It's not that I'm looking for a business that doesn't need the internet, but I'm interested in if I can have a successful business without actively promoting the business on social media. I hate that in the modern age, it seems impossible or very difficult to promote your business without Meta platforms or running digital ads on social media (both Meta and non-Meta owned platforms).

So my question isn't really what business I could start without the internet, but rather if it's possible to run a successful business without running ads and creating promotional content on social media.

It makes me want to tear my skin that I need to do all this stuff on platforms that I hate. But, as one of my friends said, you can delegate the social media promotion of your business to other people, and if you don't use social media to promote your business you'll be left behind by your competitors who do.

Not an answer to your question, I know. Just sharing my frustration in what it seems you need to do to succeed... if I ever start a business.