70 Business Ideas You Can Start for Under $1,000

70 ideas

These 70 ideas all aim to get you started for $1,000 or less, which usually means you are selling your time and skills rather than buying stock or equipment. Many suit people who already have a talent to teach or a service to offer, such as private dance lessons and wedding dances, an online guitar teacher, or remote computer support.

Swipe through these ideas →

Adult students following a teacher at a whiteboard in an English language class.

Online English tutor for adult learners

Teach English by video to learners abroad or nearby, one-to-one or in small groups.

$100-800
Side hustle
Online

1,558 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year

Person typing information from paper documents into a computer at an office desk.

Freelance data entry from home

Type or enter information from documents into spreadsheets and databases for small businesses, paid by the hour or project.

$0-800
Side hustle
From home

4,375 US businesses with employees in this field, -11.2% in a year

Teacher leading a foreign language class with students seated at tables.

Online language tutor

Teach a language you speak well through live one-to-one video lessons for adults and students.

$100-800
Side hustle
Online

1,558 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year

A technician opening a desktop computer to upgrade its components.

Remote computer help from home

Fix software problems, viruses and set-up headaches over a remote connection, no travel needed.

$100-800
Side hustle
From home

4,531 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.1% in a year

An artist working on a painting on an easel in a bright studio.

Custom commission painter (portraits, pets, homes)

Paint custom pieces for clients, such as pet portraits, family portraits or favorite places, from your home studio.

$200-1k
Side hustle
From home

38,677 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.6% in a year

Local business owners chatting and exchanging contacts at a networking breakfast.

Online networking community for owners

Host virtual meetups and a members' group where owners in one niche or region trade referrals.

$100-1k
Side hustle
Online

14,855 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year

Man having leather shoes polished with cloth at a shoe shine stand.

Mobile shoe shine for offices and events

Bring a portable shine kit to offices, weddings and events and leave leather shoes looking sharp.

$200-800
Side hustle
Out and about

698 US businesses with employees in this field, -3.1% in a year

Notary stamping and signing a legal document on a desk at an office.

Mobile notary public

Travel to homes, offices and hospitals to notarize documents for people who can't easily come to you.

$200-1k
Side hustle
Out and about

5,776 US businesses with employees in this field, +10.9% in a year

Visitors browsing handmade goods at a busy craft fair stall.

Online handmade market organizer

Run a curated virtual craft fair with maker booth fees, promoted to a local or niche audience.

$100-1k
Side hustle
Online

6,270 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.0% in a year

A tutor helping a pupil work through maths problems on a whiteboard at a desk.

Local math tutor for students

Help school and college students with math one-on-one, at your home or theirs.

$100-800
Side hustle
From home

9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year

Online math tutoring

Teach math over video to students in your state or beyond, from your own desk.

$50-600
Side hustle
Online

9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year

A chess teacher guiding a young child through moves on a board.

Online chess coach

Teach one-to-one chess lessons over video to kids and adults from your own home.

$50-600
Side hustle
Online

9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year

Home-based rail travel agent

Book train trips and rail vacations for clients from home, earning commission from rail operators and tour partners.

$200-1k
Side hustle
From home

9,308 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.8% in a year

Online German tutor

Teach German one-to-one by video to adults, students and professionals from your own home.

$100-800
Side hustle
Online

1,558 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year

Freelance transcription from home

Turn interviews, meetings and recordings into accurate written text for small business and research clients.

$100-800
Side hustle
From home

4,375 US businesses with employees in this field, -11.2% in a year

Online subject tutor

Teach school subjects one-to-one over video to students across your state or beyond.

$50-600
Side hustle
Online

9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year

In-person home tutor

Visit local students at home or the library for one-to-one help with school subjects.

$50-800
Side hustle
Out and about

9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year

Online print-on-demand t-shirt store

Sell your own t-shirt designs online while a print partner makes and ships every order.

$100-800
Side hustle
Online

15,140 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.9% in a year

Online Japanese tutor

Teach Japanese one-on-one over video to adults, students and families across the country.

$100-800
Side hustle
Online

1,558 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year

Local in-person Japanese tutor

Teach Japanese face to face at libraries, cafes or students' homes, plus small local classes.

$100-1k
Side hustle
Out and about

1,558 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year

Household payroll for nanny and caregiver employers

Handle payroll and tax paperwork online for families who employ nannies, home health aides and other household staff.

$200-1k
Side hustle
Online

5,556 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.4% in a year

Online music promotion for independent artists

Run release campaigns for indie musicians: playlist pitching, press outreach and social media, all done remotely.

$100-1k
Side hustle
Online

4,998 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.5% in a year

Reseller web hosting for small businesses

Rent server space from a big host and resell it under your own brand to local businesses, with setup and support.

$200-1k
Side hustle
Online

18,544 US businesses with employees in this field, +5.7% in a year

Home-based typing and document service

Type up documents, format reports and prepare paperwork for people and small businesses from your home office.

$50-800
Side hustle
From home

4,375 US businesses with employees in this field, -11.2% in a year

About these ideas

Others, like a neighborhood babysitter, rely on trust and local word of mouth. Before you pick one, think about what you already know well, how many paying hours you can realistically offer each week, and what you would need to cover upfront, such as a decent microphone, insurance, or a venue fee. Compare how easily you could find your first three customers.

More ideas

Questions

What costs should I include in a $1,000 startup budget?

Count equipment, software, any training or certification, insurance, marketing materials, and venue or booking fees. Also check whether your state or city requires a business license or permit, and set aside a small cushion for the first month.

Can I start a business from home for under $1,000?

Many ideas on this page can run from home, especially online tutoring, remote support, and video lessons. Check your lease or homeowners association rules, local zoning for home businesses, and whether you need a separate internet plan or workspace.

Do I need a license or insurance for a low-cost business?

It depends on the work and where you live. Services involving children, travel to clients, or advice may have extra requirements. Check with your state, county, and city, and ask an insurer whether general liability coverage makes sense for you.