The 74 Best Businesses To Start In New Zealand [2024]

Updated: June 10th, 2022

Interested in starting a business in New Zealand in 2024?

We put together 74 of the best businesses you can start in New Zealand today.

In this list of ideas, you can find:

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

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

Here's the full list:

1. 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 in New Zealand, then this might be a great way to make some extra money.

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

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

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

How A Teacher Started A Successful Handmade Jewelry Business Online

A primary school teacher found his passion for jewelry-making, turning it into a successful business generating $2500-3000 per month through sales at the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market, online, and through stockists, with plans to expand and eventually make it his full-time profession.

About
Alex started Gold Pan Pete Design over 11 years ago
Revenue
Alex grew the business to $2.5K/month
Read by 41,545 founders

2. Start an ecommerce platform

Over the past decade, eCommerce has become an indispensable part of the global retail framework. According to statistics, over 2 billion people prefer shopping online.

While brick-and-mortar stores are still making more sales compared to online sales, the adoption of eCommerce is still rising, mainly because of the increased speed and convenience of online shopping.

Therefore, starting an eCommerce platform could set you on the right path to building a futuristic business.

How much you can make: $100 — $83,333,333/month

How long does it take to build: 110 days (?)

We Started a $174K/Year Social Commerce Platform During Lockdown

FriendsWith, a social commerce platform with a built-in affiliate rewards program for premium fashion and lifestyle brands, saw a 300% increase in app users since launching in August 2020 and estimates bringing in $200,000 in revenue for the next financial year, with a focus on attracting shopping enthusiasts to become "influencers" to start a side hustle with no overhead costs.

About
Paige started FriendsWith limited over 3 years ago
Revenue
Paige grew the business to $14.5K/month
Costs
It cost Paige $42500 to start the business
Read by 2,712 founders

3. Start a game store

How much you can make: $4,200 — $1,000,000/month

How I Started A $4,200/Month Competitive Puzzle Store Working 1 Hour A Day

A 21-year-old student started an e-commerce store that sells "speedcube" puzzles and has grown it into an annual 5-figure profit side hustle that requires only an hour a day, with over 3,000 loyal customers and successful pop-up stores at speedcubing competitions and weekend markets.

Revenue
OLIVER grew the business to $4.2K/month
Read by 6,478 founders

4. Start a men's clothing line

Men’s fashion is an increasingly popular niche. Market research has revealed that the growth of the menswear market has outpaced that of the women’s market.

The market growth is likely credited to a cultural shift as more men focus on their appearances than before.

If you want to start a men-focused fashion line, 2024 presents the best opportunity. Men’s wear offers a wide variety of products, which increases the growth potential. To start a men’s clothing line, start by thinking about your clothing brand’s identity.

Then, identify the target market and understand what the customers want. The success of your men’s clothing brand depends on your marketing strategy.

You can reach a wider market with a mix of online and traditional marketing strategies.

How much you can make: $150 — $475,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 170 days (?)

How I Started $3.6M New Zealand Fashion Brand I Love Ugly

This case study showcases how Valentin Ozich built an online menswear brand, I Love Ugly, from scratch with a clear vision of creating premium streetwear catered to men that's affordable and sold primarily online, with some products selling upwards of 50,000 units/pieces globally and still remain some of the strongest sellers today.

About
Valentin started I Love Ugly over 15 years ago
Revenue
Valentin grew the business to $300K/month
Read by 19,701 founders

5. Start a green business

How much you can make: $15,000/month

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

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

How I Started An E-Commerce Business From New Zealand

The Green Collective, a New Zealand-based eco-friendly product company, started with reusable Goodie Bags in 2014 and has grown to six complementary product lines, with turnover fluctuating up to $15,000 per month, selling to over 115 stockists and an e-commerce website, while maintaining its focus on sustainability and craftsmanship.

About
Emma started The Green Collective over 9 years ago
Revenue
Emma grew the business to $15K/month
Costs
It cost Emma $1000 to start the business
Read by 5,127 founders

6. Start a Coffee Subscription Box

Coffee Subscription Box is a business that delivers high-quality coffee to your door. Coffee subscription boxes are popular with those who like to try new flavors or types of coffee. A subscription box will include a variety of coffees from different places and at different times.

You can also use this subscription box idea to market your business by offering discounts or other incentives to people who sign up for your coffee club.

The Coffee Subscription Box business idea is easy to start and it is very profitable because it is affordable. Consumers spend over $74 billion on coffee and the coffee industry generates over $68 billion in income per year.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $65,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week

On Starting A Coffee Subscription Service As A Side Hustle

New Zealand-based Fernweh is a subscription service that offers subscribers a new coffee roaster featured in the country each month, delivering coffee, tasting notes, and a story about the producer in a unique package for around $40 a month.

About
Courtney started Fernweh over 6 years ago
Revenue
Courtney grew the business to $3K/month
Costs
It cost Courtney $550 to start the business
Read by 8,485 founders

7. Start a streetwear brand

Streetwear is a type of clothing that is usually casual but can also be sporty or formal. Streetwear brands sell everything from hoodies and t-shirts to sneakers, joggers, and jeans.

Starting a streetwear clothing brand has many benefits: it allows you to express yourself through your style, and it allows you to connect with people who share similar interests as you do.

One of the main advantages of starting a streetwear brand is that it doesn't require much capital—you can get started with just an idea!

How much you can make: $650 — $1,100,000/month

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

How We Started A $120K/Month Streetwear And Skate Gear Shop

Empire Skate is an independently run skate and streetwear store that specializes in skateboards, footwear, clothing, and everything in between relating to skate culture; with an average monthly turnover of around $120K and over 150 different brands from around the world, its success is due in part to a strong focus on community and a loyal customer base.

About
Trent started Empire Skate over 20 years ago
Revenue
Trent grew the business to $120K/month
Read by 9,973 founders

8. 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).

How much you can make: $500 — $33,333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)

How I Launched A Successful Maternity Activewear Brand During My Leave From The Royal New Zealand Air Force

Natalie launched a successful side hustle during her part-time parental leave, designing and selling budget-friendly maternity activewear which generated a consistent $3k per month revenue with a target to grow the business to become a full-time role.

About
Natalie started Go Mama about 3 years ago
Revenue
Natalie grew the business to $3K/month
Costs
It cost Natalie $20000 to start the business
Read by 3,882 founders

9. Start a gift baskets business

A gift basket is delivered to the recipient at the workplace or residence. A gift basket business is a noble idea because, with a proper strategy, you can remain in business all year round.

To start a gift basket business, choose a niche or a sales channel, and register your business appropriately. Then, with a proper marketing strategy, you should be able to reach a broader customer base.

How much you can make: $550 — $125,000/month

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

I Make $1.5M/Year Shipping Chocolate Penises To Your Friends

Dick At Your Door is an e-commerce shop that grew almost 10x within the last eight months by selling anonymous pranks such as 5 oz chocolate penises, and its founder shares his journey that started as a joke to becoming a professional chocolatier.

About
Adam started Dick At Your Door over 9 years ago
Revenue
Adam grew the business to $125K/month
Read by 15,439 founders

10. 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 in New Zealand, 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 (?)

Embracing the Experience Economy with a $300K/mo Photo Booth Startup

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.

About
Brandon started Photobooth Supply Co. about 11 years ago
Revenue
Brandon grew the business to $500K/month
Read by 15,172 founders

11. Start a moving company

Moving companies help people move their belongings from one location to another. The services can involve packing and shipping household items to physically moving them from one place to another. The moving can include anything from local moves to long-distance relocations.

Moving companies typically charge by the hour or job, so you’ll need to price your services accordingly. You’ll also need to invest in moving equipment, such as trucks and dollies.

How much you can make: $60,000 — $2,500,000/month

How I Started A $1M/Year Moving Company At 19 Years Old

A 23-year-old founder started a moving company that now averages $115,000 a month in revenue and has record monthly sales of $158,000 by prioritizing customer service and using simple, common sense practices like friendly movers and a transparent pricing structure.

About
Max started Skinny Wimp Moving over 8 years ago
Revenue
Max grew the business to $60K/month
Costs
It cost Max $18000 to start the business
Read by 50,957 founders

12. Start a landscaping business

A landscaping business is engaged in maintaining lawns and gardens, trimming trees and shrubs, and providing landscape maintenance and beautification services. Landscaping costs vary depending on the size and location.

For small jobs such as taking care of the lawn and trees, the cost can vary from $50 to $100 per hour. The average wage of a landscape designer is $70,000 to $90,000, and a landscape architect makes around $50,000 to $100,000 per year. For basic maintenance and mowing services, a single person who runs a landscaping business can get started with as little as $5,000 or less. However, a proper landscaping business will require a large investment. The average start-up cost is between $15,000 to $20,000.

Once the type of service is decided, the list of tools and equipment can be purchased. The best way to succeed in a landscaping business is to provide quality service. This will not only retain existing clients but also promote and attract new customers.

How much you can make: $375,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,000 (?)

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

Uber For Lawn Care: How I Built A $30M Software

GreenPal has bootstrapped their business to over $30 million a year in revenue, after securing an unsecured line of credit for $85,000, and have built the operating system and platform for small lawncare companies to run their entire business through, becoming live in all 50 US states and having 1.2 million homeowners using the platform.

About
Bryan started GreenPal almost 12 years ago
Revenue
Bryan grew the business to $375K/month
Costs
It cost Bryan $250000 to start the business
Read by 4,523 founders

13. 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 in New Zealand, 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.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $50,000/month

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

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

This Couple Started A $50K/Month Business Helping People Get Married in Denmark

This husband and wife duo started a wedding consultancy agency, 'Getting Married in Denmark', which has gone from doing 5-10 weddings a month to 80-100 weddings a month in just 4 years, massively growing their revenue.

About
Rasmus started Getting Married in Denmark over 8 years ago
Revenue
Rasmus grew the business to $50K/month
Read by 6,699 founders

14. Start an appliance repair business

An appliance repair business helps clients install, repair, and maintain common household appliances like microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, cookers, etc. An appliance repair technician can specialize in certain lines of appliances or offer general services.

To become an appliance repair technician, apply for the prerequisite training course and focus on acquiring the necessary work experience. You may work under an appliance engineer and kickstart your business when you have relevant skills.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $100,000/month

Finding and Repairing Retro Radios Turned into a Successful Side Hustle

Retro Radio Farm founder, Allen Chiang, earns $50k per year as a side business restoring old radios and offering Bluetooth MP3 upgrades, with the business growing 20% every year.

About
Allen started Retro Radio Farm over 10 years ago
Revenue
Allen grew the business to $4K/month
Read by 7,825 founders

15. Become a social media marketer

Social media marketing is gaining website visitors or customers by promoting your company on social media. To succeed in social media marketing, you must regularly post tasty, entertaining, and engaging share material on your social media channels.

Everybody knows that social media is a tool that has become extremely important to businesses of all sizes. It allows them to connect with people worldwide and provides a platform for customer service. Social networks are changing the way we do marketing. They offer an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and organizations to reach millions instantly.

Nowadays, it is easy to earn money through social media marketing. You just need to invest some time and effort to make a profit. Social media has been an essential part of many businesses marketing campaigns, and it is expected to be a significant part of any company’s future.

How much you can make: $100 — $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,750 (?)

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

I Started My Own $20K/Month Social Media Marketing Agency

This case study follows Kelsey Chance and her creative agency, Good Chance Creative, which specializes in social media content creation, and in just 3 years she has grown her one-woman business to make $20,000 in monthly revenue through a niche in small in-house marketing teams and start-ups managing their social content, with key services including lifestyle brand photography, social media account management, copywriting, and eCommerce strategy consulting.

About
Kelsey started Good Chance almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Kelsey grew the business to $20K/month
Costs
It cost Kelsey $500 to start the business
Read by 6,463 founders

16. Become a real estate agent

Real estate agents are professionals who assist clients in marketing and selling their properties. They also assist the buyers in purchasing properties. Their services include meeting clients, advising them about market conditions, and providing guidance through the process of buying or selling properties.

A real estate career can be financially rewarding. However, the work requires good management skills, organization skills, customer service, handling complex paperwork and socially promoting yourself.

The pros of becoming a real estate agent include earning extra commission from clients and also setting your own working hours.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $1,500,000/month

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

How I Became A Real Estate Agent And Started My Own Firm

Residential real estate company, Vesta Preferred, celebrates their 10th year of operation with 80% referral-based business and focus on relationship building, recently achieving their goal of 1000 new leases and $120M in real estate sales in 2019.

About
Grigory started Vesta Preferred Realty over 14 years ago
Revenue
Grigory grew the business to $350K/month
Costs
It cost Grigory $5000 to start the business
Read by 7,818 founders

17. Start a boutique

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

18. 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.

How much you can make: $3,500 — $9,259,259/month

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

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

How I Started A $100K/Month Business Mentoring Dropshipping Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.

About
Kamil started E-commerce Mentoring about 7 years ago
Revenue
Kamil grew the business to $100K/month
Costs
It cost Kamil $1000 to start the business
Read by 24,269 founders

19. Start a real estate investment club

Real estate investment clubs are non-profit organizations where investors join together to buy real estate properties and make joint investments.

Real Estate Investment clubs can work on 2 models: free to join for all or charge an annual fee, which would be less than a few hundred dollars. Every Real Estate Investment club should offer knowledge about different investment practices, how to advertise a service or a business, networking with fellow professionals in the real estate industry, etc.

To start a real estate club, you should consider the following points:

  1. Conduct market research and reach out to people who already have expertise in this field
  2. Attend meetings and find out how other clubs operate.
  3. Familiarize yourself with real estate laws and current market conditions.
  4. Once you decide your mission, start recruiting people and promoting your club

Investing in real estate can be a big step. Hence, it is always beneficial to form a partnership and find the best deal. Ideally, a club may charge between $50 to $150 per year.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $600,000/month

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

How We Started A $40M Real Estate Investment Fund

Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.

About
Greg started Equity Residences almost 12 years ago
Revenue
Greg grew the business to $600K/month
Costs
It cost Greg $2500000 to start the business
Read by 12,627 founders

20. Start a construction company

Running a construction company can be very rewarding and require hard work, attention to detail, and a hustle mentality.

Construction companies are responsible for building/designing a variety of apartments, buildings, properties, housing, infrastructure, facilities & developments, motorways, roads, paths, pavement, and more.

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

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

How I Gamed The YouTube Algorithm and Went Viral With 25M Views

Mountain Fire Woodworks founder Cameron Vilcsak shares how he used YouTube to promote his log cabins, chainsaw carvings, and passion for woodworking, culminating in one of his videos that has gone viral with over 25 million views and counting.

About
Andrew started MTN SIDE BUILDERS almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Andrew grew the business to $40K/month
Costs
It cost Andrew $50000 to start the business
Read by 8,431 founders

21. Start a recruiting agency

The global online recruitment market size was $29B in 2019 and is projected to reach $43B by 2027.

The best way to assess the success of a Recruiting Agency is to review what their clients say about them and the results achieved for those clients.

As a recruiter, you dream of landing your first client, but once you do, you realize it’s only the start of what you hope will be a successful business. Have you ever wondered how to start a recruiting agency business? There’s so much you can learn from books, but nothing beats getting real-world experience.

How much you can make: $100 — $320,000/month

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

How I Started A $3M/Year Remote Worker Recruitment Agency

DistantJob is a unique recruitment agency that specializes in finding full-time remote employees, and with $3 million in annual revenue, they offer small to medium-sized tech companies an edge over big competitors who are not willing to hire remotely.

About
Sharon started DistantJob about 16 years ago
Revenue
Sharon grew the business to $290K/month
Read by 11,363 founders

22. Start a cosmetic store

The cosmetic industry is growing rapidly. Starting a cosmetic shop can be highly profitable, but only if you stock trendy, skin-friendly products.

If you are passionate about the beauty industry, consider starting a cosmetics brick-and-mortar shop.

Cosmetic shops sell products ranging from anti-aging, aromatherapy, lotions, beauty spa, cosmetic store, and even make-up.

To start a cosmetic store, research the market and source products from well-known brands in the beauty industry.

How much you can make: $8,500 — $490,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

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

How I Started A $8.5K/Month Cosmetics Brand

A former felon's passion for makeup and skincare led her to launch FBI Cosmetics, which has grossed over $62,000 in sales since July 2020, through social media marketing, brand partnerships, and online sales at Walmart.com.

About
Alexis started FBI Cosmetics Inc. over 3 years ago
Revenue
Alexis grew the business to $8.5K/month
Costs
It cost Alexis $1500 to start the business
Read by 8,160 founders

23. Become a financial advisor

A financial advisor helps people manage their money and reach their financial goals by providing personalized advice on investments and overall financial planning.

To start a business in this field, you should consider a solid financial background, relevant certifications, and good people skills.

Building credibility through education, gaining experience, and networking are key steps to success in the financial advisory business.

How much you can make: $5,600 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 22 days (?)

How I Started A $100K/Month Blog About Personal Finance

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner earns $100,000 a month from Making Sense of Cents, a personal finance and lifestyle blog where she writes informative and fun articles about financial freedom and her life on the road, thanks to a diversified traffic approach and monetization strategies, such as affiliate marketing, sponsored partnerships, and course sales.

About
Michelle started Making Sense of Cents over 12 years ago
Revenue
Michelle grew the business to $75K/month
Costs
It cost Michelle $100 to start the business
Read by 18,452 founders

24. Start a tour company

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

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

  • 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 I Started A Wildly Successful Food Tour Business

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.

About
Jessica started Delicious Denver Food Tours over 6 years ago
Revenue
Jessica grew the business to $75K/month
Costs
It cost Jessica $2000 to start the business
Read by 19,519 founders

25. Start an online advertising agency

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

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

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

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

With dedication, you can grow your agency over time.

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

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

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

How I Started A $120K/Month Online Course For Social Media Marketing Agencies

Iman Gadzhi made over $1.2M in profit within two years with his social media marketing agency and education company, where he teaches entrepreneurs how to start and scale a profitable SMMA, with over 45 of his students making over six figures with their SMMA, and over 300 students having quit their regular jobs.

About
Iman started Grow Your Agency almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Iman grew the business to $120K/month
Read by 14,302 founders

26. Start a jewelry making business ($30K/year)

Alex Moore from New Zealand started Gold Pan Pete Design over 11 years ago, a jewelry making business.

  • Country: New Zealand
  • Revenue: $2,500/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 0

Case Study

My name is Alex Moore. I’m originally from St. Louis, MO, USA but have lived overseas the last 11 years and am currently living near Queenstown, New Zealand, where I have been for the last 5 ½ years. I have a wife, Paula, and three children, Sophia & Grace (twins, age 5) and Beau (age 3). My main profession (no longer full time) is that I’m a primary school (elementary) PE teacher going on my 15th year.

I don’t have a flagship product per se but I make rustic-styled, outdoor and nature-themed handcrafted jewelry for men and women and other gifts for men. My customers are from all over the world and a mix of male and female, but mainly in the 18-40 age range.

I have a stall at a very popular tourist market here in Queenstown called the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market. This is where a majority of my sales come from. I also sell online via my website, goldpanpete.com, Etsy, and Felt (an NZ site similar to Etsy). I also have a few stockists that carry my items, with that number hoping to increase in 2019.

how-a-teacher-started-a-successful-handmade-jewelry-business-online

27. Start a men's clothing line ($3.6M/year)

Valentin Ozich from New Zealand started I Love Ugly over 15 years ago, a men's clothing line.

  • Country: New Zealand
  • Revenue: $300,000/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 20

Case Study

My name is Valentin Ozich. I'm the Founder and Creative Director of the men's premium streetwear brand; I Love Ugly.

I started the company in 2008 out of my bedroom with zero experience in business or fashion. I studied Graphic Design and was pretty good at art, but my greatest strength is my ability to manifest whatever was going on in my mind into something tangible. This was how I Love Ugly was born.

Despite being based in Auckland, New Zealand I had ambitions to create a global brand but had no idea how I was going to do it. I felt that being from New Zealand and so isolated from the rest of the world would give us something unique to offer and become an advantage.

how-i-started-3-6m-new-zealand-fashion-brand-i-love-ugly

26. Start a job board

Starting a job board can be a lucrative way to make money online with little to no start-up costs. The global online job board market size was $28.68B in 2019 and is projected to reach $43.39B by 2027.

It's no secret that finding a job can be tough. In today's job market, it can be tempting to give up on job hunting, but here's another option: start your own job board.

How much you can make: $1,500 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 70 days (?)

How I Validated My Idea On Reddit And Built A $180K/Year Job Search Automation Platform

Loopcv is a job search automation platform experiencing 15% monthly growth, offering solutions for bootcamps, universities, career coaches, developers, recruitment companies, job boards, affiliates, and companies looking to perform internal restructuring.

About
George started Loopcv over 3 years ago
Revenue
George grew the business to $15K/month
Costs
It cost George $200 to start the business
Read by 9,698 founders

29. Start a coffee subscription box ($36K/year)

Courtney Todd from New Zealand started Fernweh over 6 years ago, a Coffee Subscription Box.

  • Country: New Zealand
  • Revenue: $3,000/ month
  • Starting Costs: $$550
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 0

Case Study

Hello, my name is Courtney and I’m the founder of Fernweh. I started around three years ago as a side hustle that I’m slowly trying to turn into full time.

I saw a gap in the coffee market and took the opportunity to start a subscription service that featured all coffee roasters throughout New Zealand. Fernweh is a German word meaning a longing for a far off place, I wanted to encompass this through coffee. Each month we feature a coffee roaster in New Zealand by sending out a single origin and a story of the roaster, throughout the month we feature them on our social media pages and have a blog post about them.

My flagship product is the subscriptions we offer. While we ship worldwide our primary customers are New Zealanders who are 20+. Our customers love trying the new coffees that they wouldn’t normally get themselves or they purchase as a gift. We seek out the best single origins in the country to highlight the amazing work of the roasters.

on-starting-a-coffee-subscription-service-as-a-side-hustle

27. Start a healthy meal delivery service

Meal prep delivery services offer healthy and nutritional meals to customers via e-commerce sites.

These services provide either DIY meal kits or Ready-to-eat meals, saving time and eliminating food waste.

They are particularly beneficial for busy people and health-conscious millennials who prefer nutritional food at home.

There are two types of meal services: online meal kits and fast food delivery services.

A meal prep delivery business can be profitable, especially when compared to restaurants, as they save costs on a storefront.

To make a good profit, one should invest less in groceries and ensure they have many customers.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $25,000,000/month

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

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

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

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

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

31. Start a streetwear brand ($1.44M/year)

Trent and Matt from New Zealand started Empire Skate over 20 years ago, a streetwear brand.

  • Country: New Zealand
  • Revenue: $120,000/ month
  • Founders: 2
  • Employees: 10

Case Study

Hi! I’m Matt Wells, co-founder of Empire Skate, an independently run skate and streetwear store based in Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand. We specialize in skateboards, footwear, clothing, and everything in between relating to skate culture.

We have been manufacturing our own skateboards and other skate hardware for the past 13 years. As we have grown so has our product range, and we now stock over 150 different brands from around the world. We continue to grow the online side of our business and have expanded our online presence into Australia. Our average monthly turnover is around $120K per month.

https://www.instagram.com/p/30CEv0j8Vf/

how-we-started-a-120k-month-streetwear-and-skate-gear-shop

32. Start a game store ($50.4K/year)

OLIVER JENKS from New Zealand started Speedcube New Zealand ago, a game store.

  • Country: New Zealand
  • Revenue: $4,200/ month
  • Founders: 1
  • Employees: 1

Case Study

My name is Oliver Jenks, 21 years of age. Managing Director of speedcube.co.nz, an ecommerce store selling speciality Rubik’s cube type “speedcube” puzzles.

Designed to be light, stable and easy to turn, the brands of puzzles we import and resell are primarily intended to be used for the popularizing competitive sport of ‘speedcubing’.

This sport is centered around solving different puzzle variants as fast as possible in official competitions governed by the World Cube Association (WCA). Our products have also resounded with people who simply enjoy fidgeting and playing with puzzles, even if they don’t know how to solve them or don’t wish to compete.

how-i-started-a-4-200-month-competitive-puzzle-store-working-1-hour-a-day

28. Start a private nurse service

Private nurses provide one-on-one medical care to patients who are homebound or in an institution, such as a hospital, nursing home or other such facilities.

A private nursing attendant's responsibilities include taking care of the daily activities of patients like bathe, feed, maintain personal hygiene. Most of the private nurses live with the patient's family in their home, and may also work for long hours.

To become a private duty nurse, you will need to earn a registered nursing degree (RN) or a licensed practical nurse degree (LPN). Registered nurses with 2-3 years of relevant experience can then pursue their career as private duty nurses. Obtaining an advanced certification can also increase more career options.

Private nurses are usually hired by an individual or an agency. However, they work at a patient’s private residence and get paid by the individual. The career scope of private nursing practice is expected to increase by 7% in the coming years, with the increased aging population and the need for home care.

Pricing of a registered private nurse in the US would cost around $25+ an hour, which is approximately $4000 per month.

29. 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 in New Zealand 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.

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

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

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

How I Started A Passive Income Business While Living Out Of A Van

Forgotten Mermaids creator Anslea shares how she started a passive income business while living out of a van, creating mermaid temporary tattoos and accessories, and has grown to average $1,000 per month in mostly passive income over the last six months.

About
Anslea started Forgotten Mermaids almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Anslea grew the business to $1K/month
Costs
It cost Anslea $100 to start the business
Read by 8,226 founders

30. Start a solar panel installation business

The solar panel installation business is a growing industry. In the past decade, solar panels have become more affordable and attractive to consumers. This has led to an increase in demand for solar panel installation services.

Solar energy is one of the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly forms of energy available today. It produces no greenhouse gas emissions or other toxic chemicals that can harm the environment or human health.

A solar panel installation business should consider investing in marketing strategies that will help them reach their target audience and sell their services effectively.

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

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

Our Solar Installation Business Just Hit $24M/Year

Solar Energy Partners, a solar-focused company founded by Alex K Williams, has achieved more than 400% growth since inception, and is expanding into new markets while offering best customer service and training programs.

About
Alex started Solar Energy Partners almost 4 years ago
Revenue
Alex grew the business to $2M/month
Costs
It cost Alex $100000 to start the business
Read by 3,850 founders

36. Start a green business ($180K/year)

Emma Saunders from New Zealand started The Green Collective over 9 years ago, a green business.

  • Country: New Zealand
  • Revenue: $15,000/ month
  • Starting Costs: $$1K
  • Founders: 2
  • Employees: 1

Case Study

Hi I’m Emma from The Green Collective.

We create quality eco products to help you live more sustainably.

I started the business with a friend back in 2014. Six months of research, product testing and designing meant we had a product from the start that we were proud to stand behind.

how-i-started-an-e-commerce-business-from-new-zealand

31. 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 (?)

How This Nanny Started Her Own $940K/Month Childcare Business

Twinkle Toes Nanny Agency has grown from a side hustle to over 20 locations in 5 states, offering an impressive franchise model with almost no overhead and a strong ROI, due to their online scheduling system, which creates a network of nannies and families ultimately providing quality in-home childcare for families.

About
Kristy started Twinkle Toes Nanny Agency over 13 years ago
Revenue
Kristy grew the business to $/month
Read by 3,477 founders

32. Start an errand service

Errand services help people and businesses who have daily errands to run but need an extra hand. So, they seek professional help who can do their chores on time with utmost efficiency.

You can provide various services as an errand business, including grocery shopping, picking up + sorting through mail, going to the bank, and much more.

Starting an errand business in New Zealand is relatively easy. Consider offering package deals as a way of getting and retaining customers. Most errand businesses charge per hour, and you may charge per mileage if the task involves driving.

33. Start a real estate blog

Blogging about real estate is a great way to share your knowledge and connect with potential clients. As a real estate blogger, you'll be responsible for creating content that covers topics like buying and selling property, home improvement, and landlord-tenant law.

You'll need to be a good writer and have a strong understanding of the industry to be successful. But, if you're passionate about real estate and have something to share, starting a blog could be the perfect business idea for you.

To make a living from their blog, bloggers usually have to monetize their site through advertising, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing. Every time one clicks on an advertisement, they make a small amount, usually somewhere between $0.50 and $5.00 depending on the advertisement.

The current trend of people wanting to learn more about real estate and investing is making the real estate blog business more popular than ever. People are always looking for new and interesting ways to learn about the industry, and a blog is a great way to reach a wide audience.. Plus, it's a relatively low-cost business to start up, making it a great option for those on a budget.

You can use your blog to generate income through advertising and affiliate marketing. Or, you could use it to build a client base and eventually start your own real estate consulting business.

34. Start a health care training business

Health care training businesses provide a wide range of training programs to healthcare workers. They offer guidance on career preparation and assist workers in learning new skills to gain employment stability. The basic goal of healthcare training is to improve the performance of the employee and give the employer a trained and compassionate professional.

The health and wellness industry is growing rapidly especially after the global pandemic. There is never a shortage of challenges for the healthcare workers. Hence, continuous education is highly essential in health care sectors where there is high demand and growth in terms of new medical & technological advancement. Hence starting a health care training business can be highly profitable.

To start a healthcare training facility, you do not necessarily require a location, it can be set up virtually with proper planning, exposure, and advertisements, you can attract many customers. The customers may range from hospitals, medical schools, managed care companies, and national medical specialty societies.

There are several courses available online to learn how to deliver healthcare training. An ideal healthcare trainer should be excel in people management and should be able to plan, execute and manage to deliver training programs to a large group of participants. The average Healthcare Trainer's salary is $45,000.

How much you can make: $15,000/month

How We Built And Launched A Health Care Training Platform

VORTTX Training and Testing is a virtual emergency response training system generating 1% of its market potential of one hundred million dollars a year in its second year of full-time operation through utilizing email marketing, trade shows, trade events, referrals, personalized LinkedIn messages, and featuring testimonials from early adopters.

About
Kyle started Vorttx Training and Testing over 7 years ago
Revenue
Kyle grew the business to $15K/month
Read by 7,030 founders

35. Start a medical equipment sales business

How much you can make: $30,000 — $258,333/month

We Built A $360K/Year Medical Supplies Ecommerce Platform

KOGLAND Commerce Pvt Ltd is one of India's fastest-growing online surgical supply stores, with a ten-fold increase in revenues, steady growth in online traffic, aggressive hiring, and scaling up plans, following a hybrid model of stocking and selling fast-moving consumables and surgical products.

About
Mr. started KOGLAND Commerce Pvt Ltd almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Mr. grew the business to $30K/month
Costs
It cost Mr. $7000 to start the business
Read by 3,951 founders

36. Build an analytics tool

Analytics tools are software or apps that help people to make data-driven decisions. They do this by providing users with the ability to access, visualize, and analyze the data.

If you have strong technical skills, then this could be a profitable business idea for you.

QlikView is one of the best Self-Service Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Data Analytics tool. In 2022, QlikView generates $750M in revenue.

With the rise of big data, more companies are realizing the importance of data and are looking for ways to make use of it.

Building an analytics tool is a great business idea because it's a tool that can be used by businesses of all sizes. Small businesses can use it to make better decisions about their operations, while larger businesses can use it to track and improve their performance.

How much you can make: $20 — $1,666,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,000 (?)

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

How Our Privacy Friendly Web Analytics Tool Reached $4K/Month Without Paid Ads

Plausible Analytics, a privacy-friendly web analytics tool, reached $4,557 MRR and 743 paying subscribers by focusing on content marketing and engaging relevant communities, rather than paid advertising, while positioning itself as a lightweight, cookie-free and affordable alternative to Google Analytics.

About
Marko started Plausible Analytics over 5 years ago
Revenue
Marko grew the business to $100K/month
Read by 9,615 founders

37. Become a crypto miner

Crypto mining is creating new bitcoins by solving complicated math problems that verify bitcoin transactions.

To get established as a crypto mining expert, you need to have a wallet for your cryptocurrency so that the tokens or coins have a place to land. Each crypto miner has to be a member of an online crypto mining community. Besides, crypto miners need specialized machines built and tuned specifically to mine cryptocurrencies. The interesting thing about crypto mining is that more people mining bitcoin does not lead to an increase in the number of coins being mined.

38. Start a plumbing business

With hands-on knowledge in plumbing, you can start a business that focuses on diagnosing and repairing plumbing issues, installing fixtures, and maintaining plumbing systems.

As a plumber, your day-to-day activities will involve responding to service calls, troubleshooting plumbing problems, conducting installations or repairs, and providing guidance to clients on plumbing-related matters.

How much you can make: $40,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

I Run A Family Plumbing Business That Makes $40K/Month

A second-generation family-owned plumbing and leak detection business shares their success in obtaining repeat business through word of mouth referrals, staying true to their core principles, and using cutting-edge technology to provide top-notch service to clients.

About
Andrew started Innovation Plumbing about 33 years ago
Revenue
Andrew grew the business to $40K/month
Costs
It cost Andrew $7000 to start the business
Read by 3,234 founders

39. 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.

How much you can make: $200 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)

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

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

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

40. Start an in-home senior care service

In-home senior care services allow senior clients to live their everyday life in the comfort of their own homes.

Experienced caregivers typically customize their services based on their client’s needs - which is why seniors and families prefer this type of service, even if it costs more than a typical nursing home.

There are several different types of home care you can offer, a few being:

  • Personal care services: This type of service helps clients with everyday necessities, such as grooming, bathing, dressing, and overall hygiene
  • Nurse-directed care: This type of care refers to caretakers managing medication, wounds, and the overall health and well-being of the client
  • Meal & Food Prep: This type of care helps prepare nutritious meals and go grocery shopping
  • Transportation: Rides to the library, salon, grocery store, doctor’s office, etc.

The price you can charge depends on where you live and your experience, but this ranges anywhere from $18/hour-$40/hour.

The significant part about starting an in-home senior care business is that you do not need formal education or medical training. You can build a successful home senior care business if you have the necessary skills to do this job.

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

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

How I Started A $250K/Month A Home Care And Nursing Service Provider

The CareSide scaled to $5 million in revenue over 3 years by utilizing a data-driven approach to sales and marketing, with a focus on Google Adwords and Facebook ads, and implementing extensive automation into back end systems.

About
Gareth started The CareSide over 6 years ago
Revenue
Gareth grew the business to $250K/month
Costs
It cost Gareth $200000 to start the business
Read by 15,221 founders

41. Start a taxi cab business

If you are an experienced driver and know your city well, starting a taxi cab business can be a very lucrative side hustle.

Here are the steps on how to start a taxi cab business.

  • Secure your business licenses
  • Secure financing and purchasing equipment
  • Purchase a commercial insurance

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

How I Built A $3.5M/Year Taxi Company Competing With Uber & Lyft

Albert Williams grew a $3.5 million transportation company, The Best Deal, from a niche transportation sector; he attributes the company's success to providing excellent service and committing to continuous learning.

About
Albert started Best Deal Car Service over 10 years ago
Revenue
Albert grew the business to $250K/month
Read by 10,003 founders

42. Start a furniture wholesale distribution business

The furniture wholesale industry consists of wholesalers and distributors of furniture.

These companies are involved in the buying and selling of furniture at wholesale prices to retailers, contractors, and other wholesalers. Though many companies in this industry operate in close liaison with manufacturers, many wholesalers and distributors also work on their own.

43. Start a storage facility

Starting a storage space business is an accessible venture that allows you to utilize unused space effectively.

Additionally, you can start this with little capital. If you have available space, such as a warehouse, garage, or unused rooms, you can repurpose it for storage purposes.

Apart from renting out storage space, self-storage facilities make money by selling locks, cardboard boxes, packing supplies, insurance, and other products.

Pros of starting a storage space business include the following:

  • Great profit potential
  • Growing demand
  • Low overhead compared to other businesses
  • Requires minimal management

How much you can make: $150,000 — $2,500,000/month

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

How I Started A $100K/Month Logistics And Delivery Service Company

How a logistics company grew its revenue over 300% in 2 years, starting with just 2 vans and 25k+ square feet of warehouse space, and focused on relationships, efficiency, and building trust with its customers.

About
Ben started Velocity International Group over 8 years ago
Revenue
Ben grew the business to $150K/month
Read by 12,184 founders

44. Start an auto repair business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

45. Become a solar consultant

Solar consultants help explain renewable energy systems and resources available to potential customers.

Solar consultants often travel to different sites to evaluate power needs and provide cost estimates to homeowners and businesses willing to install solar energy systems.

To become a solar consultant, you need basic education and experience with solar systems. Since the solar industry is evolving very fast, you must be able to study new systems and understand the latest developments in this industry.

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

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

Our Solar Installation Business Just Hit $24M/Year

Solar Energy Partners, a solar-focused company founded by Alex K Williams, has achieved more than 400% growth since inception, and is expanding into new markets while offering best customer service and training programs.

About
Alex started Solar Energy Partners almost 4 years ago
Revenue
Alex grew the business to $2M/month
Costs
It cost Alex $100000 to start the business
Read by 3,850 founders

46. Start an ecommerce store

An eCommerce business is a company that sells products or services online. Ecommerce businesses have many advantages over brick-and-mortar businesses, including lower overhead costs, increased flexibility and reach, and the ability to reach a wider audience.

eCommerce is booming right now because of the convenience and efficiency it offers consumers. Consumers can buy products from their favorite brands on a platform that makes the whole process easier than ever. They don't have to leave their homes or go out in public, they can just sit down at their computer, tablet or smartphone and browse through all of the options available to them.

To start an ecommerce business, you'll need to set up a website where customers can browse your inventory and purchase items, as well as payment processing software that allows you to accept credit card payments. You'll also need to choose a shopping cart software and manage inventory tracking software.

How much you can make: $450 — $62,500,000/month

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How A Teacher Started A Successful Handmade Jewelry Business Online

A primary school teacher found his passion for jewelry-making, turning it into a successful business generating $2500-3000 per month through sales at the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market, online, and through stockists, with plans to expand and eventually make it his full-time profession.

About
Alex started Gold Pan Pete Design over 11 years ago
Revenue
Alex grew the business to $2.5K/month
Read by 41,545 founders

47. Become a software developer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How We Started A $350K/Month Business Developing Software Tools For Ecommerce Brands

SkyVerge, a software company, has grown rapidly with revenue of $350,000 per month, over 100,000 eCommerce customers, and a globally distributed team of 30 people, all through starting with consulting projects and building focused and solutions-based products, acquiring small products from other developers, and focusing largely on content marketing and providing excellent customer support.

About
Max started SkyVerge, Inc. about 11 years ago
Revenue
Max grew the business to $350K/month
Read by 35,774 founders

48. Become a virtual assistant

Virtual assistants support businesses, teams, or individuals by performing administrative tasks remotely. As businesses these days tend to outsource their tasks, the demand for virtual assistants is growing rapidly.

Becoming a virtual assistant is flexible, as you can choose a work schedule and location at your convenience. Many virtual assistants in New Zealand have a dedicated home office where they work in a quiet and distraction-free environment.

To become a virtual assistant, identify a niche you like and undertake any training. Then, figure out how much to charge your customers and create an online presence where you can apply for jobs. As a virtual assistant, you can define your work schedule depending on your availability.

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

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

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

On Starting A Business Training Virtual Assistants

Filipino Virtual Assistance by FVA Business Consultancy, founded by Julmar Grace Locsin, offers online and offline training to empower marketers, enable businesses, and equip freelancers which has trained 25,000 students from their 31 courses, has 16 coaches assigned from different territories, and fifteen in the FVA team for global digital leadership that will impact the world through digitalization, one life at a time.

Revenue
Julmar grew the business to $1K/month
Costs
It cost Julmar $500 to start the business
Read by 7,666 founders

49. Start a music lessons business

How much you can make: $45,000 — $70,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)

How I Started A $20K/Month Private Music Lessons Business

This case study follows Brooke Schrager's journey of starting a customized in-home music lesson business with only 10 students in January 2016 and growing it to over 200 students with monthly revenue of $20,000 in May 2021.

About
Brooke started Lessons By Brooke & Company over 8 years ago
Revenue
Brooke grew the business to $45K/month
Costs
It cost Brooke $1000 to start the business
Read by 6,411 founders

50. Become a graphic designer

Graphic designing involves creating sketch designs and materials for corporate clients, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and publishers. Besides, graphic designers provide visual solutions to specific company images, log design, and branding problems.

Graphic design is an excellent career for creative thinkers who enjoy using their talent and artistic skills combined with technology and communication abilities to come up with unique solutions for their clients.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $81,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 165 days (?)

How We Make $7.5K/Month With A Productized Service

Draftss.com is a productized graphic design and front-end code service on subscription that made $66k ARR in 2019, has an MRR of $9.6k as of July 2020, and offers add-ons such as designers being added to team in interacting tools and front-end code services on WordPress using various page builders like Elementor and Divi.

About
Junaid started Draftss almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Junaid grew the business to $15K/month
Costs
It cost Junaid $100 to start the business
Read by 11,322 founders

51. Start a content writing company

Content writing involves writing, editing, and publishing content in a digital format. Examples of content include a blog post, product description, and podcast script—eBooks, press releases, or landing page content.

Becoming a content writer allows you to work as your boss. Therefore, you choose whatever working schedule suits you and take a manageable workload. Moreover, content writing helps you develop essential skills you may not obtain from regular writing.

Content writing is a highly-on-demand service, as companies compete for the online audience who often begin their shopping journey by searching for relevant and educative content online. Therefore, a content writing company is an excellent source of passive income.

To start a content writing company in New Zealand, research the market and choose a suitable niche. Sketch a proper business plan and create a website. Hire a pool of talented writers and leverage modern technology to streamline operations.

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

How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)

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

How Dani Mancini Transformed Her Freelance Gigs Into A SaaS Business

Scribly.io, a subscription-based copywriting service providing high quality content that helps businesses scale at roughly 50% of the cost of hiring in-house, created by Dani, a first-time entrepreneur who started with just a few hundred dollars worth of projects and with the help of three other writers; as of last month, Scribly.io topped $14K monthly revenue.

About
Dani started Scribly over 5 years ago
Revenue
Dani grew the business to $37K/month
Read by 12,534 founders

52. Start an art business

Starting an art business can be a great idea if you have a passion for art.

You’ll be able to work on your schedule, set your prices, and do something you love—while supporting yourself or even making money!

There are so many different avenues available to you as an artist-entrepreneur right now—from selling your work online (on sites like Etsy), through galleries or museums, or even at craft fairs and flea markets.

How much you can make: $876 — $415,000/month

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

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

How I Turned My Hobby For Painting Into A Successful Art Business

Innerglow Art is a successful custom abstract painting business that incorporates scripture and personable connection with buyers to produce beautiful and unique artwork.

About
Sarah started Innerglow Art over 7 years ago
Revenue
Sarah grew the business to $4.3K/month
Read by 52,102 founders

53. Start a sex toys business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About
Liam started Sex Toys For Men Co. almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Liam grew the business to $2.4K/month
Read by 18,257 founders

54. Become an Airbnb host

If you are interested in becoming an Airbnb host, the first step is to create a listing for your property or a portion of it on the Airbnb platform.

This will allow travelers from all over the world to rent your space and enjoy a personalized and unique accommodation experience.

By creating a welcoming atmosphere and providing excellent service to your guests, you can enhance your profile and attract even more visitors to your property.

With the potential to earn a steady stream of passive income, becoming an Airbnb host can be an excellent way to monetize your property.

How much you can make: $1,333 — $270,000/month

How long does it take to build: 215 days (?)

How I Bootstrapped An Airbnb Management Service To $35K/Month

HostButlers is Ireland's first professional property concierge service for short-term rentals on Airbnb, boasting over 200,000 hosted guests and profitability from month 5.

About
Gary started Host Butlers over 8 years ago
Revenue
Gary grew the business to $35K/month
Read by 22,035 founders

55. Start a rug business

How much you can make: $11,000/month

How I Started A $11K/Month Yoga-Inspired Clothing, Mats And Accessories Brand

Deivee, the organic sustainable yoga lifestyle brand, grew from making just $7K in their first year to $1.6M in their third year through their flagship products, including a Yoga Kurti, copper water bottles, and organic biodegradable yoga mats, while remaining a low-funded start-up, using micro-influencer marketing and customer feedback to improve their product.

Revenue
Darshan grew the business to $11K/month
Costs
It cost Darshan $100000 to start the business
Read by 5,281 founders

56. Become a private investigator

Private investigators are hired to investigate a person, event or organization. They can be hired by individuals, law enforcement or attorneys.

In the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of private investigator firms. This is because of the growing demand for PI services due to all the recent technological advancements that have helped make it easier for people to get away with criminal activities and unethical behavior.

57. Become a real estate website creator

Real Estate Website Creator Business is a resource for passive income. Real estate websites have become a must-have for real estate agents. Using a website builder like Squarespace, Wix or WordPress can help you stand apart from your competition. For most people, a real estate website creator is among the most effective businesses to start online.

Website Builders Market was valued at $1.46B in 2019 and is projected to reach $2.62B by 2027. Over the past five years, a very popular business that people have started is building real estate WordPress websites. This is a great business to start if you have some money saved up and you're looking for more freedom to work whenever you want.

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

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

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

We Launched A Product Agency & Generated $100K In 3 Months

Modern Launch, a custom software development company, generated over $100k in revenue and achieved profitability within its first 3 weeks of bootstrapping, offering services including mobile application development, website development and design, and custom software development.

About
Cody started Modern Launch about 2 years ago
Revenue
Cody grew the business to $50K/month
Costs
It cost Cody $5000 to start the business
Read by 3,400 founders

58. Start a spiritual consulting business

Do you consider yourself a spiritual person and are in tune with your spiritual well-being? Starting a spiritual business can be a great way to align your life and passion with your career and financial well-being.

Examples of spiritually based business can include:

  • Spiritual life coaching
  • Holistic nutritionist or health practitioner
  • Birthing services
  • Aromatherapy services
  • Yoga instruction

Establish your vision for the spiritual business and have confidence in your offerings. Market your spiritual business and attract the clients you wish to serve.

59. Start an online influencer business

An online influencer business is a company or service that gets products or services sold through popular online users. It can be a very lucrative form of marketing.

As technology has advanced, more and more influencer businesses are starting to rise. These are people or companies who become famous for being influential on various topics.

More and more companies are investing in online influencer marketing because this channel is successful for new product exposure or for sharing news about a brand through voice-overs on popular online videos. You can work with these online influencers in different ways including the use of affiliate marketing or product embeds with sponsorship.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $50,000/month

How long does it take to build: 295 days (?)

I Created A Two-Sided Marketplace That Helps Brands Find Influencers

Afluencer is a two-sided marketplace that connects brands with influencers and helps influencers, creators, and ambassadors find paid gigs, with 6,500+ active influencer users and 1,000+ brand users yielding 100% YoY revenue growth.

About
Brett started Afluencer about 3 years ago
Revenue
Brett grew the business to $2K/month
Costs
It cost Brett $500000 to start the business
Read by 3,235 founders

60. Develop a seo software

SEO software is a computer program that is designed to handle search engine optimization tasks by optimizing the website content, managing backlinks, and other SEO activities.

SEO is something that you need to do for your website or blog in order for it to get any traffic. Some of us are new to SEO, even if we are SEO experts. SEO isn't just a craft, but an art form as well.

Making your own SEO software is more than potentially profitable. It also lets you interact with the people who use your software and allows you to figure out best practices from the data you collect.

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

How much does it cost to start: $5,500 (?)

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

How I Bootstrapped My SaaS Company To $2.5M/Year In 5 Years As A Solo Founder

Solo founder Todd Hooper bootstrapped Prerender.io from zero to $2.5 million in ARR over 5 years by releasing an open-source project on Github and turning it into an SEO-friendly version of React, Angular, and Javascript websites, and then offering it as a SaaS service for businesses.

About
Todd started Prerender.io over 10 years ago
Revenue
Todd grew the business to $220K/month
Read by 15,727 founders

61. Start a herbal and natural products business

How much you can make: $40,000 — $320,000/month

How long does it take to build: 356 days (?)

How I Started A Seven-Figure Supplements Business

Lost Empire Herbs co-founder and CEO Logan Christopher shares how he built an ecommerce business specializing in high-quality, phyto-androgenic herbs that support hormone systems, going from zero to mid-seven figures in revenue, and discusses strategies including affiliate marketing and email-and-content marketing.

About
Logan started Lost Empire Herbs almost 12 years ago
Revenue
Logan grew the business to $320K/month
Costs
It cost Logan $1000 to start the business
Read by 13,893 founders

62. Become a massage therapist

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

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

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

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

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

How I Make A Living As A Professional Cuddler

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

About
Sam started Snuggle with Sam over 7 years ago
Revenue
Sam grew the business to $11.3K/month
Read by 15,259 founders

63. Start an eye masks store

The eye mask is a simple accessory that blocks out light and improves sleep. The global mask market is expected to reach USD 18.6 Million in the next few years.

If you love to help people sleep better, then starting an eye masks business might be the perfect business opportunity for you.

An eye masks business is a relatively low barrier to entry business that doesn't require much of an up-front investment. You can start by making your own eye masks or buying them from wholesalers in bulk, then sell them to customers through social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram.

How much you can make: $800,000/month

How long does it take to build: 730 days (?)

How We Successfully Raised $700K For Our 100% Blackout Sleep Masks

Manta Sleep has successfully raised $700,000+ through crowdfunding campaigns for their unique, 100% blackout sleep mask designed for light sleepers and aims to empower people to sleep better so they can do more.

About
Mark started Manta Sleep about 7 years ago
Revenue
Mark grew the business to $800K/month
Costs
It cost Mark $50000 to start the business
Read by 8,893 founders

64. Become a handyman

Handyman offers various home repair services based on their skill set and the customer’s needs. Also known as a fixer, the handyman repairs works both on the interior and exterior.

The handyman business is a great part-time opportunity, and you can earn a high-profit margin while the overhead costs are low.

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

How I Started A $8K/Month Pool Service And Installation Business

Learn how a third generation business owner started a profitable pool service and installation business in Southern Ontario, earning an average of $8000/month net revenue during peak season and growing from servicing 0 to 350+ pools since May 2016 by doing things that don't scale, such as manually talking to customers and focusing on the ideal customer.

About
Dan started Dundas Valley Pools almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Dan grew the business to $8K/month
Read by 15,112 founders

65. Start a car rental business

Starting a car rental business can be a profitable venture for those interested in the auto industry.

Retail and corporate are the main segments within the car rental industry. Retail car rentals focus on individuals who rent cars for shorter periods, while corporate car rental targets companies that want to transport clients or employees.

If you are starting a car rental business in New Zealand, target airports, hotels, railway stations, commercial offices, and other high-traffic areas.

Market your business, hire employees who will manage the operations and keep records, and purchase business insurance for both cars and employees.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $583,333/month

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

How We Started A Camper Van Rental Business and Quit Our Full Time Jobs

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.

About
Gretchen started ROAMERICA over 8 years ago
Revenue
Gretchen grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Gretchen $25000 to start the business
Read by 36,214 founders

66. Start a kitchen utensils business

The demand for kitchen utensils is and will be evergreen. With some capital and a planned distribution channel, starting such a business does not have to be daunting.

As you source or manufacture the utensils you want to sell, decide on your selling channels, whether through door-to-door sales, wholesale, or an online store. Set competitive prices and aim to meet a niche demand whether for a certain utensil or in a certain geographical location.

Balancing quality, affordability, and customer satisfaction will be key to the success in this business.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $78,000/month

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

How An Aerospace Engineer Decided To Reengineer The Ice Cream Scooper

Aerospace engineer Michael Chou created the Midnight Scoop, designed to help you scoop hard ice cream by eliminating the need for a wrist-prying motion, with the product going from zero sales to $18k per month after the first month upon release.

About
Michael started Midnight Scoop over 9 years ago
Revenue
Michael grew the business to $18K/month
Read by 4,185 founders

67. Start a food startup

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

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

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

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

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

How We Started A Successful Hot Sauce Brand

Trini Pepper Sauce co-founder and co-owner, Mustafa Mannan, shares how he successfully imported and manufactured his family's unique pepper sauce recipe and launched it through a Kickstarter campaign, now selling an average of $3,000/month in revenue.

About
Mustafa started Trini Pepper Sauce over 10 years ago
Revenue
Mustafa grew the business to $2.25K/month
Read by 33,366 founders

68. Start a vending machine business

Starting a vending machine business in a crowded, busy city is an easy way to make money. Whether you want to run your own business, start a side hustle, or generate an income while at the office, this is the best business.

There are many advantages to starting a vending machine business, such as: low startup costs, simplicity, all cash-based transactions, and flexibility.

Here are the steps on how to start a vending machine business.

  • Buy a franchise
  • Find a location
  • Secure all licenses and contracts

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

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

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

I Converted My Side Hustle Into A Full-Blown $10K/Month Vending Machine Business

iKrave Vending founder Lakinya started her vending machine business after observing the lack of consultants who specialize in vending machine operations, and now offers online training courses and mentoring to help others achieve success in the billion-dollar industry.

About
Lakinya started iKrave Vending over 6 years ago
Revenue
Lakinya grew the business to $30K/month
Costs
It cost Lakinya $2000 to start the business
Read by 3,639 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

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