The 48 Best Businesses To Start In Romania [2024]

Updated: June 10th, 2022

Interested in starting a business in Romania in 2024?

We put together 48 of the best businesses you can start in Romania today.

In this list of ideas, you can find:

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

Here's the full list:

1. Become a mindfulness coach

Mindfulness coaches use various techniques to help clients remain mindful in life, so they can relax and focus. Mindful living has various benefits, including relieving stress, lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, reducing chronic pain, and decreasing anxiety/depression.

To start a mindfulness coaching business, create a website and list the services you intend to offer. Start a blog and advertise your business widely on social media to create awareness.

How much you can make: $2,300 — $35,000/month

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

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

How We Created a Meditation App That Generates $35K/Month [From Romania]

MindTastik co-founder Milena Ionescu shares how her and her partner created a successful niche meditation app that generates $35,000 USD monthly by offering longer, in-depth meditations with after-meditation tasks and mindfulness activities, and how they expanded their app family to include themed meditations for specific problems.

About
Milena started MindTastik Meditation App about 5 years ago
Revenue
Milena grew the business to $35K/month
Costs
It cost Milena $50000 to start the business
Read by 3,759 founders

2. Create a website builder

How much you can make: $200 — $350,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,750 (?)

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

The Online HTML Editor That Generates A Passive Income Of $6K/Month

This case study is about an engineer who developed a free online HTML editor that generates a passive income of $6K per month and owns over 40 websites with a total of roughly 8-10 million monthly visitors.

About
Ferenc started HTMLG over 9 years ago
Revenue
Ferenc grew the business to $6K/month
Costs
It cost Ferenc $50 to start the business
Read by 5,950 founders

3. Start a stock video business

Stock video is pre-filmed footage that can be purchased and used in various projects and films. Like stock photos, copyrighted stock videos cannot be used without permission and licensing from the rightful owner.

Businesses and filmmakers use licensed stock footage as they save money and hours, they would need to create original footage. Starting a stock video suitable for use in commercials and entertainment can be a great venture.

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

How long does it take to build: 197 days (?)

I Built A $120K/Year Stock Animation And GIF Images Side Hustle

VideoPlasty, an affordable and easy-to-use platform for buying pre-made stock animation elements and GIF images, has attracted over 600,000 visitors since its launch, with over $100k in revenue in 2020 alone, thanks to free organic traffic from YouTube tutorials and optimized SEO.

About
Eduard started VideoPlasty over 7 years ago
Revenue
Eduard grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Eduard $50000 to start the business
Read by 3,548 founders

4. Start an etsy business

If you are an artist looking for ways to turn your skills into revenue, Etsy is your platform.

Etsy is a marketplace for artists and can bring in extra income or even replace your current job.

You can create art pieces and create a successful Etsy shop. Once your Etsy shop is online, consider joining a team to help you learn Etsy’s basics and how to market stuff on Etsy.

How much you can make: $100 — $135,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,200 (?)

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week

How I Created A $4K/Month Digital Planner

How a founder turned a €499 investment into €80K+ in sales in just two years by creating and selling all-in-one monthly, weekly, and daily digital planners for iPad through Etsy, with 15-20% of orders from returning customers and profit margins around 70%.

About
Ralu started Outline Planner over 5 years ago
Revenue
Ralu grew the business to $3K/month
Costs
It cost Ralu $500 to start the business
Read by 18,131 founders

5. Become a digital product designer

A digital product designer is a multidisciplinary professional who is involved in the creation of digital products. A digital product designer is responsible for the whole process from an initial concept to the launch of a product.

Many designers are looking for how to make a living with their designs. They want to build websites, sell products online, and be as productive as possible. It's hard these days because there are more designers than ever working on the same projects. But with some basic actionable techniques, you will easily succeed in creating a sustainable digital product design business.

Starting a digital product designer business is a great side hustle for graphic designers looking for an alternative to freelancing. The idea is simple: grow a portfolio of user interface design PSD templates and sell them to new businesses.

How much you can make: $3,500 — $300,000/month

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

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

How I Started A $150K/Month Web And App Development Company

Wolfpack Digital, an award-winning app development agency from Romania, founded by Gina Lupu, with a team of 50 in-house employees, has exceeded the $1.5M yearly revenue threshold, with an impressive 15-20% profit margin, focusing on fintech, health tech, IoT, social, and transportation industries.

About
Georgina started Wolfpack Digital about 9 years ago
Revenue
Georgina grew the business to $300K/month
Read by 5,777 founders

6. Start a graphic design business

Graphic designers create logos, brochures, ads, and other marketing materials for companies and organizations. They also design websites and other digital content, including social media graphics.

Graphic designers may specialize in one type of design (such as print or web design), or they can be generalists who do everything from logo design to social media graphics.

Starting a graphic design business can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. It’s not easy, but if you’re passionate about design and want to make a living, starting your own graphic design business is a great way to go.

Consider a suitable pricing structure when starting a graphic design business in Romania. You may charge the customers per hour or fixed pricing based on the project’s nature.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $1,000,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 87 days (?)

Generating $15K/Month In Extra Income With A Graphic Design Library

Designious co-founder Alex Dumitru shares how the graphic design library generates $12-13k in monthly revenue by creating digital products that appeal to print-on-demand entrepreneurs and graphic designers, while also offering a flat-rate membership and useful resources that solve little problems.

About
Alexandru started Designious about 16 years ago
Revenue
Alexandru grew the business to $15K/month
Read by 4,210 founders

7. Start a food truck

Food trucks are a highly profitable business that offers customers a variety of meal options out of a mobile truck. This basically operates inside a large vehicle equipped with kitchen and food products. Starting a food truck is a dream for many people, but it's more challenging than it looks. To make it work, you need the ideal location and menu.

To start a food truck business in a particular city, it is mandatory to check what kind of food trucks are already operating, identify a gap, and bring in some new experiences. Then, with the right plan and the right approach, you can be on your way to starting your own food truck empire.

How much you can make: $29,166 — $61,650,000/month

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Took Food Trucks Corporate And Built A $18M Business

Food Fleet grew over 160% in just one year and managed over 20 million in sales for its clients, securing multiple contracts with the likes of Sodexo, Levy Restaurants and more, due to its understanding of catering client needs and its advanced turnkey and design services.

About
Jeffrey started Food Fleet about 12 years ago
Revenue
Jeffrey grew the business to $1.5M/month
Read by 14,560 founders

8. Start a dog walking business

Are you a dog lover? If so, you can turn your passion for animals into a profitable side hustle that allows you to earn extra income for your mortgage, a vacation, or paying off student loans.

As a dog walker, sitter, or boarder, you can earn an average annual income of between $10,000 and $30,000 by offering your services to dog owners in need of a caregiver for their furry friends.

To get started, register on a credible dog-walking app and create a compelling profile that showcases your experience, skills, and love for dogs.

With your dedication and expertise, you can help dog owners ensure their pets receive the care and attention they need while building a thriving business that fulfills your passion for animals.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $54,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A $54K/Month Pet Sitting And Dog Walking Business

Furry Fellas Pet Service LLC is a successful pet sitting and dog walking business that brings in over half a million dollars in sales per year, boasts 3,500-4,000 social media followers, employs 42 individuals and has been voted in the top 3 pet sitting/dog walking companies in the RI/MA area for eight years in a row.

About
Melodi started Furry Fellas Pet Service LLC almost 18 years ago
Revenue
Melodi grew the business to $54K/month
Costs
It cost Melodi $500 to start the business
Read by 19,322 founders

9. Start an online language coaching business

The world has become more globalized. Businesses have become cross-border, and executives have to travel to meet new customers. One thing that is obvious is that there is a need for language translation services.

If you have proficiency in one or more foreign languages then you can consider working as a language coach.

Teaching a language online is intensive as you have to meet and communicate with the audience often, and check their progress. If you are looking for an opportunity to earn working online, consider starting online language lessons.

How much you can make: $240 — $13,500,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 212 days (?)

On Starting A Private German Lessons Online Service

Marlena Jorn started Marlena Jorn Tutors in teaching German to a group of people privately; she learned through experience what worked best to design her class structure and advertising/marketing materials, and from word of mouth has gained a very successful response so far.

About
Marlena started Marlena Jorn Tutors over 3 years ago
Revenue
Marlena grew the business to $240/month
Costs
It cost Marlena $300 to start the business
Read by 5,910 founders

10. Become a mobile personal trainer

Do you love helping people through their fitness journey? If you want a great side hustle to earn extra income, consider becoming a personal trainer.

The fitness trainer side hustle can be an adamant industry to earn good money. However, once you develop a reputation as a good trainer, you can get more clients through referrals. You need to register for the certification course to start offering personal trainer services in Romania.

To attract your first clients, consider online advertising, and seek referrals from every customer.

How much you can make: $600 — $8,333,333/month

How long does it take to build: 532 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 4 hours/week

How I Started A $60K/Month Personal Training Company

Live Fit, a personal training company founded in 2011, grew from earning $80,000 in their first year with two trainers to earning over $760,000 in 2019 with 12 trainers and two locations, thanks to a focus on building trusting relationships and providing a variety of services to clients.

About
Chris started Live Fit about 13 years ago
Revenue
Chris grew the business to $60K/month
Costs
It cost Chris $50000 to start the business
Read by 7,999 founders

11. Start a sports coaching business

Sports coaching is a fast-growing industry in all areas of the world.

If you have a sports coaching qualification and experience, you can turn those experiences into a profitable business.

You can offer coaching to teams or individuals depending on your preference and the nature of sports.

You may join sports associations or attend networking events to market your sports coaching abilities.

How much you can make: $4,759 — $8,000/month

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

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

How I Started A $4.8K/Month Business Offering Sports Coaching Services By Women

Girl Boss Sports, founded in December 2018, aims to increase the number of women sports coaches while keeping girls in sports by partnering with companies and organizations, and has brought in an average of $4,700 of revenue per month over the last 6 months by hiring over 20 female soccer coaches in Greater Seattle area.

About
Sarah started Girl Boss Sports over 5 years ago
Revenue
Sarah grew the business to $4.76K/month
Read by 6,505 founders

12. Start a cloud management software

How much you can make: $25,000 — $330,000/month

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

How We Developed A $12K/Month Automated Cloud Management Software

Bunnyshell CEO and co-founder Alin Dobra discusses how he created the managed cloud automation SaaS solution from scratch, securing €750,000 in investment in under 18 months, and generating $12k/month in revenue from providing services to corporate clients worldwide.

Revenue
Alin grew the business to $25K/month
Read by 6,140 founders

13. Start an ecommerce marketing agency

Ecommerce agencies help online sellers achieve their eCommerce business goals through creative, technology, and marketing skills.

Hiring an eCommerce agency enables online sellers to start an eCommerce business or grow an existing one without employing full-time staff.

The eCommerce industry is often changing, and online sellers must match the current trends or risk being paced out by the competition. Balancing between production, launching creative services, and working on growing their eCommerce brands can be extremely difficult. Thus, the brands have no other option than hire eCommerce agencies.

Starting an eCommerce agency can be a profitable and fulfilling business opportunity. If you plan to state your eCommerce agency, educate yourself on the current trends and focus on building digital skills. You may focus on a particular niche or offer end-to-end services to your customers.

How much you can make: $1,500 — $465,583,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

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

How We Started A $15K/Month Paid Marketing Agency To Help E-commerce Brands

Black Goat Media is a paid marketing agency that helps e-commerce brands grow through Facebook Ads, Google Ads, and email marketing, averaging around $15,000/month and aiming to reach $50,000/month in the near future.

About
Tudor started Black Goat Media about 11 years ago
Revenue
Tudor grew the business to $50K/month
Read by 6,173 founders

14. Start an online form builder

An online form builder is a tool that allows you to quickly and easily build online forms for your website.

Benefits of using a form builder:

  • Use to easily collect information from visitors, customers, employees, or even other businesses for marketing research.
  • Help businesses get more leads and increase conversion.
  • You can build beautiful and professional-looking forms in minutes.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $420,000/month

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

How We Started A $420K/Month Online Forms And Surveys Tool

123FormBuilder co-founder and CEO, Florin Cornianu, shares how they grew their SaaS business to almost 100 employees, over a hundred thousand active users, and broke the $1M annual recurring revenue mark through a market-centric, data-driven approach to product design and product marketing, a solid channel partnership strategy, and aggressively reinvesting profits.

About
Florin started 123FormBuilder over 16 years ago
Revenue
Florin grew the business to $420K/month
Read by 5,008 founders

15. Become a freelance app developer

A freelance app developer is a programmer who creates mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. Freelance app development business targets creating various apps that give a user-friendly experience.

To become a freelance app developer in Romania, first, touch up on your skills. There are several courses available online. Once you obtain the certification, choose your niche and focus on your skill set.

Then the best way to showcase your work is to build a portfolio website where you will display your skills, projects, and testimonials. Another way to promote yourself is to create your brand and blog. This will, in turn, build a network, and you will be able to connect with people and attract more clients.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $91,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $350 (?)

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

How I Started A $69K/Month Software Agency After A Failed Product Launch

A software agency started by a non-technical founder helps diverse clients with their minimum lovable product, boasting a revenue of over $700,000 this year with a 20% profit margin and a team of 8.

About
Andrew started Krit about 10 years ago
Revenue
Andrew grew the business to $91K/month
Read by 24,282 founders

16. Start an etsy digital products business

An Etsy digital products business involves creating and selling digital goods on the Etsy platform.

These can include items like printable art, digital planners, e-books, graphic designs, and more.

To start this business on a budget, first identify a niche or category you're passionate about and skilled in.

Create high-quality digital products using free or low-cost tools like Canva or Google Docs.

Then, set up a shop on Etsy, optimize your product listings with relevant keywords, and promote your shop through social media and online communities to attract potential customers.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $10,417/month

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

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

How I Created A $4K/Month Digital Planner

How a founder turned a €499 investment into €80K+ in sales in just two years by creating and selling all-in-one monthly, weekly, and daily digital planners for iPad through Etsy, with 15-20% of orders from returning customers and profit margins around 70%.

About
Ralu started Outline Planner over 5 years ago
Revenue
Ralu grew the business to $3K/month
Costs
It cost Ralu $500 to start the business
Read by 18,131 founders

17. 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 We Started A $4.7K/Month Business Selling Custom Hand-Drawn Avatars

Avatoon.net founders share how they started a $4.7k/month business selling custom hand-drawn avatars and grew to an average of $5,000 per month with ~100 clients through SEO-focused marketing and serving returning companies.

About
Zoltán started Avatoon almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Zoltán grew the business to $4.7K/month
Costs
It cost Zoltán $800 to start the business
Read by 8,013 founders

18. Start a tourist guide business

There's no denying the profitability of a tourism business. If you know the state and cities well, starting a tour guide business can be a very lucrative idea. All you need is a license, and you can soon start working as a tour guide.

Listed are the steps on how to start a tour guide business.

  • Register your tour guide name business
  • Obtain necessary licenses
  • Open a bank account for business transactions
  • Organize your business operations
  • Start to promote and get clients

How much you can make: $200 — $8,110,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

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

How We Built A No-Code Map Builder [400 Users In The First 3 Months]

No Code Map App is a no code builder that allows businesses to create custom interactive maps with dynamic filters automatically based on their dataset, generating >$400 in the first full month of monetization.

About
Nan started No Code Map App about 2 years ago
Revenue
Nan grew the business to $200/month
Costs
It cost Nan $200 to start the business
Read by 4,229 founders

19. Start a marketing consulting business

Marketing consulting is a business that helps other businesses and organizations improve their marketing strategies and tactics. The improvement involves conducting market research, analyzing data, developing marketing plans, and offering guidance on effectively reaching target audiences.

To start a marketing consulting business, you will need a strong understanding of marketing principles and how to apply them in a business context. Marketing consultancy requires formal education or training in marketing or a related field and experience working in the industry. You will also need strong communication and problem-solving skills to consult with clients effectively.

To operate a successful marketing consulting business, you will need to be able to effectively assess a client’s marketing needs and develop a plan to address those needs. Managing clients’ needs involve market research, analyzing data, and creating marketing materials such as brochures, websites, and social media campaigns. You will also need to be able to communicate your recommendations to clients and work with them to implement the marketing plan.

In addition to these technical skills, you will also need to be able to manage your business effectively. Managing a business involves setting fees, marketing your services to potential clients, and managing your finances.

Overall, a marketing consulting business can be a rewarding and challenging career for those passionate about helping businesses succeed through effective marketing strategies.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

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

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

About
Jeremy started Counterweight Creative almost 8 years ago
Revenue
Jeremy grew the business to $16K/month
Read by 17,640 founders

20. Start a mobile nail salon business

Starting a mobile nail salon business can provide you with the freedom and flexibility you can't get from traditional brick-and-mortar nail salon shops. Also, clients do not need to spend time driving to a salon, spend on gas or wait for an appointment. This setup is attractive to busy customers.

Listed are the steps on how to start a mobile nail salon business.

  • Secure all needed permits and registrations to run your business
  • Obtain needed licenses, training certificates, or credentials
  • Purchase needed materials, equipment, and supplies
  • Promote your business

21. Become a hospice caregiver

Hospice care is growing rapidly in the USA as the number of people requiring it grows. Hospice care is important for those who are suffering from a terminal illness because it provides both physical and emotional relief from their ailments.

The Hospice Caregiver field is a rapidly expanding service sector within the healthcare industry. Working as a hospice caregiver is a highly rewarding job, with high levels of ongoing education that ensures that you provide the best type of care for your patients.

22. Become a personal chef

If you’re looking for a career that allows you to work within your own schedule, look no further. Becoming a personal chef means setting your own hours, planning your own schedule, and taking on as much or as little work as you want.

Not everyone has the time to prepare meals for themselves. If you love cooking, you can start a personal chef business in your area and earn a good income from the side gig. The side hustle can fit into your schedule easily, and you can offer delivery and pick-up or curbside options to ensure more people are buying your services.

Personal chefs can work at various locations, including their client’s homes or restaurant kitchens. They may have regular clients who call on them to prepare meals for them weekly, or they may get called in to prepare meals for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.

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

How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)

How long does it take to build: 360 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 15 hours/week

I Built A Resource Site For Chefs Like Me That Generates $60K Of Extra Income

Chef David Buchanan generates over $6,000 per month through his website Chefs-Resources.com, which provides professional chefs with free and paid access to detailed culinary information and kitchen management resources such as Excel sheets, resulting in gross revenue of $46,000 to date and a subscriber growth rate of over 1300% from 2015 to September 2021.

About
David started Chefs Resources over 13 years ago
Revenue
David grew the business to $5K/month
Costs
It cost David $50 to start the business
Read by 4,334 founders

23. Start a beauty business

The beauty industry is growing at a rapid pace - valued at $511B in 2021, with an annual compounded growth rate of 4.75% worldwide. The beauty industry is predicted to exceed $716B by 2025.

If you are thinking of starting your own beauty business, there are many opportunities in this space to succeed. The most profitable branches in this industry include makeup, skincare, and hair products.

How much you can make: $1,500 — $40,480,000/month

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

How I Started A $650K/Month Hair Extensions And Products Business

Private Label Extensions is a hair distribution and technology company that builds hair brands from A to Z for entrepreneurs, achieving over $650,000 in monthly sales and ranked #278 of the fastest-growing companies by Inc Magazine for 2018.

About
Mikey started Private Label Extensions about 11 years ago
Revenue
Mikey grew the business to $650K/month
Costs
It cost Mikey $14000 to start the business
Read by 36,542 founders

24. Start a data science recruitment service

Data science recruitment is a service that helps companies to find and hire the best data scientists. This service offers a variety of features, including a talent database, job postings, and a matching algorithm.

If you are interested in starting a data science recruitment service. In that case, you should have a strong understanding of the data science industry and be able to identify the best talent. You should also be familiar with the various tools and platforms that data scientists use.

Glassdoor says that in 2021, ‘data scientist’ was the second most sought-after role in the United States, with an average salary of $113,736. According to the data of Glassdoor, over the past five years, this has been a pretty consistent salary expectation for data science roles in the US.

Starting a data science recruitment service is a great way to help companies find the best data scientists for their needs. This is a growing industry with a lot of potential, and there is a lot of demand for data scientists.

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

How long does it take to build: 121 days (?)

How We Started A $250K/Month Data Science Recruitment Service

Data science recruitment company Big Cloud shares how they grew their business to generate £250k per month through expanding into global markets and using social media and marketing strategies to attract and retain customers while keeping a strong focus on building honest, long-standing relationships with clients and candidates.

About
Matt started Big Cloud Recruitment over 10 years ago
Revenue
Matt grew the business to $250K/month
Costs
It cost Matt $80000 to start the business
Read by 5,049 founders

25. Become a NFT broker

A None-Fungible Token (NFT) is a digital asset representing real-world objects, people identities, property rights, e.t.c.

Ideally, NFTs exist on a Blockchain and traders cannot replicate them, since they feature unique identity codes and metadata as the key identifiers. Therefore, it is impossible for one NFT to be equal to another, which is critical, especially when it comes to digital ownership.

Digital ownership is still a new concept, but one that is becoming increasingly popular especially with NFT trading taking shape. According to a 2021 report on NFT trading, NFT Sales Amounted to Over $2.4 Billion in the First 6 Months of 2021.

Are you fascinated by NFT trading? In this post, we highlight the top NFT broker businesses in 2021.

26. Become a personal fitness trainer

A personal trainer demonstrates exercises and routines to clients. A professional trainer takes a holistic approach to fitness and helps the clients attain a healthy lifestyle and attitude.

Personal trainers enjoy unlimited earning potential because they can work for several clients. Besides, they enjoy flexible working hours, become their own boss, and enjoy maximum job satisfaction.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $2,650,000/month

How I Started A $48K/Month Business With An Online Fitness Training Service

This case study is about a former personal trainer who launched his online personal training platform, TeamFFLEX, starting with no money and a lot of drive, and grew it into a 6-figure business in less than a year, now doing $48,000 a month with potential for continued growth.

About
Ryan started TeamFFLEX about 10 years ago
Revenue
Ryan grew the business to $82K/month
Costs
It cost Ryan $500 to start the business
Read by 25,244 founders

27. 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

28. Start a CAD designing business

A CAD designer is a professional who specializes in Computer-Aided Design. They use CAD software to create designs for clients and projects.

The CAD design industry has been growing at a rapid pace over the last few years. As a result, the need for 3D modeling and rendering services has risen dramatically in recent years, with many industries looking to CAD designers for their expertise and creativity.

A good CAD designer should have a wide range of skills that will allow them to work on projects from start to finish, from initial concept through final production.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $20,000/month

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

How I Left My Job To Start A $9K/Month CAD Design Business

A 3D CAD designer and product inventor who started as a side hustle and averaged $9,000 a month in revenue, shares his insights on the ups and downs of owning a service-based business alongside an eCommerce store, as well as lessons learned in customer acquisition and in generating multiple streams of passive income.

About
Scott started caddesignhelp.com about 9 years ago
Revenue
Scott grew the business to $8K/month
Costs
It cost Scott $15000 to start the business
Read by 19,230 founders

29. Start a finance blog

A finance blog is a feature appearing as part of an online publication relating to finance and consisting of articles or personal commentary. A finance blog earns income through sponsored content or simple marketing programs. To succeed in business, a finance blogger should:

  • Have a good writing background
  • Understand the industry from a concept or fundamental standpoint
  • Be passionate about the topics
  • Be well organized and maximize the work schedule.

Starting a finance blog involves a low financial investment, while there is a considerable possibility for success. There are minimal overhead costs, saving you time and money. Therefore, starting a finance blog is an incredible business opportunity.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $3,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $190 (?)

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

How I Started A $36M/Year Stock Market Research Newsletter

Financial media company MarketBeat, founded by Matt Paulson, provides objective financial information and real-time market data to empower individual stock investors to make better trading decisions, generating approximately $8 million in revenue in 2019 and ending the year with over 1.3 million unique email subscribers due to a freemium model with 75% of revenue from advertising and 25% from subscriptions.

About
Matt started MarketBeat over 13 years ago
Revenue
Matt grew the business to $3M/month
Read by 26,084 founders

30. Start a sustainable clothing line

Starting a sustainable clothing company can seem like a daunting task, but with the right skills and resources in place, it doesn't have to be. And thanks to more and more technologies becoming available there is a greater chance of success than has ever been had before.

The sustainable clothing market shrunk from $6.35B in 2019 to $6.14B in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impact. But the sustainable clothing market size will keep growing in the coming years, Experts predict it will reach $8.25B by 2023.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $88,000/month

How long does it take to build: 250 days (?)

How We Started A $18K/Month Sustainable And Durable Clothing Brand

Minimalismbrand is a sustainable and durable clothing brand that has achieved $200k in annual revenue after starting with just €2k, focusing on quality over quantity, and prioritizing transparency through showing their numbers and production process.

About
Pepe started Minimalism Brand over 6 years ago
Revenue
Pepe grew the business to $18K/month
Costs
It cost Pepe $2000 to start the business
Read by 8,245 founders

31. 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 We Built A Performance Marketing Platform With 1,500+ Users

CPV Lab is a performance marketing tracking platform for affiliate marketers that grew to $50k in revenue in the first year, has over 1500 users and 10% month-to-month growth through organic traffic, and offers tools to track and optimize multi-channel marketing campaigns for better performance.

About
Julia started CPV Lab Pro almost 6 years ago
Revenue
Julia grew the business to $7K/month
Costs
It cost Julia $40000 to start the business
Read by 1,809 founders

32. Start a blog

In recent years, blogging has become a highly sought-after & lucrative Business. This location-independent business is a creative outlet to reach a broader audience and even work at any time. According to Optinmonster’s list of blogging statistics and facts:

  • Blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of gathering online information.
  • 77% of internet users read blogs.
  • Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages.

Originally blogging started as an online journal, but today it is a highly profitable career option. Many people are choosing blogging as their full-time career and are earning their bread and butter from this profession.

If you want to start blogging as a side hustle or as a full-time profession, choose a niche you will enjoy writing about and have a content strategy ready. Then, create a mailing list, and decide on a good blog posting routine to keep your audience engaged.

How much you can make: $200 — $160,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 37 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

About
Kelan started The Savvy Couple over 7 years ago
Revenue
Kelan grew the business to $20K/month
Costs
It cost Kelan $500 to start the business
Read by 27,276 founders

33. Start a niche fashion business

By 2025, The fashion industry is expected to reach $1.002 trillion dollars.

Niche fashion brands are businesses that focus on selling specific and specialized fashion items to a demographic within a particular market.

More and more people are seeing the value in niche products and services, especially when they're well crafted and meet the current trends in today's world.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,660,000/month

How I Started A $10K/Month Arabic Clothing Platform

HeraCloset is a successful online platform connecting customers with local Arabian and Khaleeji fashion brands, with over 80 brands selling on the platform and worldwide shipping.

About
Shaden started Hera Closet about 6 years ago
Revenue
Shaden grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 6,471 founders

34. Start a crypto cybersecurity system

Cybercriminals can gain access to entire investments by stealing crypto wallet account keys. Therefore, you must treat crypto accounts with the utmost caution.

Cyber security experts focus on helping companies secure their networks and data from attacks by cybercriminals. Blockchain technologies are receiving massive attention from the research community in different application fields.

Becoming a cybersecurity expert focusing on crypto can be a rewarding career. Coinbase and other cryptocurrency exchanges use blockchain in cybersecurity, allowing users to trade everything from Bitcoin to Litecoin and Ethereum on the company’s secure blockchain platform.

How much you can make: $91,000 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 300 days (?)

How I Started A $45K/Month Cybersecurity Consulting Firm For Startups

Cybersecurity consulting firm Eden Data, launched in March 2020, scaled to four team members and generated over $45k MRR without large startup costs through their unique Virtual CISO offering, which outsources cybersecurity and compliance needs for a flat monthly price, rather than charging by the hour or for long-term commitments.

About
Taylor started Eden Data about 4 years ago
Revenue
Taylor grew the business to $230K/month
Read by 34,511 founders

35. Become an online dating consultant

An online dating consultant is a person who provides advice to people in the world of Internet dating. An online dating consultant can help you direct your profile, help you write your first message to an online match, and help you make a great impression on your date.

Online dating can potentially be one of the world’s most remarkable customer service industries.

How much you can make: $5,200 — $11,250,000/month

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

How I Built My Own Business Improving Online Dating Profiles

The Match Artist helps singles take amazing photos for their online dating profiles through a 3-hour executive shoot, coaching, and email course, pioneering a new genre of photography, with an average monthly revenue of $5,000-$6,000 and a plan to double down on paid ad campaigns in the future.

About
Shane started The Match Artist over 6 years ago
Revenue
Shane grew the business to $5.2K/month
Read by 11,719 founders

36. Start a shipping company

A shipping company can be a great business to start. You can get the support and training that you need to run a successful small business. You may already have some of the resources at hand. This could include what you need to transport goods and a vehicle or two that you can use to get these materials from point X to point Y.

Shipping is a crowded industry. Starting your own shipping company isn't as hard as it used to be. With the explosion in eCommerce, there's an increasing demand for small package shipping. Becoming a shipping company entrepreneur has its rewards. Shipping is an area where there's a lot of potentials to earn bounties, it serves as a good source of income.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $2,400,000/month

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

How I Started A $20K/Month Auto Shipping Broker Business

Nationwide Auto Transportation ships approximately 4,000 vehicles per month and has served more than 50,000 customers, offering custom services such as help for clients who cannot find suitable carriers for their vehicle.

About
Dvir started Car Shipping Calculator over 13 years ago
Revenue
Dvir grew the business to $20K/month
Costs
It cost Dvir $100000 to start the business
Read by 28,936 founders

37. Start a skin care product line

The skincare business is a multi-billion dollar one, and it shows no sign of slowing down. New anti-aging products are entering the market at a nearly exponential rate, and the competition for consumers' money is growing more and more.

The industry was valued at 130 billion USD in 2021 and will expand at an annual growth rate of 4.6% up to 2030. This is surely a type of business that you should not miss. You'll need to build your creativity on your products and make sure that it is all safe and useful in improving the skin of your customers.

How much you can make: $300 — $1,000,000/month

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

How Two Moms Started A Business Selling Homemade Body Butter

Two moms start a side hustle selling all-natural body products, doubling sales since their launch in 2017 with over 75 craft shows, promoting a non-profit source for their shea butter and self-promotion through podcasts, lining up retail interest from exposure.

About
Meredith started Oh My Balm over 7 years ago
Revenue
Meredith grew the business to $2K/month
Costs
It cost Meredith $10000 to start the business
Read by 33,326 founders

38. Start a home staging service

With the rise of online home selling, the need for home staging services has been increasing rapidly.

A home staging business can be an affordable and scalable venture, providing ample opportunity for growth and profitability.

Those who have a keen eye for design and enjoy collaborating with clients can find a rewarding career in home staging.

A professional home stager assesses both the interior and exterior spaces of a property and offers expert guidance on how to enhance its overall aesthetic appeal.

From selecting furniture and décor to arranging lighting and artwork, every detail is carefully considered to create an inviting and attractive atmosphere that appeals to potential buyers.

How much you can make: $1,700,000/month

39. Start a travel rewards app

A travel rewards app is a special mobile app that helps you earn points and rewards while traveling. These apps are designed to be used by frequent travelers who are looking to benefit from their travels.

If you love to travel but have never been able to afford it then this might be the first step to turning your dream into a reality. By making a travel rewards app you can earn handsome money by monetizing that app.

Creating a travel rewards app sounds like a complicated task. But it can be much easier than you think. You don't need travel industry experience or an office in Silicon Valley to design something that gives people more ways to earn rewards on their everyday purchases.

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

How long does it take to build: 800 days (?)

How I Launched A $150K/Month Frequent Flyer Programs Tracking App

AwardWallet is a loyalty program tracking website which has grown to over $150,000 in monthly revenue, and since launch has retained users mainly through word of mouth due to its superior product in the space.

About
Alexi started AwardWallet, LLC over 19 years ago
Revenue
Alexi grew the business to $150K/month
Read by 9,589 founders

40. Start a socks business

Socks are a low-cost, high-profit business. One of the more affordable businesses you can start.

The market itself has a size of 47 billion USD in 2020 with an annual growth rate of 6%..

If you want to be successful in this industry, it is important that your socks are comfy to wear and stylish to look at. People would want to wear socks that will make them look great without sacrificing comfort.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $1,000,000/month

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

How I Started A $1M/Month Business Selling Custom Socks

Learn how Dane Jensen and his business partner grew their sock business from a monthly subscription to a $12M+ revenue business that mainly sells custom socks, by developing a manufacturing supply chain in the United States, using various marketing channels, and gradually expanding the business.

About
Dane started Sock Club almost 13 years ago
Revenue
Dane grew the business to $1M/month
Read by 21,659 founders

41. Start a real estate appraisal service

Starting a real estate appraisal service is a great way to get involved in the industry without having to buy or sell property. As a real estate appraiser, you'll be responsible for estimating the value of properties. This can involve anything from single-family homes to commercial buildings.

To be successful, you'll need to have a strong understanding of the real estate market and the factors that affect property values. You'll also need to be licensed in your state. But, if you're up for the challenge, starting a real estate appraisal business can be a great way to make money in the industry.

Licensed appraisers can make between $40,000 and 100K. They can work for an appraisal management company (AMC), lending institution or government agency. Salary starts at about 40k with top end reaching up to 120 K depending on experience.

Starting a real estate appraisal business offers a niche opportunity that can be very profitable. Appraisers can often work from home, making it a great option for those who want the flexibility of being their own boss.

With the increase in transactions, there is a need for appraisers to accurately value properties. If you have the skills and experience, starting your own appraisal business can be a great way to make money in the real estate industry.

It 's important to note that, while there is a demand for appraisers, the industry is highly regulated. You'll need to be licensed and have the proper credentials to operate your business.

42. Start a perfume business

A fragrance or perfume business creates and sells products made from various ingredients, such as oils and extracts, which are mixed together to produce a pleasant smell.

And perfumes are no small business: the industry is expected to reach over $40B in the next few years.

There are a few ways to get started with creating your own perfume. You can start by choosing which ingredients you would like to use and then find recipes that will work for those ingredients. Or, you could start with a fragrance that you already love and try to recreate it as closely as possible with natural ingredients.

How much you can make: $19,000/month

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

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

How I Started A $19K/Month Personal And Home Fragrances Brand

Founder Rafael Hernandez launched Alfred Lane, a line of handcrafted personal and home fragrances, generating $19k in monthly revenue with 50% attributed to online and wholesale sales, while expanding to 65 stores across 6 countries and expanding to Europe and South America.

About
Rafael started Alfred Lane over 11 years ago
Revenue
Rafael grew the business to $19K/month
Costs
It cost Rafael $2000 to start the business
Read by 7,660 founders

43. Start a travel booking app

The travel industry is a booming business, and it’s only getting bigger. Online booking apps have made it easier for people to book their travel arrangements, and they are becoming more popular each year.

If you want to start a travel booking app, you should have a strong understanding of the travel industry and be experienced in programming too.

The recent trends that are making this business more popular are the growth of the travel industry and the rise of mobile technology. Businesses are looking for ways to offer their customers a convenient way to book travel arrangements.

Starting a travel booking app can be interesting and profitable. It offers a unique opportunity to develop an app that can be used by businesses to reach their customers. This is a great opportunity for those who want to get involved in the travel booking industry and learn more about how it works.

How much you can make: $2,800 — $1,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)

We Make $1.8M/Year Renting Tiny Homes To Travelers

Tiny Away, a network of eco-friendly 'tiny houses' across Australia, has grown to over 75 private locations and brings in an average of $156,000 in monthly rental revenue, appealing to city dwellers seeking unique and comfortable accommodation experiences.

About
Jeff started Tiny Away about 7 years ago
Revenue
Jeff grew the business to $295K/month
Costs
It cost Jeff $300000 to start the business
Read by 6,730 founders

44. Start a clothing line

There are millions of fashion and clothing brands around the world.

From small, niche brands run out of people's apartments to huge brands like Nike & Uniqlo, starting a clothing brand is a great business that requires minimal costs to get started.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $9,975,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,434 (?)

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

How I Turned A Silly Idea Into A $1M+ Brand

Founder Kyle Bergman turned a personal problem into a viral apparel brand, generating over $300k in sales within 18 months through Amazon and his own website, and raising $108k through a Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaign.

About
Kyle started Swoveralls about 7 years ago
Revenue
Kyle grew the business to $100K/month
Read by 31,271 founders

45. Start a cleaning service

A housecleaning side business is a beautiful idea for people with free time on weekends or even weekdays. The side hustle idea requires little capital to start. During the launch, you can choose to offer the service to your neighbors and scale as you gain experience. The average salary for a house cleaner is $17.32 per hour.

By starting a house cleaning business in Romania, you are tapping into an enormous market with plenty of clientele. There could always be demand for your cleaning service, which keeps you in business as you help homeowners keep their homes spotless.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $600,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 80 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 7 hours/week

How I Started A $100K+/Month Home Cleaning Service For Busy Individuals And Airbnb Hosts

MaidThis®, launched by Neel Parekh in Los Angeles with just one cleaner in 2013, has achieved over $10 million in total revenue by focusing on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, thanks to its successful remote business model and new-age marketing tactics, and has now launched MaidThis Franchise to expand the business further.

About
Neel started MaidThis Franchise over 10 years ago
Revenue
Neel grew the business to $100K/month
Costs
It cost Neel $800 to start the business
Read by 20,577 founders

46. Start an ecommerce plugin

An e-commerce plugin is a piece of software that allows businesses to sell their products online. These plugins typically include features such as a shopping cart, payment gateway, or product catalog.

To build an e-commerce plugin, you need to be familiar with the different types of e-commerce platforms and have a good understanding of how to develop plugins. You may also need to have strong coding skills.

The demand for e-commerce plugins are growing as online stores are looking for ways to improve their processes. Plugins can help businesses add new features and integrations, and they can also help save time and money by automating tasks that would otherwise be done manually.

How much you can make: $117 — $50,000/month

How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)

How We Developed A $29K/Month WhatsApp Plugin For Shopify

SuperLemon, a WhatsApp plugin for Shopify eCommerce stores, crossed $29,000 in MRR as of July 2020, with 20,000 users from 50+ countries and 1700+ paying customers, all acquired through organic marketing strategies and a relentless focus on customer service and satisfaction.

About
Preetam started SuperLemon almost 5 years ago
Revenue
Preetam grew the business to $29K/month
Read by 21,105 founders

47. Start a saas company

SaaS (Software as a Service) is software that allows users to access and use it over the internet. It is a subscription-based service that provides users with access to software that they can use for their business. It offers a variety of features, including a project management tool, an automation engine, and a workflow designer.

To start a SaaS company you should be familiar with the SaaS business model and have a good understanding of how to build and market a SaaS product. You should also have strong technical skills and be able to develop a high-quality software product.

Salesforce is one of the best SaaS companies in the world. Salesforce provides an integrated CRM platform that brings companies and customers together. The company is one of the most innovative cloud software solutions providers on the market, generating nearly all its annual recurring revenue from SaaS tools. According to Salesforce's latest financial reports, the company's current revenue (TTM) is $26.49 B.

Starting a SaaS company is a great way to enter the tech industry. This type of company is growing in popularity as more businesses are looking for ways to save money and reduce their IT costs. SaaS companies typically have high margins and offer a lot of flexibility for entrepreneurs.

How much you can make: $500 — $166,666,666/month

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How We Developed A $12K/Month Automated Cloud Management Software

Bunnyshell CEO and co-founder Alin Dobra discusses how he created the managed cloud automation SaaS solution from scratch, securing €750,000 in investment in under 18 months, and generating $12k/month in revenue from providing services to corporate clients worldwide.

Revenue
Alin grew the business to $25K/month
Read by 6,140 founders

48. Become a contractor website creator

A contractor website creator business is the best way to give yourself freedom and flexibility with your time. A contractor website is an important asset for companies like plumbers, electricians, painters, handymen, and other contractors. As a website creator, you can deliver this valuable digital asset, which is maintained and updated by you on a regular basis.

The contractor economy revolves around having a website. Worldwide Website Builders Market was valued at $1.5B in 2019 and it is growing rapidly. if you don’t have a website to promote your contracting business, you’re severely limiting your ability to get more work. Having a website reveals many aspects of your business including skill sets, and past projects, and most importantly it demonstrates credibility and trustworthiness.

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

How long does it take to build: 28 days (?)

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.