You’ve probably wondered if something you enjoy outside of work could realistically turn into a real business. Well, the good news is that it’s not just wishful thinking.
All 15 of these businesses started as side projects and eventually became million-dollar successes. When you build on what you already know, you never really know where it could lead.
Chris Haroun and The Haroun MBA Degree Program
Chris Haroun started teaching business on the side, recording lessons at home while working full-time. He built the Haroun MBA Degree Program as a no-nonsense alternative to traditional degrees.
He launched it in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. The program grew quickly during this time, and new courses spanning various topics are continuously added to the platform.
Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg – TheSkimm
Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg started TheSkimm in 2012. They wanted to make the news easier to follow, so they wrote quick summaries and emailed them to friends.
The idea took off, but they kept their day jobs in the news while growing the project during their free time. Eventually, they made the jump to full-time. By 2021, TheSkimm brought in $40 million in revenue.
Salman Khan and Khan Academy
Salman Khan started recording math lessons to help his cousins. He filmed simple videos from a closet at home. Yet, his early clips helped more than just his family. The small project grew into Khan Academy, now reaching millions of learners.
His teaching style is straightforward, and he walks you through problems step by step. Eventually, the platform became a major education resource.
Brian Scudamore and 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
Brian Scudamore needed to find a way to pay for college. He noticed many people were stuck with junk they couldn’t get rid of, so he used an old truck and started hauling it away.
He called the business 1-800-GOT-JUNK? — a name that’s hard to forget. What started as weekend work kept picking up, and his reliable service helped the company spread across the US.
Kim Vaccarella and Bogg Bag
Kim Vaccarella didn’t plan on building an empire when she designed the first Bogg Bag in 2017. She was tired of soggy canvas bags at the beach, so she created something tougher using molded EVA, rinse-clean surfaces, and wide (sturdy) handles.
When she started advertising, social media almost immediately caught on, and buyers flooded her small operation. Today, Bogg Bag is a full-blown business.
Nick Friedman and College Hunks Hauling Junk
Nick Friedman started College Hunks Hauling Junk in 2003, when he and his friend Omar Soliman were just out of college.
They used an old cargo van to do odd jobs locally, clearing out garages and hauling junk. Fast-forward to today, and the company has hundreds of trucks. Nick now focuses on building strong teams and running franchise operations.
Craig Newmark and Craigslist
Craig Newmark started Craigslist in 1995 as a basic email list where he shared local events around San Francisco. He never planned on building a business out of it.
However, word spread quickly, so Craig kept adding categories—apartment rentals, job posts, and items people wanted to sell. Despite the countless competitors today, Craigslist is still a go-to for nearly everything.
Daymond John and FUBU
Daymond John started FUBU in the ’90s, sewing hats and shirts in his mom’s house in Queens. He saw hip-hop shaping style, but no brands reflected this. He made his first batch with $40 in fabric and convinced LL Cool J to wear FUBU in a Gap ad.
FUBU started as a door-to-door business, and once big names in rap started backing it, FUBU expanded.
Chris Wanstrath and PJ Hyett – GitHub
Chris Wanstrath and PJ Hyett built GitHub as a side project in 2007. They were tired of the clunky tools for sharing code, so they designed GitHub from their rented San Francisco apartment instead of waiting for big tech.
It gave programmers a single platform on which to store, track, and collaborate on code. Developers loved this, and growth snowballed.
Sophia Amoruso and Nasty Gal
Sophia Amoruso noticed that online shoppers wanted unique pieces, not mass-produced stock. In 2006, she started Nasty Gal by selling vintage clothes she handpicked and photographed herself on eBay.
She focused on bold, edgy styles and quickly gained a following. When eBay shut her account, Sophia shifted to her own site and made it her business to know her clients inside out.
Melissa Tavss and Tipsy Scoop
You wouldn’t think craft cocktails and ice cream could (traditionally) mix. This idea didn’t stop Melissa Tavss. She grew up in a family of ice cream makers, so she already knew her way around flavors.
In 2014, Melissa started infusing booze into every batch. She tested recipes at home, sold at events, and quickly grabbed attention. Tipsy Scoop now runs brick-and-mortar “parlors” and ships nationwide.
Mike Kurtz and Mike’s Hot Honey
There’s something tantalizing about sweet and spicy together, and Mike Kurtz noticed this while traveling in Brazil. He tasted chili-infused honey during his travels and couldn’t shake the idea.
To test it out, he started drizzling homemade batches on pizza at Paulie Gee’s in Brooklyn. People kept asking to buy bottles, so he hand-labeled them and sold straight from the counter.
Mike Kittredge and Yankee Candle
Yankee Candle is available all over today, but did you know Mike Kittredge made the first one as a handmade Christmas gift? In 1969, he melted crayons in his parents’ garage to craft a candle for his mother.
A neighbor spotted it and asked to buy one, inspiring him to make more. Mike kept experimenting with scents and shapes, selling from a small shop.
Veronica and Miguel Garza with Siete Foods
Veronica and Miguel Garza launched Siete Foods in 2014 after Veronica started avoiding grains to manage health issues. She created almond flour tortillas, which passed the real test—her Mexican-American family loved them.
Miguel saw potential and turned her kitchen solution into a brand, first selling locally in Texas. Now, Siete’s grain-free chips, tortillas, and sauces are in major retailers.
Kevin Plank and Under Armour
Did you know your favorite activewear brand started in Kevin Plank’s grandmother’s basement? In 1996, fed up with heavy cotton during football practice, he experimented with fabrics until he created a moisture-wicking design that outperformed cotton.
He pitched the gear to colleges, loading his car with shirts. Once athletes noticed the difference, orders picked up. Kevin pushed the brand into pro sports, then retail shelves.
