We know the struggle. Finding an idea — the idea — it’s hard. We’re not going to pretend that it’s not.
So that’s the bad news. But there’s good news, too. Business ideas come in all shapes and sizes, and from unexpected places. Sometimes they’re out in the world, waiting for you to find them. Sometimes they’re right under your nose.
Almost 100% of the time, businesses are born out of something authentic and inherent about who you already are. Something you love. Something you’re great at — or had to get great at. Something so ingrained in your everyday, you don’t even realize that it could be a business. Until you do.
To show you what we mean, we put together this list of real, live businesses built by kickass entrepreneurs who took something that they love, and turned it into a business.
Not all that long ago, many of these entrepreneurs were exactly where you are now: at the start of the journey, wondering, “But how do I find an idea?”
As you go through the list, you’ll probably find yourself saying, “Wait – that’s a business?”
You better believe it. What will yours be?
Already seen the list and ready to find YOUR online business idea? Click here to jump to the bottom of the post — we have something for you!
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Critical Thinker Academy

Name: Critical Thinker Academy
Quick description: “Learn HOW to think, not WHAT to think.”
Target audience: People who want to improve their critical thinking skills
Founder: Kevin deLaplante
Website: criticalthinkeracademy.com
Products: Online courses
Learning Herbs

Name: Learning Herbs
Quick description: “We help you turn plants into herbal remedies that heal.”
Target audience: Herbal remedy enthusiasts
Founders: John Gallagher & Kimberly Gallagher
Website: learningherbs.com
Products: Online courses, e-books, kits
Fitness Reloaded

Name: Fitness Reloaded
Quick description: “Stick to things like exercise and eating healthy — for years, not just a month or two.”
Target audience: Weight loss seekers
Founder: Maria Brilaki
Website: fitnessreloaded.com
Products: Book, kits
Business of Baking

Name: The Business of Baking
Quick description: “The place where bakers find inspiration, motivation and education to help them taste sweet business success.”
Target audience: Professional bakers
Founder: Michelle Green
Website: thebizofbaking.com
Products: Online courses, book
Bonsai Empire

Name: Bonsai Empire
Quick description: “We introduce you to the fascinating and living art of bonsai, and help you get started!”
Target audience: Beginner bonsai enthusiasts
Founder: Oscar Jonker
Website: bonsaiempire.com
Products: Online courses, e-books, starter kits
BirdTricks

Name: BirdTricks
Quick description: “We strive to offer only the best advice and training techniques to help you achieve the ideal relationship with your feathered friend.”
Target audience: Bird owners
Founder: Dave and Jamieleigh Womach
Website: birdtricksstore.com
Products: Online courses, workshops, products & supplies
The Career Introvert

Name: The Career Introvert
Quick description: “I help introverted women achieve personal and professional breakthroughs.”
Target audience: Women who identify as introverts
Founder: Janice Chaka
Website: thecareerintrovert.com
Products: Online course, coaching
Rockstar Women with MS

Name: Rockstar Women with MS
Quick description: “Helping women living with MS to create the vibrant lives they were meant to live.”
Target audience: Women living with MS (multiple sclerosis)
Founder: Lisa Cohen
Website: rockstarwomenwithms.com
Products: Book, coaching, merchandise
Become More Compelling

Name: Become More Compelling
Quick description: “I help ambitious overthinkers create amazing careers, businesses, & social lives by supercharging their people skills and charisma.”
Target audience: Ambitious overthinkers
Founder: Jeff Callahan
Website: becomemorecompelling.com
Products: Coaching
Zak Slayback

Name: Zak Slayback
Quick description: “The skills & resources to get ahead.”
Target audience: Ambitious young professionals
Founder: Zak Slayback
Website: zakslayback.com
Products: Coaching, online courses
True Wellth

Name: True Wellth
Quick description: “We are here to help you get a gorgeous healthy body and a clear and happy mind so you can feel sexy, confident and free.”
Target audience: Wellness seekers
Founder: Matt Jager
Website: truewellth.org
Products: Online courses
The Online Dog Trainer

Name: The Online Dog Trainer
Quick description: Obedience training for dogs
Target audience: Dog owners
Founder: Doggy Dan
Website: theonlinedogtrainer.com
Products: Online courses
Positive Intelligence

Name: Positive Intelligence
Quick description: “The science and practice of developing mastery over your own mind so you can reach your full potential for both happiness and success.”
Target audience: Self-improvement fans
Founder: Shirzad Chamine
Website: positiveintelligence.com
Products: Online course, coaching
Tara Bradford

Name: Tara Bradford
Quick description: “I help you become the Center of Influence™ using the power of public relations so you can get featured in the media and reach millions of people.”
Target audience: Aspiring influencers
Founder: Tara Bradford
Website: tararaebradford.com
Products: Coaching
In Your 20’s

Name: In Your 20’s
Quick description: “I help people get interviews and jobs of their dreams in tech.”
Target audience: Career seekers in tech
Founder: Bessy Tam
Website: inyour20s.com
Products: Coaching
Make a Living Writing

Name: Make a Living Writing
Quick description: “I’m on a mission to help writers grow their income.”
Target audience: Freelance writers
Founder: Carol Tice
Website: makealivingwriting.com
Products: E-books, community
Real Estate Agents Mastermind

Name: Real Estate Agents Mastermind
Quick description: “Everything you need to build a successful real estate transaction machine.”
Target audience: Realtors
Founder: Joseph Gonzales
Website: my-facebook-leads-for-realtors.com
Products: Online course
Strength Running

Name: Strength Running
Quick description: “Get stronger, stay healthy and race faster.”
Target audience: Runners
Founder: Jason Fitzgerald
Website: strengthrunning.com
Products: Coaching
Donald Robertson

Name: Donald Robertson
Quick description: “Learn how to apply ancient philosophy to everyday events, for a more meaningful and emotionally resilient life.”
Target audience: Folks who want to learn to live like Socrates
Founder: Donald Robertson
Website: learn.donaldrobertson.name
Products: Online courses
Engaged Wedding Planner Academy

Name: Engaged Wedding Planner Academy
Quick description: “The perfect place for inexperienced wedding planners to find their #bosslady confidence.”
Target audience: Aspiring wedding planners
Founder: Valerie Pritt
Website: engagedweddingplanneracademy.com
Products: Online courses
Become a Bassist

Name: Become a Bassist
Quick description: “My goal is for you to become a true musician, who’s instrument just happens to be bass”
Target audience: Aspiring bass players
Founder: Luke McIntosh
Website: becomeabassist.com
Products: Online courses
Fluent in 3 Months

Name: Fluent in 3 Months
Quick description: “Have confident conversations in weeks instead of years”
Target audience: Aspiring language learners
Founder: Benny Lewis (AKA Benny the Irish Polyglot)
Website: fluentin3months.com
Products: Online courses
CometCamper

Name: CometCamper
Quick description: “Tools and guides for living tiny”
Target audience: Current and future tiny house dwellers
Founder: Mariah Coz
Website: cometcamper.com
Products: Online courses
AuditionHacker

Name: AuditionHacker
Quick description: “Learn why anyone can advance at an orchestra audition”
Target audience: Aspiring professional classical musicians
Founder: Rob Knopper
Website: robknopper.com/auditionhacker
Products: Online courses
Digital Nomad Girls

Name: Digital Nomad Girls
Quick description: Inspiring & connecting location independent girls around the world
Target audience: Digital nomad
Founder: Jenny Lachs
Website: digitalnomadgirls.com
Products: Retreats, subscription site
Real Life E

Name: Real Life E Time Coaching
Quick description: “Helping you get more done so you can live a fuller life!”
Target audience: People who need help with time management
Founder: Elizabeth Saunders
Website: reallifee.com
Products: Coaching
Thrifty Homesteader

Name: Thrifty Homesteader
Quick description: “Your guide to self-reliant living”
Target audience: People who want to live a cheaper, greener, happier, healthier life
Founder: Deborah Niemann
Website: thriftyhomesteader.com
Products: Books
CrohnsColitisLifestyle

Name: ChronsColitisLifestyle
Quick description: “Reduce symptoms and increase an energetic healing response to better your life.”
Target audience: People living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Founder: Dane Johnson
Website: crohnscolitislifestyle.com
Products: Coaching
Succulents and Sunshine

Name: Succulents and Sunshine
Quick description: “Learn how to successfully grow Pinterest-perfect succulents — no matter where you live!”
Target audience: Succulent enthusiasts
Founder: Cassidy Tuttle
Website: succulentsandsunshine.com
Products: Online courses
Love Your Journey

Name: Love Your Journey
Quick description: “I am here to support you to rediscover yourself, reconnect with others and get ready to start the next chapter of your life.”
Target audience: People who are bouncing back from a breakup
Founder: Annie Huang
Website: loveyourjourney.net
Products: Coaching
Flexible Dieting Lifestyle

Name: Flexible Dieting Lifestyle
Quick description: “Eat the foods you love while living the life you desire”
Target audience: Healthy lifestyle seekers
Founder: Zach Rocheleau
Website: flexibledietinglifestyle.com
Products: E-books, coaching, community
Your Badass Therapy Practice

Name: Your Badass Therapy Practice
Quick description: “I help therapists kick ass in private practice”
Target audience: Professional therapists
Founder: Laura Long
Website: yourbadasstherapypractice.com
Products: Online courses
La Vie En Code

Name: La Vie En Code
Quick description: “I help other students learn their best individualized learning styles, and maximize their approach to learning web development”
Target audience: Aspiring web developers
Founder: Nicole Archambault
Website: lavieencode.net
Products: Online courses
Sharpen That Pencil

Name: Sharpen That Pencil
Quick description: “I help struggling writers of all ages write better, faster, stronger while enjoying the process”
Target audience: Struggling writers
Founder: Justyna Jurczykowska
Website: sharpenthatpencil.com
Products: Online courses, coaching
Help Everybody Everyday

Name: Help Everybody Everyday
Quick description: “A/E/C marketing advice, training, and support group”
Target audience: Marketers
Founder: Matt Handal
Website: helpeverybodyeveryday.com
Products: Online courses
Posture Queen

Name: Posture Queen
Quick description: “To remind you that your body is beautiful and deserves your full attention”
Target audience: Women interested in improving their posture
Founder: Maria de Sousa
Website: posturequeen.co.uk
Products: Online courses, trainings, private lessons
Chess University

Name: Chess University
Quick description: Courses and live tutorials for chess enthusiasts
Target audience: Chess players
Founder: Kairav Joshi
Website: chessuniversity.com
Products: Online courses, live tutorials
Every Tuesday

Name: Every Tuesday
Quick description: “I help ambitious graphic designers and hand letterers level-up their skills and creativity”
Target audience: Graphic designers & hand letterers
Founder: Teela Cunningham
Website: every-tuesday.com
Products: Online courses, kits & tools
Make Fabulous Cakes

Name: Make Fabulous Cakes
Quick description: “A haven for cake decorating ideas”
Target audience: Baking aficionados of all skill levels
Founder: Darlene Abarquez
Website: make-fabulous-cakes.com
Products: Online courses
Waking Up in Paris

Name: Waking Up in Paris
Quick description: “Teaching personal style and branding to female entrepreneurs who want to find their dazzling core of confidence, shine bright like a diamond & magnetise dream clients”
Target audience: Female entrepreneurs
Founder: Clarissa Grace
Website: wakingupinparis.com
Products: Coaching
WODprep

Name: WODprep
Quick description: “WODPrep is here to help athletes from all over the world break through their sticking points, hit new PRs, and learn to Rx every workout”
Target audience: CrossFitters and others looking to improve their fitness
Founder: Ben Dziwulski
Website: wodprep.com
Products: Online courses
Happen to Your Career

Name: Happen to Your Career
Quick description: “I believe that everyone has god given talents. My goal in creating Happen to Your Career is to help people learn what they are and put them to use”
Target audience: Career changers and aspiring career coaches
Founder: Scott Barlow
Website: happentoyourcareer.com
Products: Coaching & training
Sati Yoga

Name: Sati Yoga
Quick description: “Reignite the spark in your teaching & help your students make meaningful change”
Target audience: Yoga teachers
Founder: Jennifer O’Sullivan
Website: sati.yoga
Products: Online courses, in-person teaching
WoodSkills

Name: WoodSkills
Quick description: “Detailed and comprehensive step by step sequences for woodworking skill-building”
Target audience: Woodworkers of all skill levels
Founder: Norman Pirollo
Website: woodskills.com
Products: Online courses, plans, books
Vlog Boss University

Name: Vlog Boss University
Quick description: “Start sharing your story through vlogging … like a boss!”
Target audience: Aspiring vloggers (video bloggers)
Founder: Amy Landino
Website: vlogbossuniversity.com
Products: Online courses
The Essential Man

Name: The Essential Man
Quick description: “I make men look and feel as successful as they are”
Target audience: Successful men
Founder: Peter Nguyen
Website: theessentialman.com
Products: Coaching
Maria Killam

Name: Maria Killam
Quick description: “Gives you a clear sense of how to organize colors into useful categories to predict how they will behave in any space“
Target audience: Interior designers
Founder: Maria Killam
Website: mariakillam.com
Products: E-books, online courses, live workshops
Ukulele Tricks

Name: Ukulele Tricks
Quick description: “Discover how to make music on the ukulele, even if you’ve never played an instrument in your life”
Target audience: Aspiring ukulele players
Founder: Brett McQueen
Website: ukuleletricks.com
Products: Books, online courses
Pencil to Pixel

Name: Pencil to Pixel
Quick description: “Everything you need to become an amazing illustrator and designer”
Target audience: Aspiring illustrators and designers
Founder: James Daly
Website: penciltopixel.studio
Products: Online courses
Nerd Marketing

Name: Nerd Marketing
Quick description: “My courses are designed to help you grow your direct-to-consumer businesses, fast”
Target audience: E-commerce business owners
Founder: Drew Sanocki
Website: nerdmarketing.com
Products: Online courses, consulting
Hardcore Music Studio

Name: Hardcore Music Studio
Quick description: “Learn how to record, edit & mix heavy music”
Target audience: Hardcore music producers
Founder: Jordan Valeriote
Website: hardcoremusicstudio.com
Products: Online courses
Workweek Lunch

Name: Workweek Lunch
Quick description: “Prep meals for lunch you’re actually excited to eat”
Target audience: Busy working professionals
Founder: Talia Koren
Website: workweeklunch.com
Products: Membership plans
DesignAcademy.io

Name: DesignAcademy.io
Quick description: “Design principles for developers taught in a non-pretentious, non-bullshitty way”
Target audience: Developers
Founder: Laura Elizabeth
Website: designacademy.io
Products: Online course
Nicole Jardim

Name: Nicole Jardim / The Period GIrl
Quick description: “My mission is to help women in their 20s & 30s reclaim their hormonal health and feminine vitality naturally”
Target audience: Women in their 20s and 30s
Founder: Nicole Jardim
Website: nicolejardim.com
Products: Online courses
SketchUp for Interior Designers

Name: SketchUp for Interior Designers
Quick description: “SketchUp courses made just for interior designers”
Target audience: Interior designers
Founder: Tammy Cody
Website: sketchupforinteriordesigners.com
Products: Online courses, training
WP Assurance

Name: WP Assurance
Quick description: “Launch a beautiful, professional WordPress site in 30 days”
Target audience: Business owners & entrepreneurs
Founder: Rob Howard
Website: wpassurance.com
Products: Online course, community
Shemmassian Academic Consulting

Name: Shemmassian Academic Consulting
Quick description: “Your trusted advisors for admissions success”
Target audience: Students wanting to get into elite colleges, medical schools, and other graduate schools
Founder: Shirag Shemmassian
Website: shemmassianconsulting.com
Products: Coaching
Learn UI Design

Name: Learn UI Design
Quick description: “Confidently design beautiful user interfaces for any app or site”
Target audience: Aspiring UI (user interface) designers
Founder: Erik Kennedy
Website: learnui.design
Products: Online course
The Virtual Savvy

Name: The Virtual Savvy
Quick description: “I help savvy starters launch and grow their VA biz to 5k months and beyond”
Target audience: Beginner virtual assistants (VAs)
Founder: Abbey Ashley
Website: thevirtualsavvy.com
Products: Online courses, coaching
Go Diaper Free

Name: Go Diaper Free
Quick description: “Learn how to help your baby use the potty with Elimination Communication”
Target audience: Parents of potty training–aged children
Founder: Andrea Olson
Website: godiaperfree.com
Products: Books, mini-course, coach training program
DIY Video Guy

Name: DIY Video Guy
Quick description: “Learn how to shoot better videos by yourself.”
Target audience: Aspiring video creators
Founder: Caleb Wojcik
Website: diyvideoschool.com
Products: Online courses
Start a Mom Blog

Name: Start a Mom Blog
Quick description: “I want to show you how to start a mom blog while raising a family. My time saving and productivity tips will make your life easier and help you run a successful blog!”
Target audience: Aspiring mom bloggers
Founder: Suzi Whitford
Website: startamomblog.com
Products: Online courses, e-books
The Rideshare Guy

Name: The Rideshare Guy
Quick description: How to increase your earnings and maximize profits as a ridesharing driver
Target audience: People who drive for Uber and Lyft
Founder: Harry Campbell
Website: therideshareguy.com
Products: Book, online course
The Fuck It Diet

Name: The Fuck It Diet
Quick description: “I help people heal their relationship with food & weight.”
Target audience: Chronic dieters (people who want to improve their relationship with food)
Founder: Caroline Dooner
Website: thefuckitdiet.com
Products: Book, online course
Ten Ton

Name: Ten Ton
Quick description: “Learn how to build a website just once, and you can run as many online businesses as you want!”
Target audience: Business owners, creators, and self-marketers
Founder: Geoff Blake
Website: tentononline.com
Products: Online courses
Country Guitar Online

Name: Country Guitar Online
Quick description: “High quality country and bluegrass guitar lesson videos that you can stream on any device.”
Target audience: People who want to improve their guitar skills
Founder: Devin Shawn
Website: countryguitaronline.com
Products: Online courses, memberships
Tree & Stick Girl

Name: Tree & Stick Girl
Quick description: “Discover what your emotions really mean, why you feel so deeply, and how to take back control of yourself and your life.”
Target audience: Sensitive souls
Founder: Tree Franklyn
Website: findyourinnerhappy.com
Products: Online courses
Jessica Sprague

Name: Jessica Sprague
Quick description: “Grow your skills, build your brand. Join Photoshop Friday Forever for small techniques + big rewards. Or join Brand of You to do business beautifully.”
Target audience: Entrepreneurs and creatives
Founder: Jessica Sprague
Website: jessicasprague.com
Products: Online courses
Female Musician Academy

Name: Female Musician Academy
Quick description: “Make great music, connect with your audience, and grow your business.”
Target audience: Female musicians
Founder: Bree Noble
Website: femalemusicianacademy.com
Products: Online courses
Mom’s Fitness Boutique

Name: Mom’s Fitness Boutique
Quick description: “Core/pelvic floor retraining, full body conditioning and most importantly… emotional support during the most vulnerable time in your life.”
Target audience: New moms
Founder: Terrell Baldock
Website: momsfitnessboutique.com
Products: Online courses, coaching
Media Maven

Name: Media Maven
Quick description: “Connect instantly with thousands of ideal clients in minutes… instead of months!”
Target audience: Small business owners
Founder: Christina Nicholson
Website: mediamavenandmore.com
Products: Online courses
Z Design

Name: Z Design
Quick description: “I take the crap out of scrapbooking.”
Target audience: Scrapbookers
Founder: Cathy Zielske
Website: cathyzielske.com
Products: Online courses, templates, and tools
Violeta’s

Name: Violeta Nedkova
Quick description: “I can help you do what you love and do it in your own way.”
Target audience: “Creative rebels who are tired of conforming to everyone else’s rules and ready to kickass in your own way”
Founder: Violeta Nedkova
Website: violetanedkova.com
Products: Online courses, e-books, coaching
NovelBits

Name: NovelBits
Quick description: “The #1 Top Resource For Learning Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)”
Target audience: Developers wanting to master BLE and Bluetooth 5
Founder: Mohammad Afaneh
Website: novelbits.io
Products: E-books, online courses, coaching
Strengthlete

Name: Strengthlete
Quick description: “I will show you how to rewire your brain, process your stress without using food, and build a healthy relationship with food — so you can be a boss in the office and beast in the gym”
Target audience: People looking to “find the balance between being in shape and your career”
Founder: Joe Nissim
Website: strengthlete.com
Products: Coaching
CRK Training

Name: CRK Training
Quick description: “I help people … become more balanced and confident riders”
Target audience: Equestrians looking to improve their riding skills
Founder: Callie King
Website: crktrainingvideos.com
Products: Online courses
EDM Tips

Name: EDM Tips
Quick description: “Improve your EDM production skills”
Target audience: Electronic dance music producers
Founder: Will Darling
Website: edmtips.com
Products: E-books, online courses
The Contract Shop

Name: The Contract Shop
Quick description: “Legal templates and courses for creative entrepreneurs, online course creators, consultants, coaches and more”
Target audience: Creative entrepreneurs
Founder: Christine Scalera
Website: thecontractshop.com
Products: Courses, templates
Human Vortex Training

Name: Human Vortex Training
Quick description: “Get stronger on & off the bike, return from injury, and make the most of [your] time to ride & train”
Target audience: “Riders who are done dabbling, and ready for results”
Founder: Menachem Brodie
Website: humanvortextraining.com
Products: Coaching
Go Rattle the Stars

Name: Go Rattle the Stars
Quick description: “I help creative business owners create a solid social media strategy so they can reach their target audience — and get real results!”
Target audience: Creative business owners
Founder: Brie Kirbyson
Website: gorattlethestars.com
Products: Online courses
Meal Mentor

Name: Meal Mentor
Quick description: “Don’t lose hours planning meals yourself, let Meal Mentor plan your week”
Target audience: Parents juggling work, family, and the ever-growing to-do list
Founder: Lindsay S. Nixon
Website: getmealplans.com
Products: Coaching, courses, e-books, memberships
Arianna Taboada

Name: Arianna Taboada
Quick description: “I help women entrepreneurs, founders, and freelancers design a maternity leave plan that meets their business model and personal needs”
Target audience: Self-employed women preparing for maternity leave
Founder: Arianna Taboada
Website: ariannataboada.com
Products: Coaching
Isiah McKimmie

Name: Isiah McKimmie
Quick description: “Creating loving relationships, deep intimacy, and whole-hearted sex … through practical tools, science-based advice, and a rock-steady belief that you are not broken”
Target audience: Couples and individuals wanting to deepen their intimate relationships
Founder: Isiah McKimmie
Website: isiah-mckimmie.com
Products: Coaching, courses, e-books
Greater Than Rubies

Name: Greater Than Rubies
Quick description: “I help women all over the world feel more polished and confident through daily outfit tips, individual coaching, and events”
Target audience: Women of all ages
Founder: Caitlin Skidmore
Website: greaterthanrubies.net
Products: Guides, events, coaching
Phyzzle

Name: Phyzzle
Quick description: “Learn how top math, science, and engineering students ace their exams and crush their courses, without the stress, frustration, and long hours we’re all accustomed to”
Target audience: College students
Founder: Tom Miller
Website: phyzzle.com
Products: Courses, guides
Freelance to Win

Name: Freelance To Win
Quick description: “Learn what it really takes to be a successful freelancer”
Target audience: Aspiring freelancers
Founder: Danny Margulies
Website: freelancetowin.com
Products: Courses
The Inertia Project

Name: The Inertia Project
Quick description: “We help ambitious women conquer fitness anxiety and create lasting changes”
Target audience: Women looking to enhance their fitness
Founder: Genevieve Malone
Website: theinertiaproject.org
Products: Courses, coaching
Recording Revolution

Name: Recording Revolution
Quick description: “Create radio-worthy songs from your bedroom or home studio”
Target audience: Home musicians
Founder: Graham Cochrane
Product page: recordingrevolution.com
Products: E-books, courses
Introverted Alpha

Name: Introverted Alpha
Quick description: “We help thoughtful men attract women naturally without being someone they’re not”
Target audience: Single men
Founder: Sarah Jones
Website: introvertedalpha.com
Products: E-book, courses, coaching
Comme une Francaise

Name: Comme un Francaise
Quick description: “The only place to learn to both speak real French, not textbook French, and understand French culture so you can cultivate your inner Gaulois(e)”
Target audience: Francophiles
Founder: Geraldine Lepere
Website: commeunefrancaise.com
Products: Courses, subscriptions
Viral Message Lab

Name: Viral Message Lab
Quick description: “When you’re about to dedicate months or even years writing a book or sharing a talk, wouldn’t it be nice to be certain that you’re about to embark on something people LOVE?”
Target audience: Ambitious professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, and “people trying to change the world”
Founder: Ryan Hildebrandt
Website: viralmessagelab.com
Products: Courses, coaching
Rice Lean

Name: Rice Lean
Quick description: “The ultra-simple, millennia old, and crushingly powerful Asian secrets — that help you lose half a pound a day naturally!”
Target audience: Weight loss seekers
Founder: Leslie Chen
Website: ricelean.com
Products: Coaching
10X Travel

Name: 10X Travel
Quick description: “Leverage the power of points and miles to make their travel dreams a reality”
Target audience: Travel junkies
Founder: Bryce Conway
Website: 10xtravel.com
Products: E-book, affiliate partnerships
Successful Fashion Designer

Name: Successful Fashion Designer
Quick description: “Further your fashion design career by gaining confidence in Illustrator”
Target audience: Fashion designers
Founder: Heidi Marie
Website: successfulfashiondesigner.com
Products: Courses
A Mother Far From Home

Name: A Mother Far From Home
Quick description: “Join tens of thousands of mothers to get tips, resources, and encouragement that’ll take the chaos out of life with your kids”
Target audience: Moms
Founder: Rachel Norman
Website: amotherfarfromhome.com
Products: Guides, e-books
Byte by Byte

Name: Byte by Byte
Quick description: “Your one-stop shop for acing your coding interview”
Target audience: Job-hunting coders
Founder: Sam Gavis-Hughson
Website: byte-by-byte.com
Products: Coaching, e-book
Optimize Yourself

Name: Optimize Yourself
Quick description: “Learn how to master your time, energy, and attention … [and] start treating yourself better than your technology”
Target audience: Creative professionals
Founder: Zack Arnold
Website: optimizeyourself.me
Products: Courses
Personality.Media

Name: Personality.Media
Quick description: “Video coaching agency which helps online entrepreneurs craft engaging videos”
Target audience: Busy entrepreneurs
Founder: Jessica Eturralde
Website: personality.media
Products: Coaching, services
Get Style Confidence

Name: Get Style Confidence
Quick description: “I save the day by digging into who YOU truly are to create a gorgeous style on the outside that perfectly expresses who you are on the inside”
Target audience: Professional women
Founder: Hilde Fossen
Website: getstyleconfidence.com
Products: Courses, coaching
Speak English with Christina

Name: Speak English with Christina
Quick description: “Get the reflexes to finally feel fluent speaking English”
Target audience: Non-native English speakers
Founder: Christina Rebuffet
Website: christinarebuffet.com
Products: Book, courses, coaching
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You can start an online business
We just showed you dozens of online businesses, all started by actual, real-life people.
Now here’s what you need to know: If they can do it, so can you.
Businesses like these don’t take a Harvard MBA to get started. They don’t take years of business experience, either. All they take is an answer to two questions:
- What am I already good at?
- How can I package that skill into something that people will pay for?
At GrowthLab, we’ve helped hundreds of students find the answers to these questions and start online businesses of their own — including many of the entrepreneurs on this list. Now, I want to give you the exact same framework that we give our students with our free guide:
Finding Your Successful Online Business Idea
In the guide, you’ll learn:
- How starting with “ideas that suck” can lead to big breakthroughs
- The 4 questions you can ask if you’re really stumped on finding an idea
- A 4-part Demand Matrix that’ll determine how much you can charge and how many people will buy your product
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Nicole faith
Your “golden idea” comes from your expertise and perfect niche, which can take some to experiment with. The only way to know if something works or not is to just try it! Don’t let a saturated market get you down. There’s room for everyone.
Tom
Great post Katie! This is 100% true:
> Something so ingrained in your everyday, you don’t even realize that it could be a business. Until you do.
The only reason I ever thought it would be a possibility to start an online business was seeing examples like the ones you’ve featured here.
Thanks!
Sam gavis-Hughson
Thanks for the share! Can’t think of a better place to see my name come up 🙂
JESS ETURRALDE
What a privilege to be featured here – thank you!
I just want to say for those reading and struggling with their idea – or contemplating a pivot: I pivoted 4 times and I know MANY successful entrepreneurs (including others included in this article) who tried a few ideas before finding the right fit.
Finding your idea IS an adventure if we approach it like we do other tests – not a daunting task.
So keep at it till it works! 🙂
Emily
I’d love to hear how folks pivoted and eventually found a successul idea. How did you ultimately know to let an idea go? What did you do differently that formed the golden idea?
Menachem brodie
Emily,
In my own experience, and I can’t speak to anyone else’s, but it was literally just turning the thing I LOVED doing- what I spent my weekends doing, my spare time learning about, and just enjoying the journey.
But I didn’t see it right away. It actually took the owner of the bike shop I bought my road bike from to ask my WHY I WASN’T coaching, and his subsequent support that I finally took the leap.
And even then it took me a few months to let the idea sit in my subconscious until one day, in the middle of a hard effort on the bike, having helped another rider leave me in his dust, I said “Let’s do it”.
Hope this helps!
Menachem brodie
Sam, Samesies, lol.
Katie, thank you for the mention!
“Woah! No way!” 😀
Abdul kadir
Really a thought-provoking article!
Thanks to KATIE.
Geoff Blake
It’s an honor to be included on this list. Thank you!
In regards to finding your idea, as the article states, yes it is born out of something authentic and inherent about who you are already or what it is that you’d like to change in the world.
But I’d love to add to this. Let’s take this idea (above) and then intersect it with what the market needs. That’s when things really start happening.
This could be expressed as…
1) You (your personality, your preferences, your unique perspective), plus…
2) Your set of skills (skills you already have, skills you need to develop), plus…
3) Unfilled needs / problems / gaps in the market.
If you can get these three stars to align, you’ll be on to something.
Don’t stop. Don’t put it off. Whatever it takes, get these three things lining up.
Learn about yourself and reflect — what kind of business do you want to run? What kind of customers do you want to work with? Assess your skills. What have you got? What’s missing? If you discover an unserved gap in a market that you want to serve, but lack certain skills, do whatever it takes to learn those skills. And so on, and so on…
Do whatever you have to do to push and heave and drag these three stars until they’re all lined up.
Use your smarts and your instincts to put this puzzle together.
It ain’t easy. But holy geeze is it ever worthwhile! For you, for your customer…for the world.
So get to work. Show us whatcha got!
Timothy Moser
I charge my students $597.00/month for Spanish coaching, a service that I outsource to my virtual coaches in South America. That’s very far removed from the “how to earn more money” space! The majority of my students are men or women who married into a Spanish-speaking family and want to talk with their in-laws, so it’s very worth it to them.
Timothy Moser
^ …in response to people who think they can only make money online by teaching other people how to make money online. Great post. It’s encouraging to see the extreme variety in successful online businesses!
Mario
Cool Post, inspirational.. Would like more of that.
Robert Fleming
Another hum-dinger from Katie! This was such a fun read! So much here it took me half a day to get through it all. Thank you for being you!
Rinkesh
Got some few ideas for my next blog. Thanks for the awesome blog post, Katie.
Suzi startamomblog
Wow. Thank you for the feature!
Sonya
I’ve been playing around with a few ideas for some time, but I keep coming back to this one particle idea all the time (i.e. business coaching).
Thanks for the great article and inspiration, Katie!
Suzi | startamomblog
Wow, thank you for including me! It’s been an honor to help over 5,000 moms get their voices out online! This is such an inspiring post – thank you!!
Anand
Thanks for sharing those valuable ideas , As planning to start a small business your blog gave me better idea.
Rakesh
Very thank full for sharing those suggestions , looking to start a new business your suggestions are very helpful.
John
Cool post, but how many of them are making enough to support a family, pay a mortgage, live the life of their dreams?
Often I find out sites like these make 1/4 of what I can make working for an enterprise.
Katie Parrott
Hey John – thanks for asking! We’ve deliberately shown something of a range here. Some of these businesses are more well-established, some are just getting started. Some folks are running their business alongside full-time jobs, others have made the leap to working on their business full time. The goal here is to showcase the range of ideas, talents, and skills that can become businesses, rather than focusing on raw earning potential as the sole metric of success. Sure, some of these folks are earning less as entrepreneurs than they did in their “previous lives” as corporate employees – but if you asked them, I think they’d tell you the freedom and control over their time – not to mention the pride and ownership of having built something themselves – is worth the trade-off! Also, they may not be replacing their income YET… but that doesn’t mean it will stay that way!
Dan christensen
Some of these seem re-hashed and overused, but I got some awesome ideas out of others. Great post!
Davia D Coutcher
These are all inspiring AF!🤯
Yup I said it! I have been living my message and it’s been the thing at keeps me up at night! (Passionately)
I put up my rough initial signature talk on YouTube and had my quick win ( ebook) ready and was interviewed on an amazing podcast ( There sole job is to blow holes in peoples theories, mean what you say, save what you mean and PROVE IT!
I was terrified- but I blew the hosts (all amazing guys ) and had tremendous feedback and the chat was blowing up.. I am invited this next week to go over the steps again..
I am “stuck “ at not having a website the front and back office end really has me spinning around and around…
How to you get over the tech if it’s you’re biggest struggle?
Davia
Davia D Coutcher
Wish typed way too fast however you can catch the #replay on Spreaker Bad Habits Network “RX For CEOCENTRIC Living with Dr. Davia Coutcher” I’m very excited for the opportunity to learn what I don’t know and to continue to share, connect, learn and grow!
I’m aware at what I suck at ( Wastes time, brainpower, energy, effort ) I want to seek out and implement automation, delegation and processes that move me away from the computer and gets more eyes , ears, 🧠, butts into seats, listening tuned in and communicating!
Davia
Amith
Thanks for sharing this post. Helpful and Informative.
Grayson
This is a wonderful resource, thank you.
Donna Mills
Really Appreciated!
Thank you very much for share a informative blog and your thoughts.
Paul Uduk
I’ve been on Growth Lab for a while and really enjoy their informative and educative blog posts. Focusing on these mere mortals rather that “the celebrities” is quite helpful for newbies like some of us. This is a treasure trove. I hope Katie will one day come up with a sequel featuring the best or most affordable technology providers in the areas of marketing automation, SEO, blog design and similar functions.
Akhilesh more
Thank you Katie for providing such a great article. Really appreciate your efforts !
Myhub Intranet
Impressive post specially the points you mentioned about the strategies could help me in my business. Some of the points were familiar to me and some them is very new for me.
Thank you so much for sharing this post with us. I’ll follow your blog posts from today onward.
Great Job!
Molly Cook
Great post. Lots of really useful tips. I’ve bookmarked your page to use as my “cheat sheet”! Thanks for sharing.
Jeswanth
That’s Really is a Great Piece of data, thanks for sharing those valuable ideas will surely gonna try this