How Nick Huber Turned ‘Boring’ Businesses Into a $30M Empire

In a world where shiny new startups and high-tech solutions are often worshipped, Nick Huber offers a refreshing perspective on entrepreneurship. His journey and his book, “The Sweaty Startup,” argue that the fastest route to wealth isn’t through the latest tech trend, but rather through the pursuit of simple, “boring” businesses. 

These businesses might not make the headlines or attract the same kind of attention as the next big AI app, but they provide consistent returns, manageable risks, and are often far easier to scale.

To dig deeper into these ideas, I sat down with Nick on the Niche Pursuits podcast to discuss everything from identifying high-opportunity local businesses to building a team and avoiding common pitfalls that new entrepreneurs often encounter. We also dove into some of the key insights from his book, including his thoughts on hiring, buying vs. starting a business, and why “boring” businesses often lead to extraordinary results.

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Why Simple, Boring Businesses Are the Fastest Track to Wealth

The prevailing narrative in the entrepreneurial world often centers around breakthrough innovations — AI chatbots, blockchain, and NFTs. While these technologies offer great opportunities for a select few, they aren’t the most accessible or sustainable routes to success for the average entrepreneur. Instead, Huber argues that:

• Boring businesses are often more predictable and stable.
• They cater to everyday needs and have a proven market demand.
• They tend to face less competition than cutting-edge ventures.

By focusing on businesses that might seem mundane but are in high demand — like plumbing, HVAC services, or tree removal — entrepreneurs can carve out a profitable niche without the intense competition or unpredictable outcomes often associated with high-tech ventures.

A Practical Approach to Evaluating Business Ideas

One of the most useful concepts Huber shares in his book is the “10-Minute Drill.” This simple exercise helps entrepreneurs quickly assess the viability of a business idea before committing time or resources. 

Huber demonstrates this approach by taking a friend’s idea of starting a house painting business and researching the competition in his local area. In just a few minutes, he discovered that the market was saturated with eager competitors offering similar services, making it a poor investment. Key steps in the drill include:

• Search for local competitors: Check how many businesses already offer the service in your area.
• Evaluate their availability and responsiveness: Are they eager for business? How quickly do they respond to inquiries?
• Assess customer feedback: Look at online reviews and the quality of their services.

This drill can help entrepreneurs avoid wasting time on ideas that are already oversaturated and direct their focus toward more promising opportunities.

Scaling and Building a Team for Success

As businesses grow, scaling becomes a critical component of success. Huber discusses the importance of hiring the right people and building a team that complements your vision. He emphasizes that delegating tasks is essential for freeing up your time to focus on strategic growth. 

Huber shares his experience of hiring for his self-storage and construction service businesses, noting that the first hire should typically be someone to take on administrative duties, such as customer service or scheduling, so that the business owner can focus on sales and growth.

In terms of finding the right people, Huber recommends:

• Hiring internationally: International hires can be more cost-effective and offer a great way to expand your team without the stress of high overhead costs.
• Setting clear expectations: Ensuring that new hires understand their role and responsibilities is key to preventing the issues many entrepreneurs face when they fail to delegate properly.
• Focusing on skills, not resumes: Huber recounts hiring a Walmart employee who demonstrated exceptional initiative. This hire turned out to be one of the best employees in his business, showing that a great work ethic and attitude can often be more valuable than formal qualifications.

The Case for Buying a Business

While starting a business from scratch has its benefits, Huber shares that his personal preference has shifted toward buying existing businesses. 

He argues that buying a business allows an entrepreneur to skip over many of the initial hurdles associated with starting from scratch, such as building a customer base, establishing brand recognition, and dealing with the learning curve of business operations.

However, Huber acknowledges that buying a business isn’t for everyone. It requires a different skill set — specifically, the ability to evaluate businesses, understand their financials, and spot any potential red flags that could pose risks down the road. When considering a purchase, he recommends looking for:

• A solid track record: The business should have a history of steady revenue and manageable debt.
• Experienced owners: Avoid businesses where the owners are inexperienced or have poor management practices, as this can lead to bigger headaches.
• Opportunities for improvement: Look for businesses that could benefit from your expertise, whether through digital marketing or operational improvements.

The Role of Personal Branding in Business Growth

Huber also explores the significance of establishing a personal brand, particularly in today’s digital age. While many entrepreneurs may feel that their primary focus should be on growing their business, Huber argues that building an online presence can provide significant advantages.

His personal brand has opened doors to partnerships, investors, and customers in ways that would have been impossible without it. To effectively build a personal brand, Huber suggests:

• Be transparent: Share your successes, but also be open about your struggles and lessons learned. This authenticity helps build trust with your audience.
• Offer value: Instead of just promoting your business, focus on offering insights that others in your industry can use. This positions you as an expert and attracts people who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.
• Consistency is key: Posting regularly on social media and engaging with your audience is critical for growing your brand over time.

By sharing his journey of building his self-storage business and real estate ventures, Huber demonstrated how personal branding can help accelerate business growth and establish credibility in the marketplace.

Final Thoughts

Nick Huber’s message is clear: while the world may idolize flashy tech startups, the real wealth lies in simple, often unsexy businesses. By focusing on practical, proven models and learning how to scale them, entrepreneurs can build lasting success with less risk and more stability.

Whether you choose to start a business, buy one, or build a personal brand, the key is to stay focused on what works, rather than chasing after the latest trend. For those looking to dive into business with the highest probability of success, following Huber’s advice on identifying low-competition, high-demand markets is a solid first step toward financial independence.

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