10+ Best & Profitable Pop Up Business Ideas [2023]

If you want to start a profitable pop-up business in the year 2023, this article provides 10+ of the best ideas. Get helpful tips and inspiring stories from entrepreneurs who have made their own start-up successful. Discover your ideal pop up business today!
Nick

By Nick Cotter
Updated Feb 07, 2024

Image of pop up business ideas
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Hey there, future entrepreneur! Have you been dreaming about starting your own business, but find yourself overwhelmed with the idea of a traditional brick-and-mortar setup? Well, you're in the right place! The year 2023 is all about flexibility, innovation, and taking the road less traveled. And what's more flexible, innovative, and unique than a pop-up business?

Imagine this: a compact, mobile, and highly profitable business that you can set up, take down, and move around as you please. Sounds like a dream, right? But it's not just a dream—it's the reality for thousands of successful entrepreneurs around the world, and it could be your reality too.

Whether you're a seasoned business owner looking for a fresh venture, or a newbie to the world of entrepreneurship, this article is your golden ticket. We're about to explore 10+ of the best and most profitable pop-up business ideas for 2023. So, buckle up and prepare to be inspired, educated, and motivated. The future of business is here, and it's popping up!

Food Truck

A food truck is a mobile business serving food to customers, typically in nontraditional locations such as parks, beaches and festivals. It’s an appealing business idea to many aspiring entrepreneurs because it has a relatively low start-up cost compared to traditional restaurants. Some advantages of starting a food truck business are:

  • Low start-up cost
  • Can reach an expansive range of customers
  • Flexibility in many aspects - from schedule to menu items
  • Mobile marketing - potential for creating an online presence with social media campaigns
  • Creative freedom – ability to experiment with different types of cuisine, themes, and menus.
image of a Food Truck

Event Planning

Event planning is a type of business where a professional or team of professionals organize and manage events of all sizes and types. This can include wedding receptions, corporate events, holiday parties, business meetings, concerts, trade shows, and more. A few benefits of event planning are that it allows you to be creative and make your own decisions; it requires very little overhead cost; and there is potential to earn a substantial income.

  • Creative Decisions – Planning an event allows you to be creative and make decisions on budgeting, venue selection, decorations, food, drinks, entertainment and more.
  • Low Overhead – Event planning does not require much upfront investment or overhead cost.
  • High Earnings – With proper marketing strategies in place, an event planner can earn a substantial income from their business.
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Examples of successful businesses:

Successful pop up businesses are popping up all over the world - both in physical and virtual locations. These companies provide customers with unique and innovative experiences that entice and excite them. The following list provides some examples of successful pop up businesses:

  • Dose of Colors
  • The Daily edited
  • PopupGift
  • Popupals
  • PopupStore App
  • Shopify Pop-up Storefronts
  • Lemonade Stand Pop-Up Shop
  • Cookout Pop-Ups
  • Flea Market Pop-ups
  • Stylman Pop-up Boutique

Photography Services

Photography services provide professional photography for a variety of different occasions and events. Professional photographers can capture memories in family gatherings, weddings, special events, graduations, birthdays, and much more. Photography services can make for an excellent business idea as there is always a need for such services. Some advantages of starting a photography business include:

  • You have the ability to set your own rates
  • You can choose whatever type of photography you'd like to specialize in
  • You have the opportunity to be creative and express yourself through your work
  • The overhead costs are relatively low compared to other service-based businesses
  • The potential to generate good income is great

Handcrafted Goods

Handcrafted goods are items that are made by hand, without the use of machines or assembly lines. As such, these items tend to be unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that have a special value and appeal for consumers. This makes them an excellent choice for starting a business. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Handcrafted goods are highly sought after due to their uniqueness.
  • They can be sold at a premium price due to their high value.
  • The process of making the items can be done on a small scale with minimal investment.
  • It has the potential to become an online business with global customers and international shipping.
  • The rise of social media has made it easier to reach new customers and promote your products.

Furniture Refinishing

Furniture refinishing is a process of restoring furniture to its original state. It involves taking old, worn out furniture and breathing new life into it through sanding, staining, refinishing, and polishing. Furniture refinishing could make an excellent business opportunity for someone who enjoys working with their hands and is passionate about furniture making or restoration. Here are some advantages of starting a furniture refinishing business:

  • Minimal start-up costs
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Opportunity to develop creative skills
  • Potential to build relationships with customers
  • High demand for antique and vintage furniture

Mobile Car Detailing

Mobile car detailing is a business idea that involves bringing professional car detailing services to the customer's doorstep. This type of service is seen as more convenient than traditional in-shop car detailing, and can make for a successful business opportunity.

Benefits of Mobile Car Detailing include:

  • Convenience for customers
  • Ability to take on more clients
  • Flexible working hours
  • Significantly reduce overhead costs
  • Potential for high profit margins

Home Organization Services

Home organization services are a great business idea for those who want to help their clients get their home organized and maximize their living spaces. Here are some of the advantages of offering home organization services:

  • The ability to help clients save time, money and energy when it comes to organizing their homes.
  • An opportunity to diversify your offerings, such as offering both virtual and in-person sessions.
  • The chance to use organizational tools, such as a checklist or template, to tailor to each client’s unique needs.
  • Being your own boss and setting your own hours.

Party Planning

Party planning is the process of organizing and coordinating all the details related to a party. This includes planning out decorations, food, drinks, activities, and any other elements that are necessary for a successful celebration. It can be an extremely rewarding business idea because it allows you to be creative and have fun while helping others create lasting memories.

  • Provides an opportunity for creativity
  • Allows you to help people enjoy special occasions
  • Can be tailored to fit any budget
  • Requires very little startup capital
  • Requires minimal space and resources

Dog Walking/pet Sitting

Dog walking and pet sitting is a business idea that involves providing pet owners with a range of services for their furry friends. These services can include walking, feeding, grooming, litter changing, and more. Dog walking and pet sitting businesses can be especially beneficial to pet owners who work full time or travel often and need someone to look after their pets while they are away.

  • Increased demand - As people have become busier and more dependent on their jobs, there is an increasing demand for dog walkers and pet sitters.
  • Variety of Services - Pet owners can choose from a variety of services such as dog walking, feeding, exercise, grooming and more.
  • Working From Home - Running a dog walking and pet sitting business does not require much start-up capital and can be done from the comfort of your own home.
  • Flexible Working Hours - Another benefit of running a dog walking/pet sitting business is that you get to choose when you work. You can work during the day, in the evenings or even on weekends.
  • Animal Lover's Paradise - As long as you have a passion for animals, this type of business can be very rewarding as it allows you to spend time with furry friends.

Online Tutoring

Online tutoring is a great business idea for people looking to monetize their knowledge and skills. It provides a platform for tutors to connect with students from all around the world, and it can be a lucrative venture for those with the right qualifications. Here are some of the advantages of online tutoring:

  • Flexible schedule – tutors can work from anywhere, at any time
  • Low overhead costs – no physical premises needed
  • Tutors can charge higher fees than in-person tuition, due to the lower costs associated with running an online business
  • Opportunity to reach a wider audience – thanks to the internet, tutors can advertise their services to people all around the world
  • Increased efficiency – with online tools, tutors can store student data, track progress and access resources more easily than ever before

Nick

Founder and CEO

I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.