10 Small Business Ideas With Low Start-Up Costs

 

What are some small business ideas with low start-up costs? If you’re looking to start your own business but have limited funds, these 10 small business ideas may be just what you need. Each of these businesses only requires a few hundred dollars or less to get started. Before deciding on which idea you want to pursue, make sure to conduct thorough market research and due diligence about the viability of your idea, competitive analysis, and demand for the product or service you’ll be offering.

1) Laundry Service

The first small business idea is based on one of today’s most popular on-demand businesses: laundry service. Although you can do it yourself (and save a ton of money), if you live in an apartment building, or don’t want to spend a lot of time doing your laundry, there is a market for people who are willing to do it for you. Sign up with TaskRabbit to get started finding clients. If you aren’t familiar with TaskRabbit, it is an online platform that allows users to post jobs they need completed and find freelancers (called Taskers) who can help.

2) Drive for Uber

Uber is arguably one of today’s biggest disruptors in terms of small business. It enables any individual with a car and an iPhone to become a driver for hire. All you need to do is download their app, choose when you want to work, and hit start driving. It’s that simple! If you need money but have nowhere to turn, why not consider giving Uber a try? Just make sure you don’t have any outstanding tickets or red flags on your license before you go all-in on your new entrepreneurial endeavor. This is one way small businesses are born nowadays—don't miss out!

3) Pet Sitter

Many people want to own pets, but don’t want to deal with taking care of them. A pet sitter can come over and care for your pet while you’re out of town or just running a few errands. Pet sitting is one of those small business ideas that require very little overhead; in fact, all you really need is your time and an extra room for a few animals to sleep in. On top of that, you can easily take on small jobs like walking dogs or grooming cats as part of your package.

4) Resume Writing

Resumes are marketing documents. They're meant to sell yourself to a potential employer as well as get you an interview. They are not just used by people looking for work, but also by freelancers who want to market themselves. Resumes are typically formatted in one of two ways: Chronological or Functional. In a chronological resume, you will list your experience and education in reverse chronological order—starting with your most recent experience first and then listing your older experiences after that.

5) Cleaning Business

Depending on where you live, having a cleaning business can be an excellent small business idea with low start-up costs. The supplies are cheap and simple—bucket, cleaning solution, mop—and there’s no barrier to entry (you don’t have to hire employees). What's more, as you gain repeat customers, your start-up costs go down even further. Depending on where you live, a cleaning service can charge between $25 and $100 per hour. You can expect to work around 20 hours per week at an average rate of $20 per hour and make approximately $2,000 each month from residential services alone. If you want to take on commercial clients as well, that number could easily double.

6) Tutoring Business

Parents are always looking for ways to help their kids do better in school. One way to do that is to hire a tutor, but tutoring can be expensive. For example, even an hour of in-home tutoring with a part-time college student averages $20–$30 per hour. Fortunately, you don’t have to be fluent in algebra or have teaching experience to start your own tutoring business; it’s one of many small business ideas you can begin with low startup costs and little investment. Read on for our top 10 tips on how to start a small tutoring business.

7) Interior Design Service

Are you trying to makeover a room, but don’t have the big bucks to buy expensive furniture or appliances? Perhaps you are just moving into your first apartment and need help planning what to buy. If so, an interior design service may be right for you. Interior designers will offer advice on colors, furnishings, and layout that can help even those on a budget get creative with how they decorate their space. Title: Interior Design Service: 10 Reasons You Should Consider Hiring an Expert Consultant

8) Personal Trainer

Becoming a personal trainer requires a small capital investment in your business since you’ll need to pay for certifications and various fitness-related equipment. That said, it’s a lucrative career path; with low startup costs and typically high wages for trainers, being able to work from home or on your own schedule is an added bonus. According to PayScale, personal trainers can make anywhere from $20,000 to $90,000 per year. For more information about what it takes to become a certified personal trainer check out our ultimate guide here.

9) Wedding Planning and Decorations

Everyone knows weddings can be an expensive affair, especially if you’re planning a big day with lots of guests. But there are lots of things you can do yourself or within a small budget. If it’s important to you to have all your family and friends at your wedding, there are options for having a small but classy affair for just $5,000 or less. The best part is that all these ideas come from real brides who have hosted their own beautiful (and affordable) weddings and want to help other couples do so as well. Once you learn some of their tips, maybe your budget won’t seem so tight anymore!

10) House Painter

House painters need very little startup capital, which means they're one of your best options if you’re looking to start a business with a low investment. If you have painting experience, all you really need is some paint and brushes. You'll also need an insurance policy in case things go wrong, so talk to your local company about getting coverage for small jobs like house painting. Local companies may also offer advertising options and help get customers too—making them a good option if you don't have much capital but still want help building your business up. Because house painters often work directly with homeowners, fees can vary widely depending on what you're doing and how much time it takes; $15 to $100+ per hour is common depending on where you live.