35 Profitable Shoe Related Business Ideas (Ultimate List!)
If you are looking for shoe related business ideas to begin your path to entrepreneurship, you are in the right place.
With starting a shoe related business, there are plenty of opportunities that can help you follow your dreams and build a successful career.
In this post, you will discover profitable business ideas, perfect for those who want to have a flexible job, capable of multiplying the average income, while becoming your own boss.
Check out the full list below to help you find your next idea!
Here they are:
1. Start a shoe brand ($960K/year)
Kartik Gurmule from Nagpur, Maharashtra, India started KASA about 4 years ago, a shoe brand.
- Revenue: $80,000/ month
- Founders: 1
- Employees: 0
- Location: Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
I started KASA as my first company as a 16 years teenager in the summer before high school, although it was not my first business. Since I was 12 years old, I did small projects like making websites and running marketing for clients.
When secondary school ended, I came to know about FlightClub, StockX, and Sneakerdon and got introduced to the sneaker culture around the world. With my connections made in the previous venture, I was able to get inside contacts in big sneaker brands who could supply me with the shoes skipping the waiting line.
But, due to strict Indian customs and taxations, this business failed in the first month itself. I was able to import the shoes at my home but was unable to sell for a good profit because it charged high custom fees and high international courier charges as potential customers were in the USA.
2. Start a women's shoe line ($120K/year)
Tanya Heath from Paris, Ile-de-France, France started TANYA HEATH Paris about 13 years ago, a women's shoe line.
- Revenue: $10,000/ month
- Founders: 2
- Employees: 2
- Location: Paris, Ile-de-France, France
I started my professional life as a anglophone working in Paris France. The first day that I came to work I changed from ballerinas to high heels at my desk. My French colleagues found this ridiculous and they called me “the New Yorker” (Paris is the only city in the world where this is an insult).
Product development took a long time. I had to hold 4 entire years without a single sale and no venture capital so I was paying for everything myself.
Because I knew my life would be here (my husband is French) and I was trying to integrate into my new surroundings, I stopped wearing flats while walking, and spent the next 10 years including work, travel, babies and everything else that life throws at you, wearing high heels.
3. Start a blog ($60K/year)
Chhavi Agarwal from New Delhi, Delhi, India started Mrs Daaku Studio over 4 years ago, a blog.
- Revenue: $5,000/ month
- Founders: 2
- Employees: 3
- Location: New Delhi, Delhi, India
I am a licensed attorney in India and right after my master’s in law, I started working with a leading company as a lawyer. I worked there for about two years before I quit my job to become more location independent.
Choose a niche in whatever you start. It is critical for streamlining your efforts and make money.
My job paid me well but I worked 12 hours a day, I was exhausted by the end of each day, spent my weekends sleeping and I almost quit the things I liked to do - for example, sketching, yoga, traveling, etc.
4. Start a bikers customized boots manufacturing business
Examples of a successful bikers customized boots manufacturing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a bikers customized boots manufacturing business:
- 5 Business Ideas You Can Do With A Motorcycle - Starting A Motorcycle Business
- Young Motorcycle Shop Owner Talks About How To Make A New Business A Success
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a bikers customized boots manufacturing business ➜
5. Start a shoe gum manufacturing business
Examples of a successful shoe gum manufacturing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a shoe gum manufacturing business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
- The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing: Kathleen Fasanella
Learn more about starting a shoe gum manufacturing business ➜
6. Start a safety boots production business
Examples of a successful safety boots production business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a safety boots production business:
- Production Of Industrial Safety Leather Shoes. Safety Shoes Manufacturing Project
- How It's Made - Safety Boots
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a safety boots production business ➜
7. Start a military footwear manufacturing business
Examples of a successful military footwear manufacturing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a military footwear manufacturing business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
- Handbook of Footwear Design and Manufacture (Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles): A. Luximon
Learn more about starting a military footwear manufacturing business ➜
8. Start a shoe soles production and supply business
Examples of a successful shoe soles production and supply business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a shoe soles production and supply business:
Learn more about starting a shoe soles production and supply business ➜
9. Start a shoes wholesaling supply business
Examples of a successful shoes wholesaling supply business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a shoes wholesaling supply business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a shoes wholesaling supply business ➜
I’m Susannah Davda and I launched my business The Shoe Consultant in 2015. I help people to start shoe brands that delight their customers.
Before I launched The Shoe Consultant, people who wanted to start shoe companies struggled to gain access to this rather closed industry. Footwear business professionals didn’t see the point of nurturing those with no previous shoe experience. I didn’t think this was fair, so for the past five and a half years, I have helped dozens of entrepreneurs to enter the wonderful world of shoes.
10. Start a riders shoe manufacturing business
Examples of a successful riders shoe manufacturing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a riders shoe manufacturing business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Ultimate Vendor List Ebook: Moore, Sherrie
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
Learn more about starting a riders shoe manufacturing business ➜
11. Start a rain and snow boots production business
Examples of a successful rain and snow boots production business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a rain and snow boots production business:
- Get Ready For The Snow (Early) With This Guide To The Best Slip Resistant Winter Boots
- Production Of Pvc Boots
Learn more about starting a rain and snow boots production business ➜
12. Start a shoe buckles production business
Examples of a successful shoe buckles production business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a shoe buckles production business:
- How to Start Your Own Sneaker Brand, Plus the History of Nike & adidas | From the Ground Up
- Entrepreneur Life:Steps To Starting A Shoe Business! How Much Did It Cost? + New Items
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a shoe buckles production business ➜
13. Start a rock climbing boots manufacturing business
Examples of a successful rock climbing boots manufacturing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a rock climbing boots manufacturing business:
- How To Extend The Life Of Your Climbing Shoes
- Was This The Largest Inside Job Of Runescape History? Climbing Boot Controversy Of 2010!
Learn more about starting a rock climbing boots manufacturing business ➜
14. Start an used shoe consignment store business
Examples of a successful used shoe consignment store business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a used shoe consignment store business:
- How To Open And Run A Consignment Shop. Part 1.
- The Sneaker Shop That Started With A 72-Pair Inventory
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything: Seidman, Dov
- It Was All A Lie: How The Republican Party Became Donald
Learn more about starting an used shoe consignment store business ➜
15. Start a shoe craft school business
Examples of a successful shoe craft school business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a shoe craft school business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How to Start a Home-Based Craft Business, 5th (Home-Based Business Series)
- The Crafts Business Answer Book: Starting, Managing, and Marketing a Homebased Arts, Crafts, or Design Business: Barbara Brabec
Learn more about starting a shoe craft school business ➜
16. Start a children shoe store
Examples of a successful children shoe store:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a children shoe store:
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a children shoe store ➜
17. Start a shoe repair business
Examples of a successful shoe repair business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a shoe repair business:
- Immigrant Finds Success In Shoe Repair Business
- Start Shoe Repair Business Earn Money A Lot | Startup Idea
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Shoe Design Business: Becci Rolli
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
Learn more about starting a shoe repair business ➜
18. Start a rubber and latex distribution business
Examples of a successful rubber and latex distribution business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a rubber and latex distribution business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Start Your Own Wholesale Distribution Business: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Success (StartUp Series): Bridget McCrea
- Practical Guide To Latex Technology Abridged Edition
Learn more about starting a rubber and latex distribution business ➜
19. Start a footwear store
Examples of a successful footwear store:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a footwear store:
- College Students Open A Shoe Store // Colakicks (Entrepreneurship & Shoe Culture)
- How Afshan Makes $60k/Month From Her Shoes Business (Pt. 1)
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
- How To Start A Shoe Design Business: Becci Rolli
Learn more about starting a footwear store ➜
Lee Smith is the founder of Urbanity, a contemporary boutique for men’s & women's clothing, footwear, and accessories.
Lee opened the first Urbanity store back in 2009 after graduating from college at the University of Idaho.
It is a locally operated store offering customers the opportunity to shop for stylish fashion items in a cozy and laid-back shopping environment
At Urbanity, people can find renowned brands like Daisy Street, Billionaire Boys Club, Jordan, Girl Dangerous Ice Cream, Nike, Herschel, and others in one store.
Urbanity plans to continue to grow year by year and offer the best and most exclusive brands in the country.
Watch the video on youtube.com ➜
20. Start a shoe making business
Examples of a successful shoe making business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a shoe making business:
- How To Start Your Own Shoe Company
- How to Start Your Own Sneaker Brand, Plus the History of Nike & adidas | From the Ground Up
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
- How To Start A Shoe Design Business: Becci Rolli
Learn more about starting a shoe making business ➜
I’m Susannah Davda and I launched my business The Shoe Consultant in 2015. I help people to start shoe brands that delight their customers.
Before I launched The Shoe Consultant, people who wanted to start shoe companies struggled to gain access to this rather closed industry. Footwear business professionals didn’t see the point of nurturing those with no previous shoe experience. I didn’t think this was fair, so for the past five and a half years, I have helped dozens of entrepreneurs to enter the wonderful world of shoes.
21. Start a shoe designing business ($720K/year)
Examples of a successful shoe designing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a shoe designing business:
- How I Started A Custom Shoe Business (Tips)
- Customizing My Air Force 1's + Starting Your Own Custom Shoe Design Business (Materials + Tips)
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Shoe Design Business: Becci Rolli
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
Learn more about starting a shoe designing business ➜
My name is Blake Barash, owner of B Street Shoes. I’m a custom shoe painter located in Orange County, CA. People know me for my custom painted Nikes, Jordans, and football cleats for NFL players.
22. Start a handmade shoe cottage business
Examples of a successful handmade shoe cottage business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a handmade shoe cottage business:
- How Afshan Makes $60k/Month From Her Shoes Business (Pt. 1)
- How I Started A Custom Shoe Business (Tips)
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Cake Business From Home
- Start From Scratch: How To Start Selling Your Baked Goods, Jams, Sauces, Cereals, Mixes, And Other Homemade Foods Now!
Learn more about starting a handmade shoe cottage business ➜
23. Start a leather shoes manufacturing business
Examples of a successful leather shoes manufacturing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a leather shoes manufacturing business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Business Plan For A Handmade Leather Goods Company (Fill
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
Learn more about starting a leather shoes manufacturing business ➜
24. Start a flip-flops manufacturing business
Examples of a successful flip-flops manufacturing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a flip-flops manufacturing business:
- What Do These 3D Printed Flip Flops Say About Manufacturing's Future?: The Cool Parts Show S3E5
- How Are Flip Flops Made?
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Manufacturing Business - A Step By Step Guide To Starting A New Small Manufacturing Company: Meir Liraz
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
Learn more about starting a flip-flops manufacturing business ➜
25. Start an online shoe store business ($180K/year)
Examples of a successful online shoe store business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a online shoe store business:
- How I Run My Shoe Business! How To Start Your Own! Tips On What Shoes To Invest In!!!
- How Afshan Makes $60k/Month From Her Shoes Business (Pt. 1)
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Reboot: Probably More Than You Ever Wanted to Know about Starting a Global Business
- How To Start An Online Store: The Complete Step-by-Step Beginners Guide To Starting Your Online Business: Jonathan Eldridge
Learn more about starting an online shoe store business ➜
My name is Blake Barash, owner of B Street Shoes. I’m a custom shoe painter located in Orange County, CA. People know me for my custom painted Nikes, Jordans, and football cleats for NFL players.
26. Start a shoe polish manufacturing business
Examples of a successful shoe polish manufacturing business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a shoe polish manufacturing business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
- How To Start A Shoe Design Business: Becci Rolli
Learn more about starting a shoe polish manufacturing business ➜
27. Start a retail sports footwear business
Examples of a successful retail sports footwear business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a retail sports footwear business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Start Your Own Personal Training Business 3/E (StartUp Series): Ciree Linsenman
- The Complete Idiot's Guide To Starting And Running A Retail Store: James E. Dion
Learn more about starting a retail sports footwear business ➜
In the second part of the year, we will increase our focus in providing our vast traffic (over 500 thousand unique visitors have landed to dropoutmilano.com between December 2021 and February 2022) with dropout branded products to suit the taste of streetwear wearers.
28. Start a rubber shoes mass production business
Examples of a successful rubber shoes mass production business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a rubber shoes mass production business:
- How Afshan Makes $60k/Month From Her Shoes Business (Pt. 1)
- How To Start Shoes Manufacturing Business
Learn more about starting a rubber shoes mass production business ➜
29. Start a shoe lace business
Examples of a successful shoe lace business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a shoe lace business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Shoe Design Business: Becci Rolli
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
Learn more about starting a shoe lace business ➜
30. Start a synthetic leather supplying business
Examples of a successful synthetic leather supplying business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a synthetic leather supplying business:
Learn more about starting a synthetic leather supplying business ➜
31. Start a babies shoe store business
Examples of a successful babies shoe store business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a babies shoe store business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Babies-At-Work Program: Moquin, Carla
- [(How to Start a Babies-at-Work Program)] [By (author) Carla Moquin] published on (November, 2008)
Learn more about starting a babies shoe store business ➜
32. Start a men's shoe store business ($600K/year)
Examples of a successful men's shoe store business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a men's shoe store business:
- College Students Open A Shoe Store // Colakicks (Entrepreneurship & Shoe Culture)
- How To Start Your Own Sneaker Business And How Much It Could Cost
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a men's shoe store business ➜
Hello, my name is James Di Mambro and our company is WALK London Shoes. We are a family-run footwear brand that sells fashionable men’s footwear; such as shoes, boots, loafers, sandals, trainers, etc.
We started the brand in 2013 and today we sell over 100,000 pairs a year which for us is an amazing achievement.
33. Sell sandals
Examples of a successful sell sandals:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a sell sandals:
- How I Built A $7 Billion Shoe Company Called On
- How Afshan Makes $60k/Month From Her Shoes Business (Pt. 1)
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
- How to Start a Business: Startup Essentials-The Simple, Step-by-Step Guide to Successfully Start Your Own Business (Online Business, Small Business, Work ... (Business Startup for Newbies Book 2)
Learn more about starting a sell sandals ➜
34. Start a football boots production business
Examples of a successful football boots production business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a football boots production business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How to Start Your Own Shoe Company: A start-up guide to designing, manufacturing, and marketing shoes. (How shoes are Made): Wade Motawi
- How Shoes are Made: A behind the scenes look at a real sneaker factory
Learn more about starting a football boots production business ➜
35. Start a sneaker line production business
Examples of a successful sneaker line production business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a sneaker line production business:
- How Afshan Makes $60k/Month From Her Shoes Business (Pt. 1)
- How to Start Your Own Sneaker Brand, Plus the History of Nike & adidas | From the Ground Up
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Footwear Pattern Making and Last Design: A beginners guide to the fundamental techniques of shoemaking. (How Shoes are Made)
- How To Start A Shoe Design Business: Becci Rolli
Learn more about starting a sneaker line production business ➜
In the second part of the year, we will increase our focus in providing our vast traffic (over 500 thousand unique visitors have landed to dropoutmilano.com between December 2021 and February 2022) with dropout branded products to suit the taste of streetwear wearers.
Hey! 👋 I'm Pat Walls, the founder of Starter Story.
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