57 New Businesses to Start With No Money

Here are 57 ways to start a new business with little or no money. Being self-employed is often the way to success. Since you are starting with no money, you should choose a business that requires no inventory or expensive equipment. You will naturally begin small, and you probably want to work out of your home. You'll want to begin your new enterprise quickly, so you can start earning right away.

Here are 57 good ideas, with products and services, for starting a new business with no money.

Start a New Home Cleaning Business
Start a New Carpet Cleaning Business
Start a New Air Duct Cleaning Business
Start a New Window Cleaning Business
Start a New Home Repair Business
Start a New Yard Services Business
Start a New Pool Service Business
Start a New Roof Cleaning Business
Start a New Gutter Replacement Business
7 More New Home Repair Businesses to Start
Start a New Business as a Home Improvement Contractor
Start a New Furniture Repair Business
Start a New Custom Painting Business
Start a New Business House Sitting or Pet Sitting
Start a New Business as a Tour Guide
Start a New Home Staging Business
Start a New Business for Estate Sales
Start a New Home Inspection Business
Start a New Business Installing Audio/Visual Equipment
Start a New Home Security Business
Start a New Interior Design Business
Start a New Business as a Feng Shui Consultant
Start a New Business as an Office Organizer
Start a New Upholstering Business
Start a New Drapery Business
Start a New Window Blind Business
Start a New Closet Installation Business
Start a New Landscape Design Business
Start a New Deck Business
Start a New Fence Business
Start a New Outdoor Lighting Business
Start a New Business as an Executive Assistant
Start a New Business as an Organizer
Start a New Business as a Personal Shopper
Start a New Business as a Tailor
Start a New Machine Embroidery Business
Start a New Business as a Personal Trainer
Start a New Child Care Business
Start a New Business for Elder Day Care
Start a New Pet Care Business
Start a New Business Teaching
Start a New Catering Business
Start a New Business as a Bartender
Start a New In-Home Party Business
Start a New Business as a Travel Agent
Start a New Business as a Travel Guide
Start a New Business as an Event Planner
Start a New Business Selling Your Crafts
Start a New Business as a Reseller
Start a New Business Selling Used Goods
Start a New Business Selling Collectibles
Start a New Business as a Book Author
Start a New Computer Services Business
Start a New Website Design Business
Start a New Online Marketing Business
Start a New Business as a Social Media Marketer
Other Ways to Start a New Marketing Business

You might think you don't have the special skills or talents required to start a new business. But many of these ideas do not require a formal education, prior experience, or long-term training. Think back on the jobs you've held in the past. What skills did you use? At what tasks did you excel? What did you learn about business? Make your previous on-the-job training the basis for your new small business. My favorite quotation is from Aristotle, who said, "Become by doing."

Start a New Home Cleaning Business

Help with housework is required by people who work outside the home. A home cleaning service is a profitable way to jump start a business. Cleaning services are so profitable that a city council member in my town used to own one. You can start small by doing the cleaning yourself. Green cleaning products are a new trend in this business. Find customers by asking around, and by hanging your advertising flyer on doorknobs and mailboxes. A start up home cleaning service will also grow by word of mouth, when satisfied customers recommend your business.

Start a New Carpet Cleaning Business

Carpet Cleaning. There are other areas around the house for an enterprising business to step in. They benefit from repeat business, and word of mouth advertising. Carpet cleaning is one of them. A carpet-cleaning service will require the purchase of equipment, and skill using it. Your customers will by any home, store, or office building with carpet to clean.

Start a New Air Duct Cleaning Business

Air Duct Cleaning. Air-duct cleaning is a growing business with customers who are concerned about allergies, mold and mildew in their homes. Specialized cleaning equipment is available at a reasonable cost.

Start a New Window Cleaning Business

Window Cleaning. Window cleaning services have a big market, because every home, store and office building has windows. Check out other businesses like yours to compare pricing and services. Build your business one customer at a time.

Start a New Home Repair Business

Home Repairs. Home handyman and handy woman is a good business to start for someone who can repair household items. Everyone has a honey-do list of home repairs. They need someone like you to do the work.

Start a New Yard Services Business

Yard Services. Yard services, mowing, mulching, cleanup, landscaping and snow shoveling, could be the business for you. A professional lawn mowing machine will make the work go fast and bring in more customers. Lawn services often require a contract for weekly mowing all season, so you can rely on repeat work.

Start a New Pool Service Business

Pool Service. Cleaning swimming pools and hot tubs and supplying the chemical treatments and repairing the filters may be a good business if you have some knowledge of this area.

Start a New Roof Cleaning Business

Roof Cleaning. A brand new area in home and building maintenance is roof cleaning. Those black streaks on the roof shingles are dirt, and there are cleaning products to remove it. Your best customers will be people are getting their home ready to sell.

Start a New Gutter Replacement Business

Gutter Repair. Start a new business cleaning gutters. Or learn how to install gutters, gutter covers and downspouts. This is a profitable area to consider when you start a new business.

7 More New Home Repair Businesses to Start

Other Home Repairs. Are you good around the house? Start your new home repair business. Painters and carpenters work for the homeowner. Carpet layers and ceramic tile installers can also work for the owner of the carpet and tile store. Install new home insulation, doors and windows. Many home improvements that improve the energy efficiency of the house can often result in an income tax credit for the homeowner.

Start a New Business as a Home Improvement Contractor

Home Improvement Contractor. There are some home repair services that don't do the actual work themselves. They subcontract the work to other reputable companies, and manage the project for the customer. This is more common than you realize. After you get paid, you paid your subcontractors and keep the difference. You can include paving, roofing, new windows, home siding, and patios in your line of services, all by subcontracting the work. You can also offer carpentry, painting, carpet, and tile. When you find out who does quality, reliable work, your new business will be a successful start-up.

Start a New Furniture Repair Business

Furniture repair and refinishing is the business to start if you have a small workbench in the garage or basement.

Start a New Custom Painting Business

Faux wall painting with special effects and murals is a new start-up business niche for someone with a sense of color and design. You need not be a creative artist to enter this field, and there are plenty of design materials and how-to information to guide you. Here again, no money is required.

Start a New Business House Sitting or Pet Sitting

House sitting and pet sitting for homeowners who are out of town is an easy new business to start. If you are known around town or can get letters of recommendation, you can stay in someone's house. This is a good business for reliable students because it requires no money to start.

Start a New Business as a Tour Guide

Tour Guide. If you are personable and enthusiastic, start a business giving tours of your city. Vacationers appreciate a knowledgeable guide who can save them money and time on their visit. You may be able to offer discounted admissions, transportation guides and guides to hotels and bed and breakfasts. Perhaps you can conduct a guided tour by trolley car, van or bus. If your town gets many foreign visitors you can start this new business with no money invested.

Start a New Home Staging Business

Home Staging. A new business of home staging provides a needed service. Anything you can do to help sell a home will be appreciated by the homeowner. There is lots of evidence that home staging helps sell houses faster and for more money. Some home stagers even supply furniture of their own to make an empty house or apartment look homey. Use before and after pictures to sell your services. Get acquainted with real estate agents who know the value of home staging. You'll find lots of ideas about home staging and how to sell a house faster here.

Start a New Business for Estate Sales

Estate Sales. Start a new business to conduct estate sales of household items in a home. As older people downsize into smaller living quarters, the contents of their large homes are no longer needed. Heirs of a property will also want an estate sale to liquidate the furnishings of the property they own. A professional seller can evaluate the items, ticket them, advertise the sale and arrange for a helper. A professional estate sale will always make more money than a garage or yard sale with the same items.

Start a New Home Inspection Business

Home Inspection. In order to sell a house, a home appraisal and a home inspection is needed. Banks hire home appraisers to value a property. The property buyer or the real estate agent will arrange for the home inspection. The fee for each service can range from $300 to $500, depending on your area. Check out your state licensing requirements, before you start this new business.

Start a New Business Installing Audio/Visual Equipment

Install Audio/Visual equipment. The home theater is part of many upscale homes. Installing high-definition television, wall-mounted television, video with surround sound system, an overhead projection system, cable hookup plus Internet connections to download movies are all part of your new business.

Start a New Home Security Business

Home Security Business. In the area of home electronics, consider starting a new business selling and installing home security alarm systems. These systems can also include home intercom and baby monitors, too.

Start a New Interior Design Business

Interior design for the home is another new business to start. Kitchen and bath design call for preparatory study, but there is free computer software available to make the job a success. Your service can improve the appearance and livability of any house. If you know people who are ready to redo a room or more, you can provide this personal service. The fee of an interior decorator is usually 10% of the cost of the furniture. Stores that sell merchandise only "to the trade," that is, through a designer, extend price discounts to the interior designer.

Start a New Business as a Feng Shui Consultant

Feng Shui Consultant. Your new business as a feng shui consultant for the home creates a living environment conducive to a good life.

Start a New Business as an Office Organizer

Office Organizer. An office organizer and clutter cleaner will make a good new business to start if you are the type of person who has a place for everything. People skills and a plan of action are what is required.

Start a New Upholstering Business

Upholstering. Start a new business where you reupholster furniture, sew slipcovers and new draperies. It requires you to operate a sewing machine and work with patterns.

Start a New Drapery Business

Draperies. Custom window treatments are not difficult to make. You'll show fabric swatches to the customer, and photos of your work.

Start a New Window Blind Business

Window blinds are popular features for the home. They also help in energy conservation. In this new business, you will sell the blinds, shades and shutters and install them. New home owners will often need your services.

Start a New Closet Installation Business

Install New Closets. You can start a new business to install new closets in the home. Several successful national businesses have been built in this niche, but there's plenty of room left. Free software is available for the design and layout of the closet, the materials are available locally at home stores, and use your skills with simple tools to install the job for the client.

Start a New Landscape Design Business

Landscape Designer. You do not need a degree in horticulture to be start a new business as a landscape designer. The plans you draw using computer software will include both hardscape and plantscape. Features like paths, patios, fountains, outdoor lighting and outdoor living are popular additions to the garden, shrubs, flowers, bulbs and trees. You'll design for sun, shade and soil drainage. With a landscape design approved, you or the homeowner can contract for the installation.

Start a New Deck Business

Yard Improvements. If you are good at building things, start a new business to design and build outdoor decks and children's outdoor play houses. Deck cleaning is also a growng area for a new business.

Start a New Fence Business

If you like working outdoors, you can start a new business that specializes in installing fences.

Start a New Outdoor Lighting Business

If you are experienced as an electrician, you can work as an outdoor lighting contractor.

Start a New Business as an Executive Assistant

You can start a new business as a secretary or executive assistant for several business owners. With a computer and basic computer skills, you'll be transcribing dictation, responding to mail and email, planning travel, shipping packages, keeping track of schedules. You might focus your services on data entry, bookkeeping and copywriting. In the business world, the trend is to outsource, rather than to hire. As a freelancer, your service is an advantage to the business person who doesn't want to put people on the company payroll.

Start a New Business as an Organizer

Office and Home Organizer. Start a personal service business organizing other people's stuff. Personal services are in demand, because people lead busy lives. The job requires a plan of attack executed with thoughtfulness and attention to detail. A personal website will help locate your customers and explain your business to people who need to organize and declutter.

Start a New Business as a Personal Shopper

Personal Shopper. If shopping is your area of expertise, you can start a new business that offers your services as a personal shopper, choosing and presenting clothing for the clients needs.

Start a New Business as a Tailor

Tailor. As a custom tailor with knowledge of sewing, you'll make alterations and sew simple changes to clothing. You might specialize in sewing custom wedding gowns, and build a reputation for design and service.

Start a New Machine Embroidery Business

Machine Embroidery. Custom embroidery is a service used for sports uniforms, business uniforms, and hats and t-shirts. You will also monogram items, like towels and napkins. Automated embroidery machines with built-in patterns are available.

Start a New Business as a Personal Trainer

Personal trainer. Do you have a passion for fitness and the desire to share it with others? You can start a new business as a personal trainer. Your services are used by individuals and in the corporate world. Personal trainers don't have to buy any equipment, because they arrange for time at the local gym. You can also provide training in yoga, pilates or aerobic exercise. Plan on getting certified in the field you choose.

Start a New Child Care Business

Child care for working parents is a business in high demand. You will need a safe, stimulating environment for the children in your care. Most states allow you to care for a limited number of children in your home. This business allows you to care for your own children at the same time. Determine if you need a license and liability insurance. You can also start baby-sitting at the client's home, offer after-school care, or summer programs for children.

Start a New Business for Elder Day Care

Elder day care is an opportunity for a new business. You care for seniors in their home and provide for their food, entertainment and personal needs. You can also arrange with a family to make daily checkups on seniors, or to spend a short time with each senior. This is a business for a caring person who is familiar with the needs of the elderly. Home care aides might help with bathing, meals and medicines, while providing companionship and transportation to appointments. You may want to pass a basic certification exam as a home health care aide.

Start a New Pet Care Business

Pet care offers several opportunities to start a small business. You can start as a dog walker, particularly if you like animals and you live near apartment buildings. Owners may want you to visit their pets in their homes while they are out of town. Your new business can offer pet grooming, pet sitting in your home or the client's home, and boarding small animals. Zoning laws in your neighborhood may regulate the number of animals you board. Ask local veterinarians to refer clients to you. Start-up money will be required for pet grooming equipment.

Start a New Business Teaching

Teaching. Teaching and tutoring are fields for a new small business with no money required. You probably have several teaching skills that are marketable. Use your teaching experience to tutor students in academic subjects. No money is required to start this new business. But teaching can cover a broad range of topics. Use your knowledge to hold classes or to go on the lecture circuit. If you have photography skills, begin a photography class. Teach students a musical instrument. Offer a class in sailing, painting, videography, knitting, sewing, cooking. Teach life skills and self-help. Teach computer software programs. Teach a foreign language. Teach English as a second language. Offer classes for homeschooled children. Teach carpentry or home improvements. Teach crafts like stained glass work, jewelry making, or sewing. Your new business can offer classes in your home, or through a school, public lecture series, YMCA, or other service organization.

Start a New Catering Business

If you like to cook, and have access to a commercial grade kitchen, you can start a new catering business. However, some states do not allow you to sell food for public consumption unless it was prepared in a commercial kitchen. The business will require some money to purchase food and supplies in advance.

Start a New Business as a Bartender

Start a new business with no money by offering your service as a drinks-master at special events, home parties and weddings. In addition to your fee, you can expect to make tips at the bar. You should contact caterers, event planners, florists and disc jockeys for job referrals. If wines are your area of expertise, provide your services to stock private wine cellars, and to conduct wine tastings.

Start a New In-Home Party Business

In-home parties have been used successfully to sell merchandise like lingerie, cosmetics and kitchenware. Start a new business by throwing in-home sales parties. Plan your own in-home party around a kitchen cooking class. You could offer a few culinary tools or spices for sale at the party. Or check out companies that use in-home party hostesses to sell merchandise. They usually pay the hostess with free gifts.

Start a New Business as a Travel Agent

Travel agents are always needed to fill hotel rooms, cruise ships and world tours. Travel agents make money by putting together vacation packages and selling them to the public. You can earn commissions by booking travelers for an existing agent or company.

Start a New Business as a Travel Guide

Travel Guide. Travel guides conduct a group of people during the entire time on their trip, taking care of the itinerary and schedule and talks. If your town has many visitors, become a travel guide. Again, no money is required to start this new business.

Start a New Business as an Event Planner

Event Planner, or Wedding Planner. Are your parties a lot of fun? Start your new business as an event planner, for corporate events, weddings, charitable events, and private parties.

Start a New Business Selling Your Crafts

Start a new business selling crafts. The craft items could be handmade by you or your friends. Use your imagination to come up with a salable item. Handmade jewelry, personalized invitations, calligraphy service, framed photographs, knick knacks, notions, or pillows are just a few examples of possible products. Check out Internet sites like etsy.com to learn more about marketing your crafts.

Start a New Business as a Reseller

Find an existing product to market and source it from wholesalers and suppliers. To find a product for your new business, use the Internet to locate wholesalers. There are also regular trade shows around the country for buyers and retailers. For example, there are jewelry shows, gift shows, fashion shows, and hobby shows. Shows let you review the products and meet the manufacturers. Keep costs down by keeping your inventory small.

Start a New Business Selling Used Goods

If you find the product interesting, chances are customers will be interested, too. You can resell your product on Internet auction sites like eBay. You can set up a low-cost Internet store by using the automated stores of Amazon, Google and Yahoo. People have found success when they start a new small business selling baseball cards, pocket knives, fishing lures, handbags, model trains, or Christmas trimmings. Used tools are a particularly successful sales category.

Start a New Business Selling Collectibles

Your new business can start by selling collectibles, like vintage china, pottery, belt buckles and American Indian crafts. Online auction sites such as eBay make it possible to reach customers around the world.

Start a New Business as a Book Author

Write a how-to book. It can be in the area of self-help, home improvement or self-improvement. Contact a publisher with a proposal and a sample of the book. When the book is accepted, you will receive a small advance of money while you finish writing the book.

Start a New Computer Services Business

Because technology changes quickly, many people need basic help in this area. Start a new business that offers computer installation, training and troubleshooting problems and virus protection. You probably have everything you need to start a new business in this category.

Start a New Website Design Business

Start a new business in website design and search engine optimization of websites. This is an important and growing area for Internet businesses. Your background in computer technology will make it possible. You can also outsource the computer functions to other freelancers, and focus on sales.

Start a New Online Marketing Business

Online marketing of business products and services is an area with much growth potential. If you have an interest in graphic art and some computer software, you can start a new business to offer logo design, Internet ad design, and website design.

Start a New Business as a Social Media Marketer

Are you familiar with the social media sites like Myspace and Facebook and Twitter? Your new business can specialize in social marketing, placing ads or creating blogs.

Other Ways to Start a New Marketing Business

Other marketing media include email newsletters, press releases and copywriting for businesses who want to build their brand on the Internet or in traditional media. The Internet has created the demand for many new business skills.

I hope life brings you much success.
I wish you a very happy day.

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