How to Start a Side Business With $100 or Less

You don’t need thousands of dollars, a fancy office, or expensive equipment to start a business. In fact, many successful entrepreneurs began with almost nothing—just a small amount of money, a good idea, and the willingness to take action.

Today, thanks to online tools, digital platforms, and low-cost business models, you can start a profitable side business for $100 or less—without taking big financial risks, without needing special training, and without quitting your job.

This guide will walk you through exactly how to start, what types of businesses you can launch on a tiny budget, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to build something that grows month after month.

Why You Can Start a Business With Almost No Money Today

Thirty years ago, starting even a small business required:

Renting a space
Buying inventory
Hiring staff
Getting a business loan

But today, everything has changed.

With $100 or less, you can launch a business that reaches customers nationwide—or even worldwide—within hours.

Here’s why:

1. You Don’t Need Inventory

Many business models allow you to start with zero stock:

Print-on-demand
Digital products
Service-based work
Freelancing
Online teaching
Consulting

You create something once—or offer your skills—and customers buy it without you storing anything.

2. You Don’t Need a Physical Location

You can run everything from your:

Laptop
Tablet
Phone

Your “office” is wherever you are.

3. You Can Build an Audience for Free

Platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and blogs allow you to:

Market for free
Build a brand
Reach thousands of people

Free visibility = low startup costs.

4. Tools Are Cheaper Than Ever

For $5–$10 a month or less, you can access tools that used to cost thousands:

Website hosting
Email software
Design tools
E-commerce platforms

The barrier to entry has never been lower.

The Best Side Businesses You Can Start for $100 or Less

Here are the most realistic and profitable business models that fit your budget.

1. Digital Products Business

Cost: $0–$100
Difficulty: Easy
Income Potential: High (unlimited)

Digital products include:

Printables
Workbooks
Journals
Trackers
E-books
Templates
Guides
Wallpapers
Planners

Once created, digital products require:

No shipping
No inventory
No ongoing costs

You can sell them on:

Etsy
Shopify
Gumroad
Your blog
Your social media pages

Why it’s great:
You create once and sell forever—perfect for building passive income.

2. Print-On-Demand Business

Cost: $0–$100
Difficulty: Easy
Income Potential: High

With print-on-demand, you sell:

Mugs
T-shirts
Hoodies
Stickers
Wall art
Tumblers
Tote bags

…and the printing company handles:

Production
Packaging
Shipping

You only pay after someone purchases—meaning zero upfront inventory cost.

You can sell on:

Etsy
Shopify
Printify
Printful
Redbubble

Why it’s great:
You can start with one design and scale to hundreds over time.

3. Freelance Services

Cost: $0
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Income Potential: Very high

Sell your skills, such as:

Writing
Social media management
Graphic design
Virtual assistance
Video editing
Pinterest pin creation
Website building
Research services
Email management

You can offer services on:

Fiverr
Upwork
Freelancer
Directly on social media

Why it’s great:
It costs nothing but your time, and you can raise your rates quickly.

4. Blogging + Affiliate Marketing

Cost: $40–$100 (domain + hosting)
Difficulty: Medium
Income Potential: Extremely high long-term

You create content that attracts visitors, then earn money when they:

Click affiliate links
Buy recommended products
Join programs
Purchase from your store

Perfect niches include:

Personal development
Finance
Self-care
Travel
Home décor
Business

Why it’s great:
You own the platform, and it can grow into a full-time income.

5. Social Media UGC (User-Generated Content)

Cost: $0–$50
Difficulty: Easy
Income Potential: High

Brands will pay you to:

Create product videos
Share testimonials
Make short-form content

You don’t need a large following.
Just good-quality videos.

Why it’s great:
You get paid for simple creative work using only your phone.

6. Online Course or Coaching

Cost: $0–$100
Difficulty: Medium
Income Potential: Very high

If you know how to:

Budget
Build habits
Manage stress
Set goals
Grow on Pinterest
Organize life

…you can turn that into:

A mini course
Coaching sessions
A workshop
A digital class

Why it’s great:
People pay for organized knowledge and guidance.

7. Flip Items for Profit

Cost: $0–$100
Difficulty: Easy
Income Potential: Medium-High

You can buy things for cheap:

Thrift stores
Clearance racks
Yard sales
Facebook Marketplace

Then resell for a profit.
Popular items include:

Furniture
Decorations
Clothing
Electronics
Appliances

Why it’s great:
Fast money. Very low risk.

8. Create a Pinterest Management Business

Cost: $0–$100
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Income Potential: High

Businesses need help with:

Pin creation
Board organization
Monthly posting
Account growth strategies

You can charge:

$150–$800 per month per client

Why it’s great:
Pinterest skills are in HIGH demand and easy to learn.

How to Start Your Side Business the RIGHT Way (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Pick a Business Model

Choose one based on:

What you enjoy
What you’re good at
What fits your schedule

Start with ONE. You can add more later.

Step 2: Determine What Makes Your Business Unique

Ask yourself:

Who do I help?
What problem do I solve?
Why should someone choose me?

Clarity = customers.

Step 3: Keep Your Startup Costs Under $100

Your money might go toward:

Domain + hosting
Basic design tools
Simple equipment
Listing fees
Marketing extras

Don’t overspend early.
Your first goal is traction, not perfection.

Step 4: Create a Simple, Clear Offer

Examples:

“10 printable self-care planners for $9.”
“I’ll create 20 Pinterest pins for $25.”
“Custom mug with your name for $15.”
“30-minute budgeting coaching session for $29.”

Make your offer easy to understand and easy to say yes to.

Step 5: Promote for Free

Use:

Pinterest
Instagram
TikTok
Blogs
Facebook groups
Your email list (even if small)

Visibility costs nothing.

Step 6: Deliver High-Quality Work

Your reputation is your currency.
Overdeliver.
Be reliable.
Be professional.

Step 7: Reinvest Your Earnings

Use your first $100–$500 to:

Improve your branding
Upgrade tools
Run Pinterest ads
Grow your product line

This is how your side business becomes real income.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Starting With $100 or Less

❌ Trying too many ideas at once

Pick ONE business and commit.

❌ Waiting until everything is perfect

Launch messy. Improve later.

❌ Spending too much on tools

Free and cheap tools work perfectly in the beginning.

❌ Not promoting your business

People can’t buy what they don’t know about.

❌ Giving up too early

Consistency beats motivation.

20 Inspirational Quotes About Starting Small, Growth, and Taking Action

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe
“Small beginnings are the launching pad to great endings.”
“You don’t need more money; you need more courage.”
“Every big business started as a small idea.”
“Success is built on consistency, not perfection.”
“The best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is now.”
“Dream big. Start small. Act now.”
“Money follows action.”
“All you need is one step to change everything.”
“Start small, think big, scale fast.”
“Your future self will thank you for starting today.”
“It’s not about resources—it’s about resourcefulness.”
“A little progress each day adds up to big results.”
“Don’t wait for the right moment; create it.”
“If you want something you’ve never had, do something you’ve never done.”
“You can’t grow if you don’t begin.”
“Every dollar you invest in yourself comes back multiplied.”
“Great things are built one step at a time.”
“Be brave enough to be bad at something new.”
“Action creates opportunity.”

Picture This

Picture this…

You’re sitting at your kitchen table or your couch with your laptop open. Instead of scrolling endlessly through social media, you’re building something—something small, but meaningful. Something that could change your life.

You create your first product.
Or your first listing.
Or your first service offer.
You hit “publish.”

A few days later, your phone buzzes:
“You made a sale.”

You smile. Not because of the money (even though it feels good!), but because you finally proved to yourself that you can do this. That you can build something from nothing. That you’re more capable than you realized.

And with every sale, every customer, every small win, your confidence grows.
Your income grows.
Your belief in your future grows.

Six months from now, imagine looking back and thinking:

“I’m so glad I started with that $100. It changed everything.”

What’s the first step you can take today?

Please Share This Article

If you know someone who wants to start a business but feels held back by money or fear, please share this article with them. You never know—your share might be the spark that helps them finally begin.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Results vary. Always research legal, tax, and business requirements before starting a business. Consult a financial or legal professional for guidance when needed.