SHOESTRING START-UPS

50 great businesses you can launch for less than $500.

1. PERSONALIZED CANDY BARS: Cherubs-N-Chocolate's themed candy bar wrappers can be used as personalized candy bars or as greeting bars without personalization. Anyone who has a computer (Windows 95 or later) and a laser printer can get started for less than $500. Cherubs-N-Chocolate is now an international business, with more than 1800 dealers worldwide. Home-based business opportunity enables entrepreneurs to earn $90 an hour offering 140 pro designed, full-color candy bar wrappers in various themes for showers, anniversaries, grand openings, birth announcements, clubs, plays, community events, etc.
   
   For more information and to receive the free information packet, call 800-306-3552 or visit www.cherubs-n-chocolate.com.
   
   
2. WONDERMUGS: Wondermugs are fun mugs that feature images that change when the cup is filled with a hot or cold beverage. They are fun, fast sellers at craft or mall shows. With more than 60 designs, there is something for everyone. According to the company, Wondermugs are great sellers during the Christmas season at holiday mall shows. Wondermugs usually bring in $1000-$2000 per day in the right location and the company reports that sales of $4000 per day are possible. Logos and company names can be added to the mugs, too. There are a variety of start-up levels ranging from less than $200 to order mugs for resale to $2500 for the full kit-and-kaboodle start-up program.
   
   All you need to launch this biz is the starter kit that includes products, displays, demo table, sales booklets, signs, hats, training manual and video. Your company name, phone number and location will be listed on the Wondermug official website, too. Minimum orders do apply so check with the company for details. Visit www.wondermugs.com or call the company in Clifton, Virginia for more information 703-266-1700.
   
   
3. BUTTON & BADGE MAKING: You can turn a fun pastime into a serious business with a $29.95 package from Badge-A-Minit. They've been in business for years helping entrepreneurs start their own button and badge making business. These buttons can be sold to clubs, organizations or schools or made exclusively for a specific holiday, parade, etc. There is a button design for every occasion. The company is based in LaSalle, Illinois. Visit the website at www.badgeaminit.com or call 800-223-4103.
   
   
4. VIDEOTAPING SERVICE: There are many instances where folks need a videotaping service, but don't have the equipment or the expertise to put it together. You come in and save the day with your service. For more information on how to start this business, pick up a copy of the $9.95 guide from Legacy Marketing: How To Start Your Own Videotaping Service. Order the book by visiting the website at www.legacymarketing.net or call the company at 888-725-2639.
   
   
5. PERSONALIZED PRODUCTS: Creative Amusement Services, Inc. (CASI) of Yonkers, New York, has been in business for a long time helping entrepreneurs start a wide variety of personalized product businesses ranging from personalized mugs, caps and t-shirts to Astrology, Personalized Cartoons, Coats of Arms, First Names, Last Names and more.
   
   You can visit the CASI website at www.creativenames.com to get a more comprehensive picture of the company and even read what entrepreneurs have to say about the product line, support, etc. The company has been in business since 1977 and can help you start a business that has some entrepreneurs making $1000 a day. The product line is extensive and you can see it on the website and get pricing information, too.
   
   
6. DAYCARE CENTER: You can start your own daycare center and run it from your own home--many states permit this. Check with your county clerk's office to see where your home stands on this zoning issue. You can also branch out and open your daycare center in an outside commercial facility. To learn more about how to open your daycare center check out Legacy Marketing's book How To Start Your Own Daycare Center. It's $24.95, plus shipping costs and contains rock-solid tips on how to get started. To order call 888-725-2639 or send a fax to 856-346-2994. You can also visit the company's website at www.legacymarketing.net/.
   
   
7. MARKETING GROCERY COUPON PACKAGE: Entrepreneur Don Farmer is the man behind Grocery Guru and he invites you to visit his website and check out his start-up package that sells for $495. It enables you to purchase groceries at discounted prices. Money can be made by marketing the program to others. The website is full of testimonials from folks who say they've made thousands of dollars in less than a month. Visit www.groceryguru.com or contact Don Farmer by calling 800-711-3754. You may also write to him at: 10998 Wilcrest Drive, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77099-3579.
   
   
8. SELL LIQUIDATED GOODS: Turnkey Liquidators, Inc. say they have taken the hassle out of selling liquidated goods and want you to know you can start a business doing just that for less than $500. You receive a fax or email alerting you to name-brand products that you can sell to your customers at rock-bottom prices. These are usually overstocked goods or surplus items or goods that have been discontinued. You purchase at low prices and sell to your customers with a markup.
   
   Visit www.tklcorp.com for more information on how to get started. The company phone is 800-214-2021, ask for extension 105.
   
   
9. ADVERTISING SPECIALTIES: Kaeser & Blair Incorporated has been in business for 108 years and has a wide variety of products you can offer to your customers that will feature their name and/or logo. School teams, clubs and other organizations are all potential customers in addition to businesses.
   
   The start-up is $89 and you can request a free information package. Visit the company website at www.kaeser-blair.com or call 800-642-9790 for new dealer information.
   
   
10. PRODUCTS FOR SALE: If you are always looking for goods to sell at flea markets, crafts fairs and in your own garage sales, contact Lakeside Products Co. The minimum order is $10 and they have hundreds of novelty products that people seem to love.
    
    Products range from George W. Bush $200 bills to mini glow lights, cute animals and automatic needle threaders. The minimum phone order is $50. For more information on the company, call 773-761-5495 or 800-777-4404.
    
    
11. REFERRAL NETWORK: You can start a computer service referral business for $39. You hand out color brochures to anyone who is familiar with personal computers. If they eventually enroll in the program offered by Soft-Temps Worldwide, you receive a commission of $400.
    To learn more about this lead referral program and if it could be right for you, log onto www.usbizlink.com/referal or call the company in Jensen Beach, Florida at 772-232-0103.
    
    
12. HOME DELIVERY SERVICE: You can start your own business offering home delivery service by tying in with stores and home centers who don't already provide this service. People are pressed for time and the population is getting older. Consumers want goods delivered right to their doors. The items you deliver could include: groceries, hardware, lumber, etc. Canvass the neighborhood and ask store managers/owners if they could permit you distribute business cards, flyers in their stores to drum up business. Perhaps they recommend you directly to their customers or hire you to perform the much needed service directly for them.
    
    
13. LAWNS & LANDSCAPES: Yard cleanups, lawn cutting, weed pulling are things that every homeowner and apartment manager must deal with but many are saying they just don't have the time to do it all. Print up a flier or a business card and start promoting your service. Take out an ad in the local newspaper. Offer a discounted price for new customers.
    
    
14. MAIL ORDER AND MORE: You can start a mail order empire right from your kitchen table, but you need to find the right product or products to sell. Contact Specialty Merchandise Corp. (SMC) in Chatsworth, California to learn how you can order their products and sell them to your customers. The company can help you get started for less than $25. You'll receive catalogs, sales tools and marketing help.
    
    Make money via a mail order business or by selling at Home Parties, Flea Markets, Swap Meets, Fundraisers, Gift Shops, Kiosks, Mall Shows and more. They'll even help you establish your own SMC website. Some of the SMC customers make $5000 a week and more. Call 800-313-0600 for more information.
    
    
15. PERSONALIZED FUN PRODUCTS: You can print the names of your customers on fun, cartooney prodcuts from Friendly Folks. Offer fun prints, key chains, magnets, mouse pads and more to your customers. No need to stock a lot of inventory. Friendly Folks, Inc. is based in Hackensack, New Jersey. Visit their website at: www.friendlyfolks.com or call the headquarters to receive free information on the business opportunity. Call 800-963-6557. The start-up package is $495.
    
    
16. WINDSHIELD REPAIR: We all know that most cars have a dip, a ding or a chuck or a scratch in their windshield and it is annoying to the car owner. You can start a business repairing these disagreeable realities. Liquid Resins International, Ltd. has several programs to get started beginning at $499.95. You'll receive the necessary equipment and a free video to help you learn the processes. Call 800-458-2098 to learn more or visit the company website at www.liquidresins.com.
    
    
17. CHILD IDENTIFICATION PROGRAMS: We all hate to think about a lost child but it is becoming an increasing reality in our society. Two million children are abducted, missing, lost or runaway each year in the United States.
    
    Parents are often too rattled to provide authorities with the proper identification information and precious time is lost. You can start this business for $495 with help from Child Shield, U.S.A. The company phone number is 800-488-2445.
    
    
18. MAKE BUNK BEDS: Do you have tools and are you handy? Robert O'Reilly started making bunk beds ten years ago in his garage with $120 worth of tools and no woodworking experience. He now sells a program that can help you learn how to do it, too. The startup is low and the profits are high. Call 800-382-3180, ext. 1604 for more information on how you can get started.
    
    
19. MEAL DELIVERY: You can start your own meal delivery service right in your own community. An increasing number of consumers out there don't have the time or the inclination to make their own meals or they want to celebrate a special occasion with a great meal from one of their favorite restaurants.
    
    This is where you come in; you pick up the meal they request from the local eatery or restaurant and deliver it to your customers. You receive a service fee for your delivery and possibly can buy the meals at discounted prices from the restaurants. You charge your clients the price listed on the menu, however. For more on how to start this business, visit www.legacymarketing.net/ and check out their guide on How to Start And Operate A Meal Delivery Service. It's $19.95, plus shipping costs. To call, dial 888-725-2639.
    
    
20. BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS: You can start a business as a dealer for The Original Stork Co. and announce births by posting seven foot tall stork sign announcements on lawns. This is a perfect business to launch part-time or weekends. For more information on the opportunity that starts at less than $400, call The Original Stork Co. at 888-603-6400.
    
    
21. MEDICAL BILLING: It seems that medical billing businesses are growing. Doctors use them in their offices and the practice seems to be spreading as health care becomes increasingly confusing. You can learn to run this business from home by tying in with Medical Billing Course. It's a $99 registration fee and $49.95 per chapter. Call the company at 800-652-3500 to discuss the details and make sure it's right for you. You can also visit their website at www.medicalbillingcourse.com.
    
    
22. CRUISE BIZ FROM HOME: If you enjoy the travel industry and have a computer, consider starting your own business selling cruises from home. Cruises Inc. can ehlp you start this business for a fee of $495. You'll be training in Florida. Visit their website for more information at www.joincruisesinc.com or call the company at 877-714-4072. You receive commissions on the cruises you book.
    
    
23. LINGERIE TO GO: Novelties, perfumes, lingerie, costumes, slippers, videos, books, games and more are all in the Lotions & Lace Co. catalog. You sell the items to your customers for a profit. For more information write to the company at Dept. 111, 3960 Garnet Rd., Riverside, CA 92501. They request $2 for postage and handling of the catalog and start-up kit so include it with your request.
    
    
24. WINDOW WASHING: A growing number of homeowners want to keep their windows sparkling clean but don't have the time or the energy to take on the job. You could do it for them and learn how from Philip Bregstone, the founder of Dr. Glass Window Washers. His "Business In A Box" system teaches you everything you need to know to start this business and the startup cost is $500. This is not a franchise so there are no ongoing royalties or other fees.
    
    You can learn more about the company and the business opportunity offered by clicking onto www.docglass.com or by calling 888-282-3535. The founder made $100,000 in just one season. Why not you?
    
    
25. BATH ESSTIALS, INCENSE & ACCESSORIES: You can start your own bath accessories business. Sell fragrances, aromatherapy products, candles and other bath accessories by tying in with Cera Bella, a direct selling company. Visit the website at www.cerabella.com or call 877-237-2235. The company is based in Richmond, Illinois.
    
    
26. PET SITTING: More and more Americans are buying pets but they work so hard that Fido and Leo are often left at home alone. You can end this sadness with a pet sitting service. It's doesn't take much to get started. Do an online search and find the National Organization of Pet Sitters. You can also order a guide How To Start A Pet Sitting Service for $19.95 from Legacy Marketing. The group has a wide variety of manuals to start different home-based businesses. Visit their website at www.legacymarketing.net or call the toll-free number 888-725-2639.
    
    
27. RAMPS TO RICHES: You'd be amazed at how many people need ramps! Gator Ramp Systems recognizes this and can help you start your own business for less than $500. This is a full-time or a part-time opportunity. Call the company for more information on the business opportunity. Call 800-969-7269 or send a fax to 805-899-1505. The company is based in Santa Barbara, California.
    
    
28. SPY ENTERPRISE: You can start your own business selling safety and security products via your own website. You can purchase the goods from Machesta International, Inc. of Plantation, Florida. They have a website that explains exactly how you can get started with their products. Visit www.money-mall.com to receive information on their packages that begin at $400.
    
    They offer hundreds of products factory direct to you including pepper sprays, hidden cameras, martial arts equipment, air tasers and more.
    
    
29. BRONZING BIZ: Put cute baby shoes and more in bronze for your customers. You don't have to do the actual bronzing work, however. Leave it to United Bronze, Inc. They've been doing this for years and know the industry. You work from home, spare time or full-time and take the orders.
    
    You begin by contact the company and requesting their start-up Cutie Pies Sample Kit for $19.95. You'll receive an actual Cutie Pies sample mounted on a walnut plaque along with an outline of marketing techniques and other start-up information. You use the color brochures, cards and the sample to place orders with your customers.
    
    For more information, visit their informative website at www.cutiepies.net or call the company at 401-434-6800/800-888-9018. The company is based in Rumford, RI.
    
    
30. SUNGLASS SHOP: You can start your own business selling fashionable sunglasses from your home, to co-workers, at parties, the beach, flea markets, mall shows, etc.
    
    You purchase the sunglasses from Deziner Sunglasses at wholesale prices. Prices are as low as $6 a dozen. You sell them to your customers for a nice profit. Visit their website at www.dezinerwholesale.com to learn about their products and other merchandise. They also offer a Deziner Sunglass Cart. It's very good looking and entrepreneurs report that in the right location, they are making profits of $800 a day.
    
    
31. SAFETY & SECURITY: Start your own business or sideline selling safety and security products. You tie-in with Safety Technology and purchase their products at wholesale rates. You then re-sell them at a profit to your customers. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida and has a wide variety of merchandise for you to consider.
    
    The best way to learn more about the business opportunity is the visit their website at www.safetytechnology.com. You can also call the company at 800-477-1739/904-720-2188.
    
    
32. MOVE-IN SERVICE: Have you ever moved into a home or apartment and wished you had a few elves to help you with the cleaning, a new paint job and window washing? You can start a business helping other people with this problem.
    
    You move-in service will get everything ready for the customer before they move into the "new" place. You might do the work, or pay someone else to do it for you. You can also hire floor sanders, wallpaper pros and plumbers to take care of some of the bigger jobs if that's what your client wants. In addition to paying for the outside workers, your client will pay your hourly wage as well.
    
    You could also offer a crash move-in service: $250-$500 for basic kitchen and bath cleaning. Determine what your market will bear and set your price appropriately.
    
    
33. HOLIDAY DECORATING: This business is becoming bigger and bigger across the country and it is not only residential clients that will be your customers. Commercial clients will sign on to once they see the portfolio you've created. This is not a service for winter holiday time only. You can expand it to include the four seasons.
    
    
34. BIRTHDAY IN A BOX BIZ: Birthday parties are popular and most parents today, especially single parents don't have the time to plan everything out to the child's satisfaction. You can start a business offering a birthday party in a box. The parent purchases the party in a box based on how many children will be present at the party.
    
    You include the plates, napkins, party favors, decorations, plastic forks, balloons, themed goods and items and even the cake if you choose to get into cake making and decorating too to expand your business. You can also tie in with a local cake maker and promote this business right along with your birthday in a box. Parents might like the "one stop shopping" offered by your fine service.
    
    
35. ERRAND SERVICE: Rob Spina is an entrepreneur who's put together a number of guides on how to start a wide variety of businesses from your home. One is How To Start And Operate An Errand Service. He offers tips on getting started and how to build business, costs to consider, and ways to market your service to give it an edge. Visit Rob's website at
    www.entrepreneur-at-home.com or www.legacymarketing.net/ or write for more information: Legacy Marketing, 403 Hobart Drive, Laurel Springs, NJ 08021. The toll free number is 888-725-2639 and the fax number is 856-346-2994. The email address is: legacy@legacymarketing.net. The guide is $29.95, plus shipping costs.
    
    
36. CARVE A NICHE: Is there a product or service need in your community that needs fulfilling? Is there a big interest in a particular item that people just can't seem to find? Look at the rush for patriotic products that erupted after September 11. Americans couldn't buy flags and other flag products quickly enough.
    
    In fact, flag manufacturers here in the U.S. of A. were completely sold out of their flags and the products were on backorder. Twenty million flags are sold every year. Fifty million were sold last year. Examine your community, region and figure out what will be the next big need to be fulfilled. Determine a strategy on how you can cash in on this item and contact manufacturers to purchase the goods at wholesale rates.
    
    
37. ONLINE AUCTION SELLER: We know of a senior citizen who regularly makes $600 a week selling items from her garage, attic, basement and shed by participating in eBay auctions. She learned how directly from the site and it cost her just a few dollars to get started.
    
    If you haven't experienced the fun of eBay yet--as a buyer or a seller--go to ebay.com and see what all the fun is about. You can even start your own store on eBay. If you have something to sell, you will find a buyer on eBay. More than 2 million auctions are closed each day. Shouldn't they be for your old junk?
    
    
38. INFORMATION BROKER: There are plenty of people out there who need information but don't know where to turn to get it or don't have the time to investigate what they require on their own. You come in as an information broker for private citizens, civic groups, organizations and commercial operations.
    
    Say a neighbor wants to plant an evergreen hedge but doesn't want to just accept what the local nursery is offering. You conduct the research--charging by the hour--and find out what would grow fastest, thickest and in that particular light or shade. Or, a small business in town wants to set up an outdoor café but the overworked owner doesn't have time to navigate the zoning laws with the town board. You step in and handle it.
    
    
39. START A WEBSITE BIZ: You can follow instructions from many Internet Service Providers who offer hosting services for your new website. They will help you get started with all of the elements from design and naming your site to tracking orders. Investigate this way of selling your goods or information. If you have an idea for an informative site, you might be able to make money by selling advertising. Pick up a copy of Jason Kelly's book, The Neatest Little Guide To Making Money Online. It contains hundreds of valuable tips on how to get started. The resources in the book are worth the cover price. It's $12.95 from Plume/Penguin Putnam.
    
    
40. APARTMENT/HOUSE CLEANING: Busy people don't have time to clean up their apartments and homes and will gladly pay a reliable worker to take care of it. You can start your own service on a shoestring for less than $100. Figure out what you'll need to get started and place some ads in local newspapers. Call competing services if they exist and find out how they charge. You can also order a start-up guide for $19.95 from Legacy Marketing entitled How To Start Your Own Home and Apartment Cleaning Service. To order, visit the company's website at www.legacymarketing.net or call their toll-free number at 888-725-2639.
    
    
41. PERSONAL TRAINER: If you are in shape and have wondered why people always ask you what you do to get in such great shape, consider a profession as a personal trainer. You can start hanging out at gyms and develop a rapport with the current trainers and the owner/manager. See what their needs are and if they would take you on as an apprentice.
    
    Once you develop your own clientele, they can hire you as a full fledged personal trainer. Most clubs have their own liability insurance worked out for their trainers. Call around and determine if you need extra coverage on your own or if you could have your clients sign a waiver in case they get bruised or injured while exercising or working out.
    
    
42. MORTGAGE REDUCTION:Everyone these days would like to save tens of thousands of dollars on their home mortgage. Most could if they would investigate the options in refinancing. Mortgage reduction and auditing programs have become a big business.
    
    You can tie in with a company that handles mortgage reduction and receive a fee everytime you refer a client to them who eventually signs up for the service. If you enjoy people and selling, this could be a great business for you. One company that is looking for a force to help them is U.S. Mortgage Reductions Inc. You can get started for as little as $399, plus shipping. For more information, visit their website at www.usmr.com or call the company at 800-743-0001, ext. 375.
    
    
43. RESELLER PROGRAM: There are hundreds of companies you can find online that are looking for entrepreneurs to sell their products. You can start your own business as a reseller.
    
    One such company can be found at www.FactsFinder.com. They offer security products and services which seem to be very popular right now. The start-up is $299 and you can learn more by visiting their website or by calling 888-778-0335. You can also do an online search to find other companies who offer reseller programs.
    
    
44. CONSULTING SERVICE: If you have an expertise or do something very well such as bookkeeping or accounting, you can start a business as a consultant. Many consultants are popular today because companies don't want to hire extra staff. They would rather farm out various jobs to consultants who don't have to join the payroll full-time.
    
    The start-up costs for a consulting service are minimal. You'll need a computer, phone, online service and some very good looking marketing pieces such as letterhead and cards to get started. You can also develop a slick looking direct mail piece to send to potential clients. Visit various job fairs in the region, too, to connect with companies that might need your services.
    
    
45. GARAGE CLEANING AND ORGANIZING: You are right.It doesn't sound all that glamorous but in no time at all you could be working as the agent booking the jobs around town, while your staff of two, three or four workers handles the hard work.
    
    Once you clean and organize a few garages around town, you will likely develop positive word-of-mouth that could be enough to skyrocket your venture. While you are waiting for that to happen, place a few ads in the local newspaper and make sure you keep your answering machine turned on while waiting for the gigs to come to you.
    
    
46. TEA TIME: Cash in on tea! Billions of dollars are spent on tea each year in the United States. You can host tea parties, sell it around the neighborhood, or sell it at a booth at the mall or flea market.
    
    You can start your own tea business by tying in with the folks at www.leafteabiz.com . You can get started for less than $500. The products are good looking and you can charge a nice profit for these well-packed goods. Check out the website or call 877-LEAFTEA (877-532-3832) or 306-244-4206.
    
    
47. GIFT BASKET BIZ: Home-based entrepreneurs have been doing this for decades, but the service is still popular enough to warrant mentioning in this feature. Many more businesses and individuals are now using gift baskets to express thanks, appreciation, congratulations, birthday greetings and more.
    
    You can start this business by investigating wholesale resources in your community for the baskets and the goods that will go inside. Call your country clerk's office and find out what are the specific steps in your county to obtain a re-sale license. This will enable you to purchase products at wholesale rates and then resell them to your customers. Checkout the wholesale section of your local Yellow Pages and go online to find sources in cyberspace, too.
    
    
48. SOUVENIR/MEMORY BOOKS: People take trips, celebrate graduations, anniversaries and births, host office parties and retirement gatherings. They usually are stuck with photos, ticket stubs, programs, and other memorabilia from these events. You can start a business putting them all together in decorative scrapbooks. You can create actual scrapbooks or virtual scrapbooks by setting up a website for the individual so they can share the moment and the memories with everyone who has access to the internet.
    
    
49. JUNK REMOVAL: This is a great part-time, shoestring start-up. All you need is a truck or van and the will to haul goods to the local dump or recycling center. Maybe your customers have no way to haul goods away, or maybe it is too heavy for their car. You do the research and find out the best way to dispose of the goods or items and check it out. Make sure you can identify antiques. If you are picking up four Chinese antique chairs and a table bound for the dump, consider taking it to a local antique dealer instead. Charge by the hour or by the truck haul.
    
    
50. POND SERVICE: If you have a backyard water pond and it looks great with flowers and rocks, fish and a fountain spray, photograph and place an ad in your local newspaper. Charge by the hour and have your clients pay for all of the supplies. Design work is an extra fee.
    

Charge what your market will bear. Most homeowners are spending more time at home and want to beautify their backyards. You can cash in with this opportunity. Local pet stores will help you with the fish. Goldfish and koi are not that difficult to take care of--in any season. Read books about pond design, water gardens and caring for fish and you'll be ready to start this business.

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