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Starting a business with 0 dollars

Everyone is starting a business these days. Moms, kids, grandma, men, women, everyone! Stores are closing down and people are trying to hustle their side money through side hustles and side businesses. Some of us work our business full time while others do it on the side. However, you do your business the first thing that comes to mind is……where will I get the money from to start this business. How much do I need to start? Do you borrow from the bank, your friends, or do you just start the business and hope the money comes. Here are a few ways to start with 0 dollars.

Starting a business with 0 dollars

Meet a need – There is a lady that comes to my house to clean (paid for by my uncle for my mothers day present this year) Cleaning doesn’t cost anything because hey we have to clean anyway. So what if you took all your cleaning supplies and started cleaning for busy moms, busy boss women, busy families. Hmmmm that’s money right there and you don’t have to spend anything but time. The lady who cleans my house started cleaning for her friends who were busy, then word started to spread until now she owns her own cleaning business and raking in the dough. She fulfilled a need one that is very much needed. I don’t have time to clean my home because I rip and run with kids 5 days out of a 7 day week, I also run my own business. When do I have time to clean……I would rather rest on the one day that I might have free that week. Another need that needs fulfillment is having someone cook for me. I need that bad because I am so tired of eating out daily. I don’t have time to cook if I can find someone to prepare my meals maybe twice a week and save me that time……chile……if you live in Atlanta and know someone send them my way (east of Atlanta) If you can meet a need money will come!

Barter – I did this in the beginning but you have to be careful of who you are bartering with. Not everyone holds up to their end of the bargain. My advice would be to make sure you trust the person and always go with your gut. Make sure that what you are offering is worth it for what they give you in return. Don’t do something that you value as $100 and get something in return for half of that. Make sure that you know your worth and make sure whoever you barter with treats you as if you are paying because you are……with your time and service. Don’t give them half ass work and then turn around and expect greatness. Give to them as if they are paying you and hopefully they will do the same. Bartering doesn’t have to be about money either. If you need a photographer and the photographer needs a babysitter……call that person up and say hey….I can babysit for you for a couple of hours for a photoshoot. If you need your hair done and someone needs something in return get the pricing structure right so that you can make sure you get what you give.

Get a part-time job – I know that working full time and trying to run a business full time is….a lot. If you find that you don’t have enough money and you are married or have some savings in the bank why not get a part-time job and use that money to invest in your business. You aren’t borrowing anything from anyone and you are essentially working so that you can put money into your dreams. This starts your business with nothing being owed! I know someone who started a business she’s an older lady. She babysits kids on the side and takes that money to invest in her baking business. Use your time and money wisely so that you can come out on top!

Ask people – There are a lot of nonprofits that will help you for free. There are a lot of people who will do things if you just ask. Many people ask me to do little things to help them in their business and I don’t mind. If it only takes me 10 minutes to maybe spread the word about your business on my social media outlets…that’s fine. Now if you want me to take photos and do a write up that’s a different story but something simple as a tweet or a Facebook mention…..no problem. I don’t even want anything in return. People have helped me with little things and I don’t mind doing things for others. You never know what you will get if you ask. Ask your mom if she would mind helping you in your business maybe you want to start a party design business….your mom who is retired can help you hunt down deals and help you set up without you having to pay someone else. The worse someone can say is no….

Make sure your business has what it takes to survive out here because it’s tough.  Don’t borrow money unless you know you can pay it back and think long term. Will this business survive 3 years from now. What can I do to cut cost and still provide quality products and services? Can I get my teenage niece to help or my uncle to help? If there is a will there is a way and if you truly want to start your business don’t let not having money stop you!

Starting a business with 0 dollars

22 Comments

  • Yum Yucky
    November 9, 2016 at 5:57 pm

    My son, who is in college, accidentally started a lawn care business this summer. He did the neighbor’s lawn, then another neighbor, and another…word of mouth started spreading. He has even raised his prices already. But he’s been using my lawn equipment. Oh well! My son is earning some nice pocket money, has a savings, and is going to college (to become a Physician Assistant). He’s doing exactly what he should be doing as a 20yo to set himself up for success. Great article Kita!

    Reply
  • Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
    November 11, 2016 at 12:14 pm

    These are great ideas. It’s amazing what you can do with a little ingenuity and not a lot of money. Or in this case, none. Love it!

    Reply
  • Melisasource
    November 11, 2016 at 7:14 pm

    Great Post! I too encouraged my son to try doing neighbors’ lawns to make money. I don’t have a problem with him using the family lawn equipment either, as long as he is making money and doing a good job.

    Reply
  • Pam
    November 11, 2016 at 9:17 pm

    It’s amazing what people are finding to do with no money. There are so many people starting their own businesses these days.

    Reply
  • Liz Mays
    November 11, 2016 at 10:53 pm

    I think these are some effective strategies! More people should definitely at least consider starting their own businesses.

    Reply
  • Jeanine
    November 12, 2016 at 12:50 am

    What great ideas. I wouldn’t ever think of this but its great, i’d love to clean for other people. I love cleaning and do it all the time anyways so why not!

    Reply
  • Theresa
    November 12, 2016 at 2:26 am

    I think that’s why I love Etsy so much. So many women are able to start successful shops and earn money while working from home. Best of all, it costs little to nothing for many of those kinds of start ups!

    Reply
  • Our Family World
    November 12, 2016 at 4:19 am

    Having a business is not easy, but it’s really important to have an source of income. This is such a great tips.

    Reply
  • Jocelyn Cañasa Brown
    November 12, 2016 at 4:29 am

    These are really great ideas for those looking to start a business with very little capital.

    Reply
  • Kelly Hutchinson
    November 12, 2016 at 4:30 am

    Thanks for all of the great ideas! I have always wanted to start my own business!

    Reply
  • Annemarie LeBlanc
    November 12, 2016 at 4:47 am

    I love this article. A lot of young people should need to read this. There are thousands of earning opportunities around if they would only open their eyes. Two of my children are gainfully employed. My other child, who is in college earns some spending cash by helping/tutoring his peers and offering to finish up their projects.

    Reply
  • Seattle Travel Blogger
    November 12, 2016 at 11:49 am

    I like the points you make here.
    It is not always about getting money…there are other ways.

    Reply
  • Toni | BoulderLocavore.com
    November 12, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    This is very helpful! I love all your tips in here! Worth reading and sharing!

    Reply
  • Mandee Suchland
    November 12, 2016 at 1:50 pm

    These are great tips! I myself am trying to start my own business and these are great guidelines to follow. Not everyone has the luxery to borrow from the bank or from a friend/family member. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  • Janell Poulette
    November 12, 2016 at 1:58 pm

    I love these tips because I have been thinking of doing a side gig to become more of a full time gig. It’s not easy when you cant exactly get a loan from the bank. I am willing to put in lots of sweat and tears to make it work.

    Reply
  • Brianne
    November 12, 2016 at 7:30 pm

    What a great post and amazing ideas! I remember when I started my showroom and basically started it with no money and it became such a successful thriving business.

    Reply
  • Reesa Lewandowski
    November 13, 2016 at 2:56 am

    What a great concept. I think so many people think they need thousands and thousands of dollars to do this! Not the case at all!

    Reply
  • Sheena Tatum
    November 13, 2016 at 6:43 pm

    These are truly some great tips for starting from nothing! Never looked at it from that perspective!

    Reply
  • Ann Bacciaglia
    November 14, 2016 at 2:30 am

    This is a great time for me to read this post. I have been trying to decide if I should start my own business.

    Reply
  • Kizzy Kingston
    November 15, 2016 at 6:29 pm

    Great article! I love the ideas you share and the specific examples. I am thinking about starting a business and these tips are a great starting point. Thanks, Kita!

    Reply
  • Kiwi
    November 15, 2016 at 8:23 pm

    Very smart blog! I love this for people discourage that it takes a lot of money to start their own business.

    Reply
  • Sricharan
    August 1, 2017 at 12:33 am

    When one puts their mind to it, there are many business that can be started with zero investment. I myself do small catering services within the local community.

    Reply

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