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23 Business Ideas to Start with $100K

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Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on July 29, 2022 Updated on May 5, 2024

If you’ve got an entrepreneurial nest egg of around $100,000, you’ve got a ton of great options for your next business venture. You could start a bakery, brewery or restaurant, get into construction, manufacturing, solar power, healthcare, travel bookings or house flipping.

The wise move is to follow your interests — get into something that appeals to you. Also, do some research and see markets are growing and offer the best potential for growth. 

But first, check out our list of brilliant $100,000 business ideas below to jumpstart your thinking.

1. Coffee Shop

For a coffee shop, your biggest expense will likely be the location. Renting in a high-traffic area can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 per month, depending on your city. Purchasing equipment like espresso machines, grinders, and ovens might run around $20,000 to $30,000. You’ll also need to budget for initial supplies such as coffee beans and pastries, which could be around $3,000. Setting up a cozy, inviting space will require some additional funds for furniture and decor. For software, a point-of-sale system is essential and might cost around $1,000, plus a monthly fee. Don’t forget about the website and online ordering setup, which might run about $2,000 to get started professionally.

2. Car Repair Shop

Starting a car repair shop mainly involves investment in a location and tools. Renting a garage space will cost about $3,000 to $6,000 per month. You’ll need to invest heavily in high-quality tools and car lifts, which could be around $50,000. The supplies, including oils and parts, will add about $5,000 to your initial costs. Software for managing bookings and inventory is crucial, with systems typically costing $1,000 to purchase, plus ongoing subscriptions. Setting up a basic website for your business will likely be around $1,000.

3. Cryptocurrency

Starting a business in cryptocurrency, like a trading platform, involves less in physical infrastructure and more in technology. You won’t need a physical location, but you will need robust software to handle trading, which can cost upwards of $10,000 to $50,000 for a secure, user-friendly platform. Your major costs will come from technology development and security infrastructure. Additionally, marketing your platform online will be crucial; expect to spend $5,000 to $10,000 on a professional website and digital marketing to reach your audience.

For a taxi service, your primary expense will be vehicles. Purchasing a few cars can cost you approximately $20,000 to $30,000 each, depending on the make and model. Renting is also an option to reduce upfront costs. You’ll also need a dispatch system, which can range from $500 for a basic setup to $5,000 for more advanced software. Insurance will be another significant expense. Setting up a website and app for bookings might cost around $3,000 to start.

Opening a bakery involves costs like renting a retail space, which can be around $2,000 to $4,000 per month. The equipment, such as ovens, mixers, and display cases, will likely cost around $30,000. Initial supplies for baking, including ingredients and packaging, can be approximately $2,000. Software for inventory and sales management might cost about $1,000 initially. A professional website, important for showcasing your goods, could be set up for around $2,000.

6. Food Trailer

A food trailer is a more budget-friendly option compared to a permanent location. Purchasing a well-equipped trailer might cost around $25,000 to $50,000. You’ll also need a vehicle capable of towing it, if you don’t already own one. Supplies for the kitchen and initial stock of food will cost about $3,000. While you don’t need a fixed location, consider the fees for parking and permits in various locations. Software needs are minimal, perhaps just a sales tracking app. A basic website and social media setup for promotion could be around $1,000.

7. Digital Marketing Agency

Starting a digital marketing agency mainly requires a modest office space or a home office setup, which could be around $500 to $2,000 per month for rent if not working from home. Your major investment will be in high-performance computers and software for graphic design, SEO, and data analytics, costing about $10,000. Marketing your own agency online is crucial, so budget around $3,000 for a professional website, SEO, and initial advertising campaigns. Tools for project management and customer relations might cost another $1,000 for setup and subscriptions.

8. Hair Salon

Starting a hair salon primarily involves costs associated with leasing a location, which might run from $1,500 to $4,000 monthly, depending on the area. You’ll need salon chairs, washing stations, and styling tools, costing around $20,000 for basic quality. Initial supplies such as shampoos, conditioners, and styling products may be around $2,000. A salon management software system, which can help with appointments and inventory, could cost about $1,000 initially. Establishing a website to book appointments online is also crucial, likely around $1,500.

9. Car Wash

For a car wash, securing a location with good visibility and traffic will be your main expense, possibly around $3,000 to $5,000 monthly to rent. Equipment costs for high-pressure washers, vacuums, and conveyors can be up to $50,000. You’ll also need cleaning supplies, which might start around $1,000. Consider a basic POS system for around $500 and a few hundred dollars more for a website to attract customers and offer promotions.

10. App Development Business

An app development business can be started with minimal physical assets. You’ll need high-end computers and software for development, which might cost around $15,000. The major investment will be skilled personnel unless you’re developing solo. Software for project management and communication is essential, with costs around $1,000 annually. A professional website showcasing your portfolio will help attract clients and might cost about $2,000 to design and launch.

11. SEO Agency

Starting an SEO agency requires a small office or a home office setup costing $500 to $2,000 monthly if renting. Your primary investments will be in SEO tools and software for analytics, which can cost around $5,000 annually for subscriptions. You’ll also need to spend on a robust website and online marketing tools to showcase your expertise, around $3,000 initially. Additional costs include computers and office equipment, likely around $5,000.

12. Ecommerce Business

An ecommerce business involves setting up an online store, which means inventory will be your largest cost, potentially $40,000 to $60,000 depending on your product lines. A professional ecommerce platform setup might cost around $5,000, including the design and initial SEO. Ongoing marketing expenses are critical for attracting customers. Stock storage can be managed from home or a rented space, costing around $500 to $1,000 monthly.

13. Bookkeeping

Starting a bookkeeping service is relatively low-cost, primarily needing a computer, bookkeeping software, and a secure internet connection, totaling around $3,000. Renting office space is optional, depending on whether you choose to work remotely or face-to-face, costing $500 to $1,500 monthly. Setting up a professional website for your services might cost about $1,000. Networking and software subscriptions will also be a part of your ongoing expenses.

14. Event Planning

For an event planning business, starting costs are mostly related to marketing and networking. Renting an office can cost about $500 to $1,500 per month. You might spend around $2,000 on a high-quality website and digital marketing to showcase your services. Initial supplies like planning software or event materials can be around $1,000. The key expense will be travel and attending events to build connections.

15. Pet Store

A pet store requires a suitable retail space, which might cost $2,000 to $4,000 monthly to rent. Stocking the store with pets and supplies could easily run $20,000 to $30,000. Additional costs include cages, food, and care equipment. A POS system and inventory management software are essential, potentially costing $1,000 upfront. Consider also an additional $1,500 for a basic website to list available pets and supplies.

16. Delivery Service

Launching a delivery service means vehicles are your biggest expense—buying or leasing delivery vans can cost $20,000 to $30,000 each. A dispatch and routing software system is critical, likely around $2,000 for a basic setup. You’ll also need a reliable GPS system for each vehicle, costing about $100 per unit. Setting up a website with tracking capabilities for customers might be around $3,000. Fuel, maintenance, and insurance are ongoing costs to factor in.

17. IT Consulting

Starting an IT consulting firm mainly requires a reliable computer setup and software, costing about $5,000. While you can operate remotely, renting a small office space for meetings might cost $500 to $1,500 monthly. Investing in professional software for network analysis, security testing, and other IT services could run around $3,000 annually. You should also budget approximately $2,000 for a professional website and online marketing to establish your presence and attract clients.

18. Personal Chef

For a personal chef business, the major expenses are high-quality kitchen tools and portable cooking equipment, which might total around $3,000. Marketing yourself effectively is essential, so invest about $1,500 in a professional website and social media marketing. Transportation costs depend on your vehicle and travel needs; consider this in your initial budget. Purchasing initial supplies for several events might cost about $500. No need for a physical location, as services are performed in clients’ homes.

19. Accounting Firm

Launching an accounting firm requires investment in high-quality accounting software, which might cost up to $2,000 for a professional suite. Renting office space can be between $1,000 and $2,000 monthly, depending on your location. Other initial costs include office furniture and computers, totaling around $5,000. A professional website and online marketing efforts to attract clients will likely cost about $2,000.

20. Cooking Class

To start a cooking class, you’ll need a space that can accommodate cooking stations and students, which might cost $2,000 to $3,000 monthly to rent. Initial equipment and supplies for the kitchen can be around $10,000. Promoting your classes is key, so invest about $1,500 in a website and local advertising. Additionally, insurance and permits might cost another $1,000 to ensure compliance with local health regulations.

21. Donut Shop

Opening a donut shop involves renting a space suitable for food service and customer seating, costing about $2,000 to $4,000 per month. Equipment like fryers, dough mixers, and display cases will likely cost around $15,000. Initial ingredients and packaging might add another $2,000. Setting up a sales system and a simple website for online orders will cost about $1,500. Don’t forget about local health permits and insurance.

22. Shirt Printing

Starting a shirt printing business involves purchasing a high-quality printer and press, which could cost around $10,000. Renting a small workspace might be around $1,000 monthly. Initial supplies like shirts and inks will likely be around $2,000. Setting up a website to take orders online, along with some digital marketing to reach potential customers, might cost another $2,000. This business can be scaled by investing in more sophisticated printing equipment as demand increases.

23. Dollar Store

For a dollar store, securing a retail location is crucial and could cost between $2,000 and $5,000 per month depending on size and location. Stocking the store with a diverse range of products might initially require an investment of $20,000 to $30,000. Additional expenses include shelving, checkout counters, and a POS system, potentially costing another $5,000. A basic website to list store products and promotions might cost around $1,500 to set up.

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• Coffee Shop
• Car Repair Shop
• Cryptocurrency
• Food Trailer
• Digital Marketing Agency
• App Development Business
• Ecommerce Business
• Bookkeeping
• Event Planning
• Delivery Service
• IT Consulting
• Personal Chef
• Accounting Firm
• Cooking Class
• Shirt Printing
• Dollar Store

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Some people venture into entrepreneurship with a clear vision: They know what industry they want to conquer and the path they’re going to take to get there. However, for many new entrepreneurs, it can be difficult to figure out how to start a business — plus, determine exactly what type of business is the best choice to invest in.

To help you launch your journey, we’ve compiled a list of the most profitable businesses, considering factors such as industry growth and competitiveness, startup costs and barriers to entry, as well as profitability potential.

ZenBusiness

Most profitable small businesses

With a solid business plan, hard work and determination, any strong business idea may become successful and profitable.

Businesses in high-growth industries with lower startup costs , however, may have greater profitability potential. With the rise of technology, for instance, you’ll probably have more success starting a virtual assistant business than opening a grocery store.

Although some of the most profitable businesses are based online, others involve in-person services, and some are a great fit if you're an entrepreneur on the go. Here’s our list of the most profitable small businesses:

1. Food trucks

The food truck movement has been experiencing consistent growth over the past five years — and it’s expected to continue — with the market projected to grow to $6.87 billion by 2029, according to a 2023 report by Mordor Intelligence [0] Mordor Intelligence . Food Truck Market Size & Share Analysis . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . You can start a food truck business for less than a third of what it costs to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant; plus, you have geographic versatility, the potential for high revenue returns and the flexibility to create a custom menu that’s all your own.

Keep in mind that bigger, trendier cities like San Francisco, Boston and Washington, D.C., already have a pretty saturated food truck market (as well as tougher regulations to get started) — so this might be a more successful business in a smaller heartland metropolis.

Food trucks have their own special set of ordinances, business licenses and safety compliance standards. They also require food business insurance , so you’ll want to contact your local health department to find out what will be required.

2. Car wash services

The rising prices and pandemic-induced shortage of new vehicles are causing car owners to keep their cars longer. And as drivers keep their cars longer, businesses like car washes that help people maintain the value of their auto investment are expected to keep rising as well.

In fact, the car wash market is projected to increase from $15.86 billion in 2023 to $23.79 billion by 2030 [0] Grand View Research . U.S. Car Wash Services Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . And according to a 2023 study from the International Carwash Association, 96% of U.S. car owners and lessees washed their vehicle at least once in the previous year— and 89% did so at a professional car wash [0] International Carwash Association . 6 Insights into Why Car Washing Is at an All-Time High . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

You might make a car wash business even more profitable by turning it into a mobile service. Customers may pay more for a car wash that comes to them, especially if they have a luxury car and prefer a more personalized service. And as a mobile car wash and auto detailing service, you’d avoid the overhead and startup costs of having a physical location.

3. Auto repair

The average age of cars and light trucks in the U.S. rose to 12.5 years in 2023, increasing from 9.7 years a decade ago, according to S&P Global Mobility [0] S&P Global Mobility . Average Age of Light Vehicles in the US Hits Record High 12.5 years, according to S&P Global Mobility . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . People are keeping their cars longer than ever, suggesting there’s significant opportunity in the maintenance and repair business.

Additionally, car owners are more likely to visit a small business for repairs. According to the Auto Care Association, more than 70% of repair business is captured by independent repair facilities compared with dealerships or manufacturer-authorized repair facilities [0] Auto Care Association . Auto Care Association Applauds Advancement of REPAIR Act . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

If you’re skilled as a mechanic, you might consider an auto repair service as one of the most profitable business ideas. You can offer oil changes, fluid refills, battery swaps, headlight repair and more. And if you’re looking to save on overhead costs, you might make it a mobile service and travel to your customers, performing repairs in their driveway or office parking lot.

4. Personal trainers

Employment of fitness trainers and instructors is projected to grow 14% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [0] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . Occupational Outlook Handbook, Fitness Trainers and Instructors . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . But turning your love of fitness into a career doesn’t have to mean working for a big corporate gym — nor do you need the overhead of having your own location to train clients.

Throw a few weights, bands and yoga mats into the trunk of your car, and take your fitness show on the road.

You can become a personal trainer by offering one-on-one sessions in your clients’ homes or advertising group classes at a local park or community center. Making fitness more available to your clients might just be the ticket to helping both of you achieve your goals.

» MORE: Best mobile business ideas for on-the-go entrepreneurs

5. Newborn and post-pregnancy services

Although millennials and Generation Z are deferring parenthood for longer than previous generations, many do eventually want to have kids.

And with both generations considering parenthood, the need for child-oriented businesses is growing, starting with post-pregnancy and newborn-related services. As a result, a 2024 Market Research Future report expects the global maternity care market to reach $106.6 billion by 2032 (up from $62.5 billion in 2023) [0] Market Research Future . Maternity & Personal Care Market Research Report . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

Demand for doulas and lactation consultants, in particular, has risen among new mothers, and both business options have relatively low overhead requirements beyond education and certification.

6. Enrichment activities for children

Shrinking budgets for education mean that both traditional academics and enrichment subjects like music, art and athletics often take a significant hit.

A successful business to start might be one that teaches enrichment activities to children. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, kids are more involved in extracurricular activities today than they were 20 years ago [0] U.S. Census Bureau . Children Continue to be More Involved in Some Extracurricular Activities . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . And some research indicates that approximately half of American parents spend more than $1,000 annually on their children’s activities [0] GoBankingRates . How To Afford $1,000 Worth of Kids Activities Per Year . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

You could launch a gymnastics center or music school, become a swimming instructor or kids’ yoga teacher, or focus on some other child-centered activity. If you have a skill that could be easily taught to young students, you might already have a profitable business in the making.

7. Mobile apps and entertainment for children

If your interests are in development and engineering, you might consider gearing your technology toward the youngest users. Research shows that demand for tablets, apps and mobile entertainment for children is on the rise — especially if those products are education-focused [0] Excellent Web World . Is The App Development Market For Kids Getting Bigger? . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

Do you have an idea for an educational app for children or parents? If so, now may be the time to move forward on your bright idea for the next generation and make this potentially profitable business a reality.

8. Shared accessories and attire

Sites like Rent the Runway and Gwynnie Bee have banked on the idea of the sharing economy — where we want and need to own less stuff, so instead, we share resources.

These companies offer borrowed or rented clothing and accessories at a fraction of their purchase prices, and because the same piece of inventory generates revenue multiple times, the profitability of these ventures can be significant. According to a 2023 study by the reselling platform ThredUp, the secondhand-clothing market is projected to nearly double by 2027 [0] ThredUp . thredUP’s 11th Annual Resale Report Reveals Consumers Continue to Embrace Secondhand Amid Economic Uncertainty . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

Do you have an eye for fashion and a sense of style not currently offered by other rental services? Maybe you’re ready to be the next big thing.

Even if you’re not prepared to launch a multimillion-dollar fashion startup, you can just as easily profit from shared fashion at the local level. Gather some favorite accessories or clothing picks and host a borrowing party — where customers can rent or purchase items from your closet — for high school students before the next formal dance.

If you’re in a college town, Greek life formals are another great opportunity to profit from shared economy fashion. And because you’re taking shipping costs out of the equation, you have the potential to be even more profitable.

9. Shared home improvement equipment

Are you the go-to person in your neighborhood for every lawn, garden and home repair tool? Why not turn those tools into a profitable business by advertising your available equipment beyond your immediate friend group?

You might even decide to invest in more specialized and higher-cost equipment that would be useful to those around you. And if a customer doesn’t know how to use a specific tool, combine equipment rental with your mobile service for even more cash in the bank.

Home improvement spending has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — and U.S. households spent an average of $13,667 on improvement projects in 2023 alone, according to a study from Angi, a home services marketplace [0] Angi . State of Home Spending . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . As more people continue to invest in fixer-upper houses and remodel, this could be a big opportunity.

» MORE: Best small-town business ideas

10. Vacation rentals

If you live in a highly desirable tourist destination, you can make a profit renting space in your home to travelers. Sites like Airbnb or VRBO have made it easier than ever to profit from your unused vacation property — or even your extra bedroom. According to Airbnb, the typical U.S. host makes approximately $14,000 a year [0] Airbnb . Hosts in the US earned $22 billion in supplemental income last year . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

It's not too difficult to become an Airbnb host , and the demand for these types of rentals has only grown in recent years. In 2022, 394 million nights and experiences were booked on Airbnb — up from 301 million nights in 2021 [0] Statista . Airbnb Bookings Already Past Pre-Pandemic High in 2023 . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . However, some cities have laws and regulations regarding Airbnb and other rental platforms, so you’ll want to make sure you check the guidelines in your area before getting started.

11. Electronics repair

According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2023, 90% of Americans own a smartphone [0] Pew Research Center . Mobile Fact Sheet . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources , and 80% of U.S. adults subscribe to high-speed internet at home [0] Pew Research Center . Americans’ Use of Mobile Technology and Home Broadband . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . And with more employees working from home, there’s an even greater reliance on a variety of electronics.

That means that when something goes wrong, people want help fixing it as soon as possible. This makes electronics repair a potentially lucrative business idea. According to a 2024 report from the Business Research Company, the global electronics repair and maintenance market is expected to grow from about $8.69 billion in 2022 to $9.88 billion in 2028 [0] The Business Research Company . Consumer Electronics Repair and Maintenance Global Market Report 2024 . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

With this service, you could be the solution for every broken iPhone screen, Wi-Fi card and laptop battery. And you might be even more successful if you’re willing to travel to your customer. Apple stores and other electronics retailers have come under fire over the past few years for long customer wait times, which could work in favor of mobile providers.

Although a mobile electronics repair business involves some overhead in the form of purchasing supplies, being mobile saves you from having to pay the costs associated with a physical location.

How much do you need?

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Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

12. Academics courses

Online entrepreneurs can offer courses through educational platforms or independently on their own websites. The U.S. e-learning market has accelerated growth since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and is predicted to reach nearly $170 billion in 2030, according to a 2023 report by Renub Research [0] Renub Research . United States eLearning Market, Size, Forecast 2023-2030 . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

You might start your business by providing courses in traditional academics, offering online instruction in grade-level reading, math, science, history or standardized test preparation. You could even create a review course for parents helping teens with their algebra homework. If you’re creative, the possibilities are truly endless.

And academic courses don’t have to end at the high school or even college level. You can create an online course to share your love of political history, Buddhist theology or rocket science. If you’re interested in a particular subject, chances are someone else is, too.

13. Language courses

Currently, one-fifth of U.S. families speak one other language, apart from English — based on data from the Census Bureau [0] U.S. Census Bureau . What Languages Do We Speak in the United States? . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . And with more languages being spoken nationwide, the demand for online language learning courses is growing. The market is projected to increase by $26.33 billion from 2023 to 2030, according to a 2023 report from Verified Market Research [0] Verified Market Research . Online Language Learning Market Size And Forecast . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

So whether you take to the online education space with expertise in English, or you harness your mastery of Swahili, there’s likely someone out there who wants to learn a language from you.

And if you speak one of the most in-demand languages, such as Mandarin, Spanish or Arabic, then online-based language courses could be one of your most profitable business ideas.

» MORE: Easy online business ideas you can start now

14. Business or marketing courses

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, participation in career-focused online courses has grown significantly, especially as more employees look to change jobs or work from home. For instance, education technology platform Udemy gained 10 million new global learners from 2022 to 2023, spanning 134 million course enrollments [0] Udemy Business . 2024 Global Learning & Skills Trends Report . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

Companies have expanded or launched new coverage for tuition reimbursement in recent years, meaning workers have money to spend on these types of classes. According to the Society for Human Resource Management’s 2023 Employee Benefits Survey, 48% of employers offer tuition assistance, 87% cover costs for professional memberships and 78% pay for employees’ certifications or recertifications [0] Society for Human Resource Management . SHRM Releases 2023 Employee Benefits Survey Results . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

If you have career skills to share, you can start creating online courses with few initial costs. Popular course topics include bookkeeping, QuickBooks accounting software , WordPress web development, graphic design or even how to write a great cover letter or resume.

15. Personal wellness

Are you a therapist or counselor, a yoga instructor, a life coach or a longtime meditator? If you have a deep passion for personal wellness, you might be able to help others — while also earning a significant income.

For example, a report from the Yoga Alliance found 38.4 million Americans (11% of the population) practiced yoga in 2022; up 4.6% from 2016. These Americans spent over $21 billion on yoga in 2022 alone [0] Yoga Alliance . Yoga in the World . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . And a Grand View Research report predicts the North American yoga market to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.8% by 2030 [0] Grand View Research . Yoga Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

Like many of the options on our list, as long as you have the knowledge, the costs to start a personal wellness business are low.

Every person has a desire to better themselves, and that’s what online courses are all about. If you have this expertise to share, you could turn your knowledge into a profitable business.

16. Courses in hobbies or interests

While many courses are designed to further an education or career prospects or to promote major life changes, you can just as easily design an online course around any hobby or interest.

Do you have a passion for calligraphy or craft brewing ? Have you mastered a certain video game? You'd be surprised at the number of people willing to pay to learn about topics they're interested in. Some of the bestselling courses on the popular online learning platform Udemy include web development, digital marketing, ethical hacking, stock trading and WordPress — and they sell for up to $200 per class [0] Udemy . Popular and trending topics . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

Not sure how to start designing your own online course? Well, there are even online courses for creating your own online course. You can use one of these courses to propel your own online course business.

17. Bookkeeping and accounting

Accounting and bookkeeping are unavoidable requirements of business ownership. But for many entrepreneurs, money management is the most tedious part of owning a business; that's why some business owners choose to outsource those tasks.

Whether you’re a certified public accountant or just a QuickBooks wizard, you might be the perfect candidate to launch your own bookkeeping business . With accounting firms seeing a growth rate of 9.1% in net revenue from 2021 to 2022 (up from a 4.2% growth rate in 2020), bookkeeping, accounting, tax preparation and payroll services have long been some of the most profitable businesses for entrepreneurs [0] Association of International Certified Professional Accountants . U.S. Accounting Firms Show Strong Growth in Profit and Revenue, AICPA & CIMA Research Finds . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

As a bookkeeper, you can process invoices and payroll, compile expense reports and more. If you have a CPA license, you can help business owners file taxes, generate balance sheets and other accounting documents, as well as make professional recommendations about your client’s bottom line.

18. Consulting

If you’ve been in the business world for a long time, folks may be clamoring for your knowledge and expertise within your industry. Why not turn all that know-how into a new career as an independent consultant?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for consulting services is expected to increase, particularly among smaller companies that deal in specialized industries or business functions. Employment of management analysts, which includes consultants across different industries, is projected to grow 10% from 2022 to 2032 — faster than average for all occupations [0] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . Occupational Outlook Handbook, Management Analysts . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

As an independent consultant, you can be paid to speak at industry conferences or events, serve on a board of advisors for a fledgling business, or lend your expertise to shape the strategy of an existing business on a contract basis.

Whatever your skill set, starting a consulting business is a great way to make the income of your dreams while working on your own terms.

» MORE: 145 new service business ideas

19. IT support

Our reliance on technology makes IT support just as profitable a business idea as electronics repair and other tech businesses — especially considering employment of IT professionals is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics [0] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . ccupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Support Specialists . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . With an IT business, you can help customers when they have issues with their internet or computer software, as well as install security programs and network updates.

If technology comes easily to you — and you’re a relatively patient person — then the most profitable business for you might be hitting the road, at least in your neighborhood, with mobile IT support. You can offer a service to combat the chat or phone support typically offered by technology manufacturers, which often includes long wait times and leaves customers with unanswered questions.

All you need is time, transportation and your own know-how, so this low-overhead business model could be almost pure profit.

20. Graphic design

As the number of brands vying for consumers’ attention grows, a slick and polished image has become more important than ever for small businesses.

And although, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for graphic designers is expected to grow only 3% from 2022 to 2032, there are opportunities out there, especially for graphic designers who are self-employed [0] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . Occupational Outlook Handbook, Graphic Designers . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . The BLS says most graphic designers are self-employed, compared to those that work for advertising services, publishing industries and similar employers.

Do you know your way around Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign? Have you taken a few design classes, and do you have an eye for good branding? Turn your skills into a business as a freelance graphic designer. You’ll have almost no overhead and can help small-business owners create awesome marketing graphics.

21. Social media management

These days, customers expect a business to have a strong social media presence and to be responsive to customer service issues on social media.

Although many small-business owners know they need to engage in social media marketing, few have the necessary time or expertise to manage all of their social media accounts.

If you’re fluent in Twitter, live your life on Facebook and have gotten every job you’ve ever had through LinkedIn, you might consider turning your social media expertise into your own solopreneur business venture — offering support to business owners who need help managing their brands' social media platforms.

As long as you have your own laptop, smartphone and social media accounts, there are few costs to getting started, and job growth in the industry is projected to increase 6% from 2022 to 2032 — faster than average for all other occupations [0] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . Occupational Outlook Handbook, Public Relations Specialists . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

22. Marketing copywriter

If you’re particularly adept with words, you can use your talents to write copy for various companies’ marketing efforts. According to an Industry Research report, the global digital content creation market is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 9.5% from 2023 to 2030 [0] Industry Research . Digital Content Creation Market 2023-2030: Trends, Size, Share, and CAGR Status . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources .

Whether you’re coining a catchy slogan or writing an in-depth description of a company’s offerings, if you’re doing it as an independent contractor, you’ll have very few startup costs. Once you get started and build relationships with clients, you’ll quickly be able to earn a profit for your services.

23. Virtual assistant services

With more employees working from home, and with teams spread out across different locations and time zones, businesses can benefit from an assistant who is just as flexible as they are. There's no longer the need to meet with a client every day in an office — you can work as an assistant from New York when your client lives in Florida.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average remote virtual assistant in the U.S. makes $50,749 a year [0] ZipRecruiter . Remote Virtual Assistant Salary . Accessed Feb 26, 2024. View all sources . As a virtual assistant , you can choose your clients and create your own schedule, managing emails, scheduling meetings, booking travel and completing other basic tasks to make your customers’ lives and businesses run more smoothly.

Plus, all you need is a laptop and an internet connection to start this business.

How to start a profitable business

These ideas for profitable businesses span a variety of industries and involve varying time commitments and startup costs. Before you can earn any profit, however, you’ve got to get your business off the ground.

Here are three steps to help you get started:

1. Do your research

Whether you choose one of the ideas here or come up with something on your own, do your research before committing to any concept. You'll want to perform idea validation, a process that involves market and competitor research, as well as a financial feasibility analysis to help test your business idea and determine whether you want to move forward with your business proposal.

2. Get organized and make it official

Once you’ve chosen a strong business idea, you’re ready to create a thorough business plan . Your business plan will outline your company’s goals — and how you’ll achieve them — as well as provide a roadmap for you (and potential investors) to follow for the next three to five years.

After you’ve written your business plan, you can take the necessary steps to make your small business official. You’ll choose a business structure, apply for an employer identification number , register your “Doing Business As” name (if necessary) and get the business licenses and registrations you need to open your doors.

» MORE: Important legal requirements for starting a small business

3. Find the right financing

It can be difficult for startups to qualify for some traditional business loans, as they often require multiple years of business history for approval. Instead, new business owners might consider startup funding options, such as microloans, grants, crowdfunding, or asking friends or family for an investment.

Business credit cards are also an option for short-term financing, especially for everyday business purchases. With a business credit card , you can earn perks and rewards on your spending, as well as start building a business credit history.

See how to get your business started quickly

Find the money to get going: Compare the best small-business loan options right now.

Set up a bank account: Details on how to get a free business checking account .

Start accepting credit cards and other payments: Options and how to use point-of-sale systems .

Start tracking your profits: Pick out and set up simple accounting software .

A version of this article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

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Best Businesses to Start with $100k

Starting a small business with $100k can be a great way to take control of your career, achieve financial independence, and make a positive impact on your community.

The process of starting a business can be exciting and lucrative, but it’s sometimes believed that you need a considerable number of money to begin going. But this isn’t the case at all.

Factors to Consider before Starting Business with 100k

11 best businesses you can start under 100k investment, 1. online tutoring, 2. drop shipping, 3. pet-sitting, 4. vintage clothing store:, 5. freelance writing, 6. food and beverage, 7. manufacturing.

• 9. Real Estate

10. Healthcare:

11. retail business, final words:.

There are many businesses that can be started for less than $100k, and with the correct amount of preparation, effort, and persistence, these initiatives can be just as successful as those with greater budgets.

Many various types of businesses, ranging from providing consultancy services to selling goods online, can be launched with less than $100,000.

Hire our professional business plan writer Who helps with business plans

A. Location: Choosing a location that is accessible to your target audience and offers a suitable environment for your business.

B. Target audience: Identifying and researching the needs and preferences of your target customers.

C. Competition: Analyzing your competitors and understanding how to differentiate your business from them.

D. Legal requirements: Understanding and complying with local and national laws and regulations that affect your business.

E. Budgeting: Creating a budget that accurately reflects your expenses and revenue projections.

Online tutoring is a business that provides one-on-one or group lessons to students through video conferencing tools. Tutors can specialize in subjects such as math, science, English, or foreign languages.

To start this business, you will need a computer with a webcam and stable internet connection, as well as video conferencing software. You may also need to invest in marketing to reach potential students.

 Min. Estimated cost: $4000-$10000 for equipment and marketing.

Dropshipping is a business model where you run an e-commerce store but don’t keep inventory. Instead, you partner with a supplier who holds the inventory and ships the products directly to your customers.

This allows you to sell a wide range of products without having to invest in upfront business under 100k.

To start this business, you will need a website and an e-commerce platform, as well as a plan for marketing and reaching customers.

 Min. Estimated cost: $500-$1000 for a website and marketing.

Bonus: You can explore more dropshipping business idea s to help you choose the best one for you.

Pet-sitting is a business that provides in-home care for pets while their owners are away. This can include feeding, walking, and playing with the pets, as well as general care and attention.

To start this business, you will need a love for animals, a reliable means of transportation, and a plan for marketing and reaching pet owners.

 Min. Estimated Cost: $5000-$20000 for equipment, Toys, Food, Accessories, and marketing.

 A vintage clothing store is a business that sources and sells vintage clothing and accessories to customers.

To start this business, you will need to research and source vintage clothing and accessories, create a store or online platform, and plan your marketing and outreach.

 Min. Estimated Cost: $1000-$5000 for inventory and marketing.(May be more Depending on the size of your business)

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Freelance writing is a business that provides writing services to clients on a project or ongoing basis. As a freelance writer, you can specialize in areas such as blog posts, articles, copy writing, or technical writing.

To start this business, you will need a portfolio of writing samples, a website, and a plan for marketing and reaching clients.

Min. Estimated Cost: $500-$1000 for a website and marketing.

The cost will depend on the size and location of the business, as well as the equipment and staffing required. Entrepreneurs can expect to spend anywhere from $50k to $100k or more to start a food and beverage business.

Starting a food and beverage business can involve opening a restaurant, café, food truck, or any other food-related establishment.

Starting a manufacturing business involves producing a product or a line of products. The cost of starting a manufacturing business will depend on the product being manufactured, the equipment required, and the production process.

Starting a manufacturing business can cost under $100k, depending on the product being manufactured, the equipment required, and the production process.

Entrepreneurs can expect to spend anywhere in this business under $100k to start a fitness business.

To starting a fitness business can involve opening a gym, fitness studio, or personal training business. The cost will depend on the size and location of the business, as well as the equipment and staffing required.

Starting a fitness studio or gym can cost up to $100k, depending on the equipment, space, and staff needed.

9. Real Estate 

Businessman can expect to spend anywhere to start a real estate business under 100k or more.

To start a real estate business can involve opening a real estate brokerage or property management company. The cost will depend on the size and location of the business, as well as the marketing efforts and technology used.

Starting a healthcare business can involve opening a medical practice, home healthcare service, or any other healthcare-related establishment.

The cost will depend on the type of business, equipment, staffing, and regulatory requirements. Entrepreneurs can expect to spend anywhere max. $100k to start a healthcare business.

Starting a retail business can involve opening a brick-and-mortar store, online store, or any other retail-related establishment.

The cost will depend on the size and location of the business, as well as the inventory and marketing efforts. Entrepreneurs can expect to spend anywhere from $40k to $100k or more to start a retail business.

Free Sample Business Plans

Access our free sample business plans now!

Starting a business under 100k is possible with the right business opportunity. From online stores to social media marketing and dropshipping, there are numerous opportunities available for entrepreneurs looking to start a business with a limited budget. 

So, take the leap and start your entrepreneurial journey today.

Best of Luck!

 Focusing on businesses that can be started with $100k allows individuals with a specific capital amount to explore entrepreneurial opportunities within their financial means. These businesses often have lower startup costs, making them more accessible and viable options for aspiring entrepreneurs.

The determination of the “best” businesses to start with $100k involves considering various factors such as profitability potential, market demand, scalability, industry trends, and the overall feasibility of starting and operating the business with the available capital. Extensive research, industry analysis, and expert opinions contribute to evaluating and identifying the top businesses in this category.

The return on investment (ROI) for businesses can vary depending on several factors, including industry, location, market conditions, and individual efforts. While some businesses may offer a faster ROI, it is important to note that success and profitability are influenced by factors such as market conditions, competition, and the entrepreneur’s dedication, skills, and business acumen.

Many businesses that can be started with $100k are suitable for first-time entrepreneurs. They often offer lower entry barriers, provide training or support systems, and have proven business models. However, it is essential for potential entrepreneurs to thoroughly research and evaluate each opportunity based on their personal skills, interests, and long-term goals to ensure a good fit.

Starting any business involves inherent risks, and the same applies to businesses started with $100k. Risks can include market fluctuations, competition, regulatory challenges, financial uncertainties, and the overall success of the business idea. It is important for aspiring entrepreneurs to conduct due diligence, develop a comprehensive business plan, and be prepared to address and mitigate potential risks along the way.

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12+ Best Business Ideas to Start With $100K [2023 EDITION]

Are you dreaming of one day becoming your boss, but don’t quite know where to start?

Look no further: starting a business with just $100K is not only possible , but it can also be incredibly rewarding.

In this guide, we’ll explore the top businesses that you can launch today with just $100K in capital and how they may turn into lucrative endeavors for entrepreneurs looking for success.

From early-stage ventures to established companies, get ready to discover the best business opportunities that are within reach!

Table of Contents

Benefits of Starting a Business With 100K

Starting a business with just $100K can be incredibly beneficial for entrepreneurs wanting to become their bosses.

Not only does it reduce the financial risk, but also it allows you to remain in control of all decisions and decisions related to your company.

Here are some of the key benefits that you can take advantage of when launching a business with this minimal capital:

• Reduced Financial Risk: When starting a business with $100K or less, there is much less risk associated compared to those who require more capital and funding. You will have more flexibility when spending money on products, employees, or resources without having deep pockets full of cash.
• More Control: Being able to limit how much money is spent helps keep you in control over every decision made within your organization. This means that as an entrepreneur you don’t have any outside investors telling you what direction your venture should go in; rather, all decision-making power remains firmly in your hands!
• Cut Initial Costs: There’s no denying that many businesses require high costs just to get off the ground ( such as purchasing equipment or renting office space ). However, starting up on limited funds allows you to cut these initial costs drastically by either searching for second-hand deals or by looking into the possibility of working from home during the early stages.
• Broaden Your Horizons: Starting a business with $100K or less allows you to apply your skills and knowledge in a variety of different industries. You have the chance to test out various ideas without too much financial commitment and can therefore look at wider markets as well as customer segments which could be beneficial for long-term growth.
• Build Momentum Quickly: With limited funds, you’ll need to move quickly when launching your business if it is going to succeed – this means that decisions will be made swiftly, mistakes are likely inevitable but you’ll also benefit from building momentum quicker than those who require larger capital investments upfront.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Business

Choosing the right business to start with $100K is no small feat.

To make sure you get off on the right foot, there are a few important factors that you need to consider before taking the plunge. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Market Research

Before investing in any business venture, it’s essential to conduct thorough market research so that you can understand who your competitors are and how best to position yourself for success within your chosen industry.

You’ll also want to consider current trends and customer needs when researching different markets so that you can figure out which niche might be most profitable for your specific product or service.

Business Plan

A comprehensive business plan is key when starting with $100K; this document will help ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of your financials as well as how the company will operate once up and running.

Make sure you include detailed information about capital investment, expected revenue streams, marketing strategies , operating costs, and potential growth opportunities within the plan itself, otherwise investors may not take you seriously!

Legal Structures & Taxes

Researching legal structures such as LLCs or corporations should come next – these frameworks dictate how taxes are paid and other aspects like ownership and control over the company.

Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that you understand the different tax obligations associated with starting a business in your region; knowing how much of your $100K will be taken away by taxes can help you plan accordingly and make sure that you have enough capital left for other important activities like marketing or hiring employees.

Funding Sources

Once you’ve done all of the above, it’s time to start thinking about where funding is going to come from after launch.

This may include venture capitalists or angel investors who could provide additional capital necessary for growth , but these are often hard to find and require a significant amount of networking and relationship-building upfront.

Other options such as loans ( both traditional and online ), crowdfunding platforms , or small business grants should also be explored when looking for potential sources of financing with minimal risk involved.   

By considering each factor carefully before starting, entrepreneurs can better prepare themselves for success and realize their dreams with just $100K!

Best Businesses to Start With 100K

With just that amount of capital, entrepreneurs have a variety of options to choose from.

From growing established companies to early-stage ventures, discover our list of 12 top opportunities and ideas for starting a business with only $100K in the capital.

Online Business

Starting an online business with $100K is a great way to begin your entrepreneurial journey, as you can reach a large and potentially global audience through the power of the internet.

From launching an e-commerce store to offering digital services such as web design or content writing, there are many opportunities available for those eager to tap into this ever-growing market.

Here we look at some of the best options and how to make them work for you: 

E-Commerce Store

An e-commerce store is a great choice for entrepreneurs looking to start a business with just $100k in the capital.

Not only can you create an online presence quickly and inexpensively, but you’ll have the potential to reach a vast audience without spending too much on marketing or advertising.

In addition, customers now expect businesses of all sizes to offer products over the Internet, so any entrepreneur aiming for success must have an effective e-commerce solution set up from the get-go. 

Here are some tips on how to make your e-commerce store successful:

Develop a Solid Business Plan

Before starting any venture, you must develop an airtight business plan which outlines what services or products are available at your store; who will be your target audiences; and how will you be able to turn those visitors into customers.

Having this framework established beforehand will ensure that everything runs accordingly once it comes time to launch.

Leverage Social Media

Social media provides incredible opportunities for businesses of all sizes and budgets.

By taking advantage of platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, businesses can easily promote their services or products across multiple channels while building relationships with potential consumers along the way.

Constantly Review Analytics

Continuous monitoring of analytics will help you track visitor activity and behavior on your e-commerce store.

This data can then be used to tweak the storefront to make it more appealing and targeted toward specific demographics.

The regular analysis also helps entrepreneurs understand which services or products are performing well, allowing them to better adjust their strategy according to customer needs.

Invest in Marketing

Running an e-commerce store requires a great deal of effort behind the scenes to stand out from the competition.

Traditional advertising through radio and print may cost a bit more but they offer strong visibility that is not available elsewhere.

Additionally, investing time into content creation such as blog posts and videos can do wonders for creating awareness about your business online – even on limited budgets!

With these tips in hand, starting an e-commerce store with just $100k could very well prove to be a lucrative endeavor for aspiring business owners looking for success!

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is an attractive business model for those looking to start a business with just $100K.

It’s an e-commerce system where the seller never holds any inventory – instead, they list products on their website and when a customer places an order, they purchase it from one of their suppliers who then ships it directly to the customer.

This eliminates most of the upfront costs associated with opening a traditional brick-and-mortar store or stocking up on large inventories. 

Dropshipping can be incredibly profitable if done correctly, and there are many successful drop shippers out there today that have built powerful businesses with very little capital investment.

To get started, you’ll need to find suppliers that offer competitive prices and reliable shipping services so that your customers receive their orders quickly and in good condition.

You should also focus on creating high-quality marketing content so that your shop stands out from the competition and drives more sales.

Finally, make sure to stay current on trends in this rapidly changing industry by reading blogs about dropshipping strategies and best practices regularly!

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is an accessible and cost-effective way to start your own business with just $100K.

The concept of affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services from another company for a commission, rather than having to create and sell your products.

As an affiliate marketer, you can use social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook to promote these products or leverage search engine optimization (SEO) techniques on Google and other popular sites.

With the right strategies in place, there’s potential for great rewards with this form of low-investment business – making it one of the best businesses you can start with just $100K!

If you’re looking for a business opportunity that requires minimal capital and offers the potential for major returns, blogging could be the answer.

Offering low startup costs, scalability, and an unlimited audience , blogging is an attractive option for entrepreneurs looking to make their mark – especially with just $100K in the capital!

Here’s what you need to know about launching a profitable blog:

• Know Your Niche: One of the most important steps to launching your successful blog is finding your niche. Take some time to research different topics and find which one resonates best with you; this will ensure maximum engagement from readers who are interested in what you have to offer them on your platform.
• Create Catchy Content: Once you’ve identified your niche, it’s time to get writing! Keep up-to-date on current trends to provide content that appeals specifically to your target audience; use catchy headlines and engaging visuals throughout each post as well as social media posts promoting them to maximize views at the least cost possible.
• Get Paid: When running a business of any kind, profitability is key–and blogging is no exception! Utilize affiliate marketing or sponsored posts within the framework of FTC guidelines so that each post is helpful and informative for your blog followers and profitable to you. Finally, look into running ads on your blog as a way to earn additional revenue – the more visits, the higher potential for income!

Digital Marketing Agency

A digital marketing agency is one of the best businesses to start with $100K due to its potential for tremendous growth and returns.

From developing an effective search engine optimization (SEO) strategy to creating compelling social media campaigns, a well-crafted digital marketing plan can help your business reach new heights.

With an experienced team of dedicated professionals at your side, you’ll be able to maximize visibility online and increase leads by targeting key demographics across various platforms.

Plus, if you decide to offer services that go beyond basic SEO and website design like pay-per-click advertising or content creation, you may even see profits turn over faster than expected!

Starting a franchise business with just $100K is an increasingly attractive option for aspiring entrepreneurs.

By investing in a franchise, you’ll benefit from the knowledge and expertise of an established brand while still owning your own business. 

From fast food to beauty salons, countless franchises require relatively small initial investments and promise high returns – making them excellent options for those who want to start their businesses with only $100K in capital.

With franchising, you can minimize risk while maximizing profits – all without sacrificing the autonomy of running your successful venture!

Service-Based Business

Service-based businesses offer services such as web design, accounting, and consulting – and can be easily scaled depending on your resources.

Taking advantage of the offerings in this market can present many growth opportunities, particularly if you have the right skillset necessary to run this type of venture.

Read below to explore four service-based business ideas that you can start today with just $100K!

Event Planning

When it comes to businesses with a low barrier of entry and fast ROI , event planning tops the list.

For just $100K you can build an exciting business that involves creating memorable experiences for clients by planning events like corporate functions, weddings, and fundraising galas.

Event planners must be able to think on their feet – not only managing logistics but also having a creative eye for décor, entertainment, and food. 

The rewards from this type of business are high ; not only do you get to exercise your creativity but you can develop meaningful relationships with satisfied customers who will bring more opportunities your way.

Whatever kind of events you choose to focus on, remember that excellent communication is key when launching an event planning business – make sure all details are discussed up-front before signing contracts!

Personal Training

Starting a personal training business with $100K can be an excellent way to get started in the fitness industry.

As a personal trainer, you’ll have the

• chance to work directly with clients,
• help them reach their goals, and
• make an impact on their lives through exercise and nutrition advice.

With your $100K starting capital, you can incorporate services such as online sessions or purchase equipment like kettlebells and resistance bands for at-home workouts.

Investing in good marketing tools will also be beneficial to getting your name out there and earning more clients.

Home Cleaning

Starting a home cleaning business is one of the most profitable businesses to start with just $100K.

Home cleaning services offer an affordable and reliable way for people to care for their homes without any upfront costs.

Not only does a home cleaning business provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs to be their boss, but it also offers flexibility, enabling you to set your hours and determine how much you can earn each day.

Whether it’s occasional deep cleaning or regular maintenance sessions, there’s always money to be made in the home cleaning industry !  

Additionally, starting this type of business requires relatively few resources which makes it a great choice if you’re looking to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey with limited capital.

With proper planning and marketing strategies in place, owning a home cleaning service could just be what propels your career as an entrepreneur into a success!

Lawn Care Services

Starting a lawn care business can be an incredibly lucrative and rewarding venture, especially when done right.

With just $100K in the capital, you have the potential to break into a booming market that is only getting bigger as homeowners continue to invest in their properties and landscaping.

By offering professional services such as fertilization, weed control, mowing and trimming, and garden and flower bed maintenance, you can quickly become your boss and make a healthy income from this growing industry.

Plus, because it’s relatively low-cost to get started ( compared to other businesses of its size ), it’s also one of the best options for those with limited funds at their disposal.

Real Estate Investment

From purchasing rental properties that generate monthly cash flow to flipping houses, or even investing in REITs ( real estate investment trusts ), the options are varied and quite profitable.

Before diving into real estate investments, however, it’s important to understand some of the basics such as how different types of real estate investments work and what costs you might incur while investing in them.

Did you know?

You can start your own rental property business with absolutely $0! Yes, you read that right. Don’t believe us, you can check that out below: 👉 How to Start a Rental Property Business With No Money

Not only will this help you make informed decisions but also ensure that your money is put to good use.

Here are some key points on real estate investments worth considering before making any commitments:

• Understand Your Goals – Decide whether you want short-term profits through house flipping or long-term stability with rental properties so that you may choose accordingly from the variety of strategies available in real estate markets today.
• Research Property Markets – Investigate past property price trends over time within target areas/neighborhoods where market data is available for predicting potential capital gains prices over some time.
• Have A Strategy – Be prepared! Plan out which type of financing strategy works best for you: conventional bank loans, hard money lenders, etc., and crunch those numbers beforehand.
• Stay Educated – Research the latest real estate trends and never stop learning from seasoned professionals in the field. Good information is key to success in any business venture, especially when it comes to a long-term investment like real estate.
• Hire Professionals – Keep an eye out for experienced local agents or property managers who can help you maximize returns on your investments and evaluate potential properties accurately.

Food Truck Business

If you’re looking to get into the food industry in a big way with minimal capital, then starting a food truck business is an option worth considering.

With just $100K, you can purchase and equip your mobile kitchen that can take your culinary creations on the road.

Not only do food trucks enable entrepreneurs to reach larger audiences with their offerings, but they also offer great flexibility while operating at lower costs than competing restaurant concepts.

Whether it’s breakfast items or gourmet cuisine – you can create unique menus with recipes tailored for different occasions and events; plus there are numerous ways to monetize your concept through catering services as well as partnerships.

If you need help getting started, contact local resources such as commercial kitchen rental facilities or speak to other experienced operators to learn from their experiences!

How to Start a Business With 100K

Starting a business with limited capital can be daunting at first, but the right strategies and planning will help you maximize the potential of your $100K.

Here is a step-by-step guide to getting started on your journey:

Step 1: Get organized

First things first – take some time to define what type of business you want to create and set yourself realistic goals that are achievable within a given timeframe.

Brainstorm ideas, research any legal requirements related to setting up shop, consider industry trends, and develop detailed financial projections for your new venture.

Step 2: Develop an effective strategy

Developing an effective strategy requires comprehensive market research including studying competitors’ strengths & weaknesses as well as customer sentiment towards them to gain insight into how best to position yourself for success in this space it’s important you know who the target customers are so you can tailor products/services accordingly.

Step 3: Assemble resources & personnel

You must assemble all necessary resources ( including both financial resources such as funding sources or investors ) along with qualified personnel needed for running operations day-to-day depending on what type of business is being set up – sales associates, bookkeepers, etc.

Step 4: Market Efficiently

Marketing is essential when starting and will be critical in driving sales and establishing your brand . Identify the right channels to market your business, create a marketing plan that aligns with the goals & resources available along with setting measurable objectives for success.

Also, consider various online and offline mediums when launching as they can be inexpensive yet highly effective in reaching potential customers.

Step 5: Utilize technology

Take advantage of technological advancements such as cloud services or digital tools that can help you manage operations more effectively such as inventory systems, customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, or accounting tools like QuickBooks – all of which come at an affordable cost nowadays.

Step 6: Assess progress

Finally, it’s important to take time out periodically to assess how well your venture is doing against established goals/objectives so you can make necessary adjustments if required – also referred to commonly known as ‘pivoting’ in business jargon!

With these steps taken into consideration, you are well on your way toward starting a successful business using only $100K!

Tips for Running a Successful Business

Running a successful business is no easy feat and involves many moving pieces.

From establishing the right team to staying on top of financials, having the knowledge and resources you need to ensure success can make all the difference.

Below are some tips for keeping your business running efficiently and growing sustainably over time:

• Maintaining a positive attitude is one of the most important keys to success in business, no matter how large or small.

A successful business owner knows that having an optimistic outlook affects not only your ability to form meaningful relationships with customers and colleagues but also contributes to finding creative solutions for any challenges you may face.

• Prioritizing customer service must be another cornerstone of running a successful business.

As such, provide exceptional service for all customers by treating them as if their needs are the top priority.

Demonstrating appreciation for customer feedback, responding quickly to inquiries, and addressing complaints swiftly will help build trust among employees and clients alike – helping you sustain success over time.   

• Staying organized is critical when it comes to managing resources efficiently while growing a successful business.

Make sure everyone has access to the information they need to stay on task and up-to-date on company activities at all times; this could involve creating efficient systems like employee schedules or scheduling software updates/upgrades ahead of time so production isn’t interrupted during busy periods.

• Continuously innovating and improving should be part of any effective business strategy.

Since staying competitive means regularly adapting your services or products according to consumer trends or technology advancements; keeping accounts of your products and services up-to-date will help attract customers and build a loyal customer base.

• Finally, staying on top of finances is essential for any business owner to maintain profitability.

Knowing how to interpret financial reports – such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements can provide greater insight into the company’s performance over time.

This will also help you stay ahead of potential problems while allowing you to make informed decisions regarding investments or expansion opportunities in the future.

Risks and Challenges of Starting a Business

Starting a business with $100K is an exciting endeavor , but it comes with its own set of risks and challenges.

Many aspiring entrepreneurs often underestimate the amount of time, effort, and resources involved in launching a successful venture.

With limited capital available to invest, there are often more obstacles to contend with than expected at the outset.

To ensure that your business has the best chance of succeeding, you must be aware of potential risks and develop strategies for overcoming them.

It’s important to identify any market gaps or competitive advantages that can give your business an edge over others before committing any funds or resources to start up shop.

Additionally, proper legal advice should always be sought out before officially opening for business to mitigate any possible liabilities down the road.

Finally, setting realistic expectations around both short-term and long-term goals will help keep you on track toward achieving success from day one!

Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Business

When starting a business with only $100K , it is essential to avoid common mistakes that can quickly derail your success and put you at risk of losing all or part of your investment.

It’s always important to carefully consider the decisions you make when launching any kind of venture to minimize potential losses.

With this in mind, here are some key mistakes to be aware of when beginning a business:

Failing to Do Adequate Research

Investing in a new business without thorough market research is one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make.

Before investing any money, it’s important to understand the industry landscape and know what kind of competition there might be for your product or service.

Additionally, studying customer trends helps ensure there will be enough demand for your offering before taking on significant financial risks associated with startup costs and operational expenses.

Skimping On Legal Protection

When starting, entrepreneurs often try to forget about legal matters such as trademarks or contracts until later stages – but procrastination can lead to costly problems down the road.

Once you launch a business (particularly if customers are involved), proper legal protection needs to be established right away by setting up documents like contracts, non-disclosure agreements, etc, so that the business can operate safely and securely.

Underestimating Startup Costs

When starting a business on a tight budget, it’s easy to underestimate the necessary costs of operations – but this kind of oversight can have serious consequences later on.

It is important to understand all expenses related to launching and operating the business, such as rent/utilities, employee wages, marketing spending, etc., so that you don’t find yourself in financial trouble down the road from too little cash flow.

Not Having an Exit Strategy

Starting up with little capital means that entrepreneurs need to be prepared for anything that might come their way – including failing or selling the business one day ; this is why having an exit strategy should always be part of your plan when investing in any kind of venture.

Knowing how and when you would like to leave your company ensures that you are prepared should something unexpected happen and allows more control over potential outcomes if needed.

Starting a business with $100K can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.

With the right combination of financial planning and smart decision-making , you can launch an enterprise that is profitable and sustainable in the long run.

From drop shipping to investing in real estate or starting your franchise, there are many great options available for those looking to start their project with minimal risk.

Whichever option you choose, make sure that you take the time to do your research so as not to squander away your hard-earned capital before getting off the ground!

FAQs on Best Business to Start With $100K

What are the best business ideas to start with $100k.

There are several options for starting a business with $100K, including e-commerce, franchise ownership, and consulting services. It’s essential to conduct market research and evaluate the feasibility of your chosen business idea before investing your money.

How can I determine which business to start with $100K?

To determine which business to start with $100K, you should consider your skills and interests, evaluate the demand for your chosen industry, and assess the potential profitability of your business idea. You can also seek advice from business mentors and industry experts to guide your decision.

Is it possible to start a profitable business with $100K?

Yes, it is possible to start a profitable business with $100K, especially if you invest wisely and choose a high-demand industry. However, business success also depends on factors such as marketing strategy, customer service, and overall management skills.

What are the benefits of owning a franchise with $100K?

Owning a franchise with $100K has several benefits, including a proven business model, established brand recognition, and ongoing support from the franchisor. Franchise ownership can also provide a higher likelihood of success compared to starting a new business from scratch.

What are the risks of starting a new business with $100K?

Starting a new business with $100K involves several risks, including market competition, economic volatility, and potential financial losses. To mitigate these risks, it’s crucial to develop a solid business plan, conduct thorough market research, and carefully manage your finances.

What are the best e-commerce business ideas to start with $100K?

Some of the best e-commerce business ideas to start with $100K include dropshipping, affiliate marketing, and online courses. E-commerce businesses can provide a high-profit margin and low overhead costs, making them an attractive option for entrepreneurs.

How can I make sure my business is successful with a $100K investment?

To ensure the success of your business with a $100K investment, you should focus on building a strong brand, developing a unique selling proposition, and providing exceptional customer service. It’s also important to stay up-to-date with industry trends and adjust your business strategies accordingly.

Rahul is a former medical student turned business blogger who founded NamesPilot to share his passion for entrepreneurship. After successfully launching several online ventures, he now runs his blog full-time, providing tips and insights to help others build their own businesses.

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63 Businesses to Start for Under $10,000 Need new inspiration for a business you can start with $10,000? Here are over 60 profitable business ideas you can run with now.

By Entrepreneur Staff

You know you want to start something for yourself. You just need to funnel your ambition and time into an idea that'll earn extra cash, make you proud and possibly lead to a full-time venture and good money. Even better will be if you get that amazing moment when you say "I quit!" to your boss. But what great idea should you start?

From childcare, fix-it services, and party planning to business consulting, artisan manufacturing, and resume writing, there is a business for every skill level, interest and budget in our list of ideas you can start for less than $10,000 . While there are probably 10,000 small businesses you can start for cheap, our 63 ideas listed here can even be started for less than $2,000!

Related: Here Are 55 Small Business Ideas

These businesses can be started on a full- or part-time basis. Your location may be your client's homes or businesses, a work van or truck, a small storefront, or even just a website. You'll advertise locally with fliers and coupons, cold-call potential clients, or set up shop with a website and online advertising campaign-finding customers will depend on the business idea you choose.

Related: 5 Affordable Franchises You Can Start for Less Than $10,000

Each idea includes an overview of the business, a skill level recommendation needed to provide the service or create the product, ideas for marketing your business, and current average rates others are charging in this field. We've also included a list of resources for each business idea, including business associations, websites and books, which will help you continue your research should an idea spark your passion. Featuring a resource in this list of ideas is by no means an endorsement of the company or publication; it is the responsibility of every entrepreneur to make sure he or she is doing business with reputable organizations. Rather, these are the just first resources for your journey from idea to business ownership.

Business ideas under $2,000 Business ideas under $10,000

Resume Service

Under $2,000.

Finding the perfect words to describe why people's experiences, special skills, and interests make them the right candidate for a job is difficult work. That's why resume services continue to flourish despite the fact that most people have the tools (a computer and word processing program) to write their own. If you are a wordsmith with a human resources, management, or administration background, this idea may be the perfect opportunity for you.

One of the best aspects about the idea of starting a resume service is that you can start small, part-time, and have a low investment by working at home with your current computer. It's the perfect opportunity for people looking to earn an extra few hundred dollars a month. In addition to resumes, other ideas include writing cover letters and thank-you notes, assisting with LinkedIn profiles, and helping clients build portfolios if their industry requires them. As a way to separate your resume service idea from competitors', considering offering consulting on how to dress for interviews, how to handle themselves in a stressful interview situation, how to make follow-up telephone calls, how to prepare for interviews, and how to network for that dream job. Advertise locally, online, and through career expos. Once established, word-of-mouth advertising and customer testimonials will go a long way to keeping you busy with this business idea.

Related: How to Start a Business Online

At a Glance

Investment: Under $2K

Skill Level: 1-2

The National Resume Writers' Association

Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches

Knock 'em Dead Resume Templates by Martin Yate (Adams Media, 2014)

Resumes That Stand Out! by L. Xavier Cano (Chester Publishing, 2014)

Personal Shopper

If you love to shop, this is the business idea for you. Earn great money and have fun by starting a personal shopping service assisting people who are too busy to shop, who don't like to shop, or who can't get out to do their own shopping. Lots of busy and well-heeled people love the idea of hiring personal shoppers to select gifts for any number of special occasions, including birthdays, births, weddings, holidays, and anniversaries. And it's not just new products they're after: Personal shoppers are also hired by interior designers and collectors to rummage through flea markets, consignment shops, antique dealers, and garage sales for collectibles, art, books, antiques, and funky home and office decor.

Corporations hire personal shoppers to purchase gifts for customers, prospects, business partners, investors, employees, and executives, as well as to purchase products for gift bag giveaways at special upcoming events, ceremonies and seminars. Seniors and other people who may find it difficult to get around hire personal shoppers to purchase groceries, clothing and other home and personal products. Best of all, no experience is required to get started. If you love to shop, have good taste, are creative, and don't mind networking with business owners, corporate executives and people from all walks of life, you're qualified to turn the personal-shopper business idea into a reality.

Skill Level: 1

• International Association of Professional Personal Shoppers
• Personal Shoppers Association
• FabJob Guide to Become a Personal Shopper by Peter J. Gallanis, Tag Goulet and Laura Harrison McBride (FabJob Guides, 2005)
• Start Your Own Personal Concierge Service by Entrepreneur Press and Ciree Linsenman (Entrepreneur Press, 2011)

Homebased Alteration Service

Calling all people with sewing skills and a sewing machine! It's time to capitalize on your talent and ideas by providing garment and fabric alteration services right from the convenience of your home-based business, and earn a bundle of money in the process.

Dry cleaners, fashion retailers, uniform retailers, bridal boutiques, costume shops, drapery studios, and consignment clothing shops--all are potential customers for your service. In fact, any businesses that retail or rent clothing of any sort are potential customers, and for that matter so is any person who is in need of alteration services.

Try this idea as a quick-start marketing method: put on a comfortable pair of shoes and start calling on businesses most likely to require alteration services. Offer free pick-up and delivery, fast turnaround times, great service, and quality workmanship, all at fair prices. Your business clients benefit because they can offer alteration services to customers for free, ensuring repeat business. Or, they can make it in to a profit center by marking up what you charge. Along with your sewing skills, you will need the tools of the sewing trade and reliable transportation to bring this business idea to fruition.

Skill Level: 2

• Association of Sewing and Design Professionals
• Custom Tailors and Designers Association

Valet Parking Service

A driver's license, the ability to obtain third-party liability insurance, and an outgoing friendly personality are the three essentials for the business idea of a special-events valet parking service. The business can be started with minimal cash, is a great part-time idea, and the profit potential is excellent, as rates for valet parking services are in the range of $50 to $70 per hour for a two-to-three person crew. And it goes almost without saying that tips can really add up!

There are many great ideas to market your valet parking services directly to consumers hosting parties and events, corporations hosting conventions and other event and wedding planners, trade show organizers, and charity groups and organizations. Uniforms worn by all staff and emblazoned with your business name and slogan, along with incredible customer service and a smile, will make a great impression on customers that is sure to secure lots of repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.

• National Parking Association

Children’s Party Service

A love of children and party planning are the two most important prerequisites for starting and operating a children's party service. And this is a hot business idea: Parents are spending much more on their kids' parties than they did a generation ago. The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions reports that the average revenue for hosting a kid's birthday shindig is $370. There are two ways to run a children's party service. First, you can operate on a mobile basis and throw the party at your clients' locations. Second, you can host the parties from a rented space or reserved park, requiring partygoers to come to you. Regardless of whether you operate mobile or from a fixed location, duties remain the same -- plan the party, decorate, provide entertainment, food, and beverages, stage games and contests, and make the event one heck of a lot of fun for kids and their parents. Rates will vary depending on the menu, entertainment, games, and frills, but start at about $20 per guest and go as high as $100 per guest for highly specialized and themed party ideas.

• Event Planners Association
• Start Your Own Kid-Focused Business by Entrepreneur Press and Krista Thoren Turner (Entrepreneur Press, 2008)
• Start Your Own Event Planning Business by The Staff of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. and Cheryl Kimball (Entrepreneur Press, 2015)

Cake and Cupcake Bakery

Making, decorating, and selling one-of-a-kind cakes and cupcakes for occasions ranging from birthdays to weddings to anniversaries is a great business idea for the hobby baker to pursue, and one that is potentially very profitable. You can get started on a shoestring budget by baking and decorating right in your own kitchen. Contact wedding planners, photographers, bridal shops, event coordinators, restaurants, kids party planners, and catering companies to let them know about the specialty cakes you bake and sell. An effective marketing idea is to send samples of your cakes to make sure they send business your way.

Create a website with photos of your creations, and post those photos on social media sites. On a large scale, you can rent commercial kitchen space so you have enough room to mass-produce cakes that can be sold wholesale to restaurants and grocery stores. Baking and decorating specialty cakes can be a very profitable business idea, as ingredient costs are only about 15 to 20 percent of the retail selling price.

Skill Level: 1-3

• International Cake Exploration Societé
• National Association of Wedding Professionals

Personal Chef

Take your pots and pans, cooking skills, and love of food, and hit the road as a personal chef for hire. Prepare gourmet meals for people hosting house parties, special occasion events such as birthdays or anniversaries, and corporate luncheons -- basically anywhere there is a kitchen on-site that you can use to create your mouth-watering gourmet masterpieces.

Personal chef services are quickly becoming a popular alternative for people who do not have the budget for a full-scale catered event and for others hosting small gatherings not requiring complete catering services. The advantages for this startup idea in comparison to a full-service catering business are apparent: low overhead and initial investment, full-time or part-time operating hours and easy management from home. That idea may appeal to people who want to slow down, but at the same time want to earn an excellent income doing something they love.

Promote your personal chef service idea by joining business associations and community social clubs to network and spread the word about your business and menu. The service can easily be supported by word-of-mouth advertising and repeat business once established, providing the food is great and the service is second-to-none. Additionally, building alliances with party planners and event coordinators is a marketing idea sure to land work. Rates vary according to factors such as the supply of food and the type of menu requested. However, average earnings are $35 to $50 per hour.

Skill Level: 2-3

• American Personal & Private Chef Association
• United Stated Personal Chef Association
• The Professional Personal Chef by Candy Wallace and Greg Forte (Wiley, 2007)

Artisanal Food Manufacturing

Do you have a secret recipe that makes friends salivate? A particular obsession for a certain ingredient like local honey or vanilla extract? Many entrepreneurs just like you are making small-batch foods in their kitchens to sell at upscale food shops, local restaurants, and farmers' markets. Ideas include infused oils, flavored salt, candies and truffles, salsas and hot sauces, jerky, pickled vegetables, and fruit jellies and butters. Quality is key as consumers will expect the best local ingredients if they are paying a premium for your homemade goods. A good back story and excellent salesmanship helps, too!

First, educate yourself on local and federal laws regarding your idea of what you will be making in your kitchen and food labeling regulations. You may need to entertain the idea of renting space at a community commercial kitchen that caters to businesses just like yours. Second, make sure you are creating your food safely, especially if you are canning foods. Then, start cooking! Have friends and family act as tasters until you perfect your creations. Then hit the local farmers and craft markets and street fairs to sell your goodies.

Rate: Varies

• Food Craft Institute
• Small Food Business
• Start & Run a Home-Based Food Business by Mimi Shotland Fix (Self-Counsel Press, 2013)
• Starting a Part-Time Food Business by Jennifer Lewis (Rabbit Ranch Publishing, 2011)
• Start Your Own Specialty Food Business by The Staff of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. and Cheryl Kimball (Entrepreneur Press, 2016)

Music Lessons

If you know how to sing, play guitar, piano, drums, or a wind or string instrument well enough to teach others, then what are you waiting for? Capitalize on your talents and earn a great full- or part-time income by teaching clients how to play your instrument of choice. Classes can be conducted one-on-one or in a group format, at your home, the student's home, a rented commercial space, or at a community facility, in conjunction with community programmers , continuing education, or an established music store. Expanding the business idea requires nothing more than hiring other experienced musicians to teach students. Fees are split -- basically, you find the students, your instructors teach the classes, and everyone profits. Lesson rates will vary depending on class size, skill level and instrument, but on average, group lessons cost students $10 to $20 per hour and one-on-one lessons are in the range of $40 per hour, plus the costs of instrument rentals or purchases, course materials, and sheet music. Alternately, if you prefer the idea of teaching music without the added work of operating a business, then subcontract your musical teaching talents to an existing music school and earn in the range of $15 to $25 per hour.

• Music Teachers National Association
• National Association for Music Education
• National Association of Teachers of Singing
• National Guild of Piano Teachers

Arts and Crafts Instructor

Knitting, painting, printmaking, and many other arts and crafts have gained popularity in recent years. People are more than willing to shell out their hard earned money to learn. If you have mastered an art or craft, why not train others and earn substantial profits for your efforts? Day, evening, or weekend classes can be taught from a homebased studio, rented commercial space, in partnership with a crafts retailer, community center, or school.

Another idea is to offer lessons at art nights at bars and breweries. Promote your classes through local retailers, in community magazines and online event listings by posting fliers on community bulletin boards, and by exhibiting at arts and crafts shows. Creative entrepreneurs may even choose to film the training classes for online broadcast or sell instructions or patterns on craft marketplaces like Etsy. You can also create special classes for children on the weekends. The options are nearly limitless when you have a talent that other people want to learn. Rates vary depending on how many people are in each class and material and equipment requirements, but on average, arts and crafts instructors can expect to earn in the range of $25 to $50 per hour.

• Craft and Hobby Association

Pet Sitting

Many people have pets that cannot be boarded or left with friends or family when the need arises -- pets with chronic health conditions or exotic pets that are difficult to take care of, for example. Likewise, many people prefer the idea that their dogs, cats and other pets are in the safety and familiar surroundings of home as opposed to an unfamiliar boarding environment. When these pet owners want or need to be away from home there is only one solution available: Hire a pet-sitting service to come to their homes and take care of their beloved pets while they are away.

If your idea is to work on a small scale, you can be the pet sitter. But if your intention is to operate full-time with an eye on growth, you will need to hire or contract additional pet sitters. Good ideas for job candidates include pet-loving retirees and students. Market your pet-sitting services through pet-related businesses in your community such as veterinarians, pet food retailers, dog trainers, dog walkers, and pet-grooming services. Remember, many people also hire pet sitters for short periods of time -- a weekend away, a night out, or time off for family events. Therefore, you will need to develop fee schedules for long- and short-term pet-sitting jobs.

• National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
• Pet Sitters International
• Start Your Own Pet Business by Entrepreneur Press and Eileen Figure Sandlin (Entrepreneur Press, 2009)

Gardening Consultant

If you enjoy working in the great outdoors and playing in the dirt, and know a whole lot about flowers, trees, shrubs, and vegetable gardens, chances are you are the perfect candidate for the idea of starting a gardening consulting business. You will teach other would-be green thumbs everything they need to know so they can design, plant, and maintain a decorative or productive vegetable and herb garden. During the first consultation with clients, you ask questions to determine their idea for the type of garden and landscape features they want, their budgets and time frames, and whether they want to do the work to install the garden or hire others. From this point, based on your knowledge about plants, plant placement, soil, rocks, and fertilizers, you create a garden plan in step-by-step detail suited to each client's needs and garden criteria.

This is a terrific business idea for green-thumb entrepreneurs to stay active and fit because gardening work can be somewhat physically demanding, but at the same time earn an income in the range of $25 to $50 an hour. This is a business that will thrive on repeat customers and referrals once established. To get the ball rolling, advertise your services locally using newspaper advertisements and online. Then build a network of alliances at garden product retailers so they refer your services to their clients. You may even offer free seminars at local garden centers, churches and community center to spread the word.

• National Gardening Association
• Urban Farming

Backyard Nursery

People with green thumbs, a backyard, and some time, take note. Growing and selling trees and shrubs right from home is a fantastic way to earn an extra few thousand dollars every year or even every month, depending on your space and ambition. Surprisingly, not much yard space is required to generate excellent profits. Consider that you can purchase Japanese maple seedlings for about 75 cents each wholesale, plant them in pots or in burlap in the ground, wait a season or two while they grow, and resell them for $50 or more. A 20-foot square garden area is large enough to support 300 seedlings, which in turn can produce approximately 150 saleable trees annually when planting is alternated. That is as much as $7,500 every year from just a small patch of ground in your backyard. Imagine what you can earn by planting a 50-, 60-, or 100-square foot seedling tree garden. In addition to selling directly to consumers from home and through garden shows, you can also sell the trees and shrubs to garden centers and landscape contractors in volume at wholesale pricing.

• ArborDay.org
• Mike's Backyard Growing System
• Mother Earth News: Starting a Backyard Nursery

Business Plan Service

Did you know that a recent survey of new business owners revealed that only 33 percent surveyed had a formal business plan? With around 28 million small businesses in the United States, that points to fantastic market potential for a business plan service. To start such a service, you should have experience with business planning and be able to conduct the research and run the numbers a business plan requires.

Market your service by attending business networking meetings and be able to explain why a business needs a business plan. Also attempt to obtain a list of all new and renewal business registration licenses through your local business service center. In addition to new businesses, you can also aim marketing efforts at existing businesses and professionals who are expanding or need to update or create a new business plan. This service costs little to start and can be operated part-time or full-time, depending on your needs. Billing rates vary depending on the size and scope of the business plan being developed.

• Association of Management Consulting Firms
• Institute of Management Consultants USA
• Start Your Own Consulting Business by Entrepreneur Press and Eileen Figure Sandlin (Entrepreneur Press, 2014)

Online Researcher

If you like digging for information or miss spending hours in the library working on academic papers, and are looking to supplement your income, consider starting an internet research service. It's a great way to get paid for the time you spend reading and surfing on the internet! This business was once referred to as information brokering, but the name changed as the means of obtaining information changed. The business remains the same, however, as the information that was once researched and compiled from newspapers, trade magazines, and business and industry journals can now be found online.

You'll be delving into government and business reports and perhaps even interviewing people to find the information your clients need. An internet research service operates in two fashions. First, collect data and facts relevant to a specific topic or topics, and then sell the compiled data to individuals and businesses that require the kind of information you have compiled. Second, business owners and marketers often enlist the services of an internet researcher to find specific data and facts relevant to their particular business, industry, or market. In both cases, clients pay for information they are seeking. Billing rates for the services vary, depending on how much research time is required to compile the data and related costs, but expect to charge in the area of $25 to $35 per hour.

• Association of Internet Researchers
• Start & Run an Internet Research Business by Gergard W. Kautz (Self-Counsel Press, 2008)

Copywriting

If you have a talent for writing in a clear and concise manner that can build excitement and interest and motivate readers, listeners, and viewers to take the desired action, then starting a copywriting service might be just the right moneymaking opportunity for you. Copywriters prepare copy or text for websites, advertising, online and print marketing materials, press releases, TV and radio commercials, catalogs, and packaging labels. The demand for copywriting services is excellent, as most business owners, managers, and marketers do not have the time, skills, or inclination to prepare highly effective copy. Establishing alliances with graphic designers, publishers, editors, advertising agencies, and public relations firms is a good way to get your foot in the door, the telephone ringing, and the email pinging. You'll also want a well-written and designed online portfolio of your work. Copywriting fees vary greatly depending on what is being prepared and the size of the assignment, but average in the range of $50 per hour. If you have the required skills, additional passive income can also be earned by providing a full-complement of editing services, including proofreading, indexing, and production.

• Editorial Freelancers Association
• Professional Writers Association
• Kick-Ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps by Susan Gunelius (Entrepreneur Press, 2008)

Online Marketing and Social Media Consultant

When you're running a business, you rarely have time to hop onto Twitter or Facebook to interact with customers or offer special sales. And how many business owners know how to optimize their listing on Yelp, keep up with changing algorithms on Facebook, or figure out if they need to be on the newest social media channel? This is where your expertise as a social media guru comes into play. First, ensure your own online presence and social media sites are topnotch. To get experience, offer your services to local nonprofits or friends' businesses. Once you have the results in hand, market your services -- including information on how you've increased the social media and online presence of other businesses -- to local retailers, restaurants, personal service businesses and others. Network at local business associations, and visit business owners to sell your services. The demand for social media and online marketing will only continue to grow, so your clients will be grateful you can keep them up-to-date with the changing online landscape and in front of consumers' eyes.

• Internet Marketing Association
• Social Media Association
• Social Media Examiner
• Word-of-Mouth Marketing Association

Search Engine Optimization and Digital Advertising Consultant

In the old days, it was enough to take out an ad in the Yellow Pages to ensure potential customers would find your business. These days, you need a website, but you also need that website to rank high on search engines. How does the average business owner keep up? An online marketing and advertising consultant is similar to a marketing consultant in their goal--getting their clients new business -- but online consultants specialize in search engine optimization (SEO) and advertising on Google, Facebook, and other websites. Your expertise in this arena can help local businesses rise to the top of search results and ensure the advertising money they spend is well worth it. A background in digital marketing is required for this business, as well as the type of personality that thrives on change and new advances in their industry.

• Interactive Advertising Bureau
• National Search Engine Optimization Association
• SEMPO: Search Engine Marketing Professionals Organization

Floral Designer

If you love flowers and need to earn money to supplement your retirement income, then this just might be the right opportunity for you. If you have an eye for design, you are qualified to start your own floral design business. However, formal training is an asset, and there are a number of schools and community continuing education programs that offer floral design classes. Floral designers select flowers, greenery, and decorations to create appealing floral arrangements, such as bouquets, wreaths, and table centerpieces for any number of occasions -- weddings, funerals, social events, restaurants, and business functions. Designers also use a variety of tools and materials to produce the desired cut and shape, as well as foam, wire, tape, and all kinds of containers to hold and showcase their designs. Market your services by establishing alliances with event planners, wedding planners, catering companies, and funeral homes.

• American Institute of Floral Designers
• International Floral Design Association
• Society of American Florists
• How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Florist and Floral Business Online and Off by Stephanie Beener (Atlantic Publishing Group, 2012)
• Increase Profit from Your Florist Shop by Brendan Power (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015)

Fashion Accessories Designer

If you have a flair for design, then why not try your hand at designing fashion accessories? Get started by picking a fashion accessory to design, produce, and sell. It could be just about anything, including bridal veils, handbags, shoes, belts, belt buckles, scarves, costume jewelry, wraps, or wallets. Don't worry if your sewing or tooling skills are not up to par, because there are numerous fashion accessory manufacturers that will manufacture your designs under your name. The options for selling fashion accessories are also numerous. You can sell your wares online on Etsy and eBay, at craft fairs and consumer shows, or host in-home fashion accessory sales parties. If you are ambitious, you can also sell your products wholesale to fashion accessory retailers.

• Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Trade Association
• Fashion Design Course: Accessories by Jane Schaffer (Barron's Educational Series, 2012)
• Start Your Own Fashion Accessories Business by Entrepreneur Press and Eileen Figure Sandlin (Entrepreneur Press, 2009)

Building and selling children's toys is a great way to create cherished memories for children and to supplement your income at the same time. Just think of all of the toys that you can make -- wooden toys, dollhouses, stuffed animals, dolls, antique toy replicas, and puzzles, to name just a few. In fact, handcrafted toys often become treasured family heirlooms passed down to each new generation to enjoy. Fortunately, you do not need much in the way of special skills or equipment to start making and selling handmade toys, just a workshop space outfitted with basic hand and power tools or a sewing machine, the ability and patience to learn new crafting skills, and the creativity to create unique designs. With the rising interest in handmade crafts, you'll find a demand for handcrafted toys online, at local craft fairs and toy shows, and through consignment and wholesale at local boutiques.

• The Handmade Toy Alliance
• Toy Industry Association
• Making Heirloom Toys by Jim Makowicki (Taunton Press, 1996)

Essential Oils and Soaps Making

Manufacturing and selling essential oils and soaps from home is a unique business opportunity that will appeal to eco-friendly entrepreneurs who love handcrafted goods. By definition, essential oils are the volatile essences extracted from aromatic plants. They are up to 100 times more concentrated than the oils found in dried herbs and can be used as scents in a wide variety of health and beauty products, including cosmetics, body lotions, soaps, candles, aromatherapy burners, perfume, and aromatic potpourri products, or they can be applied directly to skin as a perfume. Soap is, of course, soap, but you can be incredibly creative making and selling soap products, using unique colors and scents, focusing on aromatherapy or organic ingredients, molding novelty soaps in fun shapes or with toys embedded inside, or extending your line into bath products like bath bombs and salts. You can get started making soaps and oils in your kitchen. A good setup for soap costs less than $500, but you may want to purchase a commercially manufactured distiller to create oils for about $1,000. Soaps and essential oils can be sold directly to consumers online, in local stores, or at craft fairs and farmers markets. Essential oils can also be sold in bulk to companies manufacturing and selling health and beauty products.

• Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild
• National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy
• Association For Creative Industries
• Bubbles to Bucks: How to Make Money Selling Soap by Elin Criswell (The Country Soaper, 2013)
• Pure Soapmaking: How to Create Nourishing Natural Ski Care Soaps by Anne-Marie Faiola (Storey Publishing, 2016)
• The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless (Conari Press, 2013)

Vintage Clothing Dealer

How do you strike it rich in the vintage clothing business? You start by spending weekends at flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, and auctions looking for vintage clothing and fashion accessories, such as hats, shoes, handbags, and scarves. While most clothing will net you a nice markup, you can also hit the jackpot if you uncover decades-old fashion from Channel, Pucci or another high-end designer. Vintage clothing dealers need to be knowledgeable about the value of vintage clothing and accessories to know what to buy, how much to pay, and what the resale price should be. Skill with removing stains and making small repairs (or knowing someone who can) is also a plus. The items you purchase can be resold for a profit directly to collectors and vintage clothing retailers, at antique markets held on weekends, in an antique mall booth, or through vintage clothing online marketplaces and eBay. You may even choose to open your own retail store.

• NARTS: The Association of Resale Professionals
• Vintage Fashion Guild
• Vintage Textile
• Start Your Own Clothing Store and More by Entrepreneur Press and Charlene Davis (Entrepreneur, 2010)

Image Consultant

Under $10,000.

Image consulting is an exciting business: You can get paid big bucks to help other people look and feel great. Working as an image consultant, you can help people land a new job, spruce up for an important occasion, make a great impression on others, or just feel good about the way they look and the image they project. Image consultants help people on many fronts, including:

• Wardrobe consulting and updating
• Current image analysis, and the development of a new image program
• Etiquette training that can be used in business and social situations
• Assistance in developing better communication skills through vocabulary enhancement and voice projection
• Assistance in developing skills such as the perfect handshake and perfect posture

Potential clients include corporate executives, people on the job market, politicians, people recovering from major illnesses and injuries, television and radio personalities, public speakers, sales professionals, and singles in or reentering the dating scene. Market your services by building a strong network of alliances that can refer their clients and contacts to your business. Be sure to include corporations, hair and makeup professionals, fitness trainers, and public relations consultants.

Investment: Under $10K

• Association of Image Consultants International

Nonmedical Home Care

One of the reasons that nonmedical home care is an exploding industry is our aging population. In the United States, people 65+ accounted for 12.9 percent of the population in 2009. That number will grow to 19 percent by 2030. So the need for extra care for our aging population isn't waning anytime soon. Generally, as people age they tend to need more personal attention. Nonmedical home-care services provide clients with a wide range of services specific to each individual's needs. These services can include companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping duties, laundry, running errands, trips to appointments, and shopping for groceries and other personal needs. In addition to seniors, nonmedical home-care workers can also provide similar services for new moms, people with disabilities, and people recovering from injury or illness. People who are reliable and compassionate thrive in this field. This is an easy service to start, with minimal skill and experience requirements, although all nonmedical home-care service workers are required to carry insurance and be bonded. You can provide the care yourself or grow to become an agency with contractors or employees.

• Family Caregiver Alliance
• Home Care Association of America
• Start Your Own Senior Services Business by Entrepreneur Press and Charlene Davis (Entrepreneur Press, 2014)

Makeup Artist

There are numerous occasions when professional makeup artistry is needed, such as weddings, film or TV shoots, professional photo shoots, important job interviews, public speaking engagements, and special occasions such as parties, reunions, and weddings. Some people may just want a makeover and lessons to feel more confident. What makes makeup artistry such a great opportunity is the flexibility it offers. You can work on a mobile basis, full- or part-time, and travel to your client's location. You can establish an independent shop or join forces with an established hair salon, day spa, or nail studio. Or you can freelance for cosmetic companies and work from retail cosmetic counters. You will want to build working relationships with wedding planners, event planners, and people in the fashion industry. Additionally, cosmetology training is recommended. Contact the associations listed below to inquire about class availability in your area.

• International Make-Up Association
• Professional Beauty Association

Personal Fitness Trainer

Calling all fitness gurus! The time has never been better than now to start your own personal fitness business teaching people from 5 to 95 how to live a more healthy life through exercise and nutritional programs. Although there are currently no universal certification requirements to be a personal trainer, anyone serious about operating this service should become certified. Contact the associations listed below for more information about certification programs offered in your area. Your target audience will include anyone who wants professional guidance. You can work one-on-one. You can specialize and train busy executives, kids, disabled people, moms-to-be, or seniors. Train at people's offices or homes. Open your own fitness studio, and offer one-on-one and group training programs. In addition to developing exercise programs to match each client's individual needs, personal trainers also conduct fitness assessments and provide nutritional coaching. Training in fitness clubs, community centers, retirement homes, hospitals, cruise ships, corporations, hotels, spas, resorts, camps, and schools are also other moneymaking options open to certified personal trainers.

• Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
• IDEA Health and Fitness Association
• International Fitness Association
• National Federation of Professional Trainers
• Start Your Own Personal Training Business by Entrepreneur Press and Ciree Linsenman (Entrepreneur Press, 2012)

Furniture Repairs and Refinishing

If you're handy with wood and upholstery, you can earn money repairing office and residential furniture, and refinishing antique furniture. The furniture-repair side of the business can be operated on a mobile basis working right from a fully equipped van, repairing furniture at your customer's location. Potential customers that commonly require furniture repair services include home and office movers, business owners, property managers, restaurants, hotels, and retailers of new and used furniture. The furniture-refinishing side of the business, namely antiques refinishing, can be conveniently operated from a well-equipped home workshop. Advertise this feature of the business by building alliances with antique dealers and interior designers who can refer their clients to your service. You can earn additional money by attending auction sales and buying furniture and antiques in need of repair and refinishing. Once they have been repaired and refinished, you can sell them for a profit via Craigslist, eBay, collector's shows and consignment shops.

• Professional Refinishers Group
• Restoration Industry Association
• The Furniture Bible by Chrisophe Pourny (Artisan, 2014)

Decorating Service

A myriad of popular TV shows on networks like HGTV and DIY network have fired up people's imaginations about how they can dramatically change the look of their homes on a relatively small budget. But there is a hook: Anyone involved with the decorating makeover must have a creative flair for decorating and design, and the skills and tools necessary to pull it all together. Not all homeowners have these skills and talents, but if you do, operating a decorating service might be right up your alley. For budget-minded clients, you can spend time at garage and estate sales, scrounge through flea markets, and scan local print and online classified ads for wacky decorative items, recycled building materials, and unique home furnishings. A flair for sewing, painting and wood furniture repair can also help you rehab unique items. All can be purchased and resold to clients at a profit as you redecorate rooms or their entire house. For well-heeled clients, stick with designer and brand-name products to transform their homes and offices into designer masterpieces. Market your service through home-and-garden shows, online by positioning yourself as a local decorating expert on social media, and by creating colorful before-and-after brochures that showcase your decorating talents.

American Society of Interior Designers

Certified Interior Decorators International

Interior Design Society

International Interior Design Association

Handyperson

Cash in on the multibillion-dollar home repair industry by starting your own handyperson service. Handyperson services require little explanation about the business opportunity. The main requirement for starting such a service is, of course, that you are handy with tools, have the required tools and equipment, and have a good working knowledge of many trades -- painting, carpentry, flooring, and plumbing. Basically, you should be a jack- or jill-of-all-trades. Currently, handyperson billing rates are in the range of $25 to $40 per hour, plus materials and a markup to cover the costs associated with handling and delivery. The service can be promoted and marketed to both residential and commercial clients through the Yellow Pages, online classifieds like Angie's List or Craigslist, fliers and door hangers, site and vehicle signage, door knocking, and home-and-garden shows. Repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals will become your main source of new business once you are established, providing you offer clients good value and excellent service.

• Association of Certified Handyman Professionals
• United Handyman Association

Commercial Cleaning

Commercial cleaning is a booming industry, generating billions in sales annually. Commercial cleaners basically perform the same services as residential cleaners -- dusting, vacuuming, and polishing, but on a larger scale and with the addition of services like replenishing paper products and soaps, washing windows, stripping floors, and emptying trash and recycling receptacles. The only real downside to commercial cleaning is that in most cases the cleaning must be performed nights and/or on weekends after the business or office closes, which is actually a positive for people who want to keep their day jobs but still be able to earn extra money working nights and weekends.

Rates generally tend to be higher for commercial cleaning than residential cleaning, in the range of $20 to $30 per hour, plus paper and other special supplies. Rates are typically higher because equipment costs are more, work such as floor stripping and waxing is more specialized, and once again, the nighttime aspect of the work enables you to charge a premium. Landing contracts will require you to get out and knock on doors. Visit businesses in your community to learn if they need cleaning services or when their cleaning services contracts come up for renewal. You can also buy commercial cleaning contracts, which is a common practice in this industry but expect to pay about three to five times the monthly value. For instance, if you want to earn $1,500 per month, this will cost you in the range of $4,500 to $7,500.

• International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association
• ISSA (Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association)
• Start Your Own Cleaning Service by Entrepreneur Press and Jacquelyn Lynn (Entrepreneur Press, 2014)

Rubbish Removal

A secondhand truck or trailer, shovels, rakes, and a few garbage cans are all you need to start a rubbish removal service. Rubbish removal can be charged by the hour, by the truckload, or by quote before removing the junk. If you can offer home and business owners fast and convenient rubbish removal services at competitive prices, word-of-mouth advertising will generate more work than you can handle. Be sure to build alliances with people who can refer your business to their customers and clients; these referral brokers include real estate agents, residential and commercial cleaners, professional organizers, and home service companies such as carpet cleaners, contractors, and property managers. If you're looking for a low-cost business startup that requires little in the way of skills or experience, a rubbish removal service is one of the better choices. After expenses and dumping fees, you should have no problem earning in the range of $25 to $40 per hour. A smart side business is foreclosure cleanup: Some of these homes have furniture and other items left behind that you could resell.

Chimney Sweep

Some experience is needed to clean chimneys, which makes a franchise chimney cleaning business a good choice for entrepreneurs without experience because training and the necessary equipment is provided when you purchase the franchise. The Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Chimney Sweep Guild also provide chimney sweep training. If you elect to work independently, you will need to purchase cleaning equipment such as ladders, roof jacks, and flue brushes, but these items are readily available at large centers and online, and are relatively inexpensive. In addition to experience and tools, another prerequisite is that you have no fear of heights, as much of your time working will be spent on rooftops and ladders. The average chimney will take one to two hours to clean and rates are in the $75 to $150 range per chimney cleaned, with discounts for houses with multiple chimneys. If you also have experience in masonry repairs, you can offer services such as repointing, brick sealing, installation of new liners, chimney rebuilding, and new pots and crowns to boost revenues and profits.

• The Chimney Safety Institute of America
• The Chimney Sweep News
• National Chimney Sweep Guild

Blind Cleaning

Window blinds are a wildly popular window-covering choice for home and office owners across North America. With millions of window blinds hanging out there, all needing to be cleaned regularly, it makes a lot of sense to cash in by starting a blind-cleaning service. The most efficient way to clean window blinds is ultrasonic cleaning equipment, which is basically a tank filled with cleaning solution that gently cleans blinds ultrasonically, with no risk of damaging the blinds' materials or operational parts. This equipment can be mounted on a van or trailer so you can offer blind-cleaning services on site. Or, you can set up the cleaning equipment at home or in a warehouse space and offer clients free pickup, delivery, and reinstallation. In addition to homeowners, be sure to aim your marketing efforts at winning blind-cleaning contracts from schools, hospitals, hotels, institutions, corporations, and others with large numbers of window blinds.

• International Window Cleaning Association

Dent Removal

Using specialized equipment, visit clients' homes or businesses and remove small dings and dents in their vehicles, all without the need for new paint. Potential clients include private automobile owners, automobile fleet owners, new and used car dealers, and insurance companies. Operating on a mobile basis enables you to get started with limited funds and keep your overhead low. More importantly, it gives you the ability to go to where the business is available, with no geographical limitations. Many distributors and manufacturers of dent-removal tools and equipment also provide training, which is reasonably priced and requires only a few weeks to complete. Hence, even if you have no previous auto-body repair experience, you can still start and operate this business. Extra money may be earned by offering clients paint touchup services, automobile detailing services, window chip repair, and window tinting.

• Automobile Service Association
• Ding King Training School
• Fender Bender Magazine
• National Paintless Dent Removal Association

Bicycle Repair Service

A mechanically inclined entrepreneur with an interest in cycling can earn a great income repairing bicycles right from the comfort of a homebased workshop. In addition to big profit potential, there are many other advantages to operating a bicycle repair service, including low overhead, huge demand for the service in an ever-growing sport, and flexible full- or part-time hours. Even if you are not experienced in bicycle repairs, there are a number of schools offering bicycle mechanic courses that take only a few weeks to complete, such as those offered by United Bicycle Institute in Oregon. The key to marketing your services is to join bicycling clubs and organizations in your community, largely because members can become customers and refer other bicycling enthusiasts to your business. You can also work on a contract basis for bicycle retailers to handle their overflow work during the busy season. Likewise, advertising online in cycling forums or in your community newspaper and distributing fliers detailing the services you provide can attract new business.

• United Bicycle Institute
• USA Cycling: Mechanics Program
• T he Total Bike Maintenance Book: DIY Repairs Made Easy by Mel Allwood (Da Capo Press, 2007)

Event and Party Planner

If you love to plan and host parties and special events, then starting an event and party planning service will be right up your alley. Event and party planners are responsible for organizing and hosting special events such as wedding anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, and award ceremonies for their clients. Duties can include creating and sending out invitations, selecting event locations, decorations, arranging for entertainers and speakers, selecting caterers and menus, and just about everything else that is required to put on a special event without a hitch, including arranging clean-up after all the guests have left. To go into this industry you must be detail-oriented, well-organized, good communicators, and very creative. Networking, networking, and more networking will be your main marketing tool for attracting and keeping new business, peppered liberally with a good online presence, and direct-mail fliers. Get to know catering companies, event venue managers, and party entertainers. You will also need to build a reliable team of contractors -- the businesses and individuals who you can rely on to supply products and services for your events promptly and on budget. They can also refer clients to you. The more reliable your team is, the more successful and profitable your event and party planning service will be.

• International Special Events Society
• National Association of Event Planners

Bounce House Rentals

Bounce houses are inflatable amusement games that children and adults absolutely love to bounce around in (and on) and they are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and themes. Some higher-end models feature slides, mazes, obstacle courses and water areas. Renting bouncy houses is easy, and you can make incredible profits, up to $250 per day, just for delivering, setting up, and returning at the end of the day for pick-up. This is perhaps one of the best part-time business opportunities available. New inflatable amusement games cost in the range of $2,000 for small basic models, and up to $15,000 for large, fully featured models. Used ones are available for about half the cost of new. In addition to renting these inflatables for children's birthday parties, they can also be rented to charities, sports and social clubs, and for corporate and community events. Setup is fast, taking one person approximately 30 minutes and about the same amount of time for dismantling and removal. You will need a vehicle to transport the inflatables, and space to store them.

• InflatableStartup.com

Childcare Center

The escalating cost of living has made child daycare a booming industry simply because many families require two full-time incomes to make ends meet. To start for the lowest startup costs, open a homebased daycare facility. Your growth will be limited by how many children you may legally care for in your home, but so will your investment budget. If you choose to expand later, you can open a storefront or office location or in conjunction with an established business or office complex. In the United States and Canada, daycare facilities as well as childcare staff must obtain proper licensing and certification to meet minimum operating requirements. Because every state and province has its own individual licensing requirements, you will need to contact your regional municipal offices to make inquires or contact childcare associations to inquire about certification and licensing requirements in your area. Once your center is open, you will find that the problem is not finding kids to fill your facility, but having to turn down parents daily because you are at your limit. Word-of-mouth advertising is generally all the marketing that is required in this industry.

Skill Level: 4

• National Association for Family Child Care
• National Child Care Association
• Start Your Own Child-Care Service by The Staff of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. and Jacquelyn Lynn (Entrepreneur Press, 2015)

Pet Photography

If you are an animal lover and a great photographer, what are you waiting for? Start a pet photography service! Owners of dogs, cats, reptiles, horses, champion livestock, birds, and even fish can all be potential customers. Full-time or part-time, you can operate the service on a mobile basis, from a homebased studio, from pet shops, or combine all to cover all the bases. Making the experience fun for pets and their owners will also go a long way toward securing repeat business and a ton of referrals, so liven things up with pet costumes, themed backdrops, and by offering pet video recording services, complete with music, titles, and special effects. Likewise, to boost profit potential, also offer a wide assortment of products that customers can have their pets' photographic images transferred onto -- key tags, greeting cards, calendars, mugs, hats, T-shirts, sports bags, and bumper stickers.

• Pet Photographers of America Alliance
• Professional Photographers of America
• Pet Photography by Alan Hess (Peachpit Press, 2014)

Urban Farm Consulting

Consumers today are highly educated about the environmental and health impacts of the food they consume, including issues like water use, pesticides, transportation, and GMOs. To combat these problems, many are turning to urban farming to grow their own food. For people without a farming background who want to turn their yard, rooftop or even patio into an urban farm, this is where you can help. If you've got a green thumb for growing food, offer your services as an urban farm consultant. You can advise your clients on what plants will work well in their space and how to lay out the farm, how to set up irrigation, ways to protect plants from cold and heat, and when to harvest. You can also charge more to set up and maintain the farm, and go bigger by creating and managing rooftop gardens for restaurants. Get the word out by joining local food and environmental groups, giving free seminars at libraries and community centers, partnering with garden supply stores, and placing signs in the gardens you create that are visible to passers-by. Word-of-mouth -- and delicious results -- will be key to this business.

• International Network for Urban Agriculture
• Mother Earth News
• UrbanFarming.org
• My Urban Farm Business by Nourah Mumeen (Nourah Mumeen, 2015)

Cloth Diaper Service

Babies use 2,500 to 3,000 diapers each year -- a large expense for parents and the environment. Green-minded parents may want to use environmentally friendly cloth diapers, which are softer on babies' skin, but may feel overwhelmed by the idea of cleaning all those dirty diapers. That's where a cloth diaper delivery service comes in. Depending on how much money you have to invest, there are a couple of options for starting a cloth diaper service. First, if money is plentiful, you can offer a complete service, including diaper supply, delivery, pickup, and cleaning. Second, if funds are tight, you can simply supply delivery and pickup services and have an established commercial laundry wash the diapers at a reduced or bulk rate. Over the long term, option one will probably put more profits in your pockets than option two, as well as enable you to have more control over your business. Word-of-mouth marketing will be your main promotional tool, so be sure to get out and start the promotion train rolling by talking with as many new parents as you can. Drop off business cards with baby-product boutiques, natural food stores, moms' groups, lactation consultants, and midwives, and make sure you're findable online when someone searches for diaper services in your local area.

• Born to Love
• Real Diaper Association

Green Business Consultant

Need a green idea? For business owners, going green is a lot more complicated than for homeowners. While there are some simple steps a small business owner can take to reduce energy use and paper and other consumption, larger businesses may be facing more complex issues like regulatory compliance, alternative energy use, green building practices, telework and commuter programs, green sources for product manufacturing materials, and obtaining governmental and other eco-labeling certifications. This field requires some training. You can become certified through college programs, with LEED certification, or companies like Go Eco Certified. Some niches of the green consulting industry like regulatory compliance and green building may require additional expertise. Find business by joining organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, marketing yourself as a green business expert in local newspapers and trade publications, and calling on local businesses and explaining how your services can save them money on energy expenditures in the long run.

Skill Level: 2-4

• SBA Green Business Guide
• SBA: Green Certification and Eco-Labeling
• U.S. Green Building Council
• Start Your Own Green Business by Entrepreneur Press and Rich Mintzer (Entrepreneur Press, 2009)

Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Consultant

If you have a green thumb, an eye for landscape design, and the strength (or contractors or employees) to remove lawns, this could be the business for you. In some areas of the United States, drought conditions are causing homeowners and businesses to rethink their green lawns. Drought-tolerant landscaping services (also called native landscaping) are in vogue as people try to reduce their water usage. You'll consult with clients, looking at their current space and using your knowledge of native shrubs, herbs, flowers, succulents and bushes, as well as rocks and mulch, to redesign their outdoor space to be attractive and friendly to the environment. You may choose to partner with a local landscaping firm who will do the actual physical labor or work on the grounds yourself. These services cost about $3 per square foot, so depending on the size of the lawn, $2,000 to $10,000. Market your services with truck and lawn signage, flyers at local gardening centers, an online presence, and partnering with landscape companies that might not offer the design services.

• Lawn and Landscape Magazine
• National Association of Landscape Professionals
• Start Your Own Lawn Care or Landscaping Business by Entrepreneur Press and Ciree Linsenman

Expense Reduction Consultant

Calling all seasoned business managers, controllers, CFOs, operations managers, accountants, and administrators! You can greatly profit from your business experience and budgeting skills by starting an expense reduction consulting service aimed at all businesses, from a local, small business ideas, to multinational corporations. Expense reduction consultants provide clients with a multitude of services:

• developing short- and long-term budgets,
• analyzing fixed and variable overhead,
• increasing employee productivity,
• analyzing product and service costs,
• and developing expense reduction strategies to meet each client's specific needs.

The objective of the expense reduction exercise is to uncover costs associated with doing business that can be reduced or eliminated entirely while maintaining or increasing the overall efficiency, productivity, and profitability of the business. Many expense reduction consultants specialize in their field of expertise -- manufacturing, food services, retail, or small business, for example. Expense reduction consultants generally save clients anywhere from two to 50 times their consulting fees.

Skill Level: 3

Medical Claims Billing

With the advent of the Affordable Health Care Act, more people than ever are insured. And that means the medical billing market is on the rise. It's an extremely competitive industry, but for the determined entrepreneur, there is a good opportunity to earn $40,000 or more per year operating either a franchise or independent medical claims billing service. Doctors must bill insurance companies and Medicaid for all services performed, and the bills must be prepared to exacting standards with the proper codes for each item. While doctors can be great at treating patients, they may not be patient with submitting such paperwork electronically. You should obtain certification, which is available at a variety of colleges -- try to find a community college for the best pricing. You will learn the diagnostic and procedure coding system used by doctors and health-care professionals on medical claim forms to indicate the type of service being billed, and the software used to bill. Medical billing services can charge clients a percent of the collections or $2 to $6 per claim processed. The overall profit potential for the service is good, providing you can process medical claims on a volume basis. There is a fairly steep learning curve for operating this service, and careful research and planning will be needed to ensure initial and continued success.

• American Medical Billing Association
• American Health Information Management Association
• Start Your Own Medical Claims Billing Service by Entrepreneur Press and Charlene Davis (Entrepreneur Press, 2012)

Import/Export Specialist

Considering the many red-tape barriers and all the issues surrounding importing products into or exporting products out of the United States, it's no wonder that so many businesses do not know how to get started and give up out of frustration. Of course, smart business owners who do not want to miss a single opportunity to grow their businesses and revenues don't give up. Instead, they hire an import/export specialist to guide them through the complex issues of the import/export business -- legal, transportation, warehousing, distribution, marketing, employment, environmental, political, and financial. Starting an import/export consulting business will require experience in the industry or the willingness to learn about the industry. One simple way to market your services is to develop and host a free informational seminar on importing and exporting, and use the event to sign up businesses and individuals who want to get started in import and export.

• American Association of Exporters and Importers
• American Import Shippers Association
• Federation of International Trade Associations
• Small Business Exporters Association
• The Training Registry
• Start Your Own Import/Export Business by Entrepreneur Press and Krista Turner (Entrepreneur Press, 2014)

Customer Service Training

At some point we've all received bad service from a store, restaurant, office, or online business -- and it's probably happened more than once. The end result of such an encounter is usually a vow never to return to the business, to tell friends your tale, and to even post a negative review online. Rude or poorly trained employees cost companies millions of dollars each year in lost business and referral sales. But companies that take proactive steps to ensure that all employees receive professional customer service and appreciation training have a leg up on the competition. You can earn a nice living by starting a consulting service that offers customer service and appreciation training programs specifically designed to meet your clients' individual needs. The starting point is to choose a specialty, such as retail, food service, receptionists, and so forth. Training can be based on your own expertise, as well as on the input of other customer service professionals who help create the training curriculum and manuals.

• International Customer Service Association
• National Customer Service Association
• Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose by Tony Hsieh (Grand Central Publishing, 2010)

Sales Trainer

Are you recognized as a top-producing sales professional who knows how to prospect for new business, win negotiations, and close the sale every time? If so, why not share your sales knowledge and experience and make huge profits in the process by training employees, managers, small-business owners, and executives to also become top-producing sales professionals? If you don't want to rock the boat and interrupt your current sales position, you don't have to. You can train students online, via correspondence, with personal conference calls, and by way of evening and weekend workshops and seminars. This way, you can make the transition to full-time sales training as your business and client list grows. Target customers will include small-business owners, salespeople, retail clerks, corporate managers and executives, students enrolled in business and marketing courses, professional service providers, volunteer fundraisers, and real estate professionals.

• Sales and Marketing Executives International
• The Sales Management Association
• Selling Power Magazine

Small-Business Coach

In the United States, approximately 540,000 businesses are started each month. Combine this with the millions of small- to medium-sized businesses already operating, and the future looks very bright, and potentially profitable, for a small-business coaching service. This hot opportunity will appeal to entrepreneurs who are past or present small-business owners, business managers, or corporate executives, especially those with strong marketing, administration, operations, and financial forecasting skills. Because there is a plethora of small-business training schools and courses offered by nonprofit government agencies and for-profit businesses in both countries, you will be well advised to specialize in a specific industry, such as retail or manufacturing, and to offer clients a more personalized one-on-one training service as opposed to a classroom setting. Small-business coaches help new and existing business owners with any number of tasks, including business planning, marketing strategies, financial budgets, logistics issues, technology issues, and expansion challenges

• Entrepreneur.com
• SCORE Association

Self-Publishing Consultant

Help people fulfill their dreams of becoming published writers by starting a self-publishing consulting business. Offer your clients numerous services by preparing their manuscript for publication. You can assist with both nonfiction and fiction books, including development editing (helping to structure the book), proofreading, editing, design, marketing, and distribution. Potential clients include people who want to write the next great American novel, as well as trainers wanting to write training guides; activists (political, environmental, or any other kind) raising awareness of a cause; corporations wanting to produce a book for customers telling the history of their business, products, services, and employees; and people with interesting life stories who have written memoirs. Advertise your services in online writing portals and magazines, join writing associations and groups to network for business, and build alliances with copywriters, book printers, editors, and illustrators to capitalize on word-of-mouth referrals.

• Alliance of Independent Authors
• Association for Publishers of Special Sales
• Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business by Entrepreneur Press and Cheryl Kimball (Entrepreneur Press, 2012)

Freelance Photographer

There are three very good reasons why the internet has breathed new life into the freelance photography industry. First, cloud-based services make it easy to share photos with clients, publishers, editors, copywriters, marketers, and designers all around the globe in a matter of moments. Second, billions of photographic images are needed to fill billions of web pages. Third, in addition to the internet, there are millions of print publications, media companies, retailers, marketers, organizations, government agencies, and others who need new photographs every day to add meaning to newspapers, newsletters, magazines, brochures, catalogs, and presentations. Needless to say, people with fantastic photographic skills have the opportunity to earn a great living taking and selling photographs. You can contract with publishers, post photos on stock image services where you are paid royalties, or specialize in event photography for individuals (weddings, family portraits) or organizations (award dinners, industry galas). You can charge by the hour or day, and arrange for royalties depending on the type of photography you pursue.

• Bureau of Freelance Photographers
• National Press Photographers Association
• Professional Photographers Association
• Start Your Own Photography Business by Entrepreneur Press and Charlene Davis (Entrepreneur Press, 2012)

Video Production Business

With YouTube being the second most popular site on the internet, it's apparent businesses should create their own videos. That's where you and your video skills can come in. With just a few thousand dollars worth of equipment like a high-quality camera, lapel microphone, tripods, and a small camera dolly, you can provide high-end production for businesses looking to create promotional videos or record events like grand openings and conferences or for individuals who want to document a wedding. You can charge for editing as well, or find a partner with great video editing skills who can add video effects like animated titles and appropriate music. Videographers charge $50 to 100 per hour, depending on whether the setup is single or multiple camera, and $50 per hour for editing.

• Video University
• Wedding and Event Videographers Association
• Start Your Own Wedding Consultant Business by Entrepreneur Press and Eileen Figure Sandlin (Entrepreneur Press, 2011)

Aerial Photography and Videography

Drones have revolutionized the aerial photography trade, which used to (and still does sometimes) depend on equipment including telescopic aluminum masts that can be extended 100 feet in the air and helium-filled blimps that can reach heights of up to 1,000 feet. Drones can be purchased cheaply, they can be outfitted with still or video cameras and the quality of this technology is constantly improving. Be aware of local and federal laws, as well as local business policies, before launching your drones. Potential clients include colleges, property developers, corporations, amusement parks, golf courses, outdoor-event organizers, resorts, mining and forestry sites, and sporting-event organizers -- basically, any person or business that wants or needs aerial photograph or video of their building, event, or property. It takes a bit of learning to operate the equipment, and if you offer video, you'll also want to provide editing services. Rates are excellent because this is a highly specialized niche service.

• Professional Aerial Photographers Association
• Start Your Own Photography Business by Entrepreneur Press and Charlene Davis (Entrepreneur Press, 2013)

Vacation Property Rental Agent

If you live in a busy tourist area, there is a good chance that you can start and flourish operating a vacation property rental agency. It is not uncommon for people to purchase vacation homes and condominiums by the beach or in urban areas in hopes of renting them for part or all of the year to help offset their costs. Unfortunately, rental income often fails to materialize because the property owners do not understand how much time and work is involved in renting the properties -- marketing, booking, cleaning, repairs, and lots more. And most owners are usually hundreds -- if not thousands -- of miles away. As a result, many vacation properties sit vacant when not being used by the owners. This creates a terrific opportunity to handle rentals for the owners on a revenue-splitting basis. In addition to marketing and renting the properties, you will also be responsible for cleaning and light maintenance to ensure the properties stay in tiptop condition and get top dollar for rentals. Start small, representing one or two vacation property owners, and run the service from home. As the business grows, so too can your time commitment, until you find yourself operating a profitable, full-time, business.

• American Vacation Rental Owners' Association
• Vacation Rental Managers Association
• The Vacation Rental Owners Association

Apartment Preparation Service

By offering a full line of services that includes painting, carpet cleaning, minor repairs, and trash removal, you can help busy landlords and property managers properly prepare an apartment for rental, making sure it's in great condition so they can rent it for top dollar. Advertise your apartment preparation services in traditional ways by joining landlord associations, contacting property management services, and calling on apartment rental offices. On average, you should be able to charge in the range of $25 to $35 per hour, plus materials and markup. The benefits to landlords are obvious: the better the condition of the apartment, the higher the rent will be, probably attracting a more conscientious renter. And of course, there will be much less work for the landlords. In short, landlords will easily recoup your fees and more through higher rents. You will need to invest in suitable transportation and equipment such as ladders, steam cleaners, and vacuums, but these are all relatively inexpensive and an investment of less than $10,000 will be more than sufficient.

• National Apartment Association
• National Association of Residential Property Managers
• National Property Management Association
• Small Property Owners Association

Pet Products Manufacturing

Americans spend more than $13 billion every year on products for their cherished pets, and this market is open for clever entrepreneurs who design, manufacture, and sell all sorts of products for pets. What types of pet products can you make? Anything from furniture and clothing to memorials and toys. The granddaddy of them all is healthy pet treats from your own homebased bakery. For the most part, no special skills are needed because with a little practice, all of these products are very easy to make working from a small home workspace with basic tools and equipment. Sell your pet products online via Etsy, eBay and your own website, and in the offline world at pet fairs, craft shows, and farmers' markets, There is also great potential to build a wholesale arm of the business by contacting pet product boutiques, pet shop retailers, veterinarians, and groomers to carry your products or at least accept consignments to test the waters.

• American Pet Association
• American Pet Products Manufacturers Association
• Start Your Own Pet Business and More by Entrepreneur Press and Eileen Sandlin (Entrepreneur Press, 2009)

Liquidated Inventory Sales

Savvy entrepreneurs can earn a bundle by buying liquidated inventory and government surplus equipment at dirt-cheap prices and reselling it at staggering markups. Retailers, distributors, and manufacturers liquidate inventory for any number of reasons -- the products are slow moving, out-of-season, or damaged, or the company is relocating, merging, or going out of business. In fact, billions of dollars worth of inventory becomes available every year at fire sale prices. The best types of liquidated inventory to purchase are power and hand tools, films on Blu-ray, toys, kitchen and bath accessories, fashion accessories, and electronics. Stay clear of products that have limited shelf life or special warehousing and transportation requirements. Products can be resold for a profit through eBay and other online marketplaces, at weekend flea markets, and to dollar store retailers, flea market vendors, and eBay sellers.

Purchasing government surplus and seized merchandise for pennies on the dollar of the original value and reselling to consumers at marked-up prices can also make you a great profit. Government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Treasury Department often sell off used and surplus equipment, as well as items seized for nonpayment or for criminal activity, through auction sales and sealed bid tenders. Items that are routinely auctioned by government agencies include computers, real estate, automobiles, machinery and tools, jewelry, furniture, electronics, and boats. Sell the larger items you buy from home using Craigslist and other classified ads and through eBay and the smaller items at weekend flea markets.

• Liquidation.com
• Walmart Liquidations
• Wholesale Forum

Vending Cart Business

Big bucks can be earned full- or part-time buying products such as T-shirts, crafts, art, jewelry, sunglasses, watches, souvenirs, umbrellas, and hats at dirt-cheap wholesale prices, and reselling them for a profit from portable vending carts. If you plan on selling from public lands and buildings, you will need to contact your local city or municipal government to inquire about street vending opportunities. On federally owned lands or buildings, contact the U.S. General Services Administration to inquire about opportunities. In addition to a vendor's permit, you may also have to obtain liability insurance, a health permit, and fire permit depending on goods sold. Vending permits, however, usually are not required if you operate from a privately owned location such as lumberyard or car wash parking lot.

Before you decide what type of product(s) to sell, do the rounds. What are other vendors selling? Who is the busiest? Which days are they busiest? Who are their customers? Duplicating a successful business model is one of the easiest ways to eliminate or substantially reduce financial risk. Vendors can work from portable kiosks and pushcarts or right from a suitcase depending on what they sell. Depending on your budget, you can rent, lease, or purchase new and used pushcarts and kiosks, which come in many styles and price points. Some are motorized or pedal-powered, while others can be towed behind vehicles or placed on a trailer for transportation. Also be sure to invest in wireless payment processing technology so you can accept credit cards and debit cards on site. This gives you a huge competitive advantage over vendors who do not offer these payment options, greatly increases impulse buying, and reduces the risk of theft because you have little cash on hand. Remember, vendors are never wallflowers. You must love what you do and what you sell and be extremely comfortable talking with people.

• Specialty Retail Report
• How to Start & Manage a Kiosks and Cart Business by Jerre G. Lewis and Leslie D. Renn (Lewis & Renn Associates, 2007)

3D Printing Service

One of the most exciting new technologies in recent years is 3D printing. A 3D printer takes a 3D design and brings it to life, layer by layer. It allows inexpensive prototyping as well as creating manufactured goods one by one. Everything from jewelry and toys to technology gadgets (like tripods) and machine parts can be created with a 3D printer. You can purchase a 3D printer for as low as a few hundred dollars up to thousands of dollars, so your investment will depend on the size of the objects you wish to print and the materials you wish to offer. The market is wide for such a new service. You could print creations for local jewelry and toy designers or focus on business customers, creating unique licensed trinkets. Machine shops could prototype new parts using your service. The sky is the limit. This is a relatively new business model, so be prepared to break new ground get deeply involved in the 3D printing world, learning about different printers, rendering software, materials and more.

Rate: varies

• 3DPrinting.com

App Developer

Thousands of apps are added to Apple App Store every day. With around 80 percent of U.S. adults owning a smartphone, it's no wonder that so many app developers can find new ideas to build. You can get in on this booming market regardless of whether you can code. If you have a background in web or software development, you should easily be able to pick up on the nuances of coding an app for Android or Apple iOS devices through books and online learning. If not, you can outsource the work, either online or to local developers in your area. App developers make money online either by selling the app for a basic price, as "freemium" -- which is free but has additional features a user can purchase -- or for free but supported by advertising. What is important is the strength of your app idea and your marketing program. With so many new apps, it may get lost in the crowd. It's key to have a marketing plan and marketing budget in place once you've developed your apps. You want to find a niche, optimize your products for the Apple and Google Play Stores, and create a social media and public relations campaign to get people talking.

Skill Level: 1-4

• ACT: The App Association
• App Developers Alliance
• How to Build a Billion Dollar App by George Berkowski (Little Brown Book Company, 2015)
• The Mobile App Masterplan by Mark Weston (Amazon, 2014)

Marketing Consultant

Let's face it: Without marketing, businesses cannot survive, so it is no surprise that topnotch marketing consultants are in high demand. If you are an experienced marketer, the time has never been better to put that experience to work leading other businesspeople down the path to marketing success. Marketing consultants offer a wide range of services, including developing marketing plans, establishing marketing budgets, hiring and training salespeople, and developing advertising, telemarketing, affiliate marketing, and direct marketing programs to meet each client's needs and budget. Marketing consultants also help businesses expand into new markets and even new countries, as well as build new distribution channels and profit centers. In short, marketing consultants are the jacks-of-all-trades in terms of helping clients build their businesses, revenues, and profits. Market your services through networking activities, and by setting appointments with business owners and managers to explain how your services will benefit and ultimately profit their business.

American Marketing Association

The Direct Marketing Association

Mobile Marketing Association

Start Your Own Consulting Business by Eilieen Figure Sandlin (Entrepreneur Press, 2014)

The Marketing Plan Handbook by Robert Bly (Entrepreneur Press, 2015)

Virtual assistant

Whether it's customer support, website design, calendar management, travel agency arrangements and cruise planners, keyword research, bookkeeping, data entry or video and photo editing, you could offer your help to potential customers as a virtual assistant.

Investment: Under $1,000

• Horkey Handbook

There's still more

If these 63 ideas didn't spark your desire to start, check out these other articles from Entrepreneur.com:

20 Business Ideas You Can Start With Less Than $10,000

15 Businesses You Can Start for $10,000 or Less

27 Businesses You Can Start for Less Than $1,000

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11 Businesses That You Can Start With 100k in 2024

If there has ever been a perfect time to start up a new business or revamp an existing one, then this is it. The past year has seen lots of people, whether experienced ones or complete beginners, successfully become entrepreneurs, and 2024 also will expectedly follow in a similar fashion. You can incorporate a business in Canada .

If you want to earn money online, you should check the post from iamattila how you can succeed in Affiliate Marketing . You must anticipate how much money you will make after deducting all overhead expenditures, including employee salaries. If you need to recoup some money after spending plenty on your business, you could acquire funding through a title loan with no store visit !

The question remains which business should your investment be made in to ensure the maximum profits.

Table of Contents

Here is a list with some great ideas for businesses that you could start with 100k in your pocket!

Also, read Unpopular Secret of Self-Made Millionaires

1. Auto Repair

As long as cars and bikes exist in the world, it is a given that there will be a need for regular maintenance and repair. Whether you open up a specialized auto repair shop that caters to specific, high-end companies and luxury models, or simply a general service garage, there are a few key things that need to be kept in mind. Some of the key things that you should look into are the appropriate location for setting up, possible competitors, competitive pricing for services, skilled workmen, and demand.

2. Electronics

With smartphones, computers, and other gadgets taking over people’s daily life and the world, there is no dearth of demand with regards to electronic services. You could choose between setting up a particular brand’s franchise, a retail outlet for a range of appliances, offer maintenance and servicing of products, or even product setup for new-age, in-demand devices like smart speakers or smart TVs, depending on your skill and suitability.

3. Delivery Services

The pandemic has seen a boost in the requirement of delivery services ranging from restaurant food and goods to basic grocery shopping and parcels. Companies like Zomato, Doordash, and UberEATS have seen massive profits too. It is a no-brainer that investing in and setting up cheap, affordable, and efficient delivery systems is the perfect idea for creating a fledgling startup these days because they are not going out of business anytime soon.

4. Cab and Ride Booking Services

With people taking more and more precautions to keep themselves safe by reducing social contact in public transportation, ride-booking services are the preferred choices over buses, subways, and taxis for traveling these days. Even though the market is highly competitive with huge companies like Uber, Ola, and Lyft offering low costs to customers, investing in such a business is a no-brainer, especially if you can create local demand and also offer pocket-friendly rates, deals, and partnership offers.

5. Food Truck

Food trucks are a great choice for entrepreneurs who are just starting out and have a passion for food or have a prospective business partner who does so. They are a total hit with tourists who want a taste of the local flavor and native residents alike. Make sure that you have the requisite licenses, do your research, offer a unique and diverse menu, choose appropriate locations for setup, and maintain proper hygiene and cleanliness,

6. Digital Marketing Agency

The demand for digital marketing consultants and specialists is on an uphill rise, with content creators, small businesses, legacy brands, and others all looking to expand their reach and visibility to viewers and customers on the internet. Research and select your niches carefully and look for skilled, experienced professionals like RankJacker SEO across a diverse spectrum to be able to provide the best selection of services for potential clients.

7. Job Consultancy

With the market for jobs becoming infinitely more complicated and inaccessible for the average person with every passing day, there is a growing need for job consultancies. Such startups offer a range of services with include but are not limited to offering personalized career counseling, revamping CVs, streamlining work processes, connecting company HRs with job prospects and job seekers, and providing advice for those switching between careers. Since large-scale competition in this business is low, if you can tap into this lucrative market armed with the proper connections and experience, the possibilities are endless.

8. Online Store

Opening up one’s own store may seem like a very daunting idea to most people. But if you are a creator who wants to sell their products, or a niche curator of goods, or even simply want to run an online marketplace , then setting up shop is the way to go. Custom keychains are a great option. They come in many different styles and are inexpensive and don’t take up much space. Smaller and more elaborate products like these are more likely to open up store progress faster. Start out with a rock-solid business plan in place, maintain a well-stocked inventory, set up dedicated and polite communication channels for customers, and expand slowly to maximize profits in the long run.

9. Café or Bakery

If you are a hardcore foodie, or you’ve always dreamt of owning your own little coffee shop around the corner, it is the perfect investment if you can spare the time and effort. Obviously, you need a business plan in place before starting. Research locations and suppliers, the coffee industry itself, brunch menus and invest in a unique, aesthetic décor to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for customers.

10. Gifting Solutions

The gifting industry has been growing in leaps and bounds in recent years, with the global revenue generated being estimated to be around $700 billion. Find a unique selling point for your business and slowly expand over time as your customer base grows. With no shortage of innovative products flooding the market every single day, from personalized gifting to corporate stuff, this is one business that is definitely worth investing in that will guarantee returns pretty quickly if done in the right way.

US Promotional Products is a global leader in promotional solutions, and they offer unparalleled reliability and unique solutions for every client, for every project. USPP also offers the ability to develop unique custom products. They can help you get up and running in less time and at a lower cost.

Trends may come and trends may go, but the beauty salon chains that generate and cater to them will always be in vogue. The initial investment may vary anywhere between $60,000 to $300,000 depending on your location, demographic, and the scale of business, that is, whether you want to set up a place that offers basic services or full-scale, high-end ones. Consistent, quality services and customer satisfaction is the essential key in this business, so buy good equipment, and hire certified beauticians and stylists who know what they’re doing.

12. Accounting Services

Accounting outsourcing is now widely used by most businesses since it is cheaper and better quality. The greatest thing about it is that it does not impose an undue burden on its personnel. 

You can easily supply such services if you have a handful of skilled financiers and accountants who can demonstrate the quality of your job.

13. Organizing an Event

This can be really easy; you may initially host events for family, friends, and acquaintances, offering you experience and exposure.

Then you can move on to specialize in a single event, such as weddings or business meetings, or set yourself up for all trades and event planning . If you’re well-organized, meticulous, and have expertise in arranging huge events, it’s time to put your talents to work for others.

14. The Pet Industry

Dog grooming, dog clothing, toys, and even dog cafés have become increasingly popular.

The two most crucial aspects in starting a pet walking, grooming, or training company will be licensing and insurance. Consider walking dogs through firms like Rover to get a feel for the waters before diving in. 

15. Crafter

Making handcrafted novelties is a fun and unique way to start your small company. There’s undoubtedly a market for anything you manufacture, whether jewelry, knitted comfort goods, or even personalized wigs. You can use innovative social media marketing to reach your audience and keywords that describe your items to optimize your website for search engines.

16. Personal Chef 

We all enjoy food, but only a few have the time or energy to prepare nutritious, tasty meals. Local people who live alone will be interested in such services if you advertise them. You can consider scheduling groups of clients together, for instance, vegetarians, to save money on startup expenses by cooking more significant amounts of the same cuisine.

Business to Start with $100k Online

Here, you can find a few suggestions to start your business with $100k.

How to Get Started in 3D Modeling for Games with a Small Budget 

If you’re interested in getting into 3D modeling for games but don’t have much money to spend, don’t worry! It is possible to get started with only $100k. Here are some tips to help you get started on your journey into the world of 3D modeling for games. 

Where to Start?

The first step is to determine what software and hardware you will need. The best way to do this is by researching different types of software and hardware that can be used for 3D modeling. One great place to start looking is the Unity Asset Store, which offers a variety of high-quality products for both beginners and experienced developers alike. Once you have determined the type of software and hardware that you need, it’s time to purchase them. 

Once you have purchased the necessary software and hardware, it’s important that you take the time to learn how to use them properly. There are many online tutorials available that can help guide you through the process of creating 3D models for games.    

Collaborate with Others 

Another great way to get started in 3D modeling for games is by collaborating with others who have experience in this area. This could include joining an online forum or participating in an online game development community where people share their knowledge and experiences related to game development projects they are working on or have completed in the past. By collaborating with experienced professionals in 3d modeling for games , not only will you gain valuable insight into how things should be done correctly but also gain helpful tips on how best to complete certain tasks related to game development projects as well as how best market them once completed. 

Starting out in 3D modeling for games does not need a large budget – all it takes is some research, good training and collaboration with other professionals! If you follow these steps and put in consistent effort, then before long your work will become visible throughout the gaming world! With dedication and hard work anything is possible – so why not start today?

17. Trading in Cryptocurrencies

There are several options for beginning a crypto-related business with $100k ranging from building the most excellent multi-currency wallet to regular trading on a cryptocurrency exchange. This is a very high-risk niche, so each stage should be assessed.

18. Development of web and mobile applications

Apps are becoming increasingly popular as the world becomes entirely reliant on technology.

Apps have become a way for businesses to set themselves apart from their competitors. As a result, firms that specialize in bespoke software development, such as MLSDev, can assist you in developing a digital product that will reward you in the long run.

19. Start your own SEO firm

Many marketing organizations deal with social media marketing now, but high-quality SEO agencies are hard to come by. If you want to start something huge and spectacular, an SEO agency in Australia is an excellent place to start with $250k.

As a result, if you have funds and a working knowledge of the sector or know someone who does, you may create an agency and recruit expert marketers with confidence.

20. Establish a digital marketing firm

Again, the more rapidly technology advances, the higher the demand for internet marketing of websites, social media platforms, and other such services. As a result, an expert digital marketing firm is one of the most significant $100k investments.

We’d recommend that you assess the costs of creating such an agency before doing so and make a strategy so that you are not eclipsed by your competition later.

21. Open an online store

This concept is entirely straightforward: identify a product or service, promote an affiliate offer, find the best traffic source, and begin the campaign. Although, apart from this, there is definitely a lot of hard work and perseverance in the background.

How to Start a Business in $100K?

After deciding to start a business with $100k, you will be taking a step towards not just independence and the possibility of a much higher income, but you will also have to accept that you are now solely responsible for everything that occurs in your life.

Here are a few of the steps that you need to follow to start your own business :

Carry out research

Before you put your money into a firm, be sure there is a market for the product or service and that you can introduce some new features that will appeal to clients.

You will need to undertake market research for this goal, and this will be your initial move in any sector.

Create a value proposition.

Once you’ve determined that the chosen product is in demand, you’ll need to figure out your costs, compute the payback time, and determine profitability. We recommend engaging a professional in these areas to avoid missing something due to inexperience.

Create a business strategy

Every project has to have a business strategy. Everything is considered here, including expenses/income, strategy, target audience, etc. And the more thorough your plan is, the better for business growth it will be.

Reach out to customers

It is extremely important to reach out to your customers. You can follow offline methods like billboards, banners, and newspaper ads. Also, there are online methods like running a Facebook ad campaign or email campaigns. But there is something that can be used both online and offline. They are presentations. Presentations are highly effective as they provide a personal touch and also allow you to reach out to a larger crowd. You can create powerpoint presentations or download ready-to-use  slide deck powerpoint  templates.

Take care of the legal aspects of the business.

This phase is, in reality, optional; it all relies on the route your company will take.

However, it is preferable to register your firm immediately for seriousness and avoid unpleasant circumstances. 

Obtain the necessary resources

You won’t be able to grow your company on your own initially; you’ll need more suppliers.

It’s critical to identify dependable suppliers (no matter what they’re selling – items, furnishings, or marketing services) to avoid losses and, at the very least, to locate trustworthy partners such as  Millennium’s packaging solutions  for future collaboration especially if your products require extra care during transport.

Once you’ve decided what kind of business to start, you should start thinking about creating a plan and putting together operations. You must anticipate how much money you will make after deducting all overhead expenditures, including employee salaries.

Don’t be afraid to express your ideas and execute them for your new Startup!

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How To Make 100k A Month: 15 Best Ways To Earn Big Money

Making $100,000 a month is certainly achievable, but it requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and often some level of expertise or skill in a particular area. It’s important to note that not everyone will be able to make this kind of money, and it’s not necessarily a realistic goal for everyone.

Some people may be able to achieve this level of income through entrepreneurship, investing, or other means, while others may need to work their way up through a high-paying career or build up their skills and knowledge over time.

Here are 15 potential ways on how to make 100k a month, along with examples and explanations.

1. Start a successful online business

Starting an online business can be a lucrative way to make $100k a month. For example, an e-commerce store that sells high-end luxury goods could easily generate that kind of revenue.

Here are some steps you can take to get started:

• Identify a profitable niche: Start by researching potential business ideas and identifying a niche market that has demand but is not oversaturated. Look for areas where you have some expertise or interest, as this can make it easier to stay motivated and engaged.
• Conduct market research: Once you have identified a potential niche, conduct market research to validate your idea and identify potential competitors. This can include analyzing search engine data, conducting surveys, and analyzing social media activity.
• Develop a business plan: A business plan will help you define your goals, target market, pricing strategy, and marketing plan. It will also help you determine your startup costs and projected revenue.
• Build a website: A professional-looking website is essential for any online business. Hire a web developer or use a website builder to create a site that is easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and optimized for search engines.
• Create a marketing strategy: A marketing strategy will help you promote your business and attract customers. This can include social media marketing , search engine optimization, email marketing, and paid advertising.
• Stay focused and motivated: Starting a successful online business takes time and effort, so it’s important to stay focused and motivated. Surround yourself with supportive people and seek out mentors who can offer advice and guidance.

Overall, starting a successful online business requires careful planning, hard work, and dedication. But with the right strategy and a bit of luck, it can be a rewarding and profitable venture.

2. Launch a SaaS (Software as a Service) platform

Developing and launching a SaaS platform can be a highly profitable venture. For example, a project management software tool that charges a monthly subscription fee could generate $100k a month or more.

To launch a SaaS platform, you would first need to identify a market need or a problem that your software can solve. You would then need to design, develop, and test the software application to ensure it meets the needs of your target users.

Once the software is ready, you would need to set up a hosting infrastructure to run the application on, such as Amazon Web Services , Microsoft Azure , or Google Cloud Platform . You would also need to implement a billing system and a subscription model for users to access the platform.

You would then need to market and promote your SaaS platform to attract users and generate revenue. This could involve targeted advertising, content marketing, social media outreach, and other strategies to reach your target audience.

As the platform grows, you would need to continually monitor and improve its performance, scalability, and security to ensure the best possible user experience and customer satisfaction.

3. Become a top influencer on social media

If you have a large following on social media, you could potentially make $100k a month or more by collaborating with brands and promoting their products or services.

You need to create content that is both valuable and engaging for your followers. This could include posts, videos, stories, or other formats that align with your niche and are consistent with your brand. To reach a wider audience, you need to promote your content across multiple channels and use strategies like hashtags, collaborations, and influencer marketing.

Your personal brand should be built around your unique voice, values, and personality. This helps you connect with your followers on a deeper level and build a loyal community.

You need to actively engage with your followers and build a community around your content. This includes responding to comments and messages, collaborating with other influencers, and hosting events or meetups.

4. Invest in real estate

Real estate investing can be a highly lucrative way to make money. For example, owning and renting out several high-end properties could easily generate $100k a month in rental income.

Real estate investment can provide a steady stream of income and long-term appreciation, but it also carries risks and requires careful planning and management. It is important to consult with a financial advisor or real estate professional before making any investment decisions.

5. Become a successful trader or investor

If you have a strong understanding of the stock market or other financial markets, you could potentially make $100k a month or more through successful trading or investing.

Successful traders and investors are disciplined, patient, and adaptable. They use data-driven analysis, risk management, and diversification to maximize their returns and minimize risks. It takes time, effort, and experience to become a successful trader or investor, so it is important to have a long-term perspective and focus on continuous improvement.

6. Create and sell digital products

Creating and selling digital products such as e-books, online courses, and software tools can be a profitable way to make money. For example, an online course that teaches business skills could generate $100k a month or more in revenue.

Here are some steps to follow:

• Choose a niche: Identify a specific area of expertise that you are passionate about and think there is a demand for in the market.
• Decide on the product: Choose a type of digital product that fits your niche. This could be an ebook, online course, software, membership site, or digital download.
• Create the product: Develop your digital product by writing, designing, coding, or recording. You may need to hire freelancers or outsource some tasks.
• Set up a sales platform: Choose a platform to sell your digital product such as your own website or a marketplace like Amazon, Udemy, or Shopify.
• Promote your product: Use digital marketing strategies such as social media, email marketing, SEO, and paid advertising to drive traffic and sales to your product.
• Deliver the product: Once a customer purchases your product, deliver it digitally through email, download links, or a members-only site.
• Monitor and improve: Keep track of your sales and customer feedback to improve your digital product and marketing strategies over time.

Remember to always provide high-quality value to your customers and continually innovate and improve your digital products to stay competitive in the market.

Also, you can try dropshipping. Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn’t keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when a store sells a product, it purchases the item from a third party and has it shipped directly to the customer.

To succeed in dropshipping and aim for high revenue, focus on key aspects: conduct thorough market research to identify profitable niches, select reliable suppliers, create a professional, user-friendly online store, develop a compelling brand, use strategic marketing including social media and paid ads, offer excellent customer service, regularly analyze and optimize your business operations, and stay adaptable to market trends.

7. Offer consulting services

If you have expertise in a particular area, you could offer consulting services to businesses or individuals. For example, a marketing consultant who charges $10,000 per client could easily generate $100k a month with just 10 clients.

Always offer follow-up sessions, regular check-ins, or ongoing support to ensure your clients are successful in implementing your recommendations.

Remember to always maintain a high level of professionalism, deliver exceptional customer service, and continuously update your knowledge and skills to remain competitive in the market.

8. Invest in cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency investing can be a high-risk, high-reward way to make money. For example, buying and holding a large amount of Bitcoin or other popular cryptocurrencies could potentially generate significant returns.

Remember to always invest what you can afford to lose and diversify your investments to reduce risks. Cryptocurrency is a volatile and speculative asset, so it’s important to do your due diligence.

Investing in cryptocurrency using crypto signals involves cautious market analysis, risk management, and verifying signal authenticity. Diversify investments, avoid scams, maintain emotional discipline, and stay informed about market trends and regulations. Always do thorough research and consider professional financial advice.

9. Launch a successful podcast

Podcasting can be a lucrative way to make money through sponsorships, advertising, and merchandise sales. For example, a popular podcast with a large audience could generate $100k a month or more in revenue.

To launch a successful podcast, follow these steps:

• Choose a topic: Select a topic that you are passionate about and that has an audience that would be interested in listening. Conduct market research to identify a gap in the market or a unique angle that you can take to differentiate your podcast from others.
• Plan your content: Develop a content plan for your podcast that includes episode topics, guest speakers, and segment ideas. Consider the length of each episode, the frequency of new episodes, and the format of your podcast.
• Set up your equipment: Invest in a good quality microphone and recording equipment. Find a quiet location to record your podcast where there will be minimal background noise.
• Record and edit your episodes: Record your episodes using your equipment and edit them to enhance the quality. Edit out any background noise or interruptions.
• Choose a hosting platform: Select a hosting platform that suits your needs and budget. Consider factors like storage space, analytics, and ease of use.
• Publish and promote your podcast: Publish your podcast on your hosting platform and promote it through social media, email marketing, and other channels. Encourage listeners to leave reviews and ratings to improve your podcast’s visibility.
• Engage with your audience: Engage with your audience by responding to their comments and feedback. Incorporate their suggestions and ideas into your future episodes.
• Consistency is key: Consistently release new episodes and maintain the quality of your content to retain and attract new listeners.

By following these steps, you can launch a successful podcast that engages and retains listeners, attracts sponsors, and establishes you as an expert in your chosen topic.

10. Become a successful author

Writing and publishing books can be a profitable way to make money. For example, a best-selling author who earns a $5 royalty per book could generate $100k a month by selling 20,000 copies of their book.

To become a successful writing author, follow these steps:

• Read and write consistently: Read widely in your chosen genre and study the craft of writing. Write regularly and establish a writing routine.
• Identify your niche: Identify your unique writing voice and niche. Determine what sets your writing apart from others and what themes or topics you are passionate about.
• Build a platform: Build a platform by creating a website, blog, or social media presence to showcase your writing and connect with readers.
• Develop your skills: Hone your writing skills through workshops, classes, and mentorship programs. Join writing groups or critique circles to get feedback on your writing.
• Network with industry professionals: Network with agents, publishers, and other industry professionals to learn about the industry and promote your writing.
• Submit your work: Submit your writing to literary agents, publishers, or literary magazines. Research submission guidelines and tailor your submissions to the specific publication or agent.
• Be persistent: Rejection is common in the publishing industry, but persistence and resilience are key to success. Keep submitting your work and use rejection as a learning opportunity.
• Build a brand: Build a brand around your writing by consistently publishing quality content and engaging with your audience. Attend literary events and book signings to promote your writing and connect with readers.

11. Launch a successful YouTube channel

Creating and publishing content on YouTube can be a profitable way to make money through sponsorships, advertising, and merchandise sales. For example, a popular YouTube channel with millions of views could generate $100k a month or more in revenue.

Develop a content plan that includes video topics, format, length, and frequency. Consider your target audience’s interests and preferences when creating your content.

Invest in quality video equipment, including a camera, lighting, and sound equipment. Find a quiet location to film your videos where there will be minimal background noise.

Create engaging and high-quality content that stands out from others in your niche. Use a storytelling approach, visuals, and humor to capture viewers’ attention.

12. Offer high-end coaching or mentoring services

If you have expertise in a particular area, you could offer high-end coaching or mentoring services to individuals or businesses. For example, a business coach who charges $25,000 per client could generate $100k a month with just four clients.

Provide exceptional value by delivering personalized coaching sessions that meet your clients’ specific needs. Tailor your coaching to each client’s unique situation and goals. Establish a strong relationship with your clients by building rapport, showing empathy, and providing ongoing support. Regularly check in with your clients to ensure they are making progress toward their goals.

Continuously improve your coaching skills through ongoing professional development, attending conferences, and seeking feedback from clients.

13. Start a successful franchise business

Starting and operating a successful franchise business can be a profitable way to make money. For example, owning and operating multiple successful fast-food franchise locations could generate $100k a month or more in revenue.

You can secure funding for your franchise by considering options such as small business loans, crowdfunding , or using personal savings. Consider the initial investment and ongoing expenses such as royalties and marketing fees.

It is important to find a location for your franchise that is in a high-traffic area and aligns with your target market. Consider factors such as rent, zoning laws, and proximity to competitors.

Hire and train staff that aligns with your brand values and delivers exceptional customer service. Use training resources provided by the franchisor to ensure consistency across all franchise locations.

14. Become a successful public speaker

Public speaking can be a lucrative way to make money through speaking fees and merchandise sales. For example, a successful motivational speaker who charges $50,000 per speaking engagement could generate $100k a month by speaking at just two events per month.

You will need to build your credibility by obtaining relevant certifications, publishing articles or books in your field, and establishing yourself as an expert in your niche. Use testimonials from satisfied clients to promote your speaking services.

Network with event planners, industry associations, and other organizations that may need a public speaker for events or conferences. Attend industry events and conferences to meet potential clients and establish yourself as a thought leader in your niche.

15. Launch a successful mobile app

Developing and launching a successful mobile app can be a highly profitable. First, you need to identify a problem or need in the market that your mobile app can solve. Conduct market research to understand your target audience’s needs, interests, and behaviors. Use this research to inform your app’s features and design.

Then you develop a minimum viable product (MVP) that includes the core features of your app. Use an iterative design process to refine your MVP based on user feedback.

Success in mobile app development requires a focus on user experience, a strong marketing strategy, and ongoing optimization based on user feedback and performance metrics.

How to make 100k a month: conclusion

When you are asking yourself how to make 100k a month know that it requires a combination of hard work, strategic planning, and leveraging your skills and resources.

Ultimately, whether or not it’s achievable for a particular person depends on a range of factors, including their skills, experience, resources, and willingness to put in the effort required to succeed. It’s important to set realistic goals and to be prepared to work hard to achieve them.

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Free Blog Business Plan to Earn Your First $100k in 2024

• Updated: 04/30/24
• Comments: 3

We partner with bada$$ companies that offer products that help our readers achieve their goals! If you purchase through our partner links, we get paid for the referral at no additional cost to you! Read our disclosure for more info.

Are you looking to start a blog business and make your first $100k? If so, then developing a blog business plan is essential.

A blog business plan can help you create realistic goals and provide the structure needed to reach them. It will also allow you to identify potential challenges and develop strategies for overcoming them.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to create an effective blog business plan that will put you on track toward achieving the financial success of your dreams.

We’ll cover topics such as setting goals and objectives, creating content plans, monetizing strategies, budgeting techniques, marketing tactics, and more!

So if you’re ready to get started on your blog business journey – read on! Before we get started, let’s go over the definition of a blog business plan.

What is a Blog Business Plan?

A blog business plan is a document that outlines your blog’s objectives and overall strategy for launch, growth, and success.

It should include a comprehensive analysis of your blog’s current standing, a detailed marketing plan, and a budget outlining the costs associated with running the blog.

The business plan should outline your overall vision for the blog in terms of its potential direction and growth over time. You won’t always know this upfront, but it can help a lot to consider the potential for multiple directions or paths to growth.

You should create realistic goals for yourself that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-sensitive. You can read more about creating SMART goals here.

When creating your blog business plan, you should consider several factors such as what services or products will you be offering, who your audience is, and what type of content you need to create.

We will dive into these factors in more detail throughout this article.

When it comes to monetization, scaling, and growth, it’s important to explore strategies that fit best with your blog’s purpose.

Some factors to consider here include pricing strategies, potential revenue streams, and ways in which to maximize profits.

Blog Business Plan Executive Summary

An executive summary is a key component of any blog business plan.

Your executive summary is an overview of the blog and its goals, objectives, strategies, and financial projections.

It should be concise yet comprehensive enough to give a clear picture of what your blog business plan entails.

Write Your Executive Summary

Use the headings and descriptions below to create your own executive summary for your blog business plan.

I recommend revisiting this summary after you’ve made it through the rest of this article and have a better idea of your blog overview.

We will cover each of these topics in more depth later on in the article when you are creating your detailed business plan for your blog.

Goals and Objectives

When it comes to deciding on the goals and objectives for your blog, it is important to create realistic and achievable targets.

What do you hope to achieve with this blog?

Create a few simple goals to start with and then make sure to revisit this step to turn them into SMART goals after you have outlined more of your blog business plan and have a better idea of what direction you plan to go in.

You can also create a mission statement for your blog if you’d like.

Blog Topic and Niche

Decide on a blog topic, or blog niche, for your blog. Ideally, you should have some experience in this area or a desire to learn a great deal more.

Your blog niche should also be specific and narrow enough that you can identify a target market and create content specifically for those people.

Competition

Identify some of your biggest competitors and the most successful blogs in your niche so that you can do a competitive analysis on these blogs.

Research the competition in your blog niche by looking at how other successful bloggers are targeting their audience.

Try to identify trends so that you can use them in your own blog business plan and ensure that your blog appeals to potential readers as well as stands out from the crowd.

Target Market

Who would you like to reach with your audience? Who do you want your ideal audience to be?

Make sure to be specific when you outline exactly who you are trying to reach, including their age, gender, lifestyle, preferred method to consume information, other typical habits, and more.

This will also go hand-in-hand with the type of content that you want to create.

Content Plan

What kind of content will you create? This should be a marriage of the kind of content you desire to create with the kind of content that your ideal audience likes to consume.

If you don’t want to create videos, you don’t have to. But if your audience prefers video content and it would help you sell products, you may have to make some concessions.

Decide on 1-2 different types of content that you want to create and which platforms you want to share them on.

Products and Services

What monetization methods will you use? Outline the different types of products or services that you plan to sell on your blog.

Consider starting out with ads or affiliate marketing if you need some time to gather data and feedback from your audience before creating your own products.

Create a solid monetization strategy and plan for how you will achieve it.

Marketing and Sales

Great products need a great marketing strategy or they are dead in the water, no matter how great they are.

Decide what kind of sales-centered content you can create to help you sell your products or services.

Consider what strategies you can implement to continue to grow and scale your monetization efforts.

This may or may not be a consideration for you, but it’s important to have an idea of how much starting an online business will cost you.

As I explain in more depth in the section on building your foundation and starting your blog, you can start a blog business very affordably if you take the right steps.

Create an effective budget that outlines all expenses associated with running the blog including hosting fees, content creation costs, marketing costs, and more.

Create a start-up budget and a monthly budget for your blog business to set the right expectations for at least the first year of operations.

Create Your Blog Business Plan

Throughout the rest of this article, we will take a deeper dive into the high-level topics we mentioned in the executive summary.

Ideally, you should create this summary after reading the entirety of this article.

Keep it open and use it as a business plan template to create your own!

1. Set Business Goals and Objectives

Let’s set some overall goals and objectives for your blog business plan. What do you hope to achieve with this blog?

Start by asking yourself what you hope to achieve with your blog — whether it’s increasing traffic, building a following, or generating profits.

Once you have identified your blog’s key goals, create SMART (specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and timely) objectives that will help you reach those goals.

Breaking down blog objectives into smaller steps will make them more manageable and easier to track progress.

For example, if your blog’s key goal is increasing traffic, an objective could be creating two blog posts per week for the next six months.

Or if the goal is generating profits from your blog, an objective could be launching an e-commerce store in six months with 20 products.

When writing a blogging business plan, make sure that the objectives are attainable in a reasonable timeframe and that they accurately reflect the blog’s purpose.

It is also important to consider ROI – or return on investment – when setting blog business objectives so that you are able to measure success.

Also, consider how you will achieve these goals.

Breaking down blog objectives into milestone tasks can help ensure that you stay on track and reach them in a timely manner. Milestones should include activities such as market research for driving traffic and developing content plans for blog posts.

2. Ideas and Niche Exploration

Let’s get to the fun part! It’s time to come up with potential blog topics and content ideas for your blog.

Brainstorm Blog Topics

What do you want your blog to be about? What topics of content do you want to share?

When it comes to blog ideas, it is important to think outside the box a bit and get a little creative, if you can.

Start by thinking of topics that are related to your blog’s purpose or niche and then brainstorm ways to make the topic more interesting and relevant.

Asking yourself questions such as:

• What do I know?
• What do I have personal or professional experience in?
• What problems could I solve?
• What information would be useful for my readers?
• What is trending right now?

These questions can help guide your blog ideas in the right direction.

Narrow Down Your Niche

Choosing a blog niche is an important part of creating a blog business plan because it could help determine your overall happiness and satisfaction with your blog as well as how successful your blog will become.

It’s important to choose a niche that you are passionate about and knowledgeable in so that you can provide helpful content for your audience

It should also be specific enough that there are not a lot of other blogs out there talking about the exact same thing.

Narrowing down your niche and blog topic can help make sure that your blog stands out from the competition and attracts the right audience.

Now, there will likely already be hundreds or thousands of blogs blogging on the same topics and this shouldn’t necessarily deter you.

But consider how you can narrow in on your target audience.

For example, “Weight Loss” and even “Weight Loss for Women” is too broad of a blog topic.

Here are a few better blog topics:

• Weight Loss for Men with a Keto Diet
• Vegan and Sustainable Dieting for Weight Loss and the Environment
• Fast Weight Loss for Women Over 200 Lbs

These are all more specific and speak to a more targeted audience.

Potential for Monetization

You should also consider how much potential there is for monetizing the blog within a certain niche.

Some blog niches are also known to make more money than others, so you may want to take that into consideration as well.

You won’t always know this information when you’re just starting out, but that’s okay.

You can do research on keywords related to your blog topic so you can gain insight into what people are searching for online and what drives website traffic.

Also, consider exploring multiple niches if you want to diversify your blog’s content offering.

You can also look into potential collaborations with other bloggers or influencers in order to reach new audiences.

Consider how you might make money from this topic, and then you can explore the potential in your competitive analysis.

3. Build Your Blog Foundation

One of the most important parts of your business plan is to outline how you will start your blog.

Make sure to build your blog on a solid foundation, and that always starts with your domain name and hosting company.

Domain Name and Hosting Company

Truthfully, your blog name doesn’t matter quite as much as you think it does and shouldn’t be something you dwell on for too long.

A lot of popular domain names are already taken, so you might have to get a little creative here.

My best advice is to come up with a name that is:

• easy to spell,
• easy to remember,
• and easy to pronounce.

It also helps to consider keeping it flexible in case you decide to change your blog’s direction at some point in the future.

Once you come up with a domain name, it’s time to choose a blogging platform and hosting company.

WordPress is the most widely used platform by successful bloggers and the only one that we recommend. It’s what this blog uses.

For blog hosting, we use and recommend Bluehost because it’s one of the most affordable hosting companies for beginners and has great customer service.

You can use our link to get a discount and get a hosting plan for as little as $2.75/month.

Blog Setup and Design

If you want some help setting up your blog quickly, easily, and as affordably as possible, check out our full guide on how to start a successful blog.

In that guide, we outline all of the steps on how to set up your domain name, hosting, website theme, and more.

When it comes to what theme you want to use, I recommend starting out with an affordable, beginner-friendly theme rather than getting caught up too much in what your competitors are using.

Good web design takes time, patience, and some skills and is something you’ll want to work on over time as you define your blog more and start creating content.

That being said, the competitive analysis is a great place to start with getting inspiration on the overall theme and design of your blog.

4. Competitive Analysis

A competitive analysis is an essential part of blog business planning that is often overlooked or even skipped entirely.

Competitive analysis involves researching and analyzing what your competitors are doing in order to gain insight into how you can be successful and stand out from the competition.

Analyzing what’s working for other blogs in your niche can also give you inspiration and ideas on potential blog topics and other strategies.

If you notice that certain blog posts receive more engagement than others on competitor’s blogs, this could be something worth exploring on your blog too.

It could also be helpful to analyze which keywords they use so that you can incorporate them into your own content strategy.

Identifying Your Competitors

When conducting a competitive analysis for your blog business plan, it’s important to take a close look at both direct and indirect competitors.

Direct competitors are those that blog about the exact same topics as you, while indirect competitors are those who blog about related topics.

Both types of competition can offer valuable insights when it comes to developing a strategy for success.

Metrics to Measure

Some things to analyze include blog content, audience engagement, website design, keywords used, and other factors that can help you determine the best direction for your blog.

More specifically, you should analyze metrics such as blog post frequency, length, engagement, and the span of topics that they cover.

Look and see how they drive their traffic, whether that’s through social media, Google, or other platforms.

Here are a few questions to consider in your analysis:

• What are their traffic sources?
• How much do they engage with their audience?
• How are they driving their sales?
• What are they selling?
• Are there other ways that they are monetizing their content?
• Do they have an email list and a lead magnet?

This will give you an overall picture of how other successful blogs are structured, attracting customers, and driving sales.

Once you have conducted a competitive analysis for your blog business plan, you should have some better insight into what strategies might work best in your niche or for your blog.

From there, consider how you can implement some of these strategies but in your own way that might set you apart from the competition. How can you do it better?

5. Target Audience and Community

When deciding on your blog’s target audience, it’s important to take into account several factors.

Blog Content

First, consider the type of blog you’re creating and what topics you’ll be covering.

Knowing who you are creating content for will help you determine the type of content that will appeal to them.

Honestly, your content strategy and target audience should both be considered together to make sure these two align.

You can decide what kind of content you want to create and then decide on which target audience this content would appeal to most OR you can decide what audience you most want to reach and then decide on what type of content would appeal most to them.

Just remember that different demographics of people like and respond differently to different types of content.

Audience Demographic

Now, let’s think about your blog’s demographic.

Demographic factors like age range, gender, location, interests, occupation, and lifestyle are all crucial components in helping you identify your blog’s target audience.

Think not just about who you could reach but about who you truly want to reach.

Understanding who your ideal reader or customer is will enable you to create content that resonates with them and is tailored specifically to their needs and interests.

For example, if you’re sharing weight loss advice with someone, the advice will have to look very different for an older woman compared to a younger man, because their interests and lifestyle will vary greatly.

These two types of people also spend time on very different platforms. An older woman likely spends more time on Facebook and Google and a younger man might spend more time on TikTok or YouTube.

This brings us full circle back to blog content again, which we’ll dive deeper into in the next section.

Before we move on to blog content, let’s first talk about community.

It’s important in the blogging world to be able to build a community around your blog or website.

When you build relationships with your audience, they begin to trust you and are more likely to purchase from you and continue to support your success.

You can build a community around your blog in a variety of ways, including through Facebook Groups or other community platforms.

You can also build community simply by being engaged with your audience on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or through an email list.

When you engage with your audience through your content, comments, or other communications, you make them feel valued and more connected.

All of these things lead to additional trust built and the potential for more sales down the road.

6. Content Plan

When deciding on the different types of content you can create for a blog, it’s important to think about a couple of things.

The most important thing is to identify what type of content will be most engaging and beneficial for your blog’s target audience.

Content should be tailored to match your blog’s purpose, whether it be providing informative blog posts or inspiring stories.

But the second most important thing to identify is what type of content YOU want to create.

This is important because if you don’t enjoy the content you are creating (or worse, if you hate it), you likely won’t give it the time and dedication that it needs to be successful.

You don’t have to love every part of the process, but if you absolutely hate being on camera, starting a YouTube channel may not be for you.

Type of Content

As I’m sure you are aware, there are a lot of different types of content on the internet these days.

Traditionally, blog posts have been associated with blogs as the main source of traffic.

While that is still true and Google SEO (search engine optimization) remains one of the best sources of traffic for bloggers, there are also a lot of other types of content that you can create for or alongside your blog.

I like to think of the blog as the “home” for your business and your blog posts, but you can repurpose your blog posts and content for other platforms to reach wider audiences.

TikTok has become a great source of revenue for many bloggers and influencers, as well as Instagram , and YouTube .

If creating videos isn’t your thing, you can always consider Pinterest or focus on Google SEO .

Now, keep in mind that different types of content are popular or successful on different platforms.

What works on TikTok will likely have different results on Pinterest or may have to be changed considerably.

Each platform typically has its own way of sharing content and engaging with followers, although there is some overlap on some platforms.

Structure of Content

What platform you decide to use will also somewhat dictate the structure of your content.

Informative blog posts are great for helping readers learn more about a certain topic and should include plenty of facts and data, backed up by reliable sources, to ensure accuracy and authority.

This type of content is ideal for Pinterest marketing or a Google SEO strategy.

You can also share this type of educational content on a platform like YouTube, but it’s significantly harder to convey longer messages on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

Inspirational stories are another type of content that can also be very powerful to help you build trust and connection with your audience.

This type of content should focus on real experiences or stories that illustrate how you or someone was able to accomplish something or overcome challenges.

This type of content is relatable and is a great way for you to get personal with your audience. It’s also great for story-centric platforms like Instagram.

Videos are another popular form of content for blogs because they give you the chance to show off your personality and engage viewers on a deeper level than text-based content.

They make a great supplemental source of traffic alongside blog posts and there are a variety of ways to do this, including platforms like Twitch or YouTube Live, which you may have not used or considered before.

Lastly, podcasts can also be an easy way to repurpose content with an added level of personalization beyond text.

They’re easier to create than videos and your listeners can tune in without looking at their computers.

7. Product or Service Offering

Creating a product or service offering and outlining your monetization strategies is a key part of your blog business plan.

There are a lot of monetization methods for blogs , and it’s important to take the time to research potential ideas that align with your blog’s purpose, values, and target market.

Start by brainstorming ideas for products and services that would fit with the blog topics you cover.

Types of Products, Services, and Revenue Streams

The most successful blog businesses generally sell their own products and services, whether that be digital products like online courses or e-commerce stores that are targeted to their blog’s audience and niche.

Other examples of popular products and services include selling eBooks and other downloadables, online coaching, or even other people’s products and services.

This is called affiliate marketing , and it’s a very popular way that many blogs start earning their first bit of income, before selling their own products.

Another way that many bloggers start out monetizing their content is by partnering with ad networks to place ads in their content.

Mediavine is probably the most popular amongst bloggers but requires a lot of traffic to get started . If you have less than 50,000 website views per month, Ezoic is a better option to start with.

You can also create paid communities and memberships for a variety of different platforms.

Product or Service Viability

Look for gaps in the market related to your blog topic.

Ask yourself these questions to get ideas and then validate those ideas:

• Is there a need for this type of product or service?
• Who is my target customer?
• Are there any existing solutions similar to what I am offering?

By thoroughly researching these questions before launching a product or service offering, you can ensure that your business plan is well thought out and able to generate more sales.

Pricing Strategy

Finally, come up with a pricing strategy for your products and services that reflects their value and quality while still being attractive to customers.

Consider adding multiple tiers of pricing options so customers can choose the level of value they need from your offerings.

One of the best ways to get ideas of market prices for your products or services is to do research and see what other people are selling for similar products.

Stay competitive with your pricing or consider even going a little lower than you’d like to start off with if you need some time to gain momentum, customers, and positive reviews and testimonials.

But even the best products won’t sell with a poor marketing strategy.

8. Marketing and Sales (Traffic)

An effective marketing and sales strategy is absolutely crucial to your blog business plan to make sure that you give your monetization strategy its best chance at success.

Marketing your content and products isn’t always easy and it’s important to experiment with different strategies when targeting your audience and learning how to best serve their needs.

Content Marketing Strategy

One of the best ways to market your products and services is to create sales-centered content around the topics that your products or services cover.

For example, if you sell a course on dieting relating to being vegan and environmentally conscious, you should create a lot of content on these topics and related topics.

This content helps to bring in a very targeted audience of people who will have a higher interest in what you’re selling.

Consider writing content, creating videos, or creating content for whatever platforms you are marketing your content on.

Share more about your product and how it can help the end user, as well as clear call-to-actions in your content with links on where to find out more or purchase.

Sales Marketing Strategy

Consider what platform you’re selling products on — here is a list of platforms for online courses .

Make sure to design your sales pages in a way that converts customers and utilize promotion strategies like discounts, sales, and coupon codes when you can.

One of the best ways that bloggers sell their own products is through email marketing: creating an email funnel to sell their products.

You can send a few emails with the sales-centered content that we just discussed and follow it up with a limited-time sale on your product.

Limited-time offerings create scarcity and a reason for people to buy now and buy from you.

You can also consider using paid ads to increase traffic to your products or email opt-ins (that sell your products), but this is definitely a more lucrative and advanced step because ads are very competitive and usually pretty expensive.

Lastly, consider using surveys to get feedback from your audience about what they would like to see from your blog and then use those insights in order to shape future content plans, marketing strategies, and product ideas.

Next Steps: Grow and Scale

What’s great about creating a business plan for your blog is that you can outline the path and plan to success.

Sometimes it doesn’t always work out according to plan, but it will keep you from getting stuck in the water and unsure of what the next steps are.

This is why it’s important to continue to review and revise your blog business plan as your blog grows.

There will undoubtedly be times when you have to pivot (sometimes hard). We’ve been there multiple times over the years.

We’ve had waves of Pinterest traffic, waves of paid ads, waves of YouTube traffic, and each time, we’ve ridden the wave until it crashes.

Then, we get up, and we find the next wave.

Being flexible and aware enough to pivot when necessary and create new strategies is the most important factor to maintaining your success and creating a sustainable business.

Some of our favorite strategies for growing and scaling include the following:

Build a Team and Outsource Work

You may reach a point in which you can no longer do everything on your own. That’s totally understandable and completely expected.

Most bloggers start out by hiring a virtual assistant, freelance writer, or social media manager to help with the workload.

This will help you free up your time from the menial-but-still-important tasks and allow you to focus on the higher-level stuff like marketing and growth.

I already briefly mentioned it before but ads can be a really great way to scale what you’re doing.

If you already have a system in place that drives traffic to your blog and successfully sells a product, turning on paid ads can simply scale up a system that already works.

It can be time-consuming and expensive, but it can also be totally worth it.

Your ads can also be a lot more effective when paired with a good email marketing strategy.

Consider this if you have a budget for it and you think it will work in your niche and with your target audience.

Building Partnerships

Lastly, one of our other favorite ways to scale our business and income is to form partnerships with other successful bloggers and brands in our niche.

We have built great relationships and partnerships with important players in the blogging industry, including Bluehost , Teachable , and ConvertKit .

These are all tools that we already love and use in our business and we’ve partnered with them to offer joint webinars and discounts to our audience.

We’ve been featured on podcasts by tons of other bloggers and have also built out our own affiliate marketing program for our blogging course.

The possibilities are endless, so consider how you might want to grow and scale your blogging business and include this in your business plan.

Blog Business Plan Summary

Creating a blog business plan can be an overwhelming process but it is necessary for achieving success.

Remember that you can also do this in your own way. We recommend using this guide as a business plan template that ou can customize, but also don’t feel that much can really be omitted.

But if you don’t think that identifying your company’s mission statement is super important right now, then you do you.

We didn’t personally outline that before beginning and it’s very subject to change in the first few months anyway.

But having a blog business plan does help you keep focused on reaching your goals while providing clarity on how to reach them.

It also helps motivate you by giving you something concrete to work towards each day.

Having a clear understanding of your blog’s content direction can also help you make informed decisions related to resource allocation, marketing, and more.

We hope that you found this blog business plan helpful. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments!

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10 Free Business Plan Templates in Word, Excel, & ClickUp

Praburam Srinivasan

Growth Marketing Manager

February 13, 2024

Turning your vision into a clear and coherent business plan can be confusing and tough. 

Hours of brainstorming and facing an intimidating blank page can raise more questions than answers. Are you covering everything? What should go where? How do you keep each section thorough but brief?

If these questions have kept you up at night and slowed your progress, know you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve put together the top 10 business plan templates in Word, Excel, and ClickUp—to provide answers, clarity, and a structured framework to work with. This way, you’re sure to capture all the relevant information without wasting time. 

And the best part? Business planning becomes a little less “ugh!” and a lot more “aha!” 🤩

What is a Business Plan Template?

What makes a good business plan template, 1. clickup business plan template, 2. clickup sales plan template, 3. clickup business development action plan template, 4. clickup business roadmap template, 5. clickup business continuity plan template, 6. clickup lean business plan template, 7. clickup small business action plan template, 8. clickup strategic business roadmap template , 9. microsoft word business plan template by microsoft, 10. excel business plan template by vertex42.

A business plan template is a structured framework for entrepreneurs and business executives who want to create business plans. It comes with pre-arranged sections and headings that cover key elements like the executive summary , business overview, target customers, unique value proposition, marketing plans, and financial statements.  

A good business plan template helps with thorough planning, clear documentation, and practical implementation. Here’s what to look for:

• Comprehensive structure: A good template comes with all the relevant sections to outline a business strategy, such as executive summary, market research and analysis, and financial projections 
• Clarity and guidance: A good template is easy to follow. It has brief instructions or prompts for each section, guiding you to think deeply about your business and ensuring you don’t skip important details
• Clean design: Aesthetics matter. Choose a template that’s not just functional but also professionally designed. This ensures your plan is presentable to stakeholders, partners, and potential investors
• Flexibility : Your template should easily accommodate changes without hassle, like adding or removing sections, changing content and style, and rearranging parts 🛠️ 

While a template provides the structure, it’s the information you feed it that brings it to life. These pointers will help you pick a template that aligns with your business needs and clearly showcases your vision.

10 Business Plan Templates to Use in 2024

Preparing for business success in 2024 (and beyond) requires a comprehensive and organized business plan. We’ve handpicked the best templates to help you guide your team, attract investors, and secure funding. Let’s check them out.

If you’re looking to replace a traditional business plan document, then ClickUp’s Business Plan Template is for you!

This one-page business plan template, designed in ClickUp Docs , is neatly broken down into the following sections:

• Company description : Overview, mission, vision, and team
• Market analysis : Problem, solution, target market, competition, and competitive advantage
• Sales and marketing strategy : Products/services and marketing channels
• Operational plan : Location and facilities, equipment and tools, manpower, and financial forecasts
• Milestones and metrics: Targets and KPIs

Customize the template with your company logo and contact details, and easily navigate to different sections using the collapsible table of contents. The mini prompts under each section guide you on what to include—with suggestions on how to present the data (e.g., bullet lists, pictures, charts, and tables). 

You can share the document with anyone via URL and collaborate in real time. And when the business plan is ready, you have the option to print it or export it to PDF, HTML, or Markdown.

But that’s not all. This template is equipped with basic and enterprise project management features to streamline the business plan creation process . The Topics List view has a list of all the different sections and subsections of the template and allows you to assign it to a team member, set a due date, and attach relevant documents and references.

Switch from List to Board view to track and update task statuses according to the following: To Do, In Progress, Needs Revision, and Complete. 

This template is a comprehensive toolkit for documenting the different sections of your business plan and streamlining the creation process to ensure it’s completed on time. 🗓️

If you’re looking for a tool to kickstart or update your sales plan, ClickUp’s Sales Plan Template has got you covered. This sales plan template features a project summary list with tasks to help you craft a comprehensive and effective sales strategy. Some of these tasks include:

• Determine sales objectives and goals
• Draft positioning statement
• Perform competitive analysis
• Draft ideal customer persona
• Create a lead generation strategy

Assign each task to a specific individual or team, set priority levels , and add due dates. Specify what section of the sales plan each task belongs to (e.g., executive summary, revenue goals, team structure, etc.), deliverable type (such as document, task, or meeting), and approval state (like pending, needs revisions, and approved).

And in ClickUp style, you can switch to multiple views: List for a list of all tasks, Board for visual task management, Timeline for an overview of task durations, and Gantt to get a view of task dependencies. 

This simple business plan template is perfect for any type of business looking to create a winning sales strategy while clarifying team roles and keeping tasks organized. ✨

Thinking about scaling your business’s reach and operations but unsure where or how to start? It can be overwhelming, no doubt—you need a clear vision, measurable goals, and an actionable plan that every member of your team can rally behind. 

Thankfully, ClickUp’s Business Development Action Plan Template is designed to use automations to simplify this process so every step toward your business growth is clear, trackable, and actionable.

Start by assessing your current situation and deciding on your main growth goal. Are you aiming to increase revenue, tap into new markets, or introduce new products or services? With ClickUp Whiteboards or Docs, brainstorm and collaborate with your team on this decision.

Set and track your short- and long-term growth goals with ClickUp’s Goals , break them down into smaller targets, and assign these targets to team members, complete with due dates. Add these targets to a new ClickUp Dashboard to track real-time progress and celebrate small wins. 🎉

Whether you’re a startup or small business owner looking to hit your next major milestone or an established business exploring new avenues, this template keeps your team aligned, engaged, and informed every step of the way.

ClickUp’s Business Roadmap Template is your go-to for mapping out major strategies and initiatives in areas like revenue growth, brand awareness, community engagement, and customer satisfaction. 

Use the List view to populate tasks under each initiative. With Custom Fields, you can capture which business category (e.g., Product, Operations, Sales & Marketing, etc.) tasks fall under and which quarter they’re slated for. You can also link to relevant documents and resources and evaluate tasks by effort and impact to ensure the most critical tasks get the attention they deserve. 👀

Depending on your focus, this template provides different views to show just what you need. For example, the All Initiatives per Quarter view lets you focus on what’s ahead by seeing tasks that need completion within a specific quarter. This ensures timely execution and helps in aligning resources effectively for the short term.

This template is ideal for business executives and management teams who need to coordinate multiple short- and long-term initiatives and business strategies.

In business, unexpected threats to operations can arise at any moment. Whether it’s economic turbulence, a global health crisis, or supply chain interruptions, every company needs to be ready. ClickUp’s Business Continuity Plan Template lets you prepare proactively for these unforeseen challenges.

The template organizes tasks into three main categories:

• Priorities: Tasks that need immediate attention
• Continuity coverage: Tasks that must continue despite challenges
• Guiding principles: Resources and protocols to ensure smooth operations

The Board view makes it easy to visualize all the tasks under each of these categories. And the Priorities List sorts tasks by those that are overdue, the upcoming ones, and then the ones due later.

In times of uncertainty, being prepared is your best strategy. This template helps your business not just survive but thrive in challenging situations, keeping your customers, employees, and investors satisfied. 🤝

Looking to execute your business plan the “lean” way? Use ClickUp’s Lean Business Plan Template . It’s designed to help you optimize resource usage and cut unnecessary steps—giving you better results with less effort.

In the Plan Summary List view, list all the tasks that need to get done. Add specific details like who’s doing each task, when it’s due, and which part of the Business Model Canvas (BMC) it falls under. The By Priority view sorts this list based on priorities like Urgent, High, Normal, and Low. This makes it easy to spot the most important tasks and tackle them first.

Additionally, the Board view gives you an overview of task progression from start to finish. And the BMC view rearranges these tasks based on the various BMC components. 

Each task can further be broken down into subtasks and multiple checklists to ensure all related action items are executed. ✔️

This template is an invaluable resource for startups and large enterprises looking to maximize process efficiencies and results in a streamlined and cost-effective way.

The Small Business Action Plan Template by ClickUp is tailor-made for small businesses looking to transform their business ideas and goals into actionable steps and, eventually, into reality. 

It provides a simple and organized framework for creating, assigning, prioritizing, and tracking tasks. And in effect, it ensures that goals are not just set but achieved. Through the native dashboard and goal-setting features, you can monitor task progress and how they move you closer to achieving your goals.

Thanks to ClickUp’s robust communication features like chat, comments, and @mentions, it’s easy to get every team member on the same page and quickly address questions or concerns.

Use this action plan template to hit your business goals by streamlining your internal processes and aligning team efforts.

For larger businesses and scaling enterprises, getting different departments to work together toward a big goal can be challenging. The ClickUp Strategic Business Roadmap Template makes it easier by giving you a clear plan to follow.

This template is packaged in a folder and split into different lists for each department in your business, like Sales, Product, Marketing, and Enablement. This way, every team can focus on their tasks while collectively contributing to the bigger goal.

There are multiple viewing options available for team members. These include:

• Progress Board: Visualize tasks that are on track, those at risk, and those behind
• Gantt view: Get an overview of project timelines and dependencies
• Team view: See what each team member is working on so you can balance workloads for maximum productivity

While this template may feel overwhelming at first, the getting started guide offers a step-by-step breakdown to help you navigate it with ease. And like all ClickUp templates, you can easily customize it to suit your business needs and preferences.

Microsoft’s 20-page traditional business plan template simplifies the process of drafting comprehensive business plans. It’s made up of different sections, including:

• Executive summary : Highlights, objectives, mission statement, and keys to success
• Description of business: Company ownership and legal structure, hours of operation, products and services, suppliers, financial plans, etc.
• Marketing: Market analysis, market segmentation, competition, and pricing
• Appendix: Start-up expenses, cash flow statements, income statements, sales forecast, milestones, break-even analysis, etc.

The table of contents makes it easy to move to different sections of the document. And the text placeholders under each section provide clarity on the specific details required—making the process easier for users who may not be familiar with certain business terminology.

No business template roundup is complete without an Excel template. This business plan template lets you work on your business financials in Excel. It comes with customizable tables, formulas, and charts to help you look at the following areas:

• Highlight charts
• Market analysis
• Start-up assets and expenses
• Sales forecasts
• Profit and loss
• Balance sheet
• Cash flow projections
• Break-even analysis

This Excel template is especially useful when you want to create a clear and visual financial section for your business plan document—an essential element for attracting investors and lenders. However, there might be a steep learning curve to using this template if you’re not familiar with business financial planning and using Excel.

Try a Free Business Plan Template in ClickUp

Launching and running a successful business requires a well-thought-out and carefully crafted business plan. However, the business planning process doesn’t have to be complicated, boring, or take up too much time. Use any of the above 10 free business plan formats to simplify and speed up the process.

ClickUp templates go beyond offering a solid foundation to build your business plans. They come with extensive project management features to turn your vision into reality. And that’s not all— ClickUp’s template library offers over 1,000 additional templates to help manage various aspects of your business, from decision-making to product development to resource management .

Sign up for ClickUp’s Free Forever Plan today to fast-track your business’s growth! 🏆

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27 Best Business To Start With $100k-Our Top Picks For 2024

December 3, 2021

Hi, my name is Ippei.

I did the 9-5.

An employee never the boss.

I needed to invest in a business.

A way for me to call the shots.

Control my financial independence.

That's the fire that motivated me to take  this course  in 2014.

This business model gave me the tools I needed to work from home building & ranking websites that generate leads for small businesses.

I quit my job.

Fast forward to 2021, where I do this full time and am killing it.

That tree service site above has been making me  $2000 per month since 2015 .

IMO this  biz model is one of the best opportunities on the internet, and I'm going to show you why.

1. Auto Mechanic or Repair Shop

According to  IBIS World , the Auto Mechanics industry is worth  $66.7 billion  and set to grow by 5.8% in 2021.

Add to the mix that  over  93%  of households in America have a car.

And cars get towed away by a towing company every day due to mechanical issues.

And you have a license to print money.

A business idea that will never go out of style.

Essential even during the pandemic.

And under $100K to start.

But you need to determine a couple of things as per  this post like:

What does the competition look like?

Do you have legal advice?

Will you specialize-and what products will you use?

What's your marketing strategy?

How many employees will you hire, and will they require training?

This article gives a run-down of costs associated with opening an auto mechanic or repair shop.

It also advises that overhead is between $10,000-$20,000/month.

But when you factor in that the average owner is clearing about $100K/year.

There's no denying that profit margins are on point.

2. Car Wash

It's an  $11.5 billion  industry.

And it's expected to see a  CAGR  of 5.3% as per  this post .

The beauty of the car wash and auto detailing business is the options at your fingertips.

From in-bay and tunnel to DIY-mobile and driveway.

Each one with its pros-cons-and price tag.

Bays cost around $42,000/each.

But you could start a mobile car wash/auto detailing business for  $5000-$25,000  as per  this article .

Check out  this infographic highlighting the potential. 

As disposable income continues to increase, Americans are sure to spend to keep their vehicles looking top-notch.

But you need to play your cards right.

Consider things like:

Geographical area and current competition.

What are your short and long-term goals?

This business model checks all of the boxes.

• Minimal Labor (for bay style)
• High Volume
• Quick Returns on Investment

Interested?

Check out  this article  outlining specifics on how to start an auto detailing business.

And if a car wash is your dream,  this post should be able to fill in some of the blanks.

3. Purchase A FedEx Route

E-commerce is here to stay.

And with all of the online shopping, there has never been a higher demand for reliable contractors to fulfill shipment orders.

Enter the  FedEx route .

The average cost is around  $100,000  as per  this article .

But there might be a loophole according to FedEx.

They say you can purchase routes directly from FedEx Ground for no cost as per  this publication .

Worth checking out.

Of course, you can purchase existing trucking routes.

But guaranteed those aren't coming for free.

You're walking into an existing infrastructure.

Essentially turnkey ready.

But like any business venture, it comes with its pros and cons, as outlined in  this post .

And include things like:

Reliable Revenue & Well-Known Brand

Support & Business Appreciation

Work-Defined Territory & Fast Compensation

• Barrier To Entry Is High & Staffing Can Be An Issue

Financing & Equity Injection

Extended Hours & Holiday Surges

So how much can you make?

You're looking at  10%-25%  of all revenue generated from your route as per  this article .

At the end of the day-the more you hustle-the more you earn.

4. Last Mile Delivery Service

The pandemic created a boomtown for the last mile delivery market.

And the reality is this will probably be the new 'normal'.

Let's face it.

People are inherently lazy.

Why spend time running errands when someone will deliver your online shopping for you?

Poised to blow to a staggering  $44.88 billion  during 2020-2024 as per  this post .

The last-mile delivery market is slated to see a CAGR of 14% in the projected forecast period.

These stats equate to a ton of opportunity.

Decide on your niche.

And there are plenty to choose from, including industries like:

Restaurants & Grocers

Pharmacy & Health

Retail & ECommerce

Corporations & Law Offices

It all comes down to how well business owners optimize for last-miles as per  this post .

The style of delivery you focus on is as varied as the niches.

Bicycle-automobile-vans-pedestrian-etc.

Costs will ultimately be dependent on your mode of transportation.

Vans and trucks will run you between  $18,000-$50,000 .

A bike, on the other hand, is a couple hundred bucks tops.

Factor in additional supplies, and you're still within your  best business to start with $100k  threshold.

Profit margins will vary.

But  this post  suggests that a courier-style delivery service can make up to 90%.

This article  offers a more comprehensive analysis.

The steps to take to start a last-mile delivery service.

5. Meal Kits Delivery Service

Innovative and creative.

Customizable and convenient.

Just a few reasons why the meal kit delivery service saw  revenue increases of 22.8%  in 2020.

The market is forecast to be worth an estimated $11.6 billion in the United States by 2022 as per  this publication .

Revenues are recurring.

But the landscape's competitive.

You're going up against big players like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh.

But most Americans look to support local-if you're on your A-game, as per  this article .

Choosing your niche is crucial, just like in the traditional restaurant industry..

A few of the hot trends emerging in the meal kit space are outlined in  this article and include things like:

Meal Kit Trends 2021

Sustainability & Farm -To-Table

Specialized Diet & Organic

Lifestyle & Pre-Made Meal Choices

Competitive Pricing & Extended Delivery Services

Baked Goods

Depending on production and scale, you should plan for an initial investment of  $5000-$100,000  per  this post .

Which also breaks down how to get started in the meal kit delivery business.

6. Subscription Boxes

Wanna take a guess at how many people in the USA have signed up for a subscription box?

Over 25%  according to  this article .

So what's all the hype about?

People love the experience.

The ' unpredictability '.

Like your birthday once a month. 

But you're not sure what gift you're getting.

It's projected to reach market values of  $473 billion by 2025.

Making this suggestion one of the  best businesses to start with $100k.

Think about it.

Revenue is recurring.

There's loads of opportunity.

But you need to do your research.

What will you offer that no one else does?

You'll have to think outside the box.

But some of the top trends for 2021 listed in  this post include things like:

Fashion & Accessories

Health & Beauty

Kids & Pets

Food & Drink

Unique-interesting-and authentic.

Creative with a balance of high-end and discount items (that don't look cheap) to generate a profit margin.

Plan on investing  $10,000-$100,000  as per  this article .

Which also advises that profit margins are around 30%/box.

You can also check out  this publication . 

Where you can review a comprehensive guide on how to start a subscription box business.

7. Organic Drink Production & Sales

The organic drinks sector is hot.

People have become aware of health concerns.

Pesticides-chemicals-fertilizers-and the need for alternatives.

Enter the organic beverage.

Projected to grow globally at a rate of  8.3%  from 2018-2023 as per  this article .

People are saying ciao to carbonated drinks.

Want dairy alternatives.

And have raised their standards.

Of course, there is an influx of online retailers entering the playing field.

But some of the trends for 2021 to set your biz apart include things outlined in  this post like:

• Bubble Tea & Hard Seltzers
• Fermented Drinks & Sparkling Waters
• Mocktails & Non-Alcoholic Beer
• Immune Fortifying & Brain Boosting

Advanced product innovations. 

Aggressive marketing techniques.

And you can propel this  best business to start with $100k  into orbit.

Determine your niche and be prepared to invest around $100,000+ as per  this publication .

Get your financing ducks in a row.

And this idea has the potential to achieve lucrative ROIs.

8. Software Services

Software as a service or SaaS .

A broad-brush term for ' software licensing and delivery model' for software on external servers'.

Not only more cost-effective and secure but known for its simplicity.

And with revenues expected to climb to  over $387,000 million .

With a CAGR of 7.26% from 2021-2025 as per  this post .

The time to invest is now.

Options are numerous.

But a few of the top trending facets as per  this article include things like:

Software Service Trends 2021

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Centralized Analytics & Vertical SaaS

API & PaaS

Micro-SaaS & White Label SaaS

You can go big or start small.

And investment costs will vary on the size of your production.

But a ballpark figure as per  this post  suggests  $1500-$40,000+ .

You don't have to be a techie to achieve financial prosperity with this suggestion.

Check out  this article outlining how to start a software as a service business.

9 . Video Production

COVID hit the entertainment and media industry HARD.

But that's not slowing down the video production market.

Forecast to see a  CAGR of 7.4%  as per  this post .

In 2021 this market is valued at $33.8billion.

And the good news?

The industry is on an upsurge.

The bad news?

There are literally no barriers to entry.

Any Tom-Dick-or Jane with a camera can shoot a video.

But are they any good?

It'll come down to your ability to market yourself and your brand.

Get niche specific.

Like really dial down.

Consider ideas outlined in  this post like:

Live Streaming & Remote Video Production

Simpler Productions & Widespread Diversity

Accessibility & Formatting

Investment costs  are as varied as cameras.

As little as  $15,000 or up to $100,000+  as per  this article .

What it comes down to is equipment-location-and marketing.

But if you have the skills.

Possess the passion.

For you it just might be the  best business to start with $100k .

This article offers some insight on how to start a profitable video production company.

10. IT Support

Forced into lockdowns-quarantines and work from home.

Conditions that brought to the forefront just how many home and business owners lack basic technology skills.

As the pandemic surges on digital is the new normal.

One explanation for the IT services market forecast to see an annual growth rate of  8.3%  by the end of 2021, as per  this post .

A few of the top tech trends leading the industry in 2021 as per  this article include things like:

Internet of Things & Total Experience

Privacy-Enhancing Computation & Cybersecurity Mesh

Anywhere Operations & Hyper Automation

But don't forget basic support services like troubleshooting, malware issues, and data backup.

A ' knowledge and service-based business ' startup costs are generally on the lower end of your $100k.

And you should budget for  $6500-$47,000+  as per  this post .

There are franchise options if you're interested in aligning with a tried and true business model.

Like the one listed in  this post  that require around  $150,000 initial capital  if you're willing to spend a little more.

Check out  this article for additional information on starting an IT support service.

11. Accounting Firm

The pandemic forced many small business owners to close their doors for good.

But that means that new ownership is a distinct possibility.

And with new management comes the potential for new accounting clients.

Predicted to see a CAGR of 4% from 2019-2029 as per  this post .

The accounting industry is worth an estimated  $107 billion .

Money is funny. 

And most business owners need an assist when it comes to taxes and managing their finances.

From auditing to basic book management, a few of the accounting trends forecast for 2021 as per  this article include things like:

Cloud-Based Accounting & Accounting Software

Remote Work & Virtual Assistant Staffing

Big Data & Data Analytics

Startup costs will vary depending on your style of service delivery.

Remote and from home cost significantly less to fund than a brick-and-mortar establishment.

But you should plan for an initial investment of  $2500-$25,000+  as per  this publication .

With the ability to charge $150-$300+/hour, the bigger your clientele, the better your ROIs.

If crunching numbers is your jam,  this post offers a comprehensive guide on starting an accounting firm.

12. Consulting Firm

Are you an expert in a particular field?

Can you provide value to individuals and business owners with your knowledge and expertise?

Then why not consider this  best business to start with $100k .

Consulting firms are seeing growth rates of 2.3% in 2021 as per  this publication .

This  $241.6 billion market  offers high ROIs ($100-$300+/hour).

Flexibility and scalability.

But you need to prove you're the expert.

And determine the ideal niche and target market for your business.

A few of the more popular consulting niches include things outlined in  this post like:

Operations Consulting & Financial Consulting

Human Resources Consulting & Strategy Consulting

Risk & Compliance Consulting

You should budget for around  $60,000+  as per  this post .

And have an iron-clad marketing and branding strategy.

Have the skills that pay the bills? 

Then  this article offers additional information on how to open a consulting firm.

13. Education Services

Kids have been walloped by the pandemic.

Forced to learn from home, the eLearning facet of the education industry scrambled to keep up.

But there are other opportunities in education services.

Expected to see a  CAGR of 4.7%  and be worth an estimated $1,950 billion by 2025 as per  this post .

If you are education savvy, this is a suggestion worth a closer look.

There are opportunities in sectors like:

Education Service Options:

Online Tutoring

English As A Second Language & Adult Learning

College Prep 

SAT Prep & Standardized Testing Support

You need the necessary educational background and certification.

But if you enjoy teaching and have the required credentials, this is a business that you can start for  $15,000-$50,000+ , depending on your delivery method.

Will you offer services only online?

In your home or your clients?

Established brick and mortar?

Will you hire additional staff?

Things to consider and should be dependent on your location, competition, and target market.

Factor in costs of equipment.

Technology will only continue to advance.

And some of the current trends in the education landscape include things outlined in  this article  like:

• eLearning & Video-Assisted Learning
• Big Data & Blockchain Technology
• Artificial Intelligence & Immersive AR/VR
• Gamification & Learning Analytics

Without question, education is a sector of stability.

It offers scalability and generous ROIs.

If you're interested in learning more about starting an education business, check out  this article for specific recommendations.

14. In-Home Health & Senior Care

Baby boomers are booming.

And with an increase in aging and chronically ill population comes opportunity.

This post  suggests that by 2035 there will be almost  78 million people  over 65 in the USA.

Growth in the in-home health and senior care sector is poised to see annual rates of a staggering  34%  between 2019-2029, as per  this article .

This massive expansion equates to a fissure in supply versus demand.

Making this one of the  best businesses to start with $100k  top recommendations.

Minimal risk and high ROIs will result in a lucrative venture capital endeavor.

A few trends in the field as per  this post include things like:

On-Demand Companionship Services & Remote Patient Monitoring

Increased Focus On Health & Wellness

Transportation Assistance & Nutritional Support & Laundry

Implementation of Technology (AI) & Redefining Community

Build up your client base.

Hire staff and provide value.

And you will be the owner of a highly fortuitous in-home health care and senior care business.

There are  franchise options  available for around  $125,000+ .

But if you're building independently from the ground up, plan on investing between  $50,000-$100,000  for non-Medicare. 

Or a little more at $150,000+ for Medicare as per  this post .

Looking for additional info on how to get started?

Check out  this article providing a more comprehensive breakdown of the process.

15. Commercial Cleaning & Janitorial Service

The world has never been so clean.

With the continued recommendation to wash our hands.

And clean all surfaces.

Mask mandates and social distancing the wage against the COVID virus continues to run rampant.

Fantastic news for commercial cleaning and janitorial services.

This industry was already gearing for a  6% revenue increase  between 2021-2026 as per  this publication .

And the demand shows no signs of slowing down.

Business owners continue to perform their due diligence to ensure customer safety.

And deep cleans are at the top of their list.

A few of the latest things in commercial cleaning as per  this post include:

• Coronavirus Cleaning & Green Cleaning
• Add-On Services & Additional Services
• Software Tools & Increased Staff Training

Depending on the size of your business, plan on investing  $5000-$100,000+ .

There are also  franchise options  available for around $40,000.

An idea which may be worth its weight in convenience alone.

And with profit margins between  5%-40%  as per  this post , commercial cleaning is not only low-risk but sweeps in decent ROIs.

This article  offers extensive information.

Compares residential versus commercial cleaning.

And franchise versus independents.

16. Pest Control

Insects-rodents-creepy crawlies.

Call them what you want. 

But at the end of the day, pests are unwanted guests.

Eradicating infestations is a job best left to professionals.

Explaining why this  $17.5 billion industry  is slated to see a CAGR of 5% from 2021-2026 as per  this post .

So what factors are driving market growth?

A couple of things as evidenced by  this article including:

Continuous Outbreak of Diseases

Demand for Digital Pest Control Methods

Increase in Pest Intolerance

If you can stomach the bugs, you stand to earn generous compensation with this lucrative idea.

This post  advises that pest control services can earn profits of  over $75,000/year .

Plan for an initial investment of $10,000-$50,000+ as per  this article .

Or opt for the  franchise route  and spend around $15,000-$150,000.

Check out  this post for a complete analysis on starting a pest control business.

17. Skilled Trades

Supply is not meeting demand.

And as more 'baby boomers' retire the gap continues to grow.

This post  reports a ' dire need for workers .'

What industry?

The skilled trades.

Businesses like those handyman skills listed in this post including things like:

Welder & Pipefitters

HVAC Tech & Plumber

Diesel Technician & Electrician

Machinists & Construction & Woodworking

You can opt to own a business and cut initial start-up costs by renting or purchasing used equipment.

But you're still looking at an investment of  $5,000-$100,000+  depending on the choice trade.

This post  outlines how to start an HVAC business as a point of reference.

But again-costs will vary depending on required equipment, business licensing, staffing, etc.

ROI's are roughly 6% of all earnings for most sectors.

Niche-location-and competition.

All contributing factors to consider with this  best business to start with $100k .

18. Landscaping

Landscaping.

It's a  $99.7 billion industry  set to see an annual growth rate of 1% in 2021, as per  this post .

Demand is intense.

But so is the playing field.

So perform your due diligence before you invest.

Consider a specific style geared to a distinct audience.

Something to set you apart.

Like any of the season's hottest trends outlined in  this article which include things like:

Outdoors As An Extension Of Indoors

Grow It & Eat It

Eclectic Styles & Native Plants

Vertical Gardens & Unique Lighting & Design

Landscape Architecture

There are the old faithful's too.

The bread and butter of most landscaping businesses.

Things like lawn care, weeding, tree services, etc.

It comes down to value-service-and quality work.

Happy customers = returning customers.

And with profit margins falling between  2%-40%  as per  this post .

The more happy clients you retain-the more money you make.

Start-up costs can average between $5000 for a small-scale lawn cutting service.

To upwards of $100,000+ for a full-service landscape architecture or design firm.

Check out  this publication which outlines costs in addition to the do's and don'ts when launching a landscaping business.

19 . Solar Pa nel Installation

We might be pushing the envelope with this  best business to start with $100k . 

But hear us out.

Solar power installation business investments typically run around $500,000 as per  this post .

But there are a couple of ways to mitigate costs.

Franchise options  are available for $100,000-$350,000.

Alternatively, you could start a business out of your home.

Forgo purchasing equipment in advance.

And you're looking at a  $9,000-$50,000  initial investment.

Want the full Monty?

You're looking at numbers around  $500,000-$2 million+  as an independent.

Before you throw in the towel on this idea, let's factor in the business model's pros and cons.

• CAGR of 20.5% Between 2019-2026
• Profit Margins Of Up To 60%
• New Government Incentives Are Driving Demand
• Environmental Awareness Has Spiked Interest
• Expensive to Launch & Competitive
• Requires Steady Stream Of Contracts To Generate Substantial Profit Margins
• Highly Regulated Industry

It is possible to achieve outstanding profitability with this  business model .

But you need to do your research with a fine-tooth comb.

Understand what you are investing in and the skills, tools, and licensing you need to succeed.

This article offers additional information on starting a solar power installation business.

20. Pet Grooming

Can't get your haircut during lockdown.

But you can take your dog to the groomers.

It's an $8.8 billion industry.

Projected to see an  annual growth rate of 23.4% in 2021  alone as per  this post .

And over 63.4 million American dog owners as per  this article .

People spend money on their pets.

Over $7 billion, according to  this publication .

And pet grooming is one of the biggest contenders.

You can offer a mobile option or brick-and-mortar establishment.

Depending on your delivery method, you're looking at an initial investment of  $5000-$50,000+  as per  this post.

You can earn $75,000-$100,000+/year according to  this publication .

More if you offer any specialized services.

Good with animals?

Have the skills?

Then you're looking at a profitable venture capitalist opportunity.

Check out  this post for more information on how to get started as a pet grooming business owner.

21. Franchise Options

Turn-key ready.

High success rate.

Impressive ROIs.

Franchises  are an excellent option for people interested in starting their own business.

But choose your niche with care

Franchises that offer contactless curb-side options-take-out and delivery services have fared exceptionally well during the pandemic, as per  this post .

There will always be pros and cons to starting any business.

But a few associated with franchises include things outlined in  this post like: 

Skip The Start-Up Phase

Support & Training At Your Fingertips

Built-In Marketing & Branding

High Initial Investment Costs

• No Control Over Reputation Management

Limited Flexibility of Ownership

Some franchises will run you big bucks to finance.

But there are a few top contenders that fit the best business to start with $100k .

Factor in that 90% of franchises are still operating at a profit five years later as per this post , and you could be sitting on a goldmine.

This article lists some of the best franchise opportunities for 2021.

And include options that fit into your predetermined investment worth further investigation.

22. Online Business

Set to increase from  14%-22%  by 2023 as per  this post .

Online business is just getting warmed up.

The pandemic forced people to shop from home.

Causing a surge of online shopping that is here to stay.

Worth  over $2 trillion , the eCommerce and online business model is permeated with opportunity.

So what's driving the market aside from COVID-19?

Things like customer demand, a change in shopping habits, and the need for convenience.

A few of the newest crazes to hit the internet as per  this article include things like:

Online Business Trends 2021

Print-On-Demand T-Shirts & Custom Masks

Online Thrift Stores and Reselling

PPE & Sanitation Supplies

Courses & eBooks

Homemade Products & Artisan Crafts

Cybersecurity & Web Development

Niche is crucial.

But you also need to factor in costs for things like website development, marketing, branding, inventory, etc., 

Add it all up, and you're looking at an initial investment of $5000-$100,000+ as per this post .

Think you're up for it?

Check out this article for a comprehensive guide to starting an online business.

23. E-Commerce Distribution Platform

With the onslaught of online businesses comes another opportunity.

For those who are tech-savvy and understand the nuances associated with developing an e-commerce website, this one's for you.

Poised to see an annual growth rate of  13%  from 2018-2028 as per  this publication  confirms impressive market expansion.

The vast majority of existing business owners looking to move to online options haven't got a clue.

Add in new business ventures, and there are favorable circumstances at every turn.

From curbside pickup to a full e-commerce site.

Costs vary depending on the platform of choice, add-ons, and customized features

The necessary software, equipment, marketing, and advertising will see you spending an initial investment of  $5000-$100,000 .

But with the ability to charge $5000-$10,000+ per build as per  this post , the ROIs are pretty sweet.

24. Online Clothing Rental Platform

Sustainability, fashion-conscious, and money savvy.

Driving forces contributing to the expansion of an  8.7% CAGR .

All going down between 2020-2025 in the online clothing rental business, as per this post .

Fashion businesses are expected to reach market values of $2.08 billion worldwide by 2025, this best business to start with $100k  is worth evaluating.

So what's driving this market?

Things found in  this article like:

Budget & Environmentally Friendly

Radical & Trending

Rising Internet Penetration & Inflating Disposable Income

It's going to take some platform designing.

A user-friendly and seamless experience.

High-quality clothing and delivery.

You want the caliber  these sites are delivering to their client base.

But if you can check all of the boxes, you stand to earn hefty payouts with this idea.

Depending on your inventory costs and size, plan on an initial investment of  $5000-$100,000 .

This article offers a complete a-z guide on starting a dress rental business clothing line but can be copied for any niche you wish.

25. Graphic Design Firm

The graphic design industry is calling for a growth rate of  4.1% in 2021 , as per  this post .

Good news for all the creatives out there.

If you have the eye-the talent-and the tech-savvy know-how starting a graphic design business may be an ideal fit.

The biggest challenge is developing your brand and retaining clients.

A competitive industry-if you're good at what you do you stand to earn  $75-$200+/hour .

Identifying your niche and target market will help take some of the guesswork out of how to market your brand.

Some of the graphic design trends rolling out in 2021 include things outlined in  this post like: 

3D Design & 3D Typography Design

Nature-Inspired Design & Optical Illusion Design

Emoji Design & Cartoon Illustrations in Design

Geometric Shapes Design & Typography Chaos Design

You can run your gig from home to reduce startup costs.

Freelance or establish a brick and mortar business.

Depending on your style of delivery choice, plan to invest between  $1000-$100,000 as per this article .

Want more info on how to get started?

Check out this post for all the tips and tricks of the trade.

26. Digital Marketing Agency

Digital marketing.

How business owners reach consumers in an era driven by the internet.

Projected to grow by  4.4% in 2021  as per  this post .

Digital marketing  is a $17.2 billion industry in the United States and will continue to see expansion.

Here's the thing.

There is a method to the madness with digital marketing that the general population doesn't really get.

If you can manipulate the market, you stand to earn massive compensation.

It all comes down to your strategy and ability to increase business ROIs.

Essentially you need to put your money where your mouth is.

And you need to be current on all of the latest trends.

A few of the forces shaping digital marketing in 2021, as per  this article , include things like: 

Advanced Chatbots & Featured Snippets

Optimize For Voice Search & User Intent

Shoppable Social Posts & Inclusive Marketing

SEO & Earned Media Better Than PPC

Flexible and scalable.

You can start a digital marketing company from home to minimize costs.

As you grow, hire staff-consider leasing office space-etc.

Plan on an initial investment of about  $1000-$50,000+ depending on how big you want to be.

This post offers step-by-step instructions on how to start a digital marketing agency from the ground up.

IMO The Best Opportunity On The Internet

Lead Generation

You've scrimped and saved.

Made sacrifices and set a goal.

But investing $100k is not a decision to be taken lightly.

You need to do your research.

I scoured the internet looking for the best way to make money before I discovered  this online training .

A business model that changed my life.

A  one-of-a-kind program that showed me exactly what I needed to know to build and rank websites on Google.

Think of it like this.

The websites you build are like digital real estate you own.

Virtual billboards that generate leads for local businesses.

Follow the training and trust the process.

Do that and you can get those sites to the top of the search engines.

Like this tree site, I built back in 2015.

This site alone has been making me $2000/month for the last six years .

My sweet spot?

This is only one of over 80 sites I currently own.

And I rent all of them to local business owners hungry to grow their business.

Just the way it's taught in this online course .

Let me break it down for you.

There are over 400 niches to choose from.

In any city.

Any country.

Anywhere in the world.

Lead generation doesn't know borders.

It doesn't fall victim to lockdowns and quarantines.

Once your site is generating leads, you connect with a reliable business owner.

Someone who sees the value you bring to the table.

Then you sell those leads.

Commission-flat-fee-rev share-doesn't matter.

The leads and the sites belong to you.

You call the shots here.

Just follow the training and you've got cash coming in every month like a well-oiled machine.

Now make no mistake.

This is no 'get rich quick scheme'.

You need to follow the training just the way it's laid out.

But even if you have no background you can be successful with lead generation.

The program is so detailed a kid could follow along.

But you need to commit.

Put in the time

Do the work and trust the process.

Why Lead Gen is Changing Lives

And with you every step of the way is the mastermind and creator of this exclusive training program .

A guy by the name of Dan.

A legend in his own right.

And he's been doing this for over a decade.

Adding new material.

Creating new systems and bringing ongoing value twice a week in live streams.

Sharing the most innovative ways.

The newest hacks.

All of the tools and then some to be successful with lead generation.

My mentor-turned friend and now business partner.

I learn something new every day because of his dedication to this online program and unparalleled business model .

And I'm not the only one.

There are currently over 6500 members in our group.

People from all walks of life who have committed to this training .

Followed the program and continue to trust the process.

And they're winning with lead generation .

Like a community of like-minded entrepreneurs.

We come together in our private Facebook group.

A place to swap tricks of the trade.

Celebrate wins and share strategies on how to mitigate losses.

Deciding what the best business to start with $100k is not an easy task.

Arm yourself with as much information as possible before you commit.

But if you're looking for a business model like no other.

A way to make real money.

Be your own boss and earn staggering profit margins.

Then you should examine this opportunity closely.

You need to lean in.

Do the hard work.

No free rides here.

But if you trust the process.

Follow the training .

And dedicate the time to lead generation your ROIs will propel into orbit.

Have questions?

Curious about how to get started with lead generation ?

Want more information?

Click the link below and book a call today.

Congratulations on coming up with $100k.

This list of 27 best business to start with $100k will hopefully inspire.

Or at the very least align with your vision and talents.

Not even close to a comprehensive list.

If you have an idea that didn't make the cut, please feel free to leave it in the comments.

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Yes, why didn’t I think of it before? A car repair shop is the perfect business considering I have ZERO experience in mechanical repair!!!

No worries. When you start thinking like a business owner, you start to see new ways of solving problems (that’s where the money is). If I wanted to start a car repair shop but didn’t know how to fix the cars myself, I’d just hire a couple of people who do and manage the place. It’s best to stick to our strengths and hire others for their expertise. Thanks for reading.

• Weill Cornell Medicine

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• Cornell University Center for Technology Licensing

$100K Biomedical Business Plan Challenge

This intense, hands-on program works directly with up to 10 teams of entrepreneurial scientists and clinicians to develop business plans around their Cornell-patented intellectual property. The program culminates in a final pitch competition with venture capitalist judges who award up to $100K in cash prizes. Teams must apply to be selected to participate in this program . A call for applications is typically made in the first quarter of each calendar year.

Selected faculty-led teams complete 10 weeks of rigorous instruction by life science professionals and startup experts. With the help of over two dozen industry mentors (serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and corporate executives), the teams create initial business plans by the end of the program. Past Business Plan Challenge participants have successfully raised external funding, received federal grants, or obtained industry awards for their startups.

Contact Loren Busby at  [email protected]  for additional information.

Past $100K Biomedical Business Plan Challenge events

$100k biomedical business plan challenge final pitch day, $100k biomedical business plan challenge info session, entrepreneurs panel: meet the bioventure elab business plan challenge alumni.

Weill Cornell Medicine Enterprise Innovation 1155 York Ave. New York, NY 10065 Phone: (646) 962-7045 Email: [email protected]

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The Shepherdess

Resources for Beginner Sheep Farmers, Dorper Sheep for Sale in Texas!

HOW I BUILT A $100K SHEEP FARM BUSINESS IN 3 YEARS (Sheep farming for profit)

“11 QUESTIONS” Business PLANNING WORKSHEETS

In 2020 I decided I wanted to become a farmer for profit. I had no idea what I was up against, I just knew I wanted to generate $100K per year off of my 23 acre sheep farm with a net profit minimum of 30%.

• no farming background.
• no industry connections.

But what I did have was knowledge.

• Our food system is broken.
• Our farmers are dying.
• We need more people growing groceries.

And I knew how to market… While I had never built a farm business, I had built and marketed several other business… mostly in the retail apparel industry. So I shoved everything I knew from marketing shoes and clothes in the direction of marketing sheep: Branding, content creation, email marketing, live launching, product stacking, and diversification. It’s all I had, and gave it all I had. 1000 days after launching my farm business, it earned just shy of $100K within one calendar year.

• Youtube Ad Revenue
• Sponsorship deals
• Course sales
• Speaking fees

In a year by year format I am going to show you exactly how I built my farm brand and a concept that rapidly increased gross revenue. We are talking going from $10k to $100k within just a year. That $100k gross is split between three distinct products that fit within a similar category and all appeal to the same person. What I am getting ready to outline transcends industries, so no matter what business you decide to build you will more than likely pull something out of this video. I know this because the same methods I used to sell sheep were the same methods I used to sell shoes.

HOWEVER, while this pattern is simple (if you are like me)… the hard part of the whole process will be sticking with it and not quitting. Here’s why:

Year 1 , I worked about 1000 hours to build my farm business and grossed about $0.

Year 2 , I worked another 1000 hours to build my farm business and grossed about $10,000. That’s like a dollar an hour.

Year 3 , I worked about 1000 hours on my farm business and grossed about $100K.

There were a lot of times I wanted to QUIT. It was very discouraging to work so hard without any immediate return.

If you are in it for money you will quit, because there are thousands of easier ways to make this kind of money. You have to farm for deeper reasons.

Here is a year by year look at the marketing that went into building the Shepherdess Brand:

Year 1: I set a solid foundation. Mindset and otherwise.

• I decided I wanted to make $100k per year farming 23 acres, with a minimum net profit of $30k.
• Decided I was going direct to consumer. No sale barns, no middle man, whatever farm goods I sold would be sold through my own website or straight from my farm to you.
• I penciled out a business plan with beef. I couldn’t achieve a net profit of $30k with beef on 23 acres. Even with the fanciest beef I could only pencil out about $8,900 on 23 acres.
• I pivoted from beef to sheep as my primary enterprise. I still run beef, I still sell sides of grass fed and finished beef, but just in a much smaller ratio to sheep.
• I built my website (Shepherdess.com). I published 3 long-form, SEO optimized articles to the website that would rank in Google search.
• I setup a newsletter.
• Created a solid brand name, logo, and slogan.

Year 2: I worked ahead of time to build my newsletter list with people who might be interested in buying my sheep.

By the beginning of year two my flock was lambing and I was almost ready to sell my first lambs. 6 months before launching my first sheep sale, I doubled down on building my newsletter list.

I used social media to find people for my newsletter. I chose Instagram and Youtube to find people for my newsletter. I chose Youtube because Youtube and Google are both search engines. I created videos with the goal of ranking in Youtube search engine in the same way that I wrote the blog posts. With my videos I answered specific questions about sheep farming.

In prep for my first livestock sale, I listed some small merch at shepherdess.com. My sheep weren’t ready yet, but I offered Gateway products: Stickers and shirts. I didn’t make a lot of money off these products, but it was a way that people could connect and purchase something small to support my work.

I held my first livestock sale at Shepherdess.com on August 11, 2021. I advertised my sheep through my newsletter and sold all of them through either Shepherdess.com or through Craigslist.

I did not make a ton of money in year 2 at all… but I had prototyped all of my ideas on a small scale and found viability .

I heard it said that when, starting a new business, the hardest money you will ever make is your first $1000. If you can survive that process, know that it won’t take much more effort to make $100k.

I have found that to be true.

Year 3: Go big or go home.

My newsletter list was growing really strong around the topic of sheep farming. I hosted my 2nd livestock sale in April of 2022, marketed it through that email newsletter, and sold out of all my sheep at shepherdess.com within 15 minutes.

I was elated… And then I thought: “Wait, that’s all my sheep for the year… what else can I sell?”

There were two FAQ’s that came to me again and again.

1: What books did you read as a beginner in raising livestock on pasture?

2: What kind of supplies do you use to take care of your sheep?

So I took these questions as cues and put the 5 books I read as a beginner in livestock at Shepherdess.com.

And I worked super hard and acquired distributorship for the 32 products I use to take care of my flock on an annual basis. It was something I had never done before, but the Lord opened doors.

I made both of these things available a Shepherdess.com, and by God’s grace, revenue tripled overnight… Because I found more than one way to meet the needs of the people I had spent two years connecting with…. through my email newsletter.

And that is the secret sauce. Listen to the people. Take your mind off of what you want to sell and listen to what they want.

I hope this summary helps you market your own farm!

-the Shepherdess

“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Cor. 3:7

Reader Interactions

May 23, 2023 at 7:07 pm

great job way to show that you can do things the correct and ethical way and still be successful

May 24, 2023 at 4:03 pm

Thanks for your encouragement, Mike!

July 17, 2023 at 3:40 pm

Why do you have lots of different farm names, Harmony Farms, The Sheperdess, Lamb for Life, etc.? Do you have any recommendations on coming up with farm names?

July 18, 2023 at 3:30 pm

Hi Betty! I have different names for the different products and facets. My brand is the Shepherdess and my farm name is Harmony Farms. Here is a video I made on the topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdNIj4g9Abc&t=26s

April 3, 2024 at 5:19 am

I very much admire your work and thinking.

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Harmony farms.

Main Street Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482, USA

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Sony and Apollo’s Plan for Paramount: Break It Up

CBS and other well-known properties would be sold if Sony and Apollo were able to buy Paramount. But the new owners would keep the movie studio.

By Benjamin Mullin and Lauren Hirsch

Shari Redstone helped build Paramount Global into a media empire, but if Sony Pictures Entertainment and the private-equity giant Apollo Global Management succeed in acquiring it, they plan to break it all up, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The plan would include auctioning off CBS, cable channels like MTV and the Paramount Plus streaming service, said the people, who asked not to be identified sharing private details. Paramount Pictures — home to blockbusters like “The Godfather,” “Top Gun” and the “Mission: Impossible” franchise — would be combined with Sony’s business.

Sony and Apollo, which made a nonbinding expression of interest in acquiring Paramount for $26 billion last week, are also likely to keep Paramount’s library of films and TV shows and the rights to well-known characters, including the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and SpongeBob SquarePants. They have not yet outlined this plan to Paramount or its advisers.

A breakup of Paramount would represent a major changing of the guard in the entertainment industry. CBS and Paramount have been controlled by the Redstone family for decades, since the media mogul Sumner Redstone assembled the conglomerate in a series of audacious deals. His daughter, Ms. Redstone, championed a 2019 deal to reunite it, and she remains Paramount’s controlling shareholder.

Sony and Apollo are now engaging with Paramount’s financial advisers on next steps in their proposal, the people said. The two companies have not yet signed formal nondisclosure agreements or begun due diligence reviews, a process that could take weeks.

Though it’s still early, the two bidders have already begun to envision how a deal for Paramount could unfold. The two would likely operate the company as a joint venture controlled by Sony, with a minority stake owned by Apollo, the people said. Sony would look to combine the marketing and distribution functions of the Paramount movie studio with its own operations, and divest the rest of the properties.

Over time, Apollo could sell its stake in the joint venture back to Sony or to another buyer. It’s not yet clear just how large a stake Apollo would hold in the business, though the company plans to invest billions in the deal, one person said.

A breakup of Paramount is not a preferred outcome for Ms. Redstone, who would prefer the company to pass on to another buyer intact, a person familiar with her thinking said. But it wouldn’t necessarily be a dealbreaker if the offer was compelling, the person said.

There are other suitors. Skydance, a media company founded by the tech scion David Ellison, has been in discussions with Paramount for months about a potential deal. Exclusive negotiations between Skydance and Paramount lapsed last week, shortly after Sony and Apollo put in their expression of interest. But Skydance remains interested.

Sony and Paramount have different approaches to the entertainment business, and a deal would probably result in a U-turn for Paramount. Unlike Paramount, which streams its content on Paramount+, Sony licenses its movies and TV shows to companies like Netflix and Disney. Sony would probably not change that approach in a deal with Paramount and would most likely look to combine Paramount+ with a rival service, such as Comcast’s Peacock or Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max.

Sony has long pursued Paramount’s movie studio. Several years ago, Sony executives reached out to Paramount to see if the company would be willing to sell Paramount Pictures or merge it into a joint venture, but Paramount signaled it was interested only in a deal for the whole company. So when Apollo made a bid for all of Paramount this year, Sony decided to team up.

Any deal by Sony would face regulatory hurdles. Regulations restrict foreign owners from holding licenses for U.S. broadcast stations, which could prevent Sony — which is owned by the Japanese-based Sony Group — from owning CBS-affiliated TV stations. But they could divest the stations immediately, or have Apollo apply for the license. They are also considering other options for the stations.

The deal would also most likely require clearance from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, the panel in Washington that scrutinizes acquisitions by foreign owners.

Sony and Apollo believe that when they decide to sell the Paramount assets , there could be many logical buyers, the three sources said. Warner Bros. Discovery, which does not own a broadcast network, could be a suitor for CBS. TV station groups like Nexstar and Tegna could be logical buyers for CBS’s owned and operated TV stations.

The hardest asset to sell would most likely be Paramount’s cable networks, like MTV and Nickelodeon, but those could be sold to a TV programmer looking for greater scale in negotiations with cable companies like Charter and Comcast.

Benjamin Mullin reports on the major companies behind news and entertainment. Contact Ben securely on Signal at +1 530-961-3223 or email at [email protected] . More about Benjamin Mullin

Lauren Hirsch joined The Times from CNBC in 2020, covering deals and the biggest stories on Wall Street. More about Lauren Hirsch