start up without or with little capital

[360kal]

hello,

Is it possible i feel so down right now i have all these great idea but without a capital am getting no where.

Is there really any business you can start with so little and expand from there.

even small things like garden maintenance, hand car washing, car washing etc. need to be legitimised with insurance and taxes.

Really there are no options but getting loans to kick start your business.

 

[TotallySport]

what insurances do you need for garden maintaince? Insurance is a good to have but not essential, as long as you stay in control of what your doing.

And you don't pay tax until your start earning.

 

[thisthatandtheother]

what insurances do you need for garden maintaince? Insurance is a good to have but not essential, as long as you stay in control of what your doing.

And you don't pay tax until your start earning.

I would have thought that any business of this nature would require public liability insurance

 

[TotallySport]

I would have thought that any business of this nature would require public liability insurance

Which member of the public is going to be visiting a personal garden, unless its business gardens they are doing and even then it depends.

It depends, if the OP starts with family and firends and a few local people to test the market, I doubt they will need it unless they are rubbish at it in which case don't start the business. When the jobs become bigger and more complex and they have an income get the insurance as soon as they can.

 

[michaelsseo]

Of course you can set up with little or no capital - you just have to work that bet harder. It's also good to have beneficial relationships with other local professionals e.g. if you have a gardening business why not see if a local accountant would do your tax returns in return for having their done once a week?

I run an SEO consultancy and haven't paid my accountatnt a penny because I do their SEO for them.

Send me a message if you want any advice on getting a decent cheap website/seo services for your new startup.

 

[ian-d]

need to be legitimised with insurance and taxes

Heaven forbid you would need to pay taxes! But don't forgot tax is only payable on profits, so has very little to do with initial capital.

Insurances are optional for many professions, though obviously gardening etc would need public liability in case the property owner or a member of the public tripped over a rake!!!

 

[ian-d]

Of course you can set up with little or no capital - you just have to work that bet harder. It's also good to have beneficial relationships with other local professionals e.g. if you have a gardening business why not see if a local accountant would do your tax returns in return for having their done once a week?

I run an SEO consultancy and haven't paid my accountatnt a penny because I do their SEO for them.

Send me a message if you want any advice on getting a decent cheap website/seo services for your new startup.

If you've signed up to this forum with the sole purpose of self-promotion (as has been clear in your first 4 posts) then I'd suggest you before a paid up member!

SEO work can be done by anyone without the need for "experts". Content is king, niche rich unique content is more important than link building/farming that so many SEO "experts" use - not that I'm suggesting that is your method.

 

[GeorgeStrait]

If you've signed up to this forum with the sole purpose of self-promotion (as has been clear in your first 4 posts) then I'd suggest you before a paid up member!

SEO work can be done by anyone without the need for "experts". Content is king, niche rich unique content is more important than link building/farming that so many SEO "experts" use - not that I'm suggesting that is your method.

SEO guys who can get you on page one of Google, but not themselves - not even page 20. Gotta love 'em.

 

[ian-d]

SEO guys who can get you on page one of Google, but not themselves - not even page 20. Gotta love 'em.

Yep, I think they still exist that promise you top position! I've managed that for all my products with very little thought for SEO, just good content, clean code and a lengthy wait for links to build naturally and the site to be trusted.

 

[matt seymour]

Anyway, returning to the original subject...

It is possible to start up a business with little or no capital, but you are generally restricted to offering a basic service in most cases.

People always seem to suggest gardening or car valeting to people like yourself. It's true to say that the start up costs can be minimal, but unfortunately, an awful lot of people have exactly the same idea at the moment. It's tough to get any business off the ground and even tougher in this current economic climate where many are looking to work for themselves.

I have a friend who has a gardening business that he started a year ago. He is an experienced gardener with qualifications and he already had all the equipment. Even now, he barely makes anything and is still having to work full time to keep a roof over his head.

I have another friend who started a valeting business and had numerous contacts at motor dealerships etc, but his business lasted only a matter of months.

Without knowing your background and what, if anything, you have to spend it's difficult to suggest anything.

 

[michaelsseo]

If you've signed up to this forum with the sole purpose of self-promotion (as has been clear in your first 4 posts) then I'd suggest you before a paid up member!

SEO work can be done by anyone without the need for "experts". Content is king, niche rich unique content is more important than link building/farming that so many SEO "experts" use - not that I'm suggesting that is your method.

Many thanks for your comments Ian. You are entirely right that I am mainly on here to promote my business - I guess I'm just not as successful as you and can't afford to spend all day *****ing like a little girl on here.

 

[michaelsseo]

SEO guys who can get you on page one of Google, but not themselves - not even page 20. Gotta love 'em.

Hello George - so you've actually gone through the first 20 pages of Google looking for my site without knowing my company name or url? Are you psychic because I bet there's a really good demand for that? Get a life.

Kal360 - apologies for this and my previous post but people like this really get on my nerves. I've been on here less than a day but I'm now going to close my account as there are so many people on here who seem to love offering advice that is just plain wrong. I would suggest you find a different source of information to base any decisions on.

 

[davezzr]

Hello George - so you've actually gone through the first 20 pages of Google looking for my site without knowing my company name or url? Are you psychic because I bet there's a really good demand for that? Get a life.

Kal360 - apologies for this and my previous post but people like this really get on my nerves. I've been on here less than a day but I'm now going to close my account as there are so many people on here who seem to love offering advice that is just plain wrong. I would suggest you find a different source of information to base any decisions on.

The OP is asking a simple question and what better place to get ideas than this site.Over the time ive been here ive seen many newbies ask similar questions and got some very good advise as to low cost,and i mean really low cost start up ventures in their local area.
I get the idea that the OP hasnt got a pot to pee in but wants to get off his backside and do something about it unlike the dole scroungers who suck the system dry.
There are loads of ventures anyone can start for less than £100 which will buy you 5000 full colour gloss A5 leaflets and a bit of fuel in the motor.All you need is a simple idea with little or no tools or layout on expensive tools.Certainly wont need a wedsite or google ranking for local work.
question is,can anyone come up with ideas that dont cost anything and dont need more equipement than you already got at home.

 

[matt seymour]

How about leaflet distribution? That costs very little to set up.

Once again, there is quite a lot of competition, but it's something you can grow and eventually turn to other forms of marketing.

I looked in to it many moons ago and there is some potential to it, but it wasn't for me. There are always people on Ebay flogging a basic guide on how to run a leaflet distribution business just to give you some idea. I think they generally go for about a fiver.

 

[davezzr]

How about leaflet distribution? That costs very little to set up.

Once again, there is quite a lot of competition, but it's something you can grow and eventually turn to other forms of marketing.

I looked in to it many moons ago and there is some potential to it, but it wasn't for me. There are always people on Ebay flogging a basic guide on how to run a leaflet distribution business just to give you some idea. I think they generally go for about a fiver.

Not a bad one, very easy to set up

 

[GeorgeStrait]

Hello George - so you've actually gone through the first 20 pages of Google looking for my site without knowing my company name or url? Are you psychic because I bet there's a really good demand for that? Get a life.

Kal360 - apologies for this and my previous post but people like this really get on my nerves. I've been on here less than a day but I'm now going to close my account as there are so many people on here who seem to love offering advice that is just plain wrong. I would suggest you find a different source of information to base any decisions on.

OK, so your obviously a teenager so I'll make allowances. Your SEO knowledge is that good that you don't even provide a link to your own website in your signature or profile.

I'm more than happy to admit I'm wrong and you to be proved correct. So let me know what your website/company is called and I can then see where exactly you do rank on Google.

Just for your info I was basing my remark from my experience gained by the number of emails and phone calls I get every week promising me top spot on Google, which is ironic as I'm there already for all three business anyway, but they don't bother to even check that and target their email correctly.

 

[ian-d]

Hello George - so you've actually gone through the first 20 pages of Google looking for my site without knowing my company name or url? Are you psychic because I bet there's a really good demand for that? Get a life.

Kal360 - apologies for this and my previous post but people like this really get on my nerves. I've been on here less than a day but I'm now going to close my account as there are so many people on here who seem to love offering advice that is just plain wrong. I would suggest you find a different source of information to base any decisions on.

Cya then, you'd get banned soon enough for self-promotion anyway

 

[Jeff FV]

Someone posed a similar question about a month or so.

I suggested that they do a car booter in the first instance (OK - so you'll need about a tenner for your pitch, and some stock. If you don't have any junk of your own to sell, ask around amongst friends & neighbours. If you're really smart, you can even charge someone to take away their junk for them, which you can then sell.)

Rinse and repeat until you make some working capital, say £100. With this, I reckon you could buy some helium balloons & rent a canister of helium and start flogging these, making a small profit.

And now another idea! - I've just met someone (a pukka business, they were opposite us at a recent trade show, not some fly by night dodgy character) who sell a product wholesale that will easily sell on in car boots, fetes, shows, down the pub etc. and you should be able to double your money (ball park figures: you pay circa £1.50 + VAT for each item, sell for circa £3.50) low minimum order (£100 would get you some good working stock), easy to store, not bulky etc. Happy to pass on details to anyone who wants to pm me.

Considered buying some stock myself to get a bit of beer money, but I'm too busy at the mo (really shouldn't be writing this ...)

OK, so none of the above may be sustainable long term businesses, but they'll get you two things: some cash to help build a more sustainable business and some invaluable knowledge and insight in running a business.

Jeff

 

[movietub]

I don't see how any real capital is required to set up as a gardener.

Sure you need basic tools, but I'm willing to bet these could be borrowed for the first few jobs. Anything special that is needed doesn't have to be bought until there is a job that requires it - and the job will then pay for it.

As for insurance... Come on guys! Maybe as the business grows and commercial contracts are taken on then insurance is important. In reality however, most local private gardeners won't have insurance. Arguably they should, as there is always 'some risk' but in reality they don't.

I would not let an unaffordable insurance policy stop me from mowing a few lawns if it meant that I could get a business started. Once it was affordable, I would get it and step up the sort of services I offer at that point.

Most start-ups with no cash wing it where possible in the formative months. It's no bad thing imo so long as it's not dangerous. Danger can be mitigated with insurance, but it can be avoided altogether with common sense - and that's free!

 

[Philip Hoyle]

To the OP, you just need to get some work to start earning money. Don't get too hung up on a business just yet. Even bar/shop work will bring in a few pounds per hour which you can save. If you can't get anything, then why not advertise yourself as a general handyman, i.e. for say £5 - £10 p.h. offering to do the basic things like gardening, stripping wallpaper, cleaning, or whatever. Just do it long enough to get a bit of cash behind you.

Then spend the money on some stock and as others have said, go to car boots, sell via ebay, etc., re-investing your profits as you go, to build up more and more stock to sell, and so it goes on. When you've got a bit more cash together you can then look at a business requiring more start up investment needs. etc

Rinse and repeat to build yourself up. Along the way, by being in an "earning" environment, you'll be building up contacts, knowledge, experience, etc., which is far more important than mere cash. I've always said that a good introduction to business is buying a cheap burger van and run it for a year or so, then sell it and move on. Along the way, you'll have dealt with suppliers, stock control, cash handing, tax & accounts, staff, marketing, customer service, pricing, margins, etc which is valuable. It also means that if it falls apart and fails, or you're not up to running a business, you're losses are limited.

 

[GeorgeStrait]

This whole insurance thing is a bit of a myth, how much is a bit of public liability insurance (this will cover the insured should he slice off a clients head with a spade for example) going cost - less than £100 for a gardener, spread that over the year and your looking at a tenner a month - it's hardly prohibitive and surely worth while, plus it gives you a bit of professionalism - or at least the illusion off!

I think a lot of people are put of by rumours of insurance costs being £1,000's.

 

[movietub]

This whole insurance thing is a bit of a myth, how much is a bit of public liability insurance (this will cover the insured should he slice off a clients head with a spade for example) going cost - less than £100 for a gardener, spread that over the year and your looking at a tenner a month - it's hardly prohibitive and surely worth while, plus it gives you a bit of professionalism - or at least the illusion off!

I think a lot of people are put of by rumours of insurance costs being £1,000's.

It's a good point! Hardly going to cost very much anyway.

Most people tell me they would like to start their own business when they find out I run one. And most of them then follow up by saying they don't have the money. What I suspect they mean is that they are not sufficiently committed to their own ideas to risk spending anything!

 

[GeorgeStrait]

It's a good point! Hardly going to cost very much anyway.

Most people tell me they would like to start their own business when they find out I run one. And most of them then follow up by saying they don't have the money. What I suspect they mean is that they are not sufficiently committed to their own ideas to risk spending anything!

I think that's exactly the problem - it's not they don't have or can't get any money, it's easy enough to do a month or two at McDonalds or Weatherspoons to get a few grand or so start up cash.

That's the difference between those that do, and those that don't - balls not money!

And that's probably why people get so peeved with inane questions like this!

 

[movietub]

I think that's exactly the problem - it's not they don't have or can't get any money, it's easy enough to do a month or two at McDonalds or Weatherspoons to get a few grand or so start up cash.

That's the difference between those that do, and those that don't - balls not money!

And that's probably why people get so peeved with inane questions like this!

I certainly get fed up with some of the vague questions. It's blatantly obvious that someone who can't figure out that a little ingenuity and graft is all that is required to setup a basic business is not going to be able to cope with any of the 1001 actual problems anyone running a business will encounter during their career!

However, I am thankful that most people can't/won't make the effort. Business would be a lot harder if everyone was in it!

 

[Dan Frazer Gardening]

I find the comments about gardeners and insurance laughable and they show how naiive and ignorant the general public are towards certain professions.

My PL insurance is around £280 just now. £5M cover. I am often up ladders on pavements using dangerous petrol machinery (trimmers and chainsaws). How does that not present a risk to the public? Strimming kicks out stones at very high speed - fast enough to embed a stone in someone's leg, smash any window or car windscreen or cause severe physical damage if it hit someone's face. Insurance for this trade is more important than any of your office-based jobs as it's not simply there as a financial obligation.

Start up costs for the trade? How much would a reliable van, 3-4 different mowers (average cost £500-2000 each for professional machines), chainsaws, trimmers, platform ladders, strimmers (all in the region of £400-800 each item) and a plethora of ancilliaries cost? Stockpiles of lawn feed, sand, compost, salt... premises to keep the equipment safe, full set of company clothing, PPE... there is no definitive list but it just goes on and on. I use 40 litres of weed killer a year and that costs about £300.

You CAN start this type of business on a tiny budget - work for someone with a big country house and their own tools. The wage will be low but you can slowly build it up from there. Most people in my shoes earn agood wage after business expenses are taken out as we are efficient, we have large commercial contracts and the right tools to get a lot done in a day.

Then again, you do get the unreliable retired boys charging £6 an hour. Choose who you want to be and have a firm plan.

Did I mention trade and H&S accreditations as required by clients, formal training to enable the user to use chainsaws (IRO £1000 training) and spray pesticides (IRO £400)?

 

[movietub]

I find the comments about gardeners and insurance laughable and they show how naiive and ignorant the general public are towards certain professions.

My PL insurance is around £280 just now. £5M cover. I am often up ladders on pavements using dangerous petrol machinery (trimmers and chainsaws). How does that not present a risk to the public? Strimming kicks out stones at very high speed - fast enough to embed a stone in someone's leg, smash any window or car windscreen or cause severe physical damage if it hit someone's face. Insurance for this trade is more important than any of your office-based jobs as it's not simply there as a financial obligation.

Start up costs for the trade? How much would a reliable van, 3-4 different mowers (average cost £500-2000 each for professional machines), chainsaws, trimmers, platform ladders, strimmers (all in the region of £400-800 each item) and a plethora of ancilliaries cost? Stockpiles of lawn feed, sand, compost, salt... premises to keep the equipment safe, full set of company clothing, PPE... there is no definitive list but it just goes on and on. I use 40 litres of weed killer a year and that costs about £300.

You CAN start this type of business on a tiny budget - work for someone with a big country house and their own tools. The wage will be low but you can slowly build it up from there. Most people in my shoes earn agood wage after business expenses are taken out as we are efficient, we have large commercial contracts and the right tools to get a lot done in a day.

Then again, you do get the unreliable retired boys charging £6 an hour. Choose who you want to be and have a firm plan.

Did I mention trade and H&S accreditations as required by clients, formal training to enable the user to use chainsaws (IRO £1000 training) and spray pesticides (IRO £400)?

I think the comments were aimed at someone carrying out much lower risk gardening activities. If someone wants to mow a lawn or weed some flower beds then frankly I wouldn't assume they had insurance. Certainly if it was a casual 6 months in the first instance. If it grew and became a full time income and the work started to involve powered tools and/or access gear then clearly that is different.

It's hard this day and age of course to say that anyone doing anything shouldn't have insurance. Were I asked to give my advice officially I would have to say that if you're going to do any work for anyone, for money, get insured. But I'm just trying to be realistic here. The vast majority of people starting up doing something small scale and local don't do things 'properly' in textbook style in the very beginning. Most people realise within a short period that they're getting busier and that they need to pay more attention to the rule book in several respects.

But most people wouldn't even get started, unless they just get up one day - 'and get started'...

I guess it all depends on what you want to do and what tangible danger (if any) it represents.

 

[360kal]

This whole insurance thing is a bit of a myth, how much is a bit of public liability insurance (this will cover the insured should he slice off a clients head with a spade for example) going cost - less than £100 for a gardener, spread that over the year and your looking at a tenner a month - it's hardly prohibitive and surely worth while, plus it gives you a bit of professionalism - or at least the illusion off!

I think a lot of people are put of by rumours of insurance costs being £1,000's.

Yeah your right George this whole insurance thing and fear of unlawful has been holding me back for long now that is affecting my ideas and ambitions. Hopefully by the end of the week i would have all ideas sorted out.

 

[TotallySport]

I find the comments about gardeners and insurance laughable and they show how naiive and ignorant the general public are towards certain professions.

My PL insurance is around £280 just now. £5M cover. I am often up ladders on pavements using dangerous petrol machinery (trimmers and chainsaws). How does that not present a risk to the public? Strimming kicks out stones at very high speed - fast enough to embed a stone in someone's leg, smash any window or car windscreen or cause severe physical damage if it hit someone's face. Insurance for this trade is more important than any of your office-based jobs as it's not simply there as a financial obligation.

Start up costs for the trade? How much would a reliable van, 3-4 different mowers (average cost £500-2000 each for professional machines), chainsaws, trimmers, platform ladders, strimmers (all in the region of £400-800 each item) and a plethora of ancilliaries cost? Stockpiles of lawn feed, sand, compost, salt... premises to keep the equipment safe, full set of company clothing, PPE... there is no definitive list but it just goes on and on. I use 40 litres of weed killer a year and that costs about £300.

You CAN start this type of business on a tiny budget - work for someone with a big country house and their own tools. The wage will be low but you can slowly build it up from there. Most people in my shoes earn agood wage after business expenses are taken out as we are efficient, we have large commercial contracts and the right tools to get a lot done in a day.

Then again, you do get the unreliable retired boys charging £6 an hour. Choose who you want to be and have a firm plan.

Did I mention trade and H&S accreditations as required by clients, formal training to enable the user to use chainsaws (IRO £1000 training) and spray pesticides (IRO £400)?

Just out of interest how many times in the last year have you claimed on your insurance?

 

[davezzr]

I think that's exactly the problem - it's not they don't have or can't get any money, it's easy enough to do a month or two at McDonalds or Weatherspoons to get a few grand or so start up cash.

That's the difference between those that do, and those that don't - balls not money!

And that's probably why people get so peeved with inane questions like this!

I would have to agree! everyone i have ever met all have fanciful ideas of running their own business. BUT the real issue isnt cash its having no concept of business whatsoever and lets face it most first timers will fail in a short time because they were naive and had expectations far beyond the truth. On the other hand there are those that can talk the talk but cant or wont grow a pair and just do it,i suspect this is the case here.
Its not hard to start a small venture, infact i have several small businesses running all together each turning a reasonable return and together make a nice earner. which is better than driving one business hard to make a living. I also suspect that the OP hasnt got any ideas but instead would like the good people here to furnish him with ideas and the means to get started so he doesnt have to think for himself.

 

[MASSEY]

I think that's exactly the problem - it's not they don't have or can't get any money, it's easy enough to do a month or two at McDonalds or Weatherspoons to get a few grand or so start up cash.

That's the difference between those that do, and those that don't - balls not money!

And that's probably why people get so peeved with inane questions like this!

Maybe in your world george where it costs nothing to live. Anyone else will spend all of their maccy d wage on living expense. Leaving no money for business activity.

 

[Esk247]

Maybe in your world george where it costs nothing to live. Anyone else will spend all of their maccy d wage on living expense. Leaving no money for business activity.

was waiting for some clever old stick to notice that

£900 a month doesn't go very far when you've got rent, water, gas, food and travel expenses to pay for.

(..shock horror people are earning £900 a month after tax!!!!!..yes..real world)

 

[MASSEY]

was waiting for some clever old stick to notice that

£900 a month doesn't go very far when you've got rent, water, gas, food and travel expenses to pay for.

(..shock horror people are earning £900 a month after tax!!!!!..yes..real world)

Doesnt Go far? there would be none left at all

 

[davezzr]

you mean there are people with day jobs that pay more than minimum wage? i only ask because i was looking over my sons shoulder while he was looking at the jobcenter website and virtually every job was either £5.93 per hour or 'meets national minimum wage' . It really is an hilarious website and i recommend it for cheering you up when you need a lift

 

[Furrtiv]

I'm a skilled worker and a specialist in my job, and I've yet to break the £15,000 per year barrier. Hence why I am thinking of starting my own small business alongside my day job.

 

[360kal]

Am full of courage and ideas to kick start a business of my own. the only problem is that i have a part time job which funds for my college studies. i do maintain peoples garden but very few in a way that it isn't a business. in order to promote my services and for it to be a legitimate business be registered on HMRC i would need a good capital to invest in more equipments and public liability insurance.

My main business interest is in the entertainment and leisure but for now am going to focus on the small things first. i hope i explained my self a bit more.

 

[davezzr]

so you have a part time job, you go to college and you still have time to build up a full time gardening business with 'funding'
Not only that you say your interest is in entertainment and leasure.

in honesty you are either in part time work and at college OR your going into business gardening Or your going into entertainment and leasure. you cant have it all,thats why so many people on here get fed up reading pointless posts from people without a clue POINT MADE

 

[GeorgeStrait]

Maybe in your world george where it costs nothing to live. Anyone else will spend all of their maccy d wage on living expense. Leaving no money for business activity.

No dougnut face

I was presuming the OP (or whoever in general) is already working and was suggesting a part time job on top to raise the finances, hence the McDonalds/Weatherspoons reference as they are open for many hours a day thus providing the opportunity.

How do people think we all start in business? It's not through handouts, it's by saving hard for years and/or working extra hours until you have the finance to proceed.

Just seems that the OP, like many, want something for nothing.

And yes there are business that can be started on next to nothing, I have one that cost £37 (that could be one McDonald's shift) to start, another that cost about £300 and the the third at about £50,000. Proof that there is something for everyone if you can be bothered!

 

[GeorgeStrait]

My PL insurance is around £280 just now. £5M cover. I am often up ladders on pavements using dangerous petrol machinery (trimme

Well I didn't just make my insurance figure up (£82.68 to be exact!), it was obtained online for a "gardner" with no experience and a new busniess with £1 million PL. See here Obviously it didn't cover chain saws or heavy machinery etc, but that wasn't what was being discussed.

 

[GeorgeStrait]

Ooops, the above link doesn't work - this one does though.

 

[AndyAndy]

The OP is asking a simple question and what better place to get ideas than this site.Over the time ive been here ive seen many newbies ask similar questions and got some very good advise as to low cost,and i mean really low cost start up ventures in their local area.
I get the idea that the OP hasnt got a pot to pee in but wants to get off his backside and do something about it unlike the dole scroungers who suck the system dry.
There are loads of ventures anyone can start for less than £100 which will buy you 5000 full colour gloss A5 leaflets and a bit of fuel in the motor.All you need is a simple idea with little or no tools or layout on expensive tools.Certainly wont need a wedsite or google ranking for local work.
question is,can anyone come up with ideas that dont cost anything and dont need more equipement than you already got at home.

I just want to adapt on your idea here.

He could go to local shops and business and create a small, lets say, ten page broacher.

He could charge £20 of advertising for a whole page and £10 for half a page. He could split the page into quarters and charge £5 per quarter

Since a ten page broacher would allow advertising on two sides of paper he could make £400 if he fills the whole booklet.

He could then post the small advertising booklet around the local area.

If it became more popular he could increase the advertising costs and number of pages.

Just an idea