Business on a Budget: 22 Businesses You Can Start with $1,000
Running a successful business in today’s world doesn’t necessarily need to involve investing a huge capital. With just $1,000, there is a range of businesses you could start. While some of these businesses involve rendering services, others involve selling your crafts or products.
Either way, there is a lot of money to be made by investing just a little capital. However, just like every other business out there, you would want to put factors like the right marketing and pricing strategy etc., in place.
In this guide, Incorpuk has placed before you 22 businesses you can start with just $1000 today.
1. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing business is quite easy and straightforward to start. With it, you have to introduce individuals to other people’s products and services to earn more. This way, you don’t need to own the product, but you’d be required to advertise the product to get customers.
If you have social media handles with a lot of followers, then you can easily engage and advertise other people’s products. By also building a website and running a blog, you could also earn through affiliate links placed on them.
While affiliate marketing allows you to earn a lot of money, you must be skilled in persuading individuals, understand how marketing works, be ready to engage people with content, and, more so, be willing to advertise other people's products.
Platforms like Amazon do affiliate programs that you can join today. Beyond that, you could start by partnering with small businesses around you. With it, you would help them gain more customers while you receive a commission for every successful deal done.
2. IT Support
Many businesses and individuals need an IT support service. You could offer support service on computers, systems and mobile phones. While you don’t need a degree to do this, you might need a business licence to be able to practise.
Moreover, you need to have acquired the basic and advanced skills involved to give the best to clients. By telling friends, families and other small businesses around about your services, you would be able to get started. Beyond that, you could maximise the use of social media platforms to get customers.
3. Dog Walking
With less than 1000 dollars, you would be able to start a dog walking business just within your neighbouring environment. In Fact, you do not need to go through any vigorous training or certification to start this. However, you must love pets and be passionate about spending time with them.
To get started, consider advertising your service within your neighbourhood. Reach out to families who own dogs and introduce your business to them. Beyond that, you would also want to ensure that you regularly attend local fairs where you would meet dog owners. Using billboards, flyers, etc., are other advertising mediums to consider. More so, you should also consider owning a website to build your online presence and gain more customers.
4. Social Media Management
As many businesses are expanding their business operations to the online space, so is the need for social media managers increasing. If you understand how social media platforms work and you can help engage the audience, then this is a skill to try. While you don’t need a degree for this skill, you might want to go through some training and obtain certifications to get started.
With this, you should have a few dollars to be equipped with this knowledge. Your activities as a social media manager would revolve around managing social media accounts, creating content including written, audio and video content and updating them on the platforms, engaging the audience with meaningful posts and many more.
As a social media manager, you might also be required to learn the marketing aspect of each platform, and as such, you should know how to set up profitable ad campaigns, understand what ad targeting is and how to reach the right audience.
Once you’re able to master the needed skills, you could start practising by rendering volunteering services to organisations. You would also be able to get paid clients by reaching out to businesses, joining freelancing platforms, and looking out for gigs through social media handles.
5. Writing Services
Writing services is another business you can start with less than $1000. Whether you have a degree or not, or you are new to writing, you can always learn the skill within a few months and get started. You will want to begin learning from sites like Udemy, Coursera and many more.
While you will find many of these courses for free, others will charge you a few dollars. With that, you will be able to help businesses with blog and article writing, script writing, copywriting, product description, etc., depending on the area you wish to specialise in. However, you would need to build your writing portfolios or samples, as many clients would usually request for it.
Once you’re able to get a proper hold of the skill, you should consider using platforms like Textbroker, Freelance, Upwork, etc, to source for clients. You might also want to use social media platforms like Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, etc, to attract customers.
6. Cleaning Services
Cleaning services are particularly rendered by individuals who enjoy keeping home and office environments clean and tidied. For this kind of business, you have to be specifically passionate and willing to help others stay healthy by keeping their environment clean for you to earn. If you already have a vacuum cleaner, then you would only need to get a few cleaning equipment to get started.
You can start looking out for customers by introducing your business to your families and friends. Social media platforms will also be of great help. Once you're able to give a perfect job to clients, it will be easy to build a customer base. Moreover, you can also use sites like TaskRabbit, HomeAdvisor, etc to get good customers.
7. Property management
If you love the real estate world, then you could offer property management services. Here you would be required to help people source for their dream homes. You would also find that you need a real estate broker licence for most states that you desire to work in.
You would need to undergo training and obtain certification, however, this is still a business you can start with $1000. Beyond that, you should also make sure that the training and courses you will go through are accredited. Getting a mentor who would also show you through will also help you in getting started.
8. Photography
With a good camera and some marketing tips, you will be able to get started with photography. You can decide to focus on one or more events to specialise in. This could be weddings, graduations, birthdays, business events and many more.
Having a good knowledge of photography is important to start this kind of business. Moreover, you would be required to build your portfolio for potential customers to see. You could do this by building a simple website with WordPress or simply building social media pages online.
Beyond that, you would also want to decide on the charges to give clients and you could therefore charge them per hour or at a fixed rate. Depending on the location you are in, you might need a business licence or permit to operate.
9. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistant service is another online business you could try if you have a start-up capital of $1000. Whether you are familiar with the online world or not, this is a skill you can learn to get started. Virtual assistant services revolve around helping individuals, businesses and organisations complete tasks online while also getting paid for it.
These tasks or activities include booking appointments, scheduling meetings, managing emails, providing customer service support, helping with data entry and lots more. In fact, many businesses need virtual assistants for a lot of reasons, so you could expect the list of tasks to be different.
As a virtual assistant, you would, therefore, need to familiarise yourself with many online tools and recognise the kind of business you wish to work for. Platforms like Zirtual, People Per Hour, Freelancer etc. can be used to source for clients.
10. Translation Services
Another profitable business that doesn’t require much capital to begin is the translation service. Here you would be required to understand other common languages apart from English. This could be Arabic, Japanese, Dutch, Spanish and many more. Since many companies need translators who can help ensure effective communication, then getting clients won’t be difficult.
You might also want to consider an area to specialise in, like offering your services in the health and medical industry, banking, insurance and finance, e-commerce and many more. While some organisations could require you to present your certificate before employing, others would only require you to prove your expertise and experience with the language.
11. Tour Guide
Tour Guide is another service that doesn’t require much to get started. This would involve guiding those on vacation on the places they can visit within your city and ensuring that their experience is memorable.
You would therefore need to understand your city, the beautiful places around, fun and entertaining places they can visit and many more. Beyond that, you have to be a welcoming and friendly individual and must be able to relate well with people from several parts of the world.
12. Event Planning
If you’re a highly organised individual and you love planning events and parties, then this is a business you could start. With less than $1000, you will be able to start an event planning business on a small scale. While there are so many offline parties like birthdays and weddings that you can plan, you could also focus on virtual events like conferences, webinars, seminars and so on.
With this service, you would ensure that an event takes place successfully and your duties would start right from when you are hired till when the event elapses. From organising and monitoring logistics, taking care of refreshments, and decorating the venue to use, there is a lot to do. For virtual events, you would also be required to manage the conference or webinars, sensitise people about the events, take records of how the events went and many more. Depending on your state, you might and might not need a license to be an event planner.
13. Tutoring
Whether you have expert knowledge in a school subject or you are good at music, then you can teach others and make some money. Tutoring business does not require much to get started, however, you would need to be proficient with what you want to teach. In fact, beyond this, you can also teach people several other skills, including cooking, video editing, graphic designing and many more.
Most of these skills are what you could teach online, so you won’t have to bother with a physical space to tutor. If you're teaching a school subject, then a degree might be required to earn with these skills. Moreover, you might have to go through training and certification to be able to tutor others.
14. Pet Caring
Many pet owners don't mind paying some dollars to have their pets cared for. If you specifically love pets and won't mind spending some time with them and caring for them, then this is a business to start. You could render this service right from the comfort of your house or in a customer's home.
You would be required to help feed, clean, groom and provide care for the pets. While you can start this business without having much, you might want to obtain a few certifications to get started. Moreover, some states might also require you to get a license before you can practise.
15. Catering Services
Catering services is another business you can start with a few dollars. If you love cooking and would like to make some money from it, then this is a business you can start today. Just from the comfort of your home, you could start using your personal kitchen. You'll need some basic kitchen equipment and ingredients to start.
Moreover, you would be able to cover other costs once you start receiving contracts. You could render your services for events like weddings, birthday parties, graduation, business-related events, and lots more. Beyond that, you could decide to render the catering service to individuals in their homes. This way, you would help people prepare a variety of meals in their homes while they pay for your service.
16. Amazon KDP
With Amazon KDP, you will be able to write, publish and sell your books. Publishing books on Amazon is a good business to consider if you wish to share your knowledge and experience with the world through books. Apart from the fact you would be able to earn, you would also be able to sell to people from different parts of the world.
Marketing is also key to selling on platforms like this, so you would want to ensure that you consistently advertise your product. Beyond that, you would want to take note of the topics that interest people and are most likely to sell well. Some of the niches you can focus on include business, finance, health, marriage and relationships, self-improvement, etc. Once you understand how Amazon KDP works, earning money through it becomes relatively easier.
17. Website Development
Website development is another service you could render even if you have less than 1000 dollars. Many new businesses today are looking forward to bringing their business online and they need a functional website to remain relevant in the online space.
You would need coding skills to work as a website developer. However, if you understand how to use WordPress, you can begin with that. Begin by advertising your business to new businesses around. You would also need to build a portfolio to attract customers. You should also consider rendering the service at a fair price in exchange for reviews and recommendations.
18. Laundry Services
With laundry services, you can earn just within the comfort of your home. If you have a washing and drying machine, then this is a business you can easily start. You would, however, need to purchase some other basic washing equipment which would only cost you a few dollars.
Once you have all the needed materials ready, you could begin by introducing your business to families and friends around. Beyond that, you would need to introduce your business to the people around you. With that, you could distribute flyers at local events and fairs.
19. Bookkeeping
By obtaining one or more certifications in bookkeeping, you are on your way to securing gigs within the field. Bookkeeping services include monitoring and keeping financial statements, processing payroll, handling financial reports and lots more. Many small businesses around most times do not wish to hire a full-time bookkeeper, as they can easily employ one on a contract basis.
With that, you can also focus on rendering your services on a freelance or contract basis to businesses around. If you are particularly good with numbers and maths, then this is a good business you could begin. While you could choose your specialisation, you can also offer a range of bookkeeping services to businesses.
20. Rent your home on Airbnb
If you own a house or you have a spare space in your home, then you could form a business with it and earn some money. Your earnings with this kind of business would, however, be dependent on the number of apartments and rooms that you have available, the location and the quality of the space.
If you’re specifically in a location where people do come on vacations or holidays, then it will be easier to source for customers. Simply start by listing the available room or apartment on Airbnb. You would also be required to provide detailed information and images to get customers.
Beyond that, building customer reviews also helps you gain people's trust and loyalty. To enhance your chances of success with this business, you should ensure that the home spaces are tidied and clean. Moreover, you would want to ensure that you treat your guests in a welcoming and comfortable manner to get great reviews and build a customer base.
21. Auto Repair services
If you’re fascinated with car repairs and already have the tools to repair one, then you can start this business. While so many people own a car, only a few can go about doing the basic car repairs themselves. Auto Repair services could range from changing a body part to replacing a bulb and many more.
In many cases, you would require licences to operate. The type of licence to be obtained also depends on your state and the kind of services you are offering. You could also find that you might need some form of training and certifications to get started.
Either way, you won’t necessarily need a working space to begin, as you can easily offer the services in your client’s home. Also, if you have a space or garage within your home, then you can get started right from there.
22. Dropshipping business
With a dropshipping business, you do not necessarily need to own a shop or a physical store to sell your goods. In Fact, you do not have to keep a stock of items to be a successful drop shipper. You will, however, be required to source for businesses or suppliers who you can buy directly from.
This way you buy from them at a relatively low price and then sell to your customers at your own desired price. With that, you would be able to determine your profit margin and make enough income. As a dropshipper, you would want to partner with suppliers who would help deliver your product to your customers while your customers pay directly into your business bank account.
Many individuals are into this kind of business, as it is quite a promising one that doesn’t require much investment. However, like every other business out there, you would need to set up many marketing strategies to help you gain customers. Beyond that, you would need to partner with a reliable supplier that understands this line of business.
Incorporate Your Company with Incorpuk Today
If you are wondering how to register your business in the UK, worry no more. At Incorpuk, we help you file accurate information when you register your company through us. We will also help you with incorporation articles, a registered office address, and all you may need to register your company in the UK. Contact our team if you seek any information; we will gladly assist.
Conclusion
While there are a range of businesses you could start with just $1000, you should note that beginning a business on a small scale and putting in other resources to expand as you generate revenue in the enterprise is one of the keys to running a successful business. Beyond that, you would also want to consider strategizing the right marketing options to help you grow quickly. All this can sometimes be a lot especiallyif you don't know how to go about it. KIndly reach out to one of our experts here if you need any help.