Starting a small business can be a great way to turn your skills and passions into a profitable venture. Whether you are interested in offering freelance services, launching an online store, or providing a physical service, there are many options available.
If you are frugal and don’t mind putting in the extra work you can launch one of these profitable businesses with just a few hundred dollar (or less).
Freelance Service
Freelancers work in a wide range of industries. The idea is simple. Take something that you are good at, or currently do at you job and offer it to others. If you are good at writing, write for other businesses. If you are good bookkeeping, bookkeep for others. Here’s how to get started:
- Determine your skills and areas of expertise
- Create a portfolio website or use a platform like Upwork or Fiverr to showcase your work
- Advertise your services on social media and network with potential clients
- Set your rates and complete projects for clients
Dropshipping Store
Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn’t keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when a store sells a product, it purchases the item from a third-party supplier and has it shipped directly to the customer. The store is responsible for marketing and selling the products, while the supplier handles the storage, packaging, and shipping. This allows businesses to offer a wider range of products without the need for large amounts of inventory or storage space, reducing the financial risk and overhead costs associated with traditional retail. Dropshipping is a popular business model for e-commerce entrepreneurs and can be easily set up through platforms like Shopify. Here is how to start your dropshipping business:
- Choose a niche for your store (e.g. fitness, pet supplies, etc.)
- Find a reliable dropshipping supplier
- Create an e-commerce store using a platform like Shopify
- Advertise your store and products through social media and search engine optimization
- Process orders and ship through the supplier
Learn more in extensive guide: How to Start Dropshipping – A Complete Blueprint
Online Tutoring
Online tutoring refers to a method of delivering educational support and guidance to students over the internet. Tutors provide one-on-one or group instruction to students, using video conferencing tools to facilitate live sessions. Online tutoring can be offered in various subjects, including math, science, language, and more, and is often available 24/7. This mode of tutoring offers students the flexibility to receive education from the comfort of their own homes and the convenience of scheduling lessons around their own schedules. Online tutoring can be a lucrative business opportunity for educators and experts in a particular subject, and can be easily set up through dedicated tutoring platforms.
Here’s how you can quickly launch your own online tuturong business:
- Determine your area of expertise and teaching style
- Create a profile on tutoring platforms such as Tutor.com or use video conferencing software
- Advertise your services through social media, word of mouth, and targeted online ads
- Set your rates and schedule for tutoring sessions
Social Media Management
Social media management is the process of creating, publishing, and monitoring content on social media platforms to build and maintain an online presence for a business, organization, or individual. This involves creating a strategy, scheduling and posting content, engaging with followers, tracking analytics, and continuously monitoring and adjusting the strategy to achieve desired outcomes such as increased engagement, brand awareness, and sales. Social media management typically involves a combination of creative and technical skills, and can be done in-house or outsourced to a professional service.
Here is a quick start guide:
- Familiarize yourself with social media platforms and strategies for managing businesses’ accounts
- Reach out to potential clients and offer your services
- Create content, engage with followers, and monitor analytics
- Charge a monthly retainer or per project fee
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing where a business pays an affiliate for each customer or sale generated from the affiliate’s promotional efforts. An affiliate promotes the business’s products or services through a unique affiliate link and earns a commission for each sale made through the link. To start an affiliate marketing business, you need to choose a niche, create a website or blog, research and join affiliate programs, promote your affiliate links through content creation and advertising, and track your earnings. Affiliate marketing is a low-cost and flexible way to start a business, as it does not require you to handle any inventory or deal with customer service. However, success in affiliate marketing requires dedication, hard work, and a solid understanding of the niche and target audience.
Here is how you can get started quicky:
- Choose a niche and products to promote
- Create a website or blog and produce content that showcases the products
- Join affiliate marketing programs and include affiliate links in your content
- Promote your content through social media and advertising
- Earn a commission for each sale made through your affiliate link
Food Delivery Service
A food delivery service allows customers to order food from local restaurants or cafes for delivery to their homes or offices. To start a food delivery service, you’ll need to research the local food industry, partner with restaurants, create a website or mobile app for ordering, establish a delivery system, and market your service to customers. Key factors for success include strong partnerships with local restaurants, efficient delivery operations, and a user-friendly ordering platform. Food delivery services can be profitable by charging a commission or delivery fee on each order, and they offer a convenient solution for busy customers who want to enjoy restaurant-quality food in the comfort of their own homes.
To get started, follow these steps:
- Research local food regulations and obtain necessary licenses and permits
- Partner with local restaurants and caterers to offer their food for delivery
- Create a website or app to take orders and process payments
- Advertise your services and hire delivery drivers
Home Cleaning and Pet-Sitting Services
Home cleaning and pet-sitting services provide in-home services for individuals and families who need help with cleaning their homes or caring for their pets. To start a home cleaning or pet-sitting service, you’ll need to research the local market, create a business plan, obtain any necessary certifications and insurance, and market your services to potential customers. Key success factors include good organizational and time management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to form strong relationships with clients and their pets. Both home cleaning and pet-sitting services have low start-up costs, can be run on a flexible schedule, and offer a way to provide valuable services to busy individuals and families in the community.
Get up and running quickly following these steps:
- Obtain necessary insurance and business licenses
- Advertise your services through local classifieds, social media, and word of mouth
- Set your rates and schedule appointments with clients
- Provide high-quality cleaning or pet-sitting services and build a positive reputation
Event Planning
Event planning services help individuals and organizations plan and execute special events such as weddings, parties, corporate events, and more. To start an event planning business, you’ll need to research the local market, build a network of vendors and suppliers, create a business plan, and market your services to potential clients. Key success factors include strong organizational and project management skills, creativity and attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple events and timelines simultaneously. Event planning can be a lucrative business, as clients are often willing to pay premium prices for high-quality and stress-free event experiences. Starting an event planning business requires a significant time and financial investment, but can provide a flexible and rewarding career for those who are passionate about bringing people together for memorable experiences.
Start you event planning business today by following these steps:
- Familiarize yourself with event planning logistics, vendor contacts, and budgets
- Build a portfolio of event planning experience by assisting with friends’ or family events
- Reach out to potential clients and offer your services
- Plan, coordinate, and execute successful events for clients
Landscaping and Gardening
Landscaping and gardening services involve designing, installing, and maintaining outdoor spaces such as gardens, lawns, and other green areas for residential or commercial clients. To start a landscaping and gardening business, you’ll need to research the local market, build a network of suppliers and equipment, create a business plan, and market your services to potential clients. Key success factors include a strong understanding of horticulture and design principles, attention to detail, and the ability to manage a team and equipment effectively. Landscaping and gardening services can be a lucrative business, as clients are often willing to invest in enhancing their outdoor spaces. Starting a landscaping and gardening business requires a significant investment in equipment and personnel, but can provide a flexible and rewarding career for those who have a passion for creating beautiful outdoor spaces.
Launch your landscape business by following these steps:
- Familiarize yourself with plants and gardening techniques
- Build a portfolio of gardening experience by assisting friends and family
- Reach out to potential clients and offer your services
- Provide high-quality landscaping and gardening services and build a positive reputation
Personal Shopping or Styling Services
Personal shopping and styling services help individuals enhance their personal appearance and wardrobe through professional styling and shopping assistance. To start a personal shopping and styling business, you’ll need to research the local market, build a network of clothing and accessory suppliers, create a business plan, and market your services to potential clients. Key success factors include strong fashion sense, an understanding of client needs and preferences, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Personal shopping and styling services can be a lucrative business, as clients are often willing to pay for the convenience and expertise of a professional stylist. Starting a personal shopping and styling business requires a significant investment in clothing, accessories, and equipment, but can provide a flexible and rewarding career for those who have a passion for fashion and helping others enhance their personal style.
Get started by foloowing these 4 steps:
- Familiarize yourself with current fashion trends and personal style
- Build a portfolio of personal shopping and styling experience
- Reach out to potential clients and offer your services
- Provide high-quality personal shopping and styling services and build a positive reputation.
