15 Subscription Box Business Ideas You Can Start (2024)

Updated: July 24th, 2023

The subscription box economy is booming - there are reportedly 7,000 subscription box companies in the United States.

From wine subscriptions to coffee subscriptions, basically any traditional product or e-commerce product can be turned into a subscription model.

We went through our database of successful subscription box business stories and found a couple dozen great ideas that can inspire your own business.

Here they are:

1. Start a subscription box for brides

Starting a subscription box business for brides is a great idea for anyone looking to tap into the wedding market. This business concept involves creating a monthly or quarterly box filled with wedding-related items such as beauty products, décor, and planning tools. Customers can subscribe to the box for a set period or as a one-time purchase.

The appeal of a subscription box for brides is that it provides a convenient and personalized way for brides-to-be to discover new products and ideas for their big day. The boxes can be tailored to fit the needs and preferences of each bride, making it a truly unique and memorable experience.

To start this business, you’ll need to research and source the items for the boxes, design and create the packaging, and set up a website to handle subscriptions and sales. Marketing the business through social media, wedding blogs, and targeted ads can help you reach your target audience and generate interest in your boxes.

Overall, a subscription box for brides is a creative and innovative business idea that allows you to connect with and support brides during one of the most exciting times of their lives.

How much you can make: $400/month

Here is a great example:

2. Start a Cigar Subscription Box Business

People who smoke always look for a cigar subscription service that can supply cigars on a regular basis. Cigar subscription boxes are a great way to get high-quality cigars delivered to your door every month. They're a great gift idea for cigar lovers, and they can be a good way to get started in the cigar business.

However, in most countries, cigarette retailing ensures a very small revenue. Generally, the retailers earn revenue on volume selling. So, before initiating a cigar subscription business analyze the financial feasibility of the business model.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $270,000/month

Some ideas for cigar subscription box:

3. Start a baby subscription box business

The baby subscription box business is a great idea for anyone who loves babies and wants to help new parents navigate the overwhelming world of baby products. This business idea involves creating monthly boxes filled with a variety of baby essentials and unique, high-quality products. These boxes can be customized to fit each customer’s specific needs, whether they have a newborn, a toddler, or a child with special needs.

One of the most significant benefits of starting a baby subscription box business is the opportunity to build a loyal customer base. Many parents are looking for ways to save time and money on baby products. A subscription service that delivers carefully curated items to their doorstep is a great solution.

In addition to providing a valuable service to parents, running a baby subscription box business can also be a rewarding and fulfilling career. Not only will you work with adorable babies and their parents, but you’ll also have the chance to discover and share new and innovative products with your customers.

To start a baby subscription box business, you’ll need to research and source high-quality baby products, create a website and social media presence, and develop a marketing plan to attract and retain customers. With hard work and dedication, this business idea has the potential to be a successful and fulfilling venture.

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

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

Some baby subscription box ideas:

4. Start a cannabis subscription box business

A cannabis subscription box business is one of the best ways for entrepreneurs to get started in this particular industry. The market is huge, and there's room for everyone!

Cannabis subscription boxes have been around for years, but they've recently been experiencing a surge in popularity.

There's a lot of money to be made in the cannabis industry and if you're thinking of getting into it, you might want to think about starting a subscription box business.

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

Example of cannabis subcription box:

5. Start a subscription box for kids

Starting a subscription box business for kids can be a fun and rewarding way to enter the world of entrepreneurship. This type of business allows you to curate monthly boxes filled with toys, crafts, and other fun activities specifically tailored for children.

To get started, you’ll need to research and decide on a theme for your boxes. This could be anything from educational toys to arts and crafts supplies. Once you have a theme in mind, you can start sourcing products from vendors and building out your boxes.

One of the great things about a subscription box for kids is that it can be a flexible business. You can offer different subscription options, such as monthly, quarterly, or annual boxes. You can also provide different age ranges, allowing you to cater to a broader audience.

To market your business, you can use social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase your boxes and reach potential customers. You can also consider partnering with influencers or running promotions to attract new subscribers.

Overall, starting a subscription box business for kids can be a fun and creative way to share your love of all things kid-friendly with others. Whether you’re looking to provide educational toys or simply want to bring some joy to children’s lives, this type of business can be both fulfilling and profitable.

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

Learn how:

6. Start a food subscription box

Welcome to the exciting world of food subscription boxes! This innovative business idea allows customers to receive a curated selection of delicious and often hard-to-find items delivered straight to their doorstep regularly.

Here’s how it works: customers sign up for a subscription plan, choosing from weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly deliveries. They can then select their preferred food categories, such as vegan, gluten-free, or international cuisine, and the company will curate a selection of products based on their preferences.

The beauty of food subscription boxes is that they cater to a wide range of dietary needs and preferences, making them a perfect gift for any foodie or someone looking to try new and unique items. They also offer a convenient and hassle-free way for customers to discover and enjoy new flavors and products without spending hours scouring the grocery store or specialty shops.

Starting a food subscription box business requires research and planning, but it can be lucrative and fulfilling. You’ll need to source high-quality products, create a visually appealing and user-friendly website, and establish a solid marketing plan to attract and retain customers.

So, a food subscription box business could be the perfect fit if you’re a foodie passionate about curating and sharing amazing products. With a bit of creativity and hard work, you’ll be able to create a loyal customer base and bring joy and flavor to the lives of food enthusiasts everywhere.

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

Learn how:

7. Start a Book Subscription Box

Book Subscription Box is a monthly subscription box that focuses on the books you want to read. Each month, subscribers will receive a carefully curated selection of new, bestselling books they can't wait to read.

Whether you're looking for something lighthearted or dark and twisty, there's a perfect book for every mood in your subscription box.

The Book Subscription Box business idea is a great niche to get into. It's a market that is always in demand, and there are many people who would love to receive their favorite books in the mail every month.

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

Learn how:

8. Start a Candy Subscription Box

A candy subscription box is a great business idea if you're looking to start your own candy business. It's a niche market, with lots of potential customers looking for a monthly treat.

If you enjoy making delicious candy of your own, then starting a candy subscription box business would be the perfect way for you to indulge in your favorite treats on a monthly basis. You could offer different types of candy each month, or even include other goodies like chocolate bars or gummy bears.

Starting a candy subscription box business would be the perfect way for you to make some extra cash from home. And if this is your goal, it's important that your products be high quality and have an interesting theme that will keep customers coming back for more!

How much you can make: $6,500/month

Learn how:

9. Start a comics subscription box

Are you a fan of comics? Do you love getting surprise packages in the mail? If so, then a comics subscription box business might be the perfect opportunity for you!

Here's how it works: customers sign up for a monthly subscription and receive a box filled with a curated selection of comics and related merchandise. You can offer different subscription options based on the type of comics your customers are interested in, such as superhero, indie, or manga.

One of the great things about this business idea is that it allows you to tap into a passionate and dedicated customer base. Comics fans are always on the lookout for new and exciting content, and a subscription box service gives them a regular dose of fresh material to enjoy.

In addition to curating the boxes, you'll also need to handle the logistics of packaging and shipping, as well as marketing and customer service. But with a little hard work and a lot of love for comics, you'll be able to build a loyal following and turn your business into a success.

So if you're a fan of comics and looking for a creative and rewarding business idea, consider starting a comics subscription box service. It's a great way to bring joy to fellow fans and build a business around your passion.

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

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

Learn how:

10. Start an activity box business

Welcome to the world of activity boxes! If you love crafts, DIY projects, and trying new things, then this business idea might just be perfect for you.

Here's how it works: each month, subscribers receive a box filled with all the materials and instructions needed to complete a fun and engaging activity. These could be things like painting kits, candle-making supplies, or even cooking ingredients and recipes.

The best part about this business is that you get to be creative and come up with new ideas for activities every month. You can also tailor the boxes to fit different interests and skill levels, so there's something for everyone.

To get started, all you need is a love for creating and a little bit of organization. You'll need to source materials, create detailed instructions, and package everything up into attractive boxes. Then, it's just a matter of marketing your business and attracting subscribers.

Activity boxes are a great way to bring a little bit of joy and creativity into people's lives, and they can be a fun and rewarding business to run. So if you're looking for a new venture that allows you to flex your creative muscles, consider starting an activity box business today!

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

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

Learn how:

11. Start a gift box business

How much you can make: $20,000 — $150,000/month

How long does it take to build: 6 days (?)

Learn how:

12. Start a Coffee Subscription Box ($34K/month)

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

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

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

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

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week

Check some coffee subscription box ideas:

13. Start a CBD subscription box

A CBD subscription box is a monthly package containing different types of CBD products. The most common box will include a vape pen or vape juice, some edibles, and some topical creams.

A CBD subscription box is a great way to introduce your customers to the benefits of CBD. You can create an assortment of products that can be purchased individually or in bulk amounts. Each product in your box is designed to target different health needs, so there's something for everyone!

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

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

Here is an inspiration for CBD subscription box:

14. Start a hot sauce subscription box

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

Here is an example of such hot sauce subscription box:

15. Start a subscription box for sports fans

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

Learn how:

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.