Your Simple Guide to Launch a Low-Cost Startup
Starting a business should be about building something beautiful—not breaking the bank.
There are plenty of successful business owners that started their venture with little to no capital, what if you could do the same?
Maybe you’re trying to take your hobby or passion project to the next level.
Maybe you’re realizing that the corporate 9-5 just isn’t your jam.
Maybe you just had a baby (or two) and your heart is aching at the thought of leaving them to go back to work.
Success isn’t about having the biggest budget—it’s about being resourceful.
Simple Tips to Bootstrap Your Biz
Here are a few ways to launch your new business until the cash starts flowing:
Start with Services
Product based businesses require inventory and raw materials to produce the finished goods that will eventually be sold. Services require minimal upfront costs, allowing you to start generating income faster.
Premium services can be priced at premium rates—so it may be worth specializing in a higher demand skillset if you are looking to maximize your profit potential.
Leverage Free Tools
There are TONS of free tools that you can use in the early days to get you started. From task management to project management, there are free options for just about everything.
Here are a few fan favorites:
- Trello
- Asana
- Canva
- ChatGPT
- Zoom
- Metricool
- CapCut
- Systemeio
- MailerLite
- MailChimp
- ConvertKit
- Audacity
- Calendly
- Stripe
- Square
- PayPal
- ZohoBooks
- Wave
There are plenty more out there, and it may be worth the search to find one that works for your needs.
Pro Tip: Test out different options to see what works best for you before committing to a monthly subscription!
Barter Your Services
You may find that you are in need of someone else’s services while you are getting things up and running. Can’t afford a web designer and no clue how to do it yourself? Barter your skills in exchange for theirs—it’s a win-win!
This is also a networking opportunity in disguise, and if you make a good impression, it might just result in future referrals for you.
Not to mention—every interaction you have with a client directly reflects your personal brand. Building a strong, credible, and trustworthy personal brand will pay dividends for your business.
If you’re interested, you can learn more about personal branding and how it affects your business in my recent blog post “Personal Branding: Crafting Your Legacy as a New Mompreneur“.
Join Communities with Other Startups
Find other small business or startup groups online (such as Facebook or LinkedIn) where members share resources, referrals, and sometimes even free or discounted services. Again, this could be a wonderful networking opportunity so present yourself as a professional business owner—because you are!
Test Before You Invest
Before pouring money into ads or inventory, test your ideas with a small audience. Social media can be a great platform for feedback—and it’s FREE!
Once you have a chance to test the waters and get some valuable feedback, then you will have a better understanding of how to best invest your advertising budget.
Knowing What’s Possible
Now that you know it’s absolutely possible to start a business without draining your life savings, so there’s no need to let finances hold you back if you are ready to become your own boss!
Now you have it—the golden ticket to the business of your dreams.
Maybe you’re feeling a bit more confident but not sure where to go from here…
What if you had a step-by-step guide right at your fingertips?
The Build Your Biz checklist is your ultimate guide for starting the business of your dreams. With actionable steps for each stage of your business, it will take you through everything you need to do to launch your business from day one to done.
If you’re ready to take the next step, click here to download your FREE checklist.
So—what are you waiting for?
