Nothing down guides
Plain-English answers to the money questions that come up before you start or buy a business. Each guide lists its sources and when it was last reviewed.
Buying a Franchise on a Limited Budget: What to Check First
What to check in a Franchise Disclosure Document before buying, how total investment differs from the franchise fee, and financing cautions.
Can You Really Start a Business With $0?
An honest look at starting with almost no cash: which businesses can do it, what $0 leaves out, and strategies that keep costs near zero.
How Seller Financing Works When Buying a Business
How seller notes work, which terms to negotiate, how to calculate the monthly payment, and the red flags to check before you sign.
How to Test a Business Idea Before Spending Money
Practical ways to test demand before you invest: customer conversations, pre-sales, waitlists, paid pilots and concierge tests, plus clear decision rules.
Nothing Down: What It Really Means to Start or Buy a Business With No Money Down
What “nothing down” means for starting or buying a business, where no-money-down deals are realistic, and the cash you still need.
The Difference Between a Down Payment and Working Capital
Why a no-money-down business deal still needs cash: closing costs, deposits, payroll float, receivables timing, reserves and debt service.
What It Really Costs to Start a Business
A practical breakdown of startup costs, the hidden costs people miss, and how to build a runway estimate before you spend.
By budget
- Businesses you can start with $500
- Businesses you can start with $2,500
- Businesses you can start with $5,000
- Businesses you can start with $10,000
- Businesses you can start with $25,000