52 Low Cost Business Ideas [Cheap Startups 2023]
Building a business with little or no capital will come with its fair share of challenges, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible to be successful.
With sufficient research, a solid plan, and some extra time, there are plenty of ways to build your business from scratch, regardless of your startup budget.
We’ve identified 52 low startup cost business ideas (from real world examples) that can be launched with $0 - $10,000 dollars.
Here's the list of the cheapest startup ideas:
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💰UNDER $1,000 TO START
1. Start a newsletter
Did you know that in the past five years, there has been more than a 50% increase in the number of people who read newsletters?
Newsletters are one of the few things you can use to market yourself as a trusted expert. A well-written newsletter can educate your subscribers and build connections with them.
Email newsletters are a great way to connect with customers and potential customers. It’s a newsletter’s job to inform, persuade, and sell to your audience.
My name is Matt Paulson and I’m the founder of MarketBeat, a financial media company that empowers individual stock investors to make better trading decisions by providing objective financial information and real-time market data.
MarketBeat is expected to generate approximately $8 million in revenue in 2019 and end the year at about 1.3 million unique email subscribers.
2. Start a subscription box business
A subscription box business is a type of business where customers subscribe to receive a niche set of products on a monthly basis. Subscription boxes are in high demand today as customers enjoy receiving a variety of products from various brands.
Some of the benefits of starting a subscription box business are:
- The revenue is predictable as it is a recurring business
- Adds more value to customer service as this creates a unique shopping experience
- Customers can access exclusive products and also customize them based on their interest
- Profit margin can range from 40%-60%
You can start a subscription box business by understanding the real market needs. Because of its highly competitive nature, finding your niche and providing quality products based on your customer's interests is important. Additionally, it is important to decide what items should go in your box. The box's quantity, size, and design are crucial to grabbing the customer's attention. Apart from the basics, you should also make sure that the items are bright and colorful.
Lastly, building a good relationship with the fulfillment companies will be profitable as this business is a routine task. For example, if you have 100 subscribers, you will need a service to pick up and deliver your products. In addition to this, marketing your service can be an advantage. To promote the service, you can build your website and create special offers to attract and retain customers.
I’m Lindsay Scholz, and I’m the founder of Vowed Box Co. – a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind.
Since the brand is still in its infancy and we’re still working through wholesale costs, my monthly income is roughly $600. For being a side business, I look at any profit as a win, but of course, the goal is to see this grow in 2019!
3. 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!
Hello, my name is Mel. I run a skincare business called Flowerdale Valley. I named the business Flowerdale valley because that's where I live, in a small town called Flowerdale in country Victoria, Australia.
4. Start a jewelry making business
The global jewelry market size was valued at $278B in 2018 and is expected to reach $292B by 2025.
The industry comprises manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and jewelry designers. Unlike many other industries that have gone through leaps in technology, the jewelry industry has remained untouched for over 40 years.
If you know how to make jewelry, then this might be a great way to make some extra money.
Hello there! We are Lindsay Ann Gottschall and Courtney Joy Bleier, two sisters from Miami who started Ann + Joy. We make handmade real flower and resin jewelry and sell online and in stores around the world. We take pride in being one of the first companies to make real flower jewelry. During our first year of business, we blossomed almost immediately into a very successful Etsy shop. Etsy was constantly featuring our products on its website and in promotional emails. We are proud to say that since starting in early 2017 we have had over 5,000 sales online.
For all the readers, we are providing a 20% off coupon to our Etsy shop. Use code: STARTERSTORY at checkout!
5. Start a podcast
Do you have knowledge and passion that you'd love to share with other people? Or perhaps you are a content creator and looking for ways to expand your revenue streams? If you match any of these criteria, then becoming a podcast host could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Podcasts are the new radio. Podcasting is one of the fastest-growing mediums for online audio, and it's not expected to slow down any time soon. But unlike traditional radio, podcasts are driven by content creators who have a passion for sharing stories with their listeners.
One of the main benefits that come with starting a podcast is the minimal investment needed to get started. All you need is a computer or phone with a microphone and a way to host it online. You can even create one on your own website if you want.
Hey there! I’m Jeremy Enns, the founder and Storyteller In Chief at Counterweight Creative, a podcast production and strategy agency.
I started the company 3 years ago, in 2016 with one client, making $15/hour and have grown into a team of 10 contractors producing more than 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10K/mo.
6. 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.
Hello! My name is Vivian and I’m one of the co-founders of East Meets Dress. We’re the first modern fashion company to bring Asian-American representation and inclusion to the traditional wedding industry by combining contemporary cultural designs, quality craftsmanship, and a dedicated customer experience.
East Meets Dress has been entirely bootstrapped from Day 1 (we got started with less than $100 over a weekend). Neither my co-founder nor I had any prior experience in fashion or entrepreneurship, but through a lot of hard work, hustle, and trial and error, we've been able to grow our team and company to a 6-figure annual recurring revenue ($25k/month) in one year and help hundreds of brides across the world celebrate their heritage in style.
7. Start a niche accessories brand
Niche accessories make excellent small business ideas. The profit margins in these businesses are pretty significant because of the product markup. You could have a small Etsy store or sell them through marketplace sites such as Amazon, Facebook, and eBay.
The niche market for custom accessories is estimated to be nearly $473.46B by 2020 and it contains a variety of product categories ranging from jewelry, handbags, and small leather goods to house decorations and small fashion apparel accessories. Niche accessories are currently enjoying strong growth, projected to continue during this decade.
My name is Braxton Manley and I am a 23-year-old living in Austin. I started Braxley Bands with my dorm-mate Grant Andrews as a class project at Texas Tech about 3 years ago.
We created an elastic Apple Watch band and started making them by hand on my Nana’s sewing machine. We have since scaled the business from an original $20 upfront for materials to $100K a month on Shopify. No other capital or investment was ever put into the business.
8. Become a wedding planner
A wedding planner assists with designing, planning, and managing a wedding, so the bride and groom have the happiest day. Wedding planners enjoy a flexible working schedule and opportunities to travel locally and globally, and it’s a great career with numerous growth opportunities.
To start a wedding planning business, identify your target clientele and study their wedding cultures so you can offer the clients excellent service. Remember, excellent wedding planning is all about having the passion and knowing how to harness that passion for designing weddings that bring out the emotions of those in attendance.
The Complete Service is the opposite of The Essential Service, it costs more but we handle the entire process for the couple!
We have gone from doing 5 to 10 weddings a month to 80 to 100 weddings a month in 4 years.
9. Start a digital agency
A digital agency’s task is to make a business reach its advertising, marketing, or technology-related goals. Anyone with enough knowledge and passion for digital marketing can start and run a profitable digital marketing agency. With the proper skill set, the right tools, and the right mindset, you can start a successful digital agency.
The global digital agency market reached a value of nearly $305B in 2020. The future growth prospects of the digital agency market are projected to be high due to the rising population of people consuming and creating content through digital channels.
I am Hailey Brooke McFadden and I was a 4 season starter on the volleyball team at Wake Forest University, captain, and libero my senior year. I was a 4x Academic All-ACC honoree and 3x Dean’s list honoree and graduated from Wake Forest in 3.5 years with a BA in communication with a minor in film studies.
I wanted to make a company that knew how to market to women and also cultivated a culture internally that respects women and give them a chance to thrive. Ironically, PMM now works with several companies whose target audience is male and we have still been able to crush it!
10. Start a women's clothing line
Starting a women’s clothing brand is a great way to enter entrepreneurship. You don’t need to have millions of dollars or vast experience to start your clothing line—just the drive and determination to be your own boss.
Women’s fashion has come a long way over the last decade, and there are many growth opportunities! New trends are constantly emerging, and old ones are returning, too, so there will always be an audience for your new designs if you keep up with the times (and stay on top of them).
Hi everyone, my name is Gia, and I am the owner of Boutique Rye. We are a women’s clothing and accessories boutique that is all online!
We have anywhere from clothes that are appropriate for work or clothes that will make you turn heads on a night out on the town. I try and buy clothes with many different styles in mind. I'd like to think that we are a one-stop shop for a diverse group of women!
11. Start a niche blog
Growing a niche blog can be an incredible way to build an income on the Internet. You can start blogging in any niche that you find interesting with a few easy steps. You simply need a domain, hosting, and WordPress to start blogging. The hard part comes when you try to monetize your website traffic. Making income from your blog, and making a blog that actually pays you the money takes time, work, and effort.
There are more than 500 million blogs out of 1.7 billion websites. Over 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages each month. Users produce around 70 million new posts and 77 million new comments each month. Content marketing is predicted to be an industry worth $412.88B by 2021.
- The most comprehensive interview about starting: Founder Interviews: Pat Walls of Starter Story.
- A more personal side of the story: The Best Year Of My Life: In 35 Tweets.
- More recent: How Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and $500,000 in annual revenue
- Latest: 5 years building Starter Story # Read these first
- The most comprehensive interview about starting: Founder Interviews: Pat Walls of Starter Story.
- A more personal side of the story: The Best Year Of My Life: In 35 Tweets.
- More recent: How Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and $500,000 in annual revenue
- Latest: 5 years building Starter Story
12. Start a sustainable clothing line
Starting a sustainable clothing company can seem like a daunting task, but with the right skills and resources in place, it doesn't have to be. And thanks to more and more technologies becoming available there is a greater chance of success than has ever been had before.
The sustainable clothing market shrunk from $6.35B in 2019 to $6.14B in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impact. But the sustainable clothing market size will keep growing in the coming years, Experts predict it will reach $8.25B by 2023.
Hi, my name is Pepe Martín I´m the co-founder of Minimalismbrand. We started our business two years ago. We are two founders.
13. Start a home decor business
Are you a talented interior designer? Do you know you can turn your hobby into a side income opportunity? Home décor as a side hustle is a great opportunity to build a brand as you earn extra income. You first need to work on your portfolio to launch a successful home décor side hustle.
The portfolio communicates to your potential customers your potential when it comes to home décor. You may use your home as an example or request a friend for an opportunity to do their home décor as a sample for your portfolio. Once you have a portfolio, market your business, and remember to include photos from your previous gigs to increase the chances of closing a sale.
My name is Sarah Giller Nelson and I am organized. I experience a sense of calm when I walk into well-ordered spaces. I enjoy feeling unencumbered. Knowing how to sift through, sort out, and organize all the “stuff” a household needs comes naturally to me and is a skill that I draw upon all the time.
I currently have a staff of three professional organizers operating in two states. We serve on average 95 households per year. About 85% of our clients are repeat customers, buying 10 hours or more of organizing services. Typically, they hire us to work on one space, like a closet or a kitchen. Once they see how quickly we can make the changes that they need, they hire us to organize many other rooms in their house as well.
14. Start a stationery business
A stationery business sells stationery products such as paper goods, notebooks, greeting cards, and envelopes.
The best part about starting a stationery business is that it's relatively easy and inexpensive to get started.
Since there are so many different types of products available in this industry, there are endless opportunities for creativity, customization, and expansion.
You could even start out small by selling your products on Etsy or eBay before opening up an actual storefront.
Hi, I’m Jess. I’m 34 years old from Tasmania, Australia. I started Chasing Planner Peace back in 2015 when I was pregnant with my third child. Originally we were based on Etsy and only sold planner inserts, however, we’ve now turned into a one-stop planner shop that caters to seasoned “planner addicts” who want to add to their planners, and also planner newbies who love the fact our shop is the only store in Australia you can custom build your own ring planner style planner.
Over the past few years, we’ve really expanded our range to not only offer planners and inserts, but also planner dashboards (beautiful cover pages), dividers, notepads, stationery items and more. We also recently started our subscription box service where every two months customers can receive a “Planner Peace Box” which is full of planner and self-care goodies. We have so many more plans for new products in 2020.
15. Start a dog walking business
Do you love dogs? If yes, you can turn your love for animals into a lucrative side hustle that can help you pay extra toward your mortgage, save for a vacation, or even clear that student loan.
If you offer dog walking services as a side hustle, you could earn an average income of between $10,000 and $30,000 per year. As a dog walker, sitter or boarder, you offer your services to dog owners looking for a caregiver for their puppy. Register on a legitimate dog-walking app and create a compelling profile to get started.
Hi. My name is Melodi Landi. I am the Founder & Owner of Furry Fellas Pet Service LLC.
Furry Fellas has been voted in the TOP 3 Pet Sitting / Dog Walking Company within the RI / MA area for 8 years in a row!
16. Make a handcrafted drums business
Start a handcrafted drums business in an industry ready to boom. Firsthand drum builders and craftspeople have long sought out solid places to connect, guild-style, on the web. If you're on a shoestring budget, think about starting a handcrafted drums business.
The global handcrafted Drums & IBCs Market is expected to hit a market value of $16B by 2022 and is expected to reach $22.5B from 2022 to 2029. Starting your own handcrafted drums business in the modern age is much easier than it used to be. Because of the rise in sites like eBay over the past 20 years, it's much easier to pick up some used equipment and have your own drum kit up and running for a fraction of the cost of buying new.
Hello, my name is Oran and I handcraft steel tongue drums used by musicians and also for sound therapy/meditation. The tongues or notes are tuned in a way that they all resonate with each other making it very easy to create alluring melodies, when the tongue is hit with you finger or a mallet, it vibrates creating sound waves. There is a hole underneath allowing sound to escape. No musical background is needed to play, so they are suitable for all ages and abilities.
Sales vary from month to month but tend to average out at $2000 a month from my website www.goya.ie. I’m continually creating new designs and experimenting with sounds which is a perfect way for me to spend my time.
17. Start a children's clothing business
The children's clothing business has grown rapidly over the last few years, and in 2022 was valued at $263.30 billion.
Starting a children's clothing business gives you the opportunity to be your own boss while working in a field you enjoy. While you have to be prepared to work long hours and put in lots of hard effort, it can be extremely rewarding if successful.
Hello, I am Charles Carette, CEO & Co-founder of Bambox. We developed the first monthly subscription-based ecommerce for baby essentials combined with a virtual assistant to guide new parents throughout their baby’s first 3 years. We operate in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
18. Become a temporary tattoo artist
Starting a tattoo business is not as difficult as you might think. If you have the talent, ability, and guts, you already have the essential qualities for starting your own tattoo company. The Tattoo Artists market size in the US in 2022 is $1.4B.
The tattooing business is profitable and famous, and it is one of the most rewarding careers that you can have. However, becoming a tattoo artist requires a lot of commitment and hard work.
Tattoo shops have strict standards for artists who work in shops, so to have an ideal career as an artist, you might have to go the freelance route. It can be a short-term or long-term career, so you must be prepared before taking on such a responsibility. It won’t come with a million-dollar salary at first, but once you’ve developed a good reputation and have completed enough work, the money will start rolling in.
Over the last 12 months, we’ve expanded our products to include two tattoo designs in six colors, swimsuits, and clothing, all with the unifying “mermaid scale” theme. These last six months we’ve averaged about $1,000/month in mostly passive income.
19. 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.
Hi there! My name is Abigail Butler and I am the designer, maker and owner of Chirps & Cricket Design Studio. Chirps & Cricket is a small, Denver, Colorado-based design studio specializing in graphic design services, custom illustration, handcrafted paper goods and bespoke invitations.
Illustration, design and packaging for The Patient Zeros ‘Born Again’ EP. The band requested a hand-drawn illustration with a psychedelic feel.
20. Start a dating coaching business
A dating coach offers training and guidance to improve the client's success in dating and relationships.
The dating coach evaluates the results of the client's actions and decides what changes to make to the client's dating approach to improve the outcome. Besides, dating coaches offer guidance and support, helping clients negotiate the often confusing first stages of their early romantic experiences.
Dating coaches have been around for years. A more recent trend is dating coaches who help people with conditions like autism overcome their situations and begin dating people they love. Do you love helping people achieve their dating goals? You can start a dating coach service today!
To start, identify a niche and create a website, to help you reach more people. You can target teenagers, divorced people, or older adults and help them through their dating life.
Hello! I'm Ta'Veca Collins, MSW, Registered Clinical Social Worker (Florida) Owner and operator of Romance On The Go, Concierge Services (ROTGO-Est. 2012), a small business that promotes romance and intimacy.
“Meet The Tolberts” - They spent their Honeymoon in Fort Lauderdale, FL. and we executed this sunrise picnic with a mini photoshoot.
21. Start a beach wedding company
If you have been aspiring to start a business that relates to weddings, you may consider starting a beach wedding company. Beach weddings have a naturally intimate romantic vibe and can be a perfect fit for couples looking for a unique experience.
Besides, beach weddings can be cheaper since there is not much décor to do and the ceremony and reception take place in the same venue.
My name is Brandon Wheeler, co-founder of Gulf Beach Weddings, a Beach Wedding Services company serving Tampa and Destin, FL.
💸UNDER $10,000 TO START
22. Start a photo printing business
Hello, my name is Jainam Shah, and I am one of the founders of CanvasChamp. We make a variety of custom photo products for home decor and gifting purposes, most notably canvas prints, acrylic and metal prints. We have a lot many other products already launched and soon will introduce even more.
We started in March 2012, with just custom canvas prints and now have more than 60+ personalized photo gifts products with revenue of 1.5m$+/mo. We still have a long way to go with the potential of scalability and growth.
23. Start a backpack line
Backpacks enable you to carry camping items safely. Ideal bags for hikers are waterproof, lightweight, and flexible. Quality backpacks provide maximum protection for the contents. There is a demand for backpacks all year round, which increases during the camping season.
A backpack line business can reap enormous profits. It allows you to be your boss or start a business.
Building your line of backpacks might seem like a daunting task, but it can be rewarding to know that you have made something out of nothing. It will take time and hard work, but ultimately you are going to end up with a great product that resonates with your audience
To start your camping backpack line, research the current trends and focus on providing durable products.
Over the past nine years, we’ve bootstrapped our way to seven figures in revenue.
24. 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.
Hello, my name is Dylan Jacob and I am the founder of BruMate, AKA, The Dehydration Company. We are a unique insulated drinkware brand with a sole focus on the adult beverage community.
I launched our first product line in November 2016. We did $250,000 in sales from November-December 2016, 2.1M in sales in 2017, and we are now doing over 1.1M/mo in sales, in over 1000 retailers nationwide, and are on track to do 20M this year with roughly 35-45% bottom line depending on our ad-spend.
25. Start a makeup academy
Hi, my name is Anastasia Andreani. I grew up in the Midwest, in a small town outside Chicago. From a very young age, I was drawn to the world of beauty and art. Growing up wasn’t easy. My parents got divorced when I was very young, which led me to start working and hustling to make money at a young age. I have always been a free-willed spirit with the intention of paving my own way in life.
Vizio Makeup Academy has enrolled over 3,300 students and generated $2.4M in revenue this year. We have been contributing a lot of energy and time into our growth strategies, so we aim to double and triple our earnings in the years to come.
26. Become a toy maker
The toys market is growing at a CAGR of 2.5% and will reach a market size of $103 Billion in the next few years. Toys play a critical role in a child’s growth and development. They help in brain development, enabling the kids to acquire logical and reasoning skills.
Besides, toys help kids develop spatial reasoning and social and communication skills. Therefore, starting a toy-making business today could be the best decision you are about to make.
To start your toy-making business, identify a potential niche, and focus on delivering suitable toys.
My full-time job is in advertising. (Think Don Draper with less Brylcreem,) And from 2005 to 2012, I worked at JWT, the United States Marine Corps’ longtime ad agency. As the Creative Director, I was in charge of recruitment advertising - writing the television commercials, print ads, billboards, etc - for the Marines during two of the most unpopular wars in our nation’s history.
Today, we donate ZZZ Bears monthly to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty through our partnership with TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors).
27. Start a 3D Printing Business
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, makes it possible to produce a physical item by assembling a material layer by layer.
If you love creating stuff, then a 3D printing business may be for you.
My name is Roy Kirchner, an entrepreneur from Odessa, Florida. After years spent in the automobile and marketing and advertising industries, I decided in 2014 to form a new company solely focused on emerging new technology, 3D printing.
I started my company with an initial, out-of-pocket investment of $65,000, and today we are averaging monthly gross sales of $330,000.
28. Start a phone case business
With the number of mobile phone users increasing, there are opportunities for accessory makers such as phone case manufacturers to make a profit. Building a business around making and selling phone cases is relatively easier to produce. You can print labels on-demand, starting with a lower risk, or buy them in bulk and sell them online.
The global mobile phone protective cover market is expected to reach 75.62 billion in the next few years.
Phone protective covers often make a statement and reflect a person’s social and cultural preferences. Phone case manufacturers take advantage of such considerations and keep their products relevant and up-to-date to attract a more extensive customer base.
Remember, as with any industry with a low entry barrier, there will be competition. Therefore, you must study customers’ tastes and preferences and offer customized phone cases.
Hi, I’m Andrew Moore, the founder, and designer at Felony Case, a Toronto based company designing unique iPhone cases. I founded Felony Case in 2012, and since then we’ve created several flagship iPhone case designs.
29. Start a membership management software
30. Start a hair product line
Starting a hair product line can be a fun and profitable way to build a new income stream. It's also fairly easy, as long as you plan it out (and maybe do a little bit of market research before creating your sales funnel). There's a reason we often talk about trends in hip-hop and pop culture when we talk about hairstyles — they often have a lot to do with advancements in the hair product industry. The industry is expected to grow to 102 billion dollars by 2024.
Hi! My name is Mikey Moran and I am one of the owners of Private Label Extensions. We started this company a little over 5 years ago to create another option for women looking for amazing quality hair and entrepreneurs looking to get into the hair industry.
We’ve made a lot of mistakes during our business journey but have learned from them all and have seen an increase in business. We went from selling a few thousand dollars a month to over $650,000 monthly and even had a $1,000,000 month. One of our biggest accomplishments was being ranked #278 of the fastest-growing companies by Inc Magazine for 2018.
31. Start an online food business
When we first started, we sold around 200 bowls each week. We currently sell around 10,000 bowls each month. Most companies like this start the same way, cooking from their primary residence for family and friends. We were no exception. But as we continued to grow, we spent time and money to work out of rentable commercial kitchens until we were able to afford our own.
32. Start a custom prints business
Custom print businesses often focus on printing everything, including business cards, photos, and even custom T-shirts.
To start an online custom prints business, choose a niche to help your business stand out and attract the right target audience. Then, focus on producing quality prints of different sizes, materials, and designs. You may hire designers online or search for designs in online design communities. Then, validate the designs before you begin mass production. Finally, set up an online store, and launch the business.
Remember that with the growth in popularity of selling custom prints, expect to face stiff competition. Therefore, you should market your custom prints on social media to maximize your reach.
Hi! I’m Zach Katz, and I started Framed Tweets to give people a simple way to beautifully frame their favorite tweets as art, to remember and enjoy forever.
33. Start an online masquerade masks store
Hi, I’m Josh Bluman and I’m a marketing professional turned ecommerce business owner. I started VIVO Masks with my business partner, Jackson Cunningham, over 6 years ago. We started dropshipping masquerade masks from Italy to people looking for unique and high end masquerade masks to wear to their masquerade parties, balls or fundraisers.
We sell everything from simple party masks to exquisite high-end masquerade masks that often win ‘best of the ball’. In just our third month in business, we did 30K in monthly revenue, and now we have set up established processes and systems to continue operating the business while we explore new products and ventures.
34. Start a swimwear line
Are you interested in a textile business? If you live near a beach, a potential business idea can be swimwear. People wear swimwear when going for an afternoon of water activities. Therefore, starting a swimwear line can be a great business idea if you live near a beach or a swimming pool. Swimwear shops stock men’s and women’s attire.
Hey there I’m Evan Waldenberg, the founder of Junk in your Trunks. Clothing from trash for the wonderful piece of garbage you are. We’re making swim trunks out of recycled plastic bottles.
Up to about $25k/mo but rapidly growing, we just haven’t had the inventory to keep up with demand lately. We’re at a really interesting time because our company was/is still in its infancy and we managed to land an investment from Barstool Sports on a new shark-tank style show they debuted recently called The Big Brain. Gave up a decent amount of equity (the final deal doesn’t look exactly like what was discussed on the show, I’m happy with where we landed but gotta stay 🤐) but it really changed what the future of this business looks like as we’ve given ourselves an opportunity for a lot of awareness in our core market at minimal capital expense (this is exciting but also a risk as Barstool is an extremely polarizing company in the market and hasn’t really executed on these types of partnerships before).
35. Start a subscription box business
A subscription box business is a type of business where customers subscribe to receive a niche set of products on a monthly basis. Subscription boxes are in high demand today as customers enjoy receiving a variety of products from various brands.
Some of the benefits of starting a subscription box business are:
- The revenue is predictable as it is a recurring business
- Adds more value to customer service as this creates a unique shopping experience
- Customers can access exclusive products and also customize them based on their interest
- Profit margin can range from 40%-60%
You can start a subscription box business by understanding the real market needs. Because of its highly competitive nature, finding your niche and providing quality products based on your customer's interests is important. Additionally, it is important to decide what items should go in your box. The box's quantity, size, and design are crucial to grabbing the customer's attention. Apart from the basics, you should also make sure that the items are bright and colorful.
Lastly, building a good relationship with the fulfillment companies will be profitable as this business is a routine task. For example, if you have 100 subscribers, you will need a service to pick up and deliver your products. In addition to this, marketing your service can be an advantage. To promote the service, you can build your website and create special offers to attract and retain customers.
I’m Lindsay Scholz, and I’m the founder of Vowed Box Co. – a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind.
Since the brand is still in its infancy and we’re still working through wholesale costs, my monthly income is roughly $600. For being a side business, I look at any profit as a win, but of course, the goal is to see this grow in 2019!
36. Start a SEO agency
An SEO agency is a company that provides search engine optimization services to businesses. The function of an SEO agency is to help businesses rank higher in search engines through organic or paid means.
SEO is a rapidly growing industry, with experts across all aspects of the field already making six-figure incomes and expecting to see these earnings grow dramatically over the next few years. Getting into SEO today, before it gets too saturated, will allow you to establish a strong base in a new career, with an excellent chance for success.
It’s easier than ever to start your SEO agency. The tools are there, and the competition isn’t as stiff as it used to be. If you’re considering starting an SEO or digital marketing agency, it might be a good idea to learn how other digital agencies succeed.
My name is Chris Dreyer and I’m the CEO/Founder of Rankings.io, LLC. My company is a hyper-focused SEO (search engine optimization) agency; we help elite personal injury law firms dominate first page rankings.
In 2018, we were #858 in the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America. Our revenue is just under $300,000 per month and we’re on pace for another record-breaking year.
37. Start a skin care product line
The skincare business is a multi-billion dollar one, and it shows no sign of slowing down. New anti-aging products are entering the market at a nearly exponential rate, and the competition for consumers' money is growing more and more.
The industry was valued at 130 billion USD in 2021 and will expand at an annual growth rate of 4.6% up to 2030. This is surely a type of business that you should not miss. You'll need to build your creativity on your products and make sure that it is all safe and useful in improving the skin of your customers.
Oh My Balm was founded two years ago and we make kitchen-crafted all-natural body products. Our tagline is “Two Mom’s Making it Real.”
We promote them through our marketing, as they work on several different projects that create a life of prosperity for African women and their families. You can find more about them here. The other charity that is close to our hearts is Behind The Scenes, which provides financial support to entertainment technology industry professionals if they, or their immediate dependent family, are seriously ill or injured. We make a body butter, “Crew,” and we give a portion of the proceeds of every tin sold to BTS. This got us mention in several entertainment industry magazines.
38. Start a sustainable clothing line
Starting a sustainable clothing company can seem like a daunting task, but with the right skills and resources in place, it doesn't have to be. And thanks to more and more technologies becoming available there is a greater chance of success than has ever been had before.
The sustainable clothing market shrunk from $6.35B in 2019 to $6.14B in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impact. But the sustainable clothing market size will keep growing in the coming years, Experts predict it will reach $8.25B by 2023.
Hi, my name is Pepe Martín I´m the co-founder of Minimalismbrand. We started our business two years ago. We are two founders.
39. Start an ice cream product
Hello! My name is Stephen Layton and I am one of the founding members of The Good Scoop located in the greater Sacramento region. We make all of our own ice cream in house using fresh local and all-natural ingredients.
Some of our best selling and most popular flavors include our banana, rosewater, lavender, and salted cookies and cream. We use fresh seasonally available ingredients, so we use peaches in the summertime and apples in the fall. Some of our more interesting flavors include horchata, honey wasabi, peppermint bark, and olive oil.
40. 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.
My name is Craig Rabin, from an early age I spent his time dreaming up inventions. These are now a source of inspiration as I make sketches from my childhood a reality, thanks to 3D printing. My entrepreneurial spirit and passion started early and led me to start my first business when I was 16 years old. Since then, I’ve moved from Chicago and have gone on to create eleven companies... woo!
Since launch, we’ve shipped to every state in the U.S. and have a presence in 73 countries around the world! Plus, The Airhook has been featured in over 100 publications and was the first product in history to win Steve Harvey’s Funderdome on ABC in 2017 and won Travel Product of The Year in 2019.
41. Start a professional organizing business
Are you interested in a side hustle business idea you can launch today? How about becoming a professional organizing consultant? You can teach others how to keep their spaces neatly organized if you have special organization skills.
Typically, a professional organizing business helps clients develop critical organizing skills through training. To start your business, you can create videos and share them on Instagram or other social media platforms.
To earn income from the organizing business, you can partner with promoters or introduce paid advertising opportunities.
Hey there! My name is Amber Barrett and I’m the founder and CEO of Arranged by Amber. I started this business in 2018 as a Professional Organizing service, but through pivots and lots of trial and error, this business now supports other Professional Organizers by implementing business systems and automation into their businesses.
Today, Arranged by Amber averages $8,000/month helping Professional Organizers implement business strategies and systems that save them time and money.
42. Become a business coach
Are you thinking of starting a career as a business coach?
Becoming a business coach can be a great way to help aspiring entrepreneurs while earning a healthy income. You may want to consider becoming a coach if you have skills in specialized business fields such as marketing, e-commerce, stress management, or leadership.
Many small-business owners are finding it hard to get started, grow, and succeed. As a business coach, your job will be to help entrepreneurs identify new opportunities and take advantage of the ones they already have.
Hello, my name is Kamil Sattar. I am an entrepreneur who’s developed many six-figure drop shipping businesses. I’ve also created systems to maximize opportunities in different markets and I’ve started companies in many industries. One of those companies specializes in helping people who are seeking to create drop ship companies of their own.
Of course, with every store that I open, I am able to learn new things. With every new thing that I learn, it helps me improve my system that I use to create these six and seven-figure stores and it helps me improve my process for helping others generate their stores.
43. Start a mom blog
Parenting may be an overwhelming journey. Mothers result to the internet to read stories from other moms. Reading mom’s blogs makes parenting feel less alone a long way. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or passionate about parenting, you can consider starting a mommy blog.
You can make money through affiliate links or by selling your merchandise on the blog. To increase traffic to your blog, include resourceful and encouraging content.
I’m Carly, a full time stay at home mom, full-time blogger. I run two semi-related businesses - Mommy on Purpose, a mom lifestyle blog focusing on new motherhood and home life (monetized only through traffic), and Blogging Like You Mean It, which supports new bloggers in their journey to monetize their blogs (monetized only through product sales and email marketing).
But more important to me than any of that, I will never have to leave my kids in daycare to go out and work - my mom blog alone makes 8-10,000 Canadian dollars per month, both when I work hard on it AND when I take a month off.
44. Start a fashion business
In 2022, the fashion industry was valued at $473.42B, with a growth rate of 8.3% over last year. To become successful in this highly competitive & ever-growing industry, you must have passion, perseverance, and the ability to take risks.
With platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the way that fashion products are marketed online has completely changed, so it’s essential to keep up with these trends.
Hello! My name is Lisa Miller-Mecham. I’m a creative mom of 4 who runs a craft/sewing website called CreativeFashionBlog.com. I started out as an accessory designer, turned award-winning fashion designer, turned DIY blogger… and now a profitable sewing pattern maker.
My best month so far in 2020 has generated slightly over $15,000 while working part-time. I’m actually launching a course next month to show other creative women how to do the same!
45. Start a dropshipping business
Dropshipping allows you to start your online e-commerce store without stock-keeping. Therefore, you do not need huge capital, and the risk is minimal because the manufacturer is responsible for the inventory and ships it directly to the customer. Therefore, your responsibility remains to market and offer customer service.
To start a successful dropshipping business, you need a mastery of online marketing and a focus on improving customer experience.
Hello, my name is Kamil Sattar. I am an entrepreneur who’s developed many six-figure drop shipping businesses. I’ve also created systems to maximize opportunities in different markets and I’ve started companies in many industries. One of those companies specializes in helping people who are seeking to create drop ship companies of their own.
Of course, with every store that I open, I am able to learn new things. With every new thing that I learn, it helps me improve my system that I use to create these six and seven-figure stores and it helps me improve my process for helping others generate their stores.
46. Become a children's book writer
If you are passionate about early childhood education, why not become a children’s book writer? Starting a children’s bookstore is a low-barrier-to-entry business you can start today.
You can write storybooks or subject textbooks for kids, publish and distribute them through the bookshops or your online bookstore, or sell them on Amazon and other online bookstores.
My name is Graeme McGaw, and I run the OrderOfBooks.com network of book websites.
The websites have been in existence for a decade now and currently make six figures per year.
47. Start a skin care product line
The skincare business is a multi-billion dollar one, and it shows no sign of slowing down. New anti-aging products are entering the market at a nearly exponential rate, and the competition for consumers' money is growing more and more.
The industry was valued at 130 billion USD in 2021 and will expand at an annual growth rate of 4.6% up to 2030. This is surely a type of business that you should not miss. You'll need to build your creativity on your products and make sure that it is all safe and useful in improving the skin of your customers.
Oh My Balm was founded two years ago and we make kitchen-crafted all-natural body products. Our tagline is “Two Mom’s Making it Real.”
We promote them through our marketing, as they work on several different projects that create a life of prosperity for African women and their families. You can find more about them here. The other charity that is close to our hearts is Behind The Scenes, which provides financial support to entertainment technology industry professionals if they, or their immediate dependent family, are seriously ill or injured. We make a body butter, “Crew,” and we give a portion of the proceeds of every tin sold to BTS. This got us mention in several entertainment industry magazines.
48. Start a penny portrait business
My name is Maury McCoy, I’m the creator of the Penny Portrait Kit. This kit allows anyone to create a crazy cool portrait of Abe Lincoln out of pennies. It’s a fun experience and the final work of art is stunning conversation starter you can hang on your wall. You can be guaranteed it will be worth at least $8.46. (It takes 846 pennies...)
We include a booklet with info about coin collecting, Lincoln history, chemistry experiments you can do with pennies and even include a collectible 1943 steel penny with each kit.
49. Dropshipping men's grooming products
The global market for men’s grooming products is witnessing steady growth due to growing consumer preferences, and it is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.29% in the next few years.
Products such as shaving foams, face creams, after-shave lotions, and body sprays are among the highest in-demand men’s grooming products.
To start a men’s grooming products dropshipping business, high-quality research products, find a market, build a website and launch the business. Remember, as you begin the drop shipping business, people will come up with ideas. Listen to your customers, and implement necessary ideas to ensure the company is booming.
Hi I’m Paul, a 22 year old Korean American entrepreneur and founder of HUSKYBEARD, a 6-figure beard grooming brand. This was my first ever business and I’ve since sold it. I am now operating another Shopify store with a partner, on set to produce $1M by next year. I also consult and mentor eCommerce store owners on ecomswift.com.
I’ve scaled using Facebook Ads primarily, with some SEO, Amazon, Reddit, and Email Marketing on the side. I’m proud to have accomplished a 30% customer retention rate with this passionate community.
50. Start a men's underwear brand
Underwear is essential to any person’s wardrobe, and the men’s underwear industry has grown quite large.
Many companies, such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Hugo Boss, specialize in men’s underwear. These companies have been able to keep up with the demand of this growing industry by offering quality products at reasonable prices.
The demand for men’s underwear has risen because it offers an alternative to traditional cotton briefs. Men are increasingly realizing that they don’t want the same old thing when it comes to their underwear; they want something that feels like luxury and provides them with comfort and support.
With so many opportunities available today, it’s easy to see why more people are turning to this industry to start their businesses.
Hello, my name is Krystian Frencel, and I’m the founder of Bunch of Animals, a men’s luxury underwear brand, AKA, the Bentley of banana hammocks. I’m also the co-founder of a Toronto based design and development studio, 3magine. I don’t have previous e-commerce experience and have never been involved in creating a physical product. I have wanted to combine my experience in web design/development with creating a physical product and learning e-commerce for some time now.
51. Start a time tracking app
A time tracking app is a tool used allows its user to clock in/out via an internet-connected device or to use a stopwatch to record the start and end of tasks. The time tracker apps also have analytics and reporting features that consolidate the data so that users can gain insights into time spent on different tasks, projects, and clients.
The growing need among managers and enterprises to improve employee productivity and adopt a remote work culture contribute to the high demand for time-tracking apps.
Therefore, if you are looking for the best App-based business, you may consider developing a time tracker application. Here is a high-level overview of some steps to get you started working on your business idea of the time tracker App
- Define the project scope
- Choose a software development methodology
- Formulate the approach for your development project
- Create a project team
- Develop the project plan with timelines
- Test the prototypes
- Find suitable API solutions
- Publish the Apps
My name is Dean Logan, the co-founder, and CEO of Labor Sync. Labor Sync was founded in 2009 along with my father and CFO Al Logan and CTO Joe Burger.
The amazing thing about Labor Sync is our expansive global presence for such a small company, only 12 employees! Our product is available in over 17 languages and used in over 100 countries.
52. Create an online course
Online course businesses are one of the fastest-growing online business models. Creating an online course is an awesome way to generate extra income because it allows you to monetize the knowledge you already have. More people are taking online courses every day, and the COVID pandemic has accelerated that, with some online learning platforms having seen 15-fold growth in the number of users.
Another advantage is that these new platforms are so easy to use for instructors that you don't have to worry at all about the tech side of the business. You just need to focus on creating exciting content that is informational & engaging at the same time.
Starting an online course allows you to eliminate some of the huge costs associated with setting up a physical training facility, and it's a great way to reach as many people as possible.
Hey! We are Kelan and Brittany Kline the founders and co-owners of the popular personal finance blog The Savvy Couple.
We are currently on pace to make over $250,000 this year alone with our personal finance blog!
How to start a business with small capital?
Starting a business can be a daunting task, especially if you don't have a lot of capital to invest. However, there are many ways to get your business off the ground with limited funds.
One option is to start an online business. With a low overhead and no need for inventory, an online business can be a great way to get started with limited capital.
Another option is to start a home-based business. This can be a great way to test the waters with your product or service without making a large investment.
Finally, consider franchising. Franchises offer the ability to get started with a proven business model and access to resources that can help you succeed. Whatever option you choose, starting a business with small capital is possible if you are willing and willing to work hard.
What kind of small business is most profitable?
When it comes to starting a small business, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
The most profitable business for you will depend on a variety of factors, including your skillset, interests, and the local market.
However, there are some businesses that tend to be more profitable than others. For example, businesses that require a high level of expertise or special equipment can be difficult to break into but can be very lucrative once established.
Additionally, businesses that tap into trends or target a niche audience can also be quite profitable. Ultimately, the best way to determine which business is most profitable for you is to carefully research the market and examine your own strengths and weaknesses.
With a little bit of planning, you can set yourself up for success in the world of small business.
Hey! 👋 I'm Pat Walls, the founder of Starter Story.
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