The 52 Best Business Ideas To Start In Turkey [2024]

Updated: June 21st, 2022

Interested in starting a business in Turkey in 2024?

We put together 52 of the best businesses you can start in Turkey today.

In this list of ideas, you can find:

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

Here's the full list:

1. Become a software developer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Launching A $9.4K/Month SaaS That Helps With User Onboarding

UserGuiding is a SaaS product that has attracted 73 subscribers, 5,000 sign-ups from 92 countries, and 4 million end users, with a monthly recurring revenue that has increased from $413 to $9,400 in the past 14 months.

About
Osman started UserGuiding over 6 years ago
Revenue
Osman grew the business to $200K/month
Costs
It cost Osman $200000 to start the business
Read by 7,688 founders

2. Start a leather business

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

How much does it cost to start: $2,600 (?)

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

How I Overcame Life's Roadblocks And Started A $500K Business

Galen Leather, an Istanbul-based e-commerce store specializing in handmade leather goods, experienced a 138% increase in revenue to hit an average of around $40,000 in sales each month, with products like their Moleskine Cover helping the company achieve success.

About
Zeynep started Galen Leather almost 12 years ago
Revenue
Zeynep grew the business to $40K/month
Read by 6,429 founders

3. Create an online simulation game

An online simulation game business involves creating and managing virtual games that mimic real-life situations or scenarios.

These games can range from running a virtual farm to managing a city or even simulating professional activities like flying an airplane.

To start this business, you'll need basic computer skills, creativity, and a passion for gaming.

You can use free or low-cost game development platforms to create your simulations, and once they’re ready, you can sell or offer them online for a profit.

This low-cost venture taps into the growing demand for engaging virtual experiences, making it a potentially lucrative option for budding entrepreneurs.

How much you can make: $200 — $500,000/month

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

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

I Turned A Fan-Made Project Into A Successful Online Game

Monster MMORPG is a browser-based creature hunting game generating $200 per month from ads and Patreon support, started as a fan-made project in 2009, and developed by a single owner and developer.

About
Furkan started Monster MMORPG over 14 years ago
Revenue
Furkan grew the business to $200/month
Costs
It cost Furkan $100 to start the business
Read by 2,382 founders

4. Become a forex trader

How much you can make: $1,200 — $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $388 (?)

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

I Developed A $100K/Month Trading Software

Entrepreneur Sina Sinry started an eCommerce business selling the best performing forex robot, generating monthly earnings of over $100,000 from his digital products, which he developed with the help of professional developers and found success through Facebook Ads.

About
Sina started Sinry Advice over 4 years ago
Revenue
Sina grew the business to $100K/month
Costs
It cost Sina $388 to start the business
Read by 3,510 founders

5. Start a boutique

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About
Gia started Boutique Rye almost 7 years ago
Revenue
Gia grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 35,475 founders

6. Start a mobile photography business

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

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

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

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

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

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

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

Photobooth Supply Co. offers a profitable business opportunity through their sleek and portable photo booths, with up to 97% satisfaction rate and a focus on customer experience, in a fast-growing event industry where photo booths are exploding.

About
Brandon started Photobooth Supply Co. about 11 years ago
Revenue
Brandon grew the business to $500K/month
Read by 15,249 founders

7. Start an umbrella brand

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

How I Started A $3K/Month Rain And Sun Umbrella Ecommerce Business

Founder Jim Rowland shares how his ecommerce business, Umbrellas And Beyond, specializing in rain and sun umbrellas, evolved into a full-line custom branded products store and has remained profitable for over 14 years through consistency, organic SEO, content creation, and commitment to personalized customer service.

About
Jim started JDK & Associates, LLC over 17 years ago
Revenue
Jim grew the business to $3K/month
Costs
It cost Jim $15000 to start the business
Read by 7,504 founders

8. Start a web development business

A web development business is a company that builds and takes care of websites. They typically use coding and design skills to create online spaces that meet the needs of individuals or businesses.

These businesses help ensure websites work well and look good, playing a key role in the online presence of their clients.

How much you can make: $6,600 — $350,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

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

I Built A $300K/Year Vue.js Component Library

Vuetify is a popular open-source user interface library, built with the Vue.js framework, that generates revenue through digital content and services such as paid digital content in the Vuetify store, direct support through consulting, ad revenue from Carbon ads on the documentation pages, and donations/sponsorships via GitHub and Patreon, generating an average income of $6,500 per month.

About
John started Vuetify almost 7 years ago
Revenue
John grew the business to $25K/month
Read by 45,158 founders

9. Start an electronics store

An electronics store sells any electronics from smartphones to televisions, laptops, refrigerators and other home appliances. With the technological advancements in the past decade, the electronics sector is expected to grow by 5.6 percent over the next five years.

To start an electronics store, research and find the right location for your store, then register your company at the state level to get the tax ID number.

Then, research your competition, which includes online stores and the local electronics store in your area. You should examine what they sell and focus on the products you can provide at a better price than the competition.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,175,000/month

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

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

How I Started A $27K/Month Business Modifying And Upgrading Game Consoles

Founder Kyle Capel started Hand Held Legend, a DIY upgrade shop for vintage handheld consoles, which generates an average revenue of $27,000 a month and grew 30% in Q1 of 2020, offering an array of modern LCD upgrades for various consoles and serving an audience of mostly male customers aged between 13 and 45, 40% of which are international.

About
Kyle started Hand Held Legend over 10 years ago
Revenue
Kyle grew the business to $230K/month
Read by 10,625 founders

10. Start a gluten-free bakery

Gluten is a protein found in some grains such as wheat and barley, and it's responsible for binding bread, retaining moisture, and providing baked foods with a soft texture.

With the rising consumer interest in gluten-free products, the category has transitioned to a mainstream market segment.

Gluten-free pastries contain flour from gluten-free grains like brown rice, buckwheat, and sorghum. If you are interested in bakery business ideas, you may consider venturing into the gluten-free pastries market.

How much you can make: $25,000 — $90,000/month

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

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

How We Started A $25K/Month Low-Carb, Gluten-Free Desserts Business

ChipMonk co-founders built a mail-order bakery selling low carb, gluten-free desserts, making around $25,000 a month with growth through e-commerce, and plans to tighten budgets and conserve cash in challenging times.

About
David started ChipMonk Baking about 5 years ago
Revenue
David grew the business to $90K/month
Costs
It cost David $5000 to start the business
Read by 13,449 founders

11. Start a real estate business

Are you a qualified architect with a broad range of knowledge in the real estate field? Starting a real estate business can be a profitable venture.

Real estate involves purchasing, selling, managing, or investing in land and buildings.

To become a successful real estate business owner, you must have finely honed visual awareness and a strong understanding of various building materials and structures.

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

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

How I Started A $500K/Month Real Estate Investment Business

This case study is about T. C. Lewis & Co, a real estate investment and management firm that successfully diversified their approach to include sales, development, remodeling, and construction, with property management being the key to investor doors and organic growth.

About
T. started T. C. Lewis & Co. Real Estate over 18 years ago
Revenue
T. grew the business to $500K/month
Read by 11,413 founders

12. Start a vacation rentals business

Vacation rentals host travelers for a short period. Often located in top vacation destinations, vacation rentals feature spacious rooms and a cozy lifestyle and are cheaper than booking a hotel.

Building or buying a vacation rental is a smart way of creating a passive income without much involvement in the business.

To make money through the vacation rental business, ensure a strategic location, often nearby attractions. Choose an area that is easily accessible and desirable all year round and create a beautiful space for your guests.

Stand out by optimizing the vacation rental listing online and featuring all available amenities.

How much you can make: $12,500 — $295,000/month

How long does it take to build: 280 days (?)

How We Started A $12K/Month Beachside Vacation Rental Business

This case study explores how a couple turned their childhood homes into vacation rentals, welcoming around 3k guests annually and generating an average revenue of $50k per year and property by focusing on a strong online presence and organic traffic.

About
Julio started Cardiff Vacations almost 13 years ago
Revenue
Julio grew the business to $12.5K/month
Costs
It cost Julio $30000 to start the business
Read by 7,528 founders

13. Become a wedding planner

A wedding planner assists with designing, planning, and managing a wedding, so the bride and groom have the happiest day. Wedding planners enjoy a flexible working schedule and opportunities to travel locally and globally, and it’s a great career with numerous growth opportunities.

To start a wedding planning business in Turkey, identify your target clientele and study their wedding cultures so you can offer the clients excellent service. Remember, excellent wedding planning is all about having the passion and knowing how to harness that passion for designing weddings that bring out the emotions of those in attendance.

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

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

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

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

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

About
Rasmus started Getting Married in Denmark over 8 years ago
Revenue
Rasmus grew the business to $50K/month
Read by 6,738 founders

14. Start a language learning app

Language learning apps use different activities and methods to assist users to expand their vocabulary and develop correct linguistic skills and general communication skills. The demand for global language learning apps has recorded a massive rise in the past decade and is expected to rise beyond $21.2 in the next few years.

Therefore, if you love linguistics or you have a passion for building apps that teach people a new language, then the language app business idea is worth diving into.

Here are basic steps to guide you through the journey of building a language learning app:

  • Come up with an application concept
  • Make a unique business analysis
  • Define the feature set and make the requirements list
  • Choose the technology stack based on the platform
  • Develop the application design
  • Create the content
  • Develop full application version or MVP of your choice
  • User testing
  • Market and advertise the application

From the ideation stage to the final stage of your app development, focus on ensuring that your language learning application will have the following features:

  • Gamification to encourage learners and bring on the competition
  • Break down the courses into small chunks
  • Provides learners with timely and relevant tips
  • Variety of content and activities
  • User-friendly design and interface
  • Create a users’ community so they can interact and share tips
  • Ensure a simple sign-in
  • Regular assessment to test and score learner’s progress

Examples of language learning apps include Duolingo, Memrise, and LinguaLift.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $13,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $900 (?)

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

How We Started A $18K/Month App And Browser Extensions Development Business

Gikken is a small, profitable European company founded by Alex that makes browser extensions and apps used by 800,000 people every month, with their flagship product, Mate Translate, generating around $18,000 a month, but monetizing their user base better is their top priority for the next year.

Revenue
Alex grew the business to $18.6K/month
Read by 10,103 founders

For artists, getting the attention of traditional brick & mortar stores is an enormous challenge with slim odds of success. Fortunately, online marketplaces make it possible for artists across the globe to sell their artwork internationally.

With art galleries contributing up to 45 billion dollars, they can be a great business opportunity. If you are interested in the art industry, you can start an online art gallery.

16. Start a veterinary clinic

Another thriving and profitable business is to open a veterinary clinic. This one of the most suitable business ideas for veterinarians to start.

If interested, make sure that you locate one near an area with lots of dog owners and animal farms. These people are your target market, and it's wise to take your business there. You’ll also need to learn how to market yourself so that you can reach out to those people who might need your services.

The average veterinarian salary in the United States is $100,000 annually or $51.28 per hour. Beginning salaries start at $70,783 annually, while most experienced workers earn up to $144,023 annually.

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

How My Love For Animals Led Me To Start A $200K/Month Veterinary Hospital

Discover how Dr. Ellie Scott grew Stringtown Animal Hospital from a staff of four to a team of 23, with five veterinarians, and now has $200K in monthly revenue, by focusing on individual pet risks and the needs of the pet family.

Revenue
Stringtown grew the business to $200K/month
Read by 4,199 founders

17. Start a pet care business

Animal care facilities offer day and night care services. Overnight care lets customers leave their pets at the pet care center to be safe from accidents and predators. Starting an overnight pet care business can be rewarding, with pet ownership on the rise. You can start a day and night care pet service to maximize profits.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $250,000/month

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

How These Two Friends Started A $250K/Month Professional Pet Care Business

Woofie's founders share how they launched a pet care business from a $10 dog walk into a company that brought in over $3M in revenue in 2019, offering services such as mobile pet grooming, pet sitting and dog walking, and have expanded their business into franchises.

About
Amy started Woofie's over 19 years ago
Revenue
Amy grew the business to $250K/month
Costs
It cost Amy $150000 to start the business
Read by 7,406 founders

18. Start a solar energy business

Switching to solar energy has become the best way to save money by reducing utility bills. Are you interested in starting a business that focuses on renewable energy solutions?

A solar company can be a great business idea. You can set up a solar energy plant and sell the power to households and businesses without requiring them to purchase the entire solar energy system.

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

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

How I Started A $600K/Month Company Selling Low Cost Solar Energy

Clean Energy Solutions, a solar-energy provider based in LA, has grown over 6700% from 2014 to 2019, with monthly revenue around $600,000 and plans to expand its energy-efficient affordable housing division, thanks to its unique solar program allowing clients to save money using solar energy at a lower price than their utility would charge.

About
David started Clean Energy Solutions over 10 years ago
Revenue
David grew the business to $600K/month
Read by 66,684 founders

19. 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 14,598 founders

20. Start a tour company

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

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

  • Food & Drink Tours
  • Adventure & Sporting Tours
  • Sightseeing & Historical Tours
  • Shopping Tours
  • and many more!

It’s also essential to determine what mode of transportation you want for your tour company, as this will determine the initial startup costs needed for your company.

To get started, find out if you need a license to operate in your state. Some states require tour companies to be licensed, while others do not. If you are required to be licensed, talk with the licensing agency to find out what steps must be taken before you can apply for that license.

How much you can make: $3,750 — $43,300,000/month

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

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

How I Started A Wildly Successful Food Tour Business

How Jessica Baumgart founded a successful food tour business in Denver, which broke even and started making a profit after just three months, generating $20,000/month in revenue from offering different food tour experiences.

About
Jessica started Delicious Denver Food Tours over 6 years ago
Revenue
Jessica grew the business to $75K/month
Costs
It cost Jessica $2000 to start the business
Read by 19,575 founders

21. Start a waste management business

Waste management is a booming industry with a lot of potential for growth. Waste management companies are in charge of collecting and transporting waste from households, business areas, and other sources. They also collect recyclable materials and sell them to recycling centers.

The market for waste management is huge, but it may be difficult to enter due to the high capital requirements. However, if you have the resources and expertise, there's a lot of opportunity to make it big in this industry.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $37,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 345 days (?)

How I Started A $41K/Month Residential Waste Removal Service

This case study showcases the story of a locally owned and operated residential waste removal business based in Colorado Springs started with a pick-up truck and a $35k loan, which now has 51 dumpsters, two roll-off dumpster delivery trucks, two residential garbage trucks, and is projecting $700-800k in sales for 2020.

About
Dustin started SOCO Waste over 7 years ago
Revenue
Dustin grew the business to $230K/month
Costs
It cost Dustin $150000 to start the business
Read by 13,906 founders

22. Start a construction company

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

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

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

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

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

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

About
Andrew started MTN SIDE BUILDERS about 6 years ago
Revenue
Andrew grew the business to $40K/month
Costs
It cost Andrew $50000 to start the business
Read by 8,470 founders

23. 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 Turkey, 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 almost 11 years ago
Revenue
Neel grew the business to $100K/month
Costs
It cost Neel $800 to start the business
Read by 20,631 founders

24. Start a telecommunications business

The telecommunication business involves the development, ownership, or operation of one or more telephone, telecommunications or information systems. Typically, telecom companies provide infrastructure to enable clients to transmit voice, video, and data.

To start a telecommunication business, you need telecommunication skills.

How much you can make: $430,000/month

How long does it take to build: 251 days (?)

How I Built A Wireless Carrier Company At 28 And Grew It To $430K/Monthly Revenue

This case study is about how Chaymeriyia Moncrief launched Tesix Wireless Network, a prepaid wireless carrier with around 7,000 mobile subscribers and an average monthly revenue of $430,000 from mobile subscriptions, box sells, and activations kits, targeting young adults and millennials who want lower phone services, zero fees, no contracts, and zero limits on their data by leveraging influencers, raising funds, and building an online presence.

About
Chaymeriyia started Tesix Wireless Network over 5 years ago
Revenue
Chaymeriyia grew the business to $430K/month
Costs
It cost Chaymeriyia $125000 to start the business
Read by 2,607 founders

25. 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 4,265 founders

26. Become a graphic designer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About
Junaid started Draftss about 6 years ago
Revenue
Junaid grew the business to $15K/month
Costs
It cost Junaid $100 to start the business
Read by 11,373 founders

27. 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: $350 (?)

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 26,265 founders

28. Start a car rental business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ROAMERICA, a campervan rental company founded by Taylor Hood and Gretchen Bayless who quit their full-time jobs to focus on their business and have expanded their fleet quickly to meet the demand of adventure-seeking customers, with most of their web traffic coming from organic Google searches and a focus on social media and brand awareness.

About
Gretchen started ROAMERICA over 8 years ago
Revenue
Gretchen grew the business to $10K/month
Costs
It cost Gretchen $25000 to start the business
Read by 36,268 founders

29. Start a hotels business

If you are considering starting a hotel, then it is time to implement your plan. There are five key elements to understand if you want to succeed in this industry: location, size, budget, experience, and market demand.

Here are some tips to consider before forming a hotel:

  • Name your business
  • Decide on a marketing strategy
  • Start by renting out a room in your home.
  • Hire a business capital broker
  • Try Airbnb
  • Make a marketing plan
  • Offer complementary services

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

How long does it take to build: 325 days (?)

I Created A $120K/Year Skincare Brand For Black Women Recommended By Beyoncé

SKNMUSE, a premium beauty brand dedicated to elevating the beauty experience for Black Women, has a 40% customer retention rate, achieved a 169% increase in revenue, and made $30,000 in Q1 alone.

About
Ezinne started SKNMUSE almost 4 years ago
Revenue
Ezinne grew the business to $15K/month
Costs
It cost Ezinne $1000 to start the business
Read by 3,246 founders

30. Start a healthy meal delivery service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About
TJ started Healthy Chew almost 8 years ago
Revenue
TJ grew the business to $60K/month
Costs
It cost TJ $500 to start the business
Read by 38,188 founders

31. Start a taxi cab business

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

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

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

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

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

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

About
Albert started Best Deal Car Service over 10 years ago
Revenue
Albert grew the business to $250K/month
Read by 10,024 founders

32. Start a day spa business

A luxury day spa offers skin and body care, hair removal, makeup, and other body pampering treatments.

Luxury day spas have boomed over the past few years, and the trend will not stop anytime soon. Millions of people worldwide schedule to visit a day spa where they can relax, feel pampered and unwind. If you love helping people relax, starting a luxury day spa can be a rewarding business. It is fun and profitable if you have a good business plan and find an excellent location for your spa.

How much you can make: $250,000 — $275,000/month

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

How I Bootstrapped My Way To A $3M/Year Day Spa Business In New York City

ZZ Day Spa, founded by Gary Oberoi, went from $30,000 to $240,000 in monthly revenue within three years in New York as they aim to become the most customer-centric day spa in the world through hiring the right people and providing an unforgettable experience while mastering digital marketing to attract clients.

About
Gary started ZZ DAY SPA INC over 6 years ago
Revenue
Gary grew the business to $250K/month
Costs
It cost Gary $35000 to start the business
Read by 4,414 founders

33. Start a textiles business

How much you can make: $1,233 — $284,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,800 (?)

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

Growing To $9,000/month Selling Hard-To-Find Puppet Fabric

Puppet Pelts founder Laurie Nickerson explains how she started her company by filling a void in the market, grew it primarily organically through word of mouth to become a leader in puppet skin textile manufacturing, and is currently expanding her product line to include unique shags and colors.

About
Laurie started Puppet Pelts over 11 years ago
Revenue
Laurie grew the business to $10K/month
Read by 6,566 founders

34. Start an activewear brand

Have you ever thought about starting an activewear brand?

The health and fitness industry is booming, and with this rise along with the increasing amount of people working from home, activewear has become incredibly popular over the last few years.

Marketing is the key to success for any company, especially activewear brands. Three components of a successful clothing brand—quality product, great price, and amazing service.

How much you can make: $650 — $108,333,333/month

How I Started A 8K/Month Gym Apparel Ecommerce

Learn how a lawyer turned YouTube comedian turned gym apparel entrepreneur created a profitable side business selling gym apparel with designs based on his dark sense of humor and love of video games, reaching a monthly revenue of over $8,000 by capitalizing on his newfound YouTube popularity and keeping an eye on competitors.

About
Elgin started Infinite Elgintensity Gym Apparel about 10 years ago
Revenue
Elgin grew the business to $8.38K/month
Read by 13,609 founders

35. Start a financial consulting business

Financial consulting is a business that helps individuals and businesses manage their financial affairs. Managing financial affairs include creating financial plans, analyzing financial data, and advising investment and financial decision-making.

To start a financial consulting business, you will need a strong understanding of financial principles and practices and excellent communication and problem-solving skills. You may also need to obtain necessary licenses or certifications, such as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.

To start the business, you must create a business plan, establish a business structure (such as a sole proprietorship or LLC), and identify your target market. You may also need to secure financing and create a marketing plan to attract clients. It is also important to network with other professionals in the financial industry and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the field.

How much you can make: $12,000 — $3,141,666/month

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

I Grew My Spreadsheet Templates Side Hustle Into A $240K/Year Business

ProjectionHub helps entrepreneurs create financial projections using a library of 50+ CPA-developed financial projection spreadsheet templates, generating over $20,000 per month in revenue without the need for software subscription models.

About
Adam started ProjectionHub almost 12 years ago
Revenue
Adam grew the business to $43K/month
Costs
It cost Adam $150000 to start the business
Read by 9,177 founders

36. Start an auto parts shop

If you want to start a retail business in the automobile industry, consider an auto parts business in Turkey.

The auto parts business is one of the most successful businesses in the world. There are many Auto Parts Businesses in the United States, Canada, and the UK, where most are part-time.

Listed are the steps on how to start an auto parts shop business.

  • Pick a location
  • Do your market research
  • Secure all permits and licenses
  • Open a bank account for business transactions

How much you can make: $45,000 — $600,000/month

How I Started A $12K/Month Aftermarket Vehicle Accessories

This case study follows an inspiring 22-year-old entrepreneur who started an eCommerce store for aftermarket vehicle accessories, making 5x the amount of money he used to make per month, and generated over $90,000 in sales last year.

About
Mitchel started Adrenaline Offroad over 6 years ago
Revenue
Mitchel grew the business to $45K/month
Read by 18,223 founders

37. Become a massage therapist

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

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

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

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

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

How I Make A Living As A Professional Cuddler

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

About
Sam started Snuggle with Sam over 7 years ago
Revenue
Sam grew the business to $11.3K/month
Read by 15,303 founders

38. Start an online fitness business

Thinking of starting an online fitness business?

Online fitness is growing rapidly in popularity because it’s convenient, affordable, and accessible to everyone. The best part is that you can stay in your home to start.

Starting an online fitness business can be a great way to make money and help people. When you start an online fitness business, you don’t have to worry about overhead costs like rent or maintaining a physical location - all you need is a computer and an internet connection to get started.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $108,333,333/month

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

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

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 25,292 founders

39. Start a craft business

If you have artistic passion and the skills to make unique art, consider starting a craft business. Craft businesses make jewelry, clothing design, card making, painting, sculpting, ceramics, among others.

According to research, the global handicraft market size will reach over $1252 billion in the next decade.

The best websites to sell your crafts include:

How much you can make: $1,000 — $80,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 20 days (?)

How I Turned My Passion For Crafts And Writing Into A Side Income Source

DIY Lifestyle blog owner, Theresa, turned her passion for crafting and writing into a side income source, attracting hundreds of thousands of global visitors, with her blog generating $400-$500 a month and her online Etsy store bringing in an additional $200-$300 a month, showcasing her unique, all-natural, one-of-a-kind polymer clay earrings, home decor, and huts inspired by Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, reading and home decorating.

About
Theresa started With Love From T To You over 6 years ago
Revenue
Theresa grew the business to $1K/month
Costs
It cost Theresa $200 to start the business
Read by 7,755 founders

40. Start a metal production business

How much you can make: $600/month

How I Validated My Business On Etsy And Launched My Own Handcrafted Artistry Shop

DownHomeModern's Marc Staples turned his creativity into a successful business through handcrafting windbells and chimes with a rustic style that pays homage to American Southwest decor.

About
Marc started DownHomeModern LLC about 3 years ago
Revenue
Marc grew the business to $600/month
Costs
It cost Marc $5500 to start the business
Read by 2,334 founders

41. Start a recycling business

The waste and recycling business offers several opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to start a company with a modest investment.

If you are passionate about caring for the environment, get into the recycling business. To start, you can ask individuals to drop recycling off at your facility or provide drop-offs in the form of dumpsters.
Before you begin business operations, register the facility with the local government and prepare the equipment. Remember, the success of your recycling business depends on the equipment you use.

42. Start a restaurant

If you love cooking and are passionate about entrepreneurship, starting a restaurant can be a fun and lucrative business.

To get started, choose a great location, and hire an excellent support team. You will need a chef to inspect the food and line cooks, waiters, and waitresses to serve the customers. No matter the restaurant type, you need great culinary and business skills to make your dream come true.

If you plan to open a restaurant in Turkey, gain insight from consumer preferences and focus on serving modern consumers what they need.

How much you can make: $48,333 — $61,650,000/month

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

Starting A $1.5M Healthy Meals Delivery Business

One Life Meals is a Toronto-based healthy meal delivery service that made 14,500 meals per month and generated $130k in monthly sales in 2018 through their one-on-one consultation, lean protein and seasonal veggies-based meals, and their focus on the client experience.

About
Andrei started One Life Meals over 11 years ago
Revenue
Andrei grew the business to $130K/month
Read by 20,385 founders

43. Start a flea market or marketplace

Starting a marketplace business is one of the best ways to capitalize on the gig economy and make serious profits. There are clear advantages to starting an online marketplace and being the middleman between suppliers and consumers.

The top online marketplaces in the world sold $3.23 trillion in goods in 2021. Sales through platforms like those operated by Alibaba, Amazon, eBay, and others accounted for two-thirds of global eCommerce sales last year. To create and compete in the marketplace business requires adaptations, modifications, overhauls and innovation.

How much you can make: $8,300 — $200,000/month

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

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

I Started My Online Food Business At 17: It Now Earns $720K/Year

HalalWorldDepot is a Halal online marketplace that started three years ago as a meat and grocery delivery service and has now expanded to offer a wide variety of Halal products, with a customer return rate of 50-60%, profitability at 16-25%, and over 10,000 customers, with plans to expand to Canada and the United Kingdom within three to five years.

About
Mohamad started HalalWorldDepot over 5 years ago
Revenue
Mohamad grew the business to $200K/month
Costs
It cost Mohamad $5000 to start the business
Read by 5,243 founders

44. Start a travel consulting business

Many people dream of traveling the world. Starting a travel consulting business is an excellent way to make a passive income, explore different parts of the world, and help others do the same.

As a travel consultant, you will provide advice to clients on various aspects of travel, including destinations, airfare, accommodations, and activities.

The objective is to assist tourists and travelers in planning personalized vacations, offer travel advice, and provide end-to-end travel arrangements for a fee.

By making use of industry knowledge and relationships with hotels, airlines, and destination experts, travel consultants can save their clients time and effort in designing their dream trips.

How much you can make: $14,167 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

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

How We Started The $35M/Year Dubai's Leading Tour Operator

Rayna Tours and Travels, founded by Kamlesh Ramchandani and Manoj Tulsani, began its journey as a small travel counter inside a Dubai hotel, and has now grown into one of the UAE’s leading destination management companies with earnings exceeding $40 million per year.

About
Manoj started Rayna Tours over 18 years ago
Revenue
Manoj grew the business to $500K/month
Read by 6,671 founders

45. Start a personal assistant business

How much you can make: $66,000/month

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

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

I Started A $790K/Year Virtual Assistant Service Business In My Mid 50s

Learn how Mary Marsh founded virtual assistant services company, Aim2Assist, which has grown over 75% since its launch in 2014, with monthly revenue currently at $66k, offering premium services primarily to C-level executives.

About
Mary started Aim2Assist LLC over 9 years ago
Revenue
Mary grew the business to $66K/month
Costs
It cost Mary $1000 to start the business
Read by 4,376 founders

46. Start an environmental consulting business

Environment consulting business acts as a preeminent impact partner and advisor on sustainability, climate, energy transition, environmental, and social & governance. The consultants work with clients to lead a wave of innovation and economic growth to safeguard the planet and advance sustainability.

Are you passionate about environment conservancy? You can start an environmental consulting business today. To start, you can get into a franchise or partnership with an experienced environmental consultant.

47. Start an online bakery

An online bakery is a business that sells baked goods through the internet.

To start an online bakery, first identify your specialty (like cookies, cupcakes, or bread) and gather basic baking equipment.

Next, create a simple website or use a platform like social media to showcase your products.

Take quality photos, set reasonable prices, and promote your online bakery through social media, local communities, and word of mouth to attract customers.

As orders come in, bake fresh treats, pack them securely, and arrange for reliable delivery or pickup options.

According to statistics, the global bakery products market size was $398B in 2020. The market is projected to grow from $416B in 2021 to $590B by 2028.

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

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

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

How This Couple Left France To Build Their "American Dream:" A Six-Figure Online French Bakery

French chef and founder of online bakery Pastreez, Anthony Rosemond, shares keys to success including validating ideas with the market, focusing on SEO and organic growth, building customer relationships through email and SMS, never offering discounts but offering freebies, and diversifying the business with new products and content on social media.

About
Anthony started Pastreez about 7 years ago
Revenue
Anthony grew the business to $25K/month
Costs
It cost Anthony $7000 to start the business
Read by 6,747 founders

48. Start a 3D Printing Business

3D printing is a process that assembles objects layer by layer and starting a business in this industry can be a very creative venture.

You will need investment in the right equipment and materials, and the acquisition of 3D modeling and design skills. You will also need to regularly calibrate and maintain your 3D printers to deliver consistent results.

Plan how you'll handle shipping and logistics, and leverage technology to find new applications of 3D printing in all industries.

How much you can make: $42,000 — $330,000/month

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

How I Started A $330K/Month Ecommerce Specialized In 3D Printing

Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.

About
Roy started Ultimate 3D Printing Store over 8 years ago
Revenue
Roy grew the business to $330K/month
Costs
It cost Roy $65000 to start the business
Read by 29,092 founders

49. Start a productized service

Productized services are created when a larger service is broken down into smaller services that can be sold separately.

This makes it easier to sell the same service to multiple clients and creates an easily-marketable product. For example, a marketing agency that usually charges by the hour, instead, charges a flat monthly fee.

This business strategy works well in B2B markets, as you can sell the same value proposition to multiple clients, and give them a great return on investment.

The reason why you should start a productized service business is simple: making recurring revenue from your expertise can be very useful if you want to build a business based on passive income.

How much you can make: $200 — $1,250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,750 (?)

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

How We Bootstrapped A Music Licensing Business to $2.5M/Year

EasySongLicensing.com grew from a mobile recording business to a bootstrapped music licensing agent, with a user base of over 60,000 clients and a gross profit of $2.5M in 2018, seeing a 30% increase in 2019, through investment in online marketing, customer service, and forming new partnerships.

About
Aaron started Easy Song almost 19 years ago
Revenue
Aaron grew the business to $315K/month
Costs
It cost Aaron $75000 to start the business
Read by 16,033 founders

50. Start a seasonal items business

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

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

How long does it take to build: 10 days (?)

How I Turned My Passion For Crafts And Writing Into A Side Income Source

DIY Lifestyle blog owner, Theresa, turned her passion for crafting and writing into a side income source, attracting hundreds of thousands of global visitors, with her blog generating $400-$500 a month and her online Etsy store bringing in an additional $200-$300 a month, showcasing her unique, all-natural, one-of-a-kind polymer clay earrings, home decor, and huts inspired by Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, reading and home decorating.

About
Theresa started With Love From T To You over 6 years ago
Revenue
Theresa grew the business to $1K/month
Costs
It cost Theresa $200 to start the business
Read by 7,755 founders

51. Start a hotel booking platform

The explosively popular Airbnb and countless similar services have proven that the market for home and apartment rentals is growing rapidly.

As an entrepreneur who loves travel, you see an opportunity to extend this model to hotels.

That’s why you start a hotel booking platform where travelers can search for and book accommodations worldwide.

The market size of the online hotel booking platform industry worldwide amounted to nearly $518B in 2020.

Starting a hotel booking platform can be so interesting as an idea that can proliferate. It doesn’t require any license, no inventory — only mobile phones, an internet connection, and some motivation to succeed.

How much you can make: $114,200,000/month

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

52. Start a wholesale business

A wholesale business involves buying products in large quantities from manufacturers or distributors and selling them to retailers or other businesses in smaller quantities. This business type usually focuses on providing products to businesses rather than individual consumers.

One of the main benefits of starting a wholesale business is purchasing products at a lower price due to the large quantities being purchased. This allows the business to sell the products at a profit to retailers or other businesses.

To run a thriving wholesale business, it is important to have a strong understanding of the market and the products being sold. Building solid relationships with manufacturers and distributors is essential to secure the best prices for the products sold. Additionally, it is important to have a solid marketing and sales strategy to reach potential customers and secure orders.

Another critical aspect of running a successful wholesale business is proper inventory management. It is important to understand accurately the demand for the products being sold and a system in place to track inventory levels and reorder products as needed.

Overall, a wholesale business can be lucrative for entrepreneurs who can effectively source products, build strong relationships with customers, and properly manage their inventory.

How much you can make: $12,000 — $1,250,000,000/month

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

On Starting A $16K/Month Handmade Natural Ice Cream Business

The Good Scoop, a California-based artisanal ice cream shop, started with a small Italian countertop ice cream maker and now has a production facility, wholesaling to various venues, offering frequent scooper programs, and using Instagram as their primary advertising platform.

About
Stephen started The Good Scoop about 8 years ago
Revenue
Stephen grew the business to $16K/month
Read by 15,187 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

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