18 Business Ideas For Bakers [2024]

Updated: September 26th, 2024

Are you a baker looking to expand your business horizons in 2024? The world of baking offers a multitude of opportunities beyond the traditional bakery setup. By exploring new business ideas, you could diversify your offerings and reach a broader customer base.

Imagine transforming your passion for baking into a profitable online bakery, where you could ship your unique creations nationwide. Alternatively, you could host virtual baking classes, sharing your skills with aspiring bakers worldwide. There are numerous possibilities that could elevate your baking business to new heights.

This article delves into several innovative business ideas tailored for bakers like you. Whether you're considering a specialty bakery, a mobile baking service, or customized baked goods, there's something here to inspire your next entrepreneurial move. Dive in and discover how you could take your baking business to the next level in 2024.

For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other baker businesses to help you see what it takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)

Starting a subscription box business makes perfect sense for bakers looking to supplement their income or start a side hustle. Given the growing popularity of subscription services, you could offer a curated selection of baked goods to customers on a monthly basis, showcasing your baking skills and delivering delightful experiences straight to their doorsteps. This could include everything from exclusive seasonal treats to baked goods that cater to specific dietary preferences, creating a loyal customer base and a consistent revenue stream.

Why start a subscription box business?

  • Subscription boxes provide recurring revenue, giving you more predictable cash flow.
  • This model allows you to diversify your product offerings, showcasing different baked items each month.
  • You can engage directly with your customers, building brand loyalty through personalized, high-quality service.

For more insights on starting a subscription box business, check out subscription box business success stories.

How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)

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

How I Started A Gift Box Business For Non Traditional Brides

Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.

Read by 31,437 founders

2. Start a dropshipping business ($414K/month)

Starting a dropshipping business offers an ideal way for bakers to supplement their income or even launch an entirely new business venture. As a baker, you're already familiar with creating delightful products and understanding consumer tastes. With dropshipping, you could sell baking supplies, tools, or specialty ingredients through an online store without the hassle of maintaining inventory. This business model allows you to focus on marketing and customer service, leveraging your baking expertise to cater to a niche market.

To start, you'll need to select a product category, set up an online store on platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, and partner with reliable suppliers from websites like AliExpress. Then, you can start listing products, manage expenses, and monitor your profit margins to ensure sustainability. For more insights, you could explore this guide on the profitability of a dropshipping business.

Why consider dropshipping as a baker?

  • You could leverage your baking knowledge to select and market niche products effectively.
  • Dropshipping requires minimal upfront investment, making it easier to start on a budget.
  • It offers a flexible income stream that can complement your existing bakery business.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

How I Started A $100K/Month Business Mentoring Dropshipping Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.

Read by 25,756 founders

3. Start a niche website ($107K/month)

Starting a niche website could be a fantastic opportunity for bakers to create an additional income stream while sharing their passion and expertise. By focusing on specialized topics, such as gluten-free baking, artisanal breads, or cake decorating tutorials, you could build a dedicated audience that finds value in your unique content. Not only does this allow you to express your creative flair, but it also opens various monetization avenues, from affiliate marketing to selling custom baking courses and digital products.

Creating compelling content related to baking could establish you as an authoritative figure in your niche, attracting loyal followers and potential customers. For those considering this path, it's important to invest time in research, SEO, and continuous content creation to ensure your website's success. Visit Starter Story for more insights on how to build a successful niche website: Starter Story.

Why start a niche website?

  • You could reach a global audience with your expertise, turning your baking passion into a lucrative online platform.
  • It allows you to diversify your income streams, providing financial stability alongside your baking business.
  • A niche website offers the potential for passive income, giving you more time to focus on perfecting your baking skills.

How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month

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

How I Leveraged My LinkedIn Network To Create A $1.8M/Year Procurement Conference

DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.

Read by 3,615 founders

4. Start an online course sales business ($85K/month)

Are you a baker with a wealth of knowledge and techniques? Consider monetizing your expertise by creating and selling online baking courses. As the e-learning market is projected to exceed $645 billion in the coming years, sharing your skills online could become a significant passive income stream. All you need is a target audience, an engaging online course, and a platform to sell it on.

Why start an online course sales business?

  • There’s a growing demand for e-learning. With the market booming, there's no better time to share your baking expertise online.
  • Your knowledge is uniquely valuable. What you do every day in the kitchen can be transformed into valuable content for aspiring bakers.
  • It can generate passive income. Once your course is up and running, it can continue to bring in revenue for years, allowing you to focus on baking while earnings roll in.

For more insights, check out these success stories from other entrepreneurs who have succeeded in the online course business.

How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month

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

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

I Make $120K/Year With My Print On Demand T-Shirt Side Hustle

A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.

Read by 12,026 founders

5. Start an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)

Starting an eCommerce reselling business could be a lucrative supplemental income stream for a baker. By purchasing popular baking supplies, tools, and specialty ingredients in bulk and reselling them online, you could cater to a niche market of fellow bakers and baking enthusiasts. This alternative business model allows you to leverage your industry knowledge without the overhead of producing goods, making it an economical way to expand your entrepreneurial endeavors.

For more detailed insights on the pros and cons of an eCommerce reselling business, you can explore success stories here.

Why consider an eCommerce reselling business?

  • You could capitalize on your baking expertise to curate desirable products for other bakers.
  • It is a low-cost entry point into the online marketplace, requiring minimal overhead.
  • Managing inventory and sales online offers flexibility, allowing you to balance it alongside your current baking business.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)

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

My Side Hustle Makes $1.2M/Year Selling Car Accessories

Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.

Read by 7,377 founders

6. Start a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)

Venturing into starting a YouTube channel could be a natural extension of your baking business, where you can share your recipes, baking techniques, and creative cake designs with a global audience. By consistently posting high-quality content, you could monetize your channel through ads, affiliate marketing, and even sponsorship deals, thereby supplementing your income and expanding your brand's reach.

In addition to showcasing your talents, you could use your channel to engage directly with your audience, answering questions and fostering a community of passionate bakers. This direct engagement not only builds loyalty but also serves as a valuable feedback loop for your baking business.

Why start a YouTube channel?

  • You could reach a global audience, turning local fame into international recognition.
  • Monetizing through ads and sponsorships could provide a steady income stream.
  • Engaging directly with viewers helps build a dedicated community and enhances your brand's visibility.

For more insights on starting and growing a successful YouTube channel, check out this page on YouTube channel success stories.

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

How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)

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

How A Young Entrepreneur From Nigeria Started A Profitable Blog

This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.

Read by 12,318 founders

7. Start a niche blog ($31.5K/month)

Starting a niche blog could be a fantastic way for you as a baker to supplement your income and share your passion with a wider audience. By focusing on a specific aspect of baking, like vegan pastries or traditional bread-making techniques, you could attract a dedicated community interested in your expertise. Additionally, by monetizing your blog through affiliate links, collaborations with baking brands, and possibly even launching a YouTube channel, you could create multiple streams of income that complement your baking business.

Find your niche and create unique and informative content, such as how-to guides, top product lists, and video tutorials. This could help you gain visibility and followers, establishing your presence in the world of baking enthusiasts and foodies.

Why start a niche blog?

  • Showcase your baking skills to a broader audience, creating brand recognition and business opportunities.
  • Diversify your income through various monetization methods like affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and product reviews.
  • Engage with a passionate community, allowing you to turn your baking expertise into a sustainable side business or even a full-time career.

For more detailed guidance on niche blogging, visit Starter Story's comprehensive resources on how to start a niche blog.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)

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

How I Turned A Crappy Idea Into A $3M/Year Business

Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.

Read by 78,062 founders

8. Print on demand business ($411K/month)

Starting a print-on-demand business can be an excellent way for bakers to supplement their income and diversify their revenue streams. By creating and selling custom-designed merchandise such as aprons, kitchen towels, and themed apparel, bakers can leverage their creativity and passion for baking to reach a broader audience. With minimal startup costs and the convenience of operating from home, print-on-demand offers a scalable and flexible avenue to turn unique designs into additional profits without needing to maintain inventory.

Why start a print-on-demand business?

  • It requires minimal startup investment, allowing you to test the waters without large financial risks.
  • You can capitalize on your artistic flair, creating custom designs that can appeal to fellow baking enthusiasts.
  • Operating from home provides the flexibility to balance this side business with your primary baking activities, potentially introducing your brand to a global market.

For more details, check out this comprehensive guide on print-on-demand business startup costs.

How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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

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

Read by 29,962 founders

9. Create an AI writing tool ($255K/month)

As a baker with an entrepreneurial mindset, venturing into the AI writing tool business offers a unique and futuristic avenue to supplement your income. This endeavor capitalizes on the rapid advancements in technology, focusing on the creation of a digital tool powered by Artificial Intelligence to assist in content creation. Beyond your baking talents, you could revolutionize how businesses, bloggers, and students produce written content, providing a seamless, error-free, and time-efficient solution.

Creating an AI writing tool aligns with the essential demand for constant, quality content in today's digital age. Not only could this tool enhance productivity for writers globally, but it also represents a forward-thinking business venture that leverages innovation to meet substantive needs. Embark on this exciting journey and transform how the written world operates, all while supplementing your baking business income.

Why creating an AI writing tool?

  • It offers a significant income stream when paired with your existing baking business.
  • The demand for AI-driven content creation tools is rapidly growing, presenting a lucrative market.
  • Developing this tool allows you to participate in the cutting-edge tech space, diversifying your entrepreneurial portfolio.

For more details about starting an AI writing tool business, you can explore potential costs and profitability on Starter Story.

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

How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)

I Built A Simple AI Writing Tool That Makes $60K/Year

Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.

Read by 6,752 founders

10. Create a mobile app ($70.3K/month)

For entrepreneurial bakers, starting a mobile app could serve as a fantastic side business or a lucrative primary venture. Imagine developing an app that offers innovative solutions to common baking challenges, such as recipe adjustments, ingredient substitutions, or scheduling tools for managing multiple orders. With the right strategy and marketing, your app could attract a wide audience, providing you with additional income streams and expanding your reach far beyond your local market.

Creating a mobile app may seem daunting, but with basic coding knowledge or by hiring a skilled developer, you could turn your ideas into reality. From planning the user experience to designing engaging interfaces and testing for functionality, you'll be able to shape an essential tool for both amateur and professional bakers. Interested in learning more? Check out these mobile app success stories for inspiration.

Why create a mobile app?

  • The mobile app market is booming, offering significant revenue potential.
  • An app can solve specific problems faced by bakers, making it highly valuable.
  • Mobile apps enable you to reach a global audience, extending your brand's influence.

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

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

We Started A $6M/Year Bachelorette Party App

BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.

Read by 11,003 founders

11. Start an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)

Looking to streamline your bakery operations with cutting-edge technology? Consider an AI-based business solution. As a baker, you could use AI to optimize various aspects of your bakery, from managing inventory and predicting sales trends to automating customer service and personalizing marketing efforts. This could free up more of your time for baking and creativity, all while reducing costs and enhancing efficiency.

AI tools can automate repetitive tasks, provide valuable customer insights, and even predict market trends with impressive accuracy. You don’t need a background in tech to start—many platform providers offer user-friendly interfaces and robust support systems. With the rapid growth in demand for AI solutions, launching an AI-based business could be a strategic move to innovate and boost business performance.

Why consider an AI-based business solution?

  • You'll enhance efficiency by automating mundane tasks.
  • You'll make smarter, data-driven decisions to grow your bakery.
  • You'll save time and resources, allowing you to focus on what you love: baking delicious goods.

For more insights on starting an AI-based business solution, check out this page: AI-based Business Solution Profitability.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month

How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)

How We Launched A $120K/Month Audiobook Publishing Course

Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.

Read by 21,991 founders

12. Start a health and wellness app ($108K/month)

Imagine combining your love for baking with the burgeoning field of health and wellness by creating a health and wellness app. This app could feature healthy baking recipes, nutritional guidance, and wellness tips specifically tailored for food enthusiasts and those looking to maintain a balanced diet. In addition to offering personalized meal plans, your app could include fitness routines and mental well-being exercises, creating a holistic approach to health that resonates with your baking community.

Developing this app will involve thorough market research, collaboration with health experts, app development, and targeted marketing strategies. However, the potential to inspire healthy living and enter a growing market makes it an enticing opportunity. For more insights, check out this page on Starter Story.

Why start a health and wellness app?

  • You could diversify your skills and income streams by merging your baking expertise with health and wellness.
  • You could create a unique niche by offering healthy, nutritious baking recipes alongside fitness and wellness tips.
  • It's an excellent way to leverage your existing knowledge and passion for food to positively impact lives while building a successful side business.

How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month

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

I Created A $2.7M/Year Software That Extends People's Lives By Analyzing Their DNA

Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.

Read by 8,603 founders

13. Start an online furniture business ($204K/month)

Just like crafting the perfect loaf of bread, starting an online furniture business offers bakers a unique blend of creativity and entrepreneurship. Shifting to an online platform for selling furniture can not only diversify your income streams but also tap into your knowledge of product presentation, customer service, and business acumen gained from running your bakery.

In an online furniture business, you could create custom or niche market furniture, set up an e-commerce website, and leverage digital marketing strategies to grow your customer base. This allows you to blend your knack for aesthetic design with a profitable venture, maximizing your potential for success. For more insights on how to get started, you can explore various success stories here.

Why consider an online furniture business?

  • You could diversify your source of income beyond the bakery, making your financial status more stable.
  • You’re already skilled at presenting products attractively, a useful trait for online retail success.
  • You could take advantage of the booming online shopping trend to reach a broader customer base.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $500,000/month

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

How I Started A $300K/Month Premium Office Furniture Business

Branch Office Furniture offers a new approach to the office furniture industry, selling high-quality furniture directly to businesses with space design, delivery, and installation included at one-third to one-half of the price of comparable quality products, resulting in over $1M in sales since launching in Q1 of 2019.

Read by 18,057 founders

14. Start a social media automation business ($139K/month)

As a baker, starting a social media automation business could seamlessly integrate into your entrepreneurial journey. Imagine using the same creativity and precision you apply to crafting delightful pastries to enhance and automate social media strategies for other businesses. With many clients needing consistent engagement without the time commitment, your expertise in organizing and delivering quality can help streamline their social media presence.

Utilizing tools to schedule posts, automate customer interactions, and analyze performance data, you'd offer valuable services to small businesses and influencers alike. By branching into this tech-savvy domain, you position yourself at the intersection of culinary arts and digital marketing, opening doors to diverse revenue streams and broadening your business portfolio.

Read more about the potential of social media automation businesses on Starter Story.

Why consider starting a social media automation business?

  • You could diversify your income streams by tapping into a growing market with high demand.
  • Your organizational skills as a baker would translate well to managing automated social media tasks efficiently.
  • This business allows flexibility, letting you balance baking with technology-driven client work.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month

How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)

How I Bootstrapped A Social Media Automation Tool To $2MM/Year

MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.

Read by 15,239 founders

15. Start an online publishing service

As a baker, you could tap into the digital age by starting an online publishing service catering to both aspiring authors and your fellow bakers. This venture allows you to publish recipe books, baking guides, and culinary-themed stories without the traditional publishing hurdles. By offering a platform for manuscript uploads, book cover designs, and marketing tools, you could help authors reach a broad audience while diversifying your own income streams.

Not only would you be empowering writers, but you’d also be creating a niche for culinary literature, combining your passion for baking with a keen interest in digital technology. This business could serve as an engaging and profitable side venture that complements your baking career and potentially scales into a primary source of income over time.

Why start an online publishing service?

  • You could merge your baking skills and literary interests, offering unique culinary content that stands out in the market.
  • Online publishing is a lucrative, growing industry with minimal overhead costs.
  • Helping other authors publish their work creates a fulfilling and community-driven business model.

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

How I Started A $300K/Month Easy Online Menu Designer For Restaurants

MustHaveMenus is a cloud-based design and print service for restaurants that allows them to quickly create professional menus and marketing materials in just a few clicks, using templates and an easy-to-use editor, making it a one-stop-shop for all their design needs.

Read by 10,049 founders

16. Start an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)

As a baker, starting an affiliate marketing business could be a lucrative side gig or even a full-time venture that supplements your income. By promoting baking-related products and services from other companies, you could earn a commission for each sale made through your affiliate links. Consider partnering with eCommerce stores or manufacturers that offer baking supplies, kitchen gadgets, or even online baking courses to monetize your passion and expertise.

For more insights on the profitability of affiliate marketing, check out this link.

Why starting an affiliate marketing business?

  • You could earn passive income by promoting products you already love and use in your baking.
  • Affiliate marketing offers flexible work hours, allowing you to work around your baking schedule.
  • It's a low-cost business to start, making it accessible and low-risk for bakers looking to diversify their income streams.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)

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

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Read by 24,619 founders

17. Start an email marketing tool ($992K/month)

Starting an email marketing tool can be a lucrative side business or supplemental income stream for bakers looking to expand their entrepreneurial ventures. This software application allows you to create, manage, and automate email campaigns, making it easier to connect with your customers and keep them engaged with your products. Given that email marketing is one of the most effective marketing channels, launching this type of tool can provide substantial opportunities for making extra money.

For bakers, an email marketing tool can help generate leads, increase sales, and build a subscriber base that can translate into greater customer loyalty. The industry is booming, with the global market size expected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028, making it a ripe opportunity for those already familiar with running a business. Explore the possibilities and you might find that starting an email marketing tool complements your baking business seamlessly, helping you reach more customers efficiently.

Why start an email marketing tool?

  • The booming market offers significant growth potential, expected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028.
  • You could utilize your existing customer base from your baking business to kick-start your email marketing venture.
  • Mastering email marketing tools could help you grow your own baking business while providing a valuable service to other entrepreneurs.

For more insights on starting an email marketing tool, check out Starter Story's tips on email marketing tools.

How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month

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

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

I Built A SEO Tool That's Completely Free For Users [From Lebanon]

H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.

Read by 14,129 founders

18. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Starting a podcast could be a fantastic way for bakers to supplement their income and reach a broader audience. By sharing your baking expertise, recipes, and behind-the-scenes stories, you can attract a loyal listener base interested in all things baking. This platform provides opportunities for sponsorships, ads, and selling your own baked goods or merchandise. For more details on starting a podcast, check out these success stories.

Why starting a podcast?

  • You could establish yourself as an expert in the baking community, attracting listeners and potential customers.
  • A podcast is a low-cost way to market your baking business and expand your brand presence.
  • Monetize your podcast through sponsorships, advertising, or selling your own baking products and services to an engaged audience.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

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

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

Read by 19,195 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

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