Starting a business with as little as 100 dollars can seem like a daunting task, but there are several low-cost options that can turn your small investment into a thriving enterprise. We take you through a few key business ideas that require minimal initial outlay, based on real-life examples you may have heard of.
From Passion to Profit: Starting a Business With 100 Dollars
Imagine this: you’re sitting at your kitchen table with a crisp $100 bill in your hand, wondering how to turn it into a profitable business. The good news? You can. Here’s how:
1. Offer Services That You Already Know
The fastest and cheapest route to entrepreneurship is to utilize your skills. Are you good at organizing, planning, or giving advice? You could start a consulting or life coaching business. If you have experience in areas such as business, marketing, or even personal coaching, you can start your services with virtually no upfront costs other than creating a simple website or social media presence.
To get started, create a basic website or social media profile to spread the word about your services and promote yourself in local communities or online forums. Word of mouth will play a huge role here, and over time, your investment in a $10 domain name and free social media can turn into a profitable consulting business.
A real example – Tammy Smith: From $100 to a six-figure consulting business
Tammy Smith started her business journey with only 100 dollars in her pocket. After being laid off from her job, she decided to utilize her years of experience in financial consulting. Tammy used free platforms like LinkedIn and basic social media marketing to offer her consulting services. Within a year, her client base had grown and she was able to generate over $100,000 per year.
Her success was achieved by providing customized services and investing the early profits in better marketing and automation tools. She is now a well-respected consultant serving dozens of clients across the United States.
2. Turn Your Knowledge Into Products
Maybe you’re a master at something – whether it’s fitness, finance, or crafting. Consider packaging that knowledge into information products, such as eBooks or online courses. These digital products are inexpensive to create (you can even start with free tools like Canva or Google Docs), but can be sold repeatedly.
Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or Udemy allow you to create and sell products at virtually no cost, turning your knowledge into an ongoing source of passive income.
3. Turn Your Way to Success
Another creative way is to resell items for profit. With 100 dollars, you can pore through thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces looking for undervalued items that can be resold at a higher price. For example, recycling old furniture can be a lucrative option if you have a DIY aptitude.
Start small – perhaps reupholster an old chair or table – and sell your creations locally or through platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. The beauty of this business model is that you reinvest your profits, increasing your budget as you remodel more items.
4. Utilize Your Network
If you love networking and have a large network of friends, another option is to become a direct sales consultant for brands like Avon or Pampered Chef. These companies provide starter kits for under $100, and with some sales knowledge, you can easily start earning commissions on products sold to your network.
5. Start a Pet-centered Business
Are you a pet lover? Consider starting a dog walking or pet sitting business. You won’t need anything but your time and reliability to do this. As more people are traveling and returning to work, the demand for pet services is increasing.
You can advertise your services on platforms such as Rover or even local community boards, which will save you money in the initial stages.
6. Become a Virtual Assistant
The demand for virtual assistants (VAs) is on the rise. Many small businesses and entrepreneurs need help with administrative tasks, social media, or customer service, but can’t afford full-time employees.
If you’re organized and can multitask, you can offer these services with just a computer and an internet connection. Your 100 dollars can go towards creating a simple website and promoting your services on freelance platforms like Fiverr.
A real example – Abbey Ashley: from virtual assistant to online business empire
Abbey Ashley started as a virtual assistant with less than $100 invested, relying on free tools and word of mouth to find her first clients. After honing her skills in social media management and administrative tasks, she began hiring other virtual assistants for her growing agency.
Eventually, she began training others on how to become a virtual assistant through online courses. Today, Abbey runs a seven-figure business and has helped countless people start their own virtual assistant services.
7. Affiliate Marketing for Passive Income
If you are internet savvy and have a blog or social media followers, affiliate marketing can be an easy and inexpensive way to make money. The concept is simple: you advertise other companies’ products, and when people make purchases through your links, you earn a commission.
Sign up for affiliate programs like PartnerStack and you’re ready to go. While it may take some time to set up an affiliate program, it’s a great option for those who want to earn passive income.
A real example – Michelle Schroeder-Gardner: Affiliate marketing and Blogging
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner started her journey into affiliate marketing with a small blog that she created on a budget of $70. After learning SEO and content marketing strategies, she turned her blog “Making Sense of Cents”, into a major platform that now brings in over $100,000 a month, mostly through affiliate commissions.
Michelle’s success has been due to her ability to focus on high-paying affiliate programs while providing valuable personal finance content.
Impressive Success Stories that Started with 100 Dollars
Look at the living examples of people around us who have made their careers from scratch.
Jessica Larrew: a $100 item seller who became a reseller on Amazon
Jessica Larrew is a prime example of someone who took the business of reselling things and turned it into a highly profitable business. She started by buying things at thrift stores and garage sales with an initial budget of 100 dollars. She then resold those items on Amazon.
In just a few years, she and her husband grew their resale business to a six-figure income through the Amazon Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program. Jessica’s focus on niche markets and underpriced items made her successful, and today she teaches others how to sell items for a profit.
Nick Loper: From Side Hobbies to Passive Income
Nick Loper, founder of Side Hustle Nation, started his entrepreneurial journey with a part-time job working 9 to 5. He started with pet-sitting and freelance writing, investing less than 100 dollars. As he explored more passive income streams like affiliate marketing and podcasting, Nick expanded his business into a full-time income.
Today, he runs a successful blog, podcast, and online community dedicated to helping others achieve financial freedom through side earnings.
Conclusion: From Scratch to Empire
These are just a few examples of online businesses you can start with 100 dollars or less. The key to making your $100 business work is to focus on low-cost, high-potential ventures. By utilizing your skills, networks, and digital tools, you can build a solid foundation for growth. You don’t need a huge budget to do this – just creativity, dedication and a willingness to take the first step.
With every dollar you reinvest, your business will grow and that initial $100 will seem like the best investment you’ve ever made.
Share your story in the comments, what ideas for startups with minimal investment do you know? Maybe you yourself started with 100 dollars in your pocket – tell us your inspiring story!
