12 Small Business Ideas You Can Start for Less Than $500

Starting your own business remains a potent dream in the U.S. But most of us don’t have bundles of cash stored away to help get us started.

The good news? You don’t always need thousands of dollars to launch a successful venture. Many businesses can be started with $500 or less, depending on the skills you have or they could be acquired with relative ease.

Key Takeaways

• With $500 or less, it’s possible to start many types of small businesses.
• Better small business ideas will leverage the talents and interests you already have.
• Many of these businesses can be started as side hustles before becoming full-time ventures.
• Before getting started, you’ll want to gauge the local market and the risks associated with the business.

Here are 12 ideas to get you thinking about how you might get started:

1. Online Tutoring/Teaching

The e-learning market continues to expand, creating opportunities for subject matter experts in virtually any field. Beyond traditional academic tutoring, consider teaching specialized skills like coding, language learning, music, or creative arts via platforms like Zoom.

Typical startup costs:

• Video conferencing subscription (many platforms offer free tiers)
• Basic teaching materials
• Website or profile on tutoring platforms

Potential earnings: $25 to $75+ per hour, depending on specialization and expertise

2. Podcast Production

With over three-quarters of Americans listening to a podcast in the past month, demand for quality audio content is booming. If you have an ear for audio quality and storytelling, you can offer editing, production, and management services to podcasters.

Typical startup costs:

• Quality microphone ($100 to $200)
• Editing software (many free options available)
• Headphones
• Portfolio website

Potential earnings: $30 to $100+ per edited hour of content

Important

Most new businesses start with clients in their existing network for early validation and testimonials.

3. Social Media Management

A digital presence is now crucial for most businesses, so many smaller companies need expert help managing their social media accounts. If you understand platform algorithms and content creation, this business requires virtually no startup costs.

Typical startup costs:

• Portfolio website
• Social media scheduling tools (many offer free tiers)
• Basic graphic design tools

Potential earnings: $20 to $50+ per hour or $500 to $2,500+ monthly per client

4. Handyman Services

Demand for home repairs and minor maintenance work remains consistently strong. Think broadly for all kinds of home-based services: if you own specialized tools like a pressure washer or are great with a paintbrush, you can use that to help pay many of your monthly bills.

Typical startup costs:

• Basic tools
• Business cards and local advertising
• Liability insurance

Potential earnings: $25 to $50+ per hour, depending on location, tools involved, and specialization

Post-pandemic, you don’t need one of these small businesses to work from home. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that about 35% of full-time employees worked at least some of their time remotely. That rate climbs with the level of education: about half of those in the private sector with a bachelor’s degree work remotely at least in part, compared with less than a quarter of those with only a high school diploma.

5. Personal Training

You can help clients achieve their fitness goals with minimal equipment through customized workouts and nutrition advice.

Typical startup costs:

• Certification ($200 to $400, highly recommended)
• Basic fitness equipment
• Insurance
• Marketing

Potential earnings: $30 to $100+ per session, depending on location and specialization

Set aside time weekly for business development, not just client work.

6. Virtual Assistant

Remote work has dramatically increased demand for virtual administrative support. Organized individuals can provide calendar management, email handling, data entry, and other administrative tasks remotely.

Typical startup costs:

• Computer and reliable internet
• Professional communication tools
• Portfolio website
• Productivity and other software

Potential earnings: $25 to $50+ per hour, depending on specialization and experience

7. Mobile Notary Service

As a mobile notary, you travel to clients to witness and validate important document signings. This service requires state certification but minimal equipment to start.

Typical startup costs:

• Notary commission ($50 to $300 depending on state)
• Surety bond (if required)
• Notary stamp and journal
• Transportation

Potential earnings: $50 to $200+ per signing appointment, with higher rates for specialized services

8. Personal Concierge Services

Time-starved professionals increasingly outsource personal tasks, from grocery shopping to appointment scheduling. This flexible business allows you to offer services that match your strengths.

Typical startup costs:

• Transportation
• Organizational tools
• Business cards and local marketing
• Listing on gig platforms

Potential earnings: $25 to $50+ per hour, depending on service complexity

9. Holiday Decorating/Event Planning

Help clients create memorable celebrations with professional decorating and planning services. This seasonally variable business allows for creativity while requiring minimal equipment.

Typical startup costs:

• Basic decorating tools
• Portfolio documentation
• Business cards and local marketing
• Planning software (many free options available)

Potential earnings: $50 to $100+ per hour for decorating services, $10 to $20 an hour for event planning services

10. Pet Services

With about two-thirds of U.S. households owning pets, services like dog walking, pet sitting, or basic grooming remain in high demand.

Typical startup costs:

• Pet supplies
• Business insurance
• Listing on pet service apps
• Local marketing

Potential earnings: $15 to $25 per dog walk, $40 to $80 per day for pet sitting, or $30 to $90 per grooming session

11. Personal Chef/Meal Prep Service

With busy schedules and growing interest in healthy eating, many people seek convenient, home-cooked meal solutions. As an at-home chef, you can prepare weekly meals, cater small gatherings, or offer cooking classes from your own kitchen.

Typical startup costs:

• Basic cooking supplies and containers
• Food handler’s permit ($100 to $200 in many areas)
• Liability insurance
• Marketing materials and sample menus
• Initial ingredient investment

Potential earnings: $25 to $50+ per hour for meal prep services, $300 to $1,000+ for catering small events

If you find initial success and want to make your business a full-time venture, you’ll want to have an emergency fund that can cover three to six months of expenses.

12. Garden/Landscaping Maintenance

Many homeowners want beautiful outdoor spaces and fresh flowers and veggies sprouting in the spring but lack the time or expertise to maintain them. That puts garden maintenance services in demand. This business requires minimal startup costs and can be scaled from a simple mowing service to comprehensive landscape management.

Typical startup costs:

• Basic gardening tools (pruners, shovels, rake): $150 to $200
• Lawn mower (used): $100 to $250
• Leaf blower: $50 to $100
• Work gloves and personal protective equipment: $30 to $50

Potential earnings: Basic lawn mowing: $50 to $200 per yard, garden maintenance: $40 to $60 per hour, or seasonal services (fall cleanup, spring preparation): $100 to $300 per job

The Bottom Line

Starting a small business doesn’t require massive capital investment. By using or adding to your existing skills and focusing on services with low overhead, you can build a profitable business with an initial investment of less than $500.