11 Niche Accessories Brand Success Stories [2024]
Niche accessories make excellent small business ideas. The profit margins in these businesses are pretty significant because of the product markup. You could have a small Etsy store or sell them through marketplace sites such as Amazon, Facebook, and eBay.
The niche market for custom accessories is estimated to be nearly $473.46B by 2020 and it contains a variety of product categories ranging from jewelry, handbags, and small leather goods to house decorations and small fashion apparel accessories. Niche accessories are currently enjoying strong growth, projected to continue during this decade.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a niche accessories brand:
1. Braxley Bands ($1.2M/year)
Braxton Manley and his dorm-mate Grant Andrews started Braxley Bands as a class project at Texas Tech. With only a $20 investment and no prior business experience, they created an elastic Apple Watch band and scaled the business to $100K a month on Shopify within three years.
How much they make: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $20
Current team size: 3
Braxton Manley started Braxley Bands with only $20, creating an elastic Apple Watch band and scaling the business to an impressive $100K a month on Shopify, all without any other capital or investment.
2. Ekster ($18M/year)
Ekster was founded by Olivier Momma, Rick Scharnigg, and Richard Canneman, who were frustrated by the lack of innovation in everyday carry items like wallets. After validating their idea through market research and raising over $1 million on Kickstarter, they launched their flagship product, the Parliament wallet with a quick card access mechanism. They have since expanded their product line and become the world's "most successful smart wallet brand."
How much they make: $18M/year
Current team size: 18
Ekster founders discuss how they raised over $1M on Kickstarter, became the world’s “most successful smart wallet brand” according to Forbes, and offer advice for other entrepreneurs on using crowdfunding for market validation and early-stage funding.
So... can you actually make money with a niche accessories brand?
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 doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. AGood Company ($2.64M/year)
Founder Anders Ankarlid was inspired to start AGood Company after experiencing the cataclysmic environmental effects of the summer of 2018 in Sweden. Realizing the need to address the climate crisis, Ankarlid used his background in entrepreneurship and eCommerce to create a sustainable and social impact startup. AGood Company sells elegant, everyday products made from sustainable materials, with flagship products including mobile cases made from linseed waste and stone paper notebooks made from recycled industrial waste marble. In just over a year, AGood Company has gained a global customer base of 30,000 customers and achieves an average monthly revenue of $220,000.
How much they make: $2.64M/year
Current team size: 12
A sustainable and social impact startup founded in Stockholm, Sweden, Agood Company sells elegant, everyday products in sustainable materials, and has achieved a global customer base of about thirty thousand customers and average monthly revenue of $220,000 in just over a year, with a mission to inspire people to transform from mindless consumerism towards making more conscious decisions.
4. AR Catch22 ($7.2K/year)
Alex Corstorphine, the founder of AR Catch22, came up with the idea for his business while shooting at the range with his .22lr AR-15 rifle. He realized that converting the rifle caused the bolt catch to stop working, making it inconvenient to show that the rifle was clear. Determined to solve this problem, Alex created the AR Catch22 bolt catch to bring back the bolt-hold-open functionality to converted rifles. His initial prototype received a lot of interest and he went through a challenging process of designing, prototyping, and manufacturing the product before launching his business.
How much they make: $7.2K/year
Current team size: 1
AR Catch22 produces bolt catches for .22lr converted AR-15 rifles which restore bolt-hold-open functionality back to that of a standard (.223) AR-15, with sales averaging $600 per month and a total of 400 sales needed for break even.
So... can you actually make money with a niche accessories brand?
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 doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. Bravery Co ($36K/year)
Emily, the founder of Bravery Co., came up with the idea for her business after going through three cancer diagnoses herself. Frustrated with the lack of stylish headwear options for cancer warriors, she started experimenting with scarves and found that they made her feel more like herself. She launched Bravery Co. in 2016 and has since attracted a loyal following by sharing her story and empowering other women going through similar experiences. With a successful crowdfunding campaign and recognition from various publications, Bravery Co. continues to grow and make a difference in the lives of cancer warriors.
How much they make: $36K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 1
Bravery Co. is a company that empowers women with cancer through designer headwear for cancer warriors, earning an average of 3-5K profit a month and celebrating numerous PR coverage and awards.
6. Bighead Custom ($120K/year)
Chris D., the founder of Bighead Custom, came up with the idea for the business while experimenting with building and inventing things in his garage. After creating the first Bighead pendant and receiving mixed feedback, he fine-tuned the process and decided to launch the business using social media platforms. With time and perseverance, Chris was able to gain recognition by having celebrities like Chris Boykin and Scott Storch wear his pendants, helping Bighead gain popularity and success.
How much they make: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
Current team size: 3
Learn how Bighead Custom created wooden "BLING" pendants that now bring in enough revenue to take care of 4 full-time employees, without any real advertising, through their unique and one-of-a-kind product that doesn't exist anywhere else, capturing a large audience without paying for them, and the power of word-of-mouth marketing.
So... can you actually make money with a niche accessories brand?
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 doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
7. Yes To Brand ($132K/year)
Veronica Baljak, the co-owner of Yes to Brand, started her online business journey by building dropshipping stores for herself, family, and friends. Through networking, sharing her knowledge in blogs and on social media, and becoming a motivational dropshipping influencer, Veronica gained a dedicated following and decided to create Yes to Brand, an agency that helps people start and improve their online businesses. With sales averaging $11,000 per month, Veronica's positive mindset and passion for manifesting success have led to rapid growth and opportunities for collaboration.
How much they make: $132K/year
How much did it cost to start: $7K
Current team size: 3
Dropshipping entrepreneur Veronica Baljak shares how her agency, Yes to Brand, helps people start and grow their online businesses, averaging $11,000 in monthly sales just three months after launching by focusing on positive mindset, collaboration, and transparency with customers.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
