- Original Poster
- #1
What are profitable businesses that don't need much money to start, and that can be very profitable?
Thanks
Thanks
Profitable business that i can start at 16?
- Thread starter Fred_the_frog
- Start date
P
Preemo
If it was that easy, I'd be on it! 
Seriously though, what are your hobbies? Football? Computing? If you've got a good amount of knowledge in something - think of things you feel aren't be offered out there currently. For example, if you can fix computers for a low cost, ask your neighbours whether they have any problem with theirs - say you'll do it for a really good price compared to Computer companies, and also say you're only round the corner so you can look at it whenever if it goes wrong in the future. Just an idea to base it around.
Good luck, I'm in the same boat as you by the way!
Seriously though, what are your hobbies? Football? Computing? If you've got a good amount of knowledge in something - think of things you feel aren't be offered out there currently. For example, if you can fix computers for a low cost, ask your neighbours whether they have any problem with theirs - say you'll do it for a really good price compared to Computer companies, and also say you're only round the corner so you can look at it whenever if it goes wrong in the future. Just an idea to base it around.
Good luck, I'm in the same boat as you by the way!
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I'm just going to echo what the other 2 have said, base a business around something you know a lot about and are good at 
The problem I seem to have is that I don't have one specific interest. I sort of do a bit of everything and I'm not really good at one thing. Which is where it gets slightly harder for me personally, but everyone is different and will have their 'niche' i suppose.
So it looks like i'm in that boat too haha
The problem I seem to have is that I don't have one specific interest. I sort of do a bit of everything and I'm not really good at one thing. Which is where it gets slightly harder for me personally, but everyone is different and will have their 'niche' i suppose.
So it looks like i'm in that boat too haha
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Well I recently wrote an article on this, will share some parts of it.
Before you do anything you need to understand that you really want to do?
Understand you likes and dislikes.. And plan it out accordingly.
Here are few points that you can look at.
Personal Shopper
Personal shoppers get paid to shop. If you love to shop, you are bound to find someone with more money than time that needs you to run errands and pick up items for them. Visit local business owners in your area; often they love the personal shopper touch. Set reasonable rates, learn where the deals are in your town, and get the word out. You can branch out to include makeover services as well (especially if you are particularly fashionable).
Moving Services
Students move a lot. They also always need someone to help them move. Sign up with U-Haul and post Craigslist ads offering help with moving. Chances are, if you're priced right, and continuously advertise, you will find your weekends become quite full with moving jobs. If you offer a discount for referrals - you are even more likely to gain customers. Just be careful to lift with your legs and not your back so that you can stay in business for the duration of your college years.
Lessons
Do you have a special skill like piano, guitar, dancing, art or language knowledge? If so, you can offer lessons in your topic strengths to others in the community for a fee. Give a discount to people who sign up for two months at a time. Make sure you don't take more students than you can reasonably handle - and try combining students of similar skill levels into one group.
Internet Auctions and Seller Sites
Many students make money selling items they find at garage sales, thrift stores, and used book shops on eBay or Amazon. Other students create jewelry, cards, bags and more and sell their items on Etsy. Sell more create wares on websites like CafePress.com and Zazzle.com. Whatever method you use, take time to promote your wares and reap the benefits.
Entrepreneurship
Remember that SWOT analysis I had you perform at the beginning of this article? This is where that analysis comes in especially handy. If you are a great photographer, start a freelance photography business. If you are awesome with design, start a graphic design business. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to create business cards, stationary, and brochures to advertise your business.
Tell everyone you meet that you are running a business, and be creative and specific about what services or products you offer. Most of all, do not let your business interfere with your schoolwork. After all, you are in college to get that degree.
Before you do anything you need to understand that you really want to do?
Understand you likes and dislikes.. And plan it out accordingly.
Here are few points that you can look at.
Personal Shopper
Personal shoppers get paid to shop. If you love to shop, you are bound to find someone with more money than time that needs you to run errands and pick up items for them. Visit local business owners in your area; often they love the personal shopper touch. Set reasonable rates, learn where the deals are in your town, and get the word out. You can branch out to include makeover services as well (especially if you are particularly fashionable).
Moving Services
Students move a lot. They also always need someone to help them move. Sign up with U-Haul and post Craigslist ads offering help with moving. Chances are, if you're priced right, and continuously advertise, you will find your weekends become quite full with moving jobs. If you offer a discount for referrals - you are even more likely to gain customers. Just be careful to lift with your legs and not your back so that you can stay in business for the duration of your college years.
Lessons
Do you have a special skill like piano, guitar, dancing, art or language knowledge? If so, you can offer lessons in your topic strengths to others in the community for a fee. Give a discount to people who sign up for two months at a time. Make sure you don't take more students than you can reasonably handle - and try combining students of similar skill levels into one group.
Internet Auctions and Seller Sites
Many students make money selling items they find at garage sales, thrift stores, and used book shops on eBay or Amazon. Other students create jewelry, cards, bags and more and sell their items on Etsy. Sell more create wares on websites like CafePress.com and Zazzle.com. Whatever method you use, take time to promote your wares and reap the benefits.
Entrepreneurship
Remember that SWOT analysis I had you perform at the beginning of this article? This is where that analysis comes in especially handy. If you are a great photographer, start a freelance photography business. If you are awesome with design, start a graphic design business. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to create business cards, stationary, and brochures to advertise your business.
Tell everyone you meet that you are running a business, and be creative and specific about what services or products you offer. Most of all, do not let your business interfere with your schoolwork. After all, you are in college to get that degree.
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- Original Poster
- #8
I'm just going to echo what the other 2 have said, base a business around something you know a lot about and are good at
The problem I seem to have is that I don't have one specific interest. I sort of do a bit of everything and I'm not really good at one thing. Which is where it gets slightly harder for me personally, but everyone is different and will have their 'niche' i suppose.
So it looks like i'm in that boat too haha
You just like me. When people say do something you have a passion for i think... i dont have a passion for anything
What about Duncan Bannetyne, cause he started selling ice cream, so i dont think that was something he knew he was good at, but he found a good oppertunity (another thing i dont tend to be good at, finding oppertunities
)Also, does anyone know wwhat the goverment garrentee and income for? Like caring for the old people, the gov give you a certain ammount of money for each person you care for in a home. Or where could i find it out?
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TotallySport
He might not have known he was good at selling ice cream but I bet he liked Ice cream which makes it easier to sell.What about Duncan Bannetyne, cause he started selling ice cream, so i dont think that was something he knew he was good at, but he found a good oppertunity (another thing i dont tend to be good at, finding oppertunities
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If I was your age, with my knowledge now, I would look at buying and selling stuff from your friends. i.e. I bet every one at your school/college/club/friends/relatives etc have piles of unused CDs, DVDs, books, DS games, PC games, XBox games etc that are sat around doing NOTHING. My kids do. I don't do car boot sales or bother with eBay so they sit there losing value and getting in the way.
I would say offer to buy those things off your friends etc for VERY low prices to clear them then do car boots (with an older partner who has a vehicle? or dad?) and sell at 3 times the prices. So buy a CD for 50 p, sell for £1.50. And see how it goes.
In other words as a 16 year old I think you have access to stuff that at my age I don't so exploit that.
Good luck.
I would say offer to buy those things off your friends etc for VERY low prices to clear them then do car boots (with an older partner who has a vehicle? or dad?) and sell at 3 times the prices. So buy a CD for 50 p, sell for £1.50. And see how it goes.
In other words as a 16 year old I think you have access to stuff that at my age I don't so exploit that.
Good luck.
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TotallySport
except to use ebay the terms and conditions state you have to be 18, which also applied to ebay.
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Remember eBay charge you whether you sell or not. There are other auction type sites out there and places like Gumtree. Find somewhere that wont charge.
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TotallySport
18, you could always get you mum and dad to open one and use it, they might say yes or no, its all to do with you not an adult until your 18 and therefor canot enter into a legal contract or something like that.
Good luck
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- Original Poster
- #23
Good ideas
So, a blog. I have had a think and here is my list of ideas:
1. Top Ten- write a range of Top Tens, so like Top Ten free music editing software, or Top Ten summer holiday apps, Top Ten free website makers ect...
2. Power point how to- Im fairly good at powerpoint, so i could write a few tutorials on how to make some cool effects
3. What you didn't know about microsoft office. - Supply a range of hints and tips that are useful and some not.
I did have 4, but i cant remember the last one
Which of these do you think would be the best and get the most traffic?
So, a blog. I have had a think and here is my list of ideas:
1. Top Ten- write a range of Top Tens, so like Top Ten free music editing software, or Top Ten summer holiday apps, Top Ten free website makers ect...
2. Power point how to- Im fairly good at powerpoint, so i could write a few tutorials on how to make some cool effects
3. What you didn't know about microsoft office. - Supply a range of hints and tips that are useful and some not.
I did have 4, but i cant remember the last one
Which of these do you think would be the best and get the most traffic?
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TotallySport
there are thousands of how to type websites for office, so unless you really are offering something new which I doubt or you have a target audience eg your friends need the help, then I wouldn't bother.
Top tens could work but do you really have the right and enough content to get people interested.
IMO you'd be better looking at who you can get to read it, something like a Unofficial School blog, a bit like a student uni type thing, download puzzles, cartoons, articles, opinions etc, its easy to advertise because you have a clear target market, you don't have to worry about getting thousands of hits to make it successfull if your getting 10-20 a day that would be impressive. You can make it funny and serious at the same time, then look to build it up, and by the time your 18 you will have the building blocks to start looking at bigger and better options and have an idea on how to get them up and running.
Top tens could work but do you really have the right and enough content to get people interested.
IMO you'd be better looking at who you can get to read it, something like a Unofficial School blog, a bit like a student uni type thing, download puzzles, cartoons, articles, opinions etc, its easy to advertise because you have a clear target market, you don't have to worry about getting thousands of hits to make it successfull if your getting 10-20 a day that would be impressive. You can make it funny and serious at the same time, then look to build it up, and by the time your 18 you will have the building blocks to start looking at bigger and better options and have an idea on how to get them up and running.
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- Original Poster
- #25
Doing one for school would be hard at the moment because i dont actually belong to one, i left school this year so not many people would be interested in it
What about a blog about twitter, so if i see a funny or good tweet, then i can print screen it and post it on the blog for other people to see, and get other people to send me ones (like people did with facebook)... errm... im not sure actually...
Do you have any other ideas cause yours are good
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Tax-UK
You have shown a lot of enterprise in asking for advise on this forum. It should be easy for you to go out there and compete. Of course you would have to knock on people's door and build your client base the hard way. £20 can be broken down into 2 car washes at £10 each, which would make you competitive and people would either trust a young kid with a trusty service that works on their front door than driving to the closest car-washI would need to get one car an hour then, and there is two car washes in my town already
I live in a town
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car washing is ok, but you need to able to drive... rather than paying £20 for someone with a bucket and sponge, i would go to the fully kitted car wash for the same money...
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TotallySport
Based on this comment and the others, you seem to be looking for a quick easy fix, and thats not how business works, especially in the early days. Find something your interested, and build on that, without knowing you its going to be impossible to offer much more.Yeah, the only thing that is stopping me at the moment is the get up and go bit of it...
Good Luck
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A
AdamH_LWG
When I was 16 I used to buy bulk wholesale from China and sell it on ebay, because I would buy in USD the exchange rate would give me huge profits (now it wouldn't be quite as good). But as I was 16 I didn't have to pay import and UK tax, so it quickly ended once I turned 18.
Get some cash together and get a part time job!! then use the money you make to invest in your ideas. You need a job for now as you are going to need funding.
Get some cash together and get a part time job!! then use the money you make to invest in your ideas. You need a job for now as you are going to need funding.
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Tar Man
Forget about passion, just get out there and make money, here is 4 tips for you.
1. get yourself a cordless drill, get online and source peep holes, chap doors or leaflet homes that don`t have them, easy to make yourself £100-£150 per day.
2. go round your local area collect men's and women's magazines again use leaflets or just start with family and friends, go round your local doctors and dental surgeries and offices, offer them 15 mags a a fortnight or monthly for £10, just keep recycling them from one business to another. 6 months down the line you will be employing people.
3. get hold of a petrol lawnmower and strimmer chap doors and build up a run, graduate to hedge trimming tree felling, anything else people do in their garden. Once you have clients offer to wash their windows too.
4. hire a pressure washer chap doors or leaflet people who`s driveways and paths need cleaning charge a min of £150 per drive, pick the right areas people will bite the hand off you for this service. Expand to cleaning conservatories , roofs and gutters.
Just do it.
1. get yourself a cordless drill, get online and source peep holes, chap doors or leaflet homes that don`t have them, easy to make yourself £100-£150 per day.
2. go round your local area collect men's and women's magazines again use leaflets or just start with family and friends, go round your local doctors and dental surgeries and offices, offer them 15 mags a a fortnight or monthly for £10, just keep recycling them from one business to another. 6 months down the line you will be employing people.
3. get hold of a petrol lawnmower and strimmer chap doors and build up a run, graduate to hedge trimming tree felling, anything else people do in their garden. Once you have clients offer to wash their windows too.
4. hire a pressure washer chap doors or leaflet people who`s driveways and paths need cleaning charge a min of £150 per drive, pick the right areas people will bite the hand off you for this service. Expand to cleaning conservatories , roofs and gutters.
Just do it.
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Think about how you can add value for others.
Depending on your skills, there have been good suggestions on this thread - e.g. dog walking, building websites for local businesses, tutoring...
Steve
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TotallySport
School and college are the same thing, go back to my earlier post.Well because im going to college soon, i would want to concentrate on it, so yeah, i was looking for something to do untill i go to college
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leonchambers50
What are profitable businesses that don't need much money to start, and that can be very profitable?
Thanks
Your own facebook ;P
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