In recent years, the amount of layoffs have nearly doubled. In previous times, as long as your job performance was satisfactory, then you did not have much to worry about. Unfortunately, due to the changing economic times, outsourcing work to foreign countries, and technology replacing human jobs, this is no longer true. A business will fire their employees with little or no remorse if it means that they will save money. They are simply not aware, or simply do not care what kind of a hardship it places on the worker and their family.
The only sure way to never be fired or laid off is to be boss. The only way to be the boss is to start your own business. “But I do not have very much money, if any at all.” you say. Well in today’s culture there are quite a few businesses that can be started for little or no money at all. This is not a get rich quick scheme, I am not saying that you will be making five grand a month from the very beginning, but I am telling you, that no matter the amount of money that you have, you should still be able to start a business without much fuss.
So what is the catch? Well the only thing that I would even consider a “catch” would be the fact that you will need the skills necessary to complete whatever task is asked of you during business. This basically means do not start up a dog grooming business if you do not know how to groom dogs. The key is finding something that you were interested in previously to starting the business.
What businesses can be started with little or no money? Here are a few examples:
House and Office Cleaning Business
This business requires little or no money to start, the only thing you will need is the skills to clean (which everyone should have), and the cleaning supplies to do it with. The first job that you have you can use the cleaning supplies that you already have, and then buy more with the money you receive when finishing. In the event that you do not have the cleaning supplies on hand, then you should not have to spend more then about 20 dollars.
Once you have the supplies necessary, advertising a cleaning business is a simple. The majority of house and office cleaners simply place an ad in the local paper detailing the area in which they would like to work, and the majority offer free bids. Potential clients will call, and you will take a trip to their house. You will analyze it and give them a bid.
Laundry Business
This one is great because you can take a skill that you should already have, and then put it to good use to the people that do not have the skill, time, or the energy to do it. Offering a pick up and delivery laundry service just means that you pick one someone’s clothes, wash and dry them, fold them, and then return the clothes to their house. The only thing you will need is the soap to wash the clothes in (and some laundry companies even make the client provide their own laundry detergent due to allergies and personal
preferences). This business especially tailors to bachelor men, so you will want to advertise in places that would attract this type of person attention.
Alteration Service
If you have basic sewing skills, then you may want to consider starting an alteration service. Alteration could mean hemming pants, changing seams, or dying clothes.
The only you may need out of pocket is to buy various colors of thread, needles, and possibly a sewing machine if you are planning on taking on larger jobs.
Since you main focus will be clothing, you will want to advertise at local clothing shops or department stores. You may also want to consider talking with businesses that supply uniforms to employees. The business can then recommend that the employee to you if an alteration in their uniform is needed.
Babysitting
This one seems obviously, though many people take it for granted and quickly dismiss it as a “teenage job.” Babysitting may be one of the better options, since does not require any money to start.
You can baby-sit in your home or the home of the children in which you are babysitting. The choice is really up to you. If you are thinking of babysitting children from more then one family, then you will be required to baby-sit in your home, otherwise on location babysitting will suit you well.
Some babysitters offer to provide meals, while other require the parent to supply a lunch. It is really up to you.
You will want to provide some type of stimulation for the children you baby-sit. The last thing any responsible parents wants is their babysitter to allow their children to sit in front of the television the whole time they are with you. Try to make whatever you do as active and education as possible.
When you begin advertising your business, you will want to focus on places where parents and children would be. Many schools have community boards that would be able to place flyers. You may also considering placing an ad in the local paper or on a website that allows parents to search for potential babysitters.
Pet Sitting or Walking
Like babysitting, this can be greatly overlooked. People take great pride in their pets, and do not want them to be left alone while they are away.
Some pet sitters only sit when the client is away for long periods of time, or no vacation. Others pet sit on a daily basis while their client is at work. Still others only have to visit the pet once or twice during the day to walk them and let the our to use the bathroom.
It is important to remember that even the nicest pet can become upset and mean in the presence of other animals. Make sure that if you decide to take on more then one families pets that the all the families involved know, and their pets get along.
Advertise this business at your local pet store, vet, or along a dog walking path. You may also want to consider placing an ad in the local paper as well.
Personal Chef
Can you cook? Then you may want to consider becoming a personal chef. Many personal chefs are called when the family just simply does not have the time to cook dinner, but does not what to get into the lifestyle of ordering out every night.
Usually, personal chefs arrive before the majority of the family does and begins cooking. Once cooking is complete, then you will set up a table and supply the family with the food.
It is not very often that the personal chef has to clean up after the family once they done, however you may offer these services for an additional fee.
You may also consider preparing the meals at your home, and then delivering the food to the client.
The best place to advertise this type of business would be at your local grocery store or in the local paper.
Court Paper Server
Many lawyers and other legal agencies do not simply have the time to serve papers. This is where you come in. Lawyers and legal agencies will pay to deliver these important documents. The only thing you will need is transportation and the gas required to do so.
You will want to contact the agencies in your local area and discuss it with them.
Resume and Document Writer
You could consider becoming a resume writer, especially if you have a way with words. A resume writer takes the skill, talents, and job references and turn it into a easy to read résumé for potential employers.
Not only can you charge for writing the resume, but you can also charge to many copies of it as well. The paper and ink it takes to print the resume is the only charge you should accrue.
Advertise this type of business at local job agencies, employment offices, or on your local paper.
You will need to be careful when advertising. Make sure that your clients know that your resume will not guarantee them to get a job, but it will just present them in a more professional manner, which in turn will make them more likely to get a job.
Mobile Car-Wash and Detailing
With a little soap, water, and rags, you will be able to start a mobile car washing and detailing shop.
You will simply need the basic cleaning supplies and a good vehicle to transport the supplies in. Supplies include: car safe soap, rags, buckets, a portable vacuum, and dash and tire cleaner. All of this is relatively inexpensive.
Make sure to place a sign on the vehicle you use for the business. Signs can be picked up at your local graphics shop pretty inexpensively. You can also place flyers in various areas.
Once you are a somewhat established you will then want to start marketing your business to car dealers, fleet services, rent-a-car places, corporations which supply vehicles to their workers, etc.
Power Washing
Oily driveways, accidental spills, mud left over from a rainy season, salt buildup. All of these may be reasons for someone to hire a power washer to clean their road, driveway, or home.
Power washing only requires a strong power washer. The client will supply the water hookup.
Advertise this type of business in your local paper on flyers. Flyers can be placed pretty much anywhere, but you may want to target home stores, or auto parts stores.
Tutoring
Are you great at a specific subject? Are you great at explaining even the most complicated algebra equations? You may want to consider starting a tutoring service, and put your skills to work.
Since the student will supply all the books and materials, all you will need is your effort.
The best place to advertise this type of business at local schools and businesses geared towards learning.
Packing and Unpacking Service
Not many people in the world like to pack or unpack before or after a move, even though they lifestyle may require them too. You can offer your services to these types of people.
Some packers supply the materials including boxes, tapes, protective covers, plastic wrap, plastic peanuts, and so on. If you supply the materials needed to pack the customer, then you will be able to charge a much higher rate then packers that do not.
Some packers and un-packers may even offer to load and unload the items from the moving vehicle. Be sure to look into insurance if you decide to go this route.
One of the best places to advertise this type of business it at places that provide do-it-yourself moving supplies and vehicles (such as U-Haul office or Penske) . You may even want to talk with the owners of these shops and work out a deal. Some of your clients will come to you before they decide on where they will be buying their moving materials and vehicles. If you have a referral system worked out with one of these companies they can also recommend you to their clients in they are in need of your type of services.
Bookkeeping
Are you good with numbers and organization? If you are, you may want to think about starting a book keeping business. This business is pretty easy to market since every type of person, and business may need someone to update their business books.
The only thing you may need for this type of job is a program(if you are using a computer) and the necessary paperwork. If you have to supply the paperwork, you can charge additionally for this.
You will want to advertise residually at local tax places or office stores. If you want to target businesses you may want to look into local business directories. If nothing else, you can put an ad in your local newspaper and go from there.
Home Organization
If you good are at organization, then you may want to consider starting a business organization business.
You may want to consider supplying the materials needed for organization such as boxes, labels, shelves, etc. If you provide the materials, then you will be able to charge for it. You may also require your clients to buy the materials themselves. Whatever you decide will work.
Home organization is best advertised at home stores and in your local paper.
Language Translation
You will help break through barriers caused by language difference and improved communication. Businesses will call you when they know they will be dealing with clientele that speak a different language, typically in advance. Every once and awhile, you may be called in an emergency situation. The pay depends on the amount of people you will have to translate for, and if you are notified ahead of time or not.
If English is your second language, or you just have a liking for foreign languages, you services will come in handy for local businesses that deal with multi-cultures.
If you do not know a foreign language, but you are still interested in language translation as a career or business, then translation books and programs number in the thousands, even for the newest user. It just takes a little time and energy to learn a new language.
Contact local business, doctor’s offices, and government agencies and ask if they are in need of translation services.
Apartment and Rental House Preparation
Local real estate agencies that host rental properties as well may hire make ready services for their properties. The best thing about this job is the fact that they typically supply all the tools and materials needed to complete the job.
Make ready services complete not technical services such as cleaning, painting, and small handy work (replacing door handles, light bulbs, etc).
Talk with your local apartment complexes and real estate agencies. You may also consider placing an ad in your local newspaper as well.
Restaurant Delivery Service
Restaurant deliverers, take orders by phone for local restaurants, go pick up the food, and then deliver the food the office or home of the person wanting it.
The only thing you will need is the vehicle in which to transport the food.
You may want to consider a detailed flyer stating the businesses you will pick up from, or a website that contains the complete menus of each. Talk with local businesses about possibly referring you to their customers.
By collecting a delivery charge and tip, the owner makes a substantial amount of money.
Valet Parking
Valet parking is simply the act of driving a persons vehicle to a designated area to save the walk.
Local businesses may need valet parking at different times. You will want to contact them so they know that your service are available.
Businesses that offer event planning may also have an interest in your services and may call whenever you are needed.
No only will you receive a fee from the business for providing the service, but the majority of people who use valet parking will pay a tip as well.
Just let your local businesses know that your services are available.
