Business to Start with 10K – Startup Success Tips
Don’t let the tides of business wear you down; finding the right business opportunity to start running with is more about research and due diligence than it is about chance, especially for 10k or less. Taking the entrepreneurial leap is a big life change that will take some adjustment to get used to at the start, but once you find your groove, you’ll be sailing seas made of money.
If you’re like me, then chances are, you’ll jump at an opportunity that looks like it could really work. There’s gold in these waters, you’ve just got to plan it out with the right ideas and businesses. (1)
To me, that’s what the business life is all about: carving out your own path and making any venture a success with your own two hands (and usually a lot of learning how to think like entrepreneurs.)
In the beginning, however, to get ideas or even just a plan together of what you need to start might not be clear. The world is full of possibilities, and every one could be the river that holds that gold.
This hurdle alone is enough to make many entrepreneurs give up, especially as many face the consistent torment of others telling them they could never do it, or that their idea could never work, or that they don’t have the skill level they need to save the businesses press.
So, how do you guide yourself through the haters and find out which idea is the best opportunity to share for your own credit?
Nevertheless, starting a business for this low sum is possible, and in this list from IBuyIReview, you’ll explore several startup business ideas that you can start with 10K or less – a considerably small amount of money to start a business with.
The opportunities in this list are ideal for the business owner-to-be has a little bit of cash saved up in their business bank account or has managed to start a small business loan with their local bank.
The best time to start your business was yesterday. Timing is everything in business, so without further delay, let’s dive right into the top business to start with 10K.
Table of Contents
Digital Marketing (TOP PICK)
Digital marketing businesses can feel like an uphill battle to get anywhere, even with good ideas and the right plan. The most successful being business owners who had their start years ago and have been working on their agency for a while. (2)
This is discouraging to new people entering the industry, and I wouldn’t normally suggest just going into any random field in digital marketing – but there are some really great ideas to specialize in that can make all the difference.
SEO and social media post management are tough cookies to crack as so many people flock to the business as a way to start with a low barrier to entry. These businesses have long since been popular as online marketing is seen as one thing you can do with a quick post online and you’re off to the races.
Specializing within a certain area of digital marketing can really set you a part, however.
Google ads is one of the least competitive areas of digital marketing because there is so much demand for it without the saturation that SEO and other areas experience. There’s no need to get to the top if no one is racing you. That’s what makes this business so ideal – there’s more demand for these businesses than there are business owners.
Not only that, but it is one of the easiest to pick up – but shhh – don’t let anyone else know I said that.
In fact, this is what I’ve been doing for the past few years to make my income, and it has allowed me to plan my finances properly and start living the life I wanted to live – and there’s still so much more potential for growth!
At the end of this post, I’ve even got a sneak peek of some ads training that will help you plan your businesses success from the start and learn the talent from the ground up and give you a head start in any other area of online marketing that you wanted to into.
This course is called the Local Marketing Vault, and it’s what I have personally used to make my agency successful.
Health and Wellness Services
In the world today, health has become more of a priority for
many people, giving rise to massive trends. These trends can help direct the start of your business for well under 10k, as the health and wellness industry is
seeing massive new growth each year of nearly 7%, valued as a $4+ trillion
industry in early 2020.
- Essential Oils and Soap
Soap and essential oils are climbing in popularity recently with businesses popping up all over the place online and in person. It’s true that people love soft, nice smelling oils and soaps – but I don’t think anyone expected the business to start such a wildfire of enthusiasm. Once you get a hang of the technique required to make high-quality products, you can make a gross margin of about 50% with each sale, even with the share sized products.
- Personal Trainer
If you have a passion for fitness, you may find that becoming a personal trainer is a great fit for your skills. Not only is the industry on the rise, but once you a certified, you can work with people and expect to get upwards of $80K per year. Not only that, but you will be helping other people achieve their goals, which is highly fulfilling.
- Meal Prep Company
Meal prep is becoming more of a necessity for the busy bees of today’s society.
By providing healthy and affordable meals with the ingredients already prepped for quick cooking, you can help alleviate someone’s busy schedule all while making a significant profit with the business for far less than the 10k you’d need to get to start other businesses.
- CBD Business
The CBD industry is on the rise, growing at nearly 50% each year, perfect for hungry entrepreneurs who need to get into business at the start of something big.
Despite a recent start, the rate of growth in this business is staggering for any industry, but the demand and supply is in place to support it at a level pace. CBD products can come in a variety of forms from tinctures to gummies, topical lotions, creams, and much more.
- Green Business Consultant
Do you have a knack for business and are looking for a way to make a difference in the world? More and more businesses are shifting to green strategies and ideas in hopes of offsetting their carbon footprints, but few consultants are available to help them make the shift. The green industry is expected to have a growth rate of 25% by the end of the year.
With a little experience and a certificate, you can advise companies on the right plan for how to best switch to green technology.
- Promotional Products Printing
Want to help businesses promote their brand at company picnics and create signage for other local businesses? Consider getting into the printing business.
Promotional printing products are considered to be a strong way to get into marketing offline, but the business does come at a steep start cost. The business will require you to supply the products as well as the machines and design ability to print it on packaging, signage, and custom products like apparel and mugs.
Expect to sink close to 10k into the business before you start to get a return – and that doesn’t even include marketing.
Direct Customer Services
There are so many opportunities for direct customer businesses that it is easy to feel overwhelmed.
The on-the-go lifestyle of many people, between work and social life, has them turning to reliable local businesses than attempting DIY jobs themselves.
Luckily for you, this gives you a clear path forward for new business ventures.
- Mobile Locksmith
Locksmithing is an easy industry to get into and the profit is through the roof, and if you choose to offer 24/7 or late-night, you can charge extra fees for the service, as much as doubling the typical per-job rate. As a mobile business, there is almost no overhead, meaning it is almost purely profit. Yup, these business ideas create the sound of money in your pocket.
- Mobile Car Wash
Have you ever seen a mobile car wash?
All you need is some buckets, hoses, sponges, cloths, and willing bodies to help wash cars and get paid the big bucks for quick jobs. You can also offer waxing, polishing, and vacuuming services if you want to spend a little extra money on the upfront equipment cost.
- Pet Sitting
Do you wish you could make money with pets all day? As a pet sitter, you can do just that. Depending on how you structure your business, you can make house calls, or bring the pets to your own residence for care. You will be responsible for walking dogs, cleaning litterboxes, playing with the hyper critters, and cleaning cages and beds regularly.
- Daycare
Once maternity leave ends, a daycare is necessary for most working mothers to continue to get an income and supporting their new child. By opening a daycare in a region where single mothers and working couples are predominant, you can start your business helping provide adequate care for their child even while making a huge profit.
- 3D Printing
3D printing businesses are becoming more sought-after as the technology advances and is capable of printing more things at cheaper rates. There are plenty of opportunities in the 3D printing business, from parts manufacturing to classes, workshops, and much more.
While the start cost for this business is high at 10k, marketing is not hard to get when it’s a topic that everyone is interested in.
- Food & Beverage Kiosk
A small kiosk business in a mall or at a festival has little overhead and food and drinks are something that everyone needs no matter what the economy looks like. By choosing items that are quick to prepare, you can make a profit margin of 60% or greater with little equipment other than a stand, a hot plate, or drink dispenser.
No marketing is usually required for this business either, helping you get back your initial 10k investment.
Entertainment Services
Leisure businesses might seem like a luxury, but in an increasingly stressed society, entertainment services are addictive vices that contribute in a positive way to the individual’s mental health.
For many people in the modern society, it is as necessary as food and water.
The entertainment industry is worth nearly $3 trillion with an expected rise of 3% or more in following years due to recent restrictions.
- Outdoor Adventure Sports
Ziplining, adventure tours, ski rentals, watersports rentals – you name it. These 10k or less businesses are thriving; there are so many opportunities for a business in outdoor sports that it is hard to fail.
The industry is projected to rise by 13% over the next year and is currently worth a little over $600 billion worldwide even without additional marketing. By starting a business now and gaining a loyal customer base around the opportunities in your geographical area, you can secure your business as the trusted brand in rentals or adventure sports for locals.
- Portable Charging Station
Everyone needs to charge their phone, but it can be difficult to do on the go. By setting up a portable charging station at outdoor events, indoor malls, and even by renting space inside businesses, you can provide a place for users to securely charge and store their phones, tablets, and laptops while they shop or explore.
The purchase of a charging station can range anywhere from $500 to $3,000 depending on the model, excluding marketing, but each provides different benefits to users, like security locks and storage containers. Most stations charge per use, but some will charge by the minute, using swiped card information to run the total, like a running taxi meter.
- Event Planning
Event planning is becoming more popular as the pandemic has created a need for activity in the world. These agencies work with a client’s budget to organize every part of the event and make the connections for rentals and venues, taking a cut of the budget for their work. Furthermore, technology has increased this need as more events want to host their experience digitally as well, so event planners with digital expertise is a huge industry bonus.
- Entertainer Agency
Do you know entertainers who need a job?
From hoop dancers to jugglers, clowns, mascots, fire breathers and many other types of performers, entertainer agencies make the connections with festivals, events, and businesses who want to spice up their customer’s experience. You’ll take a portion of the contract when the entertainers are booked.
- Arcade Room
The 80s are back with classic arcade rooms, and the popularity of it is blowing up. It seems the arcade experience is a classic that society wasn’t ready to give up. Plus, you’d be shocked at the amount of money you can make from people spending their quarters left and right to get to the next level.
- Mobile Axe Throwing
There is nothing quite as satisfying as a game of talent where you throw weapons at a wall, and mobile axe throwing has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past few years. Because the operation is mobile, overhead is low as you typically only need a trailer or van with some modifications to keep it safe.
- Inflatable Bounce House Rentals
Bouncy castles have been around for ages and will continue to be a family favorite at parties, festivals, and many other places. Considering that the main expense is storage, the bounce houses themselves, and the generators, the only time you spend on each contract is on set up and tear down, and the rest of the rental is pure profit, easily giving you a margin of 70% or higher per job.
Home Improvement and Maintenance Business
Whether an individual has just purchased a new property, or if they are revamping their current property, it’s not hard to see the need for improvement and maintenance services.
Home improvement spending has increased year over year by 7-10%, the highest increase since the previous housing crash. With the current housing boom, there is no shortage for demand in this industry.
- Furniture Repair Services
Furniture wears out over time, and it can be devastating to see something that has been in the family for generations wear out over time.
Luckily, furniture can be repaired and reupholstered, giving it new life and updating the look of the space at the same time. Often, people will get their furniture repaired even if it doesn’t need it, as it will save money on items that should have been sent to the trash years ago.
- Deck Building
Deck building is becoming more popular as people realize the need to be in the outdoors even more, but don’t necessarily want to leave their residence.
This small outdoor space is perfect for romantic candle-lit dinners, family get-togethers, and getting a breath of fresh air with your morning cup of coffee.
- Home Staging Services
Staging is a lucrative business that can help you explore your creative side all while helping homes sell. This service is essential to any house sale, as a little home staging magic can really transform the beauty and perceived value of any interior. Startup cost is even lower than more ideas as this one is dependent on the client to decide what equipment you need.
- Landscaping Business
Landscaping is essential for any yard.
While this business is seasonal, customers tend to look for one company they can reliably hire for all their landscaping needs, from mowing and irrigation to gardening and even excavation and grading services. Downside is that the cost is rather high to start, so that is one thing to carefully plan for.
- Appliance Repair and Maintenance
Appliance repair is a surprisingly lucrative business. Not many people want to (or can afford) to expense of a brand-new appliance when one putzes out, and it can be very wasteful in a culture of replacement vs. repair.
Becoming known in your local area for repair and maintenance services can help reduce the amount of waste in the landfill as well as save customers money in the long run.
- Handyman Services
Handyman services are something that will never go out of style no matter how many business ideas you have.
If you are great at DIY, repair, and also carpentry, then you’ll be successful with handyman services.
You might handle everything from leaky faucets to fixing unstable TV mounts, or acting as a guide for helping your client understand something. You’ll be doing work for a wide range of people, though the real money in this industry comes from making a connection with a real estate agent or property management company.
- Housecleaning Services
Housecleaning services will always be necessary as many people are unable to give their home the thorough cleaning that it needs on a regular basis, whether they are too busy or simply unable to perform the work.
This is one of those business ideas that has a lot of money in it, so long as you do your marketing right. You’ll do everything from plan meals, cook food, dust, vaccuum, and even clean carpets and showers. It is an entrepreneurs dream as the cost is low to start, with virtually no equipment beyond some cleaning supplies, gloves, and a utility cart.
Doing work for individuals can be a great side-hustle, but to create a real company with full-time employees you will need contracts with real estate agents, property management companies, and landlords.
- Painting Company
This is not low effort, and owners tend to hire out their work quickly. A lot of work goes into preparing and painting a building, whether it is interior or exterior.
The startup costs for this type of business are rather low, however, only requiring 1-3K in equipment costs. Paints, primers, and other single-use equipment may be offset by customer contracts.
- Home Inspection Business
While this business does require a certificate, and some states may require a license, home inspection is a rather straightforward job that can help save buyers from buying homes with potentially disastrous conditions.
- Furniture Assembly Service
This is a lucrative job if you live in an area where a lot of people purchase assembly furniture rather than getting it delivered straight to their door. Your target market will largely be property managers as they replace furniture that wears out or is out of season.
Visual Arts, Image Based, and Creatives
You might think that it’s impossible to get a stable job as a creative entrepreneur, but that’s far from the truth. In fact, many occupations that we consider luxurious or creative have more of a basis in everyday life than you think.
For example, a graphic designer is an artist who is responsible for creating just about everything in an advertisement – and you know just how many of those have permeated our everyday life.
- Video Production
There is a lot that goes into professional video production, but if you have the skills necessary, you can bring your (and others’) dreams to life by creating a video production agency. From small events like family gatherings to weddings and graduations, you can market your work to B2B connections as well as direct to customers.
- Niche Magazine
Print magazines have gone the way of the landline telephone, sinking quietly into the background until we forget about them in lieu of a better technology: digital print. Niche magazines are great for catering to a particular industry, especially sports or hobby industries.
Revenue is typically generated through sponsorships and advertising space. You can expect a ROI of anywhere from 30-40% with magazine ads.
- Self-Publishing
Have you ever wanted to create a novel, but traditional publishing companies are too intimidating to approach? Self-publishing can help you get your work out there, all while generating revenue. With the right marketing and good quality copy, you can truly make it big in the world of self-publishing.
- Portrait Studio
Portraits are a time-tested way to generate revenue in the photography business, capturing moments in time and immortalizing them.
You’ll take everything from graduation photos to family portraits, making a significant amount of money for each 30-minutes session and a little bit of photo editing.
- City Murals
Are you skilled with a paintbrush and not afraid of heights? A lot of cities are moving towards murals as a way to beautify urban spaces. While these murals require licenses, city governments will pay or commission artists to complete city murals.
- Ceramics and Pottery
Ceramics and pottery can range from cute knickknacks to items we use everyday like mugs, plates, bowls, and much more. This is a skilled service that is equally practical as it is fun. Best of all, these materials are a favorite way to give gifts, and demand is never out for new daily use items.
- Art Dealer
Art dealers must be strong in negotiation and business sense, but they make a lot of money. Your target market will often be galleries, museums, and rich collectors. Once you choose an artist to work with, you’ll go to work trying to sell their work to these institutions and collect a hefty commission from each piece sold.
- Tattooist
While tattooing does require an apprenticeship, it is one of the most fulfilling ways for artists to make a living today. Especially as tattoos become more accepted in modern society, tattooing is becoming highly sought after, and many tattoo artists sell prints on the side to supplement their work for fans who aren’t ready for a new tattoo.
- Animation
Animators are responsible for a lot of the entertainment and advertising media we see daily. You’ll create everything from short whiteboard animations to full-length cartoons, mascots for commercials, and much more. There is no shortage for demand in animation in an increasingly digital world.
- Hairstylist
Hairstylists have the best of both worlds, with creative expression meeting social interaction. Whether you choose to work with a salon or start your own hairstyling company and make a real brand out of your work, hairstyling is a short class and certificate away.
Report: What is the Best Business to Start with 10K?
It’s no secret that starting your own business and diving headfirst into a world of risk and uncertainty is not something many people will consider a “smart idea.” (3) Still, many people decide to take the plunge because of the freedom it offers, the ability to make tangible change within a community, and to challenge themselves.
Giving up the big daily grind takes a lot of intangible skills – and yes, they are skills, they can be learned – and there are a lot of characteristics that you have to encourage in yourself, such as the ability to take charge, the presence of competence, among many other things.
If you had to ask me, I would say that one of the best franchise or ideas to start with little equipment for 10k would be in Google ads lead generation.
I know, it sounds a little off-the-cuff, but this method of lead generation has been the way I’ve been making money over the past couple of years, and it is truly the secret to my success.
Not only does this business model help connect real customers to real small business, but it does it in a way that provides you, and business owners like you, with a legitimate way to make money once you’ve set up your agency correctly.
Best of all, there is a course that will walk you through everything from the very beginning up – no previous understanding of marketing necessary.
Get the Business Head Start You Need - Ready to Make it Big?
There are plenty of reasons for you to want to become an entrepreneur. (4) It’s not the flashy life of a Rockstar, but it’s certainly better than working your life away at the 9-5 grind.
You can stay home, spend more time with the family, and choose your own schedule. Essentially, you gather your own client list and set your own schedule. So long as the work is done, then you can relax and get more out of life.
Think about that. No more commute. More potential for income increases. Self-directed work and flexible scheduling.
It’s really quite something.
I’ve been paving this entrepreneurial path for years, trying to find something that would help me make a consistent income with as little risk as possible.
Dear readers, I’ve found it, finally.
This course, Local Marketing Vault, has everything you could ever want in a digital marketing course teaching you about Google ads.
Not only do they give everything you need to learn a real talent that you can use in other areas of digital marketing, but they also give you an amazing support group 5,000+ people strong, weekly livestreams, one-on-one coaching, and done-for-you funnels that help you capture the leads you target.
Best of all, you get to do something meaningful: help connect business owners with local customers who are looking for their services.
It’s really the best decision I could have made, and it’s worth every late night hour I’ve spent on it.
Now, I get to relax and spend time living the life I want to live.
Are you ready to try it out?
Before you commit to anything, check out this free demo of the training and tell me what you think in the comments below:
References:
- Entrepreneur, 63 Businesses to Start for Under $10,000, https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/299290
- Paul Sullivan, The Secret of their Success: it’s not about the money, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/10/your-money/entrepreneurship-success.html
- Catherine Wood, How Becoming an Entrepreneur Changes Your Life, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-becoming-an-entrepreneur-changes-your-life_b_589a5189e4b0985224db5b74
- Alejandro Cremades, How to Become an Entrepreneur, https://www.forbes.com/sites/alejandrocremades/2019/05/25/how-to-become-an-entrepreneur/?sh=7ea82ecd8a6c
I buy and review courses so you don’t have to. Sometimes, I even find courses that are legitimate and worthwhile; and that’s how I accidentally came across one that led me to building a 6-figure business in a little under 5 years. Now, I still review courses because it’s my favorite hobby. 🙂 Learn more about me here.
