a passionate online community by sharing your expertise on a specific topic.

The first step is to identify a profitable and underserved niche, such as fashion, video games, film reviews, cooking, and more.

Find your niche and create unique and informative content, such as articles, commentary, news, how-to guides, top product lists, convention coverage, video interviews, and spotlights.

To monetize your blog, gain visibility and followers, provide affiliate links, grow a YouTube channel, collaborate with relevant brands, and speak at events.

To succeed in niche blogging, you need to have a passion for your topic, create engaging content, and regularly engage with your followers.

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

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

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

I Built A $216K/Year Personal Finance Blog By Mastering Pinterest

Finsavvy Panda earns $13,000 to $25,000 monthly in net profit through diversifying their income stream with display advertising, affiliate marketing, and selling digital products like The Power Up Budget Binder and Pin Savvy Pinterest Templates after starting a blog on personal finance and budgeting.

About
Ling started Finsavvy Panda over 6 years ago
Revenue
Ling grew the business to $18K/month
Costs
It cost Ling $200 to start the business
Read by 6,347 founders

86. Start a gardening tools company

Gardening has been touted as a relaxational activity that provides excellent personal rewards and a source of income to commercial gardeners. Whether commercial or just farming for fun, gardeners prefer to use innovative tools to help them tend their gardens.

Therefore, starting a gardening tools business can be a lucrative opportunity. You can either start selling gardening tools or offer them to gardeners on lease terms.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,100,000/month

How long does it take to build: 415 days (?)

Inventing A Powered Garden Tool And Growing to $10K/Month

Founder Michele Morton invented THE MAXBIT, a garden tool that attaches to a household drill and forms perfect holes every time, which went from a little over $13,000 in sales its first full year to over $60,000 in sales by the end of the second quarter of its second year.

About
Dr. started THE MAXBIT about 8 years ago
Revenue
Dr. grew the business to $1K/month
Costs
It cost Dr. $15000 to start the business
Read by 4,351 founders

87. Start a social media automation business

How much you can make: $4,000 — $333,333/month

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

How We Built A $3M/Year Business Automating Social Media

Needls Media is the first-ever robo ad agency, using AI and data science to automate social media advertising and generating $1.7 million in revenue in their first year.

About
Justin started Needls almost 10 years ago
Revenue
Justin grew the business to $250K/month
Read by 6,319 founders

88. Start an used electronics business

You can sell pre-used electronics online or set up a brick-and-mortar establishment. You can choose to specialize in a niche or sell everything from used computers, televisions, stereos, and gaming systems.

What is essential is researching the pre-owned electronics business. Set specific goals and limits for your business and work towards the goals. Find the niche that works best for you and explore it until you find success.

89. Start a franchise development business

Franchise development is a highly profitable business that involves helping successful businesses expand their operations.

As a franchise developer, you play a crucial role in identifying promising brands, creating replicable systems, and recruiting franchisees to establish new outlets.

This entrepreneurial venture can be a lucrative side hustle or a full-time opportunity. It involves collaborating with business owners to transform their success into a franchise model, offering aspiring entrepreneurs a proven blueprint for success.

By providing training, support, and ongoing guidance, you enable others to realize their business dreams while generating income through franchise fees and royalties.

As a franchise developer, you have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the success of both established and emerging businesses while benefiting from a profitable career.

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

How I Started A $10K/Month Franchise Development Business

Andrew Hoffman founded My Franchise Partners, a $15-20K/month consulting agency helping individuals to educate themselves before investing in a franchise, using in-depth research, analysis, and due diligence to match franchise options at all investment levels and in every industry.

About
Andrew started My Franchise Partners over 9 years ago
Revenue
Andrew grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 3,938 founders

90. Become a freelance app developer

A freelance app developer is a programmer who creates mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. Freelance app development business targets creating various apps that give a user-friendly experience.

To become a freelance app developer in Canada, first, touch up on your skills. There are several courses available online. Once you obtain the certification, choose your niche and focus on your skill set.

Then the best way to showcase your work is to build a portfolio website where you will display your skills, projects, and testimonials. Another way to promote yourself is to create your brand and blog. This will, in turn, build a network, and you will be able to connect with people and attract more clients.

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

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

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

Acquiring A Stagnant App Development Company And Leading It To $50K/Month

Cameron Upson acquired Appsitude, a stagnant app development company, and turned it into a thriving business earning between $30,000 to $50,000 a month by hiring overseas developers and investing in marketing.

About
Cam started Appsitude about 9 years ago
Revenue
Cam grew the business to $50K/month
Read by 3,156 founders

91. Start a doula service

A doula service business provides support to expectant mothers and families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Doulas offer emotional, physical, and informational assistance to help make the birthing experience more comfortable and empowering.

To start a doula service on a budget, first, gain knowledge and certification through affordable online or local training programs.

Next, create a simple website or social media page to promote your services and reach potential clients.

Finally, network with local healthcare professionals and community groups to build relationships and establish a client base.

How much you can make: $200/month

How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)

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

On Starting An Online Doula Service

Jessica Glendinning created Your Virtual Doula, a virtual doula service providing clients with knowledge and emotional support, which has experienced a 67% increase in social media traffic and doubled its client base since the beginning of 2020 due to the Covid-19 restrictions on individuals permitted into hospitals and the need for virtual services.

About
Jessica started Your Virtual Doula almost 5 years ago
Revenue
Jessica grew the business to $200/month
Costs
It cost Jessica $300 to start the business
Read by 7,206 founders

92. Start a furniture wholesale distribution business

The furniture wholesale industry consists of wholesalers and distributors of furniture.

These companies are involved in the buying and selling of furniture at wholesale prices to retailers, contractors, and other wholesalers. Though many companies in this industry operate in close liaison with manufacturers, many wholesalers and distributors also work on their own.

93. Start a career coaching business

A career coaching business involves providing personalized guidance, support, and strategy services to help clients navigate professional transitions and growth opportunities.

As a career coach, you design custom sessions to assist with resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement goals tailored to each client’s aspirations.

With flexibility for in-person or virtual meetings, building a client base lets you empower breakthroughs through specialized advice and accountability.

Launching a coaching practice can be a great opportunity for those with speaking talents and human resources expertise to monetize their natural motivational abilities while setting their own schedule.

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

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

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

How I Started A $1.5K/Month Blog About Career Advice

CareerMetis.com is a successful online publication geared towards freelancers and job seekers, boasting 1300 unique contributors, close to 3000+ pieces of content published and a monthly revenue of $1000.

About
Nissar started CareerMetis.com almost 9 years ago
Revenue
Nissar grew the business to $3K/month
Costs
It cost Nissar $100 to start the business
Read by 7,256 founders

94. Start a phone case business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About
Andrew started Felony Case about 12 years ago
Revenue
Andrew grew the business to $120K/month
Read by 27,748 founders

95. Start a watch brand

Launching your own watch brand is a fantastic opportunity to tap into the thriving global market for luxury accessories and innovative timepieces.

By focusing on utilizing quality materials and distinctive designs that reflect your customer’s personal style and vision, you can develop an iconic brand identity and turn your passion into profits.

Whether you choose to debut a high-end mechanical watch collection or smartwatches with integrated technology, starting a watch company offers you the chance to make your mark on the wristwatch industry.

Through strategic branding and marketing efforts, your startup watch brand can capture market share and grow from a small business to a flourishing fashion empire.

How much you can make: $1,500 — $320,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 272 days (?)

How I Built A Booming Watch Brand From Nothing

Founder Ronnie Teja's purpose-driven watch brand, Branzio, has seen $25k in sales per month and is set to double in the next six months thanks to a focus on branding and building an aspirational brand with a loyal customer base.

About
Ronnie started Branzio about 6 years ago
Revenue
Ronnie grew the business to $25K/month
Read by 22,578 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.