by Allen Teal

Created on: May 25, 2007

The problem with many businesses started on a shoestring is not always the upfront costs, but the ongoing costs if you can't get your customer base built quickly enough. Almost anybody can start a business on a shoestring. Selling your service or product is another matter.

A shoestring business start up needs to be one that can begin with little or no overhead. Things like rent, utilities, and hired labor produce costs that are not always tied directly to income. So, you need to look for something that can initially be ran from your home. Preferably, this business won't require you to quit your job prematurely to run it. By keeping your current source of income, it will give you time to grow your business and make those mistakes that are inevitable without losing everything that you own.

With this in mind, start by looking for something that you can do for a service that people will pay you to do. Becoming a local handyman can be a big money maker because the pay is good, and there are very few people who will go and do the small jobs anymore. You need a little talent and experience.

If you have the tools and are willing to take it on as a part-time enterprise, it can be quite lucrative. Most of the time you can get a charge account at a local hardware for material purchases. You may have to get people to reimburse you for material costs upon delivery before you begin the job. This way, if you don't get paid for the job, you at least have not incurred debt. A lot of these types of jobs are out there. Some involve sewing or craft work. You just have to decide what you enjoy and have the skill to do.

Doing home and business decorating can become a profitable way to run a shoestring business. Many people don't have the time or talent to arrange furniture and match colors or accessories. They will pay you to do it for them. As with the handyman type of work, get paid for anything you buy before it is installed.

Most internet or computer related businesses can be started and ran on a shoestring. If you already have a computer and internet access, your expenses will not be much if any more than you are already spending. By starting this business, your equipment and internet service just became tax deductible.

By keeping overhead at near zero, any business can be started and operated on a shoestring. The problem becomes finding the right one for your interests and skills. Don't sell yourself short. Dig just a little, and something will be open for you to try. By starting small, you don't have to be a full service business from opening day. It can grow slowly as you learn to do it better.

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