how to start a business plan with no money

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How to start a business with no money in 2025

Cat McAlpine

Sierra Campbell

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 4:16 a.m. ET Oct. 4, 2024

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kate_sept2004, Getty Images

Running your own business comes with freedom, flexibility and, possibly, great financial success. However, starting a successful business can be expensive. What if you have a great idea but no savings? Luckily, there are many ways to start a business with no money. 

Read on to explore businesses with no startup costs, plus learn how to create your business plan, seek funding and successfully establish your business. 

Editor’s Note: This article contains updated information from a previously published story.

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1. Come up with a business idea

Some businesses are easier to start than others. Starting a bakery, for example, requires special skills, a passion for baking and a lot of overhead costs. But there are plenty of ventures that require no money upfront. 

To tap into one, think about the skills you already have and the resources currently available to you. Your work doesn’t have to be something you’re incredibly passionate about, but it should be something you are competent in and can enjoy.

For example, if you have specific skills in writing, management, design or any kind of content production, you may be able to freelance as an individual. If you have broader skills like being extremely organized or good at multitasking, you may find that something like dropshipping works best for you. 

Don’t be afraid to explore an idea, going so far as to develop a business plan, before deciding if it’s right for you. Seeing the big picture next to the expected day-to-day intricacies will give you a good idea of what a business will be like to operate and if it can be successful. 

Below are some common businesses that require no upfront investment to get started:

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is when you act as an intermediary between customers and a supplier without first purchasing or keeping inventory yourself. By building an online storefront, you can offer items to your customers that your supplier has agreed to provide to you at a wholesale price.

Photography

Photography is a growing field and there are many people and places who will want your services. Weddings, birthdays, concerts and corporate events all often involve a paid photographer. If you already own a camera and possess some basic photography knowledge, it can be easy to start your photography business.

Pet sitting

Pet sitting and house sitting only require your time and attention. While certification isn’t required, pet owners and homeowners alike may want to hear about any prior experience you have providing care for pets. 

The main qualifications for pet sitting are loving animals and being responsible. You can join a company that already provides pet services, find an online community that caters to pet sitting or build your own brand as an individual. 

Personal training

Providing personal training or fitness coaching does not require a degree or certification, and by making your services available digitally, you don’t need to pay to rent a space or equipment. The bulk of training income comes from one-on-one workout sessions, which can be done remotely or by selling fitness plans online. If you find a place to monetize video content, you can also leverage tutorials and workouts.

Freelancing

There are a whole host of services that you can provide as a freelance worker. If you enjoy writing, you can find work designing courses, developing social media captions, writing articles and supporting many other kinds of publications. The same goes for any other marketable skills like graphic design or even project management.

2. Create a business plan

A great business plan will prepare you for successes and failures by outlining your entire business from top to bottom. Potential investors will want to see your business plan, so they know they are making a wise investment with a good chance of returns. 

Make your business plan successful by being straightforward, easy to understand, using clear charts and visuals and using industry-specific research. It is important to include:

• An executive summary: This provides a big-picture look at your business plan, including organizational structure, product or offerings, marketing strategy and financial projections. Make sure to also include a mission statement for your new business.
• Market analysis: Conducting a competitive analysis will help you review what other similar businesses are doing to be successful. Look for trends and themes that you can follow as well as opportunities to improve your product or offering. In addition, look for gaps in industry offerings that you may be able to fill.
• Customer profiles: Outline the key demographic you will target and how your products or services will uniquely meet their needs, including the competitive advantage you will offer them and how you will reach them. 
• Company structure: Describe how your company will be structured and who will run the business. Include an organizational chart to show how every new member will contribute to the business. Include information on your leadership team’s qualifications. Identify if your company will be an LLC , a partnership or a type of corporation. Learn more about business structures here . 
• Financial projections: Including financial projections for your business will help convince investors that your business will be successful. Forecast how your business will perform over the next five years, with specific breakdowns at the quarterly or even monthly level for your first year. This is a good place to use clear charts and graphs to effectively share the research you’ve done.
• Supporting documentation: Include resumes for your key employees, analytics reports and patent or trademark documentation and product images to support the claims you’ve made in your business plan.

3. Seek funding

If you have a business idea but need capital to get started, you’ll want to seek funding from other sources. Every business has different needs, so first, determine exactly how much funding you need. Once you have a fundraising goal, you can determine which sources are best to pursue.

• Self-funding: Sometimes referred to as ‘bootstrapping,’ self-funding can refer to money or loans you get from friends and family, your own savings reserves or even withdrawing from accounts like a 401(k). While this gives you the most control over your business and earnings, it’s also risky. Often, you must pay these types of funds back with little guarantee you can.
• Venture capital: Investors provide venture capital funding in exchange for a stake or role in the company. Some may want an executive position, a seat on the board or other involvement in your business. Venture investments typically apply in rounds and are subject to change based on the success of the company. 
• Crowdfunding: You can appeal to potential customers who would like to support your business by launching a crowdfunding campaign. Each crowdfunding platform has specific rules and takes different percentages of what you raise, so make sure to read the terms carefully. Donors will expect something in exchange for their money, usually a prototype of your product or some other kind of gift. 
• Small business loan: Connect with banks and credit unions to begin the process of applying for a small business loan. By applying for your loan with multiple financial institutions, you can compare rates and offers to find the best loan for your business. A lender will expect to see a business plan, an expense sheet and your financial projections. 
• Small business administration (SBA)-guaranteed loan: If financial institutions are worried about the risk associated with your fledgling business and you do not qualify for a traditional loan, look into SBA-guaranteed loans instead. Learn more about SBA-guaranteed loans here . 

4. Define and build your brand

Market research can help you identify what similar businesses are doing in your industry, but now it’s time to use that knowledge to differentiate what you do. Your business’s brand encompasses everything from what colors you use in design and advertising to what values you think are important to your day-to-day practice. 

Once you’ve reviewed the brands of competitors, you should sit down and think about what you want your brand to be. For example: Is it cool and hip? Reliable and safe? Low-waste and environmentally conscious?

Whatever you want your brand to be, make sure to take the following factors into consideration:

• Name: Your brand name is very important. It should give customers a sense of what you do and how you want them to feel about what you do. It should also be distinct from your competitors and easy to spell and remember. 
• Audience: Know who your potential customers are and make sure you’re speaking to them. For example, if you’re targeting older customers, you shouldn’t use popular slang in your messaging. 
• Purpose: Defining your purpose not only provides clarity to your customers but also to yourself and any employees. Answer why you do what you do and what is important about your product or offering. 
• Voice: Brand voice is how you talk about your brand. Do you want to brag about how good your services are? Do you want to back your product with lots of research? Finding your voice helps support the other factors you’ve already defined for your brand — including your audience and purpose. Create a style guide that outlines your company voice, including what and how you communicate to customers and how you do not. 
• Look: Likely the first thing you think of when you imagine a brand is how it looks. From what kind of colors a brand uses to its logo to its font choices, a visual brand is an incredibly important part of how customers associate your product with your business. Create a style guide that defines your brand’s color scheme, logo usage and graphics templates, for example.

5. Test your business idea

Once you’ve written your business plan, secured funding and defined your brand, it can be tempting to open your business up to the world. But before you do, try a smaller-scale launch that allows you to test your processes and offerings. 

Start local or build a simpler version of your product to troubleshoot for any roadblocks before moving into production. Be sure to survey customers during your testing period to see how they feel about your offerings and your brand. Don’t forget to ask about your customer service and overall experience. 

Positive signs it might work

If people are excited about your offerings and want to know more, that’s a good sign. Carefully review the feedback you’ve gotten from friends, family and customers during your test launch. If you can, connect with other experts in the industry. As you evaluate the success of your soft launch, ask yourself:

• Have I improved an existing product or offering?
• Did I successfully solve a problem?
• Is my business sustainable?
• How many people can afford to purchase my product?
• How can I better speak to the needs of my customers?

The answers to these questions will help you envision the future success of your business, and will determine what changes you still may need to make for a successful final launch. 

Scaling the idea in the real world

Once you’re ready to grow your business, you’ll need to strategize how to maximize your sales while minimizing your costs. Reflect on your test launch to better understand your customers and their needs. 

Common scaling mistakes include:

• Scaling too quickly.
• Prioritizing short-term goals over long-term goals.
• Overlooking the efficacy of your processes and systems.

While growth focuses on increasing revenue, scaling focuses on making your business agile and efficient. It requires looking internally at your business as much as it does looking outward at your customers. To do so, think about tools that can help you scale, including: 

• Payroll software . 
• Recruiting and onboarding software . 
• Project management software . 
• Task management software . 
• Payment processing software . 
• Customer relationship management software .

Most of these types of software have free versions available for budget-conscious businesses. Many also offer free trials to help companies get started with no startup costs. 

Persisting through adversity

There will be roadblocks the work through as your business grows, but they can be overcome. Common mistakes in small businesses are:

• Failing to properly price services or products.
• Not asking for help.
• Being too optimistic when setting goals.
• Misunderstanding potential customers.

If you encounter any of these challenges, don’t give up. Try performing a SWOT analysis to identify your business’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. 

Then set SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Once you’ve analyzed your challenges and set new goals, you’re ready to move forward. 

6. Market and grow your business

Once you’ve established your business, identified your customers, evaluated your processes and needed tools to successfully scale and prepared to adapt to challenges, you’re ready to grow. 

There are many different ways that you can market your business, reach new customers and improve brand recognition. Grow your new business with the following marketing ideas:

• Get listed: Set up your business details on Google so that customers can easily find your website, hours and other pertinent details.
• Go social: Determine which social media platforms are most popular for your target customers and establish a presence there. 
• Get involved: Make sure to engage with any relevant online communities where you can become a subject matter expert by sharing on relevant topics and sharing your business’s offerings.
• Provide expertise: Expand your reach by going out into the community in person. Attend relevant trade shows or offer your expertise in webinars and workshops.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Yes, you can start a business with no money, but it often requires you to find funding elsewhere. Businesses that have no start-up costs will eventually cost money in order to grow, including advertising, market research or building a website.

The cheapest businesses to start require no start-up costs and depend wholly on services or products you can provide as an individual, including freelance writing, dropshipping, personal training, pet sitting or other personal skills like photography, design or working as a personal assistant.

To start a business, you need a solid business idea. Start with market research before finalizing your idea. Use that research to develop a business plan that will help you find funding, choose a business structure and prepare to launch. 

Finally, you’ll need a business name and the necessary licenses and permits to legally register your business.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial or medical decisions. Individual results may vary. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Cat McAlpine is a writer and marketer based in Columbus, OH. She uses her expertise to support small businesses and arts organizations in her city.

Sierra Campbell is the lead small business editor for USA TODAY Blueprint. She has been featured on USA TODAY Blueprint and U.S. News & World Report as a writer and an editor. She has also contributed to publications like ConsumerAffairs. She has experience with many B2B and B2C categories. Sierra previously worked as an editor for U.S. News & World Report, where she focused on subjects such as credit card processing, business phone systems, web hosting, home security systems and moving companies. She also worked as a digital content producer and show producer at several local TV stations across the nation. In her free time, Sierra runs her book editing business, Editing by Sierra, LLC. She offers developmental editing, copy editing, line editing proofreading and simple formatting services to self-published and traditionally published authors.

7 Steps to Successfully Start a Business With No Money

Karoki Githure

12 min. read

Updated June 7, 2024

Are you the type of entrepreneur who has big ideas and the drive to bring them to life, but feels held back by a lack of funds?

Many people just like you dream of getting into the world of self-employment by owning their own business.

Unfortunately, some people end up completely putting off their ambitions. The pressure to quickly generate revenue to cover startup costs — or get outside financing like a bank loan — can feel overwhelming.

But is it really impossible to launch a business without any startup capital? The answer might surprise you.

Can I start a business with no money?  

Yes, you can start a business with no money. You just need to be strategic and patient in your approach. Here are a few things you should do before you dive into the startup process .

Keep your job 

Sure, your idea is exciting. Don’t get carried away. Immediately quitting your job and registering a sole proprietorship is about as risky as it gets.

So start slow. Best to run the business as a side hustle in these early days, whether that’s after work or on weekends. You should also be realistic about the commitment required. Going on the path to starting a business will require making compromises in other areas of your life as you balance this new venture with your day job.

Your job will ensure your livelihood isn’t relying on the success of your business. Besides, you can save your business’s profits to fund costs that might arise as the business grows. Keep doing what you’ve been doing for a living with the aim of working hard and smart on your business. You can decide to leave your job when the startup can pay you .

Read more: The 10 best side hustles to fund your startup

Tap into free resources 

Whether you need to fully outline your business structure , write a business plan , create a marketing plan , research licenses and permits , or even register your business—there’s likely a free template, tool, or article out there for you to check out.

You can also use free trials for paid business tools. This will give you an idea of the overall functionality and help you determine if it’s worth eventually investing in.

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Network, network, network 

Sometimes it really is about who you know. If you’re starting a business with limited resources, consider how you invest your time. Forging networks by interacting with people in your industry is a great way to learn from entrepreneurs on the same journey as you.

Even if your concept is unique, it’s still worth networking with other entrepreneurs. Talking to people who have been down a similar road will help you learn what it takes to run a successful startup.

Seminars and webinars, events, conferences, social media groups and online forums can also play a huge role. Connecting with a local SCORE affiliate or Small Business Development Center can keep you updated on workshops and events near you. Even Reddit groups for entrepreneurs and small business owners (known as subreddits) can provide a ton of free knowledge from entrepreneurs who have walked in your footsteps.

• How to start a small business with no money

You’re likely still asking yourself, “So how can I start my business with no money?” Work through this seven-step process to go from idea to full-fledged business with little to no funding.

1. Identify your business idea 

The foundation of a business is based on strong ideas. So It’s only natural that identifying your business idea is the first milestone in your entrepreneurial journey. Start by brainstorming and writing down your potential options. Pay attention to how you can be of service to customers by offering a solution that doesn’t currently exist or is better than existing options.

Analyze the ideas you have. How passionate are you about them? What talents do you have? Would your skillset make it successful? 

Is there anything your family, friends, or colleagues say you’re good at or come to you when facing a particular problem? Narrow down to the one that stands out and catches your interest.

Below are some pointers that can help you find your business idea:

• Examine your marketable skills or experience that can be turned into a business.
• Analyze existing businesses’ unmet customer needs so and identify opportunities to fill the gap.
• Is there a product/service that you wish existed?
• Look at existing products and services think about how to improve or add value to them
• Investigate other markets to see whether your products/services are needed there.   

Idea generation is also one of the areas where AI tools like ChatGPT and the LivePlan AI Assistant really shine. If you’ve got some ideas written down, try feeding them into an AI tool and see what it provides as an output. 

Just remember, it’s your job as an entrepreneur to sort through those outputs and separate any good ideas from bad ones. AI is a collaborator, not a replacement for your own ideas.

Read more: 17 ChatGPT prompts you can use for starting a business in 2024

2. Conduct market research 

Understanding the market is crucial to determine your business idea’s potential in the real world. So once you have an idea, start conducting thorough market research on the industry your business idea aligns with. This will give you an idea of the overall market landscape and how your business might perform.

Identify your potential competitors and what they’re doing. Your main aim is to determine whether you have a more innovative, better, and cost-effective way of doing things. By studying your competition, you’ll find out whose business idea has holes. You can also figure out a unique value proposition for your business.  

Research your potential customers as well. Understand their occupations, age, education levels, and locations. Study their current buying habits and whether they’re willing to pay more for better quality products/services.

This is an area where AI is less helpful than idea generation. It frequently gets facts wrong. Say you’ve noticed that many seniors in your small town lack access to services, so you plan to start a grocery and prescription delivery business in your small town. AI doesn’t understand the unique market dynamics of your geographic area, so any information it gives you is unlikely to be helpful — it may even make up information.

You’re better off reading through online reviews of similar types of businesses or surveying people in social media groups. Post a questionnaire in the groups your potential customers have joined. 

Talking directly to potential customers can shed light on areas where their needs aren’t fulfilled. The information you gather will help you understand your target customers’ types of purchasing habits, needs, and preferences.

3. Create an MVP and test your idea 

Whether you’re selling a product or service, testing the idea with no cost or the least cost possible is advisable. A minimum viable product (MVP) is a bare bones version of a new product with core features to test its viability in the market. The purpose of an MVP is to see the early customers’ experience with the product and use the feedback in further developments.

You can create a website for your product/service and check website metrics. Use low-cost or free websites and web analytics tools available. Include an option for email signups/preorders for more information to gauge their interest. Track basic metrics like: 

• Website session duration
• Traffic source
• Number of visitors
• Average time on page

You should also tap into the power of social media . Create a post, page, or short video about your product or service, share it on social platforms, and see how many people are interested. Their interactions, comments, views, shares and reactions should give you some indication about how your idea is being received.

Another way to get this feedback is to conduct a crowdfunding campaign . If they’re interested in investing after using the product/service, then that’s a good indication that the business idea is worth pursuing. Even if you don’t get the funding, their feedback will guide you on which areas to improve.

You can also do it the old-fashioned way and offer your services in your neighborhood for free. Set up in a public area where you expect your ideal customers to congregate, inform them about your business and ask for their honest review of your performance. 

Keep in mind that your intent is to determine whether the idea is viable or not. If things don’t go as you had hoped, use the feedback to reflect on what areas to improve on, or if the idea isn’t worth pursuing at that time.   

4. Develop a plan 

You’ve learned a lot about what you’re getting into by this stage. Based on the information you’ve gathered, it’s time to outline your business’s current and future goals. You need to have a business plan to organize the direction of your business.

If you don’t know how to write a business plan , use this free online template . Bear in mind that it will be your resource in starting the business. So make sure it’s a short and actionable plan. However, include your statement of business operation , product/service description , and market analysis. 

A good business plan also helps you set short-term and long-term goals as well as eventual startup costs . It will be a roadmap for your next steps, help you keep expenses low and decide whether to invest more capital or pursue funding .

5. Set up a payment method 

Be ready to receive payments any time an opportunity arises. You don’t want someone to agree on buying your product or service, only to lose them because you haven’t figured out how they should pay you. So determine how you’ll receive payment and set those systems up before becoming operational. 

When deciding which methods to use, compare their price, features, flexibility, security, and functionality. If you’re running an ecommerce business, you’ll want to read reviews of online payment systems and apps.

The best fit for your business depends on several factors such as the size of your transactions, popularity, customers’ preference, and age, among others.

6. Focus on organic communication 

Another critical aspect of starting a business with no money is spreading the word about your product or service to your customers. You’re obviously not trying to invest a ridiculous amount of money in your marketing efforts. So it’s best to focus on organic options as part of your initial marketing strategy . 

Create a website

Launch a website for your business and utilize free SEO tools to research the most valuable keywords in your industry. Use your results to create search-optimized pages that describe your product or service, provide an overview of your reason for starting the business, answer frequently asked questions, and provide sales and contact information. Putting your physical address on the contact page is a good way to rank in search engine results when someone conducts a regional search.

Make sure your website has a blog section where you publish optimized content regularly. Take advantage of free content marketing courses to hone your skills. Similarly, free digital marketing courses can teach you which method works depending on the business.

Tap into social media

From Instagram to TikTok to LinkedIn, social media is everywhere. So you should take advantage of these (mostly) free tools to create social media pages that showcase your business. 

Use social media posts to drive traffic to your website or online shop. Respond to the comments written by your customers , and participate in social groups or forums. This is a great way to start building an audience and engagement naturally. Just keep in mind that it will take time and effort to maintain.

You should also prioritize the social media channels most likely to resonate with your customers. For example, Instagram is a better tool than LinkedIn for clothes designers since it’s more suitable for sharing photos.

Read more: Got a bad customer review? Here’s what to do next

7. Explore funding options 

If your business reaches the point where you need funding or extra capital for growth, it’s time to explore your funding options . If you have enough savings, you can inject that into your business. However, if that’s not the case, consider other funding options.

The most traditional and obvious option for small business owners is to apply for a bank loan . However, it’s also worth exploring grants from federal, state, or regional agencies. There may even be private grant options from larger organizations. These are typically grant programs that cater to specific demographics such as minorities, veterans, and other underrepresented small business owners.

Not interested in traditional funding? Leverage crowdfunding sites to raise funds in exchange for the product/service, debt, or the purchase of small shares in the idea. The ideal stage for crowdfunding can be the testing phase. 

Friends and family are a common source of financing too. However, be professional and agree on a payment plan to avoid ruining your relationship.

If you’re in more of a startup environment, angel investors and venture capitalists may be your best option. These are primarily used by businesses looking for quick funding in exchange for ownership equity, royalty payment, or convertible debt.

From starting to growing your business 

The amount of starting capital doesn’t determine the success of a business idea. In the initial stages of executing your business idea, it’s best to stay lean and avoid unnecessary expenses. However, as the business grows, there comes the point where that can’t be done anymore. 

Planning for this moment will help ensure that your idea doesn’t run into a cash flow crisis — something that can happen even to businesses that are popular and generating revenue.

If you’re prepared to do what it takes to ensure your business runs smoothly, you’re on the right track. And if you’re committed to starting a business with no money, download our one-page business plan template to quickly start creating your own business plan.

Karoki is a freelance content writer and blogger with experience writing about entrepreneurship, business, freelancing, and self-development. Apart from writing, he loves a little bit of adventure and creating beats/instrumentals on his digital audio workstation (DAW).

Table of Contents

• Can I start a business with no money?  
• From starting to growing your business 

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30 businesses to start with little money

You can definitely start a business with little cost or even no money upfront. For most, it’ll likely be a service business since you won’t want to worry about managing inventory. For these, you’ll just need a website, some hustle and creativity.

Starting your own business is a great way to control your own time, make some extra cash with a side hustle, and even have a chance at turning your hobby into a successful business. So as you go through this list of business ideas consider your existing skill set and personal interests to find the small business idea that fits you best.

Here are some of the best low cost businesses you can start with no money or very little money.

1. Concierge business

What you’ll need: Website, business cards, transportation.

If you live in an affluent area or neighbor to one, you would be amazed at what some people are willing to pay to not have to do boring chores themselves.

From grocery shopping to dry cleaning runs to handling travel booking and scheduling doctor’s appointments, you can become a personal assistant. Someone who is super busy and finds their time too valuable for these more mundane tasks would gladly pay for this concierge-level of service. That’s where you come in.

You may need some connections or some recommendations to get started. Then, you can build a successful concierge business by being reliable, trustworthy and fast.

2. Auto detailing business

What you’ll need: Vacuum, cleaning supplies, power/water supply, transportation.

You’ve likely seen the TikTok videos about this one. With a vacuum cleaner you may already own and a few cheap bottles of automotive cleaning products, you can offer to come to anyone’s home or work and make their car’s interior look like new.

You’ll need to commit your time and be willing to get a little dirty but you can get started with minimal startup costs, then look to expand if it’s something you find you like doing (and is profitable).

3. Consulting or coaching business

What you’ll need: Something to manage clients, a personal expertise to share.

If you’re an expert in a particular field, you can start your own consulting business. Depending on what you’re consulting in (financial, legal, cybersecurity), this can be among the most profitable small business ideas .

If you have marketing experience, you could help entrepreneurs grow their small businesses while growing your own. And, on the other end, there’s coaching. If you played minor league baseball, look into coaching kids on how to clear their hips when they swing. These go hand-in-hand as they both involve sharing some degree of expertise.

All you need is a form of contact, possibly a website (which you can set up for free) and some level of marketing to get the news out there about your service. You’ll want to share why potential customers should trust you as an expert worth paying.

4. Podcasting

What you’ll need: Microphone, recording and editing software.

Starting a podcast can be a great way to build an audience and earn some extra online income . You’ll need a microphone and some recording software. In most cases, you can get started with just a few hundred dollars if you’d like a more professional set-up than just the mic that comes with your computer.

Once you’ve recorded a few episodes, you can look into submitting your podcast to iTunes and other directories for free. Those who have something they enjoy talking about, such as fantasy football or the adventures of cooking, might find this to be the perfect option. Even better if it’s a podcast you can commit to with friends.

Success rate can be low as building an audience versus existing competition is challenging but positive endeavors can attract sponsorships and even donations.

5. Local tour guide

What you’ll need: Local familiarity, promotional materials and possibly a tour guide license.

If you live in a tourist-friendly area, why not become a local tour guide? You can create your own walking tour or offer guided bicycle tours. All you need is some knowledge of the area, a few promotional materials (which you can create yourself for free) and possibly a tour guide license depending on your area.

That’s how the famed Scott’s Pizza Tours started out based on their familiarity with the NYC area and love of pizza. They now have grown to offer walking tours, bus tours and even online classes all about pizza. Approach some businesses for potential partnerships and let them know you’re thinking about using them as a stop to make it beneficial for all involved.

6. Bookkeeping

What you’ll need: Business accounting software, client management software, certification (optional).

Bookkeeping and accounting is perhaps one of the most in-demand services that small businesses will farm out to part-time contractors. And you don’t need to be a CPA to keep a company’s books — most of this work is routine data entry and management of bills.

You can find evening or online training for bookkeeping pretty easily if you have no experience and even certify with the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) .

7. Dog walking or pet sitting business

What you’ll need: Website or some ads to share, CPR and first-aid certification.

If you love animals, there are plenty of people who will pay you to do some pet sitting for a few hours. Depending on your schedule, this could be a part-time way to make money while you’re in college or a very full-time gig. You could probably start working without spending a dime.

Pet sitting can sometimes mean having a dog stay at your house, or staying in the house of a stranger or family member while they are out of town. For even less commitment, consider dog walking business. You can charge $20 or even more depending on your area for a 20 or 30 minute walk. Or do both! Offering both services could turn into a lucrative business. Some dog walkers have worked up to hustle to $100k a year without a college degree!

Check out sites like Care for pet care and Rover for sitting/walking, but like with any job websites, be wary of scams. It’s also highly recommended to know the life-saving techniques specifically designed for dogs. There’s CPR and first aid courses specifically for dogs for you to receive certification in.

8. Window washing business

What you’ll need: Flyers, window washing cleaning supplies and possibly transportation depending on where you live.

This is a great business idea if you’re handy and don’t mind working outdoors. You’ll need some supplies, some of which you’ll already have (ladders, buckets, rags, etc.), but the total investment shouldn’t be more than a few hundred dollars.

To get started, walk around and ask local businesses if they need their windows washed. If you’re in a city there will be plenty of potential but you might need a car out in the suburbs. After a few jobs done, ask past customers if you can post non-obtrusive flyers. You can also promote your business online and through various social media on the local level.

9. House sitting business

What you’ll need: Quality references would help.

This is a great way to make some extra money if you’re responsible and trustworthy. Homeowners (even those without the furry friends we mentioned) would have some peace of mind if someone was watching their house while they’re out of town for an extended period of time. All you need to do is take care of the property, like maybe water the plants, and follow their instructions, like setting the security alarm.

To get started, create a profile on matching services like Trusted Housesitters or Mind My House and start applying for jobs. You may even have friends and family reach out for when they’ll be out of town.

10. House cleaning business

What you’ll need: Cleaning supplies, transportation and possibly state licensing.

Think about all the people in your neighborhood who work long hours and don’t have time to clean their houses. If they’re not using a cleaning service already, they may need someone reliable who’s local to clean their house once a week or month.

Starting a house cleaning business is a great way to get started in the business world with very little overhead costs or commitment. All you need is a vacuum cleaner, mop, and some other basic cleaning supplies. You’ll make more working individual jobs for a set fee than working for a company that pays hourly.

11. Home painting business

What you’ll need: Painting supplies, transportation.

A home painting business is another low-cost option for entrepreneurs with some minor experience to be their own boss. To get started, all you need is some basic painting supplies and a vehicle to transport them to the home you’re painting.

Once you’ve built up a reputation for quality workmanship, you may want to consider investing in ladders and other equipment to help with larger jobs.

12. Landscaping or lawncare business

What you’ll need: Website, transportation, plus supplies like a lawnmower, edger and weed eater.

With a lawncare or landscaping business, the sky’s the limit in terms of potential earnings. To get started, all you need is some basic lawn care equipment like a lawnmower, edger, and weed whacker. That’s why it’s one of the highest paying summer jobs for college students that can end up becoming a long-term career once the potential’s uncovered.

As your business grows, you may want to invest in additional equipment like a truck or trailer to bring in equipment or haul away debris. If your clients want any particular landscaping done, they can foot the bill for any plants or vegetation.

13. Snow removal business

What you’ll need: Website, reliable transportation, shovel, snow blower, salt sprayer.

Snow removal is a low cost business idea for entrepreneurs who live in snowy climates. To get started, all you may need is a basic shovel. You can walk around city sidewalks and offer to shovel for businesses. As you grow, or if you live in the suburbs where it falls heavy, a snow blower, and salt spreader would be great tools. You may also want to invest in some good cold weather gear so that you can work comfortably in the winter months.

If you get busy enough you can invest in a plow for your truck and increase your client base, perhaps handling the clearing out of parking lots.

This is a great business to pair with a landscaping business as they’re seasonal small businesses. In the warmer months, you could offer secondary services, such as lawn maintenance or handy work, to your existing clientele that you removed snow for.

14. Delivery service business

What you’ll need: Transportation and commercial car insurance.

You’ve probably heard of some of the best food delivery apps , like Ubereats and Grubhub, but there are plenty of other opportunities as well. For example, apps like Roadie and GrabMyBag take luggage from the airport and deliver it to the customer – either because the bag was lost or for customer convivence when flying. There’s also Instacart and whole list of jobs like Instacart to make money.

Many businesses also need professional courier services. Real estate companies, lawyers, hospitals and more use couriers to move important papers and other items from one place to another. If you have a truck or van, you can start your own small delivery service business relatively easily and cheaply after getting the necessary insurance.

15. Catering, baking or personal chef business

What you’ll need: Website or social media like Instagram, kitchen supplies, permits, commercial kitchen space (optional).

If you love cooking, why not turn your passion into a profit? A catering service for parties or personal chef business for a private client is a great way for foodies to make some extra money on the side (or even turn it into a full-time job). If you’re an excellent baker, consider selling your baked goods on social media or getting started at local markets by renting a table.

To get started with these, all you need are some basic kitchen supplies. As your business grows, you can consider moving into a commercial space to help with food preparation or hiring staff.

If you do have some funds right now and like the food industry, a food truck can be an option as a business you can start with less than $20k . With proper research on licenses and permits for starting a food truck, you can look at setting up at places like concerts and sporting events to sell your food.

16. Senior transportation business

What you’ll need: Website, transportation, insurance.

As the population ages, there will be an increasing demand for transportation services that cater to senior citizens who can no longer drive themselves around town or take public transportation.

If you have a car or van that can accommodate wheelchairs or walkers, then you’re already a step-ahead. In addition to the vehicle cost, you will also need insurance.

17. Online store

What you’ll need: Website, account on an eCommerce platform, inventory, shipping supplies.

With the rise of eCommerce, starting your own online store is easier than ever before. There are several platforms you can use to set up your store (such as Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, eBay, etc.), and many of them offer free trials or have no to low monthly fees depending on your level of selling.

You will also need to invest in some inventory (if you’re not selling digital products, like NFTs), but other than that, the startup costs for an online store can be quite low.

18. Freelance business

What you’ll need: Website or other internet profile, accessible portfolio of work (maybe).

If you have a skill that others are willing to pay for (such as writer, editing, graphic design, web development, etc.), then starting a freelance business could be a great way to earn some extra cash.

The best part about freelancing is that you can work from home or anywhere in the world and most than likely set your own hours. All you essentially need to start is a laptop and an internet connection!

Although there are no startup costs per se, you will need to invest some time in marketing your services and finding clients. Starting small, building clientele and sharing an accessible way for clients to view your past work and positive reviews can make this into a lucrative small business idea.

» MORE:  Making the decision to earn more money

19. Fact-checking or researching business

What you’ll need: Website or profile, like on LinkedIn, and a computer.

Did you know that nearly every major magazine and many websites obsessively check and recheck every fact and source in their story? Even more so if they’re advertising a service or product.

Best of all, very few employ in-house researchers to do this critical task, sometimes even contracting it out (to your potential benefit). Yes, it’s tedious, but it only requires a device that connects to the internet and the ability to focus on the verification process.

20. Association manager

What you’ll need: Website, client management software.

Every day, people form new professional networks, community associations, or groups of like-minded hobbyists. The only problem is groups like these take a lot of administrative work to maintain.

There are websites to build and update, newsletters to write, dues to collect, meetings and events to schedule, and mailing lists to maintain. Think you’re up to the task? By creating templates and shared protocols, you could easily begin managing several groups and start raking in the dough.

21. Property manager

What you’ll need: Website, phone, software for handling maintenance and service requests, real estate license (maybe).

The grown-up version of classic teenage jobs like shoveling snow and mowing lawns, property managers help small to medium-sized landlords everywhere take care of their real estate. The responsibilities can vary, from simply taking calls from tenants and arranging for maintenance to handling the fixing and landscaping yourself. Property managers are also a frequent need for Airbnb owners, letting you make money off Airbnb without owning property.

If you want to go full-service, you can even offer to show apartments, screen tenants, and collect the rent, but you may need a real estate license for certain aspects.

If you enjoy doing handyman work around the house and you’re reliable, then starting your own property management business might be a great business idea.

22. Freelance writer

What you’ll need: Website, some way to share prior work or expertise

Expanding on Freelance business above, there is a huge variety in the world of freelance writing exclusively so if you like to write you can likely find clients in an area that is of interest to you.

There are a lot of different types of writing jobs available including, books, articles, sales pages, social media posts, and product descriptions. Most businesses need some kind of writing done that they can’t have done in-house and most of those jobs are contracted out to freelancers.

23. Garage sale flipper

What you’ll need: Selling platform, transportation, space to store inventory

This is definitely not one of the most traditional businesses out there — but re-selling can be surprisingly profitable! If you enjoy hunting and negotiating for good deals and have ample storage space in your home, flipping items from garage sales, estate sales or flea markets like could be a great way to make some extra income (or even find it so lucrative to become a full-time endeavor). You can end up selling an assortment of finds like video games, vintage clothing, tupperware, sports cards and Pokemon cards for extra cash .

You will need some money upfront to buy the item and any necessary supplies to flip it. You’ll also likely need a car to get to most sales and transport items from sales if you have any finds. The only other dedicated investment for this type of business is time — you’ll need to dedicate some hours each week to scouring garage sales and flea markets for potential items to flip. But all in all, this can be a very low-cost and fun small business venture or side gig!

24. Online blogs, courses, or memberships

What you’ll need: Website or other platform to share content.

If you’ve got something you love to write about, you can definitely earn use that as a side hustle to earn extra money — or even launch a full-time business — on the internet. Although I went the blogging route, it’s getting increasingly difficult to just throw up a blog and start collecting advertising checks. Today’s online entrepreneurs are finding faster (and bigger) success by creating smaller amounts of premium material and charging for that content as a course, ebook, newsletter or membership site.

I strongly recommend Ramit Sethi’s courses. At least check out his free guide, 30 Successful Online Business Ideas , and start brainstorming what you might be able to accomplish.

25. Personal stylist

What you’ll need: Transportation, website or social media and possibly liability insurance.

A personal stylist business is a great idea if you love fashion and helping others (and have a knack for it). The only real cost you would need to cover to start this business is any transportation costs to get to and from your clients, such as your own car or Uber fare.

Ideally, your clients will pay a deposit upfront for any clothing or beauty items you buy for them as part of your recommendations. Consider professional liability insurance that protects stylists from lawsuits brought by dissatisfied customers.

26. Event planner or wedding planner

What you’ll need: Website, social media, planner certification (optional).

If you love planning events and have experience making things beautiful, then starting an event planning business might be the perfect business for you. Share past events you’ve helped with on Instagram and other social media to generate buzz.

To start this business, you’ll need to cover the cost of marketing (e.g., creating a website, printed materials, etc.), as well as any fees associated with becoming certified as a wedding planner to help you stand out from the competition.

27. Interior decorating or home staging business

What you’ll need: Website, transportation, furniture (maybe).

Do you have an eye for design? If so, then starting an interior decorating or home staging business could be perfect for you. To get started in this business, you’ll need to cover the cost of marketing (e.g., creating a website) and any design software you need to make your clients’ dreams come to life.

That said, if you go with home staging over interior decorating, there may be added startup expenses as you’ll most likely be “renting” the furniture to your client. But if your primary focus is interior decorating, your clients will pay for any items you recommend they would like.

28. Tutoring business

What you’ll need: Website, quiet place to work.

Do you love helping people learn? A tutoring business is a great way to make some extra money while helping others towards their success. All you need to get started is a knowledge of the subject you want to tutor in, like math, and a quiet space where you can work with students.

A tutoring business can be run from your home or the home of the student you’re tutoring (or a common place, like a library), so there’s no need to rent office space or buy expensive equipment. Those looking for travel-friendly work opportunities can also look into tutoring online.

29. Resume writing business

What you’ll need: Website, portfolio of samples.

Are you good at writing resumes? Believe it or not, there is actually quite a demand for professional resume writers, especially if you can provide a quick turnaround for those in need. Job seekers need a powerful resume with a human touch that can pass the AI checkers and catch a hiring manager’s eye as they sift through piles of resumes.

To get started in this business, you won’t need much. A website and documentation proving you’re good at what you do (e.g., samples of your work) works as a jumping off point. Then work on networking and connecting to those who can benefit from the service.

30. Personal training business

What you’ll need: Website or other social media, gym partnership (optional).

If you enjoy working out and it visually shows, then becoming a personal trainer is a great business idea with very low startup costs. You can run group sessions or have individual one-on-one training sessions with clients in public spaces or online.

Focus on workouts and session types you can do outside a paid gym to keep costs down for both you and your clients. You can also look for clients that will have their own equipment or personal home gyms that just require the guidance you can provide.

Tips for starting and managing a small business

Consider drafting a small business plan to get started so you have your own guide on how to proceed and budget to hit your goals . It is also a good idea to connect with other business owners for useful tips on how to run and grow your business. It’s always nice to have support of other business owners who have been through similar issues you’ll face if you’re able to get it when launching your own business.

And, if your small business takes off and you would like to separate your finances to help keep track, consider a choice from some of the best business checking accounts . Some immediate benefits include protection and convenient ways to receive payments without mixing finances, creating headaches down the line.

» MORE: Why you need a bank account for your business

Small business legal requirements and protections

When starting your own small business look into the legal requirements in your area. Some states require a business license or registration of some sort depending on the business.

Also, contact an insurance agent and make sure that you are covered legally. You may want to consider liability insurance or errors and omissions insurance. Also, if you enter people’s homes you may need a bond – which covers you in case you are accused of theft. You may also need commercial car insurance if you driving as your business or side gig. You can also consider forming an LLC for your small business for some legal protection.

If you have no or little money right now, you may need one of these easy small business ideas and advice on starting a business with no money. With some creativity and resourcefulness, there’s no reason why you can’t turn your dream of a small business or ideas for a side hustle into reality — even if you’re just working with a small amount.

• Starting a Business The tools and resources you need to get your new business idea off the ground.
• Payments Everything you need to start accepting payments for your business.
• Funding & Capital Resources to help you fund your small business.
• Small Business Stories Celebrating the stories and successes of real small business owners.
• Self-Employed The tools and resources you need to run your own business with confidence.

How to start a business from scratch: 19 steps to help you succeed

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• Running a Business The tools and resources you need to run your business successfully.
• Accounting Accounting and bookkeeping basics you need to run and grow your business.
• Cash Flow Tax and bookkeeping basics you need to run and grow your business.
• Payroll Payroll essentials you need to run your business.
• Taxes Tax basics you need to stay compliant and run your business.
• Employees Everything you need to know about managing and retaining employees.

Cash flow guide: Definition, types, how to analyze

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• Growing a Business The tools and resources you need to take your business to the next level.
• Sales & Marketing Spread the word: What you need to know about marketing your small business.
• Funding How to find funding and capital for your new or growing business.
• Midsize Businesses The tools and resources you need to manage your mid-sized business.
• Enterprise Suite Blog The tools and resources you need to grow your own business with confidence.
• E-Commerce How to start and run a successful e-commerce business.

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How to start a business with no money in 8 steps (+ free business plan template)

We’ve all dreamt of starting our own business at one time or another. According to a recent QuickBooks survey , over half of Americans say that digital technology has made starting a new business possible—and easier than ever to figure out how to start a business with no money. 

Today, it’s faster and easier than ever to get your business up and running without the need for funding. Let’s look at starting at the eight steps it takes to start a business with no money—turning your existing skill set into a successful business on a shoestring budget: 

• Find your free business idea
• Write a realistic business plan and budget
• Network and leverage free resources
• Create a website
• Make a marketing plan
• Build your brand
• Validate your business
• Get funding

1. Find your free business idea

The first step is to find a free (or low-cost) business idea. There are many different business ventures you can embark on with little to no capital needed. Here are a few easy ideas to help get your business ideas flowing: 

• Creative businesses: Freelance writing, graphic design, social media management
• Online businesses: Affiliate marketing, dropshipping, e-commerce 
• Service businesses: Consulting, event planning, landscaping

Instead of trying to live off your savings or a credit card, consider keeping your day job or going part-time until you get your business in a comfortable position financially. 

To determine if you’re in the position to comfortably leave your day job, consider the following: 

• Do you have enough savings to cover your living expenses for several months without income? The general recommendation is 3-6 months, but having more can provide peace of mind.
• How much debt do you have? Managing small business debt is important as high-interest debt can eat into your savings quickly.
• Will you have any other income besides your job? This could include freelance work, a partner's income, or investment income.

Having a steady income as you grow your business will allow you to be more flexible when it comes to your business finances.

2. Write a realistic business plan and budget

A business plan helps outline your goals and how you can reach them. It includes the key aspects of your business, such as your company description, business model, market research, products and services, and finances.

The finance and budget part of your business plan outlines how you manage startup costs and maintain cash flow. 

Typical startup business expenses include: 

• Office furniture and supplies
• Tools and equipment
• Raw materials
• Opening inventory
• Website design and hosting
• Advertising or promotions
• Insurance, licenses, or permit fees

Determine what expenses are the most necessary to operating your business, what you can do without, and how much money you’ll need to set aside for each expense. This can help you determine how much money you’ll need for additional funding.

You're never too small to feel more stable

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3. Network and leverage free resources

Starting a business with no money means networking and engaging with the small business or entrepreneur community. You can do this through online platforms, social media, or local business groups. You may also choose to find a business mentor to help guide you. 

There are also plenty of free online resources that can help. For example, mentorship programs and learning materials. Some helpful websites that offer a ton of free resources include:  

• Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
• US Chamber of Commerce 
• QuickBooks tools and resources center

These free tools and resources can help you minimize spending so you can focus on building your business. However, you can also enlist the help of friends and family to support your business.

4. Create a website

When thinking about starting a business, you’ll need many things, like inventory and marketing materials. However, most modern businesses, whether it’s a landscaping company or a woodworking solopreneurship, can benefit from a website.

You can use free or low-cost website builders to create a professional website that includes information about your business, products or services, and contact details.

5. Make a marketing plan

Building a marketing budget for your low-cost startup plan is the next step. A marketing plan should support building your online presence through your website, blog posts, social media, and other areas to reach customers. 

Your marketing plan should detail how you’ll promote your business to your target market, whether it’s via social media, public relations, or website optimization.

6. Build your brand

After building out a marketing plan, it’s time to start building your brand. You can analyze your competitors' websites and social media for free to see if there's a gap in the market for your brand. You can also ask friends and family to try out your product and give you feedback.

When first figuring out how to build a brand , you’ll want to outline your mission, values, and brand voice. Other brand-related things to consider include your logo and imagery. Your brand guidelines can help inform your business strategy as it grows, including your social media marketing, hiring practices, and communication style.

7. Validate your business

Before spending all of your money on inventory or building out other aspects of your business, you should validate your business idea. To do this, you can use preorders or other methods like: 

• Create a landing page that explains your product or service and includes a call-to-action to allow visitors to get email updates or pre-order notifications. 
• Conduct surveys or interviews with your target audience to understand their needs and pain points. 
• Use pre-order marketplaces to sell your new products and connect with early adopters. 
• Try pop-up events and shops at local markets, industry events, or trade shows to showcase your idea and collect pre-orders in person. 
• Run crowdfund campaigns to showcase your product and collect pre-orders. 

When validating your business idea, offer incentives and build hype. For example, you can use early-bird discounts, exclusive bonuses, or limited-edition items to encourage pre-orders.

8. Get funding

Once you validate your business idea, you can consider raising funding to grow your business further. For example: 

• Crowdfunding is the process of raising funds from potential customers for a project or new business venture through crowdfunding platforms . 
• Funding from friends and family is a common source of financing that many use to help get their business off the ground. 
• Small business loans , like those from the SBA or term loans from QuickBooks . 
• Grant programs from government and private sources that you don’t have to pay back.

Nearly 60% of small business owners use credit cards to temporarily fund their businesses, according to a recent QuickBooks survey . If you have a good credit rating, this can be a faster and easier way to get a loan, as you don’t need a business plan and don’t have to go through a lengthy application and underwriting process. The downside is that interest rates can be very high.

Start your business with confidence

After figuring out how to start a business with no money, you’re ready to run your business. You’ll need to register your business and get ready to collect payments. Accounting software like QuickBooks Online helps you keep your finances in order and allows you to collect payments in various ways, such as digitally or right through an invoice.

How to start a business with no money FAQ

Yes, most businesses will need a business license, whether it’s a local, state, or federal one. Common licenses for low-cost businesses include general business licenses and sales tax permits .

The cost to start a business can vary, but you can start a business with little to no money. However, some businesses may require thousands of dollars and funding from grants or loans.

Yes, you can start a business with less than $100 by utilizing the skills or resources you already have. For example, if you enjoy writing, you can use your skills to get paid as a freelance writer, using a laptop you already have and working from home.

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How to Start a Business with No Money in 2025: A Complete Guide

Unlock the secrets to starting a successful business in 2025 with zero capital. this guide explores innovative strategies, low-cost business ideas, and creative funding alternatives, making entrepreneurship accessible to everyone. learn how to leverage your skills and resources to build and grow your dream business without breaking the bank.

Starting a business in 2025 is an exciting journey filled with opportunities, especially in a world where innovation and creativity can often outweigh the need for large amounts of capital.

In this guide, we will explore actionable strategies to help you start a business with little to no money, leveraging modern tools, emerging trends and your existing resources.

Introduction: The Reality of Starting a Business Without Money in 2025

The landscape of entrepreneurship has evolved dramatically by 2025. Gone are the days when substantial capital was considered a prerequisite to starting a business. Today, resourcefulness, digital skills, and a strong network are your most valuable assets.

Many aspiring entrepreneurs are held back by the myth that starting a business requires significant financial investment.

However, the truth is that many successful startups have been launched with minimal funds, relying on ingenuity, technology and strategic planning.

This guide will debunk the myth and provide you with practical steps to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey without breaking the bank.

Leverage What You Have: Skills, Knowledge and Existing Resources

Before seeking external resources, it’s crucial to take stock of what you already have. Your skills, knowledge, and existing network can be powerful tools in starting a business.

For instance, if you have expertise in a particular field, consider offering consulting services or digital products that require little to no upfront investment.

Entrepreneurs like Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income started by leveraging their skills to create valuable content and build an audience.

Moreover, look for existing resources such as equipment, software, or even your personal network.

These can help you get your business off the ground without additional costs. Consider strategic partnerships where you can exchange skills or resources with others in your network.

Low-Cost Business Ideas for 2025: Opportunities in a Digital World

The digital age has opened up a plethora of low-cost business opportunities that require minimal financial investment. Here are some promising ideas for 2025:

• Digital Freelancing : Offer services like graphic design, writing, web development, or social media management. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr make it easy to find clients without any upfront costs.
• E-commerce via Dropshipping : Start an online store without inventory. You can set up a Shopify store and use dropshipping suppliers to handle products and shipping.
• Content Creation : Build a blog, YouTube channel or podcast. Once you grow an audience, you can monetize through ads, sponsorships and affiliate marketing.
• Affiliate Marketing : Promote other companies’ products and earn a commission for every sale made through your referral. This can be done through a blog, social media or email marketing.
• Online Courses : Share your expertise by creating and selling online courses on platforms like Udemy or Teachable.

Trending industries in 2025 include AI-driven services, sustainability and remote work solutions. These sectors offer great opportunities for businesses with low startup costs.

Networking and Collaboration: Building a Supportive Ecosystem

In 2025, the power of networking is more significant than ever. A strong network can open doors to resources, mentorship, and partnerships that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Join online communities and attend virtual events related to your industry. Platforms like LinkedIn and Clubhouse are great for connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs and potential collaborators.

Collaboration can also be a game-changer. Look for opportunities to partner with others who have complementary skills.

For example, if you’re great at product development but lack marketing expertise, partner with someone who excels in that area.

Bootstrapping Strategies: Growing Without External Funding

Bootstrapping is the art of growing your business by reinvesting profits and minimizing expenses. Here’s how you can effectively bootstrap your startup:

• Revenue Reinvestment : Use the income generated from initial sales to fund the growth of your business. This strategy allows you to scale without relying on external funding.
• Lean Operations : Focus on essential expenses and keep your overhead low. This might involve working from home, using free tools, and hiring freelancers instead of full-time employees.
• Smart Budgeting : Create a detailed budget that prioritizes spending on activities that directly contribute to revenue generation.

A real-life example is Mailchimp, which started as a bootstrapped company and grew into a multi-billion-dollar business without any external funding.

Utilizing Free and Low-Cost Tools in 2025

The digital revolution has brought about a wide array of free and low-cost tools that can help you start and grow your business with minimal investment.

Here are some essential tools for 2025:

• Marketing : Use social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn for free marketing. Tools like Canva offer free graphic design capabilities, while Hootsuite allows for free social media management.
• Project Management : Trello and Asana provide free project management tools to help you stay organized and on track.
• Website Development : WordPress offers free themes and plugins for building a website. You can also use free website builders like Wix or Weebly.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) : HubSpot offers a free CRM tool that can help you manage customer interactions and sales pipelines.

By effectively utilizing these tools, you can significantly reduce your startup costs while maintaining efficiency and professionalism.

Creative Funding Alternatives: Crowdfunding, Bartering and More

Traditional funding methods aren’t the only options available. In 2025, several creative funding alternatives can help you start a business without upfront capital:

• Crowdfunding : Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow you to raise funds from the public by pre-selling products or offering incentives.
• Bartering : Exchange goods or services with other businesses or individuals. For example, you could offer web design services in exchange for marketing assistance.
• Presales : Sell your product or service before it’s fully developed. This approach not only funds the development but also validates demand.
• Microloans : Organizations like Kiva offer microloans to entrepreneurs with little to no interest, providing a small amount of capital to get started.
• Community-Supported Ventures : Engage with your local community or niche market to support your business through local funding initiatives or profit-sharing models.

These methods provide flexibility and allow you to maintain control over your business while securing the funds needed to grow.

Marketing on a Shoestring Budget in 2025: Effective Strategies

Marketing doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. Here are some low-cost strategies to promote your business in 2025:

• Social Media : Leverage platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn for organic reach. Engage with your audience by creating valuable content, participating in trends, and using hashtags strategically.
• Content Marketing : Start a blog or a YouTube channel to share expertise and attract your target audience. SEO-optimized content can drive traffic to your website without paying for ads.
• Influencer Collaborations : Partner with micro-influencers in your niche who can promote your products or services to their followers in exchange for free products or a small fee.
• Email Marketing : Build an email list and send out regular newsletters with valuable content and offers. Tools like Mailchimp offer free email marketing services for small lists.
• Local Community Engagement : Participate in local events, offer free workshops, or sponsor community initiatives to increase your brand’s visibility and build goodwill.

These strategies, when executed well, can generate significant traction for your business without requiring a large marketing budget.

Scaling Your Business: Knowing When to Seek Funding

As your business grows, there may come a time when external funding is necessary to scale. Here are some signs that you might be ready to seek investment:

• Consistent Revenue Growth : If your business is generating steady and increasing revenue, it might be time to consider scaling with the help of external funding.
• Market Validation : If you’ve proven that there is a strong demand for your product or service, scaling with additional capital could help you capture more of the market.
• Scaling Opportunities : If you’ve identified clear opportunities to expand your business—such as entering new markets or launching new products—funding can accelerate your growth.

When approaching potential investors, be prepared with a solid business plan, detailed financials and a clear vision for growth.

Consider options like angel investors, venture capital, business grants and accelerator programs.

Navigating Legal and Administrative Challenges with Minimal Costs

Starting a business involves navigating a number of legal and administrative challenges. Here’s how to do it without incurring high costs:

• Incorporation : Use online platforms like LegalZoom or ZenBusiness to incorporate your business at a fraction of the cost of hiring a lawyer.
• Trademarking : Protect your brand by filing a trademark online through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or equivalent in your country.
• Contracts : Draft simple contracts using templates available online, or use platforms like Rocket Lawyer to create legally binding agreements.
• Tax Compliance : Use affordable accounting software like QuickBooks or Wave to manage your finances and ensure tax compliance. Consider consulting with a tax advisor for specific needs.

By taking a DIY approach to legal and administrative tasks and using affordable resources, you can protect your business without overspending.

Beyond the Boardroom: Unveiling the Entrepreneurial Spirit Beyond Business Ownership 2024’s Leading AI Startups: 36 Innovators Shaping the Future of Technology Top Bootstrap Financing Strategies Every Entrepreneur Should Know

Final Thoughts: Embracing the Entrepreneurial Journey in 2025

Starting a business with no money in 2025 is not only possible but can also be an incredibly rewarding experience. By leveraging your existing skills, tapping into creative funding sources, and utilizing low-cost tools, you can turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

Remember, the journey of entrepreneurship is filled with challenges and opportunities.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Entrepreneur Villa, its creators or staff. Entrepreneur Villa is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information presented in this content.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Answer: In 2025, you can start a business with no money by leveraging your skills, utilizing free digital tools, and exploring creative funding alternatives like crowdfunding and bartering. Focus on low-cost business ideas like digital freelancing, content creation, or dropshipping.

Answer: The best low-cost business startup ideas in 2025 include AI-driven services, online courses, content creation, affiliate marketing, and e-commerce through dropshipping. These ideas require minimal investment and are ideal for the digital landscape.

Answer: Bootstrapping your business in 2025 involves reinvesting your revenue, maintaining lean operations, and utilizing free or affordable tools for marketing, project management, and customer relationship management. It’s about growing without relying on external funding.

Answer: Creative funding alternatives in 2025 include crowdfunding, presales, bartering, microloans, and community-supported ventures. These methods allow you to raise capital without traditional investment, making them ideal for entrepreneurs with little to no money.

Answer: To market your business on a low budget in 2025, use social media, content marketing, SEO, influencer collaborations, and local community engagement. These strategies are cost-effective and can drive significant traffic and sales.

Answer: The top free tools for starting a business in 2025 include platforms for website development (like WordPress), project management (Trello), marketing (Canva for design, Buffer for social media management), and CRM (HubSpot).

Answer: Low-cost legal services in 2025 include online platforms like LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer, and DIY resources for contracts, incorporation, and trademarking. These tools help manage legal and administrative tasks affordably.

Answer: You should seek funding for your startup in 2025 when you have consistent revenue growth, market validation, and clear scaling opportunities. At this point, you can consider options like angel investors, venture capital, or accelerator programs.

Answer: Starting a business with no money in 2025 encourages creativity, resourcefulness, and a focus on lean operations. It allows you to build a solid foundation and grow organically, reducing financial risk.

Answer: The best industries for no-cost startups in 2025 include digital freelancing, AI-driven services, sustainability consulting, online education, and content creation. These sectors are booming and offer opportunities to start with minimal financial resources.

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Overcome the Challenges

• Develop a Low-Cost Idea
• The Role of Budgeting
• Financing Options

Bootstrapping Techniques

Leverage free resources, network and collaborate.

• Build an Online Presence

The Bottom Line

• Small Business
• How to Start a Business

Starting a Business With No Money: How To Begin

Master the art of bootstrapping and creative financing

David is comprehensively experienced in many facets of financial and legal research and publishing. As an Investopedia fact checker since 2020, he has validated over 1,100 articles on a wide range of financial and investment topics.

• How to Start a Business: A Comprehensive Guide and Essential Steps
• How to Do Market Research, Types, and Example
• Marketing Strategy: What It Is, How It Works, How To Create One
• Marketing in Business: Strategies and Types Explained
• What Is a Marketing Plan? Types and How to Write One
• Business Development: Definition, Strategies, Steps & Skills
• Business Plan: What It Is, What's Included, and How to Write One
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Meaning, Types, Impact
• How to Write a Business Plan for a Loan
• Business Startup Costs: It’s in the Details
• Startup Capital Definition, Types, and Risks
• Bootstrapping Definition, Strategies, and Pros/Cons
• Crowdfunding: What It Is, How It Works, and Popular Websites
• Starting a Business with No Money: How to Begin CURRENT ARTICLE
• A Comprehensive Guide to Establishing Business Credit
• Equity Financing: What It Is, How It Works, Pros and Cons
• Sole Proprietorship: What It Is, Pros & Cons, and Differences From an LLC
• Partnership: Definition, How It Works, Taxation, and Types
• What is an LLC? Limited Liability Company Structure and Benefits Defined
• Corporation: What It Is and How to Form One
• Starting a Small Business: Your Complete How-to Guide
• Starting an Online Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Start Your Own Bookkeeping Business: Essential Tips
• How to Start a Successful Dropshipping Business: A Comprehensive Guide

Starting a business often requires significant planning, particularly in determining how much capital you’ll need to launch. While it’s feasible to start a business with minimal or no initial funding, this approach can pose significant challenges. If your goal is to grow a business on a tight budget, it’s important to understand all of your available options.

Key Takeaways

• Starting a business with no money is challenging but achievable.
• Exploring creative financing options and ways to bootstrap a business can help you raise the capital you need to get started.
• While borrowing is an option, assessing its affordability relative to your projected revenues is crucial.
• The type of business you open matters; consider an opportunity requiring low start-up costs, minimal inventory, and no physical storefront.

An undeniable truth about starting a business is that money matters. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) , nearly half of all startups fail within their first five years, primarily due to financial issues.  A U.S. Bank study once found that 82% of small business failures stem from cash flow mismanagement.

Furthermore, a 2022 survey by Skynova, which focuses on helping small businesses manage finances, revealed that 47% of startup founders attribute their failure to insufficient funding, while 44% reported simply running out of cash.

Starting a business with no money or minimal capital can significantly restrict your ability to grow and expand in the early stages. For example, a lack of funds makes it challenging to:

• Hire employees or support staff
• Purchase necessary inventory or supplies
• Advertise and market your business

The impact of limited funds varies depending on the type of business you intend to start. If you’re working with a minimal budget , it’s worth considering which types of businesses can be launched with zero investment.

It’s crucial to conduct thorough market research before starting a business. Identify your competitors and determine how you’ll reach your target customers. Consider gathering feedback from potential customers through focus groups or social media interactions.

Whether you’re starting a new small business or looking to expand an existing one, the U.S. Small Business Administration ’s (SBA’s) digital learning platform offers plenty of resources to educate yourself on entrepreneurial best practices and financing options, from its SBA Learning Center to its Investing in America program. Visit SBA.gov for more information.

Develop a Low-Cost Business Idea

Some businesses cost more to start than others. For example, you may need $100,000 or more to open a restaurant, while you may be able to get a food truck up and running for as little as $40,000.

When you have little to no startup capital, the best businesses to consider are those with minimal initial costs. Many such businesses can be operated from home using just your laptop and an internet connection.

Here are some low-cost business ideas to explore:

• Content creation for online businesses
• Freelance writing or blogging
• Virtual assistant business
• Social media manager or consultant
• Online course creator or online tutor
• Online bookkeeper
• Dropshipping
• eBay reseller
• Creating content on YouTube or TikTok
• Graphic designer
• Video editing

These are all businesses that you could run from home without having to spend a lot of money. Additionally, there are offline opportunities that require no startup cash, such as dog walking, pet sitting, local tutoring, or teaching art or music. These businesses may allow you to leverage your skills to earn an income with little to no money down.

Before launching a regulated business like a home day care or bakery, ensure compliance with local laws and regulations to operate legally and meet health, safety, and zoning standards, which can help you avoid fines and legal issues. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), or a business attorney for more specific advice.

The Critical Role of Budgeting

When starting a business, creating a detailed budget is crucial. Your budget serves as a financial guide to help you understand your costs when getting your business off the ground.

What your business budget looks like initially can depend on what kind of business you’re starting. For instance, startup costs for a low-cost, home-based business will generally be lower compared with those for a brick-and-mortar establishment.

To prepare a small business budget before launching, tally up all expected costs, including:

• Purchasing inventory or supplies
• Renting or leasing a business space
• Buying equipment
• Marketing or advertising expenses
• Hiring staff

Ensure that your budget provides a clear and realistic view of your anticipated spending. Compare this with your projected sales or revenue to understand your potential cash flow or earnings.

Remember, budgeting is an ongoing process. Review your budget monthly to monitor cash flow and keep expenses low, especially during the early stages of your business to help maximize financial stability.

Creative Financing Options

There are many ways to finance a new business without having to spend any money yourself. Comparing different options can help you decide what might be right for you. Consider the following options:

• Small business grants : These grants provide money to support entrepreneurship, and unlike loans, they don’t need to be paid back. The SBA supports several community grant programs for small business growth and development, including ones for minority-owned, women-owned , and veteran-owned businesses.
• Crowdfunding : This option allows people to contribute money to campaigns in small amounts to help entrepreneurs launch their businesses. Some of the most popular platforms for seeking support include GoFundMe, Indiegogo, and Kickstarter.
• Microloans : If you’re comfortable borrowing to fund your new business, you might consider a microloan. The SBA’s microloan program allows you to borrow up to $50,000 to start a business (although the average microloan is around $13,000). You can repay it over up to six years, with interest rates ranging from 8% to 13%.  
• Credit cards : Business credit cards offer a revolving line of credit, making it easier to manage the expenses needed to start or operate your business. They can be easier to qualify for than loans. Depending on the card you choose, you might earn rewards such as cashback, points, or travel miles on your purchases.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending : Peer-to-peer loans let you borrow money directly from individual investors instead of traditional financial institutions. These investors collectively fund loans, which borrowers repay with interest over time. The interest rates and terms of these loans are typically based on your credit score.

Traditional small business loans might be harder to get if you’re still in the beginning stages of starting a business. Lenders typically require you to have one to two years of operating history and a minimum level of revenue to qualify. Working on establishing business credit could help you to qualify for loans later, once your business is up and running. 

Before launching a crowdfunding campaign for your new business, make sure you’re aware of the platform’s fees and policies for campaigns that don’t meet their funding targets. High fees can diminish the total amount you collect, and some platforms might mandate returning the funds to contributors if the funding goal isn’t achieved.

Bootstrapping simply means using the resources you have at hand to fund your business. Choosing to bootstrap a business could help you avoid taking on debt, but whether it’s realistic can depend on your financial situation.

Some of the ways to bootstrap a business include:

• Using funds in personal savings accounts or a certificate of deposit (CD)
• Borrowing against your 401(k)
• Taking an early withdrawal from an individual retirement account (IRA)
• Pulling equity out of your home
• Selling things you don’t need for cash
• Putting together a fundraiser locally to ask for donations
• Asking friends and family for a loan

Each of these options has pros and cons. For instance, borrowing against your 401(k) or taking money from an IRA can shortchange your retirement savings since the funds you take out won’t benefit from compounding interest . Additionally, you could be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty on distributions.  

Taking a home equity loan or line of credit carries risks. If the business fails, you’ll still be responsible for paying back what you’ve borrowed. Should you default on a home equity loan or line of credit, your home could end up in foreclosure . The bottom line is that before you bootstrap, it’s important to look at both the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.

Starting a business is no easy task, and you may need some help along the way. You could hire a business coach, but that requires money, so it’s helpful to know where you can find small business resources for free.

Here are some of the places you can look to get free help when starting a business. 

• SBA : As mentioned above, the SBA offers several resources to help small business owners, including the SBA loan program as well as educational articles covering how to start a business.
• Small Business Development Centers : SBDCs are local organizations that assist small business owners with things like planning, accessing capital, and scaling for growth.
• SCORE: SCORE is a network of mentors who help small business owners find success. Entrepreneurs can connect with a SCORE mentor to get help with planning and starting a business, growing a business, or exiting a business when they’re ready to move on.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs : The VA offers support to veterans who are interested in starting small businesses. That includes access to educational resources and training for would-be business owners.  
• National Women’s Business Council : The National Women’s Business Council is committed to helping women entrepreneurs succeed. Specifically, that centers on helping women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) get the capital they need to start their businesses.  

You can also check for free resources locally. For instance, your local chamber of commerce might sponsor free workshops or seminars aimed at helping budding entrepreneurs. You can also look for local nonprofits that serve the small business community.

If you’re starting a business with no money, there’s one more free resource you can utilize. Social media can be an effective way to market your new business without spending a dime on advertising. It may take a little longer to build an audience if you’re not actively spending on ads, but it’s a zero-cost way to spread the word about your business.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces specific advertising and marketing regulations that business owners must follow to avoid penalties. Legally, all advertising claims must be truthful, non-deceptive, and supported by evidence. Also, certain products or services may be subject to more specific rules.

You might be starting a business on your own, but if you want it to grow, it can be helpful to focus on building the right connections. That’s where networking and collaborating come in.

Having a sizable network could benefit you in different ways. For example, you might have a connection who could introduce you to someone interested in investing in your business. Or you might be offered an opportunity to promote your business on someone’s podcast or YouTube channel, which is a great way to get free exposure.

In terms of how you build your network, it can depend on what type of business you have. If you’re starting a brick-and-mortar business, for instance, then you might want to look for connections locally first. That might include joining your local chamber of commerce or small business development council.

If you’re starting an online business, then you could use online resources to connect. LinkedIn could be a good place to start your networking efforts. You can also branch out to other social media platforms to forge professional relationships with business owners or influencers in your niche.

Build a Robust Online Presence

With 67% of the world’s population using the internet and 85% of Americans getting online every day, it makes sense to establish a virtual presence for your business. This can include setting up a website or blog, launching a YouTube channel, getting active on TikTok, or building a presence on Facebook, X, or Instagram . 

One of the best things about using social media to market a new business is that it doesn’t have to cost anything. While you could spend money on ads, it’s free to create profiles on social media platforms. If you’re interested in setting up a website or blog for your business, platforms like Wix allow you to do that for free.

If you want to build an online presence without spending money, you can certainly do so. It’s also important, however, to think about which channels will offer the best return on investment for your time. Understanding where your potential customers gravitate when they’re online can help you identify which social media channels are worth targeting.

Can I Start a Business With $0?

It’s possible to start a business with $0 (or close to it) if you’re choosing something that utilizes the skills and resources already available to you. For example, if you’re interested in getting paid to write, you could start a freelance business from home and all you would need are a laptop and an internet connection.

What Is the Best Business To Start With No Money?

The best business to start with no money is the one that allows you to use your skills, knowledge, and resources in a way that produces maximum return and maximum enjoyment. If you love dogs, for example, then starting a dog-walking or pet-sitting business could be a good fit, and it doesn’t require a lot of money.

What Is the Easiest Business To Own?

The easiest business to own is one that generates passive income . Passive income is money that you earn without having to do a lot of ongoing work. For example, blogging can provide a passive income if you’re making money from affiliate marketing or online ads. You could also make passive income by selling digital products that you only have to create once, such as printables, journals, or ebooks.

It’s possible to start a business with no money if you have an organized plan and strategy . Knowing what you’ll need to do to get your business started is the first step. Once your business is up and running, you can explore the best ways to grow it in order to achieve the level of success you desire. That might include applying for small business loans, which can help you to scale and expand.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Table 7. Survival of Private Sector Establishments by Opening Year .”

U.S. Bank. “ Cash Flow Monitoring Strategies for Small Businesses: Tips and Best Practices .”

Skynova. “ Why Startups Failed in 2022 .”

U.S. Small Business Administration. “ SBA Learning Platform .”

U.S. Small Business Administration. “ Grants for Community Organizations .”

U.S. Small Business Administration. “ Microloans .”

Internal Revenue Service. “ Retirement Topics: Exceptions to Tax on Early Distributions .”

Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice. “ Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit .”

U.S. Small Business Administration. “ Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) .”

SCORE. “ Small Business Success Starts Here .”

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “ Get Support for Your Veteran-Owned Small Business .”

National Women’s Business Council. “ Advancing Women Entrepreneurs .”

Federal Trade Commission. “ Advertising and Marketing Basics .”

Statista. “ Number of Internet and Social Media Users Worldwide As of April 2024 .”

Zippia. “ How Many People Use the Internet? ”

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How to Start Your Own Business With No Money | Cheap Startup Ideas

To start your own business with no money, you’ll need to develop a solid business plan to help you fully understand the opportunities and challenges you face and to clarify the investment and work required to get your new business off the ground.

These topics will give you actionable advice on how to start your own business with no money:

How to Start Your Own Business with No Money

What Do I Need to Start My Own Business?

What are the cheapest businesses to start, how to start your own business with no money.

Use this checklist to learn how to launch your own business with no money:

1. Don’t Quit Your Day Job

While you’re in the planning stages of launching your own business, you’ll need to be frugal and save as much money as you can to cover your upcoming business expenses. If you have a steady job, don’t leave it to focus solely on your new business idea. Instead, stay with your day job so that you can maintain a steady source of income while you get your business off the ground. You’ll work longer and harder juggling your day job and your passion project, but it will give you financial security in the early days of your new business, when expenses are high and revenues may not be.

2. Iron Out Your Business Plan

To start your own business with no money, you’ll need more than just a good idea, you’ll also need a detailed business plan to guide your work. Your business plan should include:

• A detailed description of the industry and your specific business
• Insights about your target audience and a market analysis
• A competitive analysis that evaluates your competitors in the market and how your business stands apart from them
• A development plan
• A financial plan

3. Evaluate Your Money Needs

Even if you have a cheap startup idea, you’ll need some money upfront to launch your business. Develop a detailed estimate of the cash you’ll need to take your business idea to market, so you’ll know how much money you’ll need to raise to start your own business.

4. Network With the Right People

Go to local networking events where you can meet people in your industry to discuss ideas and get advice on launching a new business. Networking can also help you meet people who might want to invest in your business. You can also join online communities to access helpful resources and join discussions with other new business owners.

5. Get an Expert’s Opinion

It’s helpful to find a mentor who is an expert in your field and can advise you on the market and its challenges. An expert can help fill in gaps in your own knowledge and give you feedback on your ideas. Mentorship can help you avoid making costly mistakes as you start a new business since you’ll get insights from someone who has already had the opportunity to learn from similar experiences.

6. Take Out a Small Business Loan

Once you have an idea of the costs needed to start your small business, you may want to explore small business loan opportunities to help you with your funding. Discuss your options with different banks and credit unions. The Small Business Administration also offers a loan program to qualifying business owners. To qualify for its loans, you must:

• Operate in the U.S.
• Have invested time or money in your business
• Qualify as a small business according to SBA guidelines
• Operate for profit
• Have exhausted all other financing options

Visit the SBA site to learn more about its small business loan program .

If you’re an entrepreneur looking to start a new business with no money, you’ll first need to understand what it takes to launch a new business:

1. A Company Name

To get the administrative process started on launching your own business, you’ll first need to choose a company name. If you don’t have the perfect business name nailed down right from the start, don’t stress. You can choose a company name for administrative purposes and then later decide on a final business name because your business can operate under a different name than your company name.

2. A Business Plan

A detailed business plan is crucial to starting a new business. It will help you plan the operations and financial model of your company and provide an analysis of both your market and the competitive landscape. Take time developing your business plan and don’t be afraid to seek the advice of experts. A solid business plan can help you avoid wasting money on needless expenses and can help you develop strategies for financial success.

3. A Business License

You’ll need to file paperwork to register your business as an LLC, partnership, or corporation. This part of the business process will cost you some money, likely at least a few hundred dollars, depending on the specific license you need. The Small Business Administration offers a helpful guide to help you choose the type of business license you’ll need and what it will cost you. You can also consult an accountant to help you with your business license.

4. A Website and Domain Name

Your business will need to secure a domain name once you’ve finalized your business name. When you’ve purchased a domain name you’ll have to build a business website to help with marketing your business. You can use a templated theme to set up a site cheaply and easily, like those offered by Squarespace or WordPress. Or, you can hire a freelance web developer to create a custom site.

5. A Business Bank Account

It’s important that you keep your business accounting separate from your personal finances and that you keep your accounts organized. Opening a business bank account will help you keep your finances separate. Do your research before opening an account so you can get the best deal for your business. Many banks offer accounts catered to small businesses that offer low or no monthly fees.

6. Equipment

You’ll have to invest in equipment to launch your new business, but it’s possible to do this cheaply. Use a home office instead of renting a dedicated office space for your company. Use your existing computer instead of investing in new hardware. There are many ways to lower your equipment and supply expenses to cut down on launch costs for your business.

There are many business ideas that require very little money to start, including:

1. In-Home Services

Any business that allows you to work in the homes of your clients will save you on overhead costs since you won’t need a physical office to do your work. In-home services include tutoring, nanny work, pet-sitting, and dog walking.

2. Skilled Labor

If you have specific, in-demand skills like those of a handyman or landscaper, you can start a business with low overhead costs, since you won’t be working in an office. You will need to invest in the tools of your trade, but you’ll save money by not paying for a physical establishment for your business.

3. Business Consulting

If you have senior-level professional experience in an in-demand industry, you can transfer your existing skillset and put it to work as a consultant. Many business owners and startups are happy to pay outside professionals for their expertise and your business will require few overhead expenses.

4. Virtual Assistant

Becoming a virtual assistant takes very little money: you’ll just need an internet connection, a computer, and a phone. To work as a virtual assistant you’ll need to oversee scheduling, prepare reports, and perform research for your clients.

5. Micro Entrepreneurship

Micro-entrepreneurship is an inexpensive business to launch because it takes advantage of things you already have at your disposal. You can drive your car for a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft, or rent out rooms in your home on Airbnb.

Did you find this article helpful? If so, you might be interested in our guide on Business That Doesn’t Require Your Presence , where we have listed businesses that require fewer staff members and can be run without your constant presence.

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