Low cost start up business ideas?

[Nadim.c]

I plan to set up a business in the summer holidays (I'm in year 11). I'll probably have £60 - £100 to start with. I live in a busy city, and maybe could use that? Does anyone have any ideas? Car cleaning seems expensive to set up, and now I thought of leafleting. Sorry if wrong section, I'm new to UKBF

I think due to the cost, it'll be better to set up a service-based business. Anyone who knows a good idea, plz let me know.

 

[The Byre]

I started by cleaning cars at the age of 14. Bucket, shampoo, polish and the usual cloths, sponges, etc. Back then I charged five shillings, which is 25p today. You might need to go a bit higher!

 

[Hubris]

I think £60-£100 is too small of an investment to do anything meaningful with...

 

[Nadim.c]

@Hubris @The Byre thanks for the advice. I'm still aiming to be a teen entrepreneur, and am probably going to set up a different business venture. I'm still researching.... Once again, thanks

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Have you thought of Car Boot selling and then maybe moving onto selling on Ebay

 

[OOTMedia]

There is many things you may be able to do with your startup fund.
It isn't a lot, but it might get you somewhere - it totally depends on you as a person - your skills, willingness to get out and hustle and what your local surroundings are like.
Is there something your local community needs? do you have any specific interests or skills?

An Idea, I literally just come up with there that won't cost you any money at all (I might steal it!)
If there are any elderly or disabled people in your local community, you could offer to do their shopping for them - even if you take £3/4 for doing it, it's a start - also due to being £3 or £4, most elderly people are generous and will give you the £5 - which will make you feel more motivated as you got more than you asked for!
It won't make you a millionaire, but it will definitely allow for some pocket change (this idea would be based on a "daily" shop rather than a large bulk shop, and them supplying a list for you) obviously this requires trust too.

Plenty of ideas out there that will cost very little, if not nothing - just depends on what you can do!
Identify a problem and propose a solution.

 

[Mitch3473]

The removal of dog dirt from private gardens, seems big in the States and was on the Apprentice last week. Bucket, some sort of trowel, some disposable gloves,overalls plus 1000 lealets and a strong stomach. Got to be worth £10/house and regular client base.......

 

[Mr D]

The removal of dog dirt from private gardens, seems big in the States and was on the Apprentice last week. Bucket, some sort of trowel, some disposable gloves,overalls plus 1000 lealets and a strong stomach. Got to be worth £10/house and regular client base.......

Or £100 a garden in London...

 

[Ursicles]

The dog poo removal thing is a sure fire winner - as seen on the apprentice.

As an aside, a friend of mine when he was about 14 started buying consoles from argos, selling the games and consoles off seperately and making a few quid.

Carried on doing this through uni, buying and selling more and more - til in the end at about 24 he was the 2nd biggest importer of games in the UK.

Was weird going to their office, bunch of 26yr olds messing about with forklifts trucks turning over a couple of million a yr from their hobby!

 

[Mr D]

The dog poo removal thing is a sure fire winner - as seen on the apprentice.

As an aside, a friend of mine when he was about 14 started buying consoles from argos, selling the games and consoles off seperately and making a few quid.

Carried on doing this through uni, buying and selling more and more - til in the end at about 24 he was the 2nd biggest importer of games in the UK.

Was weird going to their office, bunch of 26yr olds messing about with forklifts trucks turning over a couple of million a yr from their hobby!

Interesting.
Most of the retailers appear to think more in terms of boxing games and consoles together as a package to get sales.
Thinking outside the box (literally) appears to have worked for them.

 

[Gecko001]

Go to car boot sales, buy a second hand lawnmower and cut lawns. Restrict yourself to small lawns so that you can put the clippings in the customer's bin.

 

[Zoe Williams]

There are many start-up ideas that you could consider starting from only £60 - £100 and car washing business could be one of it. Though it’s a small investment, it might surely get you somewhere. Also, as others have pointed out, car boot sale is quite effective and you will enjoy it.

 

[Nadim.c]

There is a market near my house every Sunday. I know you can buy things for cheap from there, but I'm a bit wary about it. Some items sold there are stolen, and I don't want to make money dishonestly, but it's something that's been on my mind for a long time. What do you guys think of it?

 

[maxbrainer]

I thought of some service-based startup business suggestions for you and they won't cost a lot to begin. 1. Delivery (groceries,etc.) 2. Personal chef 3. Personal trainer 4. Custodian company 5. Leaflets (people will pay you to hand out flyers) 6. Tailor 7. Pet sitter and walker 8. Handyman
I respect people that have an entrepreneur's mindset so I hope at least one of these ideas will work for you. Best of luck!!

 

[Andri]

Great initiative, you can achieve anything even with very little money. Why not lrint some flyers and then dress smarly and personally target the business around you. Your USP is that you are a student and mention this, you will soon have a lot of clients! Personally, I like the car wash idea as it's easier to do and set up Good luck

 

[GlennMiddleton]

I would try industrial estates, I used to work for company who employed someone who used to clean the company vehicles and member of staff's cars, but also did a valet service. Just a thought

 

[LanaW]

From my point of view, industrial estates are an excellent choice. I also look in this area

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

Dog walking - the only capital investment would be some basic marketing and getting insurance.

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

As an aside, a friend of mine when he was about 14 started buying consoles from argos, selling the games and consoles off seperately and making a few quid.

Carried on doing this through uni, buying and selling more and more - til in the end at about 24 he was the 2nd biggest importer of games in the UK.

Did he sell the consoles unboxed? Not sure if its just a recent thing but if playstation are selling a console with games bundle then the branding of the game is all over the box.

 

[Ivy Rose]

Hi all, my name is Ivy
I am new to this site.

Sorry if I'm hijacking this post LOL

I'm 18 and during the summer of 2019 after my exams I want to start a small business from home/online to earn some money for university etc.

I've looked online for ideas but the same ones keep popping up (babysitting, shopper, pet sitting, tutor etc) all of which I think are good but I want to do something else.

I live in a small neighborhood, the majority don't speak English fluently/not their first language and are don't require services such as a shopper or babysitting I think.

It's a traditional Asian community that
I would like to appeal to with a good business idea of a service I can sell to them to make some money.

I don't know my budget yet so please can you give me some ideas and I'll adjust accordingly. Use the 3F's of business right?

Any ideas anyone?

Thank you in advance!
Ivy

 

[ethical PR]

@Ivy Rose

Why do you want to set up your own business rather than getting a summer job at a shop, cafe, restaurant, in an office, as a carer, in the hospitality industry etc?

You say

"I've looked online for ideas but the same ones keep popping up (babysitting, shopper, pet sitting, tutor etc) all of which I think are good but I want to do something else"

Why don't you want to offer any of these services and what is the 'something else' that you want to provide.

Why do you want to provide services or products to Asian communities in your area? If they want specialist services they are more likely to look for them within their community such as wedding clothes and makeup, catering, dance classes, bollywood movies, clothes etc

 

[Nadim.c]

Hi all, my name is Ivy
I am new to this site.

Sorry if I'm hijacking this post LOL

I'm 18 and during the summer of 2019 after my exams I want to start a small business from home/online to earn some money for university etc.

I've looked online for ideas but the same ones keep popping up (babysitting, shopper, pet sitting, tutor etc) all of which I think are good but I want to do something else.

I live in a small neighborhood, the majority don't speak English fluently/not their first language and are don't require services such as a shopper or babysitting I think.

It's a traditional Asian community that
I would like to appeal to with a good business idea of a service I can sell to them to make some money.

I don't know my budget yet so please can you give me some ideas and I'll adjust accordingly. Use the 3F's of business right?

Any ideas anyone?

Thank you in advance!
Ivy

That's fine haha. You say that the majority don't speak English fluently/not their first language. That could literally be an opportunity for you. Depending on demand and their level of English, why don't you teach English or help write CV's? Just a thought, you'll need to research if that's realistic and how much you'll charge, etc.

 

[Nadim.c]

I haven't been on ukbf in a long time. To let you know where I am, I've had to give up my money to my dad to pay the bills (I'm in a poor family but all I really want is be rich enough for my little sister to not go through the same). But anyways he's managed to save up enough to pay me back. Combined with me saving up my lunch money, I've managed to scrimp enough to buy a bike for £90 and a good lock for £30. I've sold the bike for £120 (so I've broken even but I now have a bike lock). I can't complain, £30 for one lunchtime work and I've learnt how to be more confident at cycling etc. I've made my first mistake, I brought a mountain bike because I sort of fell in love with it, but it took me 2 weeks to sell (and I felt so sad to sell my first bike but it's an investment anyway). I'm now going to look to buy a road bike. I see most cyclists use road bikes or fixie bikes, so that shows demand for it I guess. Cycling is big in my local area of London, especially after the seperated cycle lane has been built (and shpock claims its a big seller anyways)

 

[ethical PR]

That's fine haha. You say that the majority don't speak English fluently/not their first language. That could literally be an opportunity for you. Depending on demand and their level of English, why don't you teach English or help write CV's? Just a thought, you'll need to research if that's realistic and how much you'll charge, etc.

In order to teach English you have to be fully trained and qualified to do so, or at least have a TEFL qualification.

 

[Mr D]

In order to teach English you have to be fully trained and qualified to do so, or at least have a TEFL qualification.

To formally teach it yes.
To informally teach it - just have to know it.
More than one child has taught their parents some words.

 

[Millerd]

Maybe you can find something that works for you on this list?

Business
Copywriting and editing
Business writing (business plans, grants, white papers, proposals)
Sales
Research
Transcription / scoping services

Creative
Video production / editing
Design (brochures, business cards, logos, newsletters)
Web design
User interface & user experience (UI/UX)
Audio production
Photography
Presentation design (PowerPoint, etc.)

Marketing / technology
Search engine optimization (SEO)
Pay-per-click advertising (PPC)
Google Analytics
Programming / web development
Lead generation
Community management / promotion
Blogging
Small business marketing

Tutoring and coaching
Education (college/SAT prep, math and english, language, LSAT prep)
Sports / Personal Training
Martial arts instruction
Dance / choreography
Dating / social skills
Music

Miscellaneous
Travel Planning
Personal / virtual assistant
Cooking / personal chef
Courier services
Pet services (grooming, walking, etc.)
General computer help / training
Career help (finding work, optimizing resumes, cover letters, interviews)
Home maintenance / organizing
Fashion / image consulting
Physical therapy
Public speaking outreach
Child care
Automobile / Motorcycle repair

 

[Bobby Neesam]

Hi guys,

I was in the same position when leaving school, looking everywhere for ideas. I found affiliate marketing the best way to make money without investing much money.

I know lots of young people are great on social media, a great idea is to buy a ready made website with affiliate functions. For example you can get a travel website made & when people search for a holiday on your website, you get paid by affiliates such as hotels combined or Kayak for example.

You can find some amazing ready made websites on Fiverr at incredible prices.

If you drop me a message I can help you out. I can't post links as I'm also new here

I currently work in affiliates & think this is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is good with instagram etc.

 

[davidlee21]

Open a printing press