How to start a business with no money: 15 beginner-friendly ideas

Start a business with zero upfront costs using these 15 no-money ideas—from freelancing and tutoring to digital products, dropshipping, and creative gigs.

Scrolling through social media, wondering how all these creators scraped together the cash to start their online business?

Here's the truth: most didn’t. These days, starting with little (or no) money isn’t just doable, it’s actually becoming the norm.

Pair lower-than-ever barriers to entry with the surge in digital and info products, and anyone can launch, sell, and turn a profit.

Yep, you included.

We’ve seen it happen time and again on Whop, from remote closers like Alexis Seleste to content creators like Mino Lee. People from all walks of life, figuring out what they’re good at, what they love, and how to make money from it. 

That’s the secret formula. The Japanese call it ikigai. I call it alignment. Whatever you call it, this guide will help you find the business idea you’re most aligned with, so you can start selling this week – without spending a cent upfront.

15 business ideas you can start with no money

Below, you’ll find 15 business ideas you can start with no money. From services to digital products, remote side hustles and IRL gigs, these are the gigs most worth pursuing if you’re looking to start a business from scratch. 

Service-based businesses

Fraser has worked as a coffee machine service technician for over a decade. His experience in a hands-on, service-based career highlights the importance of building trust and strong customer relationships as the foundation for long-term success.

“The most important thing I’ve learned in the service industry is to invest in your brand by connecting personally with customers. That trust brings referrals, and over time it grows your business.”

1. Freelancing

We’re kicking things off with one of the most accessible service-based models out there: freelancing. 

Designers, writers, engineers, video editors, social media managers – if you’ve got a skill, there’s likely a freelance market for it. 

The beauty of freelancing is threefold: be your own boss, do something you love, and charge your own rates. 

What you need to get started:
Laptop, internet, niche-specific software (e.g. Adobe CC, Final Cut, Grammarly)

How to start freelancing:
Getting started is easier than you think. Depending on your niche, get active on LinkedIn, X, TikTok, or Instagram and start building your brand. Remember, you don’t need thousands of followers – just a credible, professional presence. 

Then, get your portfolio in shape. Writers should keep their work in one central place (Muckrack works well), while designers can showcase projects on visual platforms like Behance.

Once you’ve got the foundations set, it’s time to find clients: freelance job boards, LinkedIn, general job sites, or even by reaching out directly to brands you’d love to work with. 

Earning potential: $1,000-$10,000+ monthly

Challenges: Finding clients early on, inconsistent income

2. Tutoring

One of the most flexible side hustles out there is tutoring.

Maths, coding, music, English, or even video editing – if you’re good at something, there’s probably a student (or a parent) willing to pay you to teach it.

What you need to get started:
Laptop or phone, internet, software (Zoom, Google Meet, Whop)

How to start tutoring:
Getting started is straightforward. Pick your subject, decide if you want to work in person, online, or both, then set up shop somewhere that makes it easy to run everything in one place—like Whop. 

You can upload learning materials, host video calls, and even build communities where your students can connect and learn from each other.

From there, it’s all about getting those first few clients, collecting reviews, and letting word-of-mouth do its thing. Before long, you’ve built yourself a steady roster of students—and a side income that can rival your 9–5.

Earning potential: $500–$5,000+ a month

Challenges: Finding consistent clients, managing cancellations

3. Coaching

Tutoring is about teaching a subject, coaching is more about guiding someone toward a goal: fitness, career growth, mindset, or who knows? Even dating.

The beauty of coaching is that it’s as niche as you want it to be. You can work 1:1, run group programs, or sell self-paced courses. And you can do it from anywhere.

What you need to get started:
Laptop or phone, stable internet, Whop account

How to start coaching:
Define your niche, figure out your offer, and decide how you’ll deliver it. Whop makes it effortless to package your coaching in one place. You can host live sessions, upload resources, and build a private community where clients can connect and stay accountable.

Once you’ve got your offer (or offers) ready, start building your presence on socials, sharing value-driven content to attract the right audience. From there, it’s about converting followers into paying clients and keeping them coming back with consistent results.

Earning potential: $1,000-$15,000 per month

Challenges: Standing out in a crowded market, maintaining consistent client results

Digital product businesses 

Selling digital products is a great way to make money online. It's the right choice if you want to create something once and sell it over and over – no shipping, no stock, just sales. 

From courses and communities to downloadable templates and presets, these products let you scale your business without the usual headaches.

4. Courses

Selling courses is one of the most scalable digital product businesses out there. You make the content once, sell it endlessly.

Your course can teach anything, btw: marketing, photography, coding, personal finance, pottery. Reading birth charts. Growing better house plants. I’m spitballing, but basically, if there’s demand? There’s a market. 

The key is packaging your knowledge into a clear, structured learning journey that people are willing to pay for.

With Whop, you can host all your videos, worksheets, and resources in one place, run live Q&As, and give students a built-in community to keep them engaged.

What you need to get started:
Laptop or phone, video and document editing software, Whop account

How to start selling courses:
To start, outline your curriculum, record your lessons (you don’t need a film crew either – your phone and good lighting will do), and upload it to your platform. 

Then, promote it through social media, your email list, or even by partnering with other creators.

Earning potential: $500-$20,000 a month

Challenges: Standing out from similar courses, keeping students engaged to completion

5. Communities

Man, paid communities are hot – if you do them right. Building a successful community means creating a space where people with shared interests can connect, learn, and grow together.

Stuck for ideas? Be creative: think superfan communities, gaming circles, skill-sharing, business networking – you get the gist.

And yeah, Whop makes it suuuuper simple to create and manage your community, host live events, share exclusive content, and even sell merch or digital products alongside. (Check out our App Store for all the extras you can offer your community members). 

“We switched to Whop to bring everything together — courses, coaching, community, payments — and we’re building this into the premier destination in the U.S. for land survey CAD education and career growth.” – Jasen Hunt

What you need to get started:
Laptop or phone, internet, community platform (Whop)

How to start a paid community:
Start by defining your community’s purpose – is this a place to hang out, meet new people, or learn? Is the vibe professional, or is it going to be a gag fest? Once you’re clear, invite users through social media or email. 

To begin, you can offer free access and start to build out a paid offering once you become more popular. With Whop, you can run both alongside one another in the same place. Engage members regularly with posts, challenges, or live hangouts to keep them active and subscribed.

Earning potential: $300-$10,000+ monthly

Challenges: Keeping members engaged long-term, growing your base consistently

6. Downloadables

Digital downloads include ebooks, templates, planners, presets – basically, any digital files people can buy and use instantly.

They’re perfect for creators who want a low-maintenance product. It’s those four magic words again: create once, sell forever. Hell yeah. 

What you need to get started:
Laptop, design software (Canva, Adobe, Google Docs)

How to sell digital downloads:
Use Whop to upload and deliver files to buyers automatically, making the purchase process seamless for everyone involved. 

To get started, create your digital product using tools like Canva, Adobe, or Google Docs, then list it on Whop (or your own site, if you like adding more work to your plate). Promote wherever your audience hangs out.

Earning potential: $100-$5,000 a month

Challenges: Standing out in a crowded market and pricing correctly (balancing profit with sales appeal)

No-cost product-based businesses 

If you want to dive into physical product sales without dropping cash upfront, no-cost product businesses are the way to go. 

These ideas let you sell without holding inventory or buying stock first. You handle the marketing and customer love, while suppliers or partners take care of the rest. 

7. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is one of the easier entryways to ecommerce, as you sell products without holding inventory. 

A customer places an order, you forward it to your supplier, and they handle shipping directly to the buyer.

The appeal? Low startup costs, no storage headaches, and the ability to run your store from anywhere. You focus on marketing and customer experience, while your supplier handles fulfilment.

What you need to get started:
Laptop, internet connection, eCommerce platform

How to start dropshipping:
To get started, choose a dropshipping niche, source products from suppliers on platforms like AliExpress, and set up your online store (using Shopify or similar). From there, it’s all about driving traffic through ads, social media, or influencer partnerships.

Check out the Whop marketplace for dropshipping courses, coaching, and communities. 

Earning potential: $500-$15,000 each month

Challenges: Thin profit margins, supplier reliability, high competition

8. POD

POD (print-on-demand) lets you design custom products (like t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, or tote bags), without buying stock upfront. When someone orders, the product is printed and shipped by your supplier.

It’s a low-risk way to test designs and build a merch line, because you only pay for what sells.

What you need to get started:
Laptop or tablet, design software, POD supplier account, eCommerce storefront

How to start print-on-demand:
Create your designs, choose a POD supplier, and connect them to your store or eCommerce platform. Then you just promote your products through social media or collaborations with creators.

Earning potential: $300-$10,000 monthly

Challenges: Lower margins, quality control, standing out with unique designs

9. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is all about promoting someone else’s product and earning a commission for each sale made through your link. No inventory, no customer service. Just smart marketing.

You can work with affiliate programs directly (like Amazon Associates) or through networks like ShareASale. The trick to selling effortlessly is choosing products that align with your niche, so your recommendations feel natural.

What you need to get started:
Phone, internet, social media

How to start affiliate marketing:
Consider your interests and which affiliate niche you want to work within. Health and wellness? Gaming? Tech? Beauty? Whatever you choose, start joining relevant affiliate programs and sharing your links through social media, a blog, YouTube, email, or even a private community. 

Track what converts and double down.

Earning potential: $100-$20,000(+) a month

Challenges: Building an audience, inconsistent income, program rules changing

IRL businesses with no investment

Not everyone wants to dive straight into the online world. Maybe you’d rather work face-to-face, keep it local, or start with something hands-on. 

If that’s you, here are three IRL businesses you can launch with zero upfront cash.

A quick reality check, though: while these can earn decent money, your income is tied directly to your time. 

You’ll need to be on the ground to get paid, which means scaling can be trickier compared to online models.

10. Petcare

From dog walking to pet sitting, grooming, or even training, if that’s your thing. Petcare is a flexible, in-demand hustle you can start with no upfront cost.

What you need to get started:
Phone, transport, basic pet supplies (leash, treats, waste bags)

How to start a petcare business:
Start by offering your services locally through word of mouth, community boards, or apps like Rover and MadPaws. Build trust with great service and happy pet photos, and you’ll get repeat clients fast.

Earning potential: $300-$4,000 monthly

Challenges: Unpredictable schedules, working outdoors in all weather, finding enough clients

11. Childcare

Babysitting, after-school care, or holiday care: childcare is always in demand. Parents value reliability, trustworthiness, and most importantly? Someone their kids actually like.

What you need to get started:
Phone, reliable transport, certifications (varies by location)

How to start a childcare business:
Start with your local network, advertise in community groups, or use childcare platforms like Care.com. 

Note: Make sure you meet local requirements for working with children (e.g. background checks, first aid).

Earning potential: $500–$3,000 each month

Challenges: High responsibility, irregular hours, legal requirements

12. Event planning

From birthdays to corporate functions, event planning is about making sure everything runs smoothly and looks great without the client lifting a finger. If you’re the go-to party planner in your family or friend group, this could be a great business for you. 

What you need to get started:
Phone, laptop, calendar/organisation software

How to start an event planning business:
Start by offering to plan events for friends or local businesses, documenting your work to build a portfolio. 

Promote yourself through social media and local networking, as well as through word of mouth. 

Earning potential: $500-$8,000 a month

Challenges: Tight deadlines, client expectations, last-minute changes

Creative businesses

None of the above feels creative enough for you? I get it. With these creative hustles, your originality is at the centre.

When you’re authentic and consistent, the right audience (and income) will follow.

13. Flipping

Flipping just means buying items cheaply and selling them for more – and you can flip in pretty much any niche, from vintage clothes and sneakers to furniture or collectibles.

Flip Flip is a trading card reselling community on Whop, and the creator says the best way to find cards to flip is by asking in local stores.

Go to your retail stores. Target, Walmart, Gamestop — every single week there's going to be a vendor who restocks your local cities, and all you have to do is go ask employees when this vendor shows up.

You can apply this same principal for any market.

What you need to get started:
Phone, transport, marketplace accounts

How to start flipping for profit:
Start small by sourcing from thrift shops, garage sales, or online marketplaces, then resell on platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Depop. 

Photograph items well and write clear descriptions to boost sales, and build a social media presence to attract buyers in your niche. 

Earning potential: $200-$5,000 a month

Challenges: Time spent sourcing, unpredictable stock, customer complaints 

14. Content creation

Building up your own social media presence, whether it’s TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Twitch (or a mix of any), lets you turn your passions into income. Sponsorships, brand deals, ads, merch, paid memberships, affiliate opportunities, creator payouts – the list goes on.

But to cash in on any of it? You’ll need to grow an engaged audience and consistently create engaging content.  

What you need to get started:
Smartphone or laptop, basic editing software, social accounts

How to make money on social media:
Pick your niche, post consistently, and interact with your followers. You’re not just growing a personal brand, you’re building a community that trusts and supports you. And that leads to a lot of income potential.

Earning potential: $100-$50,000+ a month

Challenges: Growing (and retaining) your audience, algorithm changes, inconsistent income

15. Handmade goods

If you love creating, turning your craft into a business can be seriously rewarding. Jewelery, candles, art prints, home decor, or custom gifts, handmade products give you a unique edge that mass-produced items just can’t match.

What you need to get started:
Materials for your craft, a dedicated workspace, a good phone or camera for social content, and a sales platform

How to sell handmade products:
Selling locally at markets or fairs is a great way to test demand and get direct feedback. For a wider reach, platforms like Etsy and Instagram are perfect for showcasing your work and reaching customers globally.

Sharing behind-the-scenes content (like how-to videos, your workspace setup, or the story behind each piece) builds connection and trust with your audience. It also helps justify premium pricing because buyers love knowing the story and effort behind what they’re buying.

Be mindful that handmade goods take time and care, so scaling can be a challenge. 

Earning potential: $200-$6,000 a month

Challenges: Time-intensive, costs, scaling

How to start a business with no money in 6 steps

Follow these six steps to ensure you get your business up and running (and making money) as soon as possible. 

1. Start with a no-cost business idea

The first move? Pick a business idea that doesn’t ask you to drop cash upfront – freelancing, tutoring, content creation, or digital products. 

These let you start small and grow without risking your savings. It’s all about minimizing your financial risk while you figure out what works. 

Plus, starting lean forces you to get creative and resourceful, which is a win for any entrepreneur.

2. Build your business plan

No need for a complicated, 50-page document; you just need a simple business plan to map out your idea. 

Who are your customers? What problem are you solving? How will you actually make money? 

Questions like these keep you focused and help you avoid chasing every shiny idea that comes your way. 

3. Use free tools to create your branding

You don’t have to hire a designer or spend on fancy software to look legit. 

Tools like Canva or even LLMs have your back. Spend time creating a clean, consistent look across your socials and website, because your brand is how people will remember you. 

But don’t overstress perfection – being authentic and clear beats flashy any day.

4. Grow your online presence

This is about how you show up and build your community, which turns to sales. 

Post engaging content that resonates with what your audience is consuming, network via comments, and engage with communities where your customers hang out. 

Consistency matters most here. The goal is to build trust and make real connections, because people buy from people, not faceless brands.

5. Launch with a presale

Waiting for the perfect time is the ultimate trap – it was likely yesterday. The second best time is now. 

If you’re feeling anxious, launch a minimal version of your product or service to test the waters. 

Presales or beta launches are great ways to get early feedback, validate your idea, and bring in some cash before you go all in. 

6. Reinvest and grow

Once money starts coming in, don’t just cash out. In order to scale and grow revenue, you need to reinvest in your business.

Upgrade your gear, invest in ads, or outsource stuff you hate doing. Reinvesting fuels growth without needing loans or outside funding. 

This is the key move that turns side hustles into real-deal businesses.

Tips for bootstrapping your business

Try before you buy (free trials)

Don’t spend money on tools or software without testing them first. It’s pretty easy to get carried away at first, and you often buy more than you need in the beginning. 

Most platforms offer free trials, so take advantage of those and see if the platform or tool actually fits your needs before committing. 

Use free tools

Where possible, save your cash. 

Tons of free resources get the job done without draining your wallet: Canva for design, Google Workspace for docs and spreadsheets, and social media schedulers like Later or Buffer have free plans that cover the basics. 

Use them to keep your costs zero while you’re starting.

Create your business on free platforms 

Don’t pay for a website or storefront when you can start on free ecommerce platforms.

Whop gets you up and running fast, with zero upfront costs. It’s free to join and list products, and you can sell digital products, courses, memberships, and more – all in one place. 

Start your business journey on Whop for free

Starting a business with zero cash isn’t some impossible dream. 

It’s totally doable (and actually super common now). The trick is to pick the right hustle, lean on free tools, and keep it real with your audience. 

Whether you’re freelancing, selling digital products, or making cool handmade stuff, there’s a way for you to start making income without investing upfront. 

It won’t always be smooth, but if you stick with it, you’ll eventually level up from side hustle to full-time boss. So stop overthinking, and start creating. 

Ready to turn your hustle into a business? Whop lets you start for free and sell digital products, courses, memberships, and more, all in one place. No upfront costs, no risk.

FAQs

What is the best business to start if I have no money?

Go for service-based gigs like freelancing, tutoring, or coaching. They mostly need your skills and time, not cash. 

Digital products like courses or downloadables are also smart, since you create once and can sell repeatedly without upfront costs (especially on platforms that handle everything for you).

How fast can I start making money?

Some hustles like digital products, freelancing, or coaching can bring in cash within days – provided you have some kind of audience already.

Others, like content creation or affiliate marketing, usually take longer to build momentum. 

Which businesses can I start alongside my normal job or school?

Most of these ideas are flexible enough to fit around your current schedule. 

Freelancing, tutoring, content creation, and digital product sales can all be done part-time, on weekends, or in the evenings. 

Using platforms that let you manage sales, deliveries, and communities in one place makes juggling everything way easier.