Startup ideas for business 40 startup ideas for business to start with little to no cash!

Searching for startup ideas for business?

Wondering if there is a way for you to make money without having a boss?

Ever thought about starting a business of your own but thought you couldn’t afford it?

We have taken 40 startup ideas for business and collected them all here for you to have a look at.

This list is in no particular order.

We have tried to be as helpful as possible and where possible we have linked to articles of interest.

1. YouTuber (1 million subscribers)

Est Yearly Income: £45k +

Cost to Startup: £0 – £100

Hours of Work: flexible

Pros: make money while you sleep

Cons: coming up with fresh ideas to stay ahead

Job Description:

Youtuber’s are responsible for keeping their following and monetising their channel wherever possible.

Youtuber’s must upload fresh new content to keep their audience subscriptions up.

PassTools.com has a great guide on how to become a YouTuber in 2019.

2. Flipping Products

Est Yearly Income: £40k+

Cost to Startup: £100 – £200

Hours of Work: days/nights/ weekends

Pros: can make lots of money

Cons: finding the right deal

Job Description:

Buying products and selling them to make a profit is a real full-time job for a lot of thrifty entrepreneurs.

To be good at flipping products you must have a good eye for a deal. Searching online and at local flea markets is essential to maximise profits.

WealthyNickel.com have a guide on how to make money fliping products on ebay.

3. Content Creator

Est Yearly Income: £30K+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: flexible

Pros: decide when and where to work

Cons: creating good content

Job Description:

Content creators use a variety of mediums to create their content.

Video, images, text and audio are a few of these mediums content creators work in.

MilesBeckler.com has a great on becoming a content creator.

4. Dog Walker

Est Yearly Income: £20k+

Cost to Startup: £0 – £100

Hours of Work: customer dependent

Pro’s: keeping fit and getting paid

Con’s: lots of responsibility

Job Description:

Dog walking can be challenging but also a rewarding business to operate.

Dog walkers should have experience walking and caring for dogs.

The Job involves walking in all types of weather for long distances.

BDWS.co.uk has a great post on how to be a dog walker.

5. Window Cleaner

Est Yearly Income: £20k+

Cost to Startup: £20 – £200

Hours of Work: days/weekends

Pros: working outdoors

Cons: dangerous job

Job Description:

Window cleaners arrive at their customer’s house with cleaning equipment. This job involves working outside usually at height.

Window cleaning can be a dangerous job at times as often you will be working alone on a ladder

WindowCleaningCoach.com has a great article on how to become a window cleaner.

6. Freelance Writer

Est Yearly Income: £30k+

Cost to Startup: £0 – £100

Hours of Work: flexible

Pros:

choose where and when to work.

Cons: finding a steady stream of work.

Job Description:

Freelance writing involves writing eye-catching, interesting articles and posts.

Freelance writers can work on a variety of projects.

ElnaCain.com has a great post on getting started in freelance writing.

7. Programmer

Est Yearly Income: £30K+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: flexible

Pros: decide when you want to work

Cons: a steady stream of work

Job Description:

There are many different types of programming languages.

According to CodeSnail.com, the most in-demand languages are Python, Java & Javascript.

Programming involves spending lots of time typing on keyboards. This can lead to health issues if not balanced out with regular exercise.

SimpleProgrammer.com has a great article about how to become a programmer.

8. Nanny Service

Est Yearly Income: £20K+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: covers all hours

Pros: bonding with children

Cons: find the right family

Job Description:

A nanny service involves giving care and attention to your customer’s children.

Typical duties include cleaning, cooking, driving and teaching children manners.

Online-Learning-College.com has a great blog post on how to become a nanny.

9. Butler Service

Est Yearly Income: £40K+

Cost to Startup: £100 – £200

Hours of Work: Could cover all hours.

Pros: working usually in opulent surroundings.

Cons: expected to do any job

Job Description:

A butler should be the main point of call to a house or estate.

A butler meets and greets guests either face to face or by telephone.

Other duties that butlers do is waiting on tables or chauffeuring.

EstateandManor.com have written a description on how to become a butler in the uk.

10. Gardener

Est Yearly Income: £20K+

Cost to Startup: £100-£200

Hours of Work: seasonal

Pros: working outdoors

Cons: seasonal work

Job Description:

A gardener works to upkeep and maintain their customer’s gardens.

Gardeners work is busiest in the summer months in the UK.

BalconyGardenWeb.com have some tips on how to become a successful gardener.

11. Song Writer

Est Yearly Income: £35K+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: flexible

Pros: working in a creative industry

Cons: lots of competition

Job Description:

Songwriters write songs for professional singers and companies.

Songwriters are either paid royalties or paid for the rights to the songs they create.

SongWritersMagazine.co.uk has a great article on 10 tips it takes to get started as a song writer.

12. Dog Boarder

Est Yearly Income: £20K+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: covering all hours

Pros: lots of cuddles from dogs

Cons: untrained dogs in your home

Job Description:

Dog boarding involves taking care of your customer’s dogs in your own home.

This job can be challenging if you have untrained dogs or dogs that do not mix well.

CareerAddict.com has an article on how to become a pet sitter.

13. Event Planning Services

Est Yearly Income: £25k+

Cost to Startup: £0 – £100

Hours of Work: varied, often nights and weekends

Pros: lots of varied work

Cons: lots of responsibility

Job Description:

An event planner plays a key role in their customers big day or event.

The role involves working in different locations to deadlines.

EventPlanningBluePrint.com has a great post on 10 steps to becoming an event planner.

14. Errand / Concierge service

Est Yearly Income: £20K+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: covers all hours

Pros: be your own boss

Cons: working to strict time scales

Job Description:

Errands and concierge service operators work to strict deadlines meeting customers needs.

The errands and tasks they do will vary a lot.

TheWorkAtHomeWomen.com has a fantastic article about setting up your own concierge service.

15. Personal Assistant

Est Yearly Income: £25k+

Cost to Startup: £0 – £100

Hours of Work: variable

Pros: working with a variety of people.

Cons: finding steady clients

Job Description:

A personal assistant can work face-to-face online or via telephone for their clients.

The job of a personal assistant involves doing day-to-day tasks for their clients.

HighSpeedTraining.com have a great article about how to become a personal assistant.

16. Children’s party planner

Est Yearly Income: £20k+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: variable often weekends

Pros: meet lots of new people.

Cons: working with children

Job Description:

Children’s Party Planner specialises in planning parties for children and young people.

The job involves working to deadlines and getting things set up for parties.

CatchMyParty.com have a great article on how to become a professional kids party planner.

17. Reviewer

Est Yearly Income: £20K+

Cost to Startup: £100-£200

Hours of Work: you decide

Pros: choose where and when you work

Cons: growing and keeping a following.

Job Description:

A reviewers job is to review and display new and hot products for customers.

Reviewers can work with all types of products. It’s best for the reviewer to be an expert on the type of product they are reviewing.

ProductReviewMom.com has written an article how to get paid from reviewing products.

18. Social Media Consultant

Est Yearly Income: 30K+

Cost to Startup:  £0 – £100

Hours of Work: variable

Pros: can work and any type of industry

Cons: high-pressure strict deadlines

Job Description:

Social media consultants manage the social presence of companies.

Social media consultants help their clients gain the most traction from social networks.

EveryDayFamily.com have a great blog on how to get started as a social media consultant.

19. Etsy Shop Owner

Est Yearly Income: £20K+

Cost to Startup: £0 – £100

Hours of Work: variable

Pros: make money from your hobby

Cons: finding your target audience

Job Description:

Etsy shop owners design and craft items for sale online.

ETSY is a huge platform for homemade crafts and good.

SmallBizTrends.com has an article on how to be successful on ETSY.

20. Tutor

Est Yearly Income: £20K+

Cost to Startup: £0 – £100

Hours of Work: often days

Pros: teach a subject you are passionate about

Cons: a steady stream of work

Job Description:

Tutors assist their students with learning subjects.

To become a tutor you must be proficient with a high level of education in your chosen subject.

SuperProf.co.uk has a great blog on how to become a tutor.

21. Virtual assistant

Est Yearly Income: £20k+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: can cover all hours

Pros: work from anywhere

Cons: a steady stream of work.

Job Description:

Virtual assistants work much like personal assistants but specifically for clients who make a living online..

Virtual assistant schedule meetings, answer emails and handle any other online tasks. VA’s and PA’s free up time for their clients by doing tasks for them.

ScoietyOfVirtualAssistants.co.uk has an article 10 tips to becoming a virtual assistant.

22. Personal Chef

Est Yearly Income: £30K+

Cost to Startup: £0-£200

Hours of Work: could cover all hours

Pros: work doing a job you love.

Cons: finding new clients

Job Description:

A personal chef must have a love of cooking for people who might have different needs or demands.

Personal chefs are usually provided accommodation in with or close to their employers.

SeriousEats.com has a great blog on how to become a private chef.

23. Freelance Translator

Est Yearly Income: £35k+

Cost to Startup:  £0 – £100

Hours of Work: could cover all hours

Pros: learn something new every time

Cons: feelings directed towards an interpreter rather than the client.

Job Description:

Becoming a freelance translator can see you travel far and wide around the world. You could be working completing business deals or showing tourists around an area.

Freelance translators have the ability to work from anywhere.

MezzoGuild.com has a great blog post detailing how to become a freelance translator.

24. Software Trainer

Est Yearly Income: £25K+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: days

Pros: helping people gain real skills

Cons: adjusting the learning to suit the learner.

Job Description:

Software trainers work with software packages such as Microsoft word and excel.

Software trainers can specialise in all sorts of industry-specific software.

OnlineCultus.com has a fantastic article about how to become an IT trainer.

25. Music Teacher

Est Yearly Income: £25K+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: could cover most hours

Pros: teaching a skill you love to new people

Cons: high stress, demanding parents.

Job Description:

Planning & preparing lessons tailored to suit individual needs. Motivating & encouraging your pupil’s progress.

Music Teachers teach music theory, practical techniques as well as oral skills.

SimplyBusiness.co.uk has a great post on how to become a music teacher.

26. Personal Shopping assistant

Est Yearly Income: £20k+

Cost to Startup: £0 – £100

Hours of Work: cover all hours

Pros: providing a friendly service to those in need.

Cons: finding a steady stream of clients.

Job Description:

Shopping assistants help customers navigate online retail to find deals or rare items.

Personal shopping assistants specialise in niche products to give expert advice.

TrendiMi.com have a fantastic article about how to become a personal shopper.

27. Photographer / Videographer

Est Yearly Income: £25k+

Cost to Startup: £100 –  £200

Hours of Work: could cover all hours

Pros: no two days are the same

Cons: a pressured job at times.

Job Description:

A photographer/videographer captures those key and special moments on film.

Photographers and Videographers will work with their clients on special events and ceremonies.

JotForm.com have a great page on how to become a professional photographer.

28. Blogger

Est Yearly Income: £25k+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: flexible

Pros: working in a creative job

Cons: coming up with fresh interesting content 

Job Description:

A blogger specializes in certain niches, this could be fashion, food or cars to name a few.

Bloggers come up with fresh new in-depth content. This content must be different from everything else that is out there.

RyRob.com has a great page titled 10 steps how to start a blog.

29. Online course and tutor

Est Yearly Income: £20k+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: flexible

Pros: teaching others a subject you are passionate about

Cons: making a course that is both appealing and educational.

Job Description:

People with knowledge of a subject can teach others by providing online courses.

Online courses can come in many forms. Your course could be in the form of downloadable books, audio lessons or video lecturers.

uScreen.tv have a great blog post on how to start an online school.

30. Dog groomer

Est Yearly Income: £20k+

Cost to Startup: £100 – £200

Hours of Work: days

Pros: Meet lots of new dogs

Cons: demanding job

Job Description:

Maintaining the dog’s physical appearance.

This process involves a lot more than a regular trip to your human hair stylist

GroomArts.com has a great article on how to become a professional dog groomer.

31. Freelance Editor

Est Yearly Income: £25K+

Cost to Startup:  £0-£100

Hours of Work: flexible

Pros: work from anywhere in the world

Cons: work must be quality at all times

Job Description:

A freelance editor reads, writes and makes copy more easy for readers to understand.

The freelance editor may work alone as a remote worker or a part of a larger content team.

HomeWorkingClub.com has a fantastic blog post on how to become a freelance editor.

32. Photoshop Professional

Est Yearly Income:£35K+

Cost to Startup: £0 – £100

Hours of Work: flexible

Pros: work on lots of interesting subjects

Cons: can sometimes feel routine

Job Description:

Photoshop professionals are responsible for editing images using Adobe’s photoshop software.

Clients will make requests to the photoshop professional for alterations they would like.

PowerHomeBiz.com has a great post on how to make money with photoshop.

33. Uber

Est Yearly Income: £30K+

Cost to Startup: £100- £200

Hours of Work: flexible

Pros: choose when you want to work

Cons: working with the general public

Job Description:

Uber is fast replacing local taxi firms. The great thing about UBER is that drivers can choose when they want to work.

Uber drivers can work around their own personal commitments to gain extra income.

RideSter.com has a great article describing how to become an Uber driver.

34. Private Tours

Est Yearly Income: £20K+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: days/weekends

Pros: meet lots of new people

Cons: keeping a large group of people entertained and informed

Job Description:

The job of a private tour guide is to inform and entertain their paying customers.

Private tour guides have an in-depth local knowledge of the area they are guiding.

RegionDo.com has a great post about how to start a tour company with little to no money.

35. Photo restorer

Est Yearly Income: £25K+

Cost to Startup: £0 -£100

Hours of Work: flexible 

Pros: working on lots of different projects

Cons: time to complete project will vary on the original quality

Job Description:

Restorers use a variety of techniques to restore photographs to their original condition.

Restorers may also be able to colourise old black and white photographs.

Image-Restore.co.uk has a nice blog post detailing how to get started in photo restoration.

36. Graphic Designer

Est Yearly Income: £20k+

Cost to Startup:  £0-£100

Hours of Work: flexible

Pros: using creativity in your job

Cons: competing ideas with clients

Job Description:

A graphic designer works with their clients to get products and images designed.

Graphics designers use a range of software to achieve their designs. Most software costs money but there are free alternatives to get started.

CreativeMarket.com have created a great article on how to become a graphic designer.

37. Makeup/Hairdresser Artist

Est Yearly Income: £15k+

Cost to Startup: £100-£200

Hours of Work: days/weekends

Pros: meet lots of new clients

Cons: establishing regular customers

Job Description:

Makeup artists and hair stylists work to improve their client’s appearance.

Hairdressers and makeup artists can specialise in wedding hair or offer regular treatments/styles.

SimplyBusiness.co.uk has a fantastic article on how to become a hair stylist and how to become a makeup artist.

38. Personal Trainer

Est Yearly Income: £30k+

Cost to Startup:  £0-£100

Hours of Work: could cover all hours

Pros: keeping yourself and clients healthy and fit

Cons:  cover all hours

Job Description:

Personal trainers work with their clients either on an individual or a group basis. They will help to identify areas of improvement which the client wants to work on.

Personal trainers can own their own gyms or they can rent space from other gyms.

SuperProf.co.uk has a guide on how to train to be a personal trainer.

39. Yoga/Meditation Instructor

Est Yearly Income: £25K+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: days/nights/ weekends

Pros: keeping fit and healthy

Cons: not just a job its a lifestyle

Job Description:

A yoga instructor or yogi works in groups or with individuals to improve their yoga skills.

Yoga instructors can specialise in different forms of yoga such as hot yoga.

BrettLarkin.com has a great blog post on how to become a yoga instructor.

40. Podcaster

Est Yearly Income: £25K+

Cost to Startup: £0-£100

Hours of Work: flexible

Pros: speaking about a subject you love

Cons: gaining a large following

Job Description:

Pod casters create entertaining and informative audio shows that users can download.

Podcasting does not need a lot of equipment.

BryanKramer.com has a fantastic article about the 5 steps to becoming a podcaster.

Adding more credibility to your startup

The best way to add credibility to any startup or small business is to have a website.

Websites are your own platform built for your own company.

Customers give you more credibility if you have a great looking professional website.

Check out our website client package or contact us to find out more.

Advice on how to start a startup

No matter what startup idea for a business you decide to build. There are a few things you should keep in mind.

Don’t spend too much time on names and logos

Too many people spend too much time thinking about the perfect name or logo for their brand or company.

It’s natural that you want to make sure you cover all basis with the perfect name and logo.

What everyone should remember is that a logo and name are nothing if the business is not successful.

Spend more time thinking about your products or services. Make them as good as possible for your customers.

Think about who your customers are

Businesses don’t work without customers and too many startups forget about them.

Customers make the world go round so make sure you think about them.

Think about what products or services you offer that can solve a problem for them.

If you don’t offer a useful product or service your business will fail.

Look at your competitors

If you are entering a market with lots of competitors it can be scary.

Lots of competitors means there is a big market for the products or services that you are offering.

Look at your competitors and find out everything about their business.

How much do they charge, is there anything you can do better than them?