The 45 Best Businesses To Start In Italy [2024]

Updated: June 21st, 2022

Interested in starting a business in Italy in 2024?

We put together 45 of the best businesses you can start in Italy today.

In this list of ideas, you can find:

  • Home-based businesses to start in Italy
  • Profitable online business ideas
  • Unique business opportunities for Italy
  • Low investment business ideas (under $5k to start)
  • Easy businesses you can start in Italy today

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, + a step-by-step on how to start your small business in Italy.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a tour company

Starting a tour company is a great way to bring your love of travel to life. You can share your passion with others and help make their dream vacations come true!

There are many types of tour businesses, so choosing something you are passionate about and knowledgeable about is best. Here are a few of the most popular tour companies to start in Italy:

  • Food & Drink Tours
  • Adventure & Sporting Tours
  • Sightseeing & Historical Tours
  • Shopping Tours
  • and many more!

It’s also essential to determine what mode of transportation you want for your tour company, as this will determine the initial startup costs needed for your company.

To get started, find out if you need a license to operate in your state. Some states require tour companies to be licensed, while others do not. If you are required to be licensed, talk with the licensing agency to find out what steps must be taken before you can apply for that license.

How much you can make: $3,750 — $43,300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How Three Friends Started A $10K/Month Free Walking Tours Business In Italy

From zero to a network of free walking tours in 24 cities across Italy in just 2 years, these three friends built a €10,000/month business by offering quality tours and fostering word-of-mouth advertising, even while weathering the COVID lockdown.

About
Alessandro started Free Walking Tour Italia over 5 years ago
Revenue
Alessandro grew the business to $9.81K/month
Costs
It cost Alessandro $3000 to start the business
Read by 7,602 founders

2. Start a sneaker reseller business

Sneaker reselling is a pretty great way to make money.

As a sneaker reselling business, you can purchase shoes directly from retailers or manufacturers and resell them to consumers at a profit.

The secret to a successful sneaker reselling business is to buy low and sell higher. You can start an online sneaker reselling business or sell the sneakers locally.

To maximize the profit margins, it might be worth holding out the best sneaker brands until the demand is high. Sometimes, the best deal on sneakers is when they have sold out.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $140,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Started A $840K/Year Business Selling Limited Edition Sneakers [Italy]

Founder Kola Tytler managed to build a profitable business, Dropout, worth over $2.5 million by selling limited edition sneakers and streetwear, despite having no prior experience and juggling medical school; the company saw over 50,000 in-store visitors and over $100k in sales in December 2021 alone and raised €750k via equity crowdfunding in 6 days.

About
Kola started Dropout SRL over 5 years ago
Revenue
Kola grew the business to $140K/month
Costs
It cost Kola $120000 to start the business
Read by 3,591 founders

3. Start a content marketing agency

Content is the currency of the digital world. Today, more and more businesses need to work with writers and content marketers. If you want to get into these kinds of jobs, you should start a writers' or content marketing agency.

Worldwide content marketing industry revenue was estimated at roughly $66B in 2021. The source projected that it would increase to $76B in 2022 and that it would continue growing over the further years to reach $137B in 2026.

Content marketing will continue to grow in significance with the increased use of digital channels. Therefore, the demand for content marketers is projected to grow by 27% over the next few years.

How much you can make: $500 — $741,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

From Freelancing On Fiverr To Starting An $8K/Month Content Marketing Service For Small B2B Firms

Koala Rank, an all-in-one content marketing service for B2B firms founded by Arrigo, has grown to $8K in MRR since its launch in Jan 2020 with retention being good and March 2021 seeing a boom in subscriptions.

About
Arrigo started Koala Rank over 4 years ago
Revenue
Arrigo grew the business to $8K/month
Costs
It cost Arrigo $4000 to start the business
Read by 6,283 founders

4. Start a food startup

Starting a food business can involve opening your own restaurant, bakery, food truck, cake shop, or even starting a business or blog online.

Other kinds of food businesses include manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Food businesses prepare a wide range of foods such as snacks, sweets, and meals to sell directly to consumers and also include cafeterias at workplaces and similar facilities.

If you have a passion for food, starting a food business can be an extremely fun, challenging, and rewarding business venture.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $61,650,000/month

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

How Two Italians Started A Subscription Food Box Business

Italian food subscription box service, EatTiamo, delivers monthly boxes of carefully selected Italian delicacies to 300 American families across the US, with the aim of reaching a break-even point of 1,000 boxes per month by 2020.

About
Nicholas started EatTiamo about 8 years ago
Revenue
Nicholas grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 9,603 founders

5. Become a software developer

A software developer is a person who creates computer programs. They design, test, and oversee the creation of software for a variety of purposes including businesses, personal use, or social networking.

If you have strong technical skills and experience in programming, you can start a software development business. You should also have a good understanding of how the software works.

The average salary for software developers is $110,140. The best-paid 25 percent earn an annual income of up to 140K dollars while the lowest-paid workers make just under 84K dollars.

The recent trends in software development are moving towards mobile apps and cloud-based solutions. Businesses are providing a variety of programming languages and tools to create software that meets the client's needs.

Starting a software development company is the perfect way to explore in this exciting industry. This type of business is growing in popularity as businesses are looking for ways to offer their customers a convenient way to access their data and applications.

How much you can make: $1,700 — $465,583,333/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How We Started A $360K/Year Software House [From Italy]

Italian software company Dreamonkey grew from $90k to $300k in revenue with a constant growth rate of 50% per year, thanks to their focus on high-quality web development, industrial IoT, and open-source software development for web developers.

About
Federico started Dreamonkey over 6 years ago
Revenue
Federico grew the business to $30K/month
Costs
It cost Federico $40000 to start the business
Read by 1,911 founders

6. Start a travel agency

Are you a passionate traveler with entrepreneurial skills? Then starting a travel agency can be a great career choice for you.

As a travel agency, you'll be responsible for linking travelers to providers of all the travel and tourism-related services such as accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, tour guides, local adventure, etc.

Starting an online travel agency is a lot easier than you might think. You'll need to perform market research, get a few necessary certifications (such as your IATA number), study competition, build a website, and do proper marketing.

To maximize earnings, negotiate discounts from the industry service providers, and charge travelers within the market rate.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $114,200,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Started A $2K/Month Side Hustle Selling Vacations

Marissa Daniels runs a successful travel agency, Spread Your Wings Travel, that hit $100,000 in sales within a year of launch and provides payment plan options for its all-inclusive vacations, and she hopes to help 100 families supplement their income through the business.

About
Marissa started Spread Your Wings Travel Agency about 5 years ago
Revenue
Marissa grew the business to $7K/month
Costs
It cost Marissa $200 to start the business
Read by 17,118 founders

7. Start a meal prep business

A meal preparation business is a service that delivers prepared meals to its clients in the comfort of their own homes. The meal preparation business is a fast-emerging niche that offers a real opportunity to earn good money. To succeed, the starter must be efficient in the meal preparation and ensure proper communication skills. Besides, the entrepreneur must keep time when it comes to delivery to avoid customer disappointment.

A global survey shows that demand for food delivery service is on the rise. This is as people get busier with their careers and other more important tasks, leaving limited time to prepare meals and bond with friends.

Therefore, starting a meal preparation business in Italy can be a great way to earn extra monies.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $4,170,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)

How We Started A Meal Prep Delivery Business And Did $1.8M In Sales

Healthy Chew is a profitable weekly meal preparation service that grew from 200 to 10,000 weekly bowls in just over 3 years, with an overall sales figure of $1.8 million, achieved through effective branding and personalised customer service.

About
TJ started Healthy Chew almost 8 years ago
Revenue
TJ grew the business to $60K/month
Costs
It cost TJ $500 to start the business
Read by 38,090 founders

8. Start an online language coaching business

The world has become more globalized. Businesses have become cross-border, and executives have to travel to meet new customers. One thing that is obvious is that there is a need for language translation services.

If you have proficiency in one or more foreign languages then you can consider working as a language coach.

Teaching a language online is intensive as you have to meet and communicate with the audience often, and check their progress. If you are looking for an opportunity to earn working online, consider starting online language lessons.

How much you can make: $240 — $13,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 212 days (?)

On Starting A Private German Lessons Online Service

Marlena Jorn started Marlena Jorn Tutors in teaching German to a group of people privately; she learned through experience what worked best to design her class structure and advertising/marketing materials, and from word of mouth has gained a very successful response so far.

About
Marlena started Marlena Jorn Tutors over 3 years ago
Revenue
Marlena grew the business to $240/month
Costs
It cost Marlena $300 to start the business
Read by 5,910 founders

9. Start a bicycle company

A surge in exercise and heightened anxiety over public transportation during the Covid-19 pandemic are reasons more people have embraced biking.

Apart from being a form of exercise, using bicycles is also good for the environment as there are no emissions.

Therefore, starting a bicycle company can be a profitable venture. Research the market and choose a niche. Then, register your brand and focus on the production of high-quality bicycles.

How much you can make: $25,000 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How Two Brothers Started A $1M/Month Bicycle Brand

"Co-founders of State Bicycle Co. reveal how they bootstrapped their company to over $50M in annual sales and produced over 100,000 bikes by creating a trusted brand through word-of-mouth and social media, sponsoring talented riders, limited-edition releases, and focusing on product quality."

About
Mehdi started State Bicycle Co. over 14 years ago
Revenue
Mehdi grew the business to $1M/month
Costs
It cost Mehdi $30000 to start the business
Read by 10,562 founders

10. Start a boutique

You may consider opening a boutique if you are passionate about the fashion and textile industry.

A boutique is a shop that sells clothes. Opening a boutique is a dream for entrepreneurs who want to experience the joy and freedom of owning a cash business. Starting a boutique is easy and can be managed by a single individual. In addition, a boutique requires a comparatively smaller capital to start.

To succeed, the boutique owner must coming creativity and passion.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $25,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How I Grew My Clothing Boutique to $10K/Month in 6 Months

Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.

About
Gia started Boutique Rye almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Gia grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 35,400 founders

11. Start a bridal accessories store

Bridal accessories are a great way to help you complete your wedding day look. Bridal accessories are something similar that surrounds weddings in our society. Bridal accessories are all the rage nowadays. These pretty things create the perfect set of accessories for the bridal.

The Bridal Wear market in the USA is estimated at $26B in 2020.

A bridal accessories store can provide you with high income and the ability to hire. Bridal occasions are exceptional and endure several phases. You could start a bridal accessories business with access to millions of customers from the first introduction until they get married.

How much you can make: $50,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How I Built A Six Figure Business Bringing Asian Culture To The American Wedding Industry

East Meets Dress, an e-commerce store that offers Chinese wedding dresses and traditional outfits, grew to a six-figure annual recurring revenue ($25k/month) in just one year by targeting Asian-American brides in the U.S and high school students looking to wear cheongsams to prom to celebrate their heritage.

About
Vivian started East Meets Dress almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Vivian grew the business to $50K/month
Costs
It cost Vivian $100 to start the business
Read by 19,142 founders

12. Start a sex toys business

The sex toy industry is growing rapidly, and there's no sign of this slowing down.

The reasons for this growth are varied. The rise of social media has made it easier to find out about new products and services, which has given companies greater access to their customer base and helped them grow their businesses. More people are also getting comfortable with buying things online; not only does this make it easier for them to shop in private, but it also helps them avoid embarrassment if they're nervous about their purchases being seen by other customers while they're waiting in line at a store.

The industry itself is changing as well: companies are offering more variety than ever before, which means that there's something for everyone—even those who might not have considered themselves interested in this sort of thing before now can find something that suits their needs perfectly!

There are already individuals who made it big in this industry and these stories are the proof of their success.

How much you can make: $500 — $5,260,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $625 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How We Started A $2.4K/Month Sex Toys For Men Store

SexToysForMen.Co founder shares how he stumbled into the adult toy industry, and through organic content marketing and referrals, has grown the business to bring in monthly revenue of $2,000-$3,000 with an email list accounting for 30% of sales.

About
Liam started Sex Toys For Men Co. almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Liam grew the business to $2.4K/month
Read by 18,256 founders

13. Start a natural beauty product business

Natural beauty products include aloe vera, honey, or cocoa butter. They contain no chemical or synthetic elements.

The global natural skin care products market size was valued at $6.7 billion in 2021.

Thinking about launching a beauty product line? What’s holding you back? Check out our case studies below to see how others have done it!

How much you can make: $300 — $325,000/month

How long does it take to build: 227 days (?)

How A Mother Of Two Started A $5K/Month Skincare Business From Home

A mother-of-two started a $5k/month skincare business after experimenting with beeswax and honey to create luxurious all-natural products, growing her business to attain over $7,500 in sales per month via multiple sales streams, including $4,000 per month at markets.

About
Mel started Flowerdale Valley almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Mel grew the business to $5K/month
Read by 23,671 founders

14. Start a dog training business

Professional dog trainers can be an incredibly fulfilling profession, especially for dog lovers.

You can choose to work as an independent dog trainer or work under a company as a part-time trainer.

However, note that dog training takes more commitment for a part-time gig.

To get started, you need some education to understand how dogs behave and train them in new tricks. You will find tons of online resources on dog training.

Alternatively, you can work as an intern with local dog trainers to acquire the skills before setting up your dog training side hustle.

The average hourly rate for dog trainers is just over $50/ hr.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $8,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Started A $5K/Month Dog Training Business

Fraternityk9 dog training is an example of how Donald's passion for dog training turned into a $5k/month business, by utilizing platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and learning about sales and business to scale the process.

About
Donald started Fraternity K9 over 4 years ago
Revenue
Donald grew the business to $5K/month
Read by 7,402 founders

15. Start a barber shop

Are you passionate about men’s grooming and looking to start a low-investment business with a high-profit margin? A barbershop can be a great business idea since it will never hit a low a season. Men and boys always look for grooming, no matter how bad the economy is.

Therefore, starting a barbershop can be a profitable business venture.

How much you can make: $125,000/month

How I Started A $125K Barber Shop, Beard Grooming Brand And Barbering Academy

Antonio Camilleri built Antonio's Barber Shop from a small two-chair operation to two locations servicing over 250 daily clients and €1.5M in annual revenue with a product line generating a 30% profit.

About
Antonio started Antonio’s Barber Shop almost 9 years ago
Revenue
Antonio grew the business to $125K/month
Costs
It cost Antonio $500000 to start the business
Read by 8,064 founders

16. Start a coffee cafe business

A coffee shop is a popular spot for customers to enjoy freshly brewed coffee, tea, and light snacks in a comfortable and welcoming environment.

These cafes are typically furnished with comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a pleasant ambiance that provides a relaxed environment for people to gather, work or unwind.

To succeed in this business, it is essential to offer high-quality coffee, create a pleasant atmosphere, and provide excellent customer service.

With the increasing demand for specialty coffee experiences, starting a coffee cafe can be a lucrative business opportunity that caters to the widespread love for coffee and the need for communal spaces to enjoy it.

How much you can make: $13,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How We Started A $13K/Month Coffee Shop And Coworking Space

Chicago based Ignite Technology and Innovation-owned Momentum Coffee & Coworking, which focuses on coffee, coworking, community, and event space, rakes in about $17-20k a month in revenue, mostly from online and offline advertising, and just celebrated their first anniversary, with plans to open 2 more locations in Chicago in under-resourced communities.

About
Nikki started Momentum Coffee and Coworking almost 4 years ago
Revenue
Nikki grew the business to $13K/month
Costs
It cost Nikki $200000 to start the business
Read by 5,590 founders

17. Start a wine club

A wine club offers members inside access to favorite wines from favorite vineyards. Members enjoy access to wine cultural experiences such as tastings and other exclusive events. The wine clubs provide members a series of monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual premium-quality wine shipments and benefits.

Starting a wine club is pretty simple! Invite people you know and the existing customers. You can also advertise starting a wine club in wine enthusiast magazines and online communities.

How much you can make: $85,000 — $270,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How We Started A $75K/Month Wine Club

Roscoli Wine Club founders, Alessandro Pepe and Lindsay Gabbard, share how they built a wine club that is about to cross the 1,000 member mark with annual revenue of 1 million euros after just about 3 years, offering Italian wines from small producers, farmed organically, minimal sulfites added, and providing every member with a 10-minute video of the winemaker's story.

About
Alessandro started Roscioli Wine Club almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Alessandro grew the business to $85K/month
Read by 12,003 founders

18. Start a walking tour business

Do you love meeting new people, sharing knowledge, and touring places? Then, starting a walking tour business can bring so much enjoyment, and it is also a great business idea.

Starting a walking tour requires so little to no startup capital. With word of mouth and a website, you can begin receiving dozens of bookings so long as your walking tours are well planned and targeted to potential customers.

To start the walking tour business, do market research and design uniquely enjoyable tours. Establish proper marketing channels and register the business appropriately.

How much you can make: $9,806 — $8,110,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

How Three Friends Started A $10K/Month Free Walking Tours Business In Italy

From zero to a network of free walking tours in 24 cities across Italy in just 2 years, these three friends built a €10,000/month business by offering quality tours and fostering word-of-mouth advertising, even while weathering the COVID lockdown.

About
Alessandro started Free Walking Tour Italia over 5 years ago
Revenue
Alessandro grew the business to $9.81K/month
Costs
It cost Alessandro $3000 to start the business
Read by 7,602 founders

19. Start a subscription box business

Subscription box businesses offer customers a niche set of products on a monthly basis.

They're in high demand as they add value to customer service, offer exclusive products and can be highly profitable.

To start a subscription box business, understand your niche market, provide quality products, perfect your box design, build a good relationship with fulfillment companies, and market your service.

How much you can make: $400 — $16,666,667/month

How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How Two Italians Started A Subscription Food Box Business

Italian food subscription box service, EatTiamo, delivers monthly boxes of carefully selected Italian delicacies to 300 American families across the US, with the aim of reaching a break-even point of 1,000 boxes per month by 2020.

About
Nicholas started EatTiamo about 8 years ago
Revenue
Nicholas grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 9,603 founders

20. Start a PPC agency

Paid search marketing is an effective way for brands to generate qualified leads and a high return on investment. So it's no surprise businesses are looking for PPC agencies to set up marketing campaigns.

PPC agencies manage internet pay-per-click advertising campaigns that include strategy, design, implementation, SEO, and analysis of ads performance.

PPC professional is a highly sought-after role. 45% of small businesses use PPC advertising. Besides, PPC is a huge business driver for 74% of brands. According to statistics, the global PPC Software market will reach a CAGR of 7.68% within a decade.

Starting a PPC advertising business can be lucrative. f you are planning to start a PPC agency, take AdWords and Bing Ads certifications, and choose a niche.

How much you can make: $6,500 — $390,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

How We Started A $30K/Month PPC Agency

Rocket PPC is a highly-talented and experienced Pay per Click agency based in Italy that was able to exceed their initial break-even point goal of 100k in the first 12 months, resulting in a double amount of expected revenue and a second year with a +50% in revenues that drove them into the 30k/monthly revenue range, with a focus on attracting big clients, expanding their team, and maintaining high quality.

About
Gabriele started Rocket PPC about 6 years ago
Revenue
Gabriele grew the business to $40K/month
Costs
It cost Gabriele $1000 to start the business
Read by 7,336 founders

21. Start a wireframing software business

How much you can make: $6,000 — $550,000/month

How long does it take to build: 1095 days (?)

How We Started A $550K/Month Wireframing Software Company

How Balsamiq became a $550k/month company through staying focused on simplicity and taking care of their team and community.

About
Giacomo started Balsamiq almost 16 years ago
Revenue
Giacomo grew the business to $550K/month
Read by 5,614 founders

22. Start an online advertising agency

An online advertising agency helps businesses promote their products or services on the internet.

To start this business on a budget, first learn the basics of digital marketing through free online resources.

Create a professional website and set up profiles on social media platforms to showcase your skills.

Build a portfolio by working on mock campaigns or offering discounted services to friends and family, and gradually market your services to attract clients.

With dedication, you can grow your agency over time.

How much you can make: $2,797 — $1,250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

How We Started A $35K/Month Online Advertising Agency

Loop is a $35k/month online advertising agency founded by Francesco and Valerio, which primarily deals with paid advertising services, mainly Google Ads and Facebook Ads, with an average of 150% yearly increase in revenue, and is rapidly growing as they expand their outreach to different markets and industries.

About
Valerio started Loop over 6 years ago
Revenue
Valerio grew the business to $115K/month
Read by 7,004 founders

23. Start an IoT startup

An IoT startup focuses on devices connected to the internet that can be accessed remotely through the internet or a connected application.

Research what is essential to the end users to start and build a successful IoT. Leverage what is available to make the application easy to use. Then, create working prototypes, test, and build the application around the clear essential purpose.

How much you can make: $500 — $2,300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 505 days (?)

Creating One Of The Most Successful Kickstarter Campaigns In History

Italian start-up, Scribit, raises over $2.3 million on Indiegogo for their write and erase robot that draws digital content on any wall, with orders mainly from art, tech, and business enthusiasts, as well as the education sector, and plans to expand worldwide after delivering to initial backers.

About
Scribit started Scribit over 5 years ago
Revenue
Scribit grew the business to $2.3M/month
Read by 6,753 founders

24. Start a party planning business

Party planning involves budgeting, establishing party timelines, selecting and reserving ideal party sites, acquiring permits, theme décor, and coordinating party catering and transportation.

Are you organized, creative, and client-focused? You can put those skills into starting a successful party planning business. To become a party planner, you must desire to help other people enjoy themselves. Besides, you need diplomacy, salesmanship, and multitasking skills.

How much you can make: $25,000 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 6 hours/week

How I Started A $35K/Month Event Decor Business

Akshay Patel's event rental and decor business, Simply Decor, Tents, and Events, saw an average ticket price of $2,000, as their advertising budget decreased from $20k to $5k, leading to 40% of their clients coming through social media advertising, 30% from expos, and 30% online in google, yahoo, and other platforms.

Revenue
Akshay grew the business to $35K/month
Costs
It cost Akshay $500 to start the business
Read by 16,968 founders

25. Start a grocery delivery service

Grocery delivery is an on-demand service where clients shop for groceries, and you deliver to their commercial or residential premises.

As a carrier in grocery delivery, you have an opportunity to maximize your output, as you can serve multiple customers in one trip. Besides, you get to choose your preferred working time and location.

How much you can make: $83,333,333/month

26. Start a website building agency

Starting a website building agency is a smart career move. Why not own your time and leverage your skills? Building websites is where the money is at. You can earn 5-figures a week with just one client.

The global website building market size to grow from $7 billion in 2021 to $14.3 billion by 2026. A site-building business allows you to start your own business at home. Building websites for yourself and others is a great way to create a passive income stream that can be very rewarding to own.

How much you can make: $7,846 — $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How I Started A $750K/Year Web Development Agency

Cantilever Web Design and Development, with clients including IBM and small businesses, reached a revenue of over $750k last year with a gross margin of 50% by prioritizing Digital Hospitality, fostering high-quality relationships, and constantly improving their process and philosophy.

About
Ty started Cantilever Web Design & Development over 12 years ago
Revenue
Ty grew the business to $148K/month
Costs
It cost Ty $10000 to start the business
Read by 41,368 founders

27. Start a party rental business

A party rental business helps people get the products or the services they need to make their party a fun-filled event.

Party rental businesses can include:

  • Photo booth rental
  • Renting wedding clothes
  • Party boat rental
  • Sound equipment rental
  • Outdoor equipment rental
  • Cake structure rental

To start a party rental business, begin with what you know much better. Then as you gain experience, you may diversify to renting other party accessories or partner with experts in different fields.

How much you can make: $35,000 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 15 days (?)

How I Started A $35K/Month Event Decor Business

Akshay Patel's event rental and decor business, Simply Decor, Tents, and Events, saw an average ticket price of $2,000, as their advertising budget decreased from $20k to $5k, leading to 40% of their clients coming through social media advertising, 30% from expos, and 30% online in google, yahoo, and other platforms.

Revenue
Akshay grew the business to $35K/month
Costs
It cost Akshay $500 to start the business
Read by 16,968 founders

28. Start a handmade paper goods business

The handmade paper goods market is growing globally due to the increase in environmental consciousness among people. The gift of handmade is a tradition with a long history. According to data collected by the US Census Bureau, each year the number of handmade goods made by individuals in the USA rises by 3%. Handmade paper goods are not an exception.

The handmade paper goods market size is expected to reach $7.3B by 2020. The business of crafting paper goods was largely untouched until the start of Etsy, which has since grown into an international curated marketplace. Those who could craft unique and innovative pieces landed themselves a successful eCommerce store, living off of bare-bones websites and making their creations available to customers far and wide.

How much you can make: $1,100/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

Leaving My Corporate Career To Start My Own Design Business

Chirps & Cricket Design Studio is a small, Denver, Colorado-based design studio specializing in graphic design services, custom illustration, handcrafted paper goods and bespoke invitations, with notable achievements including illustrating New Mexico State University’s Campus Map, while providing freelance services for small and large businesses, startups, engaged couples and a freelance writer.

About
Abigail started Chirps & Cricket Design Studio about 9 years ago
Revenue
Abigail grew the business to $1.1K/month
Costs
It cost Abigail $500 to start the business
Read by 7,313 founders

29. Start an etsy shop

Etsy has been around for over a decade, and the platform has become more popular for creators, entrepreneurs, and consumers.

The platform started as a place for crafters to sell their supplies and handmade goods. Now it has become a venue for artists and small businesses of all kinds to sell their products.

If you just started your shop or want to sell your products on Etsy, there are many different ways to kill on the platform. With the tips and advice of Etsy sellers who’ve been in your position, you’ll soon be successful!

How much you can make: $100 — $750,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How I Started A $12K/Month Business Selling Productivity Planners Online

Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.

About
Jess started Planner Peace over 8 years ago
Revenue
Jess grew the business to $22.5K/month
Read by 62,376 founders

30. Start a smoothie business

Smoothie is a blend of whole fruits containing bananas, yogurt, honey, ice cream, and other ingredients.

Smoothie businesses attract health-conscious consumers, and their mass appeal has grown tremendously.

In the US alone, smoothie bars are a 3-billion-dollar industry. Therefore, starting your smoothie business can be a great idea from an entrepreneur’s standpoint. To start your smoothie bar, consider an ideal location, and ensure a proper shop format. The alternative smoothie shop formats include:

  • Dine in Plenty of seating space: customers order and pay at the counter.
  • Window only: Serves takeaway smoothies with customers ordering and paying at the counter
  • Food truck: Mobile smoothie shop allowing you to connect with a more extensive customer

The rising popularity of healthy juices and the low startup cost makes the smoothie industry an appealing frozen food business idea.

How much you can make: $30,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How One Woman Went From WIC To CEO Of Her Own Smoothie Empire

Simple Green Smoothies boasts a free 7-day smoothie challenge that has helped over 2 million people take control of their health and generates revenue with programs ranging from a 21-day cleanse to a plant-based meal planner, bringing in as much as $30k a month and also working to help women farmers in Cambodia build mushroom farms through World Hope International.

About
Jen started Simple Green Smoothies over 11 years ago
Revenue
Jen grew the business to $30K/month
Read by 10,779 founders

31. Start a property flipping business

Are you thinking about getting into the property flipping business?

Flipping houses (or homes) involves buyers purchasing distressed properties, fixing them up, and then reselling them for a good profit. The trick is to find a house that you can buy below market value and then turn around, sell it, and make money on it.

How much you can make: $80,000/month

32. Start a beverages exportation business

How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)

33. Sell car accessories

A car accessories business is a retail store or online shop selling various automobile products and services. These include car stereos, GPS systems, seat covers, dashboard covers, floor mats, and more. Running a successful car accessories business requires a good understanding of the automotive industry and a keen eye for the latest trends and technologies. It is also essential to have a wide selection of products available for customers to choose from and to be able to offer installation services if necessary.

One essential tip for running a successful car accessories business is establishing relationships with local auto repair shops and dealerships. This can help to increase customer traffic and provide a steady stream of business. It is also essential to focus on customer service and to be able to offer advice and recommendations to customers based on their specific needs and preferences.

Another tip is to stay updated on the latest products and technologies in the automotive industry. This can help attract and retain customers looking for the most current and advanced products. Overall, a car accessories business can be a lucrative and fulfilling venture for entrepreneurs who are passionate about automobiles and want to help customers enhance and personalize their vehicles.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $202,000/month

How long does it take to build: 197 days (?)

How We Created A $60K/Month Innovative Car Seat Buckle Release Tool And Got Featured On Shark Tank

UnbuckleMe is a profitable business that has created an innovative tool to open kids' car seat buckles, generating a monthly revenue of $60K and attracting a range of customers from grandparents to parents with freshly done nails.

About
Becca started UnbuckleMe almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Becca grew the business to $150K/month
Costs
It cost Becca $50000 to start the business
Read by 6,421 founders

34. Start a motorcycle parts business

Starting your own motorcycle parts business is a great way to earn money, meet interesting people, and see the world. If you have a genuine interest in motorcycles and a deep desire to run your own business, then starting a motorcycle parts business is an excellent career option.

A motorcycle parts business can be a lucrative business. This is because there are many parts and accessories that you can sell to your customers. You can start a motorcycle parts business with just a small investment, but it is important that you understand how much money you are willing to invest upfront before starting up your own business.

How much you can make: $600,000/month

How Two Brothers Started A $4.8M/Year Motorcycle Parts Manufacturer

TAB Performance doubles annual sales with introduction of Zombie baffle, from manufacturing Harley-Davidson motorcycle exhausts, with founders attributing growth to constant evolution and listening to customers.

About
Justin started TAB Performance over 20 years ago
Revenue
Justin grew the business to $600K/month
Read by 11,715 founders

35. Start a mobile florist business

Mobile florists, just like traditional florists, can deliver flowers to an array of special events, including weddings, birthdays, or anniversaries. People love their flowers fresh and delivered right to their doors.

Listed are the steps on how to start a mobile florist business.

  • Purchase on a reliable truck
  • Secure needed papers for your mobile flower shop
  • Organize your business flow
  • Outsource from flower suppliers
  • Promote your business

36. Start an auto repair business

Many people just love to tinker with, fix and repair cars. This is an all-consuming hobby for some people. They like to take things apart and figure out how things work. The process of fixing and repairing cars is almost therapeutic for them.

An auto repair business is a rewarding way to make extra money or build an entire business.

You can do it in the comforts of your own home, working around your schedule and getting paid handsomely for it. The United States automotive service market is expected to reach $75B by 2026.

How much you can make: $415,000/month

How long does it take to build: 40 days (?)

I Quit My Full-Time Job & Launched A $5M/Year Towing & Auto Repair Business

Finish Line Towing & Auto Repair is Wisconsin's largest roadside assistance provider, bringing in $5 million in annual sales through its dedication to customer service, effective dispatching, and clean service, with a goal of expanding to other markets in Wisconsin and Illinois.

About
Johnny started Finish Line Towing & Repair over 6 years ago
Revenue
Johnny grew the business to $415K/month
Costs
It cost Johnny $200000 to start the business
Read by 3,906 founders

37. Start a car washing and detailing business

The carwash business is already a multi-billion-dollar industry with room for growth.

With the number of vehicles per household increasing daily, starting a car wash and detailing business could be a profitable idea.

If you have a piece of vacant land in the right location, you can get into the carwash business. You can set up an in-bay automatic carwash, self-washing carwash, touch-free carwash, or a wide range of other options.

38. Become a meditation coach

A meditation coach teaches and guides those who seek mental clarity through meditation. The meditation teacher typically combines breathing and concentration to deepen understanding and help the clients achieve relaxation.

Working as a meditation coach allows you to guide clients in finding new practices and techniques that may provide additional health benefits in their daily lives. In addition, meditation coaches earn a decent salary and enjoy the opportunity to define their working hours while building relationships with people from different backgrounds.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $8,333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

I Left My Old Career & Started A Meditation Online Courses Business

Meditation company MindEasy offers personalized, relevant courses to help people find their way into mindfulness and meditation in a way that helps them achieve their career and personal goals, with focus on mental optimization, health and wellbeing, and spiritual approaches.

About
Griff started MindEasy about 5 years ago
Revenue
Griff grew the business to $3K/month
Costs
It cost Griff $5000 to start the business
Read by 3,326 founders

39. Start a flower shop

Do you enjoy designing floral arrangements for special events like weddings or holidays? If so, owning a flower shop can be exciting and rewarding.

However, setting up the business for success can be overwhelming.

As a florist, your role is to touch people’s emotions with the flowers. The career requires creativity and design skills to appeal to your target customers. You need to love and enjoy working with flowers and have some patience.

How much you can make: $9,600 — $120,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A $120K/Month Modern Flower And Plant Shop

Green Fresh Florals + Plants owner and creative director Carlos Franco explains how he built a unique, authentic, and profitable modern flower and plant shop in San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood, growing from one employee to a $120k per month business through customer service, a focus on design, and a deep love for his craft.

About
Carlos started Green Fresh Florals + Plants almost 15 years ago
Revenue
Carlos grew the business to $120K/month
Costs
It cost Carlos $75000 to start the business
Read by 4,840 founders

40. Start a cleaning & maintenance business

A Cleaning & Maintenance business is a service-based business in which you are the owner, operator, and lone employee. In a cleaning and maintenance business, you provide a specific service such as carpet servicing or pest control. It's important to note that although it seems straightforward, this business type can grow very quickly if done properly.

Cleaning and maintenance can be a real hassle, especially if you have a lot of employees or just your own staff. The cleaning and maintenance industry generates over $40B a year in the US alone. This makes it one of the largest, most competitive industries in the USA.

Starting a cleaning and maintenance business in Italy is pretty easy. You can start small with residential clients or businesses. Just make sure you check with your local government to ensure licensing (or certification) requirements.

How much you can make: $60,000 — $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $425 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A $100K+/Month Home Cleaning Service For Busy Individuals And Airbnb Hosts

MaidThis®, launched by Neel Parekh in Los Angeles with just one cleaner in 2013, has achieved over $10 million in total revenue by focusing on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, thanks to its successful remote business model and new-age marketing tactics, and has now launched MaidThis Franchise to expand the business further.

About
Neel started MaidThis Franchise over 10 years ago
Revenue
Neel grew the business to $100K/month
Costs
It cost Neel $800 to start the business
Read by 20,577 founders

41. Become a massage therapist

Massage is a growing industry, and as such, many business options exist for those who want to enter this field. The most typical form of massage therapist business is an independent operation. This can be either out of one's home or a massage studio rented on an hourly basis.

Building a successful massage therapy business in Italy is not as difficult as you might think. Massage therapists offer much-needed services to communities and clientele. If you are looking for a new career or want to increase your income while delivering an important service, then starting a new massage therapist business can be an excellent choice.

Turn your massage therapy practice into a successful business by applying core business skills that lead to success.

How much you can make: $3,500 — $275,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

How I Make A Living As A Professional Cuddler

Professional cuddler, Sam Varnerin, developed her successful one-to-one cuddle service, Snuggle with Sam, as a result of recognising the universal human need for connection and touch, which also led to her opening Sam’s Snuggle School, a course for aspiring professional cuddlers.

About
Sam started Snuggle with Sam over 7 years ago
Revenue
Sam grew the business to $11.3K/month
Read by 15,258 founders

42. Start a perfume making business

Perfume making is not only fun but also a lucrative endeavor.

According to a market report, the global perfume market will reach over 440.91 billion in the next few years. The global perfume market is gaining traction owing to the rising trend of personal grooming and the increasing demand for youth-oriented exotic fragrances.

Therefore, starting a perfume-making business in 2024 can be a great business venture.

How much you can make: $19,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Started A $19K/Month Personal And Home Fragrances Brand

Founder Rafael Hernandez launched Alfred Lane, a line of handcrafted personal and home fragrances, generating $19k in monthly revenue with 50% attributed to online and wholesale sales, while expanding to 65 stores across 6 countries and expanding to Europe and South America.

About
Rafael started Alfred Lane over 11 years ago
Revenue
Rafael grew the business to $19K/month
Costs
It cost Rafael $2000 to start the business
Read by 7,660 founders

43. Start a drinkware brand

A drinkware brand sells home and houseware products like cups, koozies, mugs, and other drinking accessories. If you've decided to try and create a business selling drinkware, there are certain things you need to know. You can do it from the comfort of your own home. You can get started for free, avoiding the hefty cost of setting up a brick-and-mortar shop. And if you take advantage of the right marketing strategies, you could be on your way to making money within a few weeks. The demand for custom-branded drinkware in the workplace has increased substantially over the past decade.

How much you can make: $416,000 — $12,000,000/month

I Grew A Drinkware Brand To $1.1M/Month At 23 Years Old

BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.

About
Dylan started BrüMate over 8 years ago
Revenue
Dylan grew the business to $12M/month
Skills
Design Skills
Costs
It cost Dylan $5000 to start the business
Read by 101,589 founders

44. Start a mobile nail salon business

Starting a mobile nail salon business can provide you with the freedom and flexibility you can't get from traditional brick-and-mortar nail salon shops. Also, clients do not need to spend time driving to a salon, spend on gas or wait for an appointment. This setup is attractive to busy customers.

Listed are the steps on how to start a mobile nail salon business.

  • Secure all needed permits and registrations to run your business
  • Obtain needed licenses, training certificates, or credentials
  • Purchase needed materials, equipment, and supplies
  • Promote your business

45. Start a tourist guide business

There's no denying the profitability of a tourism business. If you know the state and cities well, starting a tour guide business can be a very lucrative idea. All you need is a license, and you can soon start working as a tour guide.

Listed are the steps on how to start a tour guide business.

  • Register your tour guide name business
  • Obtain necessary licenses
  • Open a bank account for business transactions
  • Organize your business operations
  • Start to promote and get clients

How much you can make: $200 — $8,110,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How We Built A No-Code Map Builder [400 Users In The First 3 Months]

No Code Map App is a no code builder that allows businesses to create custom interactive maps with dynamic filters automatically based on their dataset, generating >$400 in the first full month of monetization.

About
Nan started No Code Map App about 2 years ago
Revenue
Nan grew the business to $200/month
Costs
It cost Nan $200 to start the business
Read by 4,229 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.