25 Innovative Coffee Business Ideas You Can Start Today
Thinking of launching your first coffee business?
There are plenty of different coffee business ideas you can start with little capital.
We put together 25 different coffee business ideas and provide examples on how to get started:
1. Start a podcast
The podcast business involves creating and producing audio content that people can listen to online.
It’s a popular form of entertainment and information-sharing.
To start a podcast business on a budget, you'll need a few key steps.
First, choose a niche or topic that you're passionate about and that has an audience.
Next, get basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones.
Then, find a free or affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes.
Finally, promote your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth to build an audience and potentially attract sponsors or advertisers.
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
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.
2. Start a dropshipping business
Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products to customers without holding inventory.
Instead, when a customer makes a purchase, you buy the product from a third-party supplier, who then ships it directly to the customer.
To start a dropshipping business on a budget, choose a niche or category of products you want to sell.
Next, set up an online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. Then, find reliable suppliers from platforms like AliExpress, list their products on your store, and focus on marketing and customer service to grow your business.
Remember to carefully manage your expenses and monitor your profit margins to ensure profitability.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $6,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
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.
3. Create an online course
An online course business involves creating and selling digital classes teaching specialized skills or knowledge to subscribed students.
As an entrepreneurial course creator, you identify educational gaps around topics you have expertise in and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials.
With flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, building a student base provides passive income potential.
For founders who enjoy information-sharing, launching an online course platform presents a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents with small startup costs by serving eager lifelong learners seeking convenient access to emerging subjects.
How much you can make: $350 — $3,735,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,850 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
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.
4. Start a Coffee Subscription Box
Coffee Subscription Box is a business that delivers high-quality coffee to your door. Coffee subscription boxes are popular with those who like to try new flavors or types of coffee. A subscription box will include a variety of coffees from different places and at different times.
You can also use this subscription box idea to market your business by offering discounts or other incentives to people who sign up for your coffee club.
The Coffee Subscription Box business idea is easy to start and it is very profitable because it is affordable. Consumers spend over $74 billion on coffee and the coffee industry generates over $68 billion in income per year.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $65,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 3 hours/week
Blue Coffee Box increased its monthly revenue to $14,000 by offering a specialty coffee subscription service that curates from various roasters after being inspired by a trip to the United States and learning about the niche coffee subscription service they offer.
5. Start a coffee roasting business
A coffee roasting business roasts green coffee beans to various roast levels. Recent market research has shown that the global coffee roaster market is increasing at a CAGR of 4.24% for the next six years.
Therefore, launching your coffee roasting business in 2024 can be profitable. Coffee roasters use large machinery, including a roaster and grinder, to turn the beans into a finished product.
To start a coffee roasting business, research the market and find who else is roasting in your target area.
Then, find out where coffee sellers in your area are getting their supplies. You also need to know how many coffee shops are in your area.
Then, decide if you want to sell the coffee to individuals or to a coffee shop. Alternatively, you can sell the coffee in your coffee shop or deliver it to elite lodging establishments and restaurants.
How much you can make: $7,500 — $150,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
Latvian coffee roasting company grew from a team of 2 to 13, with a current monthly turnover of €80k, driven by word-of-mouth marketing, sustainable practices and developing accessible products for the specialty coffee market.
6. Start a coffee capsule business
How much you can make: $21,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
UK-based co-founder of Mugpods, Jack Bramhall, details how he launched his Nespresso-compatible coffee and hot chocolate pods with only $6,500 of capital, and now averages around $21,000 per month in revenue, with millions of pods sold, by identifying demand through Google trends and optimising his digital marketing and SEO.
7. Start a coffee brand
How much you can make: $2,000 — $250,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
Latvian coffee roasting company grew from a team of 2 to 13, with a current monthly turnover of €80k, driven by word-of-mouth marketing, sustainable practices and developing accessible products for the specialty coffee market.
8. Start a coffee blog
A coffee blog business is a website or platform where individuals share information, tips, and reviews about coffee-related topics.
This can include things like different coffee brewing methods, coffee bean types, recipes, and product recommendations.
To start this business on a budget, you'll first need a passion for coffee and some basic knowledge about it. Then, create a free or low-cost website using platforms like WordPress or Blogger.
Write engaging content, include high-quality images, and consider joining affiliate programs to earn revenue through product recommendations.
Finally, promote your blog on social media and engage with your audience to build a dedicated following.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $8,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 15 days (?)
Little Coffee Place, a website hub of coffee market information founded by Demri Robinson and Rodrigo, generates on average $8k to $10k a month and has 80,000 monthly viewers, with most of their income coming from Amazon affiliation, other coffee affiliates, and Mediavine advertisements.
9. Start a coffee cart
A coffee cart is a small outdoor structure that serves coffee and other beverages at retail prices. A coffee cart business is a low startup cost business.
All you need to set up a coffee cart business is a professional coffee machine and coffee cups.
To maximize your profits all year round, choose a strategic location and ensure you are readily available to serve your customers whenever they need coffee.
How much you can make: $15,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
This case study follows the co-founder of Camper Cafe, a mobile coffee van business which started as a hobby and now has 6 units that supply the UK's biggest sporting events, commercial and film shoots, generating around £150k from working only 70 days of the year.
10. Start a coffee delivery business
According to statistics, over 150 million Americans consume coffee. Starting a coffee delivery business is a bright idea. Because already, you have a target market.
Besides, the food and beverage delivery market has been snowballing and the trend is not stopping soon. More people will continue ordering online, thanks to technology.
To start, you may partner with coffee shops near you and have them fulfill the orders. Alternatively, you can prepare coffee at home and have a delivery service help you fulfill the orders.
11. Start a coffee kiosk
Coffee kiosks sell specialty coffee, including espresso, and lattes, and can include a variety of pastries and other goodies as accompaniments.
There are three basic options for starting a coffee kiosk:
-Purchase a franchise: Jumping in with a built-in business model - Buy an existing coffee kiosk: investing in a coffee kiosk that is up for sale or needs revamping to become profitable - Start from scratch: this requires more effort but offers more flexibility and potential to maximize profits.
Opening a coffee kiosk can be extremely profitable, but if you find a good location, you can set up a relaxing atmosphere. If you plan to open a coffee kiosk, ensure you serve quality coffees and snacks, and provide work-friendly features.
How much you can make: $15,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
This case study follows the co-founder of Camper Cafe, a mobile coffee van business which started as a hobby and now has 6 units that supply the UK's biggest sporting events, commercial and film shoots, generating around £150k from working only 70 days of the year.
12. Start a coffee shop
Starting a coffee shop is an exciting and rewarding venture. It's a business that can be started with relatively little capital, and there are many ways to make it profitable. Coffee shops feature a low-cost stock but are profitable businesses.
If you plan to open a coffee shop, you may purchase a franchise, buy an existing business, or start from scratch. Whichever the decision, ensure a strategic location and renovate the space to create an inviting atmosphere. Develop a fantastic offering and begin marketing the business even before you open.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $52,500/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
This case study follows the co-founder of Camper Cafe, a mobile coffee van business which started as a hobby and now has 6 units that supply the UK's biggest sporting events, commercial and film shoots, generating around £150k from working only 70 days of the year.
13. Start a drive-through coffee shop business
How much you can make: $15,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
This case study follows the co-founder of Camper Cafe, a mobile coffee van business which started as a hobby and now has 6 units that supply the UK's biggest sporting events, commercial and film shoots, generating around £150k from working only 70 days of the year.
14. Start a mobile coffee shop business
A mobile coffee shop is a business that brings the convenience of a coffee shop directly to customers through a mobile vehicle, such as a food truck or trailer. The mobile coffee shop can travel to various locations, including events, festivals, construction sites, and office parks, offering a variety of coffee drinks, pastries, and snacks.
To run a successful mobile coffee shop, it is essential to have a reliable vehicle equipped with a coffee machine, refrigeration, and storage for all necessary equipment and supplies. It is also essential to have a well-trained staff who can efficiently prepare and serve coffee drinks and handle cash and customer interactions.
Marketing and promotion are also key to the success of a mobile coffee shop. Utilizing social media, email lists, and word-of-mouth referrals can help spread the word about the business and attract new customers. Having a consistent schedule and location is also helpful so customers know when and where to find the mobile coffee shop.
Another tip for running a successful mobile coffee shop is to have a diverse menu that caters to various customer tastes and dietary restrictions. Offering options such as dairy-free and plant-based milk and a selection of teas, smoothies, and other beverages can help attract a larger customer base.
Overall, a mobile coffee shop can be a rewarding and lucrative business opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the food and beverage industry. With careful planning and attention to customer satisfaction, a mobile coffee shop can become a popular and successful business in any community.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $52,500/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
This case study follows the co-founder of Camper Cafe, a mobile coffee van business which started as a hobby and now has 6 units that supply the UK's biggest sporting events, commercial and film shoots, generating around £150k from working only 70 days of the year.
15. Start a coffee sweetener business
16. Start an espresso machine business
17. Start a coffee review business
18. Become a tik tok personality
Becoming a TikTok personality is a huge aspiration shared by millions of people across the globe.
To become a TikTok personality, create an account, choose a niche, and post high-quality content consistently. To stand out on TikTok, you need to be creative and ensure you post unique content based on what your followers like.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $12,000/month
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
This TikTok star is making over ₹70 lakh per year at just 19 years old with 45.2M followers on TikTok and 27M+ Instagram followers.
19. Become a coffee farmer
20. Start a coffee exporting business
21. Start a farmers market
Farmer’s markets offer small businesses and farmers the chance to sell their products. The farmers’ market has become crucial to rebuilding local food systems and meeting the growing demand for locally produced food. A farmers’ market can be a successful business venture in your area if located strategically.
22. Start a coffee branding business
23. Become a youtube personality
YouTube personalities produce videos on YouTube and post them on their channels. YouTube personalities make money through the following:
- Advertising revenue - Ads revenue from the display, overlay, and video ads
- Channel Memberships – members earn recurring revenue in exchange for special perks they offer
- Merch Shelf – When channel fans browse and purchase official branded merchandise, you showcase it on watch pages.
- Super Chat & Super Stickers – Fans pay to get their messages highlighted in chat streams
- YouTube Premium Revenue – Get part of a premium subscriber’s subscription fee when fans watch your content.
You can start earning money through either or all of the above options, so long as you meet their YouTube-defined criteria and they are available in your location.
If you want to make money on YouTube, you must apply and be approved for the YouTube Partner Program, which gives creators greater access to YouTube resources and features.
How much you can make: $3,055 — $4,500,000/month
This case study explores Thomas Frank's successful business teaching people how to use Notion and selling templates, with sales reaching $2.1 million in two years and template sales currently at $120k/mo, showcasing his journey from blogging and YouTube to e-commerce and SaaS.
24. Start a coffee magazine
25. Start a coffee logistics business
- 4,818 founder case studies
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
