28 Media Company Success Stories [2023]
A media company is a business with professional editors and writers that create and publish content periodically. Media companies distribute content in different forms, including video, audio, and video.
To start a media company, determine the kind and size of the audience you are targeting. Then, create catchy content your potential audience will want to share or invite their friends to checkout.
Remember, quality content is nothing without a high-quality underlying platform. The content distribution platform should be easily accessible to your audience. Otherwise, your media company will not deliver quality results.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a media company:
1. Starter Story ($1.09M/year)
Pat came up with the idea for Starter Story after receiving numerous emails and messages about starting the website. Through his personal blog posts and monthly update articles, he chronicled the growth of Starter Story from its humble beginnings to reaching 1.4 million monthly visitors and generating $500,000 in annual revenue.
How much they make: $1.09M/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
Current team size: 6
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and $500,000 in annual revenue, and offers frameworks for growing your own site.
2. Warrior Lodge Media ($252K/year)
Wes O'Donnell came up with the idea for Warrior Lodge Media out of frustration with the lack of simple military information online. He wanted to create a website that compiled every piece of unclassified U.S. military information in existence, and with the help of his network of military and veteran writers, he built Warrior Lodge slowly and organically. Today, the site earns between $18,000-$22,000 per month through ads, t-shirt sales, and affiliate links, and is almost completely hands-off, generating passive income for O'Donnell.
How much they make: $252K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 2
This case study is about the founder of Warrior Lodge Media, Wes O'Donnell, who started an all-in-one informational website for military and veterans and turned it into a $21k/month media company and eCommerce store, almost completely hands-off and generating true passive income.
So... can you actually make money with a media company?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesnβt.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. Startup Story Private Limited ($60K/year)
Anil Bakshi and Animesh Shukla founded Startup Story to help aspiring entrepreneurs gain credibility and visibility in the market. Recognizing that 90% of startups fail due to a lack of team credibility, they provide startup support services and media promotion through brand stories, podcasts, and video interviews. With over 150 inspiring stories and 50k monthly unique visitors, Startup Story is empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
How much they make: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 10
Startup Story is a media platform that promotes startups and small businesses through podcasts, live interviews, and real-life stories, with over 150 stories covered and a monthly traffic of 50k unique visitors.
4. Sunlight Media LLC. ($204K/year)
After years of performing as a professional musician, Angelo Frisina developed skills in web design during his downtime on tour. Recognizing the demand for website development services, he founded Sunlight Media and grew the business through outsourcing and targeted marketing efforts. The company has since won industry awards and expanded its clientele, specializing in digital marketing services for the media and entertainment industry.
How much they make: $204K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 2
Sunlight Media is a digital marketing company with a focus on web design and app development, that serves different customers across various industries, and has won industry awards and is continuing to expand in terms of revenue, enterprise productivity, and brand value.
So... can you actually make money with a media company?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesnβt.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. Joker Mag ($3K/year)
Tyler O'Shea, founder of Joker Mag, drew inspiration for his media platform from his personal experience of being cut from his baseball team in 7th grade. He found solace in the stories of undersized athletes who defied the odds, and he wanted to share those stories to inspire others. Today, Joker Mag receives an average of 25,000 monthly visitors, generating approximately $250 in revenue per month with potential for significant growth.
How much they make: $3K/year
How much did it cost to start: $200
Current team size: 0
A media platform celebrating underdog stories in sports, Joker Mag, founded by Tyler O'Shea, receives an average of 25,000 monthly visitors generating $250/mo, and focuses on improving traffic through SEO, seeking to move towards brand partnerships as a primary monetization method in the future.
6. MrBeast YouTube Channel ($54M/year)
How much they make: $54M/year
Current team size:
Discover how MrBeast raised $20 million, donated over 100 cars, gave away a private island, and $1 million in one video, all while building and growing his own successful business.
So... can you actually make money with a media company?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesnβt.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
7. Fin vs Fin ($480K/year)
Alex Goldberg, the founder of Fin vs Fin, started the business as a "dumb side project" with his ex-boss-turned-side-hustle-partner. They initially focused on comparing fintech startups, but pivoted to reviewing wellness products after noticing the influx of venture capital in the industry. With their first sale earning them a $10 commission, they realized they had a proof of concept and kept growing the business with high-quality content and partnerships. They went from making enough to cover their car payments to reaching $500k in revenue in just two years.
How much they make: $480K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 10
Learn how the founder of Fin vs Fin turned a "dumb side project" into a profitable media business generating $70k in profit per month, by committing to creating a "dumb blog" and consistently experimenting with strategies to attract and retain customers.
8. Franchise UK ($600K/year)
Joel Bissitt, founder of Franchise UK, had always dreamt of being an entrepreneur. Drawing inspiration from UK business icons like Richard Branson and Alan Sugar, he started the business at the age of 19 with just Β£1000 of funding. Through his expertise in SEO and a user-friendly website design, Franchise UK has experienced rapid growth, achieving a 50% increase in turnover last year and attracting some of the world's largest brands.
How much they make: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 5
Franchise UK is the UKβs largest franchise directory helping franchise businesses to grow by generating quality franchisee recruitment leads online, with a 50% increase in turnover last year and big plans to further expand in different directions over the coming years.
9. The College Investor ($288K/year)
How much they make: $288K/year
Current team size: 2
From a side hustle making $10k per month to earning $24k/month currently, a sole founder built The College Investor to assist in getting out from under student loan debt β with over 1 million monthly visitors seeking advice on student loans, taxes, tax software, investing, insurance, and budgeting.
10. On Brand ($1.8K/year)
After working in the merchandising industry at Banana Republic and earning his MBA, Brian McEuen noticed a shift in how men were shopping for clothes. He saw an opportunity to curate personalized selections for guys shopping online, leading him to start On Brand. With 75 users and an annual revenue run rate of $1800, Brian aims to improve and expand his product in the future.
How much they make: $1.8K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.2K
Current team size: 1
On Brand founder Brian McEuen curates personalized selections of clothing for men online, sending emails to individual users without duplicate products, with 75 current users and an annualized revenue run rate of $1800.
11. YourAverageTechBro ($30K/year)
Dohyun Kim, the founder of YourAverageTechBro, stumbled upon creating social media content during the pandemic. After realizing the potential of short-form videos on TikTok, he leaned into his competitive advantage as a software engineer and began creating content that resonated with his audience. Currently earning an average of $3,000 per month, Dohyun plans to expand his revenue streams through original content and product sales in the future.
How much they make: $30K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 1
Dohyun Kim shares his journey starting as a software engineer on YouTube and pivoting into short-form content on TikTok and Instagram with 155,000 followers and 11,000 subscribers, currently averaging $3000/month across ad money, sponsored content, and course sales.
12. Medium ($34.8M/year)
How much they make: $34.8M/year
Current team size: 5288
13. My Curly Adventures ($48K/year)
Jessica, the founder of MyCurlyAdventures, came up with the idea for her business after realizing that there was a demand for travel destinations close to home that could be visited on a weekend getaway. By showcasing these unique and lesser-known locations in Texas through her blog and social media, she was able to attract a growing audience and monetize her platform through advertising, sponsorships, and affiliate income. With her income steadily increasing and a constant focus on creating high-quality content, Jessica's future looks bright as she continues to inspire others to explore and travel.
How much they make: $48K/year
Current team size: 2
Learn how Jessica started a niche travel blog and quit her 9-5 job, earning a living wage through Instagram advertising, sponsorships, and affiliate income, while traveling 3-4 times a month and increasing her website traffic from 400 to 25k page views in a year with Pinterest and Instagram growth tactics.
14. CoinSnacks ($360K/year)
Dillon, the co-founder of CoinSnacks, came up with the idea for the business after being fired from his job at a financial research company. With some severance and time on his hands, he realized there was a need for a beginner-friendly crypto newsletter. Since launching in 2017, CoinSnacks has become the longest continuously running crypto newsletter on the market, with over 70,000 weekly readers and a monthly revenue of ~$30,000 in 2022.
How much they make: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 3
Crypto newsletter CoinSnacks co-founded by Dillon has been able to make $30,000 monthly by acquiring competitors and using lead generation techniques while offering a beginner-friendly layout.
15. All Things Commerce Helsinki Ltd. ($6M/year)
Jonas Forth, managing director at All Things Commerce Helsinki Ltd., came up with the idea for the business after seeing similar brands struggle with their online presence. With a background in journalism and online content production, Forth saw an opportunity to combine content and commerce to help Nordic brands reach a global audience. With a monthly turnover of β¬75,000 and annual growth of 20%, the company is now owned by parent company Moomin Characters and is looking to expand its operations with an on-demand model.
How much they make: $6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $100K
Current team size: 30
All Things Commerce Helsinki Ltd has achieved a monthly turnover of β¬75k and annual growth of 20%, shipping to over 50 countries with over 700 items, by focusing on creating search engine optimized content for their global brand Moomin.
16. Tons of Thanks ($100K/year)
Having learned about blogging back in 2013, Heidi wanted to enter a niche she could perform well in. Thank you writing was one space she was good at, having written notes since her childhood. Seeing the examples of other such notes and cards on the internet felt way too generic to her, and she knew she could better than them.
How much they make: $100K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10
Current team size: 0
Heidi Bender started Tons of Thanks in 2014, developing it into the go-to resource for over 15 million people to write meaningful thank-you messages, handling ad revenues, SEO and learning to not give up even when the "passive income" point is reached.
17. Side Hustle Nation ($420K/year)
Nick, the founder of Side Hustle Nation, started the blog and podcast as a side project in 2013. With just 11 people on his email list, he interviewed other side hustlers and entrepreneurs about their ideas and strategies. Fast forward to today, the podcast has been downloaded over 23 million times and the website reaches millions of visitors each year, proving that there is a demand for realistic ways to make extra money.
How much they make: $420K/year
How much did it cost to start: $250
Current team size: 1
Millions of people have turned to Side Hustle Nation since 2013 for realistic ways to make extra cash, with the podcast reaching over 23 million downloads and the website welcoming millions of visitors yearly.
18. Altered State Productions ($960K/year)
As a passionate media enthusiast, Eddie Castillo came up with the idea for Altered State Productions based on his childhood fascination with commercials and trailers. After recognizing the time and resource-consuming process of finding marketing service providers, Eddie and his business partner developed a Service-as-a-Product model that offers transparent pricing and a user-friendly experience. Their dedication to providing high-quality video production services has led to collaborations with prominent clients and the success of their agency.
How much they make: $960K/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
Current team size: 13
Altered State Productions offers a one-stop-shop for digital marketing and video production services, servicing B2B and B2C clients nationwide with a 100% retention rate and 80% of business from returning customers.
19. Organically Addison ($144K/year)
Addison LaBonte, the founder of a portfolio of high-traffic food websites, came up with the idea for her business after adopting a gluten-free lifestyle to help with her Compartment Syndrome. After gaining a significant following on Instagram, she decided to create a website to share her recipes, which ultimately led to the rapid growth and profitability of her business. She has since focused on consistency, keyword research, and audience engagement to attract and retain customers, and plans to scale her company by purchasing more websites and building a team.
How much they make: $144K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 1
20. Wealthtender ($96K/year)
Brian Thorp founded Wealthtender in 2019 to provide inclusive financial advice and resources for people of all income levels. With over 40,000 monthly visitors, Wealthtender generates $8,000 in revenue each month from financial professionals who subscribe to their digital marketing benefits. Thorp identified a gap in the market for a financial advisor review platform and capitalized on new SEC regulations to launch Wealthtender's SEC-compliant online review platform, further expanding their offerings and establishing their authority in the industry.
How much they make: $96K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100K
Current team size: 1
Wealthtender's founder Brian Thorp created an SEC-compliant financial advisor review platform which generated $8,000 a month from 40,000 monthly visitors in 2019, and now earns over $40-$50 a month from 200 paying financial professional clients, receiving over 30,000 monthly visitors and being in the first page of Google for various search terms.
21. StartupTalky ($120K/year)
Shubham Kumar, the founder of StartupTalky, came up with the idea for his business after realizing there was a lack of community and resources for entrepreneurs in India. He started a Facebook group and began posting valuable content for aspiring startup founders, which quickly gained traction and grew to over 100K members. To monetize the community, he started a blog featuring stories and challenges faced by founders, which eventually led to a profitable media platform making $10K/month.
How much they make: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $99
Current team size: 13
Indian startup founder Shubham Kumar shared his story of how he founded Startuptalky, a community and media platform for entrepreneurs; the platform currently focuses on content and the Indian region, with notable achievements including a Facebook group for entrepreneurs with 100k members, a media company startuptalky.com with over a million page views per month, which also has a Digital PR service, a lead-capturing tool called Seizelead, and profits collectively from blog and the PR agency of $10k per month, serving startups including unicorns from across the globe.
22. Radical FIRE ($72K/year)
Marjolein Dilven, the founder of Radical FIRE, came up with the idea for her personal finance platform after googling "how to retire early" and discovering the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement. Despite starting with a negative net worth and no previous writing experience, Dilven consistently published content and eventually learned about SEO, which helped her attract more traffic to her website. Today, Radical FIRE generates around $6,000 in monthly revenue and has over 100,000 monthly pageviews, all organic.
How much they make: $72K/year
How much did it cost to start: $180
Current team size: 2
Radical FIRE, a personal finance platform run by women for women, has grown to $6,000 in monthly revenue and 100,000 monthly pageviews with no ads, 120% more than last year, while founder Marjolein Dilven also gets to live her dream life of traveling the world after quiting her job to work on Radical FIRE full-time.
23. Man of Many ($4.8M/year)
Scott Purcell and Frank met in 2010 and, fueled by their shared interests and a gap in the market, they came up with the idea for Man of Many in 2012. Starting as a part-time endeavor, they gradually expanded their content and saw significant growth after going full-time. They focused on creating high-quality curated content, engaged with their audience on social media platforms, and built a strong online presence to establish Man of Many as a trusted men's lifestyle site.
How much they make: $4.8M/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
Current team size: 14
This case study article follows the journey of Man of Many, one of the world's largest men's lifestyle sites, which has grown from a part-time hobby to a leading media brand with over 2 million monthly readers and $4M in annual revenue through a dedicated content strategy and organic growth.
24. Life Boost Nutrition ($12K/year)
Alexandra Ng, the founder of Life Boost Nutrition, came up with the idea for her business after witnessing her grandfather struggle with bone health issues. She realized there was a lack of easily accessible, reliable information about supplements and nutritional strategies for the aging population. With her background in digital media and marketing, she decided to fill this information gap by launching LifeBoostNutrition.com, a digital platform offering comprehensive reviews of health supplements and guidance on maintaining physical and mental health.
How much they make: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $3K
Current team size: 2
Founder Alexandra Ng built Life Boost Nutrition, a digital platform offering health supplement reviews and guidance on physical and mental health, with a team of freelance writers, focusing on SEO to attract traffic and advertisers, resulting in a profitable business with a consistently growing reader base, plans for expansion, and positive feedback from readers.
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