60 Lake Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2023]
Interested in starting a lake business in 2023?
We put together 60 of the best lake businesses you can start in today.
For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of other lake businesses to help you see what it really takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a food delivery business
In today’s busy lifestyles and schedules, cooking is no longer a priority to many. People like to order-in food from their nearest restaurants or food joints and enjoy a meal in the comfort of their homes.
The food delivery business is like a courier service through which restaurants deliver food to their customers.
You can offer retail food delivery services to restaurants within your locality if you have a truck. Customers order through a restaurant or grocer’s website, and the owners contact you to deliver.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $83,333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Food Fleet grew over 160% in just one year and managed over 20 million in sales for its clients, securing multiple contracts with the likes of Sodexo, Levy Restaurants and more, due to its understanding of catering client needs and its advanced turnkey and design services.
2. Start a beverage company
Are you thinking of starting a beverage or drink business?
Starting a beverage company can be a great way to combine your love of food and drink with a passion for entrepreneurship.
Beverage companies can make all sorts of different drinks, from juice to soda to beer. They can also sell other types of food products, like bottled water or snacks.
There are more and more drink options available today than ever before—and that means that beverage companies are constantly trying new things in order to stay competitive in this space! The more innovative they can be with their offerings, the better they'll be able to compete with one another
How much you can make: $500 — $200,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 250 days (?)
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.
3. 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:
- 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 Jessica Baumgart founded a successful food tour business in Denver, which broke even and started making a profit after just three months, generating $20,000/month in revenue from offering different food tour experiences.
4. Start a specialty food business
Specialty food refers to a category of food prepared in small quantities using premium and unique ingredients sourced globally. Quality ingredients add an extra health dimension to produced foods and provide a wide range of micro-ingredients like vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
According to research, the global specialty food ingredients market is expanding at an annual growth rate of 6.4%.
Therefore, starting a specialty food business in 2023 could be your big-time business idea. Identify a niche and pick a reliable supplier for your business. Decide on the business type and register it before applying for business licenses and permits.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
ChipMonk co-founders built a mail-order bakery selling low carb, gluten-free desserts, making around $25,000 a month with growth through e-commerce, and plans to tighten budgets and conserve cash in challenging times.
5. Create a RV accessories store
How much you can make: $300,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
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.
6. Start a mobile photography business
Want to start your own photography business? You're not alone. With the rise of social media and photo-sharing, blogging, and online retailing, it's never been easier to start making money behind your camera.
There are photographers shooting weddings, creating images for ad campaigns, freelancing for magazines, touring the world, taking photographs of destinations — the list is endless!
To start mobile photography , research the target audience and determine which specialization area is more lucrative. Invest in high-quality, professional cameras, lenses, and a computer with professional software photo-editing software.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Photobooth Supply Co. offers a profitable business opportunity through their sleek and portable photo booths, with up to 97% satisfaction rate and a focus on customer experience, in a fast-growing event industry where photo booths are exploding.
7. Start a RV rental business
The RV rental business is an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to make money selling and renting recreational vehicles (RVs). This is a booming industry that continues to grow each year.
An RV rental business provides an appealing option for travelers and holidaymakers exploring the country. Starting an RV company can be fun as it offers you the flexibility to work on your preferred schedule. You can schedule drivers and cleaners and ensure RV maintenance without appearing physically.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
ROAMERICA, a campervan rental company founded by Taylor Hood and Gretchen Bayless who quit their full-time jobs to focus on their business and have expanded their fleet quickly to meet the demand of adventure-seeking customers, with most of their web traffic coming from organic Google searches and a focus on social media and brand awareness.
8. Start a camping brand
A camping gear and apparel brand caters to outdoor adventure enthusiasts seeking quality and performance.
As an camping brand founder, you oversee the design and development of tents, packs, headlamps, and accessories tailored for campers, hikers, and travelers.
Focusing on innovative technologies and sustainable materials provides an eco-conscious edge.
Whether debuting a direct-to-consumer model or wholesale deal, building a camping goods company from the ground up transforms passion into profits.
For those seeking to make their mark on the thriving outdoor recreation industry, a startup brand allows you to carve your niche by equipping others to comfortably enjoy nature no matter the destination.
How much you can make: $1,350 — $10,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
From almost zero knowledge about SEO and marketing, this founder grew Gear Up Hiking, a hiking and camping niche affiliate blog that currently averages $1300+ per month and has a traffic range of 20k to 30k visitors monthly, and is worth over $50,000 if sold for profit.
9. Start a flyboard flying business
10. Start a gym
Over the last decade, more people across the globe have become self-aware of the importance associated with living a healthy lifestyle.
As a result, the gym has become a trend for millions of people, leading to a rapid increase in the size and popularity of the global fitness industry. According to statistics, the global fitness club industry is worth over $96 billion.
Therefore, starting a gym could be a great business opportunity.
How much you can make: $20,000 — $1,200,000/month
How long does it take to build: 227 days (?)
Live Fit, a personal training company founded in 2011, grew from earning $80,000 in their first year with two trainers to earning over $760,000 in 2019 with 12 trainers and two locations, thanks to a focus on building trusting relationships and providing a variety of services to clients.
11. Start a golf course business
If you are a golfer, it is easier to fall in love with owning a golf course. A golf course business can be a passive idea and a great retirement plan.
To start, you can purchase a ready golf course. Alternatively, if you own a piece of land, you can do your golf course. The golf course is a passive source of income and similar to real estate, and its value increases over time. Therefore, the golf course business idea can be a profitable and secure investment.
How much you can make: $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 580 days (?)
BombTech Golf is an ecommerce business that sells premium golf clubs direct-to-consumer; the BombTech Driver, which was the company's flagship product, was launched in 2017 and contributed to $6.3 million in sales that year, with the founder having designed the club with the help of engineering students at a local college before using Facebook to engage his audience in the design and production process.
12. Start a fish farming business
Fish farming, also known as aquaculture, is the practice of breeding, raising, and harvesting fish and other aquatic animals for food or other products. It is an increasingly popular and sustainable way to produce protein-rich food. It allows cultivating fish in a controlled environment, reducing the need to overfish wild populations.
To start a fish farming business, you will need a few key things:
A suitable location: You will need a location with access to water, either a pond or a tank. The water should be clean and have a consistent temperature.
Fish and other aquatic animals: You will need to decide what type of fish or marine animals you want to raise. Some popular choices include tilapia, catfish, and trout.
Equipment: You will need equipment such as tanks or ponds, pumps and filters to keep the water clean and oxygenated, and feeders to dispense food.
Expertise: It is helpful to have some knowledge of fish biology and aquaculture practices. You may want to consider taking courses or getting a degree in aquaculture or a related field.
Research the local regulations and obtain any necessary permits. It is essential to carefully plan and manage the operation to ensure the fish’s health and well-being and maximize your profits. Marketing and selling your products will also be necessary to run a successful fish farming business.
How much you can make: $3,750/month
This case study explores how a Toronto-based freelance artist, Malik King, turned his childhood passion for fish farming into a profitable side hustle, generating an annual net revenue of $45,000.
13. Start a transportation service
Transportation businesses offer ridesharing services, haul consumer goods, or ship supplies and products from one location to another. They target individual passengers, other companies, or global business partners.
If you are starting a transportation service, decide who and what you will serve, set up the business structure, register the business, and apply for the required business licenses or permits. To ensure a profitable business, incorporate proper hiring procedures and keep up with maintenance and recertifications.
How much you can make: $12,000 — $364,000/month
How long does it take to build: 410 days (?)
Mirai Flights is an app-forward private jet booking service with a focus on UK, Europe, Middle East and CIS states, that allows customers to bypass the long wait times with more than 30 parameters analysed in less than 30 seconds, achieving $4.37m turnover from March to December 2021, and planning to increase it up to $10.2m and expand internationally in the future.
14. Start an ecotourism business
15. Start a boat repair business
Just like vehicles, trains, and airplanes, boats will break down. When they break down, the boat owners contact a nearby technician to help with the repair service. According to reports, the global boat repairing market will grow at a CARG of 7.6%. The growth is mainly because of the increased adoption of boats as a means of transport.
Therefore, starting your own boat repair business can be profitable. To start, identify the boat repair services you can offer in your area. Focus on providing the services to meet customer satisfaction and earn referrals.
16. Start a canoe paddles business
How much you can make: $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Thurso Surf, founded by childhood friends, has quickly grown to become one of the best SUP brands in the highly competitive mid-range market, selling thousands of boards in dozens of countries since its launch in 2018, with traffic increased 16X since their first year in operation.
17. Start a dinner cruises business
18. Start a restaurant
If you love cooking and are passionate about entrepreneurship, starting a restaurant can be a fun and lucrative business.
To get started, choose a great location, and hire an excellent support team. You will need a chef to inspect the food and line cooks, waiters, and waitresses to serve the customers. No matter the restaurant type, you need great culinary and business skills to make your dream come true.
If you plan to open a restaurant , gain insight from consumer preferences and focus on serving modern consumers what they need.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $61,650,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
One Life Meals is a Toronto-based healthy meal delivery service that made 14,500 meals per month and generated $130k in monthly sales in 2018 through their one-on-one consultation, lean protein and seasonal veggies-based meals, and their focus on the client experience.
19. Start an ice skating business
20. Start a kite surfing business
21. Become a bed and breakfast owner
Bed and breakfast is a sort of hybrid between a luxury hotel and a private home. The host offers the guests affordable accommodation featuring a bed and breakfast at the room's price. B&Bs offer affordable accommodations and are becoming popular among travelers who prefer a private setting.
If you have realistic expectations, B&B can be a profitable and enjoyable business. To start, you can renovate and turn your home into an inn. Alternatively, you can build or buy a ready house and convert it into a modern B&B.
22. Start a bar
The “bar” business idea involves opening and operating a bar or nightclub that serves alcohol and provides entertainment for customers. To run this business, you must secure a location, obtain necessary licenses and permits, and stock your bar with various drinks and supplies. You may also need to hire staff to help with serving drinks, managing the music and lighting, and maintaining the establishment’s cleanliness.
One of the benefits of running a bar is that it can be a very lucrative business, as people are often willing to pay a premium for a night out with friends or to enjoy live music or other forms of entertainment. Additionally, a well-run bar can attract a loyal customer base and build a reputation as a popular destination in the community.
To succeed in this business, it is important to have a strong understanding of the local market, and what types of drinks and entertainment will be most appealing to your target audience. You should also be prepared to put in long hours and work on evenings and weekends, as this is when most bars are busiest.
Overall, the “bar” business idea offers the opportunity to create a fun and profitable business that can become a central hub for socializing and entertainment in the community.
23. Start a convention & business center business
How much you can make: $100,000/month
How long does it take to build: 59 days (?)
Dubai-based Spacebox Business Center offers luxury private offices, dedicated and hot desks to a large freelancing workforce while achieving 80% occupancy in its two prime locations, driving leads through Google Ads and social media while securing clients with Clever Corp.
24. Start a bike rental store
Bike rental is one of the most profitable business ideas most people overlook. Today, bike rental is in high demand, especially among people who love outdoor activities. Today, people prefer renting a bike as opposed to buying one. Moreover, bikes offer a hassle-free and quicker ride option for daily commuters. In that regard, starting your own bike rental business is exciting and can be profitable.
If you are starting a bike rental business, some avenues you could use to increase business profitability include:
- Targeting tourists
- Reaching out to biker clubs
- Biking training schools
- Cater to employees in organizations that encourage the use of bikes
Use bike rental software to manage bookings, and market your business on social media and biking clubs, to maximize bookings.
25. Start a houseboat rentals business
26. Become a scuba diving instructor
How much does it cost to start: $4,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)
27. Start a cottage houses business
28. Start a fishing tools and accessories business
Fishing is a profitable economic activity. To achieve a good catch, fishermen require high-quality fishing tools and accessories. Starting fishing tools and accessories business can be a profitable venture. To start, find a location where fishing is an everyday activity. You can start an online or physical fishing tool and equipment store.
29. Start a foil-board business
30. Start a beach bags brand
31. Start a cruise ship travel agent business
Cruise ship travel agents are professionals who work on board cruise ships. They are responsible for helping passengers plan their trips, make reservations for shore excursions, and assist them with any other travel-related needs.
Cruise ship agents may specialize in a specific area of expertise, such as booking tours or finding excursions that match the interests of the passengers. For example, if the passenger is interested in wildlife viewing or diving, then the agent might have extensive knowledge of which tours would be best for them to take.
The first step to starting a cruise ship travel agent is to find a cruise line you are interested in. The next step is to find out if the company has any openings for an agent. If they do, you will need to apply for the position. If not, you may need to wait until one becomes available.
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
32. Start a small harbor business
33. Start a spa retreat center
Spa retreat centers offer yoga, meditation, healing treatments, and counseling sessions to support the patient in finding balance and a sense of well-being. However, wellness retreat centers can be unique, so the same classes, workshops, and treatments can differ.
With the growing demand for wellness retreat services, starting your spa retreat center can be profitable. To start, identify the target market, and establish a facility. You can offer a mobile retreat service or equip a physical facility where you will serve the customers.
How much you can make: $275,000/month
How long does it take to build: 300 days (?)
Glosshouz is a full-service day spa that offers aesthetic and wellness services and has grown to over 1000 monthly members, earning $3,311,338 in revenue in 2022, and will soon be offering franchises.
34. Start a child care business
Starting a childcare business is a great way to build a steady income. You will have the opportunity to be your boss and set your hours even from home. You will have the satisfaction of building one-on-one relationships with children and watching them grow over the years.
A childcare business is an excellent idea. It is both a personal and economical investment for its owners. This is especially true if you are considering starting your non-profit organization or becoming licensed to provide child care. Running a childcare business allows you to help children develop while also making money. As with any business endeavor, running a childcare business has its ups and downs, but it can be very rewarding.
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
35. Become a lemonade seller
Demand for lemonade has increased as consumers’ knowledge of its health and nutritional benefits have grown. According to research, the lemonade market is growing at a CAGR of 5.7% and will surpass $2.651 million in the next few years.
If you are interested in starting a lemonade business, consider putting up a stand at a busy location.
A lemonade stand is a low-barrier-to-entry business you can start in a day and generate good profits. You can make lemonade from home and sell it to customers at a drive-through stand.
36. Start a glamping business
Glamping is the ultimate in eco-chic these days. A glamorous twist on camping, glamping feels more like a 5-star hotel and less like roughing it.
You could turn your backyard into a campground that earns money every day.
37. Start a boat cleaning service
Boat cleaning is a low barrier to entry business, with high-profit margins and low competition. If you love working on boats and looking forward to starting a boat business, this could be your best time to start the boat cleaning business.
To start a boat cleaning business, target the regions where boats are a popular means of transportation and fishing. Advertise your business, and focus on offering superior service so customers keep returning and referring your services to others.
38. Start a snack food kiosk
A snack kiosk is a small to medium-sized booth for holding, preparing, and selling confectionery, quick-service food, and beverages. If you plan to start a snack food kiosk, identify a strategic location with high traffic.
Selling high-quality snack foods will help you attract more customers and retain them.
How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)
39. Start a floating docks business
40. Start a wine tour business
Wine tourists visit wineries and vineyards where they experience gorgeous views and learn more about wine production. There are plenty of places that wine tourists can visit. To start a wine tour business, create a profile of your area’s top wineries and vineyards. Include different activities related to the wine tour business.
Then, market the trips to those attractive locations, showing the features the tourists can expect to see there. Wine tour businesses offer their customers a mix of luxury private tours to big group tours.
41. Start a jet ski rental business
Are you looking for a business you can start within the coastal locations? A jet ski rental business can be excellent if you target areas that attract water sports tourists. According to industry experts, the global market size for the water sports gear market will reach $55.2 billion in the next decade.
Therefore, starting the ski jet rental business can be a profitable business. To venture into the ski rental business, you may start alone or consider starting as a franchise partner. For an absolute beginner in this industry, a franchise would be advisable.
42. Start a yacht rentals business
Owning a yacht for a rental can be a profitable business venture. Chartering yachts presents a unique opportunity that can lead to profitable opportunities.
To start a yacht charter business, find the right market. Consider markets where the weather is good for water activities and a region frequented by tourists. Then, write a comprehensive yacht hire business plan that includes all expenses and revenue opportunities for your business.
You can buy or lease a yacht. Leasing can be a short-term plan, but buying your yacht is the ultimate long-term plan for your business.
How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)
How long does it take to build: 1 days (?)
43. Start an apartment rental business
An apartment is a private residence divided into several separate dwellings. If you are interested in starting an accommodation and housing-related business, apartment rental can be a good fit. Your target customers can be business executives, dignitaries, travelers, etc.
To start your business, look for a strategic location and build or buy a ready property. When purchasing an apartment, you may need to renovate the property to be suitable for rental.
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
44. Start a wind surfing business
45. Start an event organizing business
Here's an idea for those who excel at bringing people together and crafting unforgettable experiences: an event organizing business. Simply put, this venture involves planning events - be they weddings, corporate conferences, or intimate family celebrations - down to the last, memorable detail.
It's the ideal line of work for individuals who have a knack for multitasking, negotiating, and curating aesthetic elements. With each event you plan, you not only construct a tangible experience but also create delighting memories for your clients.
An event organizing business does not necessitate an enormous initial investment. It does demand keen attention to detail, tireless energy, and a skill for juggling diverse tasks. And the payoff? The satisfaction of making dreams come true and the chance to shape unforgettable moments.
But while it is rewarding, this business is not for the faint-hearted. It requires a resilient spirit, ready to face unforeseen challenges around every corner. But fear not, these challenges are nothing but stepping stones paving your path to mastery in event management.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $162,620/month
SinOficina is an online coworking space for Spanish-speaking freelancers and entrepreneurs that generates $3,000 per month in revenue, which founder Bosco Soler built by sharing his journey with his audience, delegating tasks, collaborating with formidable people and using WordPress, Slack, Mailchimp, Airtable, Crowdcast, Zapier and Notion.
46. Start a sailing school business
47. Start a sun loungers rental business
48. Start a camping equipment rental business
Camping equipment is a great business to start and can make a good amount of money. For $10,000 you can start a rental company that grosses $100,000/year. However, starting a camping equipment rental business requires some careful consideration first.
The global camping equipment market is estimated at $16.4B in 2022 and is forecast to surpass $33.3B by 2032. Campers and tents are both popular items to rent but this depends on where you live. Check out the local demand for these types of products in your area before starting your business.
49. Start a hotels business
If you are considering starting a hotel, then it is time to implement your plan. There are five key elements to understand if you want to succeed in this industry: location, size, budget, experience, and market demand.
Here are some tips to consider before forming a hotel:
- Name your business
- Decide on a marketing strategy
- Start by renting out a room in your home.
- Hire a business capital broker
- Try Airbnb
- Make a marketing plan
- Offer complementary services
How much you can make: $15,000/month
How long does it take to build: 325 days (?)
SKNMUSE, a premium beauty brand dedicated to elevating the beauty experience for Black Women, has a 40% customer retention rate, achieved a 169% increase in revenue, and made $30,000 in Q1 alone.
50. Start a pedal boat rentals business
51. Start an e-scooter business
52. Start a beach hats brand
53. Start a lifeguard training business
54. Start a skates business
55. Start a summer camp
Starting a summer camp business can be a fun and rewarding experience for anyone looking to enter the education and recreation industry. Summer camps offer children and young adults a chance to participate in various activities and experiences, including sports, crafts, nature hikes, and more.
To start a summer camp business, you will need to secure a location, typically a large piece of land with various amenities such as cabins, a pool, and a dining hall. You will also need to hire a team of trained and experienced staff members to oversee the campers and lead activities. Marketing and advertising will be important to attract potential campers and their families, and you may want to consider offering promotions or discounts to attract new business.
According to a report by the American Camp Association, the summer camp industry generates over $15 billion in revenue annually, with approximately 14 million children attending camps each year. It is a popular and growing business opportunity, with an estimated 2,400 new camps opening in the United States each year.
Starting a summer camp business can be challenging, but with proper planning and execution, it can be a rewarding and successful venture. By providing a safe and engaging environment for children to learn and grow, you can positively impact their development and create lasting memories for them and their families.
56. Become a swimming instructor
Swimming instructors help children and adults develop proper swimming techniques. Starting swim lessons can be a profitable side hustle. You can teach swimmers at a private or a public pool.
Swimming teachers charge students per session or hour. To become a swimming pool instructor, consider registering for relevant training courses and take the certification examination. Advertise your business online and target social groups in your area.
How much you can make: $1,000/month
57. Start a kayak rental business
If you happen to live near a lake or a water body, you may consider starting a kayak rental business. Kayak rental is a low-expense business and easy to operate without so much involvement in person. If you want to keep the business passive, you may want to operate it by appointment only.
58. Start a jet surf & underwater sea scooters rental business
59. Start a cabins rental business
60. Start a souvenir shop
A souvenir shop is a retail store that sells items that are typically associated with a particular place or event. These items can range from t-shirts and hats to postcards and magnets.
To start a souvenir shop, you must find a suitable location, such as a busy tourist destination or a famous shopping center. You will also need to purchase inventory, such as souvenirs and other novelty items, and attractively display them. You may also need to invest in marketing materials, such as signage and social media advertising, to attract customers.
To operate a souvenir shop, you must keep track of your inventory and restock as needed. You should also keep track of your sales and expenses to ensure your business is profitable. Customer service is also essential in this type of business, as you will interact with people from different parts of the world.
Overall, a souvenir shop can be a fun and rewarding business idea for those who enjoy interacting with people and showcasing unique products. If you are interested in starting your souvenir shop, do thorough research and seek advice from experienced business owners. Good luck!
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
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