27 Business Ideas For Graphic Designers [2024]

Updated: September 21st, 2024

Interested in starting a business as a graphic designer in 2024?

If managed well, building a business as a graphic designer could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for Graphic designers?

We put together 27 of some of the best graphic designer business ideas you can start in today.

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

Here's the full list:

1. Start a video production company ($156K/month)

Launching a video production company could be a natural extension of your skills as a graphic designer. Given your background in visual storytelling, you could seamlessly transition into creating compelling videos for marketing campaigns, online ads, and corporate content. Your expertise in design principles and software would give you a competitive edge in producing high-quality visuals that capture audience attention.

By starting a video production agency, you could not only supplement your income but also diversify your portfolio and services. This can open doors to new clients and projects, further enhancing your credibility and marketability in the creative industry. Whether it's producing commercials, showcasing products, or crafting employee training videos, your unique perspective as a graphic designer could set your video production company apart from the competition.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 72 days (?)

How I Started A $500K/Month Video Production Company From My Bedroom in LA

Lemonlight CEO, Hope Horner, co-founded an on-demand video production company that has produced over 7,000 videos for more than 3,000 brands, generating over $6 million in sales and growing to a 45-person team, all without taking any outside capital and being recognized in Inc 5000 and Entrepreneur 360 for three years in a row.

Read by 18,325 founders

2. Start a virtual events business ($185K/month)

As a graphic designer, starting a virtual events business could be a fantastic way to leverage your existing skills while tapping into a booming industry. With your design expertise, you could create visually appealing event spaces, captivating presentations, and engaging marketing materials that set your clients' events apart. Your eye for detail and aesthetic sense will ensure that every virtual event you manage is not only functional but also stunning.

Given the ongoing trend of virtual meetings spurred by the 2020 global pandemic, the demand for such events continues to rise. Corporates and entertainment sectors are particularly interested in hosting more virtual events in the coming decade. By combining your graphic design skills with new broadcasting and event coordination techniques, you could offer a unique service that caters to this growing market, making your virtual events business a lucrative side venture or full-time endeavor.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $897,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 179 days (?)

How Two Friends Started A $13K/Month Online Book Club From Bali

Two friends started an online book club that now has 570 members and generates £10,500 MRR, by addressing the problem of 'Tsundoku,' charging a monthly subscription fee for one non-fiction book, one inspiring meetup, and one custom cocktail, inspiring conversation and community.

Read by 28,600 founders

3. Start a video content creation business ($125K/month)

As a graphic designer, you could leverage your existing design and visual storytelling skills to start a video content creation business. This venture would allow you to create engaging and impactful visuals, producing content like promotional videos, social media posts, or tutorials for a diverse set of clients.

With the increasing demand for video content across platforms, your expertise in design could help you stand out by offering visually appealing and well-edited videos. You could work with small businesses aiming to enhance their online presence or influencers who need polished, professional content.

To get started, basic video equipment and editing software are essential, along with building a portfolio that showcases your best work. By understanding your clients' needs and consistently delivering high-quality content, you could turn your creative talents into a profitable side business or full-time endeavor.

How much you can make: $7,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)

How We Started A $30K/Month Ecommerce Video Marketing Business

Silksocial produces rockstar video ads for eCommerce brands, with a turnover of around $30K/month and a focus on differentiation through a deep understanding of e-commerce video ad production techniques that optimize investment returns.

Read by 7,165 founders

4. Start a shopify ecommerce agency ($105K/month)

Starting a Shopify eCommerce agency could be an excellent way to capitalize on your graphic design skills. With your strong visual and creative talents, you could offer visually stunning web design services to retailers looking to enhance their online presence and attract potential customers. Adding skills in SEO and eCommerce marketing could further diversify your service offerings, making you a one-stop-shop for online retail solutions.

This side hustle or full-time business venture aligns well with the entrepreneurial mindset as it allows you to be your own boss and define your niche in the market. By gaining the necessary experience through an agency and then branching out on your own, you could grow a profitable business that leverages both your design expertise and your newfound eCommerce skills.

Through your Shopify eCommerce agency, you could empower retailers to meet their eCommerce goals more effectively, all while supplementing your income or possibly even transitioning into a highly rewarding new career path.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 95 days (?)

How I Started A $100K/Month Shopify Ecommerce Agency

Velstar, a UK-based Shopify Plus partner agency, has seen impressive year-on-year revenue growth of at least 100% every year, due to their focus on building engaging and conversion-focused eCommerce websites, and highly effective growth marketing for direct-to-consumer brands on Shopify, with big ambitions for 2020 including launching a local Shopify Plus meetup, an eCommerce podcast, investing in content marketing and hiring their first business development personnel.

Read by 9,130 founders

5. Start an ecommerce marketing agency ($463K/month)

As a graphic designer, starting an eCommerce marketing agency could be a strategic way to leverage your creative and digital skills to help online sellers achieve their business goals. With your expertise in design, you could offer compelling visual content that improves the marketing efforts of eCommerce businesses, which often struggle to balance production and brand growth. This could include everything from website design to social media graphics and advertising materials.

The eCommerce industry is constantly evolving, and brands need to stay ahead of trends to remain competitive. By offering your skills through an agency, you could assist these brands in staying current without the need for them to employ full-time staff. This creates a lucrative and fulfilling business opportunity for you, especially if you educate yourself on emerging trends and perhaps focus on a specific niche that aligns with your passions and strengths.

Additionally, as the need for high-quality visual content continues to grow, your background in graphic design positions you perfectly to create marketing material that not only attracts but retains customers. This approach could help you build a successful business while supplementing your income or eventually becoming your primary career focus.

How much you can make: $7,500 — $8,300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

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

How I Started A $120K/Month Online Course For Social Media Marketing Agencies

Iman Gadzhi made over $1.2M in profit within two years with his social media marketing agency and education company, where he teaches entrepreneurs how to start and scale a profitable SMMA, with over 45 of his students making over six figures with their SMMA, and over 300 students having quit their regular jobs.

Read by 15,830 founders

6. Start a vegan baby food business

As a graphic designer, you could leverage your creative skills to start a vegan baby food business, capitalizing on the rapidly growing baby food sector and rising demand for vegan and organic options. Your design expertise would be invaluable in creating visually appealing packaging and branding that stands out on crowded store shelves and resonates with health-conscious parents.

Additionally, by crafting compelling marketing materials and a user-friendly website, you could effectively communicate the benefits of plant-based nutrition for infants, attracting a loyal customer base. This venture allows you to merge your design prowess with entrepreneurial ambitions, fostering a unique business that meets a rising market need.

7. Become a digital product designer ($89.1K/month)

Starting a business as a digital product designer could be a lucrative side hustle for you as a graphic designer looking to diversify your income streams. Transitioning from creating static designs to developing user interface (UI) design PSD templates allows you to tap into a growing market. Many new businesses are in constant need of high-quality, ready-made design templates to streamline their launch processes.

By growing a portfolio of these UI design materials, you could leverage your existing design skills to create products that have a consistent demand. This approach not only supplements your income but also provides a scalable business model with the potential for passive revenue. It offers an exciting opportunity to expand your professional capabilities while building a sustainable digital product design business.

How much you can make: $3,500 — $300,000/month

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

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

How I Started A $69K/Month Software Agency After A Failed Product Launch

A software agency started by a non-technical founder helps diverse clients with their minimum lovable product, boasting a revenue of over $700,000 this year with a 20% profit margin and a team of 8.

Read by 25,953 founders

8. Create an online course ($83.3K/month)

As a graphic designer, creating an online course could be an excellent way to supplement your income or even start an entirely new business. You could leverage your expertise in design software, typography, branding, or any specialized Graphic design skills to develop a series of engaging video lessons and supplementary materials for students.

By identifying educational gaps and capitalizing on your professional knowledge, you could provide value to aspiring designers or even seasoned professionals looking to upgrade their skills. With flexible self-paced or cohort-based course structures, you have the opportunity to build a student base, resulting in passive income potential over time.

For those who enjoy sharing information and teaching, launching an online course platform is a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents. Given the relatively small startup costs, this could be a financially beneficial venture, catering to eager lifelong learners seeking convenient access to new and emerging subjects.

How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

Read by 28,862 founders

9. Start a fertility business

As a graphic designer, you could creatively leverage your design expertise to start a fertility business that caters to the booming market for accessible fertility treatments. By creating visually appealing educational materials, engaging social media campaigns, and comprehensive branding for fertility services, you could attract and retain clients seeking trustworthy and attractive services.

Moreover, the flexibility of starting a fertility business from home allows you to work within your existing graphic design schedule, providing an opportunity to supplement your income. With the industry’s high profit margins and public awareness on the rise, combining your design skills with this highly specialized field could be a profitable and fulfilling entrepreneurial venture. Make sure to research thoroughly and establish a solid business plan to ensure success.

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

How We Started A $150K/Month Male Fertility Company That Offers Sperm Analysis And Storage

Legacy, a male fertility company founded by Khaled Kteily in 2018, offers a mail-in kit for at-home sperm testing and cryogenic storage of sperm, with its base product at $195 and a $3,995 "For Forever" package, and has reported an average of $150,000 in monthly revenue.

Read by 8,323 founders

10. Start a drinkware brand ($4.19M/month)

Starting a drinkware brand could be an excellent side business for a graphic designer. Leveraging your design skills, you could create unique, eye-catching designs for cups, koozies, mugs, and other drinking accessories, catering to the growing demand for custom-branded drinkware.

You could easily operate this business from your own home, significantly reducing startup costs by avoiding the need for a physical storefront. With strategic marketing and leveraging modern e-commerce platforms, you could start making money within a few weeks. This venture allows you to combine your creative talents with entrepreneurial ambitions, offering a dynamic way to supplement your income while exploring new avenues for your design skills.

How much you can make: $115,000 — $12,000,000/month

I Grew A Drinkware Brand To $1.1M/Month At 23 Years Old

BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.

Read by 112,851 founders

11. Start a board game ($88K/month)

As a graphic designer, you could turn your love for board games into a lucrative side business by leveraging your design skills to create captivating and visually appealing games. By brainstorming innovative concepts and developing engaging gameplay mechanics, you have the potential to design unique and memorable experiences that captivate players. Your expertise in design can help you create visually stunning game components, from board layouts to card illustrations, ensuring your game stands out in a competitive market.

Once you have a solid prototype, you could explore manufacturing options and use platforms like Kickstarter to crowdfund production costs, making the venture less financially demanding. Not only would this project be creatively fulfilling, but it could also be commercially viable, offering you a chance to bring joy to countless households. If you're passionate about board games and looking to embark on a rewarding entrepreneurial journey, starting a board game business could be the perfect outlet for your talent and ambition.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

How I Started A $100K/Month Business Selling And Designing Playing Cards Decks

How Will Roya built a $100K/month business selling and designing playing cards and decks, using Kickstarter to fund his own decks, and focusing on great customer service, SEO, and new products to retain customers.

Read by 14,317 founders

12. Start a BBQ tools business ($270K/month)

As a graphic designer, you could leverage your creative skills to tap into the booming BBQ tools market. With the demand for barbecue tools and accessories continually rising, both from hotels and individual households, you could create a unique brand that stands out through eye-catching designs and innovative packaging.

Leveraging your design expertise, you could produce aesthetically pleasing and functional BBQ tools that appeal to a niche audience. By utilizing your artisan skills and knowledge of the BBQ industry, this venture could serve as a lucrative side business, allowing you to supplement your income while exploring a new entrepreneurial path.

How much you can make: $40,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)

How long does it take to build: 275 days (?)

From $600 left to $2M in sales in its first year of Business Selling BBQ And Outdoor Kitchen Equipment

BBQGrills.com is an online retailer of outdoor kitchen equipment, BBQ grills, and patio heaters that earned $2 million in sales within its first year of business through a focus on quality, performance, and customer service.

Read by 9,267 founders

13. Start a freelancer platform ($391K/month)

As a graphic designer, starting your own freelancer platform could help you not only supplement your income but also provide a substantial business opportunity. With the rapid growth of the freelancing industry—expected to reach $6.7 billion by 2025—there is a thriving market for connecting skilled professionals with businesses in need of their services. By creating a platform where graphic designers, and other creatives, can showcase their work and find clients, you could attract a wide range of businesses looking for custom designs.

Additionally, your existing network and expertise in graphic design will give you an edge in understanding the needs and priorities of your user base. You could curate a specialized marketplace that highlights design professionals, thereby ensuring high-quality matches between freelancers and clients. This platform could cater to a variety of design needs, from website graphics and logos to print materials and branding, making it a go-to destination for both freelancers and businesses alike.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $5,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)

We Bootstrapped A Tech Talent Platform To $1.2M Sales In Our First Year

CloudDevs, a tech talent platform that sources and vets freelance tech talent and matches them with companies, has achieved $1 million in GMV in its first year, plans to achieve 100% growth year on year, and focuses on customer loyalty through its Net Promoter Score metric.

Read by 17,337 founders

14. Start a niche accessories brand ($196K/month)

As a graphic designer, you possess the unique ability to create visually appealing and distinctive designs that could set your niche accessories brand apart in a crowded market. Whether it's custom jewelry, handbags, or small leather goods, leveraging your design skills allows you to craft one-of-a-kind products that resonate with specific target audiences. You could start by setting up a small Etsy store or leveraging marketplace sites like Amazon, Facebook, and eBay to showcase and sell your creations.

The custom accessories market is booming, with an estimated value of nearly $473.46 billion by 2020 and projected strong growth continuing this decade. By tapping into this lucrative market, you could significantly supplement your income or even turn your side hustle into a full-time venture. Taking advantage of your existing design expertise also means you could achieve high product markups, thereby maximizing your profit margins.

How much you can make: $200 — $1,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)

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

How Two Friends Started A $13K/Month Online Book Club From Bali

Two friends started an online book club that now has 570 members and generates £10,500 MRR, by addressing the problem of 'Tsundoku,' charging a monthly subscription fee for one non-fiction book, one inspiring meetup, and one custom cocktail, inspiring conversation and community.

Read by 28,591 founders

15. Start an app for music producers ($23.4K/month)

As a graphic designer, you could channel your design skills into creating a visually appealing and user-friendly app for music producers. By developing a platform that includes beat-making tools, sound libraries, and collaborative workspaces, you could help simplify the complex tasks that music producers face daily. Your knack for aesthetics and usability can make the app more engaging and efficient, setting it apart from generic, function-focused competitors.

Moreover, in an industry that's always evolving, there's a high demand for streamlined solutions that enhance creativity. By integrating features such as project sharing, instant feedback, and monetization options, your app could become indispensable for music producers looking to innovate. Partnering with developers and industry professionals ensures that your app meets user needs effectively, bridging your design expertise with the dynamic world of music tech.

If you're passionate about music and technology, this venture could be a perfect blend of both worlds. It's an opportunity to leverage your design skills in a new domain, helping music producers boost their creativity and productivity while supplementing your income or even pioneering a new business venture.

How much you can make: $200 — $69,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 175 days (?)

On Launching A Simple Music Catalog Management App For Artists And Producers

Musicspace.io is a music catalog management platform that has attracted 100 users in under two months entirely bootstrapped, with plans to handle independent and non-independent artists of all sizes, while offering additional features such as a Milestones product for users to track their achievements, goals, and milestones.

Read by 7,074 founders

16. Create a landing page builder ($47.6K/month)

As a graphic designer, you could leverage your design expertise by starting a landing page builder business. This venture would allow you to use your skills to create visually appealing and highly converting landing pages for businesses and individuals. Given that many startups struggle with effective marketing, your service could fill a critical need and provide substantial value by helping them turn website visitors into paying customers.

Starting such a business requires basic web development skills and familiarity with popular platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, which you likely already have or can easily acquire. The success of Unbounce, generating nearly $26M per year, illustrates the growing demand and profitability of landing page builders. By tapping into this market, you could either supplement your income or build a thriving side business that showcases and monetizes your design talents.

How much you can make: $110 — $160,000/month

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

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

On Starting A $160K/Month CRM & Automations Company After A US Air Force Career

GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.

Read by 12,017 founders

17. Start an influencer reporting tool business ($437K/month)

As a graphic designer, you could leverage your design expertise to launch an influencer reporting tool business. Your ability to create visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces can set your reporting tool apart in a crowded market. By designing intuitive dashboards and visual data representations, you’ll help users quickly grasp insights and make informed decisions.

Moreover, your attention to detail and creative thinking could be indispensable in communicating complex data in an understandable and engaging way. An influencer reporting tool that is well-designed can provide companies with critical metrics like share of voice and performance over time, which are essential for shaping effective marketing strategies. Venturing into this business could open up new revenue streams while allowing you to make a significant impact in the digital marketing landscape.

How much you can make: $7,000 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

How We Left Our 9 to 5 Jobs To Start A $50K/Month Marketing Agency

This case study follows the co-founder of a social media marketing agency who left their 6-figure 9-5 jobs to build a business that has grown to between 50-60K in monthly recurring revenue in just 3 years, attributing their success to putting clients and quality of work first while scaling to new clients and opportunities.

Read by 8,786 founders

18. Create a website builder ($667K/month)

As a graphic designer, launching a website builder could play to your strengths in visual design and user experience, making it an ideal side business or full-time venture. By developing a user-friendly platform with drag-and-drop features and customizable templates, you could cater to the insatiable demand from small businesses, freelancers, and personal brands seeking an accessible way to create their online presence.

Focusing on simplicity and efficiency, your website builder could incorporate essential functionalities like eCommerce and SEO tools, broadening its appeal. Not only would you leverage your design skills, but you’d also empower users to establish their digital footprint without needing sophisticated coding knowledge.

How much you can make: $200 — $8,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

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

How I Started A $8.5M/Month Company Providing Marketing Solutions To SMBs

Co-founder of Madwire JB Kellogg grew his business from just the two of them in a tiny office to over 500 employees and $100 million in annual revenue in under 10 years, by focusing on exceptional customer service and a multi-channel inbound strategy.

Read by 14,111 founders

19. Start a graphic design business ($171K/month)

Starting a graphic design business could be one of the most rewarding career moves you’ll ever make. As a graphic designer, you could leverage your skills in creating logos, brochures, ads, and other marketing materials for a wide array of companies and organizations. The possibilities are vast, from specializing in print or web design to offering comprehensive services that include everything from logo design to social media graphics.

If you’re passionate about design and want to increase your income or even make a full-time living from your creative work, entrepreneurship in this field is a viable option. You could also choose a suitable pricing structure that meets both your needs and those of your clients, either charging per hour or setting fixed prices based on the project’s nature. The excitement of running your own business not only comes from the creative freedom but also the potential to grow and diversify your services over time.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $1,750,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 87 days (?)

How Two Friends Bootstrapped A SaaS Business To $55K MRR

Learn how two friends bootstrapped a SaaS business to $55k monthly recurring revenue (MRR) by creating a simple graphic design tool for non-designers and focusing on content marketing for customer acquisition.

Read by 21,476 founders

20. Start a junk removal business ($69.2K/month)

If you're a graphic designer looking to supplement your income, starting a junk removal business offers a practical and profitable opportunity. Households and businesses often need help with tasks like hauling away broken furniture, clearing out trash, and emptying properties during foreclosures. With the high demand for these services, possessing a box truck and a knack for self-employment could position you well to capitalize on this market need.

Additionally, your graphic design skills would come in handy in creating an appealing and professional online presence for your junk removal business. You could design your own logo, build a sleek website, and develop marketing materials that stand out. Performing market research and securing the necessary permits will be your initial steps, but the combination of your design expertise and entrepreneurial mindset could set you up for success in this new venture.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $230,000/month

How long does it take to build: 55 days (?)

How I Started A $18K/Month Junk Removal Company Before Graduating From College

23-year-old Sam Evans founded You Call We Haul Junk Removal which brings in around $20,000 in revenue per month with a profit of 65% per job, servicing any individuals who have unneeded junk, and aims to franchise the business in the long-term.

Read by 50,751 founders

21. Start a landscaping business ($189K/month)

Starting a landscaping business could be a lucrative side venture for a graphic designer with an entrepreneurial spirit. Leveraging your keen eye for design and aesthetics, you could create visually stunning outdoor spaces that reflect the same principles of balance, color, and creativity you apply to your digital work. Offering services that range from basic lawn maintenance to intricate landscape design can diversify your income stream and provide a new canvas for your artistic touch.

The costs for small jobs, such as maintaining lawns and trimming trees, can bring in $50 to $100 per hour, making it relatively easy to start generating income from simple, high-demand tasks. With an initial investment as low as $5,000 for basic equipment, you can begin without huge financial strain. A well-managed landscaping business can potentially evolve into a full-time endeavor, with landscape designers earning between $70,000 to $90,000 annually, offering significant income potential alongside or beyond your graphic design career.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $375,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,000 (?)

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

Uber For Lawn Care: How I Built A $30M Software

GreenPal has bootstrapped their business to over $30 million a year in revenue, after securing an unsecured line of credit for $85,000, and have built the operating system and platform for small lawncare companies to run their entire business through, becoming live in all 50 US states and having 1.2 million homeowners using the platform.

Read by 5,250 founders

22. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)

As a graphic designer, starting a freelance writing business could be a savvy way to supplement your income while leveraging your creative skills. You already possess a keen eye for detail, which will be an asset when crafting compelling content. By diversifying into writing, you could explore various niches, from marketing materials to blog posts, all while working from the comfort of your home and setting your own schedule.

Embracing freelance writing allows entrepreneurial-minded graphic designers to stay on the cutting edge of trends, enhancing not just their design portfolio but their overall marketability. Strong writing skills combined with your visual storytelling ability can create a powerful duo, making you a standout choice for clients needing cohesive visual and written content. If you are self-motivated, meet deadlines effectively, and stay updated with current writing tools and trends, freelance writing could become a lucrative and fulfilling extension of your design career.

How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)

How I Started A $80K/Month Content Writing Business

How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.

Read by 24,814 founders

23. Start a lesson plans business

As a graphic designer, starting a lesson plans business could allow you to combine your creative skills with the growing demand for high-quality educational materials. You could leverage your expertise to design visually engaging and interactive lesson plans that stand out in the competitive education market. With your knack for design, you could easily create materials that not only meet educational standards but also captivate students' attention, making learning more enjoyable.

By focusing on a specific niche, such as graphic design lesson plans for art teachers or visual aids for various subjects, you could carve out a unique space in the market. Collaborating with educators to ensure your materials are both practical and innovative will further enhance the value of your offerings. Embracing technology to provide digital resources can also give you a broader reach, allowing teachers to access your materials from anywhere.

24. Become an online dating consultant ($15.9K/month)

As a graphic designer, starting an online dating consultant business could be a natural extension of your creative talents. You could use your design skills to craft visually appealing and professional-looking dating profiles that stand out and make great first impressions. By coupling this with advice on how to write engaging first messages and strategies for making a memorable impression, you could provide a comprehensive service that significantly enhances your clients’ online dating experiences.

Moreover, online dating is a burgeoning customer service industry, offering ample opportunities to apply your knack for visual storytelling in a highly personal context. This side business could not only supplement your income but also allow you to explore a unique intersection of design and interpersonal communication, positioning you as a go-to expert in a niche market.

How much you can make: $1,300 — $30,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 47 days (?)

How I Built My Own Business Improving Online Dating Profiles

The Match Artist helps singles take amazing photos for their online dating profiles through a 3-hour executive shoot, coaching, and email course, pioneering a new genre of photography, with an average monthly revenue of $5,000-$6,000 and a plan to double down on paid ad campaigns in the future.

Read by 12,559 founders

25. Start a health care training business ($52.5K/month)

Although it might initially seem unrelated, starting a health care training business as a graphic designer could open up unexpected opportunities for supplementing your income. With your design skills, you could develop visually engaging training materials, online courses, and promotional content that captivate your audience and enhance the learning experience.

The increasing demand for continuous education in the health care sector presents a lucrative market. Your unique ability to create user-friendly interfaces and compelling visual aids for virtual training sessions can set your business apart. Plus, with the potential to operate virtually, you can capitalize on your graphic design background to attract and retain clients through innovative branding and marketing strategies.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $90,000/month

How We Built And Launched A Health Care Training Platform

VORTTX Training and Testing is a virtual emergency response training system generating 1% of its market potential of one hundred million dollars a year in its second year of full-time operation through utilizing email marketing, trade shows, trade events, referrals, personalized LinkedIn messages, and featuring testimonials from early adopters.

Read by 7,547 founders

26. Start a bathrobe business

As a graphic designer, you could leverage your creative skills to start a bathrobe business that stands out in the market. Your design expertise would allow you to create unique patterns, logos, and packaging that resonate with consumers seeking luxury and comfort. By incorporating your eye for detail and aesthetic sensibility, you could develop a visually appealing brand that appeals to the growing self-care market.

You could also design a stunning website and engaging social media content to showcase your bathrobe collections, effectively attracting and retaining customers. Additionally, understanding market trends and preferences could help you create bathrobes with various materials and styles, from plush terry cloth to smooth silk, that cater to a broad audience. This entrepreneurial venture not only supplements your income but also gives you the satisfaction of offering a product that adds comfort and luxury to everyday life.

How much you can make: $10,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,000 (?)

How This Couple Launched A Premium Robe Business

Highway Robery is a sustainable robe company in Austin, Texas, producing colorful, all-inclusive, gender-neutral robes in the USA, having increased their sales up 49% YoY as of May 31, 2019.

Read by 12,235 founders

27. Start a software integration plugin ($33.3K/month)

As a graphic designer, you could supplement your income or start a side business by developing a software integration plugin. This could be particularly useful for streamlining your own workflow and for other businesses that rely on various software tools to operate efficiently. By creating a plugin that connects different applications, you could eliminate the cumbersome task of manually transferring data, making your creative and administrative processes smoother.

To get started, you would need to understand various APIs and focus on designing an intuitive user interface, leveraging your design skills to enhance usability. The growing complexity of tech stacks in businesses presents a prime opportunity for you to provide a much-needed solution that can significantly improve productivity. By offering a reliable software integration plugin, you not only address a critical pain point but also carve out a profitable niche for yourself, making your service indispensable for businesses aiming for operational efficiency.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $120,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,550 (?)

How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)

How I Launched A $12K/Month Amazon Seller Central And Google Sheets Integration

Gorilla ROI is a Google Sheets add-on that connects Amazon Seller Central to Google Sheets, now bringing in $12,000/month through organic inbound marketing, and focusing on scalability before any heavy push towards outbound marketing.

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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.