30 Low-Cost Business Ideas For Beginners

21. ONLINE COACHING

Across the world and across vocations and life experiences, people are looking for guidance in reaching their goals. You can help them as an online coach!

For me, this is the most appealing aspect of becoming an online coach: the chance to help someone realize their dreams, to help shape someone else’s success.

Just look at Michael Knouse.

He found solace in “simply serving others” after struggles in his relationship and the grueling climb up the corporate ladder. He now makes over $200,000 per year as a coach and runs a successful blog titled Outsmart the Hustle.

What could I coach people in?

Try asking yourself: where have I already helped someone in their life? Who turns to me for help, and for what?

Some of the most popular coaching categories right now:

• Life Coaching
• Business
• Parenting
• Financial
• Relationship
• Speaking
• Health and Wellness
• Career
• Spiritual

But where does someone just start finding clients?

First, tap into your existing networks – think friends, family, colleagues, and social media contacts.

Once you’ve established yourself, go further, and create a website. Fill it with testimonials from satisfied clients and promote it through social media to expand your reach!

Ready to get started? Check out: The Ultimate Guide to Starting Your Online Coaching Business.

22. FOOD BUSINESS

For some, small business ideas are about freedom – the freedom to escape to the corporate world, to work whenever and wherever you want. For others, it’s about a side hustle, a little extra cash in your pocket.

But there are some for whom small business ideas are about following their passion, turning work into play, and love into work.

The question is: what is your passion?

If the answer is ‘food,’ then you can turn this passion into a profitable side business, or more!

How, you might be wondering, your mouth watering, visions of sugarplums dancing in your head.

Well…

Do you make homemade jam or a cake that friends and family can’t get enough of? Guess what, specialty items like these are in high demand in digital marketplaces.

Are you an incredible cook? Good news, many families will pay top dollar for a personal chef or for ready meals.

Perhaps you’re an artist in the kitchen? Try cake decorating!

Are you an expert with an encyclopedia of tried and tested recipes? Start a food blog!

Maybe you’re a health expert? Become a meal planner or nutrition coach!

Love teaching others? Think about starting online cooking classes on platforms like Teachable.

The possibilities are endless! Just considering them all is making me hungry.

Concerned about how well your home skills will translate on the big stage?

Just remember, the great Martha Stewart started her business cooking out of her kitchen at home.

23. START A PET BUSINESS

Calling all pet lovers.

My gosh, they’re so cute, aren’t they? No wonder we love them so much.

In fact, nearly three-quarters of US households have at least one pet.

That’s 89.7 million dogs and 94.2 million cats. Put another way, there is essentially the same number of dogs and cats in the US as there are working-age adults.

No wonder Americans spend over $120 billion on their pets every year.

So how can pet lovers cash in on their passion?

• Try dog walking or pet sitting. Yes, you can get paid to spend spare time with furry friends, not to mention get paid to walk.

To get started, create a profile on a pet service network like Rover.com, which will connect you with potential customers in your area. Or, get out there and pound the pavement! Try dropping flyers and business cards at pet stores, vet clinics, or pet grooming businesses.

• Alternatively, you could sell pet toys, portraits, treats, and apparel through your online store. It’s undeniable that people love expressing their personality through their pets and the products they buy for them (and yes, some businesses are currently successfully selling outfits and costumes for pets).

Need more ideas? Check out: 50 Unusual Pet Businesses to Start.

And if you are looking for inspiration, simply look at this headline – “Dog Walker makes a million dollars doing what she loves.”

24. DRIVE FOR UBER OR LYFT

I get it. Not everyone wants to work online.

Shall we venture into the physical world and see what small business ideas it provides?

Are you the type of person that likes to interact with all sorts of different people from different backgrounds and walks of life? In many ways, the Uber/Lyft driver is the modern bartender, listening to people’s stories, their hopes and dreams, and insecurities for 15 minutes at a time.

Sounds up your alley? Here’s how you get started:

First, check that you meet the minimum driver requirements and that you have an eligible vehicle. In most states, all you need is a valid driver’s license and an insured 4-door vehicle less than 15-years-old. 

What if I don’t have an eligible vehicle?

Don’t fret! Both Uber and Lyft have partnerships with car rental companies that allow you to rent and drive at a discounted rate.

Once you’ve confirmed you’ve met the requirements, simply download the Uber or Lyft app and get driving! Many drivers are getting fares less than a week after they sign up.

And the best part is, you can then drive as much or as little as you like!

Insider Tip: take it to the next level and use Uber or Lyft as a vehicle (pun intended) for your retail business

Check out Gavin Escobar, the Uber driver Forbes called “The Uberpreneur.”

After immigrating to the US from the Philippines to start a jewelry business, he began driving for Uber to help make ends meet. Then it hit him. Why not combine the two?

These days his vehicle acts as his mobile showroom, subtly laced with brochures and live examples of his products. Last year, Gavin made over $250,000 – $36,000 driving for Uber and the rest from jewelry.

Get started with Uber and Lyft today.

25. START A MOBILE NOTARY BUSINESS

Maybe you like the idea of a small business that gets you out of the house and on the road, but the thought of Uber is too much.

You might want to look at becoming a mobile notary public, one of the best-kept secrets out there.

Consider, forms and legal documents are being created and signed every day of the week. These are wills and trusts, power of attorney forms, forms for car titles and home loans, medical forms, even forms for your kids to play sports at school.

It is a veritable avalanche!

A notary public is someone who impartially witnesses the signing of such documents in order to make sure signatories are who they say they are and that they’re aware of what they’re singing.

Sounds easy, right?

It is!

And guess what? There are not even any specific experience or education requirements. In fact, in most states, there are no requirements at all to become a notary public (while some do require a training course or exam).

The best part is the average signing free for about an hour of a notary’s time is $100!

Do the math. A couple of signings per week are enough for a tidy little side hustle. Try four signings per day, five days a week, and you’ve just made over $100,000 in a year!

Ready to get started? Check out this detailed guide from the American Association of Notaries.

Pro Tip: Want to find those looking for notaries fast? Try signing up for an online notary directory like Notary Stars or Notary Rotary, which will connect you to customers in your area.

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