Sometimes it seems like only the boring businesses make money. As someone who has lived a freelance/independent contractor/ entrepreneurial life, I’ve often felt like I’m sacrificing a higher paycheck for the fun and creativity that I desire. More than that, I wonder if I could make more money if I just went to a boring 9-5 rather than constantly hustling to do something more innovative. Ultimately, I think there’s a balance to be had here. But in thinking about this, I did find myself musing on which boring businesses do make a lot of money.
What Is a Boring Business?
This is a very subjective topic. The things that bore me are not going to be the same things that bore you. The things that light me up and make me feel alive might immediately cause you to numb out. So, anything that I include on a list of boring businesses that make money is naturally going to rile some people up. Someone will look at that list and think, “That job isn’t boring at all.” And that’s okay. This is just a conversation to be had.
Traits of Boring Businesses
“Boring” businesses typically exhibit certain traits that make them less exciting or glamorous compared to trendier or more high-profile ventures. For me, a job that’s just the same day in and day out for years on end is boring. With that in mind, some common traits of boring businesses may include:
Steady Demand
Boring businesses often cater to basic, essential needs, resulting in consistent and predictable demand. This may lead to stability but not rapid growth or innovation. Similarly, these are typically not seasonal businesses. They have steady year-round operations.
Low Volatility
Boring businesses typically have less market volatility and are less affected by economic ups and downs. This makes them more reliable but potentially less dynamic.
Niche Focus, Not Luxury Items
Many “boring” businesses serve specific niches or industries. This can limit their appeal to a broader audience but can also lead to a dedicated customer base.
This tends to lead to low competition for these businesses. The barriers to entry can be relatively high, as they often require industry-specific knowledge, regulatory compliance, or substantial investments in infrastructure.
Note that boring businesses often provide products or services that are necessities rather than luxury items. This isn’t always the case as your specific niche could be in the luxury market. But generally speaking, these are niche necessities instead.
Limited Technological Innovation
These businesses may not be at the forefront of technological innovation, focusing instead on tried-and-true methods.
Reliable Profit Margins
While profit margins in boring businesses may not be as high as in more dynamic industries, they are often reliable and sustainable. It’s this consistency that makes people interested in finding boring businesses that make money.
Little Need for Marketing
Boring businesses may not be known for flashy branding or marketing campaigns. Instead, they rely on word-of-mouth, referrals, and traditional advertising. Since I get tired of doing innovative marketing all of the time to try to capture the attention of potential clients, this one is appealing to me.
Low Customer Churn/ Slow Growth
These businesses often build long-term relationships with customers, as clients continue to require their services over an extended period.
Boring businesses tend to prioritize slow and steady growth over rapid expansion, emphasizing financial stability and risk mitigation.
Routine and Predictable Operations
Boring businesses often follow well-established processes and don’t require frequent changes or adaptations. This routine is the thing that I find most boring personally.
17 Boring Businesses That Make Money
So, considering the above traits, I did some research into some of the most popular or common boring businesses that make money.
- Accounting and Tax Services: Providing accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation services can be lucrative, especially during tax season.
- Commercial Cleaning Services: Cleaning offices, warehouses, and other commercial spaces is a necessary service with a steady demand.
- Property Management: Managing rental properties for property owners can be a reliable source of income.
- Funeral Services: Funeral homes and related services are always in demand, as death is a part of life.
- Medical Billing and Coding: Healthcare providers outsource these administrative tasks to those with a medical admin assistant certification, and businesses specializing in them can be profitable.
- B2B Software Services: Developing and selling software for businesses may not be glamorous but can be highly profitable.
- Janitorial Supplies: Selling cleaning and janitorial supplies to other businesses is a stable business.
- Office Supplies: A Medium article listing ten dull businesses that can make six figures annually says that selling office supplies online is a smart way to go.
- Laundromats: Coin-operated laundromats are straightforward businesses with consistent cash flow.
- Car Washes: Automated car washes can provide a steady income.
- Pest Control: Helping homes and businesses deal with pests is a reliable service.
- Portable Toilet Rentals: Events and construction sites require portable toilets, making this business profitable.
- HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) Services: People need heating and cooling systems maintained and repaired, making this a solid business choice.
- Landscaping and Lawn Care: Maintaining lawns and landscapes for residential and commercial properties can be a consistent source of income.
- Self-Storage Facilities: Owning and managing self-storage units can be a lucrative investment.
- Industrial Supply Distribution: Selling industrial and construction supplies to other businesses can be a steady business.
- Plumbing Services: Plumbing is a necessary service for both residential and commercial clients.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Boring Business
When I think a little bit more about it, just because these businesses have traits that make them “boring,” it doesn’t mean that their daily work itself is boring. Moreover, in considering it, there could be a benefit to owning or investing in this type of business even part-time. I could do creative work part-time while maintaining a steady income from the boring work. It’s tough because a lot of these jobs do require a big time investment … but I imagine that there’s some wiggle room here if you get creative. And clearly, I want to get creative!
Read More:
- Don’t Let Boredom Derail Your Financial Progress
- When Fridays No Longer Matter, You’re On The Right Path
- Warren Buffett And His Boring Investing Advice That Could Make You Rich
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Kathryn Vercillo is a professional writer who loves to live a balanced life. She appreciates a good work-life balance. She enjoys balance in her relationships and has worked hard to learn how to balance her finances to allow for a balanced life overall. Although she’s only blonde some of the time, she’s always striving for total balance. She’s excited to share what she’s learned with you and to discover more together along the way.
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