Starting a rental business today doesn’t always mean sticking to traditional markets like cars, bikes, or equipment. More and more entrepreneurs are finding success in unexpected niches, creating unique rental businesses that thrive in their local communities and beyond. At Booqable, we’ve seen businesses around the world launch creative ventures and turn them into full-time livelihoods.
What makes Booqable special is that it’s built for rental businesses both big and small, handling everything from local walk-in customers to online orders. If you’ve ever thought about a rental business idea that feels unusual or surprising, these stories show how possible it is to turn it into something real.
Exosustain: Exoskeleton Rentals
Renting out a skeleton is not something you’d expect to do, even in today’s day and age. Exosustain, founded by Olivier Goudeseune in Belgium, rents exoskeletons to companies improving workplace ergonomics. Customers include large corporations testing equipment and smaller teams seeking safer conditions.
They rely on Booqable’s inventory management to keep track of every piece of specialized gear. The online storefront also makes booking straightforward for companies wanting quick access.
The exoskeleton market is projected to top $10 billion by 2030, fueled by demand for workplace safety. As industries invest in ergonomics, rentals provide flexible access to this costly equipment. It’s a market segment growing steadily across the globe.
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Roulette Tafel Huren: Roulette Table Rentals
Sometimes the best rental businesses start with solving your own problem. In 2015, Dirk Ottenheijm wanted to host a casino night for friends but couldn’t find an affordable roulette table to rent. Instead of paying €750 for a commercial model, he built his own from scratch, and after the party, decided to offer it online for others to rent. Today, he designs, builds, and rents out more than 16 roulette tables alongside his regular job for his business Roulette Tafel Huren.
When Dirk first started, managing everything through email made it tough to keep track of bookings and avoid double requests. With Booqable, he integrated live availability directly into his WordPress site so customers can book online without endless back-and-forth messages.
The Booqable iOS app also helps him keep track of orders on the go, cutting the time he spends managing his side hustle by 80 percent. This has turned his rental idea into something sustainable without overwhelming his daily life.
The global event rental industry is growing past $60 billion, driven by demand for unique entertainment at weddings, parties, and company events. Casino nights are increasingly popular because they create memorable group experiences at an affordable cost. Roulette Tafel Huren is proof that even a simple rental business idea can find a strong and lasting market.
Novalinks: Starlink Rentals
Renting out internet access is the newest way to stay connected. In 2024, Wojciech Kopacz launched Novalinks in Poland, offering Starlink Gen3 rentals for travelers and remote workers. Uniquely, customers collect their kits from parcel lockers nationwide, making pickup easy.
From the start, Wojciech chose Booqable for managing bookings and payments. Features like inventory tracking and reservations allow him to run the business smoothly as a solo founder.
Satellite internet demand is rising fast, with Starlink surpassing 2.5 million subscribers globally in 2024. Short-term connectivity is especially popular with nomads and businesses in remote areas. Rentals are set to grow as access expands.
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Off the Hook: Audio Guest Book Rentals
Helping couples capture wedding memories in unique ways is Stefaan and Elizabeth White’s mission with Off The Hook. Launched in 2022 in Australia, they rent retro-style phones that record audio guest messages. Each phone is built in-house to look beautiful, with one-button setup and designer signage included for easy use.
Booqable’s custom fields let them collect essential details like greetings, venues, and partner names. They also use product padding to manage nationwide deliveries and multi-day hires effectively.
The Australian wedding market exceeds $4 billion, with personalization driving spending. Audio guest books are trending globally, boosted by viral social media moments. Off The Hook’s rapid growth, including 100 bookings in their first month, shows this market is only gaining momentum.
Glow Mobile Sauna: Mobile Sauna Rentals
Renting a sauna on wheels might sound unusual, but on Vancouver Island it’s become a wellness staple. Kierra Frechette and her husband launched Glow Mobile Sauna to bring hot-and-cold therapy experiences directly to customers’ homes, retreats, and events. Their mobile spa comes with add-ons like cold plunge tubs, fire pits, and towels, creating a full wellness package.
They use Booqable to handle bookings, contracts, and add-ons all in one place. Integration with their Squarespace site ensures smooth reservations with real-time availability while avoiding double bookings.
The wellness industry is worth over $5 trillion, with sauna culture expanding rapidly worldwide. Mobile saunas combine growing demand for health-focused experiences with the convenience of rentals. Glow Mobile Sauna shows how unique rental businesses in wellness are finding enthusiastic markets everywhere.
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Turning Inspiration Into Your Own Idea
From exoskeletons to saunas, these five businesses prove that no rental business idea is too unusual to succeed. Each turned a creative concept into a thriving venture with the help of Booqable. Niche rentals are expanding rapidly, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs worldwide. Your idea might be the next to take off.
