53 Online Retail Store Business Success Stories [2024]
Starting an online retail store is straightforward. All you need is a computer, a domain, and a web hosting service. Then, determine a niche for your online store, and conduct product research before listing products.
You can start your online store based on a drop shipping business model or list your self-made products in your online store.
In this list, you'll find real-world online retail store success stories and very profitable examples of starting a online retail store that makes money.
1. Trunki ($12M/year)
Rob Law, founder of Trunki, came up with the idea for a ride-on suitcase for kids while browsing through a department store during his time as a product design student. He realized that ride-on toys wasted a lot of space and decided to create a suitcase that maximized internal space while also entertaining kids. After facing setbacks, such as a failed licensing deal and a humiliating experience on Dragons' Den, Law persevered and turned Trunki into a global brand, selling over 4 million suitcases in over 100 countries.
How much money it makes: $12M/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 80
Trunki CEO and Founder Rob Law turned his innovative ride-on kids suitcase design into a global lifestyle brand, selling over 4 million suitcases in over 100 countries and earning £9.5 million in 2019, by understanding his customers and prioritizing customer service and reviews.
2. SendAFriend ($9.6M/year)
Tyler Macke, the 21-year-old founder of SendAFriend, came up with the idea for his business after realizing that many of his favorite e-commerce brands lacked a philanthropic purpose. He wanted to create something different and decided to launch SendAFriend, an e-commerce brand that sells stuffed animal care packages. The business has seen significant growth, with projected revenue of $5 million for 2020, and has already donated over $250,000 to children's hospitals.
How much money it makes: $9.6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 20
Meet Tyler Macke, the 21-year-old founder of SendAFriend, an e-commerce brand that sells stuffed animal care packages, which began with $50k in revenue in 2019 and is now on track to make $5M in revenue this year, while donating 10% of revenue to children's hospitals throughout the United States.
3. BLAQ ($7.9M/year)
Ryan Channing discovered the power of activated charcoal during a trip to Japan and quickly turned a viral peel-off charcoal face mask into an $8 million business in its first year. Sharing hilarious videos of friends using the product, BLAQ's success skyrocketed, bolstered by partnerships with major subscription beauty boxes.
How much money it makes: $7.9M/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
How many people on the team: 6
The BLAQ Group, an Australian beauty company known for its detoxifying skincare products, was founded in 2016 by Ryan Channing and generated over $8 million in sales in its first year, and now the company is working to expand into brick-and-mortar distribution and partnerships in the US market.
4. Flute Center of New York ($6.6M/year)
Phil Unger founded the Flute Center of New York after pivoting from his Radio-TV degree to musical instrument repair, influenced by his musician father. By specializing in professional flute repair and building personal relationships, he grew the business to $7M in sales by 2019.
How much money it makes: $6.6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 16
Flute Center of New York is the largest flute-centric company in the world, servicing musicians globally with an impressive retail level sales of over 7 million USD in 2019 by selling flutes and piccolos ranging from $500 to an astonishing $75,000.
5. The Hygiene Company ($6.25M/year)
Jonathan Bradford came up with the idea for his hygiene solutions business, Wipepod, when he was at a local gym and realized there was no convenient way to access disinfectant wipes to clean the equipment. He believed that providing a nice-looking dispenser that held a good number of antibacterial wipes would enhance cleanliness in organizations and improve compliance with hygiene practices. Since then, Wipepod has grown and expanded its manufacturing capabilities, supplying gyms, offices, universities, and more with their product worldwide.
How much money it makes: $6.25M/year
How much did it cost to start: $65K
How many people on the team: 6
A hygiene solutions company founded by Jonathan Bradford now earns £500k/month, after years of developing a wall-mounted antibacterial wipe dispenser that is used in health clubs, workplaces, and in over 100 locations worldwide, and also developing an electronic washroom hygiene monitor.
6. Herbal Goodness ($6M/year)
Dr. Unoma Okorafor, founder and CEO of Herbal Goodness, came up with the idea for her business while pregnant with her third child. She wanted to eat healthier and was advised to consume papaya for its health benefits. However, she realized that the papayas available in stores were genetically modified and lacked the quality she experienced in Nigeria. This sparked her passion to provide organic superfood products, starting with papaya leaf tea, and has since expanded to a wide range of nutrient-dense herbs and supplements.
How much money it makes: $6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 10
7. Chargeasap ($6M/year)
Chargeasap, a consumer electronics startup, was founded by a serial entrepreneur who had previous experience in the fashion accessories industry. Frustrated with the limitations of current power banks and cables, he saw an opportunity to develop innovative mobile phone accessories. Through the magic of crowdfunding, Chargeasap has successfully raised over $3.7 million and delivered products to more than 130 countries.
How much money it makes: $6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $40K
How many people on the team: 4
Chargeasap, a Sydney-based startup, has raised over $3.7 million and delivered to more than 130 countries, and now generates over $500,000 per month selling a range of portable batteries and charging accessories.
8. The Clunker Junker ($5.89M/year)
Eric and Valerie Mitz, founders of The Clunker Junker, initially started off as an affiliate website generating leads for junk car removal companies. However, after facing challenges and setbacks, they decided to provide the service themselves and built a custom software platform connecting junk car buyers and sellers. The Clunker Junker has since grown into a successful business, generating close to $6 million in revenue in 2020.
How much money it makes: $5.89M/year
How much did it cost to start: $20
How many people on the team: 4
The Clunker Junker founders built a modern platform that has enabled the purchase of hundreds of thousands of cars across the US, generating almost $6 million in revenue in 2020 and changing their lives forever.
9. Chronoexpert ($5.76M/year)
Pablo, the founder of Chronoexpert, came up with the idea for his luxury watches marketplace after seeing a gap in the market. With the pre-loved luxury goods industry growing at +20% annually, Pablo saw an opportunity to create a platform that focused on pre-owned luxury watches. Since launching almost 3 years ago, Chronoexpert has generated over 2.5 million euros in revenue and is looking to continue growing and exploring new opportunities in the luxury watches industry.
How much money it makes: $5.76M/year
How much did it cost to start: $180K
How many people on the team: 8
Chronoexpert, a luxury watches marketplace, has seen revenue exceeding 2.5M Euros in less than three years, with a growth potential of more than 20% YoY in the pre-owned market, highlighting the viability and potential of a pre-loved focus.
10. Machinery Partner ($4.8M/year)
Ciaran, the founder of Machinery Partner, came up with the idea after realizing the large service gap between machinery dealers and customers in the heavy equipment industry. He saw an opportunity to digitize the industry and started reaching out to end-users to recruit more dealers, boosting revenue by 47% in just 18 months. Inspired by active Facebook groups and the trust-building power of content, Ciaran launched Machinery Partner and has since sold nearly half a million dollars worth of machinery per month, with plans to raise financing for rapid growth.
How much money it makes: $4.8M/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
How many people on the team: 6
Machinery Partner's founder Ciaran made almost $500k in machinery sales last month targeting small to medium-sized contracting businesses in the US and aims to become the go-to digital dealership for heavy equipment, with its standout quality being accessible remotely, delivered directly from manufacturers.
11. Vertellis ($4.8M/year)
Bart and his partner came up with the idea for Vertellis after creating a handwritten question card game to connect with their families during the holiday season. The game sparked meaningful conversations and brought them closer together. They decided to launch the game through crowdfunding on Facebook, and it quickly gained traction, resulting in 25,000 pre-orders and the birth of their business.
How much money it makes: $4.8M/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 10
Co-founders of Vertellis, a mindfulness brand that sells card games, journals, and an online course, discuss their mission to bring people closer together and their business model which involves around 30% of sales on Amazon and a Facebook ad spend of $2.5 million in 2019, bringing in an average of $400K per month with peaks during Q4.
12. STOCK ($3.6M/year)
Jim Snediker, CEO of Stock Manufacturing Company, pivoted from high-end menswear to B2B uniforms after being approached by a Michelin-star restaurant in 2013. This strategic shift propelled their business to $3.4 million in revenue by 2023.
How much money it makes: $3.6M/year
How many people on the team: 11
Case study on the transformation of a D2C menswear brand into a successful B2B uniform provider for hospitality industry giants, achieving revenue growth from $700k in 2019 to $3.4M in 2023, through strategic collaborations, product expansion, and community-driven initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
13. ShakeSphere ($3.6M/year)
ShakeSphere, an award-winning shaker bottle manufacturer, was founded by elite sprinter Rick Beardsell. After experiencing the limitations and inefficiencies of existing shaker bottles while training as an athlete, he set out to create a better solution. With a focus on innovation and functionality, ShakeSphere's unique design quickly gained popularity, leading to international success and partnerships with major supplement brands.
How much money it makes: $3.6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $75K
How many people on the team: 1
ShakeSphere, an award-winning shaker bottle manufacturer founded by an elite athlete, has generated $4 million in annual revenue globally, and has won awards from Men's Health and Amazon for its innovative design, including no-mesh grid or mixing ball, making cleaning and efficiency better than ever.
14. Origen RV Accessories LTD. ($3.6M/year)
Gord Wilson, the founder of Origen RV Accessories, came up with the idea for the world's only permanent jack pad after being diluted out of a majority ownership position in his previous successful RV accessory company. In 2015, Gord approached his three grown sons with the concept for the permanent jack pad, and they used their combined industry experience and digital marketing expertise to launch the company with just three SKUs. Since then, Origen RV Accessories has experienced impressive growth, grossing over $130,000 in its first year and achieving an average year-over-year growth of 124%.
How much money it makes: $3.6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
How many people on the team: 16
Origen RV Accessories has grown by an average of 124% YoY, grossing over USD 130,000 in the first year, and now carries over 40 SKUs, with six major distributors, and more than 300 RV dealerships, recently recording a NPS of 88 with their unique RV SnapPads.
15. Soundbrenner ($3.36M/year)
Florian Simmendinger came up with the idea for Soundbrenner while in Berlin, after meeting other entrepreneurs and realizing there was no reason to wait to start his own business. He teamed up with co-founder Julian Vogels and developed the concept of a vibrating metronome, which eventually led to the creation of their first product, Pulse, a smart wearable device. After successfully launching on Indiegogo and raising $1.6M, Soundbrenner has sold close to 100,000 wearables and become a popular choice among musicians, with their mobile app boasting over 6 million downloads and 600,000 monthly users.
How much money it makes: $3.36M/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 17
Soundbrenner raised $1.6M on Indiegogo and sold close to 100,000 smart wearables for musicians, featuring a vibration metronome that can be felt, rather than heard, and released a full smartwatch for musicians; the company's mobile app is the world's most popular metronome with over 6 million downloads and over 600,000 musicians that use it every month.
16. Countryside Amish Furniture ($3M/year)
Mel Stutzman, the founder of Countryside Amish Furniture, came up with the idea for his business by combining his furniture expertise, Amish business connections, and entrepreneurial ambitions. After experiencing setbacks with previous furniture companies, he realized the importance of being conveniently accessible to target markets and decided to create a digitally-based operation that could sell throughout the country. Today, Countryside Amish Furniture generates millions in sales by partnering with Amish artisans to offer thousands of made-to-order furniture options to buyers across the continental US.
How much money it makes: $3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $120K
How many people on the team: 0
Countryside Amish Furniture is a highly successful e-commerce retailer generating millions in sales annually by partnering with Amish artisans to offer thousands of made-to-order, high-quality wooden furniture options and prioritizing customer communication and SEO strategy.
17. Backstage Rock Shop ($2.22M/year)
Matti Lehtonen, the founder of Backstage Rock Shop, got the idea for his business while playing in a rock band and handling their merchandise. He noticed that existing merchandising companies in Finland were doing things wrong, so he and three friends started Backstage Rock Shop with the goal of being the best, most artist-friendly merchandise company in the country. Since then, they have grown significantly, with annual revenue now reaching over $2 million.
How much money it makes: $2.22M/year
How much did it cost to start: $40K
How many people on the team: 5
Case study on Backstage Rock Shop, which grew from $150k annual revenue in its first year to looking at $2M+ revenue in 2020, selling rock bands' official merchandise in over 80 countries, with a growing roster of artists, exclusive items, and a focus on premium quality and customer service.
18. Dexpel ($1.44M/year)
In 2009, Sarim, a programmer and digital marketing expert, started Dexpel with a budget of $2,000 and a small A3 printer, laminator, and cutting system. Frustrated with the limited customization options available when shopping for apparel and merchandise, Sarim researched manufacturing processes and discovered that he could create these items in-house. With the introduction of an online customizer, Dexpel became the first company in Pakistan to offer this feature, leading to rapid growth and expansion into a full-fledged facility with over 30 employees. Their revenue has grown from $2,000 per month to $165,000 per year, but Sarim measures success by the team and product line growth.
How much money it makes: $1.44M/year
How much did it cost to start: $3K
How many people on the team: 10
Dexpel, a Pakistani custom print store, grew from a budget of $2,000 for just a few vinyl customization products to over 200+ unique products and $165,000/year in revenue, by prioritizing online sales and developing in-house technology for order fulfillment.
19. biöm ($1.2M/year)
After sharing his dental expertise on Twitter and gaining a following, "Gator" was frequently asked, "when are you going to make a toothpaste?" Leveraging his background and overcoming his own dental issues, he co-founded Biöm, launching a successful toothpaste tablet business with a monthly run rate of $100,000 and 30% returning customer rate.
How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $38K
How many people on the team: 3
A dentist's journey from twitter educator to toothpaste entrepreneur, creating a successful brand with a unique formula to maintain oral health, all while emphasizing transparency and effective, authentic marketing strategies to attract and retain customers.
20. Hagan Ski ($1.08M/year)
After growing up in a flat region of Minnesota, the founder developed a passion for skiing and an admiration for brands that focused on quality and specialty products. Years later, after a career in the military and coaching endurance athletes, he combined his love for skiing with business and launched Hagan Ski Mountaineering, a company dedicated exclusively to backcountry ski touring. With a focus on performance and durability, Hagan has gained recognition and seen 50% annual growth in recent years, appealing to both devoted backcountry skiers and specialty retailers.
How much money it makes: $1.08M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 1
Hagan is a ski mountaineering gear company that has 50% annual growth and focuses solely on backcountry ski touring, resulting in the world’s widest selection of mountaineering skis.
21. Small Axe Peppers Hot Sauce ($1.02M/year)
Small Axe Peppers was founded by John Crotty, who saw the potential in an empty lot in the Bronx and decided to turn it into a community garden. Realizing that peppers were the ideal crop for the small space, he came up with the idea to make hot sauce as a way to support the garden and create a commercially scalable product. With the help of Executive Chef King Phojanakong, they developed the Small Axe Peppers line of sauces. Since then, the company has grown exponentially, partnering with over 200 community gardens and distributing their sauces nationwide.
How much money it makes: $1.02M/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
How many people on the team: 3
Small Axe Peppers is a thriving hot sauce manufacturing business that partners with over 200 community gardens in the United States, growing locally sourced produce and producing an impressive 70,000 bottles of hot sauce per year; the success is the result of a genuine mission, a great story, an online business, and active social media channels.
22. Hammock Sky ($960K/year)
TCM, the owners of Hammock Sky, bought the brand from its original owner, who was an American expat living in Thailand. The original owner had a vision to share the experience of extreme relaxation with people everywhere, leading to the creation of premium quality, spacious hammocks. TCM recognized the brand's values and purchased the business in 2017, experiencing great success with over $2.4 million in revenue and more than 44,000 units sold in 2020.
How much money it makes: $960K/year
How much did it cost to start: $49
How many people on the team: 100
Hammock Sky, owned by TCM, has increased sales to $2.4M through producing larger, higher quality hammocks and hammock chairs that cater to everyone’s relaxation needs and promoting greater customer loyalty and engaging with influencers on various online platforms.
23. Stacked ($720K/year)
Druce, one of the co-founders of Stacked, initially started the business as a platform to cut out the middleman in the real estate industry. However, they realized that the market wasn't ready for their product and shifted their focus to creating comprehensive and objective condo reviews, which set them apart from the competition. Their strategy of doubling down on content, including long-tail keywords, has resulted in immediate growth for the business.
How much money it makes: $720K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
How many people on the team: 10
24. BIGFILMS ($720K/year)
Steven Liszka, a French filmmaker, came up with the idea for BIGFILMS after struggling to find funding for his own short film. He decided to create a business that could fund his projects and used his expertise in special effects to develop the Blockbuster Starter Pack. With a complete redesign of his website and a focus on storytelling, Liszka was able to turn BIGFILMS into a successful venture, generating over $35K in monthly revenue.
How much money it makes: $720K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 1
French filmmaker Steven Liszka's BIGFILMS generates $35k+ per month by providing digital tools that give filmmakers access to special effects, with video ads proving to be a game-changer for the business.
25. OrderOfBooks.com ($600K/year)
Graeme McGaw came up with the idea for OrderOfBooks.com after realizing the need for a resource that provided book readers with the order of books in a series. With his passion for books and his expertise from the gambling industry, he launched the website, which now makes six figures per year and serves as a valuable resource for readers worldwide.
How much money it makes: $600K/year
How much did it cost to start: $200K
How many people on the team: 8
OrderOfBooks.com is a website that lists books in both publication and chronological order and generates six-figure revenue after starting off as a resource for the founder and his friends, serving as a valuable resource for book readers.
26. AVTOPRO ($540K/year)
In a communal apartment in Odessa, Evgeny Alyanchikov and friends turned their classic web studio into a major marketplace, Avto.pro. By 2021, over 5,000 stores in Ukraine sold automotive products worth $105 million through their platform.
How much money it makes: $540K/year
How much did it cost to start: $35K
How many people on the team: 50
Avto.pro is a leading Ukrainian marketplace for auto products that sold goods worth $105 million in 2021, with the potential to become a new Unicorn, by providing unique solutions that digitize the market, optimize logistics and trade chains, rebuilding relations between car owners and service stations, and introduce simplicity and transparency to the process for the client.
27. Utokia ($504K/year)
After overcoming a wrist injury and opioid dependency, Holly Hillyer discovered cannabis through her parents' homemade edibles. This, combined with Oregon's newly legalized cannabis market in 2016, inspired her to leave her project management job and launch Utokia, now generating $30,000 monthly.
How much money it makes: $504K/year
How much did it cost to start: $30K
How many people on the team: 2
Discover the journey of a cannabis entrepreneur who transitioned from opioids to cultivating some of the best indoor flowers in the nation, generating $30,000 a month, and expanding into a hemp-derived product line that already rakes in $15,000 a month in revenue.
28. Knee Deep Limited LLC ($480K/year)
Garret "Buddy" Lamp and Taylor "Earl" Nees co-founded Muff Waders after Earl woke up to find a drawing he made during a night out back in 2017. Initially shared as a joke, they saw potential and now average $3,600 in sales per month, featuring a six-pack cooler in the bibs.
How much money it makes: $480K/year
How much did it cost to start: $34K
How many people on the team: 0
Muff Waders is a fun yet practical product that combines bibs for working outdoors with additional features such as insulated coolers, concealed pockets and a bottle opener; since launching in September 2019, they have been averaging $3,600 a month in sales.
29. FilterGrade ($360K/year)
Mike Moloney, the founder of FilterGrade, started the business in 2013 after selling digital products on different marketplaces. He initially launched FilterGrade as a collection of Photoshop Actions and later expanded it to be a marketplace for creators, offering digital assets such as presets, LUTs, and video templates. Through constant adaptation and a focus on content marketing and partnerships, FilterGrade has attracted over 450,000 monthly users and achieved success in the competitive creative industry.
How much money it makes: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 2
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
30. Wave Connect ($300K/year)
After working in banking and transitioning to a sales role, George El-Hage noticed that sales teams wasted countless hours managing new contacts. Frustrated by the inefficiency, he built Wave Connect with just $5,000, a digital business card solution now generating $25K in monthly revenue.
How much money it makes: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 2
Discover how George El-Hage built Wave Connect, a sales and marketing tool that helps professionals exchange contact information and manage leads efficiently, resulting in monthly revenues of $25K per month and a customer base of 12,000, primarily acquired through organic LinkedIn outreach.
31. COOLERSbyU ($300K/year)
Garrett Barretta came up with the idea for COOLERSbyU after witnessing the laborious process of preparing coolers for painting during his college years. He saw the need for an easier way to paint coolers and after conducting research and receiving support from the CEO of Jansy Packaging, he launched his business. In just four years, COOLERSbyU has grown from earning a few thousand dollars per month to an impressive average of over $25k per month.
How much money it makes: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $40K
How many people on the team: 0
How a recent college graduate started COOLERSbyU, a paintable cooler and accessories business geared towards Greek life and DIY crafting, growing from a few thousand dollars to an average of over $25k per month in just four years through mostly organic growth and a focus on SEO.
32. SFKshop ($216K/year)
Nick Sfikas, the 21-year-old founder of SFKshop, came up with the idea for his eCommerce store when he saw an opportunity to help his dad transition from his outside job as a garage door installer to a more comfortable job. With his background in web development and digital marketing, Nick saw the potential for a 7-figure business selling smart home appliances and garage door motors online. Despite facing challenges in the first 6 months, SFKshop is now turning over $17,000 a month and has plans to expand its product range and increase its marketing efforts in 2021.
How much money it makes: $216K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.5K
How many people on the team: 3
A 21-year-old student from Athens who runs an eCommerce store selling garage door motors in Greece has managed to achieve a turnover of $17,000 a month despite being only 6 months old, which he hopes to boost through increased growth of garage door accessories under his own brand.
33. Dermabeam ($180K/year)
Takashi Yanagi, the founder of Dermabeam, came up with the idea after struggling with severe acne and eczema for years. Through his own healing journey and exploration of light therapy, he discovered the benefits and decided to create comfortable and user-friendly light therapy masks and panels. Since launching in September 2021, the company has generated $125,000 in sales and aims to become the largest light therapy company in the world.
How much money it makes: $180K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
How many people on the team: 1
Dermabeam's founder Takashi Yanagi went from being suicidal in 2019 to launching his light therapy mask business in 2021 to tackle the $100B skincare industry, achieving $35K in sales in the first year and $90K in the first half of 2022, and aiming to become the largest light therapy company in the world.
34. Deivee ($132K/year)
Darshan M, the founder of Deivee, came up with the idea for his organic sustainable yoga lifestyle brand after realizing that Indian women were uncomfortable with the existing sportswear options in the market. Teaming up with Indian star Milind Soman, they created yoga-inspired clothing, mats, and accessories that catered to the specific needs and sensibilities of Indian women. Despite being a relatively small startup, Deivee achieved impressive revenue growth, scaling from 500,000 INR ($7K) in their first year to 120M INR ($1.6M) in their third year.
How much money it makes: $132K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100K
How many people on the team: 0
Deivee, the organic sustainable yoga lifestyle brand, grew from making just $7K in their first year to $1.6M in their third year through their flagship products, including a Yoga Kurti, copper water bottles, and organic biodegradable yoga mats, while remaining a low-funded start-up, using micro-influencer marketing and customer feedback to improve their product.
35. Parkdale Brass ($120K/year)
Shawn Santiago, the founder of Parkdale Brass, came up with the idea for his business while working as a web developer for a digital agency that created cannabis websites. He noticed that most existing cannabis products had similar designs and were made from materials that often arrived broken. This inspired him to create his own brand, focusing on classic, luxury, and durable designs using brass. Since its launch in 2019, Parkdale Brass has gained recognition from prominent publications like Forbes and Weedmaps and has seen an average of 10k in monthly sales.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 1
Parkdale Brass specializes in mindful cannabis use and their high-end, vintage-inspired brass pipe, The Brockton Mk2, has been featured in Forbes and Weedmaps, with the company now seeing approximately $10k in monthly sales and focusing on expanding their product line and B2B sales.
36. Snappy Socks by Shoespender ($120K/year)
After losing an UGG boot and numerous socks to the notorious "laundry monster," professional clown-turned-mom Danielle Ferrantello invented Shoespender and Snappy Socks—products designed to keep kids' shoes and socks from going missing. Now tackling 3,000 parties a year with her entertainment business, she aims to ease the lives of thousands of parents.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 3
Snappy Socks and Shoespender founder, Danielle Ferrantello, created patented baby products to solve the problem of lost socks and shoes, with 80% of sales from online sources and a 52% gross margin.
37. Yoga Strong ($120K/year)
After retiring from a seven-season professional basketball career and struggling to land job interviews, Jason Deutchman turned a family dinner conversation about making yoga more fun into Yoga Strong, a luxe performance fitness accessory brand now raking in close to $10K monthly sales.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
How many people on the team: 0
Yoga Strong, a performance fitness accessories company, developed the perfect quality yoga mat with "Composite Technology," sourcing materials from over 200 yoga mat tests, and uses limited drops and influencer and affiliate partnerships to attract and retain customers, all while showing close to $10,000 in monthly sales.
38. caddesignhelp.com ($96K/year)
CADdesignhelp.com was started by Scott Tarcy, a mechanical engineer who wanted more control over his schedule and life. After reading "The 4-Hour Workweek" and "The $100 Startup," Scott decided to turn his skills in CAD and product design into a business. He started by networking and providing CAD design services, eventually expanding into selling his own products online. Today, the business averages $9,000 a month in revenue with over 200 clients per year.
How much money it makes: $96K/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 0
A 3D CAD designer and product inventor who started as a side hustle and averaged $9,000 a month in revenue, shares his insights on the ups and downs of owning a service-based business alongside an eCommerce store, as well as lessons learned in customer acquisition and in generating multiple streams of passive income.
39. On Cloud Faith ($60K/year)
Jonathan Waldmann, his then-girlfriend Ilona, and her mother Sonja started their business in 2012, initially selling handmade Gimp bracelets and headbands on Etsy. They later transitioned to crystalized wedding apparel and eventually expanded their product categories to include travel shirts, party shirts, bridal shirts, and engagement shirts. They have made an impressive $7.2 million in sales since their inception with a starting investment of $5,000.
How much money it makes: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 11
This case study follows the story of a successful online business that has made 7.2 million dollars in sales since 2012, with profits of around 30-45%, and the founders share insights on lessons learned and tools used.
40. mazi + zo ($60K/year)
Lizzy Klein, founder of mazi + zo, started her business after realizing there was a lack of high-quality and modern jewelry options for sorority women. After developing a versatile and stylish collection of jewelry, she launched her website in June 2019 and quickly gained traction, attracting customers beyond just sororities. Today, mazi + zo offers a range of symbol necklaces, earrings, and more, with their Double Star Choker Necklace being their best-selling item.
How much money it makes: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
How many people on the team: 1
Mazi + Zo offers high-quality and modern jewelry for sorority sisters and other women, developed by founder Lizzy Klein after discovering a lack of stylish options in the market, and is now expanding into the broader market with organic social media being the most successful channel.
41. VUES ($40.2K/year)
Jaxx, the founder of VUES, came up with the idea for his e-commerce eyewear retailer after noticing a lack of innovation in the eyewear industry. Despite his lack of expertise in the area, Jaxx saw an opportunity to offer unique, striking designs that cater to daring individuals. By leveraging online platforms and offering customized services, VUES has been able to capture the attention of the South African eyewear market and achieve impressive growth.
How much money it makes: $40.2K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 4
VUES, an African e-commerce eyewear retailer that primarily operates in South Africa, has grown its customer base ratio to 1:7361 compared to the private Optometrist’s customer base ratio of 1:4500, through its organic online community-building strategy, and plans to pivot to a more technologically-inclined product.
42. TAROT STACK ($36K/year)
Shamanth Suresh, co-founder of Tarot Stack, came up with the idea for his business after struggling to find Tarot and Oracle decks with beautiful artwork and meaningful interpretations. With his background in the tech-corporate industry and his partner's expertise in Tarot readings, they decided to create a platform that showcases unique decks produced by independent artists. In just 4 months, they have sold over 250 decks, gained 1 million followers in their affiliate network, and achieved over $15k in gross sales.
How much money it makes: $36K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 2
Tarot Stack sells Tarot and Oracle decks produced by independent artists and helps artists with publishing, printing, marketing, and sales, achieving impressive statistics in its first quarter, including over 250 decks sold, 1 million followers in its affiliate network, and gross sales of over $15k.
43. TERRA ($30K/year)
Dianna, the founder of TERRA, started her business with less than $100 and in just 8 months, she has sold her eco-friendly candles to dream companies like Greetabl and Kinder Beauty. With a background in graphic design and a passion for physical crafts, Dianna found inspiration while traveling and decided to dive into candle making upon returning home to St. Louis. She took a risk, put up what she could, and successfully launched her candle business, proving that starting with limited resources is possible.
How much money it makes: $30K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
How many people on the team: 1
Find out how a candle brand started with less than $100 and, in just eight months, achieved $5,000 in revenue, landed deals with major companies such as Greetabl and Kinder Beauty, and enjoyed a 86% profit margin thanks to its eco-friendly, handmade, and affordable candle products.
44. Karachi Kitchen ($24K/year)
Sadaf, the co-founder and designer behind Karachi Kitchen Foods, started the business with her mother, a long-time chef and culinary instructor. They launched their business after collaborating on a self-published cookbook, which won a Gourmand Award. Despite facing setbacks due to Covid and learning about federal and state regulations, they have seen sales more than double since launching their online store.
How much money it makes: $24K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 0
Karachi Kitchen Foods saw over 200% growth in sales in the past year, offering seven different chutneys and spices, and plans to launch an online subscription box and publish recipes on their website in coming months.
45. Real Drop Enterprises ($24K/year)
Nabiulla came up with the idea for RealDrop Natural Oil when his mom jokingly suggested it during a phone call. With his mom's expertise as a Hair & Skin Technician and his own experience using natural products, they decided to create a line of organic and natural products for hair, skin, and health. They launched their products in top cosmetic outlets in India and have plans for local availability in major cities and even in Chicago, Illinois.
How much money it makes: $24K/year
How much did it cost to start: $250
How many people on the team: 25
RealDrop Natural Oil saw success in educating customers about organic and natural products to improve hair, skin, and overall health, with goals to expand their local reach in India and potentially Chicago, Illinois in the future.
46. Humble Blades ($24K/year)
In a bold and risky move, Chris Sofia decided to start a custom knife business with no prior knowledge or experience in the industry. Armed with only his passion for knives and a desire to break free from the corporate world, Chris invested his last unemployment check into purchasing materials and embarked on a journey of trial and error. Through perseverance and dedication, he honed his skills and turned his passion into a successful handmade knife brand, attracting customers through authenticity and personalized customer service. As he looks towards the future, Chris aims to scale his business and become a true leader in the industry.
How much money it makes: $24K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 1
Chris Sofia shares how he turned his passion for knives and his marketing and design background into a bespoke knife-making business with a focus on authenticity and customer service, using social media as his primary marketing tool.
47. Innovations and More Ltd ($24K/year)
George, the founder of Innovations and More, was inspired by a video showcasing the commercial success of a simple everyday product idea. Utilizing his design acumen and resurrecting an idea he had conceptualized years prior, George created the UStop Pee Stopper, a universal fit urine deflector that solves the problem of spillage beneath toilet seats. Since its launch in 2018, the product has exceeded expectations and the company continues to develop innovative products to solve common problems.
How much money it makes: $24K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
How many people on the team: 0
Innovations and More's founder George launched the company in 2018 with "Essentials you never knew you needed" such as the UStop Pee Stopper and the Cell Phone Holder, with sales increasing by up to 50% each month since March 2020 with a range of different products at various stages of development.
48. Scruffie ($24K/year)
Reid Simkovitz, the founder of The Scruffie, came up with the idea for his neck shaver after struggling to find a convenient way to trim the hair on the back of his neck. Frustrated with relying on others or awkwardly attempting to shave it himself, he decided to create his own neck razor, leading to the successful launch of The Scruffie in April 2020. The product gained significant attention, being featured on platforms such as Business Insider, Cheddar, Yahoo's In The Know, and Barstool Sports, and even raising over $5,000 on Kickstarter.
How much money it makes: $24K/year
How much did it cost to start: $25K
How many people on the team: 1
This case study is about a college student who invented The Scruffie, an innovative neck shaver, after struggling to find someone to shave the back of his neck, which has garnered over five million impressions, funding a Kickstarter and generating $2,200 in sales from customers in over ten countries.
49. Summerfield's Toys ($19.9K/year)
Matthew Fiore, a senior in high school and passionate LEGO lover, came up with the idea for his business, Summerfield's Toys, when he realized that he could turn his love for LEGO into a profitable venture. After starting with selling LEGO Minifigures from his own collection, he expanded to reselling LEGO sets and individual bricks, leveraging platforms like eBay and BrickLink to attract customers worldwide. With a focus on customer service and a growing network of distribution channels, Matthew's business has seen exponential growth, making $1.6k per month and paving the way for a promising future.
How much money it makes: $19.9K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2.5K
How many people on the team: 0
A high school student turned his love for LEGO into a $1.6k/month business, Summerfield's Toys, by reselling sets online through eBay, BrickLink, and Facebook Marketplace, in addition to buying and reselling brand new sets.
50. Dreamfruit ($12K/year)
Elizabeth Russell, creator of the Dreamfruit Almanac for Earthlings, came up with the idea after closing the doors of her integrative arts and community event space. In a moment of inspiration, she created a prototype for a moon-based planner/journal hybrid that blended her concern for the world with her faith in human compassion. She collaborated with her partner, worked with a designer to create a new website, and launched her business, attracting customers through emails and in-person events.
How much money it makes: $12K/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 1
Dreamfruit Almanac for Earthlings is a unique moon-based planner and guided journal self-published by Elizabeth Russell which resulted in a successful crowdfunding campaign with over 100% community support, building a core of supportive people through live-events and community-focused marketing.
51. Justin Erickson Art ($10.5K/year)
Justin Erickson, an independent artist based in Vancouver, came up with the idea for his business after attending local events and showcasing his artwork. He realized that he could turn his passion into a career and started developing his brand, taking professional product photos and designing collateral for clients. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Justin has been consistently earning between $500-$1,500 a month through his art.
How much money it makes: $10.5K/year
How much did it cost to start: $7.03K
How many people on the team: 1
Independent artist Justin Erickson earns between $500-$1500 a month and offers advice on developing a career as an independent artist and graphic designer, from building a brand through printmaking, launching a business, attracting and retaining customers, and learning from other resources.
52. Behind Chocolate Eyes, LLC. ($6K/year)
Montoya "Chocolate" Walton, a Texas-based financial analyst, came up with the idea for her online adult shop, Behind Chocolate Eyes, LLC, after realizing the profitability of the adult entertainment industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite facing initial funding challenges, Montoya took a leap of faith and found a wholesale sex toy distributor to kickstart her business. Within just 4 months, she has made over $2.5k in sales and is confident in the future success of her venture.
How much money it makes: $6K/year
How many people on the team: 0
Founder Montoya "Chocolate" Walton started an online adult shop named Behind Chocolate Eyes, LLC with just $1,200, and has made $2.5k+ in total revenue in only 4 months through online purchases and events, with plans to expand her business to a mobile adult shop and increase her social media following.
53. Revved Interior Co ($4.8K/year)
Kofi, a young aspiring philanthropist and versatile multimedia specialist, came up with the idea for Revved Interior after realizing that his designs were just sitting on his computer. He wanted to provide affordable framed images and interior design elements to help people start their journey in the design space. Despite the challenges of launching during a pandemic, Kofi remains focused on providing high-quality products and excellent customer service.
How much money it makes: $4.8K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50
How many people on the team: 1
Revvedinterior.com, a website that provides affordable framed images with a weekly revenue of $100 and strong organic marketing strategy aimed at people looking to start their journey in the design space.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
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