25+ Creative Vegan Business Ideas (2024)
Looking to start a vegan 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 product/service in this line of work.
If you're looking to start your own vegan business, there are several low-capital options you can choose from (and not just in the food industry)!
We put a list together below of the most profitable vegan business ideas you can start today.
Here they are:
1. Start a cooking class
Online cooking classes can be a great side hustle for seasoned chefs or cooking enthusiasts looking for a way to earn some extra cash. You can create content and teach your audience how to prepare meals.
Consider creating members-only content to earn more from your cooking class side hustle. Alternatively, you can sell recipes for a small fee as well. To grow your reach, consider offering some free content on your social media pages as a way to build curiosity among potential audiences. You can charge your audiences a subscription fee so they can have exclusive access to your content.
To start cooking classes , choose a niche and follow your passion. Create a website and maintain an active social media presence. Apart from online cooking classes or live sessions you can also offer exclusive offline weekend classes to give your audience a hands-on personal experience.
How much you can make: $7,500 — $100,000/month
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Hipcooks is a 7-location cooking school business that has grown organically to reach $100k/month in revenue, and attracts and retains customers through their communal approach, vibrant online presence, and updated Google and Yelp business pages.
2. 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 (?)
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.
3. Start a fashion business
In 2022, the fashion industry was valued at $473.42B, with a growth rate of 8.3% over last year. To become successful in this highly competitive & ever-growing industry, you must have passion, perseverance, and the ability to take risks.
With platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the way that fashion products are marketed online has completely changed, so it’s essential to keep up with these trends.
How much you can make: $100 — $40,480,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Learn how this DIY blogger turned sewing pattern maker generates over $10k per month in passive income, and discover her tips for building an authentic brand on a budget.
4. Start a vegan restaurant
The global vegan and vegetarian market is worth more than $50 Billion and will grow by approximately 30% over the coming years. The reason behind the increased popularity of vegan food is increased awareness of the importance of healthy eating habits. In that regard, starting a vegan restaurant can be a rewarding business.
To start, research the current market to identify a potential niche and a profitable business model. You may deliver healthy cooked food to commercial centers or offices or focus purely on walk-in customers.
How much you can make: $30,000 — $25,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 730 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of Wen, the founder of House of Leaf & Bean, an organic restaurant and cafe, who left her corporate job due to her passion for healthy living and curing her Irritable Bowel Syndrome through lifestyle changes, and now serves fresh and organic meals to help patients reverse or improve their health conditions, with a goal to make healthy food and healthy living more affordable and accessible.
5. Start a catering business
A catering business is responsible for providing food & beverage-related services for vast types of events.
Catering businesses are known to be more flexible than other businesses because they don’t have to worry about location or pricing and can even work 24/7. They can cater anywhere and offer any price point that they want.
However, starting a catering business requires a lot of planning.
To start a successful catering business , you'll need to plan and prepare menus, manage budgets, handle clients, and more.
In addition, catering allows you to meet more people and show off your cooking skills.
How much you can make: $3,750 — $48,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Elegante Catering founder, Nestor Nidome, details his journey from failed DJ business to a $20k/month catering company, emphasizing the importance of online marketing and customer feedback as key contributors to his success.
6. Start a vegan bakery
More people are becoming aware of the benefits that vegan food products offer to their health. Therefore, vegan food establishments and vegan bakeries are increasing at an unprecedented rate.
Vegan bakeries use plant-based ingredients to produce and sell sweet and savory products made in compliance with the strict requirements of a vegan diet.
How much you can make: $25,000 — $200,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
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.
7. Start a food delivery business
In today’s busy lifestyles and schedules, cooking is no longer a priority to many. People like to order-in food from their nearest restaurants or food joints and enjoy a meal in the comfort of their homes.
The food delivery business is like a courier service through which restaurants deliver food to their customers.
You can offer retail food delivery services to restaurants within your locality if you have a truck. Customers order through a restaurant or grocer’s website, and the owners contact you to deliver.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $83,333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
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.
8. Start a vegan ice cream business
Starting a vegan ice cream business is a great way to tap into the growing demand for plant-based options. To do this, you will need to source ingredients such as coconut, almond, and soy milk as base ingredients and various flavors such as chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.
You will also need to invest in equipment such as an ice cream maker, freezers, and containers for storing and serving the ice cream. In addition, you will need to consider marketing and branding efforts and finding a suitable location to sell your vegan ice cream.
To run a successful business, it is essential to focus on creating high-quality, delicious products that appeal to a wide range of customers and to have a solid online presence and engage with customers through social media and other marketing efforts.
Overall, starting a vegan ice cream business is a rewarding and exciting venture that allows you to positively impact the environment and contribute to the growing demand for plant-based options.
9. Start a healthy snack food business
Businesses with healthy snacks are becoming increasingly popular. This is because people are becoming more conscious of what they eat and the ingredients used in their food products.
Compared to a few decades ago, more people value health over anything else. A tasty snack food business can be a great way to turn your passion for snacking into profit.
The global healthy snacks market is expected to reach $152B by 2030, and there’s no sign of this slowing down. Healthy snacks can include anything from protein bars to gluten/dairy-free alternatives to chips, cookies, crackers, and more.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)
Neuro co-founders Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen developed their functional gum and mint products to offer a portable, healthy, and efficient alternative to energy drinks and supplements, hitting 12M pieces sold and generating ~$500k in monthly revenue with over 25% repeat customer rate and retail presence in over 6,500 locations including 5,000 CVS stores.
10. Start a farmers market
Farmer’s markets offer small businesses and farmers the chance to sell their products. The farmers’ market has become crucial to rebuilding local food systems and meeting the growing demand for locally produced food. A farmers’ market can be a successful business venture in your area if located strategically.
11. Start a meat alternatives product
The meat alternatives product business idea involves creating plant-based alternatives to traditional animal-based meat products. These products can include items such as vegan burgers, tofu sausages, and tempeh bacon.
One of the main reasons to consider starting a business in this field is the growing demand for sustainable and ethical food options. Many consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of animal agriculture and are looking for alternatives that are better for the planet. This trend is reflected in the increasing popularity of plant-based diets, which are often associated with health benefits.
To run a successful meat alternatives product business, it is essential to focus on the quality and taste of the products. Many consumers may be hesitant to try plant-based meats, so creating appealing and satisfying products is necessary. This can be achieved through recipe development, food science, and marketing.
In addition to product development, building a solid brand and marketing strategy is essential. This can include creating a robust online presence, collaborating with influencers and food bloggers, and participating in food festivals and events.
Finally, it is essential to be aware of the competitive landscape and stay up-to-date on industry trends. This can help founders anticipate and respond to consumer demand changes and identify growth and innovation opportunities.
How much you can make: $1,672,496/month
How long does it take to build: 730 days (?)
THIS, the UK-based vegan food company co-founded in 2019, is now the fastest-growing meat substitute brand in the UK with a recent valuation at £150 million, annualized revenue of £17.5 million and a 333% YoY growth in UK retail in just 3 years.
12. Start a vegan baby food business
The overall baby food sector is growing rapidly. One of the factors influencing this growth is the infant nutrition industry is rising demand for vegan and organic baby food. Besides, the global infant population has been rising sharply, a trend that has promoted plant-based baby food products.
Therefore, starting a vegan baby food business could be a profitable venture.
13. Start a vegan pet food business
It is estimated that the global vegan pet food market will grow to $14.1 billion in the next few years.
According to industry analysts, pet owners realize the nutritional benefits of vegan pet food, hence the market growth. Consequently, starting a vegan pet food manufacturing business can be profitable.
To start a veg food business, research the market and develop unique branding for your vegan pet food.
How much you can make: $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)
Healthsols Facilitators Pvt Ltd is a medical equipment and surgical items supplier to B2B entities such as hospitals and clinics that started around 6 months ago with an investment of INR 3000 and have now recruited 18 employees in 11 cities, while planning to establish their own manufacturing unit.
14. Start a vegan beauty product business
The vegan beauty product business is an increasingly popular business idea that aims to provide consumers with high-quality, plant-based beauty products free from animal cruelty. These products can range from skincare to haircare and makeup and are often made from natural ingredients such as herbs, fruits, and essential oils.
One of the main benefits of running a vegan beauty product business is the growing demand for ethically-sourced, environmentally-friendly products. Consumers are increasingly aware of their beauty choices’ impact on the planet and are willing to pay a premium for products that align with their values. In addition, the vegan beauty market is predicted to grow in the coming years, making this an ideal time to start a vegan beauty product business.
To run a successful vegan beauty product business, it is essential to ensure that all products are truly vegan and cruelty-free. This means avoiding ingredients such as beeswax, honey, and lanolin and opting for plant-based alternatives. It is also important to source ingredients from sustainable sources and to use eco-friendly packaging whenever possible.
Marketing is also key to the success of a vegan beauty product business. It is essential to target the right audience and communicate the values and benefits of the products. Social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest are great places to share images and information about the products and to engage with potential customers.
In summary, the vegan beauty product business is a great opportunity for startup founders to provide consumers with high-quality, ethical beauty products while positively impacting the planet. By ensuring that products are truly vegan and cruelty-free, sourcing ingredients sustainably, and marketing effectively, founders can build a successful business in this line.
How much you can make: $750 — $600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 219 days (?)
The Founder of Mellow Cosmetics explains how she grew her company's online sales from $0 to over $400,000 per year, while also expanding her brand's reach through distributors and retailers, with a focus on social proofing and email marketing.
15. Start a vegan gift basket
The vegan gift basket business idea is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to tap into the growing demand for plant-based and eco-friendly products. The founder will create and sell gift baskets filled with vegan-friendly items such as organic food, beauty products, and household items in this business.
To run a successful vegan gift basket business, it’s essential to research and source high-quality vegan products from trusted suppliers.
It’s also necessary to clearly understand your target market and what types of products they are most interested in. For example, some customers may be more interested in health-focused products, while others may be more interested in indulgent treats.
Another critical tip for running a successful vegan gift basket business is to focus on the presentation and packaging of the baskets. Attractive packaging can help to set your business apart from the competition and make gift baskets more appealing to customers.
Finally, it’s essential to utilize social media and other online marketing channels to reach your target audience and promote your business. This can include creating engaging content, running promotions, and collaborating with influencers and other companies in the vegan community.
Overall, the vegan gift basket business is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to tap into the growing demand for plant-based and eco-friendly products. By focusing on high-quality products, attractive packaging, and effective marketing, founders can build a successful business in this exciting and rewarding industry.
16. Start a vegan vending machine
Veganism is the new food trend. It is the latest trend because a vegan diet is high in fiber and lower in cholesterol compared to omnivorous diets. In addition, research has shown that a vegan diet lowers the risk of heart disease and avoids premature death while helping manage type 2 diabetes.
As more people switch to a vegan lifestyle, starting a vegan vending business can be a great opportunity. You can
17. Become a vegan cookbook author
18. Become a personal chef
If you’re looking for a career that allows you to work within your own schedule, look no further. Becoming a personal chef means setting your own hours, planning your own schedule, and taking on as much or as little work as you want.
Not everyone has the time to prepare meals for themselves. If you love cooking, you can start a personal chef business in your area and earn a good income from the side gig. The side hustle can fit into your schedule easily, and you can offer delivery and pick-up or curbside options to ensure more people are buying your services.
Personal chefs can work at various locations, including their client’s homes or restaurant kitchens. They may have regular clients who call on them to prepare meals for them weekly, or they may get called in to prepare meals for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.
How much you can make: $5,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)
How long does it take to build: 360 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 15 hours/week
Chef David Buchanan generates over $6,000 per month through his website Chefs-Resources.com, which provides professional chefs with free and paid access to detailed culinary information and kitchen management resources such as Excel sheets, resulting in gross revenue of $46,000 to date and a subscriber growth rate of over 1300% from 2015 to September 2021.
19. Start a juice bar
The increasing popularity of healthy juices and low start-up costs make starting a healthy juice shop appealing.
To start a healthy fresh juice business, prepare a business plan, create juice recipes and ensure you have the licenses and permits to sell fresh juice. Locate local producers and source fresh fruits for your business.
20. Start a vegan business directory
21. Start a vegan subscription box
22. Start a vegan youtube channel
23. Start a vegan clothing line
How much you can make: $24,000/month
How long does it take to build: 395 days (?)
Velvety is a sustainable and ethical online store that offers vegan fashion and lifestyle products, that has grown to become profitable after 3 years in business thanks to Facebook and Pinterest Ads, as well as SEO and hired professionals.
24. Start a non-dairy wholesaler
25. Become an animal rights advocate
26. Become a social media influencer
Social media has become integral to people's lives and daily routines. Given the importance of social media, brands are flocking to different social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok in the hope of connecting with their target audience.
A popular approach taken by these brands is engaging social media influencers. A social media influencer has established credibility in a specific industry and has access to a vast audience they can persuade to act based on recommendations.
Anyone can become a social influencer so long as they have the right strategy. Choose a popular niche based on your interests and start creating relevant content.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $601 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
