Five Lucrative Side Businesses You Can Start for Under $500
Most people would say that they are not completely happy with the money they make from their full-time jobs and they would consider starting a side business to generate more income. The problem is the misconception that starting a business needs to be an expensive venture. There are several side businesses anyone can start for a cost of less than $500.
Landscaping
You do not need to own a commercial aerator to be able to make money with landscaping. A simple $100 lawnmower and a vehicle to carry the mower from one job to the next is all you need to make money on the side mowing lawns and trimming shrubs. It is the kind of job you can do for a few hours on the weekend and make a lot of money in the process.
Notary Public
The certification classes for becoming a notary public clock in at between $200 and $300, depending on what state you live in. Once you become a notary, you can make your services available to real estate agents, sales organizations and anyone else who may need a notary’s assistance. You can charge a sizable fee to take care of official documents for a wide variety of people. Becoming licensed as a notary could also be a great way to transition into a different career with a bank or title company.
House Sitting
With a house sitting business, all you would need to do is check on your clients’ houses a couple of times a day and take care of any pets or other needs that the house may have. You bring in the mail in the evening and then leave some lights on during the night to give the appearance that people are home. Just be sure to get letters of recommendation from your current clients to make it easier to get new clients. You can start with friends or family, and have them recommend you to others they know who might be interested.
Personal Concierge
A personal concierge is someone who runs errands and takes care of tasks for people who do not have the time to get them done on their own. You would usually work for small business owners and business professionals who are extremely busy and cannot get away from the office to take care of these personal matters. This could include anything from mailing packages to picking up groceries and dry cleaning. If you don’t know where to start, there are websites and apps like taskrabbit that link people willing to run errands with those needing help.
House Cleaning Service
For the cost of a broom and some other cleaning materials, you can start a side business where you clean houses and offices in the evening. You can also offer full basement, garage and attic cleanings on the weekends for a premium price and make more money. You would be surprised by how many people would be willing to pay you handsomely to clean their home in preparation for an event, or just to de-clutter.
If you have some extra time and less than $500, then there are plenty of lucrative businesses that you can start. You never know when one of your side businesses could turn into that full-time career you have always dreamed of.
Category: Business