Get All Access for $5/mo

Homepreneur Winners Keep Growing Despite Downturn

By Carol Tice Edited by Dan Bova

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Home-based businesses have been steadily earning more respect from the business world for the powerhouse businesses many are building from their back bedrooms. In the past week, CityMax.com announced winners of its Homepreneur of the Year contest. These are home-based e-commerce business owners who've seen rapid growth straight through the downturn. If you need a little inspiration, here are their stories:

Contest winner Marco Barberini quit his gas-jockey job in 2007 to focus on his home-based Web business, OvernightPetTags.com. Barberini told CityMax the site now grosses upwards of $8,000 a month and needs 10 hours a week or less of his time. He found a way to make and ship pet-tags cheaper than the competition, and now his goal is to make sure every pet in America has a tag. His advice: "Most people give up too quickly. Just make sure it's going to be something that's in demand and do it."

One runner-up should inspire any retirees who need to get back to earning income due to the downturn and a shrunken retirement nest egg. Retired couple Michael and Mary Ferrari of Palm Desert created UnusualThreads.com to sell fashions worn by celebrities as a hobby. The site quickly grew to $25,000 in monthly revenue. The couple only work on the site part-time, and still have time to take several cruises each year.

Got a homepreneur success tip for others? Leave them below.

Carol Tice

Owner of Make a Living Writing

Longtime Seattle business writer Carol Tice has written for Entrepreneur, Forbes, Delta Sky and many more. She writes the award-winning Make a Living Writing blog. Her new ebook for Oberlo is Crowdfunding for Entrepreneurs.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Business News

Homeowners in These 10 States Pay the Most in 'Hidden' Upkeep Costs

Hidden home costs pile on top of mortgage payments.

Growing a Business

5 Books to Help You Motivate, Unify and Build Perspective

In a post-Covid world, check out these must-read books to help build a more resilient organization, create a modern work culture and maintain a powerful growth mindset.

Money & Finance

Avoid These 10 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make with Money

Despite the challenging statistic that only 5% of startups survive beyond five years, common financial pitfalls often contribute to their failure. Through personal observation, I've identified the prevalent financial mistakes made by entrepreneurs.

Growing a Business

How Visionary Leaders Transform Curiosity Into Groundbreaking Ideas

Lee Brian Schrager, founder of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, discusses the spark that launched FoodieCon, his best practices for running popular food events, and why all business owners need to adapt to social media trends.

Making a Change

Learn All of Rosetta Stone's Languages for $152

A lifetime subscription is nearly $250 off for a limited time.