47 Profitable Craft Business Ideas You Can Start Today (2023)

47 Profitable Craft Business Ideas You Can Start Today (2023)

Do you want to parlay your artistic and creativity skills into profitable craft business ideas?

Depending on your skills, different craft business ideas can pay you a decent profit.

If you're looking to start your craft business ideas 2023, you will find several low-capital options you can choose from in this post.

Here they are:

1. Start a packaging design business

Packaging design is an integral aspect of the manufacturing and supply chain industries. Manufacturers and those in the supply chain want to ensure they get the product packaging right, or else poor packaging might affect their business.

Take advantage of the high demand for innovative packaging designers and start your own packaging design business. Your target customers will be brands seeking an innovative and interesting way to stand out and create an amazing customer experience through unique packaging.

How Much Can You Make?
$120,000 — $1,000,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$1,010,000
Skills

Case Study

I’m Dan Frist and I own Frontier Label. Frontier Label is a full e-commerce digital label printing company in Greenville, SC. We print labels for companies of all sizes in countless industries.

we-turned-a-basic-hp-printer-into-a-12m-year-custom-labels-company

2. Start a backpack line

Backpacks enable you to carry camping items safely. Ideal bags for hikers are waterproof, lightweight, and flexible. Quality backpacks provide maximum protection for the contents. There is a demand for backpacks all year round, which increases during the camping season.

A backpack line business can reap enormous profits. It allows you to be your boss or start a business.

Building your line of backpacks might seem like a daunting task, but it can be rewarding to know that you have made something out of nothing. It will take time and hard work, but ultimately you are going to end up with a great product that resonates with your audience

To start your camping backpack line, research the current trends and focus on providing durable products.

How Much Can You Make?
$20,000 — $300,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$7,000
Skills
Business model

Case Study

Over the past nine years, we’ve bootstrapped our way to seven figures in revenue.

how-we-started-a-300k-month-business-selling-carry-on-travel-backpacks

3. Start a custom prints business

Custom print businesses often focus on printing everything, including business cards, photos, and even custom T-shirts.

To start an online custom prints business, choose a niche to help your business stand out and attract the right target audience. Then, focus on producing quality prints of different sizes, materials, and designs. You may hire designers online or search for designs in online design communities. Then, validate the designs before you begin mass production. Finally, set up an online store, and launch the business.

Remember that with the growth in popularity of selling custom prints, expect to face stiff competition. Therefore, you should market your custom prints on social media to maximize your reach.

How Much Can You Make?
$3,700 — $3,000,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$135,000
Skills

Case Study

Hi! I’m Zach Katz, and I started Framed Tweets to give people a simple way to beautifully frame their favorite tweets as art, to remember and enjoy forever.

how-i-stumbled-into-a-300k-business-framing-tweets

4. Become a fashion designer

Fashion designers are creative people who come up with new designs for clothes, footwear, accessories, and other items that people wear. They figure out what materials to use, what colors will look best together, and how to make sure that each piece looks good on a variety of body types.

As a fashion designer, you have the opportunity to create something new and exciting.

Tips on how to become successful:

  • Understand the fashion industry
  • Develop and master the needed skills
  • Start with a vision for your brand and know your brand inside-out
  • Create a plan for how that vision will be executed
  • Don't skimp on marketing or promotions

How Much Can You Make?
$100 — $500,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$2,960
Skills

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.

Currently, between all of my sales at the markets, online, etc, my revenue is on average between $2500-3000 per month. One thing that people find unique about my product is that I personally make every piece of jewelry I sell.

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

5. Become a face painter

Popular at children's parties, weddings, and even some corporate events, face painting is a great creative activity that sparks joy among people of all ages.

If you love making people happy and helping them celebrate different events in life, consider starting a face-painting business.

If you are planning to start a face painting business on a professional basis, it would be wise to take an introductory training course to learn the basics of face painting and the safety and health precautions involved in the business.

Average Initial Investment
$10,000
Skills

6. Create an online course

Online course businesses are one of the fastest-growing online business models. Creating an online course is an awesome way to generate extra income because it allows you to monetize the knowledge you already have. More people are taking online courses every day, and the COVID pandemic has accelerated that, with some online learning platforms having seen 15-fold growth in the number of users.

Another advantage is that these new platforms are so easy to use for instructors that you don't have to worry at all about the tech side of the business. You just need to focus on creating exciting content that is informational & engaging at the same time.

Starting an online course allows you to eliminate some of the huge costs associated with setting up a physical training facility, and it's a great way to reach as many people as possible.

How Much Can You Make?
$350 — $3,735,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$6,531
Time To Revenue
150 days
Skills

Case Study

Hey! We are Kelan and Brittany Kline the founders and co-owners of the popular personal finance blog The Savvy Couple.

We are currently on pace to make over $250,000 this year alone with our personal finance blog!

how-this-28-year-old-couple-quit-their-jobs-and-make-20k-month-running-a-blog

7. Start a towels business

The rising need for sanitation facilities, including toilets and bathrooms, is a crucial driver that fuels the demand for cotton towels.

If you are crafty, you can design and launch your towel brand. To develop a towel brand, you need a basic comprehension of art and design and an understanding of the fashion industry. You can join a fashion school or work with fashion designers to get the inspiration you need to start designing your towels.

How Much Can You Make?
$12,000 — $450,000/month
Time To Revenue
240 days
Skills
Business model

Case Study

I’m Andy, co-founder of Dock & Bay which is an awesome new lifestyle brand selling travel apparel, fitness, and beach accessories for those who love exploring this awesome world.

In our first full year of business, we had a turnover of $92K and this year we’ll be turning over $5.4m.

how-two-founders-started-a-5m-year-business-selling-beach-towels

8. Start a wallet brand

The wallet's market share is increasing at a CAGR of 8.87%, reaching $8.78 billion in a few years. As the demand for wallets keeps rising, starting your wallet brand creates a chance to earn a profit in the future.

To start your wallet brand, begin with complete market research focusing on identifying the gaps. Then, study the competition and come up with a unique wallet design that suits the lifestyle of your target customers.

How Much Can You Make?
$200 — $60,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$3,000
Skills
Business model
Work from home

Case Study

I started this project as my side hustle, and since I opened my shop in June 2018, it has grown slowly. Though it is still a tiny business, I enjoy creating useful tools that are loved by many users around the globe.

starting-a-1k-month-side-hustle-selling-washable-paper-wallets

9. Start a quilt business

If you're crafty and creative, then selling quilts might be a great business for you.

Approximately, the size of the quilting industry is 4.2 billion USD.

How Much Can You Make?
$14,000 — $800,000/month
Skills
Business model
Work from home

Case Study

My name is Ross Lohr, and I’m a co-founder of Project Repat. We make it easy and affordable for customers to turn their memorable t-shirts into a one of a kind, custom t-shirt quilt backed with cozy fleece.

We currently make 2,000 custom t-shirt quilts per week at 2 production facilities in the United States. In 2018, we will make 90,000 t-shirt quilts and do $10MM in sales per year.

project-repat-10mm-business-making-quilts-from-old-t-shirts

10. Become a craft business blogger

The craft industry is becoming more popular than ever before. More people are expressing their love and affection for the craft. Besides, more people are showing their interest in starting a craft-related business.

If you have an affection for crafts, consider starting a craft blog.

A craft blog can cover anything from art and craft industry trends to popular industry news. Just make sure your craft blog focuses on an interesting niche. Thus, start with identifying a niche and studying what they love about the craft.

Focus on developing relevant content for your blog, and post the content regularly.

How Much Can You Make?
$1,000 — $33,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$200
Time To Revenue
180 days
Skills
Business model

Case Study

Hi, I’m Theresa the owner of the blog DIY Lifestyle. On my blog, I share dozens of gluten-free, vegan, paleo, raw vegan and healthy recipes, fun crafts & DIYs, helpful life hacks, and travel tips. I started my blog because I was looking for a place to write down useful information to share with people all around the world but it quickly turned into something more.

how-i-turned-my-passion-for-crafts-and-writing-into-a-side-income-source

11. 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 Can You Make?
$500 — $11,750,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$12,363
Time To Revenue
300 days
Business model

Case Study

Hi everyone, my name is Gia, and I am the owner of Boutique Rye. We are a women’s clothing and accessories boutique that is all online!

We have anywhere from clothes that are appropriate for work or clothes that will make you turn heads on a night out on the town. I try and buy clothes with many different styles in mind. I'd like to think that we are a one-stop shop for a diverse group of women!

how-i-grew-my-clothing-boutique-to-10k-month-in-6-months

12. Start a journal brand

A journal is a newspaper or a magazine that covers a particular subject or a professional activity based on the author's thoughts and feelings. The beauty of journaling is there is no right or wrong way to start.

The approach depends on your personal experience and can take many forms.

Find a journaling habit that works for you and create a writing routine. Get creative and journal about anything that comes to mind, so long as it interests your target audience.

How Much Can You Make?
$200 — $150,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$3,800
Time To Revenue
180 days
Skills
Business model
Work from home

Case Study

Hi, I’m Jess. I’m 34 years old from Tasmania, Australia. I started Chasing Planner Peace back in 2015 when I was pregnant with my third child. Originally we were based on Etsy and only sold planner inserts, however, we’ve now turned into a one-stop planner shop that caters to seasoned “planner addicts” who want to add to their planners, and also planner newbies who love the fact our shop is the only store in Australia you can custom build your own ring planner style planner.

Over the past few years, we’ve really expanded our range to not only offer planners and inserts, but also planner dashboards (beautiful cover pages), dividers, notepads, stationery items and more. We also recently started our subscription box service where every two months customers can receive a “Planner Peace Box” which is full of planner and self-care goodies. We have so many more plans for new products in 2020.

how-i-started-a-12k-month-selling-productivity-planners-online

13. Start a Greeting Cards Business

People use greeting cards to mark births, deaths, graduations, anniversaries, and other parties or events. If you love helping people celebrate special occasions, starting a greeting card business can be a great business opportunity.

When starting a greeting card business, choose a potential niche and write a business plan. Then, find an ideal spot to sell the greeting cards. For instance, you can offer greeting card design and posting services, so customers can choose the best designs and post greeting cards online.

How Much Can You Make?
$2,000 — $100,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$11,166
Time To Revenue
300 days
Skills
Business model

Case Study

I am Travis Peterson and started Joker Greeting. We make original prank gifts and prank non-gifts for friends, family, and offices. It all started with a non-stop musical greeting card that looped for 3-6 hours.

For 2.5 years, I have been working on making musical greeting cards interesting again. To be clear, I never intended on making a greeting card or joke company, but we launched on Kickstarter and raised $92,073 in 30 days with no marketing, so I decided to give it a shot.

i-created-a-prank-card-company-grew-it-to-30k-month

14. Become a temporary tattoo artist

Starting a tattoo business is not as difficult as you might think. If you have the talent, ability, and guts, you already have the essential qualities for starting your own tattoo company. The Tattoo Artists market size in the US in 2022 is $1.4B.

The tattooing business is profitable and famous, and it is one of the most rewarding careers that you can have. However, becoming a tattoo artist requires a lot of commitment and hard work.

Tattoo shops have strict standards for artists who work in shops, so to have an ideal career as an artist, you might have to go the freelance route. It can be a short-term or long-term career, so you must be prepared before taking on such a responsibility. It won’t come with a million-dollar salary at first, but once you’ve developed a good reputation and have completed enough work, the money will start rolling in.

How Much Can You Make?
Average Initial Investment
$100
Time To Revenue
240 days
Skills
Business model
Work from home

Case Study

Over the last 12 months, we’ve expanded our products to include two tattoo designs in six colors, swimsuits, and clothing, all with the unifying “mermaid scale” theme. These last six months we’ve averaged about $1,000/month in mostly passive income.

how-i-started-a-passive-income-business-while-living-out-of-a-van

15. Start a jewelry making business

The global jewelry market size was valued at $278B in 2018 and is expected to reach $292B by 2025.

The industry comprises manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and jewelry designers. Unlike many other industries that have gone through leaps in technology, the jewelry industry has remained untouched for over 40 years.

If you know how to make jewelry, then this might be a great way to make some extra money.

How Much Can You Make?
$1,000 — $2,000,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$38,333
Time To Revenue
210 days
Skills

Case Study

Hello there! We are Lindsay Ann Gottschall and Courtney Joy Bleier, two sisters from Miami who started Ann + Joy. We make handmade real flower and resin jewelry and sell online and in stores around the world. We take pride in being one of the first companies to make real flower jewelry. During our first year of business, we blossomed almost immediately into a very successful Etsy shop. Etsy was constantly featuring our products on its website and in promotional emails. We are proud to say that since starting in early 2017 we have had over 5,000 sales online.

For all the readers, we are providing a 20% off coupon to our Etsy shop. Use code: STARTERSTORY at checkout!

how-we-started-a-4k-month-handmade-flower-and-resin-jewelry-business

16. Start a pet accessories business

With the increasing number of pet owners globally, the pet accessories market is booming. Pet accessories include items that promote the health and wellness of pets and improve pet handling. Examples of pet accessories include pet treats, toys, collars and tags, leashes, pet beds, food and water bowls, poo bags, clothing, costumes, etc.

To start a pet accessories business, market research and focus on the highly demanded pet products.

How Much Can You Make?
$300,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$52,750
Skills
Business model

Case Study

My name is Jackson Cunningham and I’m the founder of tuft + paw. We’re a modern brand for cat people.

This year, we raised 2M dollars from some very well-known investors including Alexis Ohanian (founder of Reddit).

this-designer-cat-furniture-brand-does-over-300k-month-in-sales

17. Start a candle business

The candle industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.

Candle making was one of the first industries to be industrialized, and now up to 90% of all candles are made by machinery. Yet most of us still make our own candles from home, creating a demand for handcrafted, high-quality candles from candle manufacturers even in today's automated world.

A candle business is a worthwhile idea for an entrepreneur who wants to make some extra money in their free time from the comfort of their own home. There are many opportunities for this type of business if you consider it seriously.

How Much Can You Make?
$500 — $1,000,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$2,425
Time To Revenue
60 days
Time Commitment Per Week
Min. 5 hours/week
Skills
Interests

Case Study

Hello! My name is D’Shawn Russell and I am the founder and CEO of Southern Elegance Candle Company. I started the company 4 years ago as a side hustle to make some extra money on the weekends and to get me out of the house. But it quickly grew to much more than I expected.

You can check out our brand story video here: Southern Elegance: Candles Crafted In The South

how-i-started-a-20k-month-southern-inspired-candle-business

18. Start a board game business

Creating your own board game can be fun, challenging, and rewarding. Games are an integral part of our culture and are played by people from all walks of life.

You can create a board game from scratch with basic programming knowledge or several hours of practice. Board games are easy to manufacture, can be made from home, and can become top-rated and profitable businesses.

How Much Can You Make?
$1,500 — $2,058,333/month
Average Initial Investment
$1,350
Time To Revenue
210 days
Time Commitment Per Week
Min. 10 hours/week
Skills
Interests
Business model
Work from home

Case Study

Hi! I’m Jamey Stegmaier, and I run Stonemaier Games, a tabletop game company based in St. Louis. We publish strategy games like Wingspan, Scythe, and Viticulture.

Stonemaier Games started with a Kickstarter campaign in 2012 that raised $65,980, and in 2020 our annual revenue eclipsed $18 million. Our latest game, Red Rising, is shown here (photo credit: Tim Chuon).

how-i-started-a-40m-revenue-business-creating-tabletop-games

19. Start a woodworking business

While many see woodworking as a hobby to pass the time, it is a profitable blue-collar business with growth potential. If you are skilled, passionate, and looking for a blue-collar side hustle, consider starting a woodworking business.

Starting a woodworking business allows you to work from home. Besides, you can scale the business easily and enjoy unlimited earning potential. Some opportunities you can go for include building custom wood pieces, teaching others about woodworking, starting a woodworking blog, and flip furniture.

How Much Can You Make?
$1,000 — $1,600,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$17,833
Time Commitment Per Week
Min. 5 hours/week
Skills
Interests

Case Study

My name is Sasha Weekes and I’m the 25 years old owner of Timber Grove Studios. Our home-based woodshop is nestled in the hills of PEI’s countryside, and we specialize in decorative shelving and home decor with a focus on minimalist design and simplicity. Each piece is made to order with 20+ color options, meaning it will be the perfect fit for each customer's space. We ship Canada and U.S. wide.

Moving twice in two years has definitely caused organizational, financial and opportunity hiccups, but the business has grown steadily regardless so we’re very excited about where 2020 will take us. We’ve learned what to focus on during which months, as revenue can range anywhere from $2000 during slow months to $10,000 during high months. Net profit has run anywhere between 20-50% throughout the life of the business and varies month to month. It’s closer to 20% right now as we’ve been spending all we can on new tools and materials for our new larger products and our Christmas stock.

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

20. Start a soap business

Soap-making business is a growing industry that can be home-based or a small local business. Soap business is one of the most lucrative home-based businesses that perfect your decision to work in your free time while you earn good cash.

Starting a soap business sounds simple enough. You can buy supplies for probably less than $1,000. Popular skincare products are now being sold online, and this doesn’t seem like a challenging field to break into. Below are some success stories of the soap business that will inspire you.

How Much Can You Make?
$1,000 — $600,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$3,900
Skills

Case Study

More important than the money, though, we’ve made so many friends from our customers and business contacts from the business. 46% of our website orders are from repeat customers. Once someone joins the Outlaw gang, we strive to be their sidekick for the long haul. We often hear from customers that our customer service is the best they’ve ever experienced. I think this is because we’re absolutely emphatic about ensuring the satisfaction of our genuinely incredible customers, no matter what.

We feel like our Magnificent Seven Outlaw Values really define us as a company and give our customers a good reason to be loyal to us. (in addition to fantastic product, of course)

leaving-the-cubicle-to-start-a-23k-month-soap-company

21. Start a mobile photography

Want to start your own photography business? You're not alone. With the rise of social media and photo-sharing, blogging, and online retailing, it's never been easier to start making money behind your camera.

There are photographers shooting weddings, creating images for ad campaigns, freelancing for magazines, touring the world, taking photographs of destinations — the list is endless!

To start mobile photography , research the target audience and determine which specialization area is more lucrative. Invest in high-quality, professional cameras, lenses, and a computer with professional software photo-editing software.

How Much Can You Make?
$2,000 — $500,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$24,583
Skills

Case Study

Hi! My name is Tsour Lee Adato and I am the founder of Pro Photo Studio. I started my product photography business over 5 years ago while living in New York. Pro Photo Studio specializes in high-end commercial photography and also caters to the average eCommerce online seller who sells on platforms like Amazon and Etsy.

The company began realizing a profit very quickly, in the first quarter after opening and year over year profits have increased while the cost of customer acquisition has decreased. Currently, the company makes approximately $350k per year and is on its way to becoming a 7 figure business.

how-i-started-a-commercial-product-photography-business

22. Start a painting business

If you are looking for a self-employment opportunity that gives you a chance to define your working schedule, consider starting a painting business. Painting is one of the low startup costs craft businesses with a high-profit margin. However, only some have the patience or the skill to do painting tasks.

To start a painting business, craft a business plan and register your business. Then, get insurance cover for your business and apply for licenses. Finally, get the right painting equipment and focus on marketing your business.

How Much Can You Make?
$20,000 — $105,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$44,000
Time To Revenue
240 days
Skills

Case Study

I’m Debbie, and I’m known online as TheFlooringGirl. I have a home décor blog where I blog about flooring, painting, and home décor. It has now become my full-time job.

My site has over 700,000 pageviews/month. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has been the key to my success and you can find my SEO ebooks here.

how-i-started-a-20k-month-blog-about-flooring-and-painting

23. Start a hair extensions business

The hair extensions industry offers hairpieces and wigs for aesthetic and medical purposes. People looking for hair extensions are concerned about regular hair styling, so they prefer them.

If you follow hair and beauty trends and are passionate about starting a business in the beauty industry, you can start a brick-and-mortar hair extensions business. Research the market and find out the type of hair in demand.

How Much Can You Make?
$500,000/month
Time To Revenue
210 days
Skills
Business model

Case Study
  • Vivian Kaye is the creator and CEO of KinkyCurlyYaki, a high-end black women's textured hair extension line that has grown to $6 million in sales without using paid advertising.
  • She made the decision in 2012 to start a business that offered more than just high-quality, kinky, curly, and realistic-looking textured hair extensions.
  • This brand offers a collection of 100% virgin human hair that is available in 6 textures and a wide range of coverage options to help you achieve your goal.
  • The enterprise prospered in 2013 and made around $500,000 in sales in just one year of launching.

article

Read the full story on thestar.com ➜

24. Become a toy maker

The toys market is growing at a CAGR of 2.5% and will reach a market size of $103 Billion in the next few years. Toys play a critical role in a child’s growth and development. They help in brain development, enabling the kids to acquire logical and reasoning skills.

Besides, toys help kids develop spatial reasoning and social and communication skills. Therefore, starting a toy-making business today could be the best decision you are about to make.

To start your toy-making business, identify a potential niche, and focus on delivering suitable toys.

How Much Can You Make?
$9,999 — $200,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$5,125
Skills

Case Study

My name is Mat Hofma, and I created Mini Materials. We sell miniature masonry and woodworking supplies like cinder blocks, red bricks, pallets, lumber, and even molds to pour your own cinder blocks.

Since then we've expanded to different styles of mini masonry and even kits to build models.

selling-mini-construction-supplies-and-making-17k-mo

25. Start a flower arrangements business

Flower arrangement refers to a decorative display of cut flowers. Floral designers focus on ensuring balance, proportion, scale, unity, harmony, rhythm, balance, and emphasis in every flower arrangement gig.

Whether it is a romantic weekend getaway, a valentine’s dinner, a family get-together, a wedding, or an anniversary, a unique flower arrangement brightens the atmosphere. The flower arrangement tradition has lived with us for a long time, and there are no signs it will fade away, at least in our lifetime.

Are you a florist looking to expand your flower business? Combine your affinity for flowers with your floral design skills to create inspired floral creations. Before starting your flower arrangement career, you will need some training and experience.

How Much Can You Make?
Average Initial Investment
$250
Skills
Business model

Case Study

with-just-300-i-started-a-dried-flower-arrangement-business-and-now-make-10k-month

26. 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 Can You Make?
$550 — $125,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$10,000
Time To Revenue
240 days
Skills
Business model

Case Study

My name is Adam Elliot, and I started Dick At Your Door, an e-commerce shop for people who like to gift pranks, gags, and funny novelties to their friends and family.

Yes, you read that correctly... Dick At Your Door sells chocolate penises you can send as a fun prank to friends and family.

generating-25k-month-sending-chocolate-penises-to-your-friends

27. Start a pet portrait business

Are you an artist looking for a profitable business you can start from home? If yes, consider starting a pet portraits business. You can focus on pet photography, drawings, personalized dog paintings, or cat portraits and start earning extra cash doing what you love.

How Much Can You Make?
$10,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$750
Time To Revenue
180 days
Skills
Business model
Work from home

Case Study

My name is J.B. Shepard. I am Baltimore, Maryland based mixed media artist and the founder of Puptrait.

Just last year I won two fairly major local readers choice awards, including “Best Photographer” in the Baltimore Sun’s Best of 2020 and “Best Artist” in Baltimore Magazine’s annual Best of Baltimore. Considering those are the two largest publications in a market with a few million folks living in it, both were pretty big wins -- especially for a “pet photographer”.

how-i-started-a-10k-month-pet-photography-studio

28. Become a social media influencer

Social media has become integral to people's lives and daily routines. Given the importance of social media, brands are flocking to different social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok in the hope of connecting with their target audience.

A popular approach taken by these brands is engaging social media influencers. A social media influencer has established credibility in a specific industry and has access to a vast audience they can persuade to act based on recommendations.

Anyone can become a social influencer so long as they have the right strategy. Choose a popular niche based on your interests and start creating relevant content.

How Much Can You Make?
$2,500 — $300,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$601
Skills

Case Study

My name is Asia Crawford and I am a Motherhood, Life, and Travel blogger that resides in Vancouver, Canada. I am a wife and mother to two sweet little girls aged 4 and 2!

I started with no community, 0 followers on any media page I had and in just two years have grown to 18.5K followers on Instagram, 1.2 MILLION monthly viewers on my Pinterest, 12.5K Pageviews a month on my blog website and have been nominated for 3 blogging awards.

how-i-started-a-2-5k-month-blog-about-motherhood-life-and-travel

29. Start a gardening classes business

Gardening skill is essential because it beautifies the landscape and is critical in starting a vegetable garden.

If you have a passion for gardening, you can earn extra cash from your craft, teaching homeowners how to set up kitchen gardens in a small backyard. Teaching gardening is a low-capital business idea that comes with a high-profit margin.

How Much Can You Make?
Average Initial Investment
$200
Skills

Case Study

Hello! My name is Ann Remo, and I started a gardening blog, Blooming Anomaly, back in 2017. My blog is all about urban gardening in small spaces while on a budget.

One of the goals I had, when I started Blooming Anomaly, was to make enough money to cover my monthly student loan payments. My blog has gone above and beyond this goal at this point. I make around $700 a month.

i-turned-my-love-for-urban-gardens-into-a-profitable-blog

30. Start a home decor business

Are you a talented interior designer? Do you know you can turn your hobby into a side income opportunity? Home décor as a side hustle is a great opportunity to build a brand as you earn extra income. You first need to work on your portfolio to launch a successful home décor side hustle.

The portfolio communicates to your potential customers your potential when it comes to home décor. You may use your home as an example or request a friend for an opportunity to do their home décor as a sample for your portfolio. Once you have a portfolio, market your business, and remember to include photos from your previous gigs to increase the chances of closing a sale.

How Much Can You Make?
$2,000 — $415,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$2,400
Time To Revenue
270 days
Time Commitment Per Week
Min. 5 hours/week
Skills
Interests
Business model

Case Study

My name is Sarah Giller Nelson and I am organized. I experience a sense of calm when I walk into well-ordered spaces. I enjoy feeling unencumbered. Knowing how to sift through, sort out, and organize all the “stuff” a household needs comes naturally to me and is a skill that I draw upon all the time.

I currently have a staff of three professional organizers operating in two states. We serve on average 95 households per year. About 85% of our clients are repeat customers, buying 10 hours or more of organizing services. Typically, they hire us to work on one space, like a closet or a kitchen. Once they see how quickly we can make the changes that they need, they hire us to organize many other rooms in their house as well.

how-i-started-a-8k-month-home-organizing-service

31. Become a temporary tattoo artist

Starting a tattoo business is not as difficult as you might think. If you have the talent, ability, and guts, you already have the essential qualities for starting your own tattoo company. The Tattoo Artists market size in the US in 2022 is $1.4B.

The tattooing business is profitable and famous, and it is one of the most rewarding careers that you can have. However, becoming a tattoo artist requires a lot of commitment and hard work.

Tattoo shops have strict standards for artists who work in shops, so to have an ideal career as an artist, you might have to go the freelance route. It can be a short-term or long-term career, so you must be prepared before taking on such a responsibility. It won’t come with a million-dollar salary at first, but once you’ve developed a good reputation and have completed enough work, the money will start rolling in.

How Much Can You Make?
Average Initial Investment
$100
Time To Revenue
240 days
Skills
Business model
Work from home

Case Study

Over the last 12 months, we’ve expanded our products to include two tattoo designs in six colors, swimsuits, and clothing, all with the unifying “mermaid scale” theme. These last six months we’ve averaged about $1,000/month in mostly passive income.

how-i-started-a-passive-income-business-while-living-out-of-a-van

32. Start a digital art & design business

Digital art and design is often used to create visual content for websites, apps, and other digital platforms.

Digital art and design businesses can be either freelance or full-time.

They can work in-house for larger companies or as independent contractors for other businesses or individuals.

How Much Can You Make?
$4,500 — $30,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$5,000
Skills

Case Study

My name is Courtlyn Jones and I am the CEO and the founder of The Design Database, an online platform, and community designed to be a support system for Creatives (designers, artists, writers, photographers, architects, etc.) by connecting them with clients who are looking to hire now.

Since launching in late July, over 200 Creatives and 25 companies have created accounts on our platform, we have received grant funding from the HerRise Pitch Competition by HerSuiteSpot, and we’ve raised over $10,000 crowdfunding on Kickstarter. We are off to a very exciting start!

i-left-my-dream-job-to-build-an-online-community-for-creatives-and-designers

33. Start a t-shirt customization kiosk

One of the great things about starting a T-shirt customization business is that you only need a minimal overhead, and you could do it out of your backyard without issues.

However, before you ask how to start a T-shirt customization business in Mumbai, take a minute to consider why you want to create a T-shirt business. Probably the promotional products or uniforms niche is under-served in your area.

Before starting, you should outline your foray into the T-shirt customization business. Then, you need to identify the target market to understand better how you want to sell your customized t-shirts.

Once you have defined the niche market, you can develop custom designs as per the customers’ expectations. The following steps will be making the business legal and determining the overhead. Finally, market the business but do not overextend yourself financially.

34. Start an artwork kiosk

Artwork kiosks sell traditional landscape paintings, abstract paintings, pop art, graffiti, nude paintings, etc. According to statistics, the global art market is snowballing. Homeowners and business owners are among the largest consumers of artwork.

Thus, starting an artwork kiosk can be profitable. Getting started is easy. Make sure you find an ideal location where you can display the artwork and catch the customer’s attention. To boost sales, ensure you have an active online presence and share the artwork in online galleries.

35. Start a makeup artistry kiosk

A makeup artistry kiosk offers general makeup services, including facial aesthetics, thorough makeup, and creating custom looks for their customers.

If you are a makeup artist, you start a makeup artistry kiosk and serve clients from the kiosk, their homes, or offices. Starting a makeup artistry kiosk is a low-cost business with a high potential to earn good profits.

To stand out as a professional makeup artist, keep up with the developments in the cosmetology industry, and focus on providing personalized customer service.

36. Start an art lessons business

Are you a professional artist? Teaching arts and crafts online can be a small but profitable business venture.

You can target kids interested in becoming artists or talented teens who want to advance their artistic skills. To start an arts business, train yourself in arts and crafts and plan a curriculum suitable for your target audience.

Advertising your business will help you to reach a larger audience.

37. Start an antique furniture refurbishing business

Antique furniture is a collectible interior furnishing that adds a timeless quality to a space. Antique furniture features attractive designs that looked good 50 or 100 years ago and remains attractive today.

38. Start a 3D-printed arts business

Since the invention of 3D printing, technology has given a new meaning to art. With additive manufacturing, artists can deliver more creative art pieces featuring complex geometries and a high level of detail.

If you are an artist or have a passion for art, consider producing 3D prints and selling them in various online art galleries.

How Much Can You Make?
$50,000/month
Average Initial Investment
$2,000
Skills

Case Study

Hi, my name is Saleh Sokhandan, I am the founder of Vidavin. I am a designer of creative and artistic products that are made based on 3D art and optical illusion techniques.

Our imagination is endless, and we like to accompany others in the joy of new experiences.

i-started-a-600k-year-business-creating-3d-art-optical-illusions-from-iran

39. Become a sculptor

Sculptors design three-dimensional shape artwork by molding and joining materials or cutting and carving forms.

Sculpting business is a low barrier to entry opportunity with a high-profit margin. Consider that sculptors work in a large studio environment to accommodate their tools, materials, and finished art. In fact, with a spacious backyard, you can start a business.

To become a sculptor, you need creative imagination skills and an understanding of form and materials. Sculptors work under strict deadlines, so they need the discipline and ability to manage time properly.

40. Become a glass blower

A glass blower designs and shapes a mass of glass that has been softened by heat by blowing into it using a tube to create various shapes and designs. To become a glassblower, you need basic fine arts skills.

41. Start a welding and fabrication business

The fabrication and welding business entails joining metals and creating decent products such as doors, windows, trailers, and even auto body parts. Starting your welding and fabrication business can be a brilliant idea if you are a welder. Research the different niches within the metal fabrication industry and choose a profitable one. Some options to consider include the following:

  • Fabrication of heavy stainless steel
  • Aluminum welding
  • Steel fabrication
  • Underwater welding and fabrication
  • Trailer manufacturing
  • Garage door design and fabrication

Once you have settled on the best welding and fabrication business, fill out all legal formalities for starting a welding and fabrication business, and get business insurance to protect you from any uncertainties.

42. Become a costume designer

A costume designer designs costumes for a film, stage production, or television show. The costume designer works with directors, producers, writers, and production designers to contribute to the look and storytelling of the film. As a costume designer, you will work to ensure costume choices not only fit the character but also enhance the overall feeling of the scenes involved.

The costume designer must showcase creative imagination skills to perform on the job. You can earn creativity skills through professional development or higher education.

43. Start a yard art business

Yard art enhances the outdoor space by creating stunning focal points. Landscape and home décor experts use metal art as an easy-to-install and maintain yard enhancement method. Thus, if you are a metal fabricator looking for home improvement ideas, consider the metal art business. You can make metal yard art for indoor and outdoor installation.

To start the business, register a brand and ensure you meet all the legal formalities. You can do a sample yard art in your compound and use it as a reference site. Alternatively, you can start mass production of metal yard art and sell them online or at a brick & mortar establishment.

44. Start a Dried Flowers Business

The dried flower business is a new kind of business that has the ability to bring in a lot of money. The main purpose of this business is to sell dried flowers. You can sell them by themselves, or you can sell them as an accessory to other items like jewelry or clothes.

Flower-drying businesses can make hundreds of thousands of dollars with the right marketing and services. If you can charge $200 to preserve bouquets from important events, you'll make about $18,000 or more profit for every 100 orders you have.

Starting a dried flower business is a great opportunity for anyone who loves to be outdoors and wants to work in their community. You can start your own dried flower business by purchasing seeds or plants from local farms, and then drying them yourself. You can sell your flowers at craft fairs, farmers' markets, or online.

To start this business, you would need to find a location where you can set up shop and sell your dried flowers. Make sure that you have all the permits necessary to operate this type of business in your area before you go ahead and open up shop!

45. Become a stamp maker

Starting a stamp maker business can be a rewarding and creative opportunity for those looking to enter the world of entrepreneurship. This type of business involves creating custom stamps for businesses, individuals, and organizations using materials such as rubber, foam, or self-inking rubber.

To start a stamp maker business, you will need to invest in equipment such as a stamp carving tool, ink pads, and stamp making supplies. You may also need a computer and graphic design software to create digital designs for custom stamps. It is essential to research and choose suitable materials and equipment to ensure high-quality stamps for your customers.

Marketing and networking are crucial for a stamp maker business to succeed. You can reach out to potential clients through social media, local networking events, and by setting up a website to showcase your products and services. You may also want to consider offering a range of stamp sizes and styles, such as round, square, or self-inking stamps, to appeal to a broader customer base.

Running a stamp maker business can be challenging and rewarding, but with dedication and hard work, you can create a successful business that provides a unique service to your clients. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, a stamp maker business is an exciting opportunity to showcase your creativity and skills.

46. Become a basket weaver

The basket weaver business idea is about creating beautiful, handmade baskets using materials such as wicker, straw, or natural fibers.

To start this business, you will need basic basket weaving skills and access to the materials you will use to create your baskets.

You may also need a workspace, such as a small studio or workshop, to create and store your baskets.

To operate your basket-weaving business, you must market and sell your baskets to customers. You can market and sell through various channels, such as online marketplaces, craft fairs, or your website. You may also consider partnering with local retailers or gift shops to sell your baskets.

In terms of pricing, you will need to consider the cost of materials and the time and effort you put into each basket. It is essential to set fair prices that reflect the value of your baskets while also allowing you to make a profit.

The basket weaver business idea is a great way to turn your passion for crafting into a successful business. With the basic skills, materials, and marketing, you can create and sell beautiful baskets to customers worldwide.

47. Become a craft book author

Pat Walls,  Founder of Starter Story
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David Gitonga

"The best life hack of all is to just put the work in and never give up" - Bas Rutten (UFC Heavyweight Champion). Hey there! I am a talented freelancer passionate about writing and researching all topics business and entrepreneurship.

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