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50+ Best Manufacturing Business Ideas

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Updated: May 13th, 2021
50+ Best Manufacturing Business Ideas

Looking to start a manufacturing business but not quite sure what to start?

The good news is, there are so many opportunities to become an entrepreneur and build an innovative product/service in this line of work.

If you're looking to start your own manufacturing business, there are several amazing options you can choose from.

We put a list together below of the most profitable manufacturing business ideas you can start today!

Here they are:

1. Start a phone case business ($600K/year)

Andrew Moore from Toronto, Ontario, Canada started Felony Case over 9 years ago, a phone case business.

  • Revenue: $50,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 1
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

It’s a funny origin story, because I never set out to start an iPhone case company.

I had just graduated from college and I was working as a driver delivering construction supplies. It gave me a ton of time to listen to podcasts and I was really drawn to tech and startup focused ones. I had an idea for a while to do a wishlist website where people could create and share a list of gifts they wanted. I ended up having the site built, but I didn’t know how to get people using the website.

Don’t be afraid to start! Don’t overthink it, get a product out into the world and start your journey.

how-i-started-and-grew-a-50k-mo-phone-case-business

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Andrew Moore, on starting Felony Case ($50,000/month) full story ➜

2. Start a furniture business ($444K/year)

John Humphreys from Austin, Texas, USA started Humphreys over 4 years ago, a furniture business.

  • Revenue: $37,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 1
  • Location: Austin, Texas, USA

Since I was a kid I have always had a sense of wonder about the world and the mechanisms behind it. Whether it be a jet engine or a windshield wiper-I have thought about the creative process behind these things since I was 10 years old.

I drew houses as a kid. My dad grew up in a home designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, it was a solar home and it had an odd features. One example is, the entire back wall that was about 100 feet long and 15 feet high comprised of windows that all opened. In front, there were functioning levers that had fans which would draw airflow in and out.

Growing up I thought I wanted to be a pilot. I was described in high school by a classmate as “poetic” which I found offensive. I tried a hand in many things; managing a farm and pre-school, which were two businesses I inherited. This type of work wasn’t for me.

my-story-starting-a-400k-year-handcrafted-furniture-business

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John Humphreys, on starting Humphreys ($37,000/month) full story ➜

3. Start a woodworking business ($78K/year)

Sasha Weekes from Hunter River, Prince Edward Island, Canada started Timber Grove Studios about 4 years ago, a woodworking business.

  • Revenue: $6,500/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 0
  • Location: Hunter River, Prince Edward Island, Canada

I was always the art kid growing up, so I naturally began my post secondary education by pursuing a degree in Fine Arts. I spent my summers refinishing furniture and doing photography and that’s how I got my feet wet with business, so by my second year, I was also pursuing a minor in Commerce.

I had never really done much woodworking at all but became a lot more interested in design and home decor during those years. After finishing my third year, I was itching to do something more practical than becoming a gallery artist, so I set my sights on furniture design and enrolled in a college cabinetmaking course instead. It really wasn’t where I had ever expected to end up, but it was sort of a natural progression and I’m so glad I did it!

I started making mountain shelves in the morning before class to sell on Facebook and Kijiji. It was intended to be a fun side project but they were so popular that I started my business shortly after graduating with the mountains as my first product.

how-i-took-my-woodworking-hobby-full-time-to-build-a-successful-brand

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Sasha Weekes, on starting Timber Grove Studios ($6,500/month) full story ➜

4. Start a healthy snack food business ($6M/year)

Ryan Chen from Los Angeles, California, USA started Neuro over 5 years ago, a healthy snack food business.

  • Revenue: $500,000/ month
  • Founders: 2
  • Employees: 12
  • Location: Los Angeles, California, USA

My personal story begins with my parents immigrating to Los Angeles to start a better life. Although ethnically Chinese, they were both born and raised in Japan as a result of my grandparents from both sides fleeing communist China. I was born in an extremely diverse neighborhood (we had around 7 different ethnicities on our block) near Pasadena, CA, before moving to Japan for 5 years between the age of 10-15.

I grew up playing sports and competing at a national level in Kendo, cross country, and track. I started Kendo at the age of 5 and competed at the national level in the United States and Japan. In high school, I was co-captain of our cross country and track team where we competed in the Division I state and national championships. It was through running that I truly learned perseverance and grit.

Unfortunately, at 19 years old, I became a paraplegic when I fell from 35 feet in the air in a snowboarding accident and shattered my back. Doctors told me that I would never walk again, but it furthered my drive and passion for adventure and trying new things. I finished college with degrees in Chemistry and Economics and continued to compete in marathons even got to train with the US Paralympic team.

how-we-started-a-caffeine-gum-product-sold-12-million-pieces-and-landed-a-deal-with-cvs

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Ryan Chen, on starting Neuro ($500,000/month) full story ➜

5. Start a sunglasses business ($300K/year)

Jeff Phillips from Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia started Grown Eyewear about 10 years ago, a sunglasses business.

  • Revenue: $25,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 5
  • Location: Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

I was a teacher and would find my mind wandering to product ideas in class. I would say I was a good teacher and liked doing it, but it was clear that it wasn’t quite enough. In 2009 I had launched a headwear brand (Beardo®) and it was going quite well, but I had an urge to do something that would do good. So odd as it seems, the idea to create a company that ‘did only good’ came long before the actual product idea.

Be stubborn in your pursuits, but not so stubborn that you won’t humor the idea of changing paths if something isn’t likely to work.

I didn’t know what I was going to sell, only that the profits would go to help others. I was first inspired by a documentary I saw on TV in Australia about an eye doctor named Fred Hollows.

starting-a-wooden-sunglasses-brand-and-getting-on-shark-tank

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Jeff Phillips, on starting Grown Eyewear ($25,000/month) full story ➜

6. Start a natural beauty product business ($60K/year)

Mel young from Hazeldene, Victoria, Australia started Flowerdale Valley about 4 years ago, a natural beauty product business.

  • Revenue: $5,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 0
  • Location: Hazeldene, Victoria, Australia

I always wanted to work for myself. So I was always thinking about business ideas. Not everyone wants to work for themselves and not everyone is suited to the lifestyle, so if you have the dream, make sure you pursue it!

My business started when I was working as a cook at a local reception venue. A bride wanted some local honey wedding favors, which I provided. Doing this made me find a jar supplier, register my home kitchen as a food premise, prepare an invoice, etc.

From here, I began selling honey to the public and then I experimented with other ideas (making jam, personalized wedding favors, etc) before going into skincare. I had quite a few failures in this period!

how-a-mother-of-two-started-a-5k-month-skincare-business-from-home

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Mel young , on starting Flowerdale Valley ($5,000/month) full story ➜

7. Start a leather business ($12K/year)

Jacques Flynn from Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada started JAQET over 9 years ago, a leather business.

  • Revenue: $1,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 2
  • Location: Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada

I am a car designer by day (I still work full time as a car designer). I am always looking beyond the automotive design world to satisfy my creative needs.

Designing cars is a dream come true, but we are a large team and it is very much a team effort. I wanted to create something that I had 100% control over, and see where that might lead me.

I think it’s very important to first establish a very clear vision… What is it you want to accomplish? After that, it is very important that all efforts go to supporting that one vision.

starting-a-leather-goods-brand-and-manufacturing-your-own-products

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Jacques Flynn, on starting JAQET ($1,000/month) full story ➜

8. Start a clothing manufacturing business ($888K/year)

Donovan Mathews from Singapore, Singapore started Bryden Apparel about 7 years ago, a clothing manufacturing business.

  • Revenue: $74,000/ month
  • Founders: 2
  • Employees: 6
  • Location: Singapore, Singapore

I started my own t-shirt brand called Ardentees back in 2009 when I was still in school as e-commerce was starting to get popular. I was intrigued by the whole idea of e-commerce as you could reach a worldwide audience easily. I especially loved the idea of waking up to see emails of orders from customers around the world.

I always had that inner voice urging me to start something on my own related to sourcing & manufacturing and I decided to register a business to reserve the name.

After getting 2 friends on board, we spent a year sourcing & testing different manufacturers with major hiccups along the way before finally able to settle for one and start selling.

how-we-started-a-clothing-manufacturing-business

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Donovan Mathews, on starting Bryden Apparel ($74,000/month) full story ➜

9. Become a camera manufacturer

Examples of a successful camera manufacturer:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a camera manufacturer:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a camera manufacturer ➜

article

10. Start a cake mold manufacturing business

Examples of a successful cake mold manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cake mold manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a cake mold manufacturing business ➜

article

11. Start a cookie cutter manufacturing business

Examples of a successful cookie cutter manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cookie cutter manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a cookie cutter manufacturing business ➜

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12. Become a countertop manufacturer

Examples of a successful countertop manufacturer:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a countertop manufacturer:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a countertop manufacturer ➜

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13. Become a bicycle manufacturer

Examples of a successful bicycle manufacturer:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a bicycle manufacturer:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a bicycle manufacturer ➜

article

14. Become a laundry detergent manufacturer ($240K/year)

Examples of a successful laundry detergent manufacturer:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a laundry detergent manufacturer:

Learn more about starting a laundry detergent manufacturer ➜

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15. Start a fitness equipment manufacturing business

Examples of a successful fitness equipment manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a fitness equipment manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a fitness equipment manufacturing business ➜

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16. Start a nuts and bolts manufacturer

Examples of a successful nuts and bolts manufacturer:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a nuts and bolts manufacturer:

Learn more about starting a nuts and bolts manufacturer ➜

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17. Start a window manufacturer

Examples of a successful window manufacturer:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a window manufacturer:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a window manufacturer ➜

article

18. Start a medical equipment manufacturing business

Examples of a successful medical equipment manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a medical equipment manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a medical equipment manufacturing business ➜

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19. Start a security gadget manufacturing business

Examples of a successful security gadget manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a security gadget manufacturing business:

Learn more about starting a security gadget manufacturing business ➜

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20. Start a locksmith business

Examples of a successful locksmith business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a locksmith business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a locksmith business ➜

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21. Become a computer manufacturer

Examples of a successful computer manufacturer:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a computer manufacturer:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a computer manufacturer ➜

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22. Start an organic fertilizer production business

Examples of a successful organic fertilizer production business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a organic fertilizer production business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an organic fertilizer production business ➜

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23. Start an embroidery machine manufacturer ($360K/year)

Examples of a successful embroidery machine manufacturer:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a embroidery machine manufacturer:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an embroidery machine manufacturer ➜

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24. Start an air freshener production business

Examples of a successful air freshener production business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a air freshener production business:

Learn more about starting an air freshener production business ➜

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25. Start a golf club manufacturing company

Examples of a successful golf club manufacturing company:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a golf club manufacturing company:

For further info, check out these books and products:

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26. Start a kitchen utensils business ($600K/year)

Examples of a successful kitchen utensils business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a kitchen utensils business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a kitchen utensils business ➜

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27. Become a washing machine manufacturer

Examples of a successful washing machine manufacturer:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a washing machine manufacturer:

Learn more about starting a washing machine manufacturer ➜

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28. Start an insecticide production business

Examples of a successful insecticide production business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a insecticide production business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an insecticide production business ➜

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29. Start a boat propellers production business

Examples of a successful boat propellers production business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a boat propellers production business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a boat propellers production business ➜

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30. Start a cloth diaper business

Examples of a successful cloth diaper business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cloth diaper business:

Learn more about starting a cloth diaper business ➜

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31. Start a snowboard manufacturing business

Examples of a successful snowboard manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a snowboard manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a snowboard manufacturing business ➜

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32. Start a watch making business

Examples of a successful watch making business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a watch making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

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33. Start a plastic container manufacturing business

Examples of a successful plastic container manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a plastic container manufacturing business:

Learn more about starting a plastic container manufacturing business ➜

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34. Start a chalk manufacturing business

Examples of a successful chalk manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a chalk manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a chalk manufacturing business ➜

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35. Start a wig manufacturing business

Examples of a successful wig manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a wig manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a wig manufacturing business ➜

article

36. Start a canned goods making business

Examples of a successful canned goods making business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a canned goods making business:

Learn more about starting a canned goods making business ➜

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37. Start a toy manufacturing business

Examples of a successful toy manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a toy manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a toy manufacturing business ➜

article

38. Start a bread making business

Examples of a successful bread making business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a bread making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a bread making business ➜

article

39. Start a belt manufacturing business

Examples of a successful belt manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a belt manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a belt manufacturing business ➜

article

40. Start a candy making business

Examples of a successful candy making business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a candy making business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a candy making business ➜

article

41. Start an oil production business

Examples of a successful oil production business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a oil production business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an oil production business ➜

article

42. Start a hair products manufacturing business

Examples of a successful hair products manufacturing business :

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a hair products manufacturing business :

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a hair products manufacturing business ➜

article

43. Start an electrical fittings producer business

Examples of a successful electrical fittings producer business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a electrical fittings producer business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting an electrical fittings producer business ➜

article

44. Start a ceramic tile manufacturing business

Examples of a successful ceramic tile manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a ceramic tile manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a ceramic tile manufacturing business ➜

article

45. Start a paper manufacturing business

Examples of a successful paper manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a paper manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a paper manufacturing business ➜

article

46. Start a bags manufacturing business

Examples of a successful bags manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a bags manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a bags manufacturing business ➜

article

47. Start a fishing vessels and boats production business

Examples of a successful fishing vessels and boats production business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a fishing vessels and boats production business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a fishing vessels and boats production business ➜

article

48. Start a cement manufacturing business

Examples of a successful cement manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cement manufacturing business:

Learn more about starting a cement manufacturing business ➜

article

49. Start a drug manufacturing business

Examples of a successful drug manufacturing business:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a drug manufacturing business:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a drug manufacturing business ➜

article

50. Start a lattice manufacturer

Examples of a successful lattice manufacturer:

Here are some great videos on how to get started with a lattice manufacturer:

For further info, check out these books and products:

Learn more about starting a lattice manufacturer ➜

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Pat Walls,  Founder of Starter Story

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