low cost businesses to start yourself

[breatheeasy17]

Now I know if you did a quick google search you could find some information on this. But I want to hear other peoples opinions or personal experiences that are actual entrepreneurs or soon to be entrepreneurs. What are some low cost businesses that a young entrepreneur could start himself with little money, say less then $500? (also, give a little information on costs/equipment, etc.) Here are some of my ideas that I have done or am considering:

Lawn mowing - just need a lawn mower. If you are doing good you could spend a little money and get flyers/ business cards which would cost no more then $30-$50 total.

Yard work - other then lawn mowing, you could do edging, raking leaves, shovel snow, water/ plant the plants, clean pools, sweep the steps/porch. Start up cost is next to nothing if you already have an edger.

Car washing - you could wash/ wax peoples cars. If you have transportation you could offer mobile washing and come to their house and do it. No more then $100 start up cost.

Car window tinting - if you can master this technique. It can be profitable. You would have to do some research on it first.

Pet sitting - good for pet lovers or anyone looking to make easy money. Even if you are young and you want to take this serious you can get pet insurance for around $150 a year. Other then that their are no real costs because the pet owners take care of all the food/ toys for pets.

Pooper scooper - if you dont mind doing this. Offer a pooper scooping service in your area. Alot of people hate cleaning up after their dogs that poop in their yard. Offer to come once a week and clean up the mess for a fee. All you need is bags, scoopers and transportation. You could start this for under $50.

Worm farm - worms have multiple uses and can be a profitable if you can get the word out that you sell worms. Find out where you can get worm kits to do this. You could do this for under $100.

Trashing - I don't know what to name this. But there is money into going around early in the morning finding what people throw away. Sometimes you can find fully working tv's. Sell these items you find at flea markets/ ebay. You can even try to go to garage sales and get good deals and resell the items you buy.


Those are a few ideas to get this thread started. I hope everyone can contribute atleast 1 idea!

[lincolnf]

Trashing - I don't know what to name this. But there is money into going around early in the morning finding what people throw away. Sometimes you can find fully working tv's. Sell these items you find at flea markets/ ebay. You can even try to go to garage sales and get good deals and resell the items you buy.

I have heard this is called dumpster diving!!

L

[tekmoney]

Don't forget begging on the streets. That's always profitable! No start up costs either!

[artdrops]

Don't forget begging on the streets. That's always profitable! No start up costs either!

lol tekmoney! I think going through trash is also called rummaging.
Here's a few more that cost little money to start:

1. Stealing
2. Lying and Stealing
3. Mugging (always a crowd favorite)
4. Bank robbery (nets big payout, but risk is high - in and out)
5. Forgery
6. Government Cheating (various types - consult your local drug dealer for more info)

There's many more low cost ways to get money fast... but way to many to list here.

[Morpheus]

Those all seem like good ideas, another one you may want to consider if you have a pickup truck is picking up people's crap and taking it away for them: ie TVs, couches, stuff lying in the backyard, etc.

You also didn't mention any online ideas. You can start a website and get hosting for relatively cheap, and sell stuff over it that way.

[4-Knots]

Now I know if you did a quick google search you could find some information on this. But I want to hear other peoples opinions or personal experiences that are actual entrepreneurs or soon to be entrepreneurs. What are some low cost businesses that a young entrepreneur could start himself with little money, say less then $500? (also, give a little information on costs/equipment, etc.) Here are some of my ideas that I have done or am considering:

Lawn mowing - just need a lawn mower. If you are doing good you could spend a little money and get flyers/ business cards which would cost no more then $30-$50 total.

Yard work - other then lawn mowing, you could do edging, raking leaves, shovel snow, water/ plant the plants, clean pools, sweep the steps/porch. Start up cost is next to nothing if you already have an edger.

Car washing - you could wash/ wax peoples cars. If you have transportation you could offer mobile washing and come to their house and do it. No more then $100 start up cost.

Car window tinting - if you can master this technique. It can be profitable. You would have to do some research on it first.

Pet sitting - good for pet lovers or anyone looking to make easy money. Even if you are young and you want to take this serious you can get pet insurance for around $150 a year. Other then that their are no real costs because the pet owners take care of all the food/ toys for pets.

Pooper scooper - if you dont mind doing this. Offer a pooper scooping service in your area. Alot of people hate cleaning up after their dogs that poop in their yard. Offer to come once a week and clean up the mess for a fee. All you need is bags, scoopers and transportation. You could start this for under $50.

Worm farm - worms have multiple uses and can be a profitable if you can get the word out that you sell worms. Find out where you can get worm kits to do this. You could do this for under $100.

Trashing - I don't know what to name this. But there is money into going around early in the morning finding what people throw away. Sometimes you can find fully working tv's. Sell these items you find at flea markets/ ebay. You can even try to go to garage sales and get good deals and resell the items you buy.


Those are a few ideas to get this thread started. I hope everyone can contribute atleast 1 idea!

Trashing!

Wow that is low! But hey money is money. Anyway, why don't you try a combination of all of these? Also valeting cars - good money in that. If you have references and a brochure - it could make you more trusty looking. Advertise in local paper. Pitch yourself as a fix it man - does any job you want!

[Gunblader]

Abandoned Tent Collecting - No, really.

Tenting season is usually during the summer, usually after a 3 day music festival.
Would probably qualify as stealing even if they are abandoned, hehe. The event organisers usally dump them anyway, so some rummaging could be profitable..

[Gunnar]

worm farm...lol. I like that one but not sure i could do it since I live in LA. Another easy way to make money, expecially if you live in a big city and it's hot outside is to buy a case of water, put it in a cooler with ice and sell it for $1 each on the sidewalk to people walking and passing cars. Me and my friend did this and made about $50 in profit in 2 hours

[chem]

Awesome ideas!

I wouldn't recomend tinting. It's a lot harder then you think. I see teenagers drive around in their $300 hondas that barely run with the rusty all exhaust TIP and poorly done window tint. It's a great laugh! =)

[NeeJam]

lol tekmoney! I think going through trash is also called rummaging.
Here's a few more that cost little money to start:

1. Stealing
2. Lying and Stealing
3. Mugging (always a crowd favorite)
4. Bank robbery (nets big payout, but risk is high - in and out)
5. Forgery
6. Government Cheating (various types - consult your local drug dealer for more info)

There's many more low cost ways to get money fast... but way to many to list here.

Lol artdrops thats a good one .

Ps. for ideas how to start a business for under $500 you could have just gone to www.entrepreneur.com - theres a list of them there and with info so you don't have to waste your time searching the net(if your a good googler though, then its ok it doesnt matter but if your ok or really bad then go there, or just og there anyways )

[Morpheus]

worm farm...lol. I like that one but not sure i could do it since I live in LA. Another easy way to make money, expecially if you live in a big city and it's hot outside is to buy a case of water, put it in a cooler with ice and sell it for $1 each on the sidewalk to people walking and passing cars. Me and my friend did this and made about $50 in profit in 2 hours

What you did is probably illiegal, most people that sell stuff on the sidewalks need a license (unless you had one).

[Gunnar]

we actually had a police car stop and talk to us and they told us that we had to go somewhere else since nearby businesses were complaining...they didn't mention anything about needing a license though. If anyone asked we just said we were doing a project for school. After the police incident we went about one block down and kept selling, noone bothered us again.

[nado]

Have you thought about online businesses? ... you are on an online forum

There are plenty of good websites with potential which you could startup for <$500. Or you could do 2 websites and input $250 into each with another partner who has the skills you lack.

Or you could look at something in network marketing (MLM)... starting costs are usually cheap to free, they supply you with access to stock, training and support. (you don't necessarily have to signup other people... just sell the products)

Done

[BOG]

Or you could look at something in network marketing (MLM)... starting costs are usually cheap to free, they supply you with access to stock, training and support. (you don't necessarily have to signup other people... just sell the products)

Done

MLM is a scam. I make 3X more money than anyone who has ever told me they got rich from MLM. I just laugh at them and tell them to get their broke ass out of my face.

[nado]

MLM is a scam. I make 3X more money than anyone who has ever told me they got rich from MLM. I just laugh at them and tell them to get their broke ass out of my face.

So I'm guessing you've never tried it yourself?