I get 8-10 inquiries per week from people needing start-up money. People want to know how to borrow from the bank, get venture capital or grant funding, or how to launch a Kickstarter campaign. And yes, capital is always difficult to find – especially with businesses that many of us are starting that tend to use service, information or technology. So, does that mean it’s impossible to launch a great idea? Absolutely not!!
According to the most recent Bureau of Census data, these are the figures for money needed for new businesses:
1% needed $1,000,000 or more
14% needed $25,000 — $999,999
10% needed $10,000 — $24,999
9% needed $5,000 — $9,999
34% needed less than $5,000
26% did not require any money at all!
This shows us that 69% of all new businesses need less than $10,000 to get started. 70% of the people on the street say they would like to start their own business. Why don’t they?
I once worked with a gentleman who wanted to have his own antique business but had no money. We were able to get an option on a lease for a warehouse with no money in advance. He then divided the space into 74 spaces which he leased to vendors, collecting first and last month’s rent. With that money in hand, he finalized the lease, did $20,000 in improvements, kept 3 spaces for his own merchandise, collected 10% commission on everyone’s sales and launched himself into a very positive cash flow from day one.
A young couple desperately wanted to open a coffee house. The “experts” told them they had to have between $180,000 and $220,000. I helped them find a location, buy used chairs and tables, create appealing menus, obtain a great looking neon sign, and open to immediate success for less than $5,000.
Another guy bought an orange grove, using the existing oranges on the trees as his down payment. Another purchased an old estate house, contracting to sell the antique furniture as his down payment. Several years ago I bought a house on a Saturday morning, gave the owner $3000, took over the loan, did some cosmetic improvements, put it back on the market and sold it for a $21,000 profit.
The stories coming out of the 48 Days Eagles community are endless. Aaron Kerr wrote a Kindle book (zero cost) and earned $29,000 in five months. Andy Traub wrote his family out of debt with his little book Early to Rise.
In January of last year I started a new business. I put $1000 into an account for initial expenses. 30 days later I took my $1000 back out and watched that business net over $150,000 in 2014 with no more money being put in.
Many of the best ideas today are not capital intensive. They don’t require buildings, employees, and inventory. Fear of failure is a larger obstacle than not having any money. My encouragement – get creative about starting with the money you have. As soon as you bring in outside money you start to lose control of “your” business. Grow with profits being plowed back in – not with other people’s money.
If you want to see more ideas on starting with nothing check out our 48 Low Or No Cost Business Ideas.
Dan, LOVE this post! THANK YOU for sharing – will be using to reference as it is a great reminder NOT to let excuses get in our way.
Great article! Proves how simple it is and most people look over the simple stuff and stress on the difficulties!
Awesome stuff posting this on SW FB page for our listeners !!!!!
I’d love to know how many of the 70% would go forward with starting the business if they were given the money. I completely agree with you that fear of failure is a larger obstacle, Dan. Having the money wouldn’t remove the fear. It would make it more real because there weren’t any excuses to not start.
Vincent – interesting proposition. I think you’re right – they’d still have the fear.
Once you start and you find yourself needing capital to fund growth, there is one interesting crowdfunding source out there: https://circleup.com. This connects professional & “angel” investors (people with a net worth of over $1M who are looking for opportunities) with solid businesses that need a boost.
Hey that’s a great looking resource – thanks for sharing.
I want to so desperately to start my own business with my BBQ sauces!I Ave had amazing feedback but I have 2 young kids and a stay at home wife. We are a young couple with financials. How can I do this to get my product in stores and legally in alabama?
Anthony,
Food products do come with lots and lots of regulations. You have to be using a commercially approved kitchen, have all ingredients approved, etc. I’d start by just researching with the state of Alabama to see what’s required there.