Passive Income Ideas For Barbers [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a barber in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a barber today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a barber.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a great way for you to share your skills and expertise as a barber while making extra money. You could post videos about popular haircutting techniques, hair care tips, or even behind-the-scenes glimpses of your daily work at the barbershop. This type of content could attract a large audience and help you earn revenue through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
Consistency and quality are key to building a successful channel. You'd need to regularly plan, shoot, and edit engaging videos while also interacting with your viewers to grow your audience. While it requires some time and effort, the financial rewards could be significant, making it a worthwhile venture.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
2. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a barber, you could supplement your income by starting an online course sales business focused on your skillset. Imagine creating a series of video lessons where you teach haircutting techniques, beard grooming, or even how to run a successful barbershop. Your expertise is valuable, and aspiring barbers or even those looking to improve their self-grooming skills would be willing to pay for your knowledge.
All you need is to choose your target audience, develop your course content, and select an online learning platform to sell it. With the e-learning market expected to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, now is a great time to explore this opportunity. By putting in effort upfront to create the courses, you could earn passive income as people buy them over time.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
3. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a great way to supplement your income as a barber by sharing your insights and experiences in the hair industry. You could talk about hair care tips, trendy styles, funny shop stories, and even interview other barbers or customers. With basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, you could create content that entertains and informs an audience of hair enthusiasts.
Once you publish your episodes on an affordable hosting platform, promoting your podcast through social media and word of mouth could help you build a loyal listener base. Over time, as your audience grows, you could potentially attract sponsors or advertisers willing to pay for airtime on your show. This approach not only earns you extra money but also enhances your reputation and authority as a barber.
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.
4. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As a barber, starting a niche blog could allow you to share your expertise on hair care, grooming tips, and the latest trends in hairstyles. You could write detailed articles, how-to guides, and product recommendations that help people maintain their hair conveniently at home. This way, you’re providing value to potential clients while also establishing yourself as an authority in your field.
By creating unique and engaging content, you could attract a steady stream of visitors to your blog. Over time, you could monetize this traffic through affiliate links to hair care products, collaborations with grooming brands, or even generating ad revenue. Sharing your knowledge online not only opens up potential new revenue streams but also helps grow your personal brand, bringing more clients to your barbershop.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
5. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a barber, you could start an affiliate marketing business by promoting hair and grooming products that you already use and trust in your shop. You could earn a commission whenever someone buys a product through your recommendation. This is a way to turn your expertise into extra income without needing to stock products yourself.
Imagine partnering with popular hair product brands or online stores, and sharing your affiliate links with your clients or followers on social media. Your clients value your professional opinion, so they are more likely to purchase products you recommend, giving you a steady stream of passive income. Making these recommendations part of your daily routine could effortlessly supplement your barbering income.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
6. Make passive income with a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
Starting a subscription box business could be a fantastic way for you, as a barber, to earn extra money. You could create a monthly box filled with haircare products, grooming tools, and exclusive items that your clients would love. This offers you a chance to leverage your expertise while providing consistent value to your customers.
By understanding your niche market, you'll know exactly what your clients need and want. Curating high-quality products and offering them in a beautifully designed box can keep your customers excited to receive their monthly package. Establishing good relationships with fulfillment companies and marketing your service effectively will be key to making this side hustle profitable.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
7. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
As a barber, you could supplement your income by launching a print-on-demand business, where you sell customized products without needing to keep inventory. You might design trendy t-shirts, hoodies, or phone cases that reflect barbering culture, hairstyling tips, or even your unique style and brand. This way, you could reach both local customers and a global audience by utilizing online platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.
Since print-on-demand does not require large upfront costs or physical storage, you could manage this business from the comfort of your home. Your creativity can be a big asset here, allowing you to create unique products that speak to your clientele while earning passive income. This side hustle provides a scalable, low-risk way to add an additional revenue stream to your barbering career.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
8. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As a barber, you could diversify your income by starting a stock photography business. Consider using your unique perspective in the barbering world to capture and sell high-quality images of haircuts, grooming tools, and barbershop scenes. These kinds of photos are often in demand by businesses for marketing purposes, and they can be perfect for websites and blogs.
You could begin by investing in a decent camera and learning the basics of photography. With an online platform, you could upload your best images for sale, creating a portfolio that continuously earns you passive income over time. By consistently updating your collection with fresh, relevant images, your stock photography business could become a valuable side hustle.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
9. Make passive income with a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
Starting a dropshipping business could be a smart move for a barber who wants to supplement their income. With dropshipping, you don't need to worry about holding inventory; when a customer orders a product from your online store, a third-party supplier ships it directly to them. This means you could choose a niche related to your profession, such as hair care products, barber tools, or grooming accessories, and sell them through an online store.
Platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce make it easy to set up your store without needing technical expertise. You could find reliable suppliers on websites like AliExpress and list their products on your store. Focusing on marketing and customer service would help grow your business, and managing your expenses carefully would ensure you maintain good profit margins. This could be a great way to use your industry knowledge to earn extra money without stepping away from your barber chair.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
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.
10. Make passive income with a dollhouse products
As a barber, you could branch out into selling dollhouse products to supplement your income. Creating or sourcing miniature furniture, decorations, and accessories for dollhouses lets you explore your creative side, which might feel like a natural extension of the detailed and precise work you already do daily.
With the rising popularity of DIY hobbies and collectibles, there's a growing market for dollhouse items among both collectors and children. You could sell these products online, at craft fairs, or even in specialty shops. This venture could provide a satisfying blend of craftsmanship and entrepreneurship, opening up new income possibilities for you beyond the barber chair.
11. Make passive income with a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
As a barber, you could start a health and wellness app to help people achieve their fitness and nutrition goals. Imagine an app that offers personalized routines, meal plans, mental well-being exercises, and keeps track of their progress. This app could remind users to drink water, guide them through yoga practices, and plan their meals, all tailored to their specific needs.
Starting this app would mean you're not just cutting hair but also helping people live healthier lives. You could collaborate with health experts, do market research, and hire developers to create a user-friendly platform. This could be a great way to make extra money and dive into the tech and health industries while utilizing your entrepreneurial spirit to positively impact others.
How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.
12. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a barber, you could create a niche website focused on haircare tips, styling tutorials, and product recommendations specifically for your audience. This platform would allow you to share your expertise, build a community, and establish yourself as a trusted voice in the industry.
To monetize, you could explore options like affiliate marketing by featuring links to hair products, tools, and equipment that you use or recommend. Additionally, you could sell digital products such as e-books or online courses on advanced cutting techniques. Once your site gains traction, ad placements could also provide a steady stream of passive income.
By leveraging your existing knowledge and passion, building a niche website could become a fulfilling side project that supplements your income while offering valuable advice to your audience.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
