Are you interested in starting one of the many boring businesses that can make real and consistent money?
If so, you’re definitely not alone. I hear from readers all the time who want to start a business, but they don’t want to follow trends, become an influencer, or rely on going viral. The good news is that boring small business ideas can be a great way to build income, and they can also be quite stable.
The reason is simple: Boring businesses solve everyday problems that people will always pay for. Services like cleaning, bookkeeping, lawn care, pressure washing, and even litter cleanup may not sound exciting, but they can bring in consistent income month after month. And when you have repeat customers, it becomes much easier to grow.
Today, I’m sharing boring businesses that make money, why they work so well, and how to choose the right one for your goals. If you want a real business idea that can actually last, this list will give you plenty of great options.
14 Boring Businesses That Make Money
Below are 14 of the best boring businesses that can make real money.
Note: No offense is intended by me using the word “boring.” These are just businesses that are less flashy but often dependable and strong moneymakers.
1. Bookkeeping business
Bookkeeping is one of my favorite boring business ideas because businesses always need help managing numbers. Many business owners do not want to spend their evenings reconciling accounts or fixing messy books, so they gladly pay for this help.
This business can be run from home as an online business, it can be started with a fairly low budget, and it can be built around monthly clients. That monthly model is a big reason bookkeeping can be so attractive. Instead of trying to find new one-time projects all the time, you can build monthly recurring income from the same customers month after month.
I recommend signing up for this free training on how to become a bookkeeper, find high-paying clients, and avoid mistakes. You can sign up for free by clicking here.
Recommended reading: How To Become a Bookkeeper With No Experience (Step-by-Step Guide)
This free training will teach you what you need to know to become a virtual bookkeeper and make money from home.
2. Laundromat business
A laundromat is one of the most classic boring businesses, and it can be a strong one. People need clean clothes no matter what is going on in the economy. In many areas, there are still plenty of people without a washer and dryer in their home, and that means repeat demand.
What makes this business interesting is that once operations are set up well, it can become more predictable than many other small businesses. The location matters a lot, the machines matter a lot, and upkeep matters a lot.
This isn’t the cheapest business to start (washers and dryers are expensive), but it can be a reliable income when done right.
Recommended reading: Are Laundromats Profitable? How Much Do Laundromats Make?
3. Vending machine business
Vending machines are simple on the surface, which is exactly why people like this business model. People are busy, hungry, and want fast options. If your machine is in the right spot and stocked with what people actually want, it can bring in ongoing income.
The biggest thing to understand is that this is a location business first. A great machine in a bad location will not perform. A decent machine in a great location can do very well. Over time, most owners increase how much money they make by learning which products sell quickly, keeping machines full, and adding credit card payment options.
A lot of people start with one machine, learn the process, and then grow.
Another business idea related to this is to run a business with ATMs.
Recommended reading: How I Make Up To $7,000 Monthly With A Vending Machine Business
4. Remote cleaning business
A remote cleaning business is where you run the business side (marketing, scheduling, customer communication), while cleaners do the on-site work. This model can be appealing because you can run it from home and focus on operations instead of doing every cleaning job yourself.
Cleaning is one of those services that is always needed too. Homes need regular upkeep, Airbnb turnovers must happen fast, and commercial buildings (like offices and businesses) need to stay clean.
If you build a reliable team and strong processes, this can turn into recurring monthly income fairly quickly.
Recommended reading: How To Start a Remote Cleaning Business and Make $100,000+ Each Year
5. Property management business
Property management is another business that may sound boring but solves a real and stressful problem. Property owners usually do not want late-night maintenance calls, rent collection issues, or to deal with problems with tenants – they want someone else to handle operations.
This business does require an understanding of local laws and rules.
Recommended reading: 23 Best Real Estate Side Hustles To Make Extra Money
6. Storage unit business
Storage units are not glamorous, but they can be a profitable business idea because people are always moving, downsizing, renovating, or needing extra space.
A storage unit business is where you rent out storage spaces to people (and sometimes businesses) who need extra room for their stuff.
People usually pay monthly, and the price depends on things like unit size, location, and whether it’s climate-controlled (AC or heat).
Some storage unit owners also make extra income from things like late fees, insurance, locks, packing supplies, and even vehicle cleaning.
I have used storage units several times over the years (when we traveled full-time, sometimes we would park our RV for a few months in different places so that we could travel home or go on vacation – and be able to keep our RV in a safe spot), and every time I would think to myself about what an interesting business idea this is. People store their stuff in your location and will pay hundreds of dollars a month to do so – and many times they don’t come back for months or even years later!
Recommended reading: How To Invest In Self-Storage For Beginners
7. Car wash business
Car washes are a great example of a boring business with repeat customers built in. People like clean cars, and many are willing to pay for convenience rather than doing it themselves.
This business can be particularly interesting when there is a membership component. Recurring memberships can smooth out revenue and make the business less dependent on one-time visits, and more car washes are heading this way. For example, a car wash business near me has a membership plan for unlimited washes for $27.99 per month. Or, you can buy a single basic car wash for $17.
Like several businesses on this list, location, maintenance, and customer experience are everything. If the car wash is fast, reliable, and well-maintained, customers come back. If the equipment is down often, they leave quickly.
8. Lawn care business
Lawn care may be one of the most straightforward service businesses out there, and that is part of what makes it so profitable. Grass keeps growing, leaves keep falling, and homeowners keep needing help.
A lot of people start lawn care part-time and grow from there. As you gain regular clients, route planning becomes important because driving time can eat into how much money you are making (for example, you can do houses that are located close to each other on the same day instead of driving back and forth, wasting time and gas).
9. Pest control business
Pest control is not a business most people dream about, but it solves an urgent problem and has strong recurring potential. When people find pests (like termites, ants, mice, etc.), they usually want help immediately, and many stay on ongoing treatment plans afterward.
This business is more regulated than some others and does require licensing and training.
10. Parking lot or parking space rental business
Parking can be a huge issue in busy areas. If you have parking spaces in the right location, you may have consistent demand from commuters, residents, and nearby businesses.
This model can be easier to run than many service businesses, but again, location is what matters for the best results. A great parking spot in a low-demand area may struggle (for example, a parking lot in the middle of nowhere), while a basic setup in a high-demand area can do well (like in a city next to several tourist attractions).
11. Pressure washing business
Pressure washing is one of those businesses that is easy to understand and easy to sell because people can see the difference right away. Dirty driveways, sidewalks, patios, and siding are obvious problems, and clean results are something a property owner can see clearly.
This can be a strong business for someone who wants lower startup costs than larger asset-heavy models. It can start as a local service with one person and then grow through referrals and repeat clients.
Because results are visual, before-and-after photos can do a lot of your marketing work.
12. Trash can cleaning service
Trash can cleaning is a perfect example of a boring business that people are happy to pay for. Most people do not want to clean their own trash cans, especially when smells and bugs are involved.
This service works best with recurring schedules, such as monthly or quarterly cleanings. That repeat cycle can create more consistent income than one-time jobs.
It may not sound exciting, but it solves a real problem in a very direct way.
13. Septic or portable toilet services
Septic and portable toilet services are some of the least exciting businesses out there, and that is exactly why they can do well. They are important services that many people do not want to enter, which can reduce competition.
These models require compliance and proper equipment, but because demand is real and ongoing, they can become stable businesses with repeat contracts, especially when serving construction, events, or rural markets.
Funny story – I had my wedding on a rural property with limited restrooms. As to not overwhelm the bathrooms at the property (there were 2 bathrooms and 200 people attending), we rented “luxury” porta potties. This company rented out different levels of luxury outdoor bathrooms depending on your budget (some had AC, were flushing toilets, had flowers in them, etc.). I’m mentioning this because you could carve out an interesting little niche for yourself in this industry too!
14. Litter cleanup business (get paid to pick up trash)
Yes, picking up trash can absolutely be a real business. Litter cleanup is needed by shopping centers, apartment complexes, offices, and many commercial properties that want to be clean.
This can be one of the lower-cost ways to start because the equipment needs are usually fairly easy compared to many other businesses – like a grabber and gloves. It can also become recurring quickly if you focus on ongoing service agreements instead of one-time cleanups.
You can click here to read a guide on how to start and run a parking lot litter cleaning business.
Recommended reading: How I Started A $650,000 Per Year Litter Cleanup Business
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about starting a boring business.
What is a boring business?
A boring business is a business that does one of two things: It handles an everyday task that people don’t want to do or it does a basic need that never goes away. These businesses usually are not flashy, and you may not see people bragging about them online every day.
What is the most profitable boring business?
There is no single answer because profitability depends on location, pricing, costs, and more. In general, businesses with recurring revenue and strong retention (happy customers) tend to be the best over time. Profitable boring business model ideas may include starting a laundromat, providing dumpster rental services, running a remote cleaning business, having a storage facility, and more.
What boring business can I start with little money?
Service businesses are usually the easiest to start on a smaller budget, such as residential cleaning, pressure washing, lawn care, and litter cleanup. This is because you don’t need much equipment to get started, or you may even already have what you need.
Are boring businesses recession-proof?
Most businesses are not 100% recession-proof. But many boring businesses are usually tied to common needs, so demand can be fairly stable and needed all the time by customers.
What are the best boring businesses to buy?
The popular types of boring businesses to buy include laundromats, storage units, vending machine routes, and car washes. I see these for sale all the time. I do recommend that you make sure you look closely at their financials and operations before buying, as well as have experts on your side if you’re not knowledgeable about buying businesses.
What are the best boring businesses that make money from home?
For making money at home, bookkeeping and remote cleaning company management are two options that you may be interested in.
What are the pros and cons of boring businesses?
The biggest pro is stability. Many boring businesses help customers with ongoing needs, and that can lead to repeat customers and more predictable income. They also tend to be easier to explain and market because the value is obvious. The downside is that these businesses can feel repetitive, and they may not feel glamorous. But if your goal is income and flexibility, that trade-off can be worth it. I think this is why so many people quietly build great lives with “boring” businesses.
How to choose the right boring business for you?
I always think this decision gets easier when you stop searching for the “best business in the world” and start looking for the best fit for your life right now. So, think about your budget, your available time, whether you prefer working from home or being local, and whether you want to do the work yourself or manage a team. Also, think about your personality – some people love operations and logistics. Others prefer talking with clients and building relationships. The better path is usually to choose one idea that fits your lifestyle, start small, and improve as you go.
The Best Boring Businesses That Make Money – Summary
I hope you enjoyed my article on the best boring businesses that make money.
You do not need a trendy business to make great money. In many cases, boring businesses are exactly what help people build real income and have more freedom.
What boring business are you interested in?
Recommended reading:
Leave a Reply