Have you ever thought of starting a business with absolute no money? If yes, that means we were once on the same page. One day, I sat down in front of my computer, thinking about how to make more money without investing a lot. Hence, I started researching. I exploit some world-largest financial blogs (e.g Investopedia, Forbes and The Balance) to gather ideas
However, I got something that surprised me, and I'd love to share exactly the same thing with you in this article. I found out that identifying one marketable skill(s) will help build a successful business with little or no money. Many wealthy Entrepreneurs nowadays began their successful business journeys without money or minimal capital investment.
I don't know, perhaps, you could allow me to share with you some successful Entrepreneurs who started their business journeys with little or no initial capital investment, before we dive fully into the primary reasons of this article - starting a business without Money!
Successful Entrepreneurs as a Practical Guides
Start from our country Nigeria, Linda Ikeji, the successful blogger started with absolute nothing, and now, look at her. Look at what she's become in the Nigerian's blogging industry. She's one of the most popular blogger and influencer in Nigeria.
As of 2023, her net worth was estimated to $20 million, which she earned through her blogging business and social media channels. However, she started in 2006 using Google's Free Platform (Bloggeer/Blogspot). Her consistency and dedications helped built the blogging business to a profitable one till date.
Another successful Entrepreneur I will use as a practical guide is "Elon Musk." Elon Musk was born and raised in South Africa. He bought his first computer at age 10. He dedicated himself into learning coding and programming. He sold his first software program, a space game called "Blaster," when he was 12 years old.
Elon Musk started building his career at younger age, now look at him now, he's the founder of "the first private company to develop a liquid-propellant rocket that has reached orbit; to launch, orbit, and recover a spacecraft; to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station; and to send astronauts to the International Space Station," SpaceX.
He also owned one of the most world-popular EV company- Tesla. He once owned stack at PayPal.Com. According to Investopedia, he exited his position at PayPal after the sale of the company. As we publish, Elon Musk is still the current owner of X, formerly Twitter.
In essence, you can actually mimic Linda Ikeji who started from scratch using free Google Blogspot Platform or Elon Musk who invest little to purchase a computer when he was at age 10 to become the wealthiest man on planet "Earth."
Starting a Business without Money
To start a business without huge capital investment and become successful in it, here are things you must consider first:
Discover your passion and skills
First of all, you must know what makes you happy whenever you're doing it - that's passion. Secondly, discover whether you're good at doing the thing that makes you happy - that's skill. Once you get the perfect ones that matches each other - passion and skill, then you're good to proceed.
For example, you can cook perfectly well, but you don't like entering the kitchen - it definitely not going to work if you invest your time or money in it because your skills and passion doesn't match each other.
Leverage your Network
Once you've discovered your passion and skill altogether, then you need to leverage your network to kick-start your ideas. Your Network is a valuable asset that could boost your business to where you never imagine. Your Network is your friends, communities, families and relatives.
Leveraging your network will definitely provide you with initial support or capital and those without financial support could connect you to potential customers.
Get Government Grants
Another way to start a business without money is opting in for any available Government's grants, loans or credits. There are many government initiatives and agencies that support small businesses in Nigeria.
You can do your findings and explore these opportunities to kick-start your business ideas. Agencies like Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) are offering resources and startup capital to SMEs in Nigeria.
Collaborate
Although, you may have the ideas but you don't have money to execute them. You can simply collaborate with people who are willing and ready to invest in your business ideas. There are many investors out there looking for where to through their money and leave it to grow.
Just find the right source and present your business ideas in such a way that will favour both you and the investors. Sign a partnership deal and make sure you inform your Lawyer to put you through especially if it's your first partnership deal.
In addition, you can explore crowdfunding sites such as YC and more. They will invest in your ideas. They usually fundraised early stage businesses.
Businesses to start without Money
Here is a list of businesses you can actually start with no or minimal capital investment:
- Blogging
- Vlogging (YouTube/TikTok)
- Graphics Designing
- Self Publishing on Amazon Kindle
- Affiliate Marketing
- Social Media Influencing
- House and Pet Sitting. Sites like care.com and housesitter.com usually cater for this job.
- Dropshipping
- Life Coaching
- Sell Digital Products on site like seler.co.
- Virtual Assistant
- Coding/Programming
- Content Creating
- Pet Business
- Start an Online Forum
- Tailoring
- Sell DIY Products (Online or Offline)
- Beauty Business/Makeup Artist
- Truck Driving
- Massage Therapist
- Gym Instructing e.t.c.
Final words
I believe with this outlined practical guides, you should be able to start a successful business without money or minimal capital investment. Let's see your opinion in the comments section. Cheats!