80 Digital Agency Success Stories [2025]
A digital agencyβs 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.
In this list, you'll find real-world digital agency success stories and very profitable examples of starting a digital agency that makes money.
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1. Madrivo ($44.4M/year)
Ronen Hamatian, CEO of Madrivo, came up with the idea for his performance marketing agency after working in the wholesale lending industry and realizing the need for better lead quality and compliance in online advertising. By pivoting the business model and focusing on sourcing brands directly, Madrivo has become a trusted partner for leading US brands and achieved a three-year revenue growth of 72%.
How much money it makes: $44.4M/year
How many people on the team: 47
Performance marketing agency Madrivo has grown into a $44 million-per-year business by offering low-risk, high-reward performance marketing services and focusing on quality, compliant offers from proud brand partners across a range of channels, all while emphasizing the importance of people, culture, and values.
2. GR0 ($21.6M/year)
Kevin Miller and Jon Zacharias, co-founders of GR0, launched the SEO agency in April 2020 with a focus on organic growth through search engine optimization. They developed a unique three-pronged approach involving content writing, backlink acquisition, and on-page optimizations. With over 150 clients, including well-known companies like Theragun and Universal Music Group, GR0 has experienced explosive growth and is projected to yield approximately $18MM in 2021.
How much money it makes: $21.6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 100
Former Google employee co-founded GR0 in April 2020, an agency focused on organic growth through a unique three-pronged approach to SEO, which quickly became a name in the SEO field with over 75 full-time employees and 150+ clients, projected to yield approximately $18MM in 2021.
3. The Pedowitz Group ($18M/year)
Jeff and Cherie started The Pedowitz Group in 2007, leveraging their expertise in sales and marketing. They saw an opportunity to provide consulting services in the digital marketing space and quickly gained momentum through word-of-mouth and industry referrals. Today, they have achieved over $20 million in annual revenue and continue to focus on growth and providing excellent service to their clients.
How much money it makes: $18M/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
How many people on the team: 100
Pedowitz Group, a $20M+ consulting agency, shares the story of how they grew their business by prioritizing customer retention/loyalty, being platform-agnostic, and focusing on strong results aligned with clients' key business objectives.
4. DesignNBuy INC ($12M/year)
Abhishek Agarwal, the CMO of DesignβNβBuy, came up with the idea for the company after receiving a request from a customer to develop a personalized t-shirt design tool. After realizing that existing solutions were either too complex or lacking important features, Agarwal and his team decided to create a customer-friendly web-to-print solution. Since launching in 2009, DesignβNβBuy has expanded to serve clients in over 40 countries and has achieved a turnover of $1.5 million and over 1,000 clients.
How much money it makes: $12M/year
How much did it cost to start: $100K
How many people on the team: 60
Web-to-print software company Design'N'Buy has acquired clients in over 40 countries and earned a turnover of $1.5 million and 1,000+ clients across 60+ countries within a short span of existence.
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5. Impression ($12M/year)
Aaron and his university friend, Tom, founded Impression as a side project while working in-house for a renewable energy business. They couldn't find an agency partner that met their expectations, so they decided to create one themselves. Starting with services like paid media, SEO, and digital PR campaigns, they evolved Impression into a strategic agency partner, reaching milestones like employing 100 staff and aiming for a revenue target of Β£10m.
How much money it makes: $12M/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 114
Impression - a digital marketing agency started by two friends who were able to grow the business from scratch by profit-funding and recently reached the milestone of employing 100 staff, serving as a strategic agency partner to clients, and set to hit its next revenue target of Β£10m.
6. QWANTIFY ($7.2M/year)
Keith Lynch, the Founder and CEO of Qwantify, came up with the idea for his digital development and marketing agency after receiving requests from colleagues, family, and friends to develop profitable websites for them. With his knowledge, experience, and skills in digital marketing, he launched Qwantify in 2016 and offered a unique selling proposition of a revenue guarantee, which set him apart from the competition. Today, Qwantify is a multi-million dollar per year agency that attracts hundreds of new partner inquiries every month.
How much money it makes: $7.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 22
Qwantify is a digital development and marketing agency that operates a Partner Program guaranteeing websites earn a minimum of $10,000 per month, and since 2016, they have grown to become a multi-million dollar per year digital development agency.
7. Qnary ($6.6M/year)
Bant Breen, the Founder of Qnary, came up with the idea for his business while working as the CEO of a paid search and social media agency. He noticed that there were no tools available to help individual executives optimize their online presence, so he set out to create a platform specifically tailored to their needs. Since its launch in 2012, Qnary has grown to have thousands of clients and offices in New York, Barcelona, and Sydney.
How much money it makes: $6.6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.2M
How many people on the team: 25
Qnary founder Bant Breen built and grew the executive reputation management and talent branding solutions company, now with thousands of clients globally, with a monthly revenue of $550k by developing a tech-enabled solution that optimizes an executiveβs online presence, generates thought-leadership content, and grows followers and engagement.
8. Brandetize ($6M/year)
Eric Berman, the founder of Brandetize, came up with the idea for his digital marketing agency after consulting for famous author Brian Tracy. He realized that he could provide the same services to other successful businesses looking to scale and monetize their brands. With a strong network and a focus on delivering results, Brandetize has become a profitable company with a bright future ahead.
How much money it makes: $6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $998
How many people on the team: 27
Former dotcom entrepreneur Eric Berman built a profitable digital marketing agency by backing into it β helping successful businesses scale and monetize their brands.
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9. Todays Business ($6M/year)
Billy Ash, the Co-Founder and Chief Digital Officer of Today's Business, got his start in digital marketing while working for the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour in Tampa. After a successful event, Ash and his partners pivoted to social media marketing, offering services like reputation management and time optimization. They expanded their offerings to include SEO, website development, and paid media management, and have since grown into one of the fastest-growing private companies in the US, with clients like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Menlo Club.
How much money it makes: $6M/year
How many people on the team: 40
Today's Business is a full-service digital marketing agency that made the Inc 5000 list in both 2018 and 2019 as one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States, with a client base spanning across various industries, including healthcare, real estate, and tech.
10. CreateApe ($4.2M/year)
Alessandro Fard, the founder of CreateApe, developed the idea for his business after realizing the importance of a solid foundation in digital projects. Through years of trial and error, he created the Create Ape Jungle Guide, a comprehensive process that allows clients to fulfill the research and ideation phase of their projects and lays the foundation for successful user experience, design, and development. With impressive revenue growth between 50 and 100% year-over-year, CreateApe is a leading player in the digital agency space.
How much money it makes: $4.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
How many people on the team: 55
CreateApe, a full-service digital agency specializing in user experience design, has seen yearly revenue growth between 50-100%, with $350,000 in monthly revenue and success attributed to their almost reckless embrace of partnering with their clients.
11. SharpNet Solutions, Inc ($4.2M/year)
SharpNet Solutions was founded in 1998 by Christopher Sharp, a chemical engineer who wanted to secure his family's future. After self-training in website building, he realized the potential of internet marketing and launched his own company. Today, with a team of 38 talented members, SharpNet generates over $4 million in annual gross sales, offering SEO, PPC, social media management, and website design services with a strong focus on customer satisfaction.
How much money it makes: $4.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $200
How many people on the team: 39
This case study is about Christopher Sharp, who founded digital marketing company SharpNet Solutions, which employs 38 people and has gross sales of over $4 million/year, and focuses on customer satisfaction and producing bottom-line results.
12. Pricing I/O ($4.5M/year)
Marcos Rivera, the founder of Pricing I/O, came up with the idea for his business after realizing that pricing was considered a black art to many B2B SaaS leaders. With his deep experience in building and growing software products, as well as his expertise in pricing and packaging from his time at Vista Equity Partners, Marcos decided to help software companies shift pricing from guesswork to a framework. Despite the risks involved, Marcos took the leap and started Pricing I/O, quickly signing his first client within a week of launching. Since then, the company has experienced significant growth, attracting and retaining customers through a community-focused approach, an authority position on pricing, and bite-sized content that resonates with their target audience.
How much money it makes: $4.5M/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 13
Pricing I/O, a pricing consultancy for B2B software companies, doubled their team size and tripled revenue in only their second year in business, helping 106 SaaS companies all during a pandemic without any marketing spend.
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13. Huemor ($3M/year)
Example: Jeff, the co-founder of Huemor, started his journey as a graphic design student who freelanced to gain experience and earn money. After feeling unfulfilled in a corporate job, Jeff joined forces with a friend to build an internal agency for a media placement company. When the work environment turned toxic, they made a bold move to start their own agency, Huemor, and haven't looked back since. They've helped over 200 companies transform their digital presence and earned over 100 international awards, while maintaining a simple, customer-focused approach.
How much money it makes: $3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 44
Huemor is a successful digital marketing agency with over 200 company transformations, over 100 international awards, and a team beyond 40 people, scaling YoY at 74%, with an average project value of $67,500 and 2.7 year average client relationship.
14. Limeup ($2.16M/year)
Recognizing their superior product and UX design skills compared to competitors, Andrew and his team decided to capitalize on this strength by launching Limeup, a specialized Product Design Agency that generated $2.1 million in revenue in 2022 with 30% annual growth.
How much money it makes: $2.16M/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
How many people on the team: 40
Limeup, a Product Design Agency, has experienced impressive growth with a workforce of 40+ professionals and a revenue of $2.1 million in 2022, aiming for a 50% growth rate in the current year by providing expertly crafted digital products and experiences to clients worldwide.
15. STRYDE ($2.16M/year)
Founder Greg Shuey got his start in affiliate marketing and became interested in search engine optimization (SEO) after seeing affiliates boost their website traffic and revenue. After working at multiple agencies, he decided to start Stryde to offer custom digital marketing strategies, focusing on SEO, paid search, paid social, email marketing, and conversion rate optimization. Stryde has been in business for almost 9 years and has generated over $2 million in revenue.
How much money it makes: $2.16M/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 13
Stryde is a women-owned eCommerce digital marketing agency that has been in business for almost 9 years, focusing on creating custom digital marketing strategies that generated just over $2 million in revenue, with a growth strategy of bringing on the right clients and specializing early.
16. Never Settle ($1.8M/year)
Kenn Kelly, co-founder of Never Settle, came up with the idea for the digital agency after experiencing the ups and downs of the tech startup world. He realized the importance of taking care of people and decided to create a company that values and empowers both clients and staff. With a focus on service and building long-lasting relationships, Never Settle has become a globally recognized leader in mobile, website, and marketing solutions, completing over 1,000 projects in seven years.
How much money it makes: $1.8M/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 15
Never Settle, a digital agency with over 1,000 completed projects and a focus on lean methodology and building relationships with clients, has made a name for itself in the eCommerce space, offering comprehensive solutions to businesses of all sizes while maintaining consistent and moderate growth.
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17. Intellitonic ($1.62M/year)
Intellitonic, a digital marketing agency, was founded by Alex, Courtney, and Jared after realizing they could do digital marketing more effectively and transparently with organizations they care about. With their collective skills and experience in SEO, PPC, and software, they launched Intellitonic and have grown to a team of eleven without compromising their values.
How much money it makes: $1.62M/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 12
Intellitonic is a digital marketing agency that grew from 3 to 11 people in less than 5 years without investment, earning $90k/month in revenue, with over 97 clients through a combination of referrals, relationships, and online ads.
18. Ogline Digital ($1.2M/year)
Dylan Ogline, the founder of Ogline Digital, had a history of failed business projects before he honed in on digital marketing management. With a simple landing page, lean operations, and focused targeting on Google Ads, he quickly found success, reaching six figures in a few months and seven figures within two years. Now, with a team of 12, Dylan's goal for the next five years is to grow to $5-10 million in annual revenue while prioritizing his team's growth and success.
How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
How many people on the team: 8
Ogline Digital is a digital marketing agency that helps small to medium-sized businesses profitably gain customers with only one service managing a marketing system for clients; the company's founder, Dylan Ogline, started as a freelancer and grew it to become a million-dollar business.
19. BrandBurp Digital ($1.2M/year)
Anshul Sharma, the founder of BrandBurp, was working at a corporate firm when he realized his true passion was entrepreneurship. He started BrandBurp in 2015 with the vision to revolutionize the functioning of websites, mobile applications, and brands. Since then, the company has grown into one of the fastest-growing digital marketing agencies, leveraging over 2,000 brands and generating over 1,000 leads and 3 billion USD ROI globally.
How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 175
BrandBurp, a digital marketing company founded in 2015, has leveraged over 2,000 brands to strategically market their business and boost their revenue, generating over 1,000 leads and 3 billion USD ROI globally and working with big names such as Coca-Cola and Supreme.
20. Rejoin Media ($1.2M/year)
Michael Gardon, the CEO of Rejoin Media, came up with the idea for his business after realizing that he wanted to break out of the 9-5 job and create a more flexible and balanced lifestyle. With capital to acquire sites and expertise in SEO and content marketing, Gardon launched Rejoin as a portfolio of web-based businesses, generating around $100,000 per month in revenue and growing at a rate of 20% per month. Today, he is focused on diversifying his business and building new products and marketing channels.
How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
How many people on the team: 5
Rejoin Media's CEO, Michael Gardon, shares how he built his business portfolio, which generates $100,000 in monthly revenue, without the use of venture capital, and offers insight into achieving business success through resiliency.
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21. Ditto Transcripts ($1.2M/year)
Ben Walker, the founder of Transcription Outsourcing, was inspired to start his business after hearing about a friend starting a medical transcription company. He saw an opportunity in the healthcare industry and decided to join forces with the founder to create a transcription service that catered to not only medical professionals but also the legal, law enforcement, financial, academic, and general business industries. Through effective advertising, SEO, and a commitment to exceptional customer service, Transcription Outsourcing has been able to attract and retain clients, leading to their success as a $100k/month company.
How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $150K
How many people on the team: 5
How this founder started a $100K/month guaranteed transcription service for medical, legal, law enforcement, financial, academic and general business industries, winning the NASPO ValuePoint transcription services contract over 26 other companies and learning valuable lessons about getting a coach and getting as much PR as possible.
22. Half a Bubble Out ($1.18M/year)
Michael and Kathryn Redman, childhood friends turned spouses, founded Half A Bubble Out 18 years ago as a marketing and advertising agency. They later established HaBO Village, a membership website that helps leaders build successful companies. Through their expertise and experience, they have generated millions of dollars for their clients across various industries, and are now focused on helping businesses find clarity and success through their strategic direction and coaching services.
How much money it makes: $1.18M/year
How many people on the team: 8
Half A Bubble Out is a full-service marketing and advertising agency based in Chico, California that has helped business leaders around the world grow their companies through traditional and digital marketing, business coaching, and leadership development, making millions of dollars for their clients across industries such as property management, medical, agriculture, and various nonprofits.
23. NAV43 ($1.14M/year)
Ben Dankiw, co-founder and CEO of NAV43, came up with the idea for his technical digital marketing agency while working as a marketing coordinator. With a strong analytical mindset and experience in Google Ads, he realized the impact he could have on brands at a larger level. After partnering with colleagues and building a client roster, they scaled the business to an MRR in the 6-figures and continue to attract and retain customers through their SEO and PPC services.
How much money it makes: $1.14M/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
How many people on the team: 7
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.
24. SearchEye ($1.14M/year)
Chris Porteous, the founder of SearchEye, came up with the idea for his SEO platform after witnessing the low quality and standards of the industry. After working with clients who were dissatisfied with previous SEO providers, Chris saw an opportunity to create a better solution and deliver on product expectations. He funded the business out of pocket and through consulting services, and is now focused on driving faster turnaround times, low prices, and consistent product quality for his customers.
How much money it makes: $1.14M/year
How much did it cost to start: $600K
How many people on the team: 16
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.
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25. Delesign ($972K/year)
Delesign was founded by Kenny Schumacher to address the need for affordable and high-quality design services that businesses of all sizes could utilize. Through a rigorous vetting and training process, Delesign provides clients with dedicated senior-level designers who can complete graphic design, animation, web and app, UI/UX, and illustration projects with fast turnaround times. The company has seen rapid growth, reaching nearly $100k MRR in just four years, and relies on referrals, organic traffic, and targeted content marketing to attract and retain customers.
How much money it makes: $972K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 55
Delesign's co-owner explains how their fully remote-based graphic design service has scaled to nearly $100k MRR in just 4 years since providing entrepreneurs with a dedicated senior-level designer for a flat monthly rate with extremely fast turnaround times.
26. Kontra agency ($960K/year)
Ilija and Petar started their journey in 2011 with just two clients and two laptops. They began as a small social media agency but quickly expanded and evolved into a full-service digital agency, offering a wide range of services. With a focus on driving results and a dedication to continuous learning and improvement, Kontra has become a successful agency, attracting clients like Walt Disney and gaining recognition from platforms such as Clutch.co. Despite challenges faced during the pandemic, they have bounced back and are continuing to grow.
How much money it makes: $960K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 18
Two friends from Split started a small social media agency that has since grown to be a full-service digital agency offering web design, development, and digital marketing services, with a focus on driving results, recording at least 50% growth for four consecutive years, and aiming to continue growing steadily with a goal of employing up to 30 people, while using tools such as Productive, Trello, Bitbucket, git, and Microsoft Teams, and offering a consulting and education service to educate their audience.
27. Express Writers ($840K/year)
Julia McCoy dropped out of college at 19 to pursue her passion for writing and started her content writing agency, Express Writers, with just $75. Through a combination of content marketing and exceptional writing talent, McCoy grew her agency to surpass $80k in monthly recurring revenue (MRR) by the age of 27, serving a large number of clients and attracting over 100,000 organic visitors to her website each month. Despite starting with limited resources, McCoy's hard work and dedication have led to her agency's remarkable success.
How much money it makes: $840K/year
How much did it cost to start: $75
How many people on the team: 2
Express Writers, a content writing agency, grew from a $75 investment to surpassing $80k MRR within seven years through content marketing, client focus, and steady growth with a debt-free business model.
28. DFY Meetings ($720K/year)
Michael Gardiner, a 20-year-old serial entrepreneur, came up with the idea for his digital marketing agency, Nomads with Solutions, after successfully growing a network of Instagram accounts to over 1 million followers. Leveraging his experience in social media marketing and management, he started the agency and has since built a multiyear safety net while traveling to over 20 countries. The agency's main services include Facebook and Google advertising, as well as social media marketing and management, which have consistently brought in the majority of their revenue.
How much money it makes: $720K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
How many people on the team: 15
A 20-year-old digital nomad and serial entrepreneur shares his journey of starting a successful digital marketing agency, Nomads with Solutions, which specializes in Facebook lead generation, and offers insights on client acquisition, personal branding, and focusing on self-improvement.
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29. Antropy ($720K/year)
Paul Feakins' childhood fascination with computers led him to launch Antropy, an e-commerce web agency. Starting alone in his bedroom, he grew the company to cater to clients like The Mirror Group and Coca Cola, achieving record monthly profits of over Β£30k.
How much money it makes: $720K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
How many people on the team: 5
This case study is about a UK-based e-commerce web agency that specializes in building fast and high-converting online shops using open source software, with clients ranging from startups to well-known companies like The Mirror Group, UCL, and Coca Cola, and has recently achieved a record monthly profit of over Β£30k.
30. Lead Cookie ($660K/year)
Jake Jorgovan, a serial entrepreneur and business advisor, came up with the idea for Lead Cookie, a LinkedIn lead generation and appointment setting company, after brainstorming various business ideas and realizing the untapped potential in the market. Within the first two weeks of launching, Jorgovan closed $12k of monthly recurring revenue by selling to individuals within his existing network, providing rapid validation for his concept. Lead Cookie is now a thriving company, generating between $45k-$70k in monthly revenue and boasting a team of 20 full-time members.
How much money it makes: $660K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 24
Serial entrepreneur Jake Jorgovan explains how he started and grew his LinkedIn lead generation company, Lead Cookie, which now averages between $45k-70k every month with only 4-8 hours of his own time per week, and shares insights on building and scaling a successful business.
31. Aceternity UI ($960K/year)
Manu, the founder of Aceternity UI, transformed a hobby of crafting beautiful web components into a booming business after noticing that people preferred ready-to-use code over explanatory blogs. With rapid launches and feedback-driven improvements, his Aceternity UI Pro reached $80k in revenue just two months post-launch, heavily leveraging platforms like Twitter and Product Hunt to build momentum.
How much money it makes: $960K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20
How many people on the team: 2
Dive into how a developer turned a personal hobby into Aceternity UI, a component library that generated $80,000 in just two months post-launch, through strategic use of minimal resources, rapid iterations, and effective word-of-mouth marketing, providing a masterclass for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to swiftly generate significant revenue and cultivate a robust client base.
32. The Clover Collective ($600K/year)
After 15 years in high-level corporate roles and hitting burnout in 2015, Heather Lawson-Bradfield launched The Clover Collective, turning her experience into a six-figure operations management agency that oversees $20 million in client portfolios. Today, the company projects $1 million in revenue for 2024, demonstrating her commitment to supporting neurodivergent entrepreneurs and marginalized communities.
How much money it makes: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100K
How many people on the team: 4
This case study follows the journey of Heather Lawson-Bradfield, founder of The Clover Collective, a virtual ops management agency for creatives, as she shares valuable lessons on building a six-figure business, managing client portfolios worth 20 million, and projecting revenue of $1 million in 2024.
33. Digitail - Wander Media LLC ($600K/year)
Forrest Webber transitioned from real estate to digital assets after a big payoff, investing 100% into websites. The drive to create a business he could run from anywhere blossomed during his daughter's 100-day NICU stay, leading to $50k monthly revenue from 20 niche sites within five years.
How much money it makes: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $294K
How many people on the team: 50
Forrest Webber's portfolio of 20 niche content websites generates $25-50k in revenue per month, with a team of 30+ contractors and employees, and he has built an agency, Digitail.co, which offers content, backlinks, and SEO research, making his team available to those interested in growing their online presence.
34. Add Value | Growth Marketing Agency ($600K/year)
24-year-old Joachim Brouckaert founded Add Value, a growth marketing agency, after noticing that many marketing agencies prioritized money over delivering value to their customers. With a background in digital marketing and experience freelancing as a digital marketer, Joachim decided to start his own agency focused on full-funnel marketing services. After a year in business, Add Value generates an average monthly turnover of 30k and works with 18 active clients.
How much money it makes: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 5
A 24-year-old founder shares how his growth marketing agency generated β¬360,000 in its first year, with a team of 5 people working for 18 active clients per month, using SEO, Facebook and Google ads, organic content on LinkedIn, and a hybrid agency model with a focus on client retention.
35. Canny Creative ($600K/year)
Tony Hardy, founder of Canny Creative, started the business out of necessity when he needed to support his growing family. He began by selling business card designs and quickly gained referrals, eventually expanding his services to include brand strategy and website design. Through consistent blogging and content marketing, Canny Creative has grown to generate around $50,000 per month and serves clients globally.
How much money it makes: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 12
Canny Creative is a creative agency earning around $50k per month by partnering with startups and SMEs to build and grow their brand, website, and content marketing offering.
36. TRANSLIT ($600K/year)
TRANSLIT founder Alex Chernenko came up with the idea for his business after realizing the challenges faced by language service providers and agencies in managing interpreters and bookings. Inspired by the ease of booking an Uber cab, Chernenko designed a platform that centralized management and scheduling, eliminating the need for time-consuming emails and phone calls. After six months of designing and prototyping, TRANSLIT secured β¬500,000 in seed capital and launched its online platform and marketplace in 2019.
How much money it makes: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $300K
How many people on the team: 20
TRANSLIT is an ISO-certified translation and interpreting service, which has grown organically to now include an online platform and marketplace that allows users to find, book and manage interpreters across the world with over 2,500 users and recently launched a Remote Simultaneous Interpreting technology available through a mobile app and web interface.
37. O3M Directional Marketing Pvt Ltd ($480K/year)
Renjith Rajan, founder of O3M Directional Marketing, entered the technology space after working as a computer lab assistant and a Java and Perl programmer. His entrepreneurial journey began in 2005 with the launch of Boonze Media Solutions, and in 2010, he founded O3M after joining Google's Premier Partner Program. Today, O3M offers performance-oriented digital marketing solutions to clients around the world, with a team of 45+ members and a focus on expanding its client base and upskilling the team for more comprehensive campaigns.
How much money it makes: $480K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2.5K
How many people on the team: 46
Renjith Rajan's O3M Directional Marketing Private Limited offers performance-oriented digital marketing solutions to clients worldwide, employing over 45 team members who are passionate about what they do and work with businesses of all sizes, via a mix of best practices, relationships, expertise, and hard work.
38. Digital Scholar ($480K/year)
Sorav Jain, one of Indiaβs leading digital marketers, started his agency, echoVME Digital, after gaining global attention for his blog on digital marketing tips and strategies. Realizing the lack of quality training in the field, he later founded Digital Scholar, Indiaβs first agency-styled digital marketing training institute, which has seen rapid growth with over 100,000 students. Jain's success can be attributed to his focus on education, strong SEO strategy, and maintaining strong client relationships.
How much money it makes: $480K/year
How much did it cost to start: $250K
How many people on the team: 25
Sorav Jain started echoVME Digital, an award-winning digital marketing agency in Chennai, serving top clients for over a decade, and Digital Scholar, India's first agency-styled digital marketing training institute, which has grown to over 100,000 students in under a decade.
39. SheerSEO ($360K/year)
Ayal Aldema, the founder of SheerSEO, saw a gap in the market for online SEO tools when he couldn't find any reliable options and all he found were scammy desktop applications. With 10 years of software engineering experience and a previous successful website, he launched SheerSEO for free and relied on SEO skills to gain customers. Today, the business generates $30,000/month by selling its SaaS service to webmasters and SEO professionals.
How much money it makes: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 1
Founder Ayal Aldema built SheerSEO, an online SEO software, to fill a gap in the SEO market, offering a free service to help clients optimize their sites, which now makes $30,000/month by selling SaaS service to both webmasters and SEO professionals.
40. Base Coat Marketing ($360K/year)
Austin Houser, the founder of Base Coat Marketing, came up with the idea for his business after acquiring painting businesses as clients at his previous agency and realizing the industry lacked effective marketing solutions. By creating a niche-focused agency dedicated to the professional painting industry, Houser has been able to quickly scale his business and generate impressive results, with $30,000 in monthly recurring revenue and a 50% profit margin within just three months of launching.
How much money it makes: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 2
Austin Houser, founder of Base Coat Marketing, launched a full-service digital marketing agency catering exclusively to the professional painting industry and within three months exceeded last year's revenue under his previous agency and is generating $30,000 in monthly recurring revenue with roughly a 50% profit margin by offering simple, niche-focused packages and providing personalized, valuable interactions with customers.
41. Weichie.com ($360K/year)
Bob, the creative director at Weichie, accidentally started his freelance business while working in a digital agency in New York. After gaining experience in SEO and website design, he launched Weichie.com and used it as an example site to showcase his skills. Through word-of-mouth referrals and a focus on customer satisfaction, Bob's business has grown to specialize in eCommerce and SEO, with a goal of becoming an authority in the field.
How much money it makes: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $3K
How many people on the team: 2
A creative director at a Brussels-based creative, technology, and e-commerce optimization agency outlines their process of building a digital agency that focuses on eCommerce and SEO-based projects while providing tips on the importance of looking up to others but never comparing yourself to them.
42. Silksocial ($360K/year)
Silksocial was founded by Louise and Edvinas Maciulevicius, who started the business out of desperation when they were broke and far from home in Merida, Mexico. After scraping the web for potential leads, they found their first client on Starter Story and have since built a successful video ad production business, generating a turnover of around $30K/Month.
How much money it makes: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2.5K
How many people on the team: 2
Silksocial produces rockstar video ads for eCommerce brands, with a turnover of around $30K/month and a focus on differentiation through a deep understanding of e-commerce video ad production techniques that optimize investment returns.
43. Paper Box SEO ($336K/year)
Russell Michelson, the founder of Paper Box SEO, originally began as a freelance web designer. However, after clients consistently asked him for help with driving traffic to their websites, he transitioned into the world of SEO. Through teaching himself about digital marketing and experimenting with different methods, he developed a passion for SEO and eventually started his own boutique SEO agency, Paper Box SEO. Today, the company brings in $20k/month in revenue and focuses solely on providing comprehensive SEO services to small to medium-sized businesses.
How much money it makes: $336K/year
How many people on the team: 2
This case study describes the journey of Russell Michelson who, after leaving his corporate job, turned his WordPress skills into a thriving boutique SEO agency earning $20k/month, thanks to client referrals and Upwork.
44. Quandri ($324K/year)
Quandri, founded by brothers Jackson and Jamieson Fregeau, is a digital worker company focused on automating tasks for the insurance industry. Their most popular product compares policies upon renewal, providing brokers with a summary report of important changes. With a monthly revenue of $30k and a growing team of 9, Quandri is rapidly expanding its customer base across North America.
How much money it makes: $324K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 6
Quandri, a digital worker company that automates time-consuming work for the North American insurance industry, has grown to an average of $30k monthly revenue since co-founder Jackson Fregeau took advantage of spare time during the pandemic to build initial bots; the company has since added several full-time employees, and is "rapidly" expanding its customer base.
45. Kadima Grow ($300K/year)
After founding several businesses, Richard Rubenstein realized that traditional digital marketing's limitations often hindered growth. This led to the creation of Kadima Growβa revolutionary Marketing-as-a-Service platform offering unlimited marketing services for a fixed monthly fee, already earning $25,000 per month within two months of launch.
How much money it makes: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10
How many people on the team: 10
This case study article highlights the launch and success of Kadima Digital Marketing Agency's "Kadima Grow" platform, which offers unlimited marketing services at a fixed monthly subscription fee and has already grown to $25,000 a month in just two months, providing aspiring founders with an innovative and affordable approach to marketing their brands.
46. SpeedYourWeb ($300K/year)
After managing hundreds of slow e-commerce websites over 14 years, two founders launched SpeedYourWeb, leveraging their expertise to optimize site speed and enhance Google rankings, ultimately boosting sales and user experience. Today, they boast a skilled team of 10 developers and offer free speed tests that include actionable improvement insights.
How much money it makes: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $99
How many people on the team: 10
These founders provide a free page speed optimization service in addition to SEO to help e-commerce websites improve their organic reach and boost their sales.
47. HelloSEO ($300K/year)
Jade Pruett, the founder of HelloSEO, initially didn't have plans to start her own business. However, after realizing she could leverage her SEO skills to help other businesses, she began offering SEO services on the side. Through webinars, referrals, and networking, she attracted clients and grew her business to generate around $25,000 a month in revenue.
How much money it makes: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 0
From $0 to $25,000 monthly, Jade Pruett's HelloSEO thrives with an 80% profit margin by offering SEO services and Power Hours that yield a 12,000% ROI, proving that responsiveness to client feedback and focusing on a single skill can accelerate growth.
48. Power Move Marketing ($264K/year)
Hailey Brooke McFadden, a former college volleyball player and sideline reporter, started Power Move Marketing after realizing the lack of professional marketing services offered to e-commerce businesses. With a focus on empowering women and providing excellent customer service, PMM has quickly grown, making $22,075 per month and projected to make nearly $300,000 in its first year. By prioritizing employee satisfaction and creating a positive company culture, McFadden has found success and aims to grow PMM into a marketing powerhouse with over 100 employees.
How much money it makes: $264K/year
How much did it cost to start: $400
How many people on the team: 2
Power Move Marketing is an innovative digital marketing company founded by Hailey Brooke McFadden, which has achieved an impressive monthly income of $22,075 and is projected to make almost $300,000 in its first year, by offering a one-stop-shop for e-commerce businesses looking for a marketing powerhouse with a female positive culture.
49. Juicy Pickles ($240K/year)
Giulia Cian Seren, founder of Juicy Pickles, started her business after moving from Europe to Southeast Asia and seeing the favorable business climate in Singapore. With a passion for technology and a desire to help small businesses succeed, Giulia offers digital marketing consulting and coaching through her flagship coaching membership, The Pickling Club. Her dedication to her clients and focus on long-term relationships has helped her grow her business to an average monthly revenue of $20,000.
How much money it makes: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
How many people on the team: 1
Giulia Cian Seren, founder of Juicy Pickles, offers digital marketing consulting, training, and coaching to small businesses and has grown her monthly revenue to an average of $20,000 by focusing on long-term relationships over short-term gains and helping small, traditional businesses transition into the digital world.
50. The Digital Vibe Podcast and Network ($240K/year)
Annette Thomas, the creator and founder of The Digital Vibe Podcast and Network, came up with the idea to start her business after feeling the need to challenge herself and express herself in a way that traditional avenues couldn't offer. Through self-education and using her voice to share her story, Annette has built a network that generates around $20,000 per month through various revenue streams including brand clothing, podcast sales, affiliate sales, and book reselling.
How much money it makes: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 3
A founder shares how she built a podcast network with brand clothing, podcast sales, affiliate sales, and publishing book partnerships, generating around $20k per month, while staying true to her voice and values.
51. Good Chance ($240K/year)
to my old office to pick out a few things I forgot, and I treated myself to - you guessed it - a venti Starbucks iced coffee. I posted on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn that Good Chance Creative was starting to take on clients. I used some of the photos I had taken previously as examples of my work. I sent text messages to friends whose businesses I thought could benefit from my services. And then I waited. Not for long, though! I received my first client inquiry within a couple of hours. It was a friend of a friend who had a small online boutique. She loved my photos and wanted to hire me for product photography and social media management. From there, it was a domino effect. Word spread, referrals came in, and I started to build my client list. It was a slow and steady process in the beginning, but I was grateful for each and every client who trusted me with their social media presence. As the years went by, I continued to refine and expand my services, and here I am today, running a successful full-service social media creative agency.
How much money it makes: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
How many people on the team: 1
This case study follows Kelsey Chance and her creative agency, Good Chance Creative, which specializes in social media content creation, and in just 3 years she has grown her one-woman business to make $20,000 in monthly revenue through a niche in small in-house marketing teams and start-ups managing their social content, with key services including lifestyle brand photography, social media account management, copywriting, and eCommerce strategy consulting.
52. Dox Design ($240K/year)
Kaila Piepkow, the owner and principal designer of Dox Design, came up with the idea for her business when she noticed a gap in the market for beautiful branding in the pet industry. After freelancing for about 6 months and receiving positive feedback from the pet community, she filed for an LLC and launched Dox Design. Since then, the business has grown from $4K to $12K in monthly sales, with over 12 clients and $22K in closed business in their highest month.
How much money it makes: $240K/year
How many people on the team: 2
Dox Design, a pet industry-focused design agency, grew from $4K to $12K in monthly sales since launching in 2016, with over 12 clients and $22K in closed business in its highest month by providing bespoke branding, graphic and website designs for pet businesses and animal lovers.
53. Aun Digital ($240K/year)
When a friend's cleaning business couldn't afford a website, Aun Ali discovered that many UAE startups faced similar challenges, inspiring him to launch Aun Digital. The firm offers affordable, comprehensive digital services and now generates annual revenue between $200,000 and $300,000, serving 20 regular clients.
How much money it makes: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $60K
How many people on the team: 50
Aun Digital, a UAE-based web design company, generated $200,000 to $300,000 annually by offering affordable and reliable digital services to small businesses, startups, and medium-sized enterprises, with 20 regular clients per year and an average project cost ranging from $10,000 to $15,000.
54. Fame ($204K/year)
Tom Hunt, the founder of Fame, came up with the idea for his podcast growth service while working as the head of marketing at a B2B SaaS business. After experiencing success with their own podcast, Tom decided to launch Fame and offer the same growth process to other B2B brands. He validated the idea by converting his ex-employer into his first client and finding two more clients through a blog he had built on the side.
How much money it makes: $204K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 3
Fame's founder, Tom Hunt, shares how he started a $17k/month podcast growth service for B2B SaaS and service businesses, and provides insights on how he grew the business to $20k MRR and his plans to hit $50k MRR by the end of 2021 through prioritizing revenue and customer satisfaction.
55. Eikon Design ($180K/year)
Anebi Agbo, the founder of Eikon Labs, came up with the idea for the web design consultancy during his altMBA program in 2019. With a background in technology and a desire to work with small businesses, he realized that helping them build better websites and apps could have a positive impact on their bottom line. He launched Eikon Labs as a side hustle and eventually transitioned to running it full-time.
How much money it makes: $180K/year
How much did it cost to start: $999
How many people on the team: 1
Learn how bootstrapping a web design consultancy from scratch can net $180K annually, boost your credibility through strategic design choices, and maintain a lean operation with 15 contractors across 5 continents to maximize a 40-50% gross margin.
56. Ascend Marketing, Inc ($180K/year)
Jim Ackerman, the founder of Ascend Marketing, came up with the idea for his business after realizing that many small businesses struggled with marketing and advertising. He developed a highly prescriptive coaching program that included weekly one-on-one meetings, specific assignments, and personalized feedback and accountability. The program has been successful, with over 600 businesses completing it and only one refund requested.
How much money it makes: $180K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 2
Ascend Marketing founder Jim Ackerman developed a six-month 1-on-1 coaching programme to help small business owners improve their marketing, advertising, and sales systems, resulting in over 600 businesses enrolled with a unique 200% ROI guarantee and a $15k monthly profit selling 2 dozen programs yearly, and now the company provides a business opportunity for marketing professionals seeking to become marketing coaches.
57. Blue Surge Marketing Agency ($168K/year)
Godson Michel founded Blue Surge Marketing Agency after running a successful sneaker marketplace business, KickBackz. When the sneaker market shifted, he recognized his marketing skills were in high demand and decided to start his own agency. With a strong brand name, a clean logo, and a well-designed website, Blue Surge has become one of the most sought-after multicultural marketing agencies in the US.
How much money it makes: $168K/year
How much did it cost to start: $150
How many people on the team: 3
Blue Surge Marketing Agency is a successful Black-owned marketing and website design firm specializing in e-commerce brands and nonprofit organizations and has been voted as a Top 20 Web Design Agency two years ago with over $1M in revenue and an average rating of five stars.
58. My Media Pal ($144K/year)
James Kuck, co-founder of My Media Pal, came up with the idea for his business after experiencing the struggle of generating inbound local leads for his construction company. He discovered the power of local SEO and decided to pivot, creating My Media Pal as a digital marketing agency that helps local businesses with web design, SEO, and paid ads. Eventually, they realized the value of owning the assets that generate leads and shifted their focus to rank and rent, offering optimized websites and exclusive leads to local businesses.
How much money it makes: $144K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K
How many people on the team: 1
My Media Pal is a successful digital agency that has morphed into three divisions, including a rank and rent business focused on generating local service leads, bringing in an average of $12,000-$15,000 per month.
59. Front Page SEO ($144K/year)
Janet Camilleri, the founder of Front Page SEO, initially started her business as Redland City Living, a local magazine-style blog. However, after a year, she realized that this wasn't what she truly wanted to do. In 2014, she rebranded as Front Page Web Writing, and eventually transitioned her business to specialize in search engine optimization (SEO). It took time for her business to become profitable, but with the help of a business coach, she has seen immense growth, surpassing her goal of making $100,000 AUD last year and expanding her team.
How much money it makes: $144K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
How many people on the team: 1
Janet Camilleri, the founder of Front Page SEO, turned her love for writing and passion for the web into a boutique digital marketing agency specialising in SEO, which has seen tripled turnover and doubled profits in the past year and launched a DIY SEO HQ membership program to guide small business owners.
60. VecRas Creations Pvt. Ltd. ($144K/year)
Spotting a gap in the booming gadget skin market, graphic designer Sunil Aggarwal launched VecRas in 2007 to supply essential digital templates, transforming a $1,000 per month start into a $20,000-$30,000 revenue stream with a nationwide customer base.
How much money it makes: $144K/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 10
Founder Sunil Aggarwal started VecRas in 2007, a digital design company that provides Vinyl Ready Vector cut file templates for skins and Smart PSD mockups for mobile devices, which initially did $1,000 per month and now expects $20,000 - $30,000 per month with customers growing nationwide.
61. Understanding eCommerce ($120K/year)
Mike Doherty, the founder of Understanding eCommerce, came up with the idea for his business after experiencing frustration with limited options and unreliable hosting services while building eCommerce sites for friends. He discovered the flexibility of WordPress, became an expert in WordPress-related issues, and realized the need for a reliable hosting service that specifically supports WordPress. Through his expertise and commitment to customer service, Understanding eCommerce has grown into a trusted provider for various digital marketing services.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 3
Understanding eCommerce is a business that offers worry-free hosting for WordPress sites, including maintenance, performance, and security, to help innovative companies build their brand awareness, grow their online reach, and convert visitors into customers.
62. Tatum Digital Agency ($120K/year)
AJ Tatum, founder of Tatum Digital Agency, came up with the idea for his business after realizing his passion for digital marketing and automation. With a background in web development and a desire to work with startups and small businesses, he launched TDA and has maintained an impressive average monthly income of ~$10k since May 2021. Through networking, offering free consultations, and creating quality content, AJ has been able to attract and retain customers for his digital presence management agency.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2.5K
How many people on the team: 1
Aspiring founders can learn how leveraging programming skills and effective digital marketing strategies enabled AJ Tatum to grow Tatum Digital Agency into a $120k/year freelance business, averaging around $10k in monthly income.
63. FounderPal ($120K/year)
After noticing that founders preferred tools over educational resources, Sveta Bay co-launched FounderPal, an AI-powered marketing tool, boosting their business to $10,000/month in revenue by transforming strategic AI prompts into actionable marketing plans.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
How many people on the team: 0
FounderPal is an AI-powered marketing tool for Solopreneurs generating around $10,000/mo through one-time payments, born out of the need to provide strategic marketing solutions rather than just content generation.
64. Digital Cohort ($120K/year)
Sepideh Maleki, a photographer based in the Seattle Metro Area, came up with the idea for her product photography business after setting up a Shopify store to sell wicker baskets. As she started shooting her own products and improving her photography skills, she realized that product photography itself could be a viable business opportunity. With a low cost of entry and a focus on acquiring local customers through platforms like Craigslist, Sepideh has been able to generate an average of $10k per month in revenue for her business.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 2
Product photographer Sepideh Maleki shares how she grew her business from scratch, generating an average of $10k per month through a focus on customer acquisition with a clear traffic and revenue plan, organic search optimization, and impeccable customer service.
65. 7 Eagles ($120K/year)
Ashkar Gomez, Founder & CEO of 7 Eagles, came up with the idea for his growth marketing agency after realizing that there was a lack of holistic SEO services in the market. He noticed that many agencies focused more on ads and social media marketing, while SEO took a backseat. With a passion for SEO and a desire to help brands reach their marketing goals, Gomez started 7 Eagles as a side hustle, offering SEO and WordPress services initially. As the agency grew, it expanded its services to include content writing, social media, emails, and website development, with a focus on delivering outstanding SEO results for clients. Now, with a team of 25 marketing experts and a revenue of $100,000 in 2022, 7 Eagles has plans to launch offices in global locations by 2023 and aims to become a leading growth marketing agency.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 10
7 Eagles is a growth marketing agency that offers low-priced holistic SEO services with a team of professionals who have helped over 100 brands in 10+ countries, and has earned $100,000 in revenue as of the 2022 annual calendar with plans to expand its offices to global locations by 2023.
66. voice over mehak ($108K/year)
Sandeep Salwann, the founder of VoiceOverMehak, came up with the idea for his voice-over marketplace after realizing his talent for observing people's voices and finding the right casting for projects. Through freelance work and connecting with other voice talents, he saw the opportunity to work as a casting director globally. With a website created using free resources and a focus on customer satisfaction, VoiceOverMehak has seen success, attracting clients such as a Hero group, and aims to expand its services and target American markets in the future.
How much money it makes: $108K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 5
Voice-over marketplace, VoiceOverMehak, has reached almost $100,000 in sales this year, operating with premium voice talents worldwide in almost all major spoken languages, having taken inspiration from leading competitors to build its own business model of no joining fees or commissions from voice talent in order to make affiliate marketing services more profitable.
67. Prime Marketing Experts ($108K/year)
Michael Krieger, the founder of Prime Marketing Experts, was inspired to start his business after developing a passion for marketing and website building through his involvement with a healthcare nonprofit organization. Recognizing the demand for digital marketing and website development services, he rebranded his business and focused on providing high-quality SEO and web development services. Today, the company has experienced significant growth and continues to attract and retain customers through referrals, networking, and a strong social media presence.
How much money it makes: $108K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 2
Prime Marketing Experts is a successful digital marketing agency that offers a wide variety of digital marketing solutions and has grown their business to $100k per year through referrals, building customer relationships, and expanding their focus with sales consulting services.
68. jonathan is media ($101K/year)
Jonathan discovered his passion for photography at a young age and honed his skills while studying photography in school. He stumbled upon an opportunity to help an Amazon FBA seller with product photography, which sparked his idea to start his own business offering product photography services specifically for Amazon sellers. By focusing on this niche market and delivering exceptional service, word-of-mouth referrals have been his primary source of customers.
How much money it makes: $101K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 0
This case study follows Jonathan from jonathanismedia.com, who started a product photography service for Amazon FBA sellers during his teenage years and now making close to $10k/month in profit, through word of mouth, offering exceptional quality services, and a focus on SEO, paid media, and word-of-mouth as long-term growth strategies.
69. SupplyDrop ($96K/year)
Danavir Sarria, an eCommerce marketing consultant, came up with the idea for SupplyDrop after his own luxury sportswear brand failed to be profitable. He realized that his skills in email marketing could be valuable to other eCommerce businesses and pivoted his focus to offering full-service email marketing services. Today, SupplyDrop is his flagship business, making an average of $8,000 per month and attracting clients such as Kettle & Fire and Lensabl.
How much money it makes: $96K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 0
Danavir Sarria shares how he built SupplyDrop, an eCommerce email marketing agency that helps scale 6, 7, and 8 figure businesses, and currently makes $8,000/month on average, through trial and error and thoughtful pivots, while utilizing content marketing and focusing on building trust with potential clients.
70. Smart Yeti Creative Agency ($96K/year)
Jeremy Kanne, founder of Smart Yeti, came up with the idea for his creative agency after realizing that technical companies needed help with messaging and marketing. With his background in civil engineering and a creative streak, Jeremy decided to combine his skills and provide affordable, high-quality services to these companies. The focus on technical clients and the introduction of retainer engagements have helped Smart Yeti attract and retain customers, leading to steady revenue growth of $1-2k per month.
How much money it makes: $96K/year
How many people on the team: 1
Smart Yeti is a successful creative agency offering fractional access to marketing services to highly technical companies and has seen YoY growth of 40%, with an average lifetime value of its customer of $50k in revenue.
71. MeetAnders ($87.9K/year)
Marilyn Wo, co-founder of MeetAnders, came up with the idea for her productized graphic design company after realizing the limitations of her freelance business. She saw the potential in offering predefined design packages on a subscription model, providing unlimited graphic design for a fixed fee per month. Through trial and error, Marilyn and her team grew the business to a three-person team with $7,000 in monthly recurring revenue, attracting customers such as event directors, CMOs, and startup founders who needed ongoing design support.
How much money it makes: $87.9K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 3
MeetAnders is a productized graphic design company offering unlimited graphic designs for just one fixed-fee a month, with a three-man team and $7,000 in monthly recurring revenue, all started without any upfront capital.
72. Anachak Design ($84K/year)
Vathana Nguon stumbled into starting his web design agency in 2015 with low expectations, but through face-to-face marketing and old-fashioned methods, he was able to grow his business and generate $5,000 per month. He built his expertise in WordPress development through self-teaching and extensive research, eventually launching his agency that focuses on WordPress design and development. By targeting the tourism industry and offering specialized services, he was able to stand out and become the go-to web designer for tourism businesses in Cambodia. Additionally, he utilized SEO and blogging to attract customers and achieve long-term success.
How much money it makes: $84K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.5K
How many people on the team: 3
Learn how Vathana Nguon started a freelance web design agency in Cambodia through self-taught WordPress design, attracting clients through search engine optimization and unique selling techniques, and utilizing tools like Themeforest and MailChimp to grow a steady stream of new and returning clients.
73. Kelsey Vetter Co. ($78K/year)
During the pandemic, Kelsey wanted to leave the corporate world and start making money online. She stumbled upon dropshipping and decided to start a print-on-demand Etsy shop. She soon realized that this business was too similar to her corporate job, but loved the Pinterest marketing aspect of the business. She decided she had the skills to turn this into a business.
How much money it makes: $78K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2.5K
How many people on the team: 0
Kelsey Vetter grew her Pinterest Marketing + Strategy company, generating $5,500 to $9,500 monthly since her first month where she made $675.
74. Rank Trends ($72K/year)
Md. Yousuf Ali, the founder of Rank Trends and Khan, came up with the idea for his business after discovering the potential of digital marketing through oDesk. With his background in web design and development, he launched Rank Trends to provide SEO, web design, and graphics design services. The business quickly gained traction and was recognized as the "Best SEO Service Provider in Bangladesh 2019." Today, Ali is expanding his retail business into the online space and plans to resume activities for Rank Trends soon.
How much money it makes: $72K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 2
This case study features Md. Yousuf Ali, the founder of Rank Trends, who shares how he started a successful digital marketing agency, which generated a revenue of over $6k per month through SEO and video production services.
75. backl.io ($62.4K/year)
Philipp, a product manager in Switzerland, created SEO Kickstarter as he struggled to get traffic for his shared flat site without using ads. Frustrated by the manual effort of backlink outreach, he automated the process and launched a guide, now boasting $5K MRR.
How much money it makes: $62.4K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
How many people on the team: 0
A Product Manager builds a successful side business that generates $5K MRR by creating an SEO guide for startups, turning initial failures into a profitable venture with a Twitter launch strategy that brings in 87 sales and $3400 revenue within a day.
76. Typewrite Transcription and Typing Services CC ($36K/year)
Gaynor Paynter had always dreamed of being her own boss and saw an opportunity to start her own typing and transcription business in 2005. With the advent of ADSL in South Africa, she was able to set up a home office and launch Typewrite Transcription and Typing Services. Through hard work, solid service, and effective marketing, Gaynor has built a successful business that continues to adapt and thrive in a challenging market.
How much money it makes: $36K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
How many people on the team: 2
A South African entrepreneur started a transcription and typing service business from home in 2005 with a few basic marketing strategies and solid service, despite challenges in a tough economic environment and the pandemic, and is making a success of virtual working with versatile services.
77. Indiebrands ($15.6K/year)
Laurids came up with the idea for Indiebrands after realizing that there was a need for better business names and logos at affordable prices. He was inspired by a website selling digital products in a simple way and knew he could provide a superior product. After launching on Product Hunt and making over $1,000 in less than 24 hours, Laurids realized that his idea could be a successful business.
How much money it makes: $15.6K/year
How much did it cost to start: $400
How many people on the team: 0
Indiebrands sells company names completed by ready-made logos and a great top-level domain, making an average monthly revenue of $1,300 in the last 12 months and growing about 200% in the last year through selling to startup founders and indie hackers.
78. nslookup.io ($6K/year)
Ruurtjan's idea for nslookup.io was born from his long-standing fascination with web tools and the digital space. Since his early days, running a school tabloid and attempting to create a flash game site, he always had a knack for online projects. Over time, his failed attempts and half-finished projects taught him a valuable lesson: the need to focus and commit to a single idea. Faced with a list of numerous potential projects, he carefully evaluated each one against specific criteria: longevity, potential profitability, and personal capability to execute it.
After identifying a promising concept with nslookup.io, Ruurtjan tackled the initial complexities of development, learning from past projects that simplicity often works best in the beginning. He initially struggled with a complex setup that led to technical debt and a lack of motivation. So, he restarted from scratch using familiar tech, taking shortcuts where possible, which allowed him to launch sooner rather than focusing on perfection from the start.
The founder's thought process was deeply rooted in strategic decision-making, choosing an idea with both personal interest and lasting relevance. Ruurtjan evaluated his ideas pragmatically and used lessons from previous endeavors to pick a project that not only aligned with his skills but was executable with a clear focus. By embracing the importance of starting with a simpler setup and pivoting when necessary, he learned that sometimes quick iterations and the courage to restart can save a lot of frustration and time in the long run.
How much money it makes: $6K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
How many people on the team: 0
A portfolio of web tools with a combined monthly unique user count of 250k, netting around $500 a month, looking to improve traffic and revenue by improving search volume and revenue per visitor, and actively looking to monetize ad space through a partner.
79. Mumu ($1.8K/year)
Wilbert, a software engineer from Indonesia, came up with the idea for Mumu while struggling to find emojis on his Mac. Realizing there was room for improvement, he created a simple landing page and gathered feedback from a small group of beta users. After launching and receiving overwhelming success on Product Hunt, Mumu has exceeded Wilbert's revenue expectations and continues to attract and retain customers through transparency, frequent updates, and excellent customer service.
How much money it makes: $1.8K/year
How much did it cost to start: $200
How many people on the team: 0
Indonesian software engineer Wilbert created Mumu, an emoji picker for macOS, which hit 10x his target revenue when he launched it recently, generating around $1,600 in total revenue, by designing and prototyping in Xcode and Figma, making a simple landing page to gain an initial beta launch momentum, and building in public to retain customers.
80. BT Neil Consulting ($12K/year)
Cornelia "Miss Co" Malloy came up with the idea for her online consulting business, BT Neil Consulting, after reflecting on her desire to have her own business and her skills in creating documents and navigating the internet. Her experience working in a long-term care facility as the Director of Social Services also inspired her to focus on providing resources on long-term care placement in a nursing facility. Despite not yet making significant profits, Cornelia remains consistent and is using social media and affiliate marketing to build awareness for her business.
How much money it makes: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
How many people on the team: 1
BT Neil Consulting founder, Cornelia "Miss Co" Malloy, shares how she started her online consulting business and the struggles she faced when trying to build awareness and gain customers while highlighting the importance of consistency and not giving up.
