Businesses You Can Start For Under $5,000
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Starting a business takes plenty of elbow grease, but not necessarily a pile of cash. Here are 13 ways you can run your own show for less than $5,000 in up-front costs. In many cases, marketing could chew up a considerable chunk. Here are some ideas that don't need much startup juice.
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First Up: Direct-Retail Sales -
Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Direct-Retail Sales
Direct selling is serious business ($30 billion in the U.S.), and the country's 14 million independent agents can make good money. Big names that will pay you to go door-to-door (but not for your gas) include cosmetics companies like Mary Kay and Avon, as well as houseware firms like Home Interiors & Gifts.
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Next: Interior Design -
Interior Design
The $275 billion home-improvement market will take a hit in an economic downturn. Still, if homeowners can't afford to upgrade to bigger digs, at least they might look to spruce up what they already have.
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Next: Event Planner -
Event Planner
The $122 billion meeting-and-events industry needs plenty of planners, many of whom can bring home $80,000 a year, according to Meeting Professionals International.
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Next: Home Landscaping -
Home Landscaping
Landscapers who do things like plant shrubs and build irrigation systems and patios need a license to get started, perhaps a few hundred dollars. New tools can cost a pretty penny, but you can buy them used for around $1,000 to $2,000, and plan to spend another $2,000 to $3,000 on a truck to cart them around.
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Next: SAT Tutoring -
Mario Tama, Getty Images
SAT Tutoring
Competition to get into college has never been more intense, so there's a hungry market for this service. Expect to spend $500 to $1,000 on advertising, be it on newspaper ads or fliers in local schools. You'll also want to buy the test-prep book your students might be using.
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