If you've ever considered starting a home business, and felt that you didn't have the money, you're not alone. The average person's belief is that you need a lot of money to start a business. Sadly that's not true. Anyone can start a business and start-up money should be the least of anyone's worries.
On average, people can expect to have two and three careers during their work life. People who have been part of the traditional nine-to-five work force and are on the verge of retiring from that life are thinking of what to do next. They still feel that they got in them to work, so why not work for themselves?
Starting a home based business is within the reach of anyone who wants to take some risk and work hard. And like I said money is the least bit you'll need.
I wanted to share with you 10 business ideas that anyone can start today, and for good measure if you feel that money is holding you back, how about starting any one of these ten businesses for under $1,000? Yes, it's totally possible.
1. Commercial Cleaning Service
One of the best benefits of starting a cleaning business is that you can work during hours when no one else does - after office hours. Focusing on retail business that need cleaning is a good start. Pharmacies, doctors offices, print shops and retail stores are some of the business establishments always in need of cleaning.
Restaurants are also a great options, because they need daily cleaning to keep the restaurant clean. Usually after the restaurant closes or early in the morning are typical times for cleaning.
When I started my cleaning business, my first two clients were local Rexall Pharmacies. Inside the pharmacies there were doctors offices, x-ray offices and even an orthopedic clinic. This gave the owner, whom I got the contract through even more incentive and need for daily cleaning to be done.
Start Up Cost: $500
What You'll Need: Reliable car, cleaning products, business cards
2. Home Cleaning Business
Perhaps you would be more interested in house cleaning. Many times with cleaning services you don't have to spend lots of money on advertising or marketing because your customers will come by word of mouth. You start with one home, and soon enough you'll be getting referrals.
People are busy with careers, kids, education and family life to clean. This is where you can come in and offer to clean their homes.
Home cleaning is typically done through the day, when the clients are at work or away from home. Cleaning homes is a 9-5 job typically, unlike commercial cleaning where the cleaning is done after hours.
Start Up Cost: $500
What You'll Need: A reliable car, cleaning products, business cards
3. Computer Repair
During my teen years I repaired computers for extra cash, and made a nice side income. I established myself as the guru who can meet the needs of the personal computer user. I chose not to get involved with small business simply due to liability of highly sensitive files.
Start Up Cost: $600
What You'll Need: Your home office, spare computer parts, knowledge of computer software/hardware, Internet connection and some business cards
4. eBay Business
Look around your home carefully and I'm certain you'll discover products that you could sell on eBay. Just as the saying goes; "You trash is someone's gold". Selling your old unwanted items will also give you the opportunity to get rid of the clutter in your home.
Figure out your asking price and decide whether to auction it or put it in your eBay store. Then decide if you want a minimum bid and how long you want the auction to last.
If you purchase from eBay regularly, I'm certain that you already have a PayPal account to use for transactions, and that you're fairly in tune on home buying an selling works.
Start Up Cost: $0
What You'll Need: Internet connection, PayPal account and your garage to ship/pack your sold products
5. Blogging / Editorial Services
Starting a blog and writing for your blog is a lot of work. On top of that you'll need a lot of patience before you start seeing any money. In the mean time, you can showcase your work and offer additional services through your blog.
Ghost Writing - As a ghost writer, you actually do all research and write the article, while someone else's name is attached as the author.
Indexing - There are indexing courses available and you can get indexing software.
SEO Consultant - If you're really good at search engine optimization on your website/blog, you may want to offer others your service. There is a great need for solid SEO consultants.
Copy-editing. - This is where fact checking takes place, and where grammatical, stylistic and typographical errors are caught.
Start Up Cost: $200
What You'll Need: Blog/Website, business cards, solid writing/editing skills
6. Flea Market Booth
Opening up a flea market booth is rewarding in many ways. You'll be selling a product in a retail setting without the cost of a high-end retail store.
For example, if you're a good baker, selling your baked goods through a flea market booth is a great way to make extra bucks.
Start Up Cost: $700
What You'll Need: Booth rental at flea market (avg $500/month)
7. Personal Trainer
If you're passionate about keeping fit and nutrition, you may want to start your own private personal training. Create a website, put some pictures up and show them where they could possibly get trained (your gym/workout area at home).
Advertise your services at bulletin boards in malls, grocery stores and anywhere else that people go. Another good advertising avenue is Craigslist and Kijiji free local classified ads.
Passing on your learning, technique, focus on getting fit and staying injury free is essential to clients of all ages.
Start Up Cost: $400
What You'll Need: Website, home-made ads, business cards and a workout area at home to train your clients.
8. Boat Cleaning Service
Boating season is just around the corner and it's time to give a major cleaning to all the boats and different areas of the boats-the decks, the sleeping quarters, the head, and the holds.
If you're unsure where to start, do local advertising in your local marina or you could approach homes that have boats parked in their driveways.
Start Up Cost: $100
What You'll Need: Business cards and cleaning products
9. Landscaping Services
I know a personal friend who started his landscaping business with his father's lawnmower and rake. In five short years, his business is doing well over $500,000 in sales per year.
His business mostly grew through word of mouth, but he had a solid website and distributed flyers in local neighborhoods on weekly basis.
Start Up Cost: $800
What You'll Need: Lawnmower, rake, leaf blower, business cards and flyers to distribute locally.
10. Window Cleaning Service
Starting a window cleaning business is probably the easiest business to start out of all the above options. You don't need a lot of capital, and you can essentially do it on your own time.
If you live in anywhere in Canada, window cleaning essentially becomes a seasonal business, at least for 8 months only. The other four months it's too cold to clean windows and the water freezes below zero.
Start Up Cost: $100
What You'll Need: Squeegee, Bucket and business cards
