Business Ideas With a Startup Cost Over $20,000

1725 ideas

These 1,1725 ideas suit people with real savings, a loan option, or a partner to back them, and who want a business with premises, equipment, or inventory. Examples include a kitchen and bath remodeling company, an independent mattress and bed showroom, and a beer brand brewed at a partner brewery.

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

Subcontract bricklayer for builders

Lay brick for new homes, extensions and commercial jobs as a subcontractor to general contractors.

  • $5k-25k
  • Full-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.

Custom metal fabrication shop

Build and repair gates, railings, brackets and custom parts for homeowners and local businesses from a small rented shop.

  • $8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,827 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year
A craftsman shaping a metal bracket at a bench in a small workshop.

Mobile welding and metal repair

Drive to farms, homes and job sites to weld, repair and fit gates, railings, trailers and equipment on the spot.

  • $6k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
2,827 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year
Stack of plain white envelopes arranged on a warehouse shelf.

Local envelope and stationery distributor

Stock popular envelope sizes in a small unit and deliver fast to printers and offices in your area.

  • $15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,190 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.9% in a year
Rental bicycles lined up ready for hire at a city docking station.

Bike rental shop near trails or tourist spots

Open a small shop renting bikes by the hour or day to visitors and locals near a trail, park or waterfront.

  • $15k-75k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,936 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year
Florist arranging colourful cut flowers into a bouquet at a shop counter.

Neighborhood flower shop

Open a small storefront selling fresh flowers, bouquets and gifts to walk-in customers and local orders.

  • $15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
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.

Local hobby shop with game and craft space

Open a small store selling kits, craft supplies and games, with a table for local events.

  • $20k-80k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
8,803 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.9% in a year
Shelves of kosher-certified packaged foods and household goods in a grocery store.

Neighborhood kosher grocery store

Open a small store stocking kosher-certified food and household goods for Jewish families and other local shoppers.

  • $60k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
62,947 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.5% in a year
Shelves of kosher-certified packaged foods and household goods in a grocery store.

Online kosher grocery with local delivery

Sell kosher-certified groceries by online order and deliver or offer pickup to families in your area, without a full storefront.

  • $5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Online
62,947 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.5% in a year
A fabricator welding sheet metal in a workshop with sparks flying.

Small fabrication shop for local businesses

Rent a small unit and make sheet metal and structural parts for local trades and manufacturers.

  • $20k-90k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
4,652 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.0% in a year
Holidaymakers collecting paddleboards and kayaks from a beach rental stand.

Seasonal waterfront watersports rental stand

Run a small rental stand or hut near a beach, lake or marina, hiring out kayaks, paddleboards and gear by the hour.

  • $10k-50k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
2,936 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year
Refrigerated lorry loading temperature-controlled food goods at a loading bay.

Refrigerated cargo van delivery

Deliver chilled and frozen goods locally in a reefer van for caterers, grocers and food makers.

  • $25k-80k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
11,462 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.3% in a year
Refrigerated lorry loading temperature-controlled food goods at a loading bay.

Reefer truck regional hauling

Haul pallets of temperature-controlled food between warehouses, farms and stores on regional runs.

  • $70k-200k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
11,462 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.3% in a year
Rows of young evergreen trees growing on a tree farm field.

Choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm

Plant a few acres of Christmas trees and sell them to families each December.

  • $5k-25k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
185 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.5% in a year
Rows of young evergreen trees growing on a tree farm field.

Landscape tree grower for local landscapers

Grow shade and ornamental trees on a small plot and sell them to landscapers and garden centers.

  • $5k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
185 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.5% in a year
Carpenter assembling a timber gazebo in a back garden.

Custom gazebo and pergola builder

Design and build custom wood gazebos and pergolas, prefabricated in your shop and finished on site.

  • $5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
6,489 US businesses with employees in this field, +3.4% in a year
Office paper being fed into an industrial shredder machine.

Mobile on-site document shredding

Shred confidential papers at clients' offices from a truck or van, so they can watch it destroyed.

  • $15k-75k
  • Full-time
  • 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.

Home remodeling contractor

Manage kitchen, bath and room renovations for local homeowners, hiring trade subcontractors.

  • $6k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
39,072 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.2% in a year
Workers installing steel structural frames and railings on a building site.

Custom gates, railings and metal frames shop

Make and install gates, railings and steel frames for homeowners and builders from a small rented shop.

  • $12k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
4,005 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year
Workers installing steel structural frames and railings on a building site.

Mobile welding and metal repair

Take a truck-mounted welder to homes and job sites to build, fix and install railings, gates and frames.

  • $8k-35k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
4,005 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year
Bride trying on a wedding dress during a fitting in a bridal boutique.

Wedding dress rental boutique

Open a small boutique where brides try on and rent gowns and accessories for their big day.

  • $15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
681 US businesses with employees in this field, -7.0% in a year
Crates of fresh farm produce stacked in a wholesale warehouse.

Regional produce wholesaler with cold storage

Buy from growers, store in a small cooler space and deliver weekly to restaurants, grocers and institutions.

  • $80k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
1,120 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.0% in a year
Wooden stalls at an outdoor Christmas market with festive lights at night.

Multi-week Christmas market series

Run a larger holiday market across several weekends in a rented venue, with 50+ vendors, food trucks, music and sponsors.

  • $5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
6,270 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.0% in a year
Worker mowing and edging a neatly maintained green lawn in a garden.

Commercial lawn maintenance crew

Keep lawns tidy for offices, HOAs and retail properties on a contract, with a small crew.

  • $8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
117,969 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.7% in a year

About these ideas

Higher budgets often go toward leases, stock, vehicles, or production costs, so start by working out what you must buy before your first sale and how many months of costs you can cover without income. Compare how much cash each idea ties up, how fast stock sells, and whether you need licenses or insurance. Save the ideas that fit your budget, then check local requirements before committing.

More ideas

Questions

How should I plan for a startup cost over $20,000?

List every upfront cost, such as lease deposits, equipment, inventory, licenses, insurance, and marketing. Then add a cushion for slow early months. Comparing quotes from several suppliers or landlords can show whether your estimate is realistic before you commit any money.

What are my options for funding a larger business startup?

Common options include personal savings, bank or SBA-backed loans, equipment financing, and partners or investors. Each has different repayment terms and requirements, so check eligibility, interest, and what personal assets might be at risk before you sign anything.

Do higher-cost businesses need licenses or permits?

Many do, especially those with storefronts, contractors, alcohol, or food. Requirements vary by state, county, and city, so check with your local business office and relevant licensing boards. Consider speaking with an accountant or attorney about registration and insurance.