Home
>
Small Business
>
10 Ways to Start a Business on a Budget

10 Ways to Start a Business on a Budget

If you've been thinking about starting a business, but are held back due to cash-flow issues, there are plenty of ways you can get your plans off the ground. Though your vision may be to own a big store, restaurant, warehouse, or office, consider starting on a smaller scale.

Every business must start somewhere. In fact, the founder of Kinkos started with one copy machine and some spiral notebooks for sale in a tiny rented space near a college. With a little ingenuity and some perseverance, you can make your business dreams come true. Here are ten ideas to get you started:

1. Start part-time and reinvest the profits into your ultimate business goal. If you really want to make your business dreams come true, carve some extra time out of your day by skipping the evening news and bad sitcoms.

2. Offer to speak a local school, adult learning center, or business. Give a killer presentation then pitch your products or services when it's over. These are called back of the room sales. Another bonus-many of the schools will even pay you to give a presentation.

3. Get your product on QVC-it's not impossible! Many small businesses got their big breaks through television shopping channels. Check out www.qvcproductsearch.com.

4. Sell your products at flea markets, farmer's markets, or consignment shops. Think outside the box and start pounding the pavement.

5. Go door to door. Leave your fliers with your neighbors. Your brochures don't have to be expensive, just aim for professional and unique. Since color copies are expensive, print in black ink on pastel paper. Design your brochure with a program like Microsoft Publisher.

6. Host an in-home party like Tupperware, Mary Kay, and Pampered Chef. Start with your friends and family and get them to spread the word while you build experience.

7. Launch a website. It's easier than ever to get a website up and running and the startup costs are minimal. Your own website will open all kinds of doors. You can start your own newsletter or e-zine, online forum, and sales center. Paypal even offers free shopping cart set-up.

8. Sell on auction sites. EBay, Yahoo!, Amazon, and UBid all offer online sales. The added advantage of selling on auction sites is the exposure it can bring for your business. Millions of people visit these sites each day and even if they don't buy your product the first time around, they will get familiar with your business name and may come back later to close the deal.

9. Place classified ads. Check out www.Craigslist.org for listings in most big cities. There are categories to suit virtually any kind of business.

10. Rent space in a commercial location. Independent retail stores, coffee shops, car washes, and even restaurants could be willing to strike a deal for shelf, office or floor space. Talk to the owner and explain your situation. Many caterers rent kitchen space from churches and community centers. Retail stores will often be willing to rent out a shelf or corner for product sales, and offices often have empty space that the owners will gladly fill for a fair fee. Put an agreement in writing and specify a length of time that works for both of you.

Stephanie Chandler is the author of "The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide: Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams!" and founder of http://www.businessinfoguide.com, a directory of resources for entrepreneurs. Subscribe to the newsletter for hot tips and small business tools by sending an e-mail to http://www.businessinfoguide.com.

limo prices to midway Crystal Lake west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare

In The News:

A multipurpose robotic system promises to transform how items are stacked onto pallets, aiming to maximize space utilization and reduce shipping costs.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The number of people affected by a UnitedHealth data breach in February 2024 was actually higher than previously reported and was the largest medical data breach in U.S. history.

A phishing campaign uses Google Calendar to schedule fake meeting invitations that appear legitimate, redirecting targets to phishing sites.

Toll road text scam: Fake messages claim unpaid fees, seek payment via fraudulent links. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says this scam is becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says these steps ensure that your friends and family get to the exact moment you want them to see. Try it out and streamline your sharing experience.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers tips on how to protect your identity: Be vigilant, monitor accounts, use smart security, know theft response.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says cybercriminals are exploiting iMessage phishing protection, tricking users to reactivate links.

It's hard to imagine life without in-flight Wi-Fi these days – but sky-high web surfing comes with its own set of privacy concerns. Here's how to protect yourself.

Over 400,000 cases of credit card fraud were reported in 2024 to the Federal Trade Commission. The CyberGuy explains how to protect against becoming another victim.

A nondescript metal box transforms into a fully functional electric motorcycle that blurs the line between vehicle and urban infrastructure.

Many apps unrelated to location still ask users for tracking permission, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit seeking to end this alleged practice by Allstate.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Melody, the artificial intelligence-powered robot, is life-sized and represents a move toward creating robots that resemble people in appearance and interaction.

Here are five easy smartphone rules from the National Security Agency that you can follow to better protect your mobile device from hackers and scammers.

A U.S. robotics company has developed "Jennie," a robotic pet powered by artificial intelligence that's designed to comfort those facing mental health challenges.

Healthcare records for more than 184 million Americans were breached in 2024, but you can take steps to minimize that risk. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.

The Skyrider X1 from Rictor claims to be the "first amphibious flying passenger motorcycle," and it combines land and air travel in one sleek design.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Home inventory and restoration apps help itemize and track every item in your home in the event you have to make an insurance claim after a natural disaster.

The White House launched a new cybersecurity safety label, the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, intended to help consumers make informed decisions on smart device safety.

Today's tech can help make life so much easier — if you know how to use it. Here are a few tips on the quickest and best ways to make your phone, laptop and other devices work for you.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers Windows 11 restart fixes: Update drivers, run system scans and check hardware.

Sony and Honda's Afeela 1 EV launches with advanced tech and entertainment for $89,900. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives his takeaways.

With limited hard drive space, tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers these tips for storing large video files and photos.

10 Ways to Start a Business on a Budget

Small Business