6 Business Ideas You Can Start With $50 or Less

Have big dreams but a small budget? Luckily, your success isn’t only about how much money you start with; it’s more about your creativity and determination. Believe it or not, you can kick off a business with just $50 or less and turn it into something way bigger than you ever imagined. Let’s check out some budget-friendly ideas to get you started.

1. Freelance Services

Freelancing means working for yourself and doing jobs for different companies instead of having one boss. For example, you could write blogs, product descriptions, or emails for companies and make sure they fit their brand voice. Or if you’re good at social media, you could run a company’s accounts—make posts, create videos, and reply to comments. 

Fun fact: 38% of people in the U.S. were freelancing in 2023. It’s a fun way to make money using the skills you already have. Plus, starting out is super simple. You can post your work on Instagram or write blogs on Medium to build a free portfolio. Then, contact companies on LinkedIn and let them know what you can do. 

2. Share Your Knowledge With Tutoring

If you’re good at a school subject or have a unique hobby, tutoring is an awesome way to share your skills and make some cash. The best part? You can do it in person or online, so it’s flexible to fit around your schedule.

Here are some ideas for what you can tutor:

• Helping someone learn to play an instrument
• Teaching math to younger kids
• Showing the basics of photography

Getting started is simple. Print flyers for under $50 to post around your school, or advertise on social media for free. Interested people can message you directly, and you can set up virtual calls to discuss their needs. You can charge a per hour rate or a flat fee per session.

3. Custom Crafts and Jewelry

People love unique, handmade items. If you like making friendship bracelets, custom keychains, or painting cool designs, you can turn that into a business. You only need about $30 to $50 to buy some basic supplies from a craft store or online. Once you’ve made a few items, you can list them on Etsy and post about them on Instagram or TikTok to get people interested.

The fun part is trying out new designs and seeing what people like. When something sells, you can use the money to buy more supplies, make more items, or even start selling at local markets. You could also collaborate with other creators to share ideas and grow your business.

4. Online Reselling

Check out a thrift store, vintage shop, or even a yard sale to find cool stuff like collectibles or clothes. You can resell them on platforms like Poshmark for more than you paid to make some extra cash. You could also add your own touch, like painting on items or fixing up clothes, to make them stand out. 

Here are some tips for selling online:

• Take clear photos so your items look good
• Write detailed descriptions with sizes and unique features
• Look up similar items online to price them competitively

With just $20, you can grab a few interesting things to get started.

5. Selling Digital Products

If going out to find products isn’t your thing, selling digital downloads is a great option. You can create items like study guides, art prints, or templates that customers can download instantly. You can even use free tools like Canva to design these products from scratch.

Just think about what people might need or want online, create your product, then set up a shop on Etsy to sell it. To get buyers, post about it on social media and share sneak peeks of what they’ll get to make it more tempting.

6. Pet Sitting Services

If you love pets, pet sitting is an excellent way to make some extra money. You don’t need to spend anything to get started—just your time and being dependable. You can let your neighbors know you’re available, post in local Facebook groups, or print some flyers for about $20 to pass around. Make sure to include your prices, like how much you’ll charge per hour or per dog walk. And don’t forget to tell a trusted adult where you’re going!

Get Started Today

Starting a business doesn’t take a ton of money; it’s more about being passionate and finding creative ways to make it work. If your first idea doesn’t work out, no big deal—you can try something else. Just focus on learning and growing while you try new things.

Attention, Florida young entrepreneurs! Don’t miss your chance to apply for a Kantner Foundation college scholarship. Click here to learn more.