Starting a business with just $500? It may seem impossible, but it’s more doable than you think—if you’re realistic about what you’re getting into.
$500 isn’t a huge amount, but it’s enough to start a simple, owner-operated, service-based business.
Businesses like a cleaning company or moving help are your best bet. For example, the guy who cleans our carpets? He’s one person with a machine, making it work on a budget.
Of course, starting with this “little” money has a high risk. There’s a real chance you could lose that $500 without seeing much return. But if you’re ready to commit and put in the time, there are ways to make it happen.
With low-cost small businesses like a DIY social media account, you can start a business with just your time, a smartphone, and a commitment to building something from the ground up.
Starting on a tight budget often means putting in more work and patience. But for those willing to invest their time and energy, these small steps can lead to six-figure business.
Here’s a list of budget-friendly business ideas you can get off the ground for less than $500.
Before we move on to other more serious jobs to make money from home, I would like to show you some GPT sites you can use to make money online in your spare time.
Freecash: Freecash is a new survey site where you can collect points by taking surveys, watching videos, and similar.
Survey Junkie: Survey Junkie is my go-to place to make money online in my spare time. All you have to do is answer surveys to earn cash and gift cards.
Swagbucks: Swagbucks is another massively popular rewards platform. Make money doing surveys, watching videos, and more.
InboxDollars: InboxDollars is a sister site of Swagbucks and lets you earn by uploading receipts, completing shopping offers and watching videos. It also has cash surveys, games, and a $5 sign-up bonus for new members.
Branded Surveys: Branded Surveys is an app like Survey Junkie. Share your opinion to get free gift cards and PayPal money! Share your opinion to get free gift cards and PayPal money!
Cashyy: Cashyy is an Android gaming rewards app that lets you earn PayPal money and a variety of gift cards for downloading and playing new mobile games. You’re getting paid to download mobile games and to play them. The more games you download and the longer you play, the more you earn.
Solitaire Cash: Solitaire Cash is an iOS and Samsung game that lets you play Solitaire for money. The app lets you compete in cash tournaments against other players of similar skill levels. Tournament games cost money to enter and pay anywhere from $1 to $55+.
Contents
- Creative Business Ideas That Don’t Require Much Money
- Home Bakery or Cooking Service
- Window Washing
- Farmers markets
- Freelance Writing
- Dropshipping
- Social Media Management
- Tutoring Services
- Cleaning Services
- Blogging
- Personal chef
- Pet Sitting
- Car wash
- Gardening
- Flipping
- Language Translation
- What’s the Best Way to Start a Business with Just $500?
Creative Business Ideas That Don’t Require Much Money
So, let’s get down to it! Here are easy-to-start businesses that don’t need large investments. With $500 or less, you are good to go!
Home Bakery or Cooking Service
Bake goods or prepare meals for special occasions. Start with small orders and local advertising.
To keep things simple, start by promoting your products on local Facebook groups or Instagram, where word of mouth can spread quickly. You don’t need a huge menu to begin with—focusing on a few items makes it manageable and helps build your reputation.
Window Washing
For just a few hundred dollars, you can buy basic supplies like squeegees, scrubbers, and cleaning solution.
Your technique will matter a lot, so take the time to learn the basics. There are plenty of videos online that show you how to wash windows like a pro.
With some experience, you could make an average of $55 per hour, like my friend does.
Farmers markets
Farmers markets and arts-and-crafts fairs are a great place to make money if you have crafting or artisanal skills. Take some time to scout out your local markets and see what’s popular and where there might be a gap.
You’ll likely see all kinds of vendors—from candlemakers to sellers of sewn goods like clothing and bags, knitwear, woven and hand-dyed items, jewelry, and more. Some booths focus on adults, others are geared toward kids, and some even cater to pets.
When I visited my local farmers market, I saw how much potential there is for people with unique skills, especially woodworking or carving.
If I had woodworking skills, I could make tons of money at my local farmers market. I can’t be sure about your local market, as each one is different, but there’s always something missing that you could offer and make a profit from.
Freelance Writing
Let’s face it; some people are just more blessed with a way of words than us. If you are that person, then you are a step ahead to starting your own freelance agency.
With the demand for quality content ever skyrocketing, freelance writing has great potential for future growth, so long as you are willing to be patient.
Freelancing doesn’t need setting up any physical location if you can’t afford that. In fact, you can start it from your bedroom! All you need is a computer, a working space, and a good internet connection!
Dropshipping
What is dropshipping in the first place? This is where you have your online store, selling different products from a third party, say Amazon.
You don’t keep the products by yourself, but when a customer buys from your store, you purchase the item from a third party and provide the customer’s shipping details so the product gets shipped directly to them.
With this model, you don’t have to worry about shipping costs, storage costs, and much more! Besides, a customer has to purchase from you before you buy from the third party!
Sounds good, right? That’s not enough! The beauty of dropshipping is that you set your own prices, thus controlling your profit margins!
Social Media Management
In the current world, every business, whether established or new, needs a social media account.
The good thing for social media managers is that many business owners don’t have the time or expertise to manage their accounts. And that’s where you come in.
With just a basic understanding of a social media platform, you already have an idea of what you will be doing.
Tutoring Services
If you have the ability to explain complex subjects to people using simple terms and make them understand better, then you might consider starting tutoring services as a business.
Tutoring is a great opportunity to turn your knowledge into a business with $500 or less.
For a start, to further keep the costs down, you can start tutoring online, at the comfort of your home. The good thing is that there are always students looking for these services.
Cleaning Services
Starting this type of business is quite straightforward. You can start with your own house tools. All you need is the willingness to put in the work, attention to detail, and a passion for tidying up.
There will always be demand for cleaning services, whether from businesses, homes, or apartment dwellers. So, you will always find customers.
Depending on your pricing structure, the number of clients, and the industry you are servicing, expect to make between $20,000 to $30,000 in the first year. This amount is expected to increase as you expand your customer base.
Blogging
Believe it or not, starting a website can cost way less than $500. With a unique voice and niche, you can attract a dedicated readership. Platforms like WordPress and Blogger offer affordable ways to launch your site.
Monetize through ads, affiliate links, or sponsored content, and watch your passion project grow. In time, a blog can become more than just a hobby—it can be a substantial income stream.
Personal chef
With many health complications surfacing, many people are looking for healthier meal options, but don’t have the time or skills to prepare them.
You can earn a reasonable income as a personal chef, preparing meals for clients based on their dietary needs. All you need is the skill to prepare delicious and nutritious meals, and a little bit of marketing skills to get the word out there.
Other clients will ask you to provide some form of certification. Be sure to have this, since it’s the only way to prove to them that you got some training and are qualified.
Pet Sitting
If you have a thing for animals, and just love spending time with them, then pet sitting could be the perfect business for you. Plus, most of the skills needed for pet sitting business are basic, and you probably have them.
Pet sitting involves feeding, grooming, walking, or playing with pet(s) while the owner is away from home.
Use flyers and posters in your local areas to advertise your services to new clients, and remember to register your business once it gains traction.
Car wash
If you live in busy urban areas, you can easily start a car wash and detailing business with very little cost.
You will need basic cleaning supplies, a basic water source, a water tank, and a good location. If it’s expensive to rent a specific location, you can opt for mobile car wash services, and provide these services at your client’s doorsteps!
If permits and licenses are required in your local area, you should make sure to get them in order to stay on the safer side of the law.
Gardening
Do you have a green thumb and a love for plants? Then it could be much easier for you to start a gardening business.
This is a great chance for nature lovers who prefer working outdoors to make money. You just need to have knowledge of different plants or learn the ropes with time.
And here’s a tip: there are ways to get free seeds to kickstart your gardening business.
After you purchase the necessary equipment, which should cost less than $400, you are good to go!
Flipping
Buy low-cost items from thrift stores and resell them online through eBay or Facebook Marketplace. You can start small with a few items and reinvest profits as you go.
This business is simple: you look for hidden gems at thrift stores—things like clothes, vintage items, small furniture, or even toys—and sell them for a profit online. Sometimes, all a piece needs is a little cleaning or a new photo to grab attention.
You don’t need a big upfront investment, either. Start with a small budget and buy only a few items that look like good finds. As they sell, you can put that money back into buying more. With just a smartphone for photos, an internet connection, and a bit of effort, you’re good to go.
Language Translation
With the rise in globalization, the world has become like a village, but full of people speaking different tongues.
You have an advantage if you can understand different languages. This is a business opportunity to work as a translator! You don’t need a physical office to get started.
All you need is to get found! And, for this to happen, you need to set up a professional freelance profile on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr and advertise your services there.
Highlight the languages you are good at, and your previous translation work if available. If you find several clients, you can start a translation company and hire different freelancers to help you!
What’s the Best Way to Start a Business with Just $500?
With $500, there are dozens of business opportunities. You can start a blog, open a car wash, clean homes, or help businesses with their social media. Each idea has its perks!
Some of these might be easier or earn money faster. But a smart move? Try a mix of them!
Think about what you like doing and how much time you’ve got. With some hard work, that $500 could be the start of something big.
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