@douggrindstaff drop “webinar” to join a live training this week. which one are you buying?
some of these margins seem unattainably high, but it makes sense when you read the sources and notes-
The tables below summarize profitability metrics based on financials of businesses sold on BizBuySell over the past five years (from 2021 through 2025), as reported by the broker managing the sale. Business owners and brokers typically include revenue and discretionary earnings, or “cash flow”, when listing businesses for sale and submitting final comp data after the sale closes. As such, we use discretionary earnings to calculate profitability across different industries. This differs from net income in that discretionary earnings includes the owner’s compensation and personal expenses, so the referenced profit margins represent the total pre-tax cash value the business owner receives from the operation.
https://www.bizbuysell.com/learning-center/most-profitable-businesses/
https://www.curbwaste.com/how-profitable-is-a-portable-toilet-business
https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/home_garden/new-orleans-is-the-most-roach-infested-city-in-the-u-s-report-says-but/article_33b66748-7a49-5a02-b764-228050cba35b.amp.html #buyabusiness #acquisition #entrepreneurship
List of unsexy profitable industriesfrom @douggrindstaff
[01]
Overview
The creator presents a list of three 'ugly' but highly profitable industries: commercial laundry, pest control, and septic/portable toilet services. For each industry, he provides context on why it's necessary, shares specific profit margin data via on-screen graphics, and uses illustrative B-roll footage in a four-quadrant layout around him to support his points.
Mogging is in vogue, but these ugly industries will make you absurdly profitable.
Visual hook · 15%
A dynamic four-quadrant layout displaying images of extreme wealth and luxury: a superyacht, a mansion, a classic speedboat, and Mike Tyson with a white tiger and a pink Ferrari.
[06]
Hook template
Steal this for your own video
[trending concept] is everywhere, but these [negative descriptor][topic category] will make you [outsized result].
— Dropshipping is everywhere, but these boring business models will make you quietly rich.
— Aesthetic gyms are everywhere, but these ugly workout styles will make you absurdly strong.
— Viral recipes are everywhere, but these unglamorous ingredients will make you insanely healthy.
[07]
Hook and payoff
The promise the opener makes, and how the video pays it back
Hook
A 'Contrarian Premise Hook' that contrasts a popular, glamorous trend with an unpopular but more valuable alternative, establishing the video's core thesis.
Payoff
A 'Future-Proofing Close' that reassures the viewer of the long-term viability of the presented concepts, often by contrasting them with a modern threat (like AI/automation), solidifying their value as a stable opportunity.
[08]
Narrative framework
The structural pattern this video runs on
Framework
The Contrarian Value Reveal
To showcase a list of counter-intuitive or overlooked items that possess a hidden, superior value, proven by specific data points.
1
The First Proof Point
Introduces the first item on the list, establishing the repeatable formula by presenting an 'ugly' concept, justifying its label with a visceral example, and revealing its hidden value with a hard data point.
2
The Second Proof Point
Reinforces the established formula with a second example, adding more personality and a secondary detail (like a solution or a humorous trade-off) to build momentum and viewer trust.
3
The Third Proof Point
Delivers the final core example, often using a direct address to the viewer ('it might as well be you') to make the opportunity feel personal and attainable.
Themes
Entrepreneurship
Profitability
Blue-collar business
Finding opportunity
Techniques
Split screen
B-roll
Data visualization
Trends
Boring businesses
Acquisition entrepreneurship
Post caption
drop “webinar” to join a live training this week. which one are you buying?
some of these margins seem unattainably high, but it makes sense when you read the sources and notes-
The tables below summarize profitability metrics based on financials of businesses sold on BizBuySell over the past five years (from 2021 through 2025), as reported by the broker managing the sale. Business owners and brokers typically include revenue and discretionary earnings, or “cash flow”, when listing businesses for sale and submitting final comp data after the sale closes. As such, we use discretionary earnings to calculate profitability across different industries. This differs from net income in that discretionary earnings includes the owner’s compensation and personal expenses, so the referenced profit margins represent the total pre-tax cash value the business owner receives from the operation.
https://www.bizbuysell.com/learning-center/most-profitable-businesses/
https://www.curbwaste.com/how-profitable-is-a-portable-toilet-business
https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/home_garden/new-orleans-is-the-most-roach-infested-city-in-the-u-s-report-says-but/article_33b66748-7a49-5a02-b764-228050cba35b.amp.html #buyabusiness #acquisition #entrepreneurship
Text overlays
title · beginning
Ugly Industries To Become Absurdly Profitable
informational · beginning
Commercial Laundry Businesses | 32.0% | 38.0%
informational · middle
Pest Control Businesses | 28.6% | 46.9%
informational · middle
The financial characteristics of the portable toilet business are generally favorable, with industry participants reporting profit margins ranging from 30% to 50%. Initial capital requirements vary significantly based on business scale and market approach, with estimates ranging from $60,000 for small operations to $180,000 or more for more comprehensive startups.
Transcript
Logging is in vogue, but these ugly industries will make you absurdly profitable. First is commercial laundry. Rank if you think these aren't ugly, imagine cleaning the sheets at the Atlantic City Motel six. Please no not leave the lights on for me. These can see between 3238% profit margin. Second, pest control companies. 41% of surveyed homes in New Orleans have cockroaches. Small price to pay for fresh king cakes and Mardi Gras in your backyard. These can operate between 2846% owner profit margins. Better avoid Monsanto two point zero, many brands are offering eco friendly botanical solutions no we don't all end up with an extra thumb. Third, septic pumping and portable toilets. Good, somebody's gotta pump the tanks and service the porta potties at Stagecoach and Bonnaroo. It might as well be you. These can see between 2040% owner EBITDA margin. And here's the good news. OpenClaw probably won't be replacing the portable toilets at your construction site anytime soon, which is why
List of unsexy profitable industries | Viral Hooks
