If you’re thinking of starting a business, but you have no money, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves in this position. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to get started without breaking the bank. In this article, we will discuss some ways to start a business with no money.
Write a Mission Statement
Your mission statement is your business’s purpose statement. It defines what your business is all about and why it exists. A good mission statement should be clear and concise, and it should include your core values. It should also state who you are serving (your market), how you are serving them (your services or products), and what makes your business unique. Once you have your mission statement, you can incorporate it into your business plan.
Write a Business Plan
A business plan is a roadmap for your business. It outlines your ideas and strategies and goals in a way that you can see the big picture and others can understand your business. It is particularly crucial because lenders often want to see a business plan when considering your application. Spend as much time as you need on your business plan, as it’s a key part of getting funding and sending your business in the right direction.
Conduct a Feasibility Study
Feasibility studies are a great way to answer your own questions, and questions investors will have about your business. For example, a good feasibility study will cover:
Launch: Addresses how you will get your product to market (i.e., how your business will produce, store, deliver, and track its products or services.) Marketing: Looks at the market to assess competition, find niches, and will help you identify who might buy your products or services. Financials: Projects how much start-up capital is needed, sources of capital, returns on investment, and other financial considerations. It looks at how much cash is required, where it will come from, and how it will be spent. The more you know about your own business needs upfront, the fewer problems you will have in raising capital and getting started when you are ready to launch.
Find a Mentor
If you are new to the business, rely on the expertise of a business mentor. A good mentor won’t tell you what to do. Rather, they’ll make you think through your problems and offer guidance to help you avoid future problems.
Enroll in Free Online Business Classes
Take online courses to help you learn about business. Many universities offer free online classes on entrepreneurship, such as Harvard Business School and Santa Clara University. These courses are taught by faculty and industry experts, and provide access to ebooks that cover strategy, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Borrow Business Books From the Library
Head to your local library to check out books that cover how to start a business. Reputable books are a great way to get step-by-step instructions on how to set up nonprofit organizations, corporations, social networks, your website—and help you understand just about everything there is to know about starting a business.
Low-Cost Options If Your Budget Is Tight
You don’t have to invest a lot of money in your business to accomplish a few fundamental things. Here are a few low-cost things you can do to get started on the right foot.
Buy a Website Domain
Even if you don’t have the funds to develop a website just yet, grab a domain with your business name. You don’t even have to pay for hosting to register a domain until you decide to build a website. If you are planning to build a site right away, budget about $10-$12 per month for web hosting.
