If you have a little cash and a good idea, you are halfway to starting a real business.
You can launch your business straight from your kitchen, living room, or home bar. Plus, you don’t need to pawn your precious possessions to get started.
You can get inspiration from these weird business ideas that made millions, but watch out for these worst business ideas that can burn your money.
So, let’s explore the best business to start with little money, and that will pay your bills!
1. Dropshipping
You can start a drop shipping business with $100 to $500 capital, and earn anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 per month.
A dropshipping business involves selling products online without holding any inventory. You partner with product suppliers who handle shipping, while you focus on marketing and processing orders.
You can use the initial capital to buy a domain, set up a website, and run ads on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Google Ads.
To succeed as a dropshipper, you should identify a product with high demand and low competition. You can test different products and use targeted advertising to reach potential customers.
With consistency, dropshipping can become a reliable source of income to help you pay your bills and pursue your financial goals.
Related: Here are 160 fast-moving products to sell online
2. Tutor
To become a tutor, you need anywhere from $0 to $200 initial capital, with expected returns of $200 to $2000 per month, depending on the hours worked.
Tutoring involves personalized academic help or extra academic help in a special subject like music, sports, English, mathematics, science, etc. You can offer tutoring lessons either online or in person with minimal expenses.
You will need a good laptop, stable internet, and essential teaching materials to get started. You can use platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype to offer live lessons to students anywhere in the world.
You can start by offering tutoring services to friends and close family members, or by advertising yourself on freelance platforms like Upwork and Freelancer.com. As you build your profile, you can start getting word-of-mouth referrals from your previous clients.
3. Freelance contractor
With as little as $100 to $300, you can become a freelancer and earn anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per month depending on your skills and experience.
As a freelancer, you can offer a wide range of services like writing, web design, graphic design, translation, transcription, etc. You can use the initial budget to pay for an online course to boost your skills and pay for an internet subscription.
You can then sign up on sites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr to start searching for short-term and long-term jobs. As a freelancer, you enjoy the flexibility to work from anywhere, set your working hours, and even determine your income.
As you build your portfolio and grow your skills, you can increase your rates and attract better-paying clients.
4. Print on demand
You will need a starting capital of $200 to $500 to start a Print On Demand business and earn anywhere from $500 to $3,000 per month.
Print on Demand involves creating custom designs for products like T-shirts, phone cases, mugs, and caps, and selling them through an online store. You only pay for a product when you sell it, making it a low-risk business with no inventory.
You can start a Print On Demand business on platforms like Printful, Teespring, and Redbubble. These platforms handle printing, packaging, and shipping, while you create designs and find customers.
If you have creative designs you can sell, you can easily turn this business idea into a profitable business with a little investment.
5. House cleaner
You can start a housing cleaning business with $50 to $200 capital, and expect returns of $200 to $1500 per month.
A house cleaning business has minimal startup costs. You need basic cleaning supplies and a means of transport to get started. This service is in demand in urban and upscale neighborhoods, and you can market your services through word-of-mouth, social media, and Google ads.
You can set your working hours and rates per hour. As your business grows, you can get professional cleaning equipment, hire additional cleaners, and expand your list of services.
6. Mobile car wash
With a $100 to $300 capital, you can start a mobile car wash business and get a return of $300 to $2000 per month.
To start a mobile car wash business, you can get basic cleaning supplies, a portable vacuum cleaner, and a water source. You can target car owners in urban areas and offer to wash their cars at their homes or offices.
If you offer good services, you can get word-of-mouth referrals and expand your list of recurring customers quickly. As the business grows, you can expand your team and buy additional car wash equipment to make your work more convenient.
Additionally, you can offer additional car services like waxing, engine cleaning, and interior detailing to earn extra income.
7. Consultant
Do you have expertise in specific fields like finance, IT, marketing, music, or even sports? You can start a consulting business with as low as $50 to $200, and earn anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per month, depending on your skills and clientele.
To start a consulting business, you will need to set up a professional website, design business cards, and attend networking events. You can start by offering free consultations to get your word out, and then start charging an hourly or fixed-charge fee for your services.
As a consultant, you can set your rates and working hours, and determine what type of projects and clients you will work with. You can increase your fees as you gain more experience and build your reputation.
8. Pet sitter
You can become a pet sitter with as low as $0 to $100 and earn $200 to $1,500 per month, depending on the number of clients.
To start a pet-sitting business, you can start by listing your service on platforms like Rover, or through word-of-mouth recommendations in your city. You can also market your service via social media, to find pet owners who want someone to take care of their pet while they are away.
You can also offer additional services like dog walking and dog grooming. If you are passionate about pets, this is your opportunity to do so something you love and earn an income from it.
9. Dog walker
You can become a dog walker with zero capital and earn $200 to $1,500 per month.
Dog walking does not require any special skills, and it is a good business for anyone who loves dogs and spending time outdoors. You can find clients through word-of-mouth recommendations, social media, or dog-walking platforms like Rover and Wag.
You can set your rates and working hours, depending on your availability. You can also scale your business by offering additional services like pet sitting, grooming, and dog training.
10. Bakery
You can start a bakery business with as low as $100 to $500, and earn anywhere from $300 to $2000 per month.
You can start a small bakery business from your kitchen by selling baked goods such as cookies, cupcakes, cakes, and bread. You can sell the pastries to your neighbors and local grocery stores. You can also supply these products to birthday parties and local events.
A bakery business can be highly profitable, and you can earn good revenue by offering a wide range of products and getting recurring customers. You can also partner with a local coffee shop to offer complementary products to their customers.
Related: Profitable businesses to start with 500k
11. Photography
You can start a photography business with as low as $200 to $500 capital and earn $500 to $2000 per month.
The basic equipment you need is a good camera, lenses, and lighting equipment. You can offer various services like product photography for local businesses, individual and group photo sessions, and event photography. You can showcase your work on a portfolio website, and share your collection through social media to attract clients.
As you gain more experience, you can venture into lucrative markets like weddings and commercial photography. This will allow you to increase your rates and get recurring clients.
12. Make-up artist
You can become a make-up artist with as low as $100 to $300 capital, and earn a return of $200 to $1500 per month, depending on the number of clients you get.
Becoming a mobile make-up artist requires minimal investment, and you can start providing makeovers to your family members, friends, and local clients. You can then showcase pictures of your work on social media to attract new customers.
You can also become the go-to make-up artist for events like weddings, parties, and photo shoots.
13. Landscaper
If you have a creative touch, you can become a landscaper with as low as $50 to $200 capital, and get paid $200 to $2000 per month.
A landscaping business requires minimal investments, and you can get started with basic gardening tools and equipment. You can offer various services like lawn mowing, garden maintenance, and simple landscaping services.
You can build a simple website to market your landscaping service and showcase your beautiful projects. You can market your services through social media, paid ads, and word-of-mouth referrals.
You can also expand your service offerings to include tree trimming and garden design.
14. Translator
If you are fluent in multiple languages, you can become a translator with zero capital and earn $300 to $2,000 per month.
There are minimal costs required to start a translation service, and you only need a good laptop, internet, good headphones, and a microphone. You can offer various services like document translation, transcription, and video captioning. You can list your services on freelance platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and TranslatorsCafe.
With more experience, you can take on large projects and diversify in legal and medical translation that pay better rates.
15. Influencer
You can become a social media influencer with no startup costs, and earn $100 to $10,000 depending on your following. Find a topic you are passionate about and build an engaged audience.
You can pick a niche like travel, cooking, fashion, or fitness, and start sharing tips with your audience. You can then earn an income through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and brand partnerships.
You can become an influencer on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook, and YouTube, and as your following grows, you get more opportunities to monetize your content. Partnering with popular brands often brings in the highest returns.
16. Social media manager
If you are an avid social media user, you can become a social media manager with $100 to $200 startup capital. You can expect to earn $500 to $3000 per month depending on the number of clients you have.
You can use part of the capital to take a few online courses to sharpen your social media skills. You can then set up a professional profile on your preferred social media platform, and start marketing your services.
As a social media manager, your role is to help brands grow by creating content and engaging with their audience. You can ask questions, respond to inquiries, explain how new products work, etc.
You can set your working hours and rates. As you gain more experience, you can manage multiple accounts simultaneously and even offer additional skills like Facebook ads, Instagram ads, and Google ads to increase your income.
17. Personal chef
You can become a personal chef with $100 to $300 startup capital, and earn anywhere from $500 to $3000 per month.
You can use the initial capital to buy basic cooking equipment and market your services to potential clients. Some of the services you can offer include meal preparation, private dinners, and catering services for small events.
As your cooking business grows, you can also customize meal plans and cooking classes to earn extra income.
18. Events Planner
You can start an event planning business with as low as $100 to $300 capital and earn $500 to $5,000 per month.
If you are a good organizer with a flair for creativity, becoming an events planner can be a profitable venture. You can use the initial capital to set up a website, design business cards, and print marketing materials.
You can target events such as birthdays, weddings, corporate events, and private family events. You can build connections with vendors, caterers, and event hosts for future referrals.
19. Personal trainer
If you are a fitness enthusiast, you can become a personal trainer with a startup capital of $100 to $500, and expect to return $600 to $5000 per month.
You can use the initial investment to buy basic equipment, obtain certification, and market your business. You can offer one-on-one training sessions, group classes, and online coaching for people who live away from your city.
You can grow your business through referrals and word-of-mouth outreach. As you build your customer base, you can offer additional services like nutrition advice, custom workout plans, and online courses to boost your income.