29 Business Ideas For Psychologists [2024]

Updated: September 21st, 2024

Interested in starting a business as a psychologist in 2024?

If managed well, building a business as a psychologist could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for psychologists?

We put together 29 of some of the best psychologist business ideas you can start in today.

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

Here's the full list:

1. Start a therapy business ($74.8K/month)

Starting a therapy business could be a natural extension of your existing skills and knowledge as a psychologist. By leveraging your expertise in helping patients cope with mental and emotional challenges, you could develop a variety of therapeutic services tailored to meet the specific needs of different client demographics. This not only allows you to supplement your income but also provides an avenue to make a meaningful impact on more lives.

You could choose to specialize in areas you are passionate about, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, or even online therapy sessions, which have gained immense popularity. Having the necessary certifications and licenses, you could offer versatile service options, whether it's through one-on-one sessions, group workshops, or community outreach programs. In doing so, you create multiple streams of revenue while expanding your professional footprint.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $250,000/month

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

How I Make A Living As A Professional Cuddler

Professional cuddler, Sam Varnerin, developed her successful one-to-one cuddle service, Snuggle with Sam, as a result of recognising the universal human need for connection and touch, which also led to her opening Sam’s Snuggle School, a course for aspiring professional cuddlers.

Read by 16,853 founders

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

As a psychologist, you could leverage your expertise by creating an online course that addresses mental health topics, stress management techniques, or therapeutic approaches. This could fill educational gaps for individuals seeking convenient access to specialized mental health knowledge, providing a valuable resource.

By developing engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, you could attract a diverse student base looking to enhance their well-being or professional skills. This also presents an opportunity to generate passive income, as students can enroll and progress at their own pace, providing flexibility for your schedule.

For those passionate about sharing information, launching an online course offers a low-cost, effective platform to monetize your skills and serve lifelong learners eager for expert guidance in the field of psychology.

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 28,870 founders

3. Start a health and wellness consulting business ($148K/month)

Starting a health and wellness consulting business could be an excellent way for you, as a psychologist, to supplement your income or even build a new venture. Utilizing your deep understanding of mental health, you could guide clients toward a healthier, more vibrant lifestyle by crafting personalized wellness plans. This includes advising on nutrition, physical activity, and stress management techniques based on each individual's unique needs and goals.

Health and wellness consulting taps into a growing market of people eager to invest in their well-being, creating a wealth of opportunities for entrepreneurial-minded psychologists like you. While a medical degree isn't necessary, obtaining certification and engaging in continuous learning will be essential to maintaining your credibility and effectiveness in this field. If you're ready to inspire and transform lives, diving into health and wellness consulting could be a fulfilling and profitable endeavor.

How much you can make: $100 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

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

How This Couple Started A $100K/Month Sea Moss Infused Health Supplements Brand

Bey Moss, an e-commerce platform selling sea moss-infused health and wellness products, made over $800,000 to-date with less than $10,000 overall in ads after validating the product idea through reviews and feedback and leveraging their social media following to build a Bey Moss community.

Read by 30,061 founders

4. Become a wellness coach ($48.2K/month)

As a psychologist, starting a wellness coaching business could be a natural and lucrative extension of your current skill set. Wellness coaches are supportive guides who help clients achieve health goals such as weight loss, improved energy levels, and effective stress management, areas you are already well-versed in through your psychological practice.

In this growing field, you could leverage your expertise to offer services as a corporate wellness coach, yoga teacher, personal trainer, nutritional therapist, herbalist, or weight loss coach. By branching into wellness coaching, you could supplement your income or even build an entirely new business, allowing you to diversify your professional offerings and reach a broader client base.

The route you choose will depend on your ultimate career goals, budget, and the amount of time you wish to commit, making it a flexible and customizable venture.

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

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

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

How I Started A Mobile Yoga Studio

Chakra5 is a mobile wellness team that generates $6k per month doing yoga/meditation/pilates classes, vegan cooking classes and sound baths on demand, boasting a strong online presence to attract and retain customers while also using free tools to keep monthly business costs below $100.

Read by 11,998 founders

5. Become an author ($227K/month)

Starting a career as an author would make sense for a psychologist looking to supplement their income or even launch an entirely new business. As someone with specialized knowledge in human behavior and mental health, you could write insightful books or articles that offer valuable information, advice, and strategies to readers. This expertise could resonate with both the general public seeking self-help materials and professionals in your field looking for advanced insights.

You could explore traditional publishing by submitting manuscripts to publishing houses or leverage self-publishing to maintain complete control over your work. These literary ventures not only have the potential to generate income through book sales and royalties but also open doors to further opportunities, such as speaking engagements or conducting workshops. Embracing authorship allows you to reach a broader audience and establish yourself as an authority in psychology, creating further possibilities for professional growth and financial success.

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

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

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

How I Generate $10K/Month As An Indie Writer

This case study follows full-time thriller and action-adventure author Nick Thacker who earns between $10k to $20k per month from writing, predominantly through Amazon Kindle Unlimited sales, and goes in-depth into his self-publishing strategy which maximizes sales and minimizes costs, such as developing a mailing list and utilizing print-on-demand services.

Read by 10,815 founders

6. Start a dating coaching business ($12.1K/month)

Starting a dating coaching business could be a natural extension of your skills and expertise as a psychologist. With your deep understanding of human behavior, relationships, and emotional well-being, you could provide invaluable guidance to individuals navigating the complexities of dating and romantic relationships. You could leverage therapeutic techniques to help clients overcome personal barriers and enhance their dating experiences.

As a psychologist, you could specialize in helping individuals with specific conditions, such as autism, to more effectively engage in the dating world, thereby addressing a unique and growing market. Additionally, your background in psychology would enable you to offer a more empathetic and scientifically-backed approach compared to traditional dating coaches.

To get started, you could identify a niche—such as teenagers, divorced individuals, or older adults—and create an online presence to reach a broader audience. By offering tailored advice and support, you could significantly impact your clients' lives while diversifying your income and building a thriving side business or a full-time endeavor.

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

How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week

How I Started A Business Where I Plan Romantic Date Nights For Couples

Meet Ta'Veca Collins, founder of Romance On The Go, a concierge service that promotes romance and intimacy; since becoming a preferred vendor for The W Hotel Fort Lauderdale, their gross income has increased to around $3,200.00 monthly, and they are currently expanding their team to meet the demands of new partnered hotels.

Read by 25,543 founders

7. Become a corporate trainer ($9.79K/month)

As a psychologist, leveraging your expertise to become a corporate trainer could be a strategic way to supplement your income and broaden your professional impact. Corporate training involves developing and delivering tailored programs that enhance employee performance and sharpen skills, areas where your deep understanding of human behavior and cognitive processes would be invaluable.

By designing courses that address specific organizational needs, you could offer unique insights and tools that foster professional growth and improve workplace culture. This role goes beyond mere teaching; it requires strategic planning, thorough research, and effective communication, all of which align well with your existing skill set.

For entrepreneurial-minded psychologists passionate about education and business dynamics, diving into corporate training could be a deeply fulfilling venture. Not only would you be making a tangible difference in the efficiency and culture of workplaces, but you'd also establish yourself as a reputable advisor in the realm of professional development.

How much you can make: $1,500 — $20,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,250 (?)

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

How I Started A $10K/Month Personal Growth Advice Business

A 22-year-old entrepreneur from Vienna built a $10k/month personal growth business by executing ideas quickly and targeting needs, as well as delivering quality services and personal connections to his customers.

Read by 19,599 founders

8. Become a business coach ($55K/month)

As a psychologist, starting a business coaching side venture could offer a fulfilling way to supplement your income. Given your expertise in understanding human behavior and mental processes, you could specialize in stress management and leadership coaching for aspiring entrepreneurs. This would enable you to leverage your deep understanding of psychological principles to help business owners navigate the complexities of running a business, from managing team dynamics to fostering a healthy work-life balance.

Many small-business owners struggle with getting started, growing, and succeeding. By becoming a business coach, you can support these entrepreneurs in identifying new opportunities and making the most of existing ones. Your psychological insight will be invaluable in helping them overcome obstacles and enhance their leadership skills, ultimately fostering both their personal and business growth.

How much you can make: $3,500 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,749 (?)

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

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 25,778 founders

9. Start an online community ($21.6K/month)

As a psychologist, you could leverage your expertise by starting an online community focused on mental health, well-being, or a niche area within psychology. This community could not only provide a platform for you to share valuable insights and resources but also create multiple streams of income.

For instance, you could monetize the community by selling your own products, such as e-books, courses, or tools designed to help people manage stress or improve their mental health. Additionally, you could promote affiliate links for relevant products or services, run ads, or charge for membership access to exclusive content. Sponsored content opportunities may also arise as your community grows, providing you further financial benefits while helping others.

How much you can make: $100 — $162,620/month

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

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

Time commitment per week: Min. 4 hours/week

This VC Taught Himself How To Code And Is Bootstrapping His Own Startup

VC-turned-entrepreneur Phil Strazzulla, who previously built a successful b2b SaaS business, shares how he bootstrapped an online review site for HR software into a viable business with over $1k monthly revenues in just 3 months through organic search traffic growth and selling high intent leads.

Read by 17,656 founders

10. Become a blogging coach ($26.4K/month)

As a psychologist, you could leverage your expertise in human behavior and communication to become a successful blogging coach. By helping others create engaging and impactful blog content, you can teach essential skills such as choosing compelling topics, optimizing conversions, and repurposing content, all of which align well with your understanding of human motivation and interests.

Starting a side business as a blogging coach allows you to supplement your income while offering valuable insights into effective content marketing strategies. Given the increasing demand for blogging as a business tool, your ability to provide personalized, psychologically informed coaching could make you an invaluable resource, positioning you well for substantial financial rewards.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $80,000/month

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

How long does it take to build: 12 days (?)

How I Started A Blog With Over 500K Monthly Visitors And Generates $35K/Month

Ryan Robinson explains how he built a blog with over 500k monthly visitors and generates $25,000-$55,000 in revenue each month through affiliate partnerships, sponsorships, and his own digital products like courses and books.

Read by 9,210 founders

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

Starting a freelance writing business could be an excellent way for psychologists to supplement their income or venture into a new entrepreneurial endeavor. As an expert in human behavior and mental health, you could leverage your specialized knowledge to write insightful articles, create online content, or even author books on topics like mental well-being, emotional intelligence, or coping strategies. Your expertise would be invaluable in addressing the growing demand for content related to psychology and personal development.

Moreover, freelance writing offers the flexibility to define your work schedule, which is particularly beneficial if you manage a busy practice. You could work from home and take on projects that align with your interests and expertise. By honing essential skills like strong writing, effective communication, and staying current with writing trends, you could build a reputable freelance writing business while continuing to make a positive impact in the field of psychology.

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 24,821 founders

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

Starting a podcast could be a fruitful venture for a psychologist looking to supplement their income or embark on a new entrepreneurial path. By creating audio content centered around mental health topics, therapy techniques, and psychological insights, you could tap into a broad audience interested in improving their mental well-being. This platform provides a way to share your expertise, reach people beyond the confines of your practice, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.

A podcast offers flexibility and can complement your existing schedule, making it ideal as a side business. With relatively low startup costs—requiring just basic recording equipment and a hosting platform—you could begin producing episodes on a budget. Effective promotion through social media and online communities could help you build a large audience over time. As your listener base grows, you have the potential to attract sponsors or advertisers, turning your podcast into a lucrative source of additional income.

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 19,203 founders

13. Start an interior design consulting business ($33.6K/month)

As a psychologist, you could leverage your keen understanding of human behavior and emotional well-being to create environments that not only look good but also promote mental health and well-being. Your expertise in understanding how different spaces can influence mood and behavior would be incredibly valuable in an interior design consulting business. This unique perspective could set you apart in the industry, allowing you to offer specialized services that cater to clients looking to create therapeutic and calming spaces.

Additionally, you might find it fulfilling to engage in a creative outlet while supplementing your income. The skills you already possess in active listening, empathy, and effective communication are directly transferable to working with clients to design their ideal spaces. With your background, you could excel in understanding clients' needs and desires, ultimately creating environments that positively impact their lives.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $110,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,250 (?)

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

How We (Mother And Daughter) Started A $1M/Year Boutique Design Firm

Mother and daughter duo turn passion for antiques and design into a boutique design firm with over $1 million in annual revenue and hundreds of trophy projects, showcasing the importance of grit, determination, and passion in building a successful business.

Read by 8,886 founders

14. Start a recruiting agency ($109K/month)

As a psychologist, your deep understanding of human behavior and motivation could provide a unique advantage in starting a recruiting agency. Utilizing your expertise, you could effectively match candidates to roles not only based on their skills and experience but also on their psychological profiles, ensuring a better fit for both employees and employers.

The global online recruitment market was valued at $29 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $43 billion by 2027, indicating a growing demand and lucrative opportunities in this field. By leveraging your specialized knowledge in psychology, you could differentiate your recruiting agency, gaining an edge over competitors and building strong, lasting relationships with clients.

How much you can make: $100 — $320,000/month

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

How I Started A $3M/Year Remote Worker Recruitment Agency

DistantJob is a unique recruitment agency that specializes in finding full-time remote employees, and with $3 million in annual revenue, they offer small to medium-sized tech companies an edge over big competitors who are not willing to hire remotely.

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15. Start a startup instructing business ($28.4K/month)

As a psychologist, you could leverage your expertise in human behavior and motivation to start a startup instructing business. Your unique skills can help guide new entrepreneurs and small businesses through the psychological aspects of leadership, decision-making, and team dynamics, which are often overlooked but crucial for success.

By focusing on your specific areas of expertise, such as stress management, resilience training, or organizational psychology, you could provide targeted advice on business planning, marketing strategies, and overall direction. Setting up a basic website or social media profiles to showcase your services can be a cost-effective way to attract clients. Over time, offering affordable rates and building your reputation through satisfied customers and word-of-mouth referrals could establish you as a trusted advisor in the startup community, supplementing your income or even becoming a full-time venture.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $100,000/month

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

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

How I Launched A $5K/Month Platform To Connect With Growth Mentors

GrowthMentor, a platform connecting vetted growth mentors for one-on-one calls, founded by Fotis Panagiotakopoulos, has had over 2,500 mentorship calls booked to date and has seen success in using word of mouth, content marketing, and leveraging other people's networks as the primary drivers of customer acquisition.

Read by 46,029 founders

16. Start a health blog ($52.8K/month)

Starting a health blog could be a great way for you, as a psychologist, to supplement your income and share your expertise on mental health and overall well-being. By integrating psychological insights with tips on proper dieting and healthy lifestyles, you could create valuable, engaging content that stands out in the crowded health blog niche.

To get started, you could choose a blogging platform with customizable templates and pair it with a reliable hosting service. Selecting a niche, such as mental health support or stress management, could make your blog more targeted and easier to market. Once you have a relevant blog name and domain, you could brainstorm topics, set up an editorial calendar, and start writing.

Monetization opportunities are also plentiful; you could earn through affiliate marketing, promoting health-focused merchandise, or even offering online consultations. This not only diversifies your income but also helps you build a digital presence and reach a wider audience.

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

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

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

How This Couple Started A $100K/Month Sea Moss Infused Health Supplements Brand

Bey Moss, an e-commerce platform selling sea moss-infused health and wellness products, made over $800,000 to-date with less than $10,000 overall in ads after validating the product idea through reviews and feedback and leveraging their social media following to build a Bey Moss community.

Read by 30,061 founders

17. Start a sleep product ($525K/month)

As a psychologist, you could leverage your expertise in sleep science and mental health to develop and market a sleep product. Understanding the importance of sleep for brain performance, mood enhancement, and overall health, you could create products backed by scientific research, making them more appealing to health-conscious consumers. Given the shift from sleep aid medications to natural sleep aids, your professional knowledge could position you uniquely to create innovative, non-pharmaceutical sleep solutions.

The global sleep aids market is expected to grow significantly, with projections suggesting it will reach $111.9 billion in the near future. This growth is driven by increasing disposable incomes and heightened awareness about the benefits of quality sleep products. By capitalizing on this trend and leveraging your professional background, you could position yourself in a lucrative market, whether by developing sleep-enhancing mattresses, bed sheets, smart beds, or sleep wearables.

Additionally, by choosing a suitable business model—be it manufacturing, distributing, wholesaling, or retailing—you could create a side business or even transition to a full-time entrepreneurial venture. Starting this business would involve routines such as researching in-demand products, defining your target market, and handling necessary legal formalities like business registration and licensing.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $3,500,000/month

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

Starting A Bed Sheet Business Making $600K In First 8 Months

Sheets & Giggles, an eco-friendly bedding brand, earned nearly $500,000 and 6,000 orders in the first 6 months of business through Indiegogo, and utilizes pun-based marketing and a DTC model to tap into a fragmented, low brand loyalty market.

Read by 62,977 founders

18. Start an outdoor apparel brand ($37.4K/month)

As a psychologist with entrepreneurial ambitions, starting an outdoor apparel brand could be a fulfilling way to supplement your income or even transition into a new business. Your understanding of human behavior and stress management could drive the brand's mission to promote mental well-being through nature-based activities. By designing and selling clothing tailored for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and climbing, you could blend your passion for the outdoors with your professional expertise.

Additionally, creating gear that prioritizes comfort and durability can help reinforce the therapeutic benefits of immersing oneself in nature, making your practical designs highly appealing to adventure enthusiasts. Your insight into current market trends and consumer psychology could be invaluable in creating a unique brand that resonates with your target audience. Overall, merging your psychological expertise with an outdoor apparel brand offers a unique, rewarding pathway for both personal and financial growth.

How much you can make: $250 — $125,000/month

How long does it take to build: 248 days (?)

How I Started A $70K/Month Premium Ski Goggles And Helmets Brand With Just $5K

Glade Optics is a premium ski goggles and helmets brand that achieved close to $1M in annual sales with just $5,000 to start, using a favorable price point, streamlined messaging and marketing, and partnering with like-minded brands to lower CACs and get in front of more skiers.

Read by 16,156 founders

19. Start an educational blog ($63K/month)

If you’re a psychologist with an entrepreneurial spirit, starting an educational blog could be an excellent way to supplement your income or even establish a full-fledged side business. By sharing your expertise on mental health, therapy techniques, or psychological theories, you could create valuable content that attracts a dedicated audience. This not only increases your visibility in the field but also provides an additional stream of income through monetizing your blog with affiliate marketing, digital products, or online courses.

Begin by selecting a niche you’re particularly passionate about, such as anxiety management, child development, or relationship counseling. Utilize free platforms such as WordPress to create and share quality content, engaging potential readers on social media and through SEO techniques to drive traffic to your site. Consistency and providing genuine value are crucial, helping you build a loyal readership that can translate into financial gain over time.

How much you can make: $50 — $830,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $170 (?)

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

How I Started A Profitable Business Helping Millions Of People Learn Excel

A one-man business teaching people how to use Microsoft Excel effectively has gone from getting ~15k pageviews a month in 2014, to more than one million pageviews every month as of today, generating an average monthly revenue of ~$10,000, with the majority of the money coming from online course sales and a newsletter, which has 40k+ active subscribers.

Read by 12,006 founders

20. Start a healthy snack food business ($438K/month)

Starting a healthy snack food business could be an excellent way for a psychologist to supplement their income or even launch a new venture. As a psychologist, you understand the importance of holistic health, including both mental and physical well-being. Catering to the growing market of health-conscious consumers aligns well with your professional insights into the benefits of a balanced lifestyle.

Moreover, your knowledge of behavior change and motivation could be invaluable in marketing your products to a target audience that is increasingly prioritizing healthier snack options. With the global healthy snacks market expected to reach $152B by 2030, there's significant potential for growth and profit in this space. By offering products like protein bars, gluten/dairy-free alternatives, or even nutritious chips and cookies, you could tap into a thriving industry while leveraging your expertise in promoting healthier choices.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $3,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)

How We Started A Caffeine Gum Product, Sold 12 Million Pieces, And Landed A Deal With CVS

Neuro co-founders Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen developed their functional gum and mint products to offer a portable, healthy, and efficient alternative to energy drinks and supplements, hitting 12M pieces sold and generating ~$500k in monthly revenue with over 25% repeat customer rate and retail presence in over 6,500 locations including 5,000 CVS stores.

Read by 20,027 founders

21. Start an educational technology product ($48K/month)

As a psychologist, you could capitalize on your expertise by developing an educational technology product that addresses gaps in the current educational system. For instance, you could create digital tools that incorporate psychological principles to enhance student engagement, improve mental health literacy, or offer personalized learning experiences. Picture an app that helps teachers design inclusive lesson plans or a gamified platform that makes complex psychological concepts easier to understand for students.

Embarking on this entrepreneurial journey would require thorough market research, understanding user needs, and keeping up with technological trends. By blending your psychology background with cutting-edge technology, you could not only supplement your income but also make a significant impact in the educational landscape. Investing in marketing and possibly partnering with educational institutions could further amplify the reach and effectiveness of your product.

How much you can make: $50 — $120,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 67 days (?)

How We Launched An Educational Platform During COVID-19 And Landed Partnerships With Houston Rockets And Whataburger

UpBrainery Technologies, founded by Ghazal Qureshi, revolutionizes STEAM education by providing hands-on learning experiences in the form of education kits, virtual tutoring, and online curriculum, while also offering their services to organizations such as the Girl Scouts, Girls Inc., and the Houston Rockets.

Read by 8,293 founders

22. Start an ice cube business

Starting an ice cube business could be a practical and lucrative side venture for a psychologist, considering the low capital required and the straightforward production process. With just an ice maker, water, and a power source, you could efficiently produce and market ice in your local area, making it a suitable supplementary income stream alongside your primary practice.

Given your analytical skills and understanding of human behavior, you could effectively market your ice cube business by identifying key customer segments and their needs, such as local restaurants, event planners, and convenience stores. This entrepreneurial endeavor might not only diversify your income but also offer a break from the emotional-taxing nature of your primary profession.

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

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

How We Built A $1.2MM/Year Business Selling Light Up Ice Cubes

Learn how a team from Mississippi State University turned a classroom project into a $1.2 million year business selling liquid-activated, light-up drink cubes and sensory toys for kids, which are now sold in 37 countries.

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23. Start an influencer platform ($71.6K/month)

As a psychologist, you could utilize your insight into human behavior and mental well-being to create and manage an influencer platform. Imagine an intuitive online marketplace where you connect brands with influencers who prioritize mental health, self-care, and emotional well-being messaging. This niche focus not only sets your platform apart but also aligns with your professional values and expertise.

By developing user-friendly software and incorporating analytics tools, you could help brands effectively measure campaign success and ensure influencers genuinely engage their followers. With the increasing importance of mental health and the rising impact of social media, this could be a profitable and fulfilling side business, allowing you to tap into a growing market with a unique angle. Taking the time to build a robust database of influencers and strategically market to the right brands could lead to scalable income streams and a rewarding entrepreneurial venture.

How much you can make: $500 — $350,000/month

How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)

I Built $140K+ MRR SaaS With No Audience & Sold It For $3.5M

This case study is about a founder who launched a paywall platform for content creators in 2019, bootstrapping it from $0 and eventually selling it for $3.5M on Flippa, with the platform generating between $125,000 - $142,000 in Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) on 95% margins.

Read by 10,038 founders

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

As a psychologist, you could significantly benefit from starting a freelancer platform by leveraging your expertise to create a niche marketplace specifically tailored for mental health professionals. This platform could connect qualified psychologists, counselors, and therapists with individuals and organizations seeking professional mental health services, enabling you to tap into the burgeoning freelancing industry which is expected to reach $6.7 billion by 2025. The demand for mental health support continues to grow, making this an opportune time to create a specialized space for these valuable services.

Moreover, by starting this platform, you could supplement your income by charging subscription fees or taking a percentage from each transaction. This venture would not only open up additional revenue streams for you but also provide a flexible way for other mental health professionals to expand their practice and client base. Balancing your full-time job while nurturing this side business would be feasible, as the online nature of freelancer platforms offers the convenience to manage it alongside your existing responsibilities.

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 17,347 founders

25. Start a photography blog ($10.1K/month)

Starting a photography blog could serve as a meaningful extension of your skills and provide a creative outlet to supplement your income. As a psychologist, you could leverage your understanding of human behavior to offer insightful content that explores the psychological aspects of photography, such as the impact of visual storytelling or how different types of imagery can evoke specific emotions.

By featuring tutorials, behind-the-scenes stories, and gear reviews, you could attract a diverse audience of photography enthusiasts while establishing yourself as a thought leader in this niche. This specialized approach could also position you to monetize your blog through advertising, sponsorships, and even offering paid courses or ebooks that delve into the intersection of psychology and photography, providing valuable content that stands out in a crowded market.

Networking with other industry professionals and regularly updating your blog with high-quality content could help you build a strong online presence, ensuring that your efforts are not only rewarding creatively but also financially lucrative. This combination of passion and expertise could turn your photography blog into a successful side business, enriching both your personal and professional life.

How much you can make: $1,200 — $27,400/month

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

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

How I Started A Digital Camera Reviews Website That Has 1.3 Million Unique Monthly Visitors

A software engineer turned founder started a digital camera review website as a side-hustle which turned into a successful online publication with up to 1.3 million unique monthly visitors, generating around $1,000 per month, attracting visitors through guest posts, focusing on desirable quality content, and through answering popular questions on Stack Exchange, providing helpful advice for other entrepreneurs.

Read by 6,040 founders

26. Become a content strategist ($64K/month)

If you're a psychologist with an entrepreneurial mindset, becoming a content strategist could be a lucrative side business or even a full-time venture. Your deep understanding of human behavior and motivation can uniquely position you to research and identify target audiences effectively, creating content strategies that resonate on a psychological level. This expertise can be particularly valuable in crafting compelling narratives that engage and captivate an audience.

Moreover, your strong communication and collaboration skills, honed through your practice, are essential to work cohesively with marketing and sales teams to ensure the content aligns with business objectives. Additionally, your organizational skills and ability to manage multiple cases can seamlessly transfer to managing multiple content projects and deadlines, ensuring timely and high-quality deliveries. This combination of psychological insight and strategic content planning can set you apart and help build a reputable and successful content strategist business.

How much you can make: $500 — $550,000/month

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

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

How I Started An $8K/Month Technical Content Marketing Agency

Draft founder, Karl, built a productized service for technical content, generating $10k in (mostly) recurring revenue in just three months of running the business, showing the success of skill-stacking and the impact of word of mouth and maintaining a strong network in a service business.

Read by 10,117 founders

27. Start a website consulting business ($102K/month)

As a psychologist, starting a website consulting business could allow you to supplement your income by leveraging your understanding of human behavior in a digital landscape. Your knowledge of psychology can provide unique insights into user experience (UX) design, enhancing website accessibility, navigation, and overall user engagement. This keen understanding of how people interact with digital spaces can help companies optimize their websites for better performance and higher conversion rates.

You could also utilize your skills to craft well-thought-out digital strategies that are informed by psychological principles, making your consulting services highly valuable to diverse clients—from small startups to large corporations. This venture caters to the growing demand for strong online presences and offers an opportunity to directly impact your clients' success, turning struggling websites into high-performing assets. If you have a solid grasp of web technologies and industry trends, this business could become a highly rewarding aspect of your professional portfolio.

How much you can make: $1,300 — $541,000/month

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

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

How This Self-Taught Developer Started A $125K/Month Software Agency

How a self-taught engineer built a software development studio, Materialize, into a 18-person team with a revenue of $125k per month, by leveraging his technical expertise and establishing well-defined processes to build products efficiently and cost-effectively.

Read by 9,007 founders

28. Start a hair salon ($235K/month)

Starting a hair salon could be an intriguing venture for a psychologist seeking to supplement their income or explore entrepreneurial opportunities. Given your expertise in understanding human emotions and behaviors, you could create a salon environment that not only focuses on beauty but also promotes mental well-being. Offering tailored experiences like aromatherapy and massages as complementary services could position your salon uniquely in the marketplace.

With the increasing demand for high fashion beauty services, this venture could be both profitable and fulfilling. Your background as a psychologist could help you identify a niche that attracts a loyal local client base, optimizing client satisfaction and retention. Hiring experienced employees and fostering a strong customer service culture will be crucial to your salon's success and growth.

How much you can make: $30,000 — $550,000/month

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

How I Went From Hairstylist To Running My Own $3.3M Salon Business

This case study follows the founder of Urban Betty, who started her salon business with only one contractor, and now has two locations with over 50 employees, growing from 1.5 million to 3.4 million in revenue from 2014-2018, and investing around 2% of its gross income every year in Yelp, Google, and Facebook Ads.

Read by 21,612 founders

29. Start an online fitness business ($78K/month)

As a psychologist, you could leverage your expertise in understanding human behavior and motivation to start an online fitness business. By combining psychological principles with effective fitness strategies, you could create tailored programs that not only focus on physical health but also address mental well-being, enhancing overall life satisfaction for your clients.

You could offer virtual classes, one-on-one coaching, or even develop comprehensive courses that integrate fitness with mental health practices such as mindfulness and stress management. This approach could set your online fitness business apart by providing a holistic health experience, making it appealing to a broader audience. With minimal startup costs, you could seamlessly supplement your income or build a thriving side business from the comfort of your home.

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

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

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

How I Started A $48K/Month Business With An Online Fitness Training Service

This case study is about a former personal trainer who launched his online personal training platform, TeamFFLEX, starting with no money and a lot of drive, and grew it into a 6-figure business in less than a year, now doing $48,000 a month with potential for continued growth.

Read by 26,261 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.