10 Businesses You Can Start for Less Than a Thousand Dollars

So, you want to be a business owner. The problem is, starting a business costs money, and if you’re working with a modest budget, you’re a bit limited with your choices.

Thankfully, you don’t need thousands of dollars to launch a business. In fact, many people start with much less than that. Here are 10 businesses you can start for less than $1,000.

Public relations consultant

If you have a passion for working with brands you believe in and helping them reach their full potential, consider becoming a PR consultant. You can make a small up-front investment for access to a media database to serve your clients, and work on creating and maintaining the best public images for their businesses.

Furniture repurposing

Today, many consumers are growing more concerned about the environment, and repurposing is a great way to make use of old products. It can also be a lucrative business opportunity if you love DIY projects. The two main costs to starting a furniture repurposing business are the furniture, which you can often find inexpensively at places like flea markets and yard sales, and basic supplies like sanding paper and paint. From there, you’re all set to fix up and sell your repurposed creations.

House painter

Believe it or not, you can earn an impressive income by simply painting houses for a living. Grab your rollers, painter’s tape and a few drop cloths, and start advertising your time-saving service to local homeowners.

Marketing coach

Many small business owners have passion and grit, but lack the confidence and insight needed to succeed. As a result, they turn to marketing coaches for guidance and feedback. You can leverage this market opportunity by offering virtual coaching services that help businesses come up with great marketing strategies.

[Read: A Quick Guide to Starting a Service Business]

Window cleaning

Window cleaning is a great idea for a local B2B service business, especially in a larger city. Commercial spaces like offices and storefronts often need their windows professionally cleaned, so depending on the size of the business community in your area, demand will likely be high for this type of service. All you need to get started are cleaning supplies and a marketing strategy.

Courier service

Another great “big city” business idea that doesn’t cost much to start is a courier or messenger service. You can help businesses send product samples, food, gifts, time-sensitive documents and other items back and forth to other offices. You can also sign up for a platform like TaskRabbit to expand your reach and help with other errands.

Floor installation

Many homeowners and building managers want to avoid the hassle of DIY installation for wood flooring and carpeting. Because the customer is responsible for the materials, you won’t be paying hefty startup costs by purchasing flooring for them. Instead, you simply charge for your labor.

IT consultant

There is a lot of new technology available to businesses of all sizes these days. Whether your specialty is helping businesses choose software, set up access for their employees or troubleshoot technical issues, there's plenty of work you can get as an on-site or virtual IT consultant — and, with only your expertise needed to begin, the startup costs are minimal.

Dog trainer

Live in a neighborhood full of pups? After taking some affordable online and/or in-person courses, you can become a certified dog trainer and help pet owners teach their furry friends proper behavior.

Professional editor

With the rise in self-publishing platforms and thought leadership campaigns, more and more people are realizing their dream of becoming published writers. This means that all those writers need good editors to make sure their work is top-notch. If you’re an expert grammarian, all you’ll need to invest is your time and energy to help your clients produce quality writing.

Don’t let your budget hold you back from your entrepreneurial dreams. You can always start small and build your brand as you begin growing and turning a profit. Often, all it takes is finding your passion and committing to it.

[Read: Looking to Launch Quickly? 10 Business Ideas You Can Start Today]

CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.