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Business model · Selling physical products
Businesses that make money from selling physical products
The 1M.chat dataset has 690 businesses built on selling physical products. 578 of them have a revenue figure the founder reported in an interview. Their median is $50K a month, and 44% were at $1M a year or more when interviewed, with a median team of 3 employees. The growth channels founders credited most often were organic social media (64%), SEO & organic search (43%), paid ads (36%).
Revenue at interview
| Under $1K/mo | 18 | |
| $1K–$10K/mo | 121 | |
| $10K–$50K/mo | 143 | |
| $50K–$83K/mo | 43 | |
| $1M+ a year | 201 | |
| $1M+ a month | 52 |
Growth channels credited
| Organic social media | 64% | |
| SEO & organic search | 43% | |
| Paid ads | 36% | |
| Email & newsletters | 35% | |
| Launch platforms (Product Hunt, AppSumo, marketplaces) | 35% |
Share of 424 businesses with channel information; founders often name several.
Industries in this group
| Fashion, apparel & accessories | 140 | |
| Other physical products | 123 | |
| Home, lifestyle & gifts | 120 | |
| Food & beverage | 65 | |
| Health, fitness & wellness | 53 | |
| Beauty & personal care | 53 |
Tools named most: Instagram (46%), Shopify (26%), Twitter (19%), Google Drive (15%), Facebook (10%) — of 178 that listed tools.
Case studies
Read how they did it
- Filterbuy: how an online air filter seller grew to $250M a yearManufactures pleated air filters and offers HVAC services to families, businesses, and organizations across the United States.$250M/yrfounder-reported 2024
- 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
- Tandoor Morni: selling tandoor ovens to restaurants and home cooks at $1M a monthTandoor Morni sells tandoor ovens and accessories to restaurants, caterers, and home chefs.$1M/mofounder-reported 2024
- Sockrates Custom: custom socks with a 7-day turnaround at $525K a monthSockrates Custom makes high-quality custom socks for B2B clients worldwide with a 7-day turnaround.$525K/mofounder-reported 2023
- Earth's Creation: a private label supplement maker at $6M a yearEC Nutrition is a private label and contract manufacturer of nutraceuticals, selling to businesses and consumers.$6M/yrfounder-reported 2023
- PokeNE Trading: selling Pokémon cards to collectors at $3M a yearPokeNE sells Pokemon cards in multiple languages and other TCGs to collectors online.$3M/yrfounder-reported 2024
- Vonu: one baby lounger product that reached $100K a month in its first yearVonu sells the Burplee lounger, a baby product for tummy time, reflux, and gas relief, to parents.$100K/mofounder-reported 2024
- Lucasgift: handmade and personalized gifts at $100K a monthLucasgift is a marketplace for handmade and personalized gift items for birthdays, anniversaries, and special moments.$100K/mofounder-reported 2024
- T is for Tame: kids' hair care products at $90K a monthKids hair care products$90K/mofounder-reported 2023
- Longevity Box: UK longevity supplements and health tests at $75K a monthUK company selling longevity supplements and health diagnostic tests to health-conscious consumers.$75K/mofounder-reported 2023
- Luna Nectar: vegan lash, brow and hair serums at $50K a monthLuna Nectar sells natural, vegan lash, brow, and hair density serums to people concerned with hair loss.$50K/mofounder-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
- Frailey Woodworks: hardwood furniture from a family workshop at $30K a monthFamily-run Fort Worth company crafting artisan solid hardwood furniture for modern homes.$30K/mofounder-reported 2024
- SmartBuy Kenya: an online laptop and printer store at $30K a monthSmartBuy Kenya sells laptops and printers online to consumers and businesses in Kenya.$30K/mofounder-reported 2023
- Boil Boss: crawfish cookers and boil gear at $285K a yearBoil Boss sells crawfish cooker equipment and seafood boil accessories to backyard boilers and commercial setups.$285K/yrfounder-reported 2024
- Dohful Cookies: eggless soft-baked cookies sold online in India at $15K a monthDohful sells handcrafted, eggless soft-baked cookies online to young Indian customers nationwide.$15K/mofounder-reported 2023
- Bodybrics: a Pakistani gym wear brand at $5K a month, grown with SEOBodybrics sells activewear and gym wear to athletes in Pakistan.$5K/mofounder-reported 2023
Examples
Highest founder-reported revenues in this group
| Business | What it sells | Revenue / month | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| TruTech Tools, LTDOther physical products | HVAC equipment and tools | $33.9Mfounder interview | United States |
| FilterbuyOther physical products | Pleated air filters and HVAC services | $250M/yrfounder interview 2024 | United States |
| OWC (Other World ...Other physical products | Computer upgrades, storage and software solutions | $13.5Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| BrüMateHome, lifestyle & gifts | Insulated drinkware for adult beverages | $12Mfounder interview 2018 | United States |
| BeatBox BeveragesFood & beverage | wine-based party punch drinks | $11Mfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| SNOWBeauty & personal care | Premium oral care and teeth whitening products | $5Mfounder interview | United States |
| Diesel LaptopsOther physical products | diesel diagnostic hardware, software and services | $4.2Mfounder interview 2018 | United States |
| World Wide StereoLocal & brick-and-mortar businesses | consumer electronics, audio, video, home theater, smart home | $48M/yrfounder interview 2023 | United States |
| ATMOOther physical products | portable air quality monitoring devices | $4Mfounder interview 2026 | United States |
| Bare Performance ...Health, fitness & wellness | Sports nutrition and health supplements | $3.5Mfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| TediberHome, lifestyle & gifts | Mattresses, pillows, duvets, baby mattresses, bed frames online | $3.5Mfounder interview 2018 | France |
| OffiNeedsOther physical products | Corporate gifting and custom merchandise | $3.4Mfounder interview 2022 | India |
| FactoryPureOther physical products | generators, air purifiers, and heavy goods online | $3Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| BlindsterOther physical products | custom window blinds and treatments | $3Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| Love Good FatsFood & beverage | Low-sugar keto high-fat snack bars | $3Mfounder interview 2022 | Canada |
| WildBeauty & personal care | Refillable natural deodorant products | $2.8Mfounder interview 2022 | United Kingdom |
| Viome Life SciencesHealth, fitness & wellness | Gut health diagnostics and probiotics | $2.5Mfounder interview | United States |
| Hairstory™Beauty & personal care | detergent-free hair cleanser and hair care products | $2Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| Mattress Depot USAOther physical products | Discount mattresses and bedding | $2Mfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| International Cer...Other physical products | Ceramics manufacturing for industrial clients | $2Mfounder interview 2024 | 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. Business model is the main way the business charges, as listed on Starter Story or classified by 1M.chat. How this data is built
Questions
How much do businesses built on selling physical products typically make?
Among 578 businesses built on selling physical products 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 businesses built on selling physical products reached $1M a year?
253 of 578 (44%) reported at least $83K a month, the run-rate for $1M a year.
How did businesses built on selling physical products find customers?
Of 424 with growth-channel information, founders most often credited organic social media (64%), SEO & organic search (43%), paid ads (36%), email & newsletters (35%), launch platforms (Product Hunt, AppSumo, marketplaces) (35%). Channels are grouped by 1M.chat from what founders said worked.
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