Businesses You Can Start With $500

11 opportunities in our database have an estimated low-end cash need of $500 or less. 6 fit even at the high end of the estimate, and 11 first become possible at this budget.

How to read this list. “Cash to start” adds upfront costs and a working-capital buffer. Ranges are estimates, and some items (like licenses and insurance) vary too much to price, so they’re marked “Not verified” rather than counted as free. Budget for them.

Estimate

Design and sell downloadable templates such as planners, spreadsheets, resumes, social media layouts or worksheets. No inventory, but crowded marketplaces make standing out the hard part.

Cash to start
$0–$20 + unverified items
Ongoing / month
Not verified
Part-time?
Yes, from ~3 hrs/wk
Model
Online business
Equipment or requirements
Computer · Design or spreadsheet software

Key risks

  • Marketplaces are saturated; many listings never sell.
  • Buyers copy and redistribute files, and others may copy your designs.

Sources: Federal Trade Commission, Internal Revenue Service · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026

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Estimate

Buy underpriced used items at thrift stores, yard sales and estate sales, then resell them online or locally. You can test it by selling things you already own before buying inventory.

Cash to start
$20–$380 + unverified items
Ongoing / month
$10–$50 + unverified items
Part-time?
Yes, from ~4 hrs/wk
Model
Online business
Equipment or requirements
Smartphone with camera · Shipping supplies

Key risks

  • Inventory that does not sell ties up cash and space.
  • Buying counterfeit or recalled items can lead to refunds, account bans or legal trouble.

Sources: Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Small Business Administration · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026

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Low-Cost Service Businesses

Pet sitting and dog walking

Estimate

Walk dogs and care for pets in clients’ homes while owners work or travel. Startup gear is minimal; trust, reliability and insurance matter most.

Cash to start
$30–$100 + unverified items
Ongoing / month
$10–$40 + unverified items
Part-time?
Yes, from ~3 hrs/wk
Model
Local service business
Equipment or requirements
Leashes and waste bags · Pet first-aid kit

Key risks

  • Dog bites, dog fights or a pet escaping can lead to injury, vet bills and liability claims.
  • Holding clients’ keys and entering homes alone raises theft and damage accusations; insurance and clear records help.

Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026

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Low-Cost Service Businesses

Independent personal training

Estimate

Coach clients one-on-one or in small groups at their homes, in parks, online or in a gym that allows independent trainers. A recognized certification is the practical entry ticket.

Cash to start
$50–$250 + unverified items
Ongoing / month
Not verified
Part-time?
Yes, from ~4 hrs/wk
Model
Local service business
Equipment or requirements
Recognized personal trainer certification · Resistance bands · Exercise mat

Key risks

  • Client injuries can lead to liability claims; screening, documentation and insurance matter.
  • Training outside your scope (medical conditions, rehab, diet plans) creates legal and safety risk.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Small Business Administration · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026

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Estimate

Bake breads, cookies or other lower-risk foods in your home kitchen and sell them directly to customers. Your state’s cottage food law decides what you may sell, where and how much.

Cash to start
$80–$300 + unverified items
Ongoing / month
Not verified
Part-time?
Yes, from ~4 hrs/wk
Model
Product business
Equipment or requirements
Home kitchen and oven · Bakeware

Key risks

  • Selling foods or using sales channels your state does not allow can bring fines or shutdown.
  • Allergen mistakes or mislabeling can make someone seriously ill.

Sources: University of Nevada, Reno Extension (report by the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund), University of Nevada, Reno Extension (article by the National Agricultural Law Center) · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026

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Low-Cost Service Businesses

Handyman services

Estimate

Handle small home repairs and odd jobs such as patching drywall, hanging fixtures, assembling furniture and fixing doors. Licensing rules decide which jobs you can legally take.

Cash to start
$100–$800 + unverified items
Ongoing / month
$20–$80 + unverified items
Part-time?
Yes, from ~5 hrs/wk
Model
Local service business
Equipment or requirements
Hand tools · Cordless drill/driver

Key risks

  • Doing work that requires a license you do not hold can bring fines and void your ability to collect payment in some states.
  • Mistakes on someone’s home (leaks, damaged finishes) can turn into costly claims.

Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026

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Low-Cost Service Businesses

Junk removal and hauling

Estimate

Haul away unwanted furniture, yard debris and household clutter, then donate, recycle or dispose of it. Requires access to a pickup truck or trailer, and disposal fees are a real per-job cost.

Cash to start
$160–$490 + unverified items
Ongoing / month
Not verified
Part-time?
Yes, from ~5 hrs/wk
Model
Local service business
Equipment or requirements
Access to a pickup truck or trailer · Valid driver’s license · Pickup truck or trailer · Dolly and straps

Key risks

  • Heavy lifting carries back injury and strain risk.
  • Disposal fees can exceed your quote if you misjudge weight or material.

Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026

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Low-Cost Service Businesses

Lawn care and mowing service

Estimate

Mow, trim and edge lawns for nearby homeowners, usually on a weekly or biweekly route during the growing season. Many people start with a mower they already own.

Cash to start
$180–$550 + unverified items
Ongoing / month
$30–$100 + unverified items
Part-time?
Yes, from ~4 hrs/wk
Model
Local service business
Equipment or requirements
Mower · String trimmer

Key risks

  • Seasonal demand: work drops sharply in winter in most of the country.
  • Weather cancels or delays scheduled visits.

Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026

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Low-Cost Service Businesses

Mobile car detailing

Estimate

Clean and detail vehicles inside and out at the customer’s home or workplace. Starts with hand tools and supplies; water access and runoff rules shape how you work.

Cash to start
$190–$580 + unverified items
Ongoing / month
$40–$120 + unverified items
Part-time?
Yes, from ~4 hrs/wk
Model
Local service business
Equipment or requirements
Detailing chemicals and microfiber towels · Shop vacuum

Key risks

  • Wrong products or technique can scratch paint or damage interior surfaces, leading to claims.
  • Runoff into storm drains can break local stormwater rules.

Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026

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Low-Cost Service Businesses

Residential cleaning service

Estimate

Clean homes on a recurring or one-time basis using your own supplies. Customers usually pay per visit, and recurring clients make scheduling predictable.

Cash to start
$200–$600 + unverified items
Ongoing / month
$30–$100 + unverified items
Part-time?
Yes, from ~4 hrs/wk
Model
Local service business
Equipment or requirements
Cleaning supplies · Vacuum or access to clients’ equipment

Key risks

  • Physically demanding work with injury risk.
  • Clients cancel or churn; income can be uneven.

Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Small Business Administration · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026

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Low-Cost Service Businesses

Pressure washing service

Estimate

Clean driveways, sidewalks, decks, fences and siding with a pressure washer. Jobs are usually one-time or seasonal, and local wash-water rules apply.

Cash to start
$410–$1,250 + unverified items
Ongoing / month
$30–$100 + unverified items
Part-time?
Yes, from ~4 hrs/wk
Model
Local service business
Equipment or requirements
Pressure washer · Hoses and nozzles

Key risks

  • Too much pressure can etch concrete, strip paint, splinter wood or force water behind siding, leading to damage claims.
  • Letting wash water reach storm drains can violate local stormwater rules.

Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, City of San Diego · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026

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Narrow it down to what fits you

Budget is one constraint. The matcher also weighs your time, skills and goals, and explains each ranking.

Match me with $500

Related: What it really costs to start a business · Startup cost calculator · Cash still under $500? See starting with almost nothing.