1,377 Business Ideas You Can Start for Up to $20,000

1361 ideas

A budget of up to $20,000 is enough to open the door to many real businesses, but it rarely covers everything at once. These 1,1361 ideas suit people who have some savings, want to own equipment or stock, and are ready to test a market before scaling.

Swipe through these ideas →

A bricklayer laying bricks with mortar on a wall at a building site.

Brick repair and repointing

Fix cracked brick, crumbling mortar joints and damaged chimneys for homeowners in your area.

  • $3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
18,258 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year
A craftsman shaping a metal bracket at a bench in a small workshop.

Garage metalwork and repairs

Make and fix small metal items such as brackets, railings and custom fittings from your garage in evenings and weekends.

  • $1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
2,827 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year
Rental bicycles lined up ready for hire at a city docking station.

Mobile bike rentals delivered to hotels and rentals

Rent bikes by the day and deliver them to vacation rentals, hotels and campgrounds in your area.

  • $4k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
2,936 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year
Designers reviewing room layouts and material samples at a studio table.

Small-business interior design studio

Design offices, shops, salons and restaurants from a small studio, with clients paying project design fees.

  • $4k-20k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
16,797 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.8% in a year
Florist arranging colourful cut flowers into a bouquet at a shop counter.

Wedding and event florist

Design flowers for weddings and events, from bridal bouquets to ceremony and table arrangements.

  • $2k-10k
  • Part-time
  • From home
11,834 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.4% in a year
Shelves of model kits, craft supplies and board games in a family-friendly hobby shop.

Online hobby and model kit store

Sell model kits, paints and hobby supplies to enthusiasts online from a spare room or garage.

  • $1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
8,803 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.9% in a year
A fabricator welding sheet metal in a workshop with sparks flying.

Garage metal fabrication for small custom jobs

Make custom brackets, racks, gates and frames from a well-equipped garage or backyard shop.

  • $3k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
4,652 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.0% in a year
Holidaymakers collecting paddleboards and kayaks from a beach rental stand.

Mobile kayak and paddleboard rentals

Deliver kayaks and paddleboards to lakes, beaches and vacation rentals, then collect them at the end of the booking.

  • $4k-18k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
2,936 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year
Office paper being fed into an industrial shredder machine.

Shredding pickup and drop-off service

Collect locked bins of paper from small offices and take them to a shredding site for secure destruction.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
1,568 US businesses with employees in this field, +10.3% in a year
A builder working on a home renovation with tools and building materials.

Solo small-jobs contractor

Take on repairs and small building jobs yourself, such as decks, drywall, doors and flooring.

  • $1k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
39,072 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.2% in a year
Bride trying on a wedding dress during a fitting in a bridal boutique.

Online wedding dress rental

Rent out a curated range of wedding dresses by mail, with video or home try-on appointments.

  • $4.5k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
681 US businesses with employees in this field, -7.0% in a year
Crates of fresh farm produce stacked in a wholesale warehouse.

Local farm produce broker

Connect small local growers with restaurants and grocers, and earn a margin on each bulk order you arrange.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
1,120 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.0% in a year
Security patrol officer walking past a commercial building at dusk.

Mobile security patrol service

Drive set routes past small businesses, lots and neighborhoods, checking property and reporting what you see.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
11,104 US businesses with employees in this field, +4.2% in a year
Security patrol officer walking past a commercial building at dusk.

Event and venue security team

Supply licensed guards for parties, markets, bars and local events, paid by the shift.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
11,104 US businesses with employees in this field, +4.2% in a year
Workers at sewing machines on a garment production line in a factory.

Small-batch sewing for local brands

Sew short production runs of garments and soft goods for indie designers and small labels.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
2,094 US businesses with employees in this field, -9.6% in a year
Worker mowing and edging a neatly maintained green lawn in a garden.

Residential lawn mowing route

Mow, edge and tidy lawns for homeowners on a weekly or biweekly route in your neighborhood.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
117,969 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.7% in a year
Customers browsing carpet samples and rugs displayed on rolls in a showroom.

Mobile carpet and flooring sales

Bring flooring samples to customers' homes, measure up, quote and arrange installation without paying for a shop.

  • $1.5k-7.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
9,723 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year
Customer service agents wearing headsets taking calls at desks in an office.

Small outsourced customer support team

Run a small team that handles customer calls and enquiries for online stores and software companies under contract.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Online
3,106 US businesses with employees in this field, -7.8% in a year
Financial adviser discussing pension and savings plans with a client at a desk.

Virtual fee-only financial planner

Help individuals and families plan savings, investing and retirement by video call, for a flat or hourly fee.

  • $3k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Online
23,359 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.9% in a year
Live theatre production on stage under coloured spotlights before an audience.

Community theater production company

Stage a few shows a year in a rented venue, earning from tickets, sponsors and program ads.

  • $3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,490 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.4% in a year
Live theatre production on stage under coloured spotlights before an audience.

Touring children's theater show

Create a small cast show and perform it at schools, libraries and festivals for a fee.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
3,490 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.4% in a year
Workers stacking solar panels and inverter boxes in an equipment warehouse.

Online solar kit and parts reseller

Sell solar panels, inverters and mounting kits online to DIY homeowners, cabin owners and small installers.

  • $2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
13,379 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.6% in a year
Wheelchairs and walking aids displayed for customers in a supplier showroom.

Online daily living aids store

Sell grab bars, reachers, walking aids and other daily living products online to disabled people and carers.

  • $1k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
10,170 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.8% in a year
Workers installing a striped awning above a café front on a sunny street.

Awning reseller and installer

Sell and fit retractable and fixed awnings for patios and decks, ordering from a manufacturer.

  • $1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
6,489 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.4% in a year

About these ideas

You might start a home embroidery studio for local orders, build a small-batch skincare and body products brand, or run an online linen and bedding store. Before you pick, list what you must buy up front versus what can wait, and estimate how many months of costs you can cover before sales arrive. Check local licensing, insurance, and space requirements early, since these can change your real startup cost. Start with the ideas where you already have some skill or contacts.

More ideas

Questions

What should I budget for beyond equipment and stock?

Check for licenses or permits, business insurance, website and payment fees, basic marketing, and a cash cushion for slow early months. Many people forget these, so add them to your estimate before deciding how much you can spend on equipment.

Do I need a license to start a food or home-based business?

It depends on your state, county, and city. For food products, check cottage food rules versus shared-kitchen requirements. For home businesses, check zoning and local permits. Your local health department and city or county office are good places to start.

Should I form an LLC before I start?

Many owners consider an LLC for liability protection, but it isn't right for everyone. Check your state's formation and annual fees, what insurance you need, and how the business is taxed. A local accountant or attorney can help you compare options.