25 Podcast Success Stories [2023]
The podcast business involves creating and producing audio content that people can listen to online.
Itโs a popular form of entertainment and information-sharing.
To start a podcast business on a budget, you'll need a few key steps.
First, choose a niche or topic that you're passionate about and that has an audience.
Next, get basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones.
Then, find a free or affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes.
Finally, promote your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth to build an audience and potentially attract sponsors or advertisers.
Here are some real-life success stories of starting a podcast:
1. Cars of Carlisle ($5.03K/year)
Darren Reighard, founder and CEO of the Cars of Carlisle Network Podcast, came up with the idea for his profitable podcast after a friend recognized the need for an automotive podcast in their hometown of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. With his love for cars and background in mass communications, Reighard quickly established a virtual product to fill this niche and market gap, resulting in over 12,000 downloads and an increasing annual revenue.
How much they make: $5.03K/year
Where they're located: Carlisle
How much did it cost to start: $3.11K
Current team size: 1
Cars of Carlisle Network Podcast, founded by Darren Reighard, has grown into an increasingly successful entrepreneurial pursuit with over 130 episodes and is continuing to expand, with an annual revenue that is increasing, over 12k downloads from 45 countries, and a 18-month goal to expand sponsorship to become a full-time CEO managing the business with a 5 employee team.
2. Code Story ($60K/year)
Noah Labhart, a startup founder and CTO, came up with the idea for his podcast, Code Story, after realizing there was a lack of tech and startup-focused shows like How I Built This. With a passion for solution architecture and a desire to share the stories of tech visionaries, Labhart launched Code Story and has since gained over 80k downloads and an average of 1,000 downloads per episode.
How much they make: $60K/year
Where they're located: Dallas, TX, USA
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 0
Noah Labhart's podcast, Code Story, has been downloaded over 80k times and generates an average of $1k a month in revenue through several ad deals with top tech executives and companies.
So... can you actually make money with a podcast?
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 doesnโt.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. Entrepreneurs on Fire ($2.42M/year)
John Lee Dumas came up with the idea for Entrepreneurs On Fire while working in Commercial Real Estate and listening to podcasts during his commutes to and from work. He noticed a lack of daily podcasts that provided valuable content for aspiring entrepreneurs, so he decided to start his own daily podcast to fill that gap. With zero online presence and no podcasting experience, John launched Entrepreneurs On Fire with the goal of inspiring millions to take their own entrepreneurial leap.
How much they make: $2.42M/year
Where they're located: Puerto Rico, USA
How much did it cost to start: $9K
Current team size: 4
John Lee Dumas grew his award-winning podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire, into a business offering online courses, coaching, and a mastermind program, generating nearly $4 million in revenue from his flagship product, Podcastersโ Paradise.
4. Cinquanta Cox-Smith ($120K/year)
Cinquanta Cox-Smith, a Multipreneur from South Carolina, stumbled upon the Print On Demand industry 12 years ago when she wanted to create a unique shirt and discovered Spreadshirt.com. Through her creativity and networking skills, she found success in designing and selling catchy, conversation-starting shirts. This eventually led her to create multiple POD brands on various platforms, generating an impressive $120k per year in revenue.
How much they make: $120K/year
Where they're located: Killeen, TX, USA
How much did it cost to start: $100
Current team size: 1
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
So... can you actually make money with a podcast?
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 doesnโt.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. Ecom Crew Podcast ($420K/year)
EcomCrew, an ecommerce blog and podcast, was founded by Mike Jackness and an unnamed co-founder in 2014. With a passion for content creation and a desire to share ecommerce knowledge, they started EcomCrew and eventually monetized it through a membership program. They now generate around $35,000 a month in revenue.
How much they make: $420K/year
Where they're located: San Diego, California, USA
Current team size: 3
EcomCrew is an ecommerce blog and podcast that took three years to monetize and now brings in around $35,000 a month by selling a membership to a private ecommerce group that includes exclusive access to ecommerce courses, webinars, events and more, with plans slowly becoming more expensive to expand with new content.
6. The Unofficial Shopify Podcast ($108K/year)
Kurt Elster came up with the idea for his podcast, The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, after realizing the potential of content marketing and wanting a consistent way to market his ecommerce consulting services. He decided to host his own podcast after receiving positive feedback from guest appearances on other podcasts, and with the help of his business partner's editing skills, he was able to launch the podcast and grow it to 750,000 downloads and four sponsors.
How much they make: $108K/year
Where they're located: Skokie, Illinois, USA
Current team size: 0
Unofficial Shopify Podcast has generated 750,000 downloads and has four sponsors, resulting in significant monetary gain for ecommerce consultant and host, Kurt Elster, who has created a thriving business and community around his podcast.
So... can you actually make money with a podcast?
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 doesnโt.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
7. SGPN ($360K/year)
Sean Green, co-founder of The Sports Gambling Podcast Network, started the business with his partner out of a passion for sports gambling. Initially just a conversation recorded in a garage, the podcast has now grown into a legit sports gambling media empire with over 15 shows, multi-million downloads per year, and $30K/month in revenue. Their success is attributed to their adaptability, pivotability, and ability to attract and retain customers through free picks, contests, and a thriving community on Slack.
How much they make: $360K/year
Where they're located: Los Angeles, CA, USA
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 2
Discover how Sean Green turned his sports gambling podcast into a multi-million media empire generating $30K/month in revenue and over a million downloads annually.
8. Workology ($12.2M/year)
Jessica Miller-Merrell came up with the idea for Workology after using free online dating websites to source candidates for job openings while working as an HR leader. She saw the potential for digital sourcing and recruiting through platforms like LinkedIn, MySpace, and Facebook, and started a job search blog to share tips and build a candidate pipeline. Workology has since become a leading HR and recruiting resource, with a website reaching half a million HR and Recruiting leaders each month, a podcast, and a training and development platform called LEARN by Workology.
How much they make: $12.2M/year
Where they're located: Austin, TX, USA
How much did it cost to start: $12K
Current team size: 4
This case study follows the journey of Jessica Miller-Merrell, a top 50 social media influencer according to Forbes, who founded Workology, a workplace HR resource that reaches half a million HR and recruiting leaders each month with 8,000+ published articles and resources, generating $12M in annual revenue, offering on-demand courses for HR certification and career development, providing Ace the HR Exam, Upskill HR, and HRCI recertification courses, and developing a proprietary learning system with LEARN by Workology, which has trained nearly 15,000 HR leaders.
9. Content Allies ($900K/year)
Jake Jorgovan, founder of Content Allies, came up with the idea for his business after realizing that his own podcast had directly contributed to over 68% of the revenue for his previous business, Lead Cookie. Recognizing the power of podcasting as a marketing channel, he decided to start a business focused on helping B2B companies launch revenue-generating podcasts, and Content Allies was born. They now have a monthly recurring revenue of approximately $75k, produce 20+ podcasts, and have released over 500 episodes for their clients.
How much they make: $900K/year
Where they're located: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
How much did it cost to start: $3K
Current team size: 3
Content Allies helps B2B companies launch revenue-generating podcasts, serving businesses doing over $1 million per year in revenue, with the company now doing ~$75k MRR and having released over 500+ episodes for clients.
10. 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 they make: $240K/year
Where they're located: New York
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 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.
11. 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 they make: $204K/year
Where they're located: London
How much did it cost to start: $0
Current team size: 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.
12. Counterweight Creative ($192K/year)
Jeremy Enns, the founder of Counterweight Creative, came up with the idea for his podcast production business after realizing his passion for podcasts and his background in audio engineering made him well-suited to help others produce high-quality shows. With just one client and making $15/hour at the start, Enns grew his business into a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week, with revenue exceeding $10,000 per month.
How much they make: $192K/year
Where they're located: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Current team size: 0
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
16. Podcast Answer Man ($4.6M/year)
- My name is Cliff Ravenscraft. In November 2014, I made a commitment to work out six days a week, every week, for the rest of my life.
- Over the next decade, I built an online business where I became the world's leading authority on podcasting. I am personally responsible for training more than 40,000 people on the successful launch of their podcast.
- Iโm now experiencing greater fulfillment and profitability than I ever dreamed imaginably.
- Professionally, I coach others where I have the incredible honor of going on a journey with my clients, as they CREATE the life of their dreams.
14. Awesome Pros ($120K/year)
How much they make: $120K/year
Where they're located: Bloomington, IN, USA
Current team size: 5
Awesome Pros founder built a specialized drop-servicing business generating $10k/month with strategies to expand clientele, determine niche, and pricing.
15. Cary Jack - The Happy Hustle ($300K/year)
Cary Jack, founder of The Happy Hustle, experienced burnout while working 100+ hour weeks for his tech startup. After rejecting a 7-figure funding deal and taking time off in Thailand, he developed a way to find happiness within the hustle and created The Happy Hustleโข to help entrepreneurs achieve work-life balance. Through various revenue streams, such as podcasting, books, and mastermind adventures, Cary has built a successful business that focuses on serving his tribe and creating positive impact.
How much they make: $300K/year
Where they're located: Bozeman, MT, USA
Current team size: 4
Cary Jack started The Happy Hustle to help fellow purpose-driven entrepreneurs avoid burnout and achieve blissful balance in their personal and professional life while putting the Happy in their everyday Hustle, offering multiple revenue streams including a mastermind, book, and course.
16. BrandonGaille.com ($300K/year)
How much they make: $300K/year
Where they're located: Houston, Texas, United States
Current team size:
Learn how Brandon Gaille built a blogging empire from the 1990s, amassing enormous wealth and now getting a combined 6 million visits/month across three websites by utilizing AI-powered SEO tools and podcasting.
17. JAR Audio ($1.44M/year)
How much they make: $1.44M/year
Where they're located: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Current team size: 24
JAR Audio: The podcast agency achieving listen-through rates of 95-100%.
18. 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
Where they're located: Sammamish, WA, USA
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.
19. Graham Cochrane ($1.92M/year)
How much they make: $1.92M/year
Where they're located: Tampa, FL, USA
Current team size:
This case study showcases a young entrepreneur who went from losing his nine-to-five job to earning $120,000 per month in passive income in just six months by teaching people how to generate money from their hobbies through online courses and coaching programs.
20. Millennial Money Man ($1.8M/year)
After paying off his own debt and becoming passionate about personal finance, Bobby Hoyt started his blog, Millennial Money Man, to teach millennials how to make more money, save more money, and pay off debt. After realizing the success of his own Facebook ads for local businesses, Hoyt partnered with Mike Yanda to create the Facebook Side Hustle Course, which teaches others how to run ads for local businesses. The course had a six-figure launch, leading Hoyt and Yanda to start Laptop Empires, where they help people start and grow online businesses.
How much they make: $1.8M/year
Where they're located: Houston, Texas, USA
How much did it cost to start: $50
Current team size: 3
Millennial Money Man founder Bobby Hoyt and partner Mike Yanda created Laptop Empires, which boasts a seven-figure revenue through their flagship Facebook Side Hustle Course, helping retirees and millennials launch and grow their local Facebook ad agencies.
21. Get Out Alive Podcast ($4.8K/year)
Ashley Bray, host of the Get Out Alive Podcast, came up with the idea after working in wildlife biology and experiencing frustrations with not being able to be honest about wildlife conflicts. She and her high school friend, Nick, decided to create a podcast about animal attacks that provided honest advice on how to coexist peacefully with wild animals. They invested in equipment, reached out to other podcasters for guidance, and launched the podcast, attracting initial listeners through social media.
How much they make: $4.8K/year
Where they're located:
Current team size: 0
Get Out Alive LLC's success story of how they grew to making a nearly $400/month profit on Patreon in just over a year, without spending any money on ads, through producing an animal attack podcast and selling merchandise.
Hey! ๐ I'm Pat Walls, the founder of Starter Story.
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