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Industry · Local & brick-and-mortar businesses
How local & brick-and-mortar businesses businesses make money
The 1M.chat dataset has 84 local & brick-and-mortar businesses businesses. 77 of them have a revenue figure the founder reported in an interview. Their median is $50K a month, and 43% were at $1M a year or more when interviewed, with a median team of 3 employees. The growth channels founders credited most often were SEO & organic search (68%), word of mouth & referrals (56%), organic social media (48%).
Revenue at interview
| Under $1K/mo | 0 | |
| $1K–$10K/mo | 17 | |
| $10K–$50K/mo | 21 | |
| $50K–$83K/mo | 6 | |
| $1M+ a year | 26 | |
| $1M+ a month | 7 |
Growth channels credited
| SEO & organic search | 68% | |
| Word of mouth & referrals | 56% | |
| Organic social media | 48% | |
| Paid ads | 28% | |
| Communities (Reddit, forums, Slack groups) | 16% |
Share of 50 businesses with channel information; founders often name several.
Business models in this group
| Services, agency & consulting | 74 | |
| Selling physical products | 5 | |
| Subscriptions (SaaS & memberships) | 4 | |
| Ads, sponsorships & affiliate | 1 |
Tools named most: Instagram (43%), Twitter (19%), Salesforce (10%), Slack (10%), Facebook (10%) — of 21 that listed tools.
Case studies
Read how they did it
- World Wide Stereo: a high-end audio retailer at $48M a yearWorld Wide Stereo sells, designs, and installs consumer electronics like audio, video, home theater, and smart home products to customers.$48M/yrfounder-reported 2023
- QShark Moving: a moving company started at 18 that reached $5M a yearFull-service relocation company offering local, long-distance, packing and commercial moving in California and South Florida.$5M/yrfounder-reported 2024
- Washmart: laundry and dry cleaning with pickup in India at $1.5M a yearWashmart provides professional laundry and dry cleaning services with pickup and delivery across India.$1.5M/yrfounder-reported 2023
- The Cat Cafe: a San Diego cat café at $40K a month, and why it started charging admissionA cat café in downtown San Diego offering coffee and adoptable cats to locals and tourists.$40K/mofounder-reported 2024
- AfroVibrations: $2.7K in 30 days selling tickets to Vibe Tribe eventsAfroVibrations sells tickets for boat parties, club series, and Vibe Tribe Fest aimed at Africans seeking a social home-away-from-home experience.$2.7K in the last 30 daysfounder-reported 2026
Examples
Highest founder-reported revenues in this group
| Business | What it sells | Revenue / month | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Wide StereoLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | consumer electronics, audio, video, home theater, smart home | $48M/yrfounder interview 2023 | United States |
| GetSpiffy, Inc.Local & brick-and-mortar businesses | Mobile car wash, detailing, oil change and tire services | $4Mfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| Oz Moving & StorageLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | Commercial and residential moving and storage services | $2.5Mfounder interview 2023 | United States |
| Twinkle Toes Nann...Local & brick-and-mortar businesses | in-home childcare and nanny services | $2.5Mfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| Solar Energy Part...Local & brick-and-mortar businesses | Residential solar panel installation services | $2Mfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| Bio-OneLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | crime scene and biohazard cleanup services | $1.3Mfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| zzmedspa.com and ...Local & brick-and-mortar businesses | Med spa services including Botox, fillers, and facials | $1Mfounder interview 2026 | United States |
| The Farm SohoLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | Affordable coworking space for startups | $833Kfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| Two Maids & A MopLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | Residential cleaning services and franchise | $600Kfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| Urban BettyLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | hair salon services | $585Kfounder interview | United States |
| MPC BuildersLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | custom home building and commercial construction | $500Kfounder interview | United States |
| QShark MovingLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | Full-service residential and commercial moving company | $5M/yrfounder interview 2024 | United States |
| Tesix Wireless Ne...Local & brick-and-mortar businesses | Prepaid wireless mobile phone services | $430Kfounder interview 2023 | United States |
| Finish Line Towin...Local & brick-and-mortar businesses | Towing and auto repair services | $415Kfounder interview 2023 | United States |
| Sydney Party Deco...Local & brick-and-mortar businesses | party supplies, balloons and decorations | $400Kfounder interview 2019 | Australia |
| Carolina ExteriorsLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | siding, roofing, windows and door replacement | $350Kfounder interview | United States |
| TapSnapLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | Photo booth rentals and franchised photo booth locations | $350Kfounder interview 2019 | Canada |
| Society ServiceLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | High-end escort and companion experience service | $250Kfounder interview | Netherlands |
| ZZ DAY SPA INCLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | Day spa services including massages and facials | $250Kfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| SOCO WasteLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | Residential waste removal and dumpster rentals | $230Kfounder interview | United States |
Revenue as the founder reported it in a Starter Story interview, at the interview date; not current revenue. “What it sells” is a 1M.chat summary. How this data is built
Questions
How much do local & brick-and-mortar businesses businesses typically make?
Among 77 local & brick-and-mortar businesses businesses with founder-reported revenue, the median was $50K a month at the time of the interview. The sample is founders who chose to be interviewed, so it leans toward businesses that were already working; treat it as a range of real outcomes, not an average for everyone who tries.
How many local & brick-and-mortar businesses businesses reached $1M a year?
33 of 77 (43%) reported at least $83K a month, the run-rate for $1M a year.
How did local & brick-and-mortar businesses businesses find customers?
Of 50 with growth-channel information, founders most often credited SEO & organic search (68%), word of mouth & referrals (56%), organic social media (48%), paid ads (28%), communities (Reddit, forums, Slack groups) (16%). Channels are grouped by 1M.chat from what founders said worked.
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