45 Unique & Unusual Business Ideas That Will Make You Money
Seeking to start a unique & unusual business but not quite sure what to start?
The good news is, there are so many opportunities to become an entrepreneur and build an innovative and unique product/service in this line of work.
If you're looking to start your own unique & unusual business, there are amazing and well-established options you can choose from.
We put a list together below of the most profitable unique & unusual business ideas you can start today!
Here they are:
1. Start an axe throwing business ($720K/year)
James Anderson from Whistler Resort Municipality, British Columbia, Canada started Forged Axe Throwing over 4 years ago, a axe throwing business.
- Revenue: $60,000/ month
- Founders: 2
- Employees: 6
- Location: Whistler Resort Municipality, British Columbia, Canada
I’ve always wanted to run my own business. I think I have a general problem with authority.
The first job I ever had was teaching windsurfing in the summer for a summer camp, then in the winter I would teach snowboarding for a small hill in Ontario. This was my first exposure to the tourism industry.
We had a lineup out the door for ages and introduced hundreds of people to our venue. We even ran out of waivers because we couldn’t anticipate how busy we were going to be.
2. Start a board game business ($18K/year)
Beth Kovalcik from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, USA started Bingo Card Creator over 6 years ago, a board game business.
- Revenue: $1,500/ month
- Founders: 1
- Employees: 0
- Location: Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, USA
Once upon a time, I was an elementary school teacher with a growing family. During this time, my husband and I were considering ways that one of us could be at home to meet the increasing demands that a family of four growing children needs. I loved my job as a teacher but the inflexible work schedule was becoming unmanageable. As fate would have it while on maternity leave, I started looking at a couple of services that were referred to me by a friend that also owns an online business: FE International and BizBuySell. I signed up to receive emails from both. After personally corresponding with one of the brokers at FE International explaining that I was looking for something education-related, I was given early notification of BingoCardCreator.com. I relate this process very much to knowing you want to move to a new area, calling a real estate agent in that area, and then the agent gives you the heads up as soon as something pops up that they believe will be of interest to you.
When I first got wind of BingoCardCreator.com, I was actually quite surprised because up to this point of about six months of actively searching, I had seen nothing in my education niche. So when I received word from the agent at FE International that the education-focused site, BingoCardCreator.com was for sale- I actually had a subscription to BingoCardCreator.com as a teacher- I was really excited. My first offer was originally rejected leaving time for another offer to come in. Not wanting the opportunity to slip away and considering the fact that the asking price was still in the threshold of what we were willing to spend, we decided to come in at a full price. Once the seller accepted my offer, FE International took over the process making the sale and transfer easy.
It has been quite a journey ever since. Never having any business experience, I had to learn everything: The world of digital marketing, business finances, not to mention understanding the technical aspects of the service we offer. To do this, I read as much as I could from experts like the folks at Digital Marketer or from Perry Marshall. As I quickly learned, however, most things business-related require a lot of money and take up a lot of time which are two things I did not have much of. So I took the approach of just taking it one day at a time, and letting my small successes like adding a new blog post, bingo cards, or making contact with a developer on Upwork, to keep me moving forward. Given my lack of money for proper training, I would use any free resources I could find on YouTube or blogs, to help me figure out what my next step would be. Often, I find that by just starting with a simple question like, “What was my organic traffic the past three months?” leads me to figure out what I need to do or learn, next. I have made a lot of mistakes and at times I was completely overwhelmed by what I did NOT know, but by plugging away at the day to day, ultimately I find that the answers come and I believe the journey has been worth the risk. Although the income is modest, it has allowed me to contribute to my family’s finances with complete flexibility. I work when and where I choose. Not only that, I have a whole new skill set from which to draw from that gives me the potential for future endeavors.
3. Start a hangover cure product ($2.4M/year)
Eddie Huai from New York, New York, USA started Flyby over 4 years ago, a hangover cure product.
- Revenue: $200,000/ month
- Founders: 1
- Employees: 1
- Location: New York, New York, USA
In my opinion, traveling is one of the best ways to spark your imagination.
In March of 2015, while I was still a senior at NYU, I traveled to to Japan. Japanese people are the embodiment of work hard, play hard. Heavy drinking is an ingrained aspect of society and business culture there, spawning a $178 million hangover cure industry.
4. Start a maps business ($42K/year)
Love Regefalk from Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden started Mapsery almost 4 years ago, a maps business.
- Revenue: $3,500/ month
- Founders: 2
- Employees: 0
- Location: Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden
My backstory is that I, during my 2nd year at university, got particularly bored during an exam period and toyed with the idea of starting my own business. In short, I wanted to put the theory from university into practice. Said and done, one month later I had put together a website where I planned to sell beer pong related products that I would import from China. The setup, however, was far from ideal. I kept the stock in my dorm room and I would personally run home from school in the middle of a lecture to hand the orders to the DHL guy every day.
Eventually, I got enough orders to make the move to outsource the logistics to a third-party logistics (3PL) partner. Finally, I didn’t have to handle the orders manually.
Great success!
5. Become a professional cuddler ($50.4K/year)
Samantha Varnerin from Boston, Massachusetts, USA started Snuggle with Sam almost 5 years ago, a professional cuddler.
- Revenue: $4,200/ month
- Founders: 1
- Employees: 0
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
I stumbled upon professional cuddling by sheer accident while looking at a newsletter from Jason Zook (during my work hours in my freezing office at my day job) where he mentioned it in passing but made a point to say professional cuddlers was a real job that people get paid for.
About 300 people filled out the application form within a week of the article going live, and that was the starting point of what is now Snuggle with Sam, which about four months after the article went live I began to pursue full-time.
I remember thinking, “No it’s not. I’m gonna Google this right now and it’s not going to exist because if it does I’d be so good at it.” I was living paycheck to paycheck and getting burried in student loan debt, and since I found an agency that would have me charge $80/hour, I signed up with the first agency I saw on Google and applied, asking if I can do this around my full-time job (note: I do not recommend you do what I did).
6. Start a custom treehouse business ($762K/year)
Examples of a successful custom treehouse business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a custom treehouse business:
- Start A New Career With Treehouse
- This Fairytale Treehouse Will Make You Relive Your Childhood Dreams
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Start Your Own Woodworking Business: Profit From Your Passion!
- Running A Successful Construction Company (For Pros, by Pros): David Gerstel
Learn more about starting a custom treehouse business ➜
And for some real world inspiration, give Dustin Feider's story on creating O2 Treehouse a read:
Hello, I am Dustin Feider the founder, lead designer, and CEO of O2 Treehouse Commercial Inc (O2 Treehouse or O2T) and Treewalkers! O2 Treehouse is a company of nature-lovers, builders, designers, and engineers dedicated to creating innovative architectural structures in trees all over the world. Combining modern engineering with old-school craftsmanship, we’ve built over 85 structures in the past 17 years. In that time, we have developed a proprietary building technology called the Tetratruss, which has radically transformed the way treehouses are built, while also creating the O2 Treehouse signature style.
Today, O2 Treehouse is so well known, that we have a two-year backlog of projects waiting to be brought to life and have been featured in over 85 publications!
7. Start a cat cafe business
Examples of a successful cat cafe business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cat cafe business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- The Everything Guide To Starting And Running A Catering Business: Insider's Advice On Turning Your Talent Into A Career
- Starting Your Own Coffee Shop: Opening & Running A Successful Coffee Business: Jessica Simms
Learn more about starting a cat cafe business ➜
8. Start a pet hotel business
Examples of a successful pet hotel business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a pet hotel business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Home-Based Pet-Sitting And Dog-Walking Business
- Start Your Own Pet-Sitting Business (The Startup Series): Cheryl Kimball
Learn more about starting a pet hotel business ➜
9. Start a hair lice removal business
Examples of a successful hair lice removal business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a hair lice removal business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Treat Head Lice In 14 Minutes: Treatment, Removal, Home Remedies, Hair Lice Shampoo, How To Kill Lice Eggs, Body Lice Nits, How Do You Get, Head Lice Facts Book
- A Hairstylist's Approach to Winning the Head lice War.: What Really Works!
Learn more about starting a hair lice removal business ➜
10. Start a glamping business
Examples of a successful glamping business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a glamping business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Glamping As A Business: Owning & Running A Glampsite
- How To Start A Cleaning Business: Your Guide To Generating $2,000+ Income In 30 Days Or Less
Learn more about starting a glamping business ➜
11. Start a reiki business
Examples of a successful reiki business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a reiki business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Starting A Business All-In-One For Dummies
- How to Start a Home-based Massage Therapy Business (Home-Based Business Series): Shirley Philbrick
Learn more about starting a reiki business ➜
12. Start an aromatherapy business ($900K/year)
Examples of a successful aromatherapy business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a aromatherapy business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Essential Oils For Beginners Best How To Guide To Start With Aromatherapy And Essential Oils: (Essential Oils, Diffuser Recipes and Blends, Aromatherapy) (Natural Remedies, Stress Relief)
- Essential Oils For Beginners: The Guide To Get Started With Essential Oils And Aromatherapy
Learn more about starting an aromatherapy business ➜
And for some real world inspiration, give Marge Clark's story on creating Nature's Gift a read:
I’m Marge Clark, and I started Nature’s Gift Aromatherapy back in the early ’90s, rather by accident. A hobby developed into a passion and somehow became a business.
In the past I had considered retiring and just “divesting myself of the assets”, but then we will get emails from clients saying how this product eased a stubborn case of shingles, or that product helped with someone’s PTSD, and how can I just walk away? Some of our clients have been with us for over 25 years. They trust us and count on us. You can not put a price tag on that kind of loyalty.
13. Start a goat rental business
Examples of a successful goat rental business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a goat rental business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- You Can Farm: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Start & Succeed in a Farming Enterprise: Joel Salatin
- Your Successful Farm Business: Production, Profit, Pleasure: Joel Salatin
Learn more about starting a goat rental business ➜
14. Start a hot tub garden business
Examples of a successful hot tub garden business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a hot tub garden business:
- No Access Hot Tub Spa Delivery - Crane Lift To Backyard
- Watch How A Jacuzzi Spa Is Made - Brandmadetv
Learn more about starting a hot tub garden business ➜
15. Start a sensory deprivation tank business
Examples of a successful sensory deprivation tank business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a sensory deprivation tank business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a sensory deprivation tank business ➜
16. Start a chicken rental business
Examples of a successful chicken rental business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a chicken rental business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Building Chicken Coops For Dummies
- You Can Farm: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Start & Succeed in a Farming Enterprise: Joel Salatin
17. Start a tiny house building business ($1.87M/year)
Examples of a successful tiny house building business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a tiny house building business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Tiny House Design & Construction Guide
- How To Start Your Own House Cleaning Company: Go From Startup To Payday In One Week (Fast Track to Success Book 1)
Learn more about starting a tiny house building business ➜
18. Start a custom doll business
Examples of a successful custom doll business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a custom doll business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Making Waldorf Dolls (Crafts and family Activities)
- Start Your Own Arts And Crafts Business: Retail, Carts And Kiosks, Craft Shows, Street Fairs (StartUp Series)
Learn more about starting a custom doll business ➜
19. Start a chicken diaper business
Examples of a successful chicken diaper business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a chicken diaper business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Wash A Chicken: Mastering The Business Presentation: Tim Calkins
- Starting A Business All-In-One For Dummies
Learn more about starting a chicken diaper business ➜
20. Start a wind chime business
Examples of a successful wind chime business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a wind chime business:
Learn more about starting a wind chime business ➜
21. Start a toys store business
Examples of a successful toys store business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a toys store business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Stuffed Animal (Plush) Business: Everything You Need To Know To Get Your Plush From Idea To The Shelf: Promise Monsters
- The Specialty Shop: How To Create Your Own Unique And Profitable Retail Business: Dorothy Finell
Learn more about starting a toys store business ➜
22. Start a christmas cookie delivery business
Examples of a successful christmas cookie delivery business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a christmas cookie delivery business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a christmas cookie delivery business ➜
23. Start a stained glass business
Examples of a successful stained glass business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a stained glass business:
- Things To Consider Before Starting Stained Glass
- Stained Glass Selling - Tech Tip Thursday (Part 1) V216
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Basic Stained Glass Making: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started (How To Basics): Eric Ebeling
- Stained Glass: A Beginners Guide To Stunning Stained Glass Methods, Techniques & Projects
Learn more about starting a stained glass business ➜
24. Start a dried flowers business
Examples of a successful dried flowers business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a dried flowers business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Flower Shop: A Complete Florist Business Plan
- How to Start a Flower Farm: The Complete Step-By-Step Guide: Sarah Funk
Learn more about starting a dried flowers business ➜
25. Start a bonsai tree business
Examples of a successful bonsai tree business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a bonsai tree business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- The Secret Techniques Of Bonsai: A Guide To Starting, Raising, And Shaping Bonsai
- The Art Of Bonsai: Creation, Care And Enjoyment
Learn more about starting a bonsai tree business ➜
26. Start a dart store business
Examples of a successful dart store business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a dart store business:
Learn more about starting a dart store business ➜
27. Start a party bus business
Examples of a successful party bus business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a party bus business:
- How To Start Your Own Party Bus Company - Access Granted Chicago Party Bus King Lance Hall Interview
- Patisdope "One On One" With The Party Bus Owner Arizetob
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Moonwalk Biz Playbook: Everything You Need To Start A Party Rental Business
- Detailed Guide On How To Start A Kids Spa Party Business From Home
Learn more about starting a party bus business ➜
28. Start a professional mermaid business
Examples of a successful professional mermaid business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a professional mermaid business:
- How To Become A Professional Mermaid
- Things You Should Know Before Starting A Mermaid Business Sirenalia
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Catch A Mermaid
- How to Start A Home-based Professional Organizing Business (Home-Based Business Series): Dawn Noble
Learn more about starting a professional mermaid business ➜
29. Start a ninja warrior gym business
Examples of a successful ninja warrior gym business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a ninja warrior gym business:
- Day In The Life Of A Ninja Gym Owner - Ninja U In Cedar Falls, Iowa
- American Ninja Warrior Gym In Somerset Pa
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a ninja warrior gym business ➜
30. Start a nerf arena business
Examples of a successful nerf arena business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a nerf arena business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a nerf arena business ➜
31. Start a pageant sashes business
Examples of a successful pageant sashes business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a pageant sashes business:
Learn more about starting a pageant sashes business ➜
32. Start a whirlyball arena business
Examples of a successful whirlyball arena business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a whirlyball arena business:
- Team Building, Corporate Outings, Business Meetings @ Sports Center Of Ct
- Whirlyball Comes To Maple Grove
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Developing Business Strategies
- Professional Cheerleading Audition Secrets: How To Become An Arena Cheerleader For Nfl®, Nba®, And Other Pro Cheer Teams (Volume 1): Flavia Berys
Learn more about starting a whirlyball arena business ➜
33. Start a game truck business
Examples of a successful game truck business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a game truck business:
- How To Start A Video Game Truck Business (Part 1 Of 3)
- For Those Who Are About To Start In The Video Game Truck Business
Learn more about starting a game truck business ➜
34. Start a football bowling business
Examples of a successful football bowling business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a football bowling business:
- Building a training center | How a came up through bowling as a kid until now
- Football Players Go Bowling
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a football bowling business ➜
35. Start an indoor trampoline park business
Examples of a successful indoor trampoline park business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a indoor trampoline park business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Turn Your Indoor Trampoline Park Into A Real Moneymaker: Innovative Differentiation, Growth And Marketing Strategies To Crush Your Competition
- Expanded Business Plan For An Indoor Trampoline Park: Nat Chiaffarano MBA
Learn more about starting an indoor trampoline park business ➜
36. Start a sea salt business
Examples of a successful sea salt business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a sea salt business:
- Adding A Pinch Of Success At The Amagansett Sea Salt Company
- Letting Salt Be Salt: Amagansett Sea Salt Co.
Learn more about starting a sea salt business ➜
37. Start a gourmet popcorn shop business
Examples of a successful gourmet popcorn shop business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a gourmet popcorn shop business:
- Review: How To Start A Gourmet Popcorn Business In Chicago, Il Or In Your State
- Take This Job: Making Gourmet Popcorn
For further info, check out these books and products:
- POPCOINS: How to make $500 a month with a home based popcorn business
- Gourmet Popcorn Business: Tim Roncevich
Learn more about starting a gourmet popcorn shop business ➜
38. Start a cookie dough cafe business
Examples of a successful cookie dough cafe business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cookie dough cafe business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Start A Cookie Business Today: Paula T Spencer
- Cookies At Home With The Culinary Institute Of America
Learn more about starting a cookie dough cafe business ➜
39. Start a pet bakery business
Examples of a successful pet bakery business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a pet bakery business:
- How To Start A Dog Bakery Business // Episode 1: How To Get Started
- How To Start A Dog Bakery Business 🌟E-Course Coming Soon 🌟
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Pet Bakery Business Startup: How To Start, Run & Grow A Trendy Pet Bakery Business
- Start Your Own Gourmet Dog Treat Business: Bake Your Way To Success: Karen Freeman
Learn more about starting a pet bakery business ➜
40. Start a cow renting business
Examples of a successful cow renting business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cow renting business:
- Can You Make Money Grazing Cow And Calf On Land Rent $300 To $500
- Did You Know You Can Now Rent A Cow..?
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Start Your Own Construction And Contracting Business: Your Step-By-Step Guide To Success (Startup Series): Rich Mintzer
- How To Turn Your Network Marketing Business Into A Cash
Learn more about starting a cow renting business ➜
41. Start a vegan meats and dairy business
Examples of a successful vegan meats and dairy business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a vegan meats and dairy business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Vegan: How To Start A Vegan Diet, The Basics Of Vegan Eating, Weight Loss, And Muscle Building (Plant-Based, Fitness, Beginner Vegan, Cookbook, Recipes)
- Vegan Ventures: Start And Grow An Ethical Business
Learn more about starting a vegan meats and dairy business ➜
42. Start a bed bug barrier business
Examples of a successful bed bug barrier business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a bed bug barrier business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a bed bug barrier business ➜
43. Start a pet loo business
Examples of a successful pet loo business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a pet loo business:
- The Doggy Business Pet Toilet
- 20 में बनाए 150 में बेंचे, Toilet Cleaner, Small Business Ideas, New Business Plan, Business 2019
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Pet Photography Business: Kyle Richards
- Start Your Own Pet Business and More: Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, Training, Grooming, Food/Treats, Upscale Pet Products (StartUp Series)
Learn more about starting a pet loo business ➜
44. Start a broken doll hospital business
Examples of a successful broken doll hospital business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a broken doll hospital business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a broken doll hospital business ➜
45. Start an olive oil store business
Examples of a successful olive oil store business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a olive oil store business:
- Island Olive Oil Company (Adventures In Small Business)
- Prescott Store Serves Up Homemade Olive Oils And Balsamic Vinegars.
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil: Tom Mueller
- The Ultimate Guide To Starting A Cbd Oil Business: What You Need to Know to Sell CBD Oil Products Legally: Jason Keeley
Learn more about starting an olive oil store business ➜
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