Running a business is not easy but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Low investment in business might sound like a distant dream but take it from me it’s not. It is in fact quite achievable and with some thought and a little planning you could set up your business for little or nothing. Sounds too good to be true? Well here are 5 zero to low cost business ideas to help you net BIG GAINS with negligible investment…
1. Consultancy
Anyone with some experience, expertise and skills in a niche area can turn consultant. What’s more? You need little more than your cellphone, laptop and an internet connection to get on the road of setting up a consultancy. You can even set up a free blog with tools like Blogger, a free Facebook page and Linkedin profile and you have started your own consultancy.
Spread the word around by encouraging people to like your page or profile!
2. Teaching
Teaching from home, taking personal lessons, training or delivering modules online via Skype or YouTube are just some possibilities you can explore. Oodles of patience, a genuine interest in people and networking and the willingness to adapt to needs of learners are some essential qualities you need to teach and tutor people.
Platforms like Skillshare enable you to teach a plethora of courses online. The possibilities are mind boggling. From branding, calligraphy, typography to honing business skills, the range on offer is diverse. The biggest advantage is that you don’t really have to go anywhere to conduct a class. Shoot an instructional video and you’re on course.
3. Hiring
It’s the new business…renting clothes, accessories, books and toys are just some ideas worth exploring. In a bid to promote frugal living and helping people overcome their temporary needs for products while steering away from accumulation, hiring is a great business opportunity.
Look around you…rope in friends, family and gather stuff that can be used and hired out to other people. Either that or procure new things to create an inventory that you can use to hire out.
4. Personal Shopping
Time is a scarce resource and most people today lead very busy lives. They don’t have time to shop for their personal needs yet it’s important that they are well turned out. This is where your business opportunity lies.
Turn personal shopper if you have an eye for fashion, information about the best places to shop, an ability to work with varying budgets, a sense of style and a willingness to meet your client’s needs. Shop and get paid to do it!
5. Home Care Business
Another business opportunity that spawns out of busy lives we lead today. People don’t have time to cook, wash, clean and buy groceries but it’s a job that must be done, right? Set up a service to help people procure groceries and essentials or simply clean their homes. A good opportunity to explore particularly in developing countries where unskilled labor is available in plenty but always in search of jobs and good remuneration.
6. Urban Gardening/Farming
With lifestyles in all cities veering towards clean and green living, raising flood inflation and a growing tribe of people favoring organic foods the concept of urban gardening is being embraced with enthusiasm. Use your garden patch, terrace or windowsill to grow exotic vegetables and rare herbs to begin your foray in to urban gardening. The other option is supplying aspiring urban gardeners with supplies like seeds, information and training.
In compiling this list of zero to low cost business ideas I have tried to set you thinking about what you can do. I want to open your minds to opportunities and wrench you free from obstacles. If I can help you develop and build on any ideas that you may have, I’d be happy.
Want more ideas? This post is part one. Here’s part two.