Guide to Low-Cost Businesses You Can Start

If you dream of being an entrepreneur, but lack the big startup bucks required by some new ventures, don't fret. With a little time and not a lot of money, you can still make your business dream a reality. A low-cost business, which requires a minimal investment for supplies and marketing, is perfect for whetting an entrepreneurial appetite if you're:
Already employed, but looking to dabble in your own side venture
Unemployed and looking to start your first business
A stay-at-home parent or student who's looking for extra income
A new "retiree" who isn't quite ready to completely retire
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done




Find low-cost business ideas and opportunities online
Coming up with ideas for low-cost businesses is easy with simple Web searches. With just a few clicks on your keyboard, you can find business opportunities that won't break the bank.
I recommend: Find a list of low-investment business startup opportunities at BusinessNation.com and go to Entrepreneur Magazine's SmallBizBooks.com to purchase how-to guides for businesses that take less than $10,000 to launch. Work.com's Guide to Resources for Starting a Business will hook you up with all of the help you need to get going.

Personal services
You already need to run your own errands; why not run other people's, too? With a reliable vehicle and available credit you can easily do other people's shopping - for a fee, of course.
I recommend: Advertise your services at Craigslist, which allows you to post free classified ads that stay online for as long as 45 days, depending on the type of ad and the city in which you live.

eBay sales
You can make a decent living buying antiques and collectibles at garage sales or flea markets, then selling them to hungry buyers online.
I recommend: Sell your stuff online at eBay. You'll need a digital camera with which to photograph your products, which you can buy for under $150 at Best Buy or Circuit City. Or take your items to an eBay drop-off store, such as AuctionItToday, which takes professional photographs of your items, writes copy and posts it for you.

House- and pet-sitting
Give your neighbors peace of mind by taking care of their houses when they're out of town, and their pets while they're at work.
I recommend: Market your services online at HouseCarers.com, which for a small fee will let you post an ad — good for an entire year — to its searchable directory of house-sitters nationwide.

Professional organization
Everyone wants to be organized, but few people have the time. For a fee, you can save people from their own stuff.
I recommend: Join the National Association of Professional Organizers, which will connect you with customers and teach you the tools of the trade.

Clerical work
Many businesses can't afford to hire a full-time secretary. That doesn't stop the paper from piling up on their desks, however. Make a business out of doing data entry, bookkeeping and transcription for your fellow business owners.
I recommend: Microsoft Office Small Business Edition is all you'll need to do office work for other businesses; it includes all the necessary applications and will be compatible with most any client's existing software.

Tutoring
Were you a good student? If so, consider tutoring. You can help kids of any age in any subject, from young children who need help learning to read to teens who need help studying for the SAT.
I recommend: You'll need to study up on a subject yourself before you can teach it; SparkNotes offers free online study guides on a variety of topics within a number of subjects. Obtain tutor certification from TutorNation.com.


Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

A low-cost startup isn't likely to make you any money in its first few months. Stick with it, though, and it may just burgeon into a full-time opportunity.
Run your business from your home to save money on rent and utilities. Doing so will save on taxes, too, because a portion of your mortgage and bills will be tax-deductible come April.
If you're new to business, consider being a weekends-only entrepreneur until you learn the ropes of running your own company.

Guide to 3 Free Recession Solutions for Small Business

Succeeding in small business today requires a solid grip on your finances and an arsenal of tech tools to help you collaborate with colleagues, schedule your time, manage customer relationships and leverage the Internet. And guess what? You can get all of that – and more – absolutely free from some of the nation’s top tech companies that support small business.

The free products, services and solutions from these three organizations alone have already helped millions of business owners succeed. They represent some of the “core competencies” any business needs to survive and prosper, including finance, technology, information and customer relationships. Here they are – free for the taking:

1) Free Financial Software from QuickBooks: QuickBooks became the world’s most popular small business financial software because it understands what a small business needs, is easy to use, comes loaded with useful features and can almost instantly make your business more profitable. Best of all, you can download a QuickBooks “Simple Start” free edition 2009 – with no forms, registration or credit card information required – at the Intel Business Exchange Software Store for small business.

Guide to 3 Free Recession Solutions for Small Business

Succeeding in small business today requires a solid grip on your finances and an arsenal of tech tools to help you collaborate with colleagues, schedule your time, manage customer relationships and leverage the Internet. And guess what? You can get all of that – and more – absolutely free from some of the nation’s top tech companies that support small business.

The free products, services and solutions from these three organizations alone have already helped millions of business owners succeed. They represent some of the “core competencies” any business needs to survive and prosper, including finance, technology, information and customer relationships. Here they are – free for the taking: