Have you ever wanted to start your own business but found an excuse not to?
Maybe you know the saying, "It takes money to make money," and it's holding you back. If you're short on cash, figuring out how to start a business without money can seem daunting.
But we have good news: many easy businesses can be started for less than $101. This post will share fourty business ideas to get you started.
Investment Required to Start a Business
To begin, you should be aware of the costs associated with starting a business. You don't need much upfront, but there are a few important things:
- Business plan – Free
- Social media accounts – Free
- Email address – $6 per month with Google Workspace
- A title or name for your new business – Free
- Domain name — $15 per year using Hover or NameCheap
- Managed hosting for your website — typically starting at around $35/mo
All of that will cost you just $21 upfront plus about $35/mo now. Business cards and fancy graphics are optional during the launch phase. Of course, if you're starting a side business in your own network, you probably don't need one.
Once you start making money, you should take things to the next level. At that point, you can invest in better tools and systems, such as bulk email software, to keep current and potential customers updated about your product or service.
Now, on to the list.
1. Pets Walk and Sit
This idea requires no initial investment. Start by asking your friends, family, and neighbors if they need someone to look after their pets when they're out of town or if they want someone to walk their dog during the day.
Another great way to get started if you still need to get a potential customer is to sign up for Rover as a pet sitter. This company will help you find a pet owner who needs your help.
2. Ride-Sharing Service
You can become your own taxi service working for the company of your choice at no start-up fee. You just need to meet the same requirements as making a food delivery. The good thing is that you can create your own schedule.
3. Grocery or Food Delivery
Delivering groceries or restaurant meals for Uber Eats or Grubhub is a great way to earn some extra cash, and it doesn't cost you anything to get started. Not even an interview. You just need to pass a background check, a working vehicle, a valid driver's license, and a smartphone.
4. Tutoring
Every subject requires assistance for students from elementary school to college. If you have expertise in a field, starting your own tutoring service can be a great starting business with no money! All you need to do to get started is advertise your service.
If you don't have much experience, take a look at VIPKID. This business connects native English speakers with children in China whose parents want to teach them English as a second language.
5. Sell Your Items
It really won't cost you anything. Find some items around your house that you don't use and post them on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Want to go further? Look for items around town that people pick up for free, pick up, and sell.
6. Cleaning Service
If you like cleaning, share your services on social media and with family, friends and neighbors. Your fees will only clear inventory and ads.
7. Freelancer
Are you a writer, web developer, or graphic designer, or do you have other technical skills? As long as you have a laptop and an internet connection, you can become a freelancer. Find freelance work on websites such as Freelancer or Upwork.
8. Craftsman
Suppose you enjoy doing minor household repairs, such as changing a power outlet or repairing a leaky faucet. In that case, becoming a handyman (or woman!) is a top-selling business that you can start without a lot of money.
9. Lawn care
Do you enjoy working outside and owning some basic yard equipment—like a lawn mower, trimmer, or chainsaw? This is a no-brainer business to start with! Your only expense is printing a good pamphlet and time to distribute it.
10. Social Media Management
If you already spend a lot of time on social media, why not get paid for it?
Many businesses want to be active on social media but need help figuring out what to do. Start by finding small businesses in your area and offering them how you can help their following grow. This means outreach to Instagram influencers, finding key opinion leaders, managing social media scheduling, etc.
It won't cost you a penny. Your social profile is your resume here (and it's free)!
11. Direct Sales Representative
You can sell products at parties or online as a local sales representative for companies like Mary Kay, Rhodan and Fields, or Pampered Chef. Their starter kit costs around $100, which will set you up with everything you need to become a salesperson.
12. Snow Removal
What do you do when grass and plants don't grow? Snowplow! Many people, especially the elderly, will pay quite a bit for a regular snow cleaning service on their property.
13. Installation of Christmas Lights
Another winter-based business you can start for under $100 is the installation of Christmas lights. You're all set if you have a ladder and know where to hang the lights in the house. Bonus tip: try working with entire neighborhoods or paths to give them a single pack.
14. Home Senior Companion
In the US, nearly 27% of adults over 60 live alone. The older they get, the harder it is for them to function easily. This means that many seniors need someone to accompany them, assist with various daily activities, or advise their families on how to care for them.
15. Virtual Assistant
In our post-Covid world, many executives are moving toward hiring remote assistants to manage their lives and work schedules. You can actually do this work for many companies.
This will include jobs like managing their other remote employees, taking care of content scheduling, managing customers, updating their online store, etc.
16. Project Management
Not all companies have a project manager on staff. A freelance project manager can greatly relieve a small business that needs someone to oversee a project.
17. YouTuber
You most likely already have a camera on your laptop or smartphone. Suppose you have knowledge to share or can create interesting or funny videos. In that case, you can benefit from posting YouTube videos through ads.
18. Consultation
You can start your own consulting agency if you have knowledge or expertise in a particular area. Legal advice, strategic branding and marketing consultants are always needed.
19. Photographer
Have a good camera and want to get the perfect shot? You can be a photographer for family photos, weddings, and graduations. Put on some free shows for family and friends in exchange for permission to post, then put together a portfolio.
20. Flip Website
You've heard of flipping houses. Flipping a website is like flipping a digital house. For a small investment, you buy a website and use your content development and SEO expertise to increase traffic and sales. Then, sell more than you bought and repeat the process.
21. Blogging
Start a blog on the topic to share your expertise. As your followers grow, you can earn money by selling ads, starting a subscription service, or doing affiliate marketing.
22. Affiliate Marketing
Regarding affiliate marketing, you can make money on your blog or social media by posting links to relevant products or services. When people click on your link to buy a product, you earn a share of the sale.
23. Bookkeeping
Offer to keep financial records for businesses in your area. Small businesses often leave this to owners who need more time or skills to do it. This is a business you can start without money and do from home.
24. Translator
If you are fluent in multiple languages, you can become a highly sought-after translator. Schools, courts, and nonprofits are just a few of the organizations that are constantly in need of quality translators.
25. Restore/Update Furniture
Are you skilled enough to turn old furniture into something beautiful? Shop for old, cheap furniture online or find freebies by the roadside. Take the time to fix it, then sell it online for a profit.
26. Home Child Care
If you're great with kids, home daycare is an easy business you can start with minimal start-up costs, though you'll need to get the right licenses and permits. This highly sought-after business can earn you $15-20 per hour per child in some parts of the country.
27. Cleaning Gutters
Cleaning the sewage in the gutters is something that many homeowners choose not to do. If you already have an extension ladder, you only need to pay to promote your business online or with a printed brochure.
28. Washing Windows
Cleaning windows is one of those jobs that homeowners can easily overlook. You're good to go if you have a ladder, bucket, and squeegee. Your biggest expense is marketing your services.
29. Selling Eggs
Who doesn't love fresh eggs? You can sell eggs from your own chickens to friends, family or neighbors. You can buy chicks and a regular chicken coop at a farm supply store for a marginal cost.
30. Baking
If you enjoy baking, please share your creations! You can start selling your baked goods around your neighborhood and on Marketplace or Nextdoor for the cost of flour, eggs, and oil.
31. Home Inspector
Do you know about local housing codes and how to identify trouble spots in a home? You can provide your services to both buyers and sellers of real estate. Some states require you to have a license, but not all. You can also join the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors for $49 for the first month.
32. Music or Voice Instructor
You can offer music or sound lessons in your home or by going to your student's homes. Some music stores even offer rooms for rent for instructors.
33. Online Instructor
Teach online classes in a subject area you are good at. You can become an instructor on Udemy for free.
34. Host Airbnb
You can entertain guests in spare rooms or at your own rental property instead of leaving it empty. This can be especially lucrative if you live in a college town or tourist destination.
35. App Developer
With most of the world's internet usage happening on smartphones, apps have never been this popular. If you have coding skills, you can build an app! Have an app idea but can't code? There are programmers available for hire who can collaborate with you.
36. Vehicle Ads
Some companies in your area may pay you to place ads on your vehicle. You essentially become a mobile billboard for another company—and make money doing it.
37. Sharing Rental Service
With an economy weighing on us all, sharing tools and other items has become an efficient and inexpensive way to get tasks done. If you have tools, saws, garden tools, kitchen tools, or other expensive items that are impossible for people to buy, why not try renting them out?
38. Resume Writing and Editing
Many people will be outstanding in the job they apply for. There is only one problem: they need to improve at writing. You can help them by tidying up their resumes and cover letters. Find these opportunities on the freelance sites mentioned above.
39. Personal Organizer
People have things. Lots! Many people need to learn the best way to organize their homes. You can start helping people get their space to low-cost advertising online or in classifieds.
40. Managing Web Design
You can become an expert web designer by learning to code or mastering platforms that offer drag-and-drop design. With these skills, you will be able to manage a business website. Most business owners need to gain the experience or skills to do this, but it's a necessity for them. This could be your business if you like the design and ability to manage websites.
Wrap it up
Here they are—several businesses you can start for under $101.
Still trying to figure out where to start? Choose five to ten options that stand out. Narrow it down to one or two based on your skills, experience and interests, then pick one and get started! If appropriate, create a simple website, get an email address, and then spread the word about your new business. (Freya Laskowski)
Source and Reference
https://volusion.com/
https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes
https://www.udemy.com/
https://www.nachi.org/
https://www.vipkid.com/en-us/
https://www.rover.com/become-a-sitter/