The idea of starting your own business sounds amazing in theory until reality hits. You think about business loans, startup costs, inventory, office space, and suddenly that entrepreneurial dream feels more like a distant fantasy.
But here’s something that might surprise you: some of the most successful businesses today started with basically nothing. No fancy office, no huge investment, just someone with a skill, a laptop, and the determination to make it work.
The truth is, we’re living in the best time in history to start a business with little to no money. Thanks to the internet, social media, and all the tools available to us, you can literally start making money from your couch today. And with everything that’s been happening in the world lately, more people are looking for flexible work options and ways to create multiple income streams.
So if you’ve been waiting for the “perfect time” or saving up for that big business investment, I’m here to tell you that you might not need to wait at all. Let me share some business ideas that you can start right now, with whatever you already have.
10 Businesses You Can Start Today
1. Virtual Assistant Services
Startup cost: $0-50
Small business owners, busy professionals, and even individuals are looking for help with everything from email management to appointment scheduling.
What you’ll do: Handle administrative tasks like email management, calendar scheduling, data entry, research, and basic customer service.
How to get started:
– List your organizational skills and any software you know (even basic stuff like Microsoft Office counts)
– Create profiles on Upwork, Fiverr, or Belay
– Start with friends or local businesses who might need help
– Charge $15-30 per hour to start
2. Social Media Management
Startup cost: $0-100
If you’re already on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, you already have the basic skills you need to start a social media management business, you only need to polish. Small businesses know they need to be on social media, but many owners don’t have the time or know-how to do it well.
What you’ll do: Create content, schedule posts, engage with followers, and help businesses build their online presence.
How to get started:
– Start by managing social media for friends’ businesses for free to build a portfolio
– Use free tools like Later or Buffer to schedule posts
– Learn basic graphic design with Canva (it’s free!)
– Charge $300-1000 per month per client
Pro tip: Focus on one or two platforms at first. It’s better to be really good at Instagram than mediocre at five different platforms.
3. House-Cleaning Services
Startup cost: $50-200
This might not be the most glamorous business idea, but it’s one of the most reliable. People will always need their homes cleaned, and many are happy to pay someone else to do it.
What you’ll do: Provide regular or one-time cleaning services for homes and small offices.
How to get started:
– Invest in basic cleaning supplies (you probably already have most of what you need)
– Start with friends, family, and neighbors
– Create simple flyers for local neighborhoods
– Use apps like Thumbtack or Care.com to find customers
– Charge $25-50 per hour depending on your area
Scaling opportunity: Once you get busy, you can hire helpers and build a team, turning your service into a proper cleaning company.
4. Tutoring and Test Prep
Startup cost: $0-30
Are you good at math? Know a foreign language? Great at writing? There are students out there who need exactly what you know, and their parents are willing to pay for it.
What you’ll do: Help students with homework, test preparation, or learning new skills either online or in-person.
How to get started:
– Identify your strongest subjects or skills
– Create a profile on Wyzant, Tutor.com, or Varsity Tutors
– Reach out to local schools and community centers
– Start with $20-40 per hour
Online bonus: With video calls, you can tutor students from anywhere in the world, massively expanding your potential customer base.
5. Freelance Writing
Startup cost: $0
If you have the skills of writing you can make money as a freelance writer. Businesses need content for their websites, blogs, social media, and marketing materials constantly.
What you’ll do: Write blog posts, website copy, social media content, product descriptions, or marketing materials.
How to get started:
– Create a portfolio with a few sample pieces (write them for free for local businesses if needed)
– Join platforms like Upwork, Contently, or Scripted
– Start with smaller projects to build reviews and reputation
– Charge $0.10-0.50 per word or $25-75 per hour
Niche tip: Specializing in a specific industry (like fitness, finance, or technology) can help you charge higher rates.
6. Online Course Creation
Startup cost: $0-100
Everyone is an expert at something, whether it’s cooking, organizing, using specific software, or even just life skills. If you know how to do something that others want to learn, you can create an online course.
What you’ll do: Create video or written courses teaching specific skills or knowledge.
How to get started:
– Pick something you’re genuinely good at and that people ask you about
– Use free platforms like YouTube to start, or paid ones like Teachable or Udemy
– Start with a simple course outline and basic videos (phone videos work fine!)
– Price courses anywhere from $29-299 depending on value
Passive income potential: Once your course is created, it can make money while you sleep as people continue to purchase it.
7. Print-on-Demand Business
Startup cost: $0-50
Love designing or have a good eye for what people want to wear? Print-on-demand lets you create designs for t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and more without holding any inventory.
What you’ll do: Create designs that get printed on products only when someone orders them.
How to get started:
– Use free design tools like Canva or GIMP
– Set up shops on Printful, Redbubble, or Teespring
– Research trending topics and create designs around them
– Start with simple text-based designs if you’re not artistic
8. UGC (User-Generated Content) Creator
Startup cost: $0-100
This is a newer opportunity that’s exploding right now. Brands need authentic-looking content for their social media and ads, and they’re willing to pay creators to make it.
What you’ll do: Create authentic-looking photos and videos featuring products for brands to use in their marketing.
How to get started:
– Start posting content on TikTok or Instagram showcasing products you already own
– Reach out to brands directly or join UGC platforms
– Create a media kit showing your style and reach
– Charge $100-500 per piece of content
Why brands love it: UGC looks more authentic than traditional ads, and consumers trust it more.
9. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
Startup cost: $0-50
Love animals? There are pet owners everywhere who need help caring for their furry friends, especially when they travel or work long hours.
What you’ll do: Watch pets in their homes, walk dogs, or provide pet care services.
How to get started:
– Sign up for Rover, Wag, or Care.com
– Start with friends and neighbors to build reviews
– Get basic pet first aid knowledge
– Charge $15-30 for dog walks, $25-75 per night for pet sitting
Bonus income: Many pet sitters also offer additional services like bringing in mail, watering plants, or basic house sitting.
10. Content Creation (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram)
Startup cost: $0-200
This one takes patience, but if you enjoy creating content and have something interesting to share, you can eventually make serious money through sponsorships, ads, and affiliate marketing.
What you’ll do: Create engaging content around topics you’re passionate about and build an audience.
How to get started:
– Pick a niche you genuinely care about
– Start posting consistently (daily if possible)
– Focus on providing value or entertainment
– Monetize through platform monetization, sponsorships, or selling your own products
Long-term potential: Successful content creators can make six or seven figures annually, but it takes time to build up.
How to Choose the Right Business for You
With all these options, how do you pick the right one? Here are some questions to ask yourself:
1. What am I already good at? Start with your existing skills and interests.
2. How much time do I have? Some businesses require more time investment than others.
3. Do I want to work with people directly or behind the scenes? This will help you choose between service-based and product-based businesses.
4. What’s my income goal? Some businesses can make you money faster than others.
5. What sounds fun to me? You’re more likely to stick with something you enjoy.
