It is difficult to define an exact timeline in which businesses become profitable. This is because profitability generally depends on: The volume of capital needed to start a business The number of partners and/or shareholders involved within a business The percentage of revenue that is reinvested into the business Having said that, it usually takes more than a year and rarely exceeds three.  Keep in mind that depending on your business structure, you may be able to generate a very sizable income from your company even if it is making a loss on paper. This is because your salary can be treated as a business expense.