I Discovered the BEST Businesses to Start in 2024

Starting a business can seem daunting, especially if it’s your first one. You might look around and think all the best niches are already taken, wondering where to even begin. But the truth is, opportunities are abundant, and there are countless creative, lucrative business ideas that don’t require huge upfront investments. Whether you’re looking to dive into AI and tech, education, entertainment, or wellness, there’s something out there for everyone.

Hey, I’m Anastasia! Last month, I pulled in over $10,000 from multiple income streams, but my journey didn’t start here. It began during my first year of university when I took up tutoring my fellow students. While that initial venture didn’t make me rich or turn into a massive enterprise, it taught me one key lesson: you have to get started before you feel completely ready. That’s the exact mindset we’ll dive into today, along with some actionable business ideas you can start right now—ideas that could truly transform your life.

Business Idea #1: Teaching or CoachingLet me tell you about my first business—it was simply tutoring other students during my first year of college. Over time, I realized this service could be branded as “coaching,” and it’s a business model with impressive profit margins of 70-80%. Why? Because there’s little to no overhead! All you need is your expertise, whether it’s in a niche like consulting, offering training programs, or teaching something you’re passionate about. From my experience tutoring students to years spent consulting clients one-on-one about Pinterest marketing, I’ve seen firsthand how people hesitate to sell their knowledge, thinking they aren’t “ready” yet. But trust me—whether your area of expertise is graffiti art, fitness, or even helping immigrants settle into a new country, people will pay for your knowledge. The key is to realize that transformation often happens through the transaction. When clients pay for your services, they become more committed, and that’s where the true value lies.

Business Idea #2: SoftwareIf you have a knack for tech, software development is one of the most profitable ventures out there, with potential profit margins reaching up to 80%. While building software requires specific skills, the rewards are worth it. You don’t have to create the next Facebook or Google to be successful. In fact, some of the most profitable software companies are run by teams as small as 1-3 people. During my time working as a marketer for a small software company, I saw firsthand how they closed B2B deals with large educational institutions, generating millions in revenue—all while being operated by just a couple of developers and one support person. The lesson here? You don’t need to shoot for global domination to have a successful software business. Look for opportunities in less glamorous industries—like education or government—where competition is lower but demand is still high.

Business Idea #3: Selling Digital ProductsIf you’re looking for a straightforward way to make money online, selling digital products is a fantastic option. From planners and artwork to online courses, there’s a broad range of digital products you can sell with minimal upfront investment. For example, I’ve created checklists, PDF guides, and online courses centered around Pinterest marketing and blogging. They’ve done really well, proving that digital products are a lucrative income stream. The best part? You can create something once and sell it repeatedly. Tools like Canva make it easy to design products, and platforms like Thrivecart or Etsy offer excellent ways to market and sell them. Start by identifying what you’re passionate about and create digital products based on that knowledge. Even if you feel “not ready” like many bloggers I’ve consulted who published thousands of articles but were hesitant to sell products, take the plunge! Your expertise has real value.

Business Idea #4: Print on DemandPrint-on-demand (POD) is another brilliant business model that allows you to sell custom products without having to hold any inventory. Using platforms like Gelato, you can sell everything from t-shirts and mugs to phone cases and posters. With profit margins ranging from 20-50%, POD is a great way to get started without any upfront costs. What’s even better is that Gelato fulfills orders in 32 countries, which ensures faster shipping times and lower costs, making it easier to serve clients globally, no matter where you’re located. You can sell your products on popular marketplaces like Etsy or Shopify, and if you want to stand out, you can even use AI tools like Midjourney to create custom artwork in minutes. I’ve linked a full print-on-demand tutorial in the description so you can dive into it after this video.

Business Idea #5: Affiliate MarketingAffiliate marketing has been a reliable income stream for me over the past seven years. Here’s how it works: you promote products or services through unique links, and when someone makes a purchase using your link, you earn a commission. While affiliate income may start small, it can grow significantly over time, especially if you promote products that offer recurring revenue, like subscription-based software. I started with my blog, AnastasiaBlogger.com, and have since expanded to YouTube and Pinterest, using affiliate marketing to promote tools I love. One of the great things about this income stream is that it’s passive; once people sign up for a product through your link, you continue earning commissions as long as they remain customers. Platforms like Impact bring multiple brands under one roof, making it easier to manage your affiliate relationships. I also recommend starting with Pinterest affiliate marketing since you don’t even need to show your face—just create “pins” using free tools like Canva, and start promoting your affiliate products.

Business Idea #6: Starting an AgencyStarting an agency is another fantastic business idea, especially if you have a skill you can offer as a service—whether it’s video editing, social media management, or graphic design. But here’s the twist: you don’t have to do all the work yourself. You can hire freelancers to handle the tasks while you focus on growing the business. The profit margins are solid, ranging between 60-70%. One of the most straightforward ways to start is by leveraging skills you’ve gained in your professional life and offering them to other businesses. For example, I know a video editor who started an agency after being overwhelmed with too many clients. By hiring and training other editors, they were able to expand the business and take on even more clients. The key to success in this model is to offer ongoing services, not just one-off projects. Long-term contracts with clients create steady, reliable income and help you avoid the stress of constantly finding new business.

These are the best business ideas to get you started this year and grow quickly. If you want to learn more about how I make over $10,000 a month as a blogger, click on my video linked above, and I’ll see you in the next one!

One great resource I recommend is a database created by HubSpot and the “My First Million” podcast. It’s packed with over 50 unique business ideas, ranging across categories like AI, education, products, and services. Whether you’re tech-savvy or more inclined towards creative fields, this database offers practical insights and opportunities that can give you a clear direction on where to start. I’ve linked it below so you can access it for free.

Speaking of AI, this is a space I’m incredibly excited about. The way AI is evolving today, it’s clear that the people who are building it now will shape future generations. Recently, I watched an episode from the “My First Million” podcast about AI startup ideas, and it was a 40-minute goldmine of valuable insights. One of the ideas that stood out to me was AI tutoring. Imagine harnessing the power of AI to deliver personalized education at scale—that’s just one of the many possibilities AI brings to the table. It’s a field I believe we should all keep an eye on, as it could truly reshape the future.

Now, onto the next business idea.

Business Idea #3: Selling Digital Products

Digital products are one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to make money online. They don’t require physical inventory, and you can sell the same product over and over again with no additional costs. Whether it’s digital planners, artwork, eBooks, or courses, the possibilities are endless. For example, something as simple as a meal plan or a cookbook can be turned into a profitable digital product. If you’re already producing content—like blogs or tutorials—you’re sitting on a goldmine of potential products.

In my own journey, I’ve created digital products like checklists, PDF guides, and courses, all centered around Pinterest marketing and blogging, and they’ve become a significant income stream for me. If you want to create digital products but don’t know where to start, think about what you’re passionate about or what expertise you have. Platforms like Thrivecart or Etsy are excellent for selling digital goods, and with tools like Canva, you can create professional-looking products in no time. Start by checking out what’s trending in your niche on Etsy, and let that inspire your first product.

Business Idea #4: Print on Demand

Print on demand (POD) is another fantastic business model, especially if you want to sell physical products without the hassle of managing inventory. Platforms like Gelato make it easy to sell a wide range of custom products—like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and posters—while handling all the production and shipping for you. The best part? You can get started with no upfront costs. Gelato operates in 32 countries, which means fast shipping times and lower costs, no matter where you’re located.

The profit margins in POD can range between 20-50%, depending on the niche and product type, making it a lucrative side hustle or even a full-time business. With AI tools like Midjourney, you can quickly generate custom artwork to print on your products. Once you’ve designed your items, platforms like Etsy and Shopify are ideal for selling them. If you’re ready to dive in, I’ve linked a full tutorial for starting your own print-on-demand business.

Business Idea #5: Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing has been another significant income stream for me, and it’s a business model with incredible potential for passive income. Here’s how it works: you promote a product or service using a unique link, and when someone makes a purchase through that link, you earn a commission. The beauty of affiliate marketing is that once you’ve built up a portfolio of affiliate links, they can continue to generate income long after you’ve placed them.

I started affiliate marketing through my blog, but now I also promote products on YouTube and Pinterest. For example, I just mentioned Gelato as a great print-on-demand platform, and if you use my affiliate link to sign up for a paid plan, I’ll earn a commission. If you’re just starting out, Pinterest is an excellent platform for affiliate marketing because it’s relatively easy to create visually appealing pins without even showing your face. You can create pins using free tools like Canva and link them to products or services you’re promoting. The key is to choose products that resonate with your audience and provide genuine value.

Business Idea #6: Starting an Agency

Starting an agency can be a highly profitable business model, especially if you have specialized skills that you can offer as a service, such as video editing, graphic design, or social media management. The best part is, you don’t have to do all the work yourself. You can hire freelancers to handle the tasks while you focus on growing the business and managing client relationships. Profit margins typically range between 60-70%.

One example is a video editing agency started by a friend of mine. He was an excellent video editor, but as demand grew, he couldn’t handle all the clients alone. So, he began hiring and training other editors to deliver consistent quality and take on more work. This model can work across various industries, from graphic design to social media management. Just be sure to offer ongoing, recurring services rather than one-off projects, as that will give you a more stable and consistent revenue stream.

Those are the six best business ideas you can start this year to grow quickly and establish a sustainable income. Whether you’re drawn to coaching, digital products, software, or even starting an agency, the possibilities are endless. If you want to learn more about how I make over $10,000 a month as a blogger, click the video linked above, and I’ll see you in the next one!