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Cheap small business ideas are the fastest way to stop overthinking and start earning when your budget looks like a sad little $100 bill.
You don’t need a loan, a fancy office, or a logo that took 14 hours and three identity crises to pick.
You need one sellable skill (or a simple service), a tiny setup budget, and a plan that doesn’t collapse the second life gets busy.
In this post, discover 19 cheap small business ideas you can start with $100 and realistic ways to scale them in 2026 without turning into a sleep-deprived goblin.
You’ll see exactly what to buy, what to skip, and how to get your first customers fast.
If you want to avoid the classic “I started a side hustle and instantly got overwhelmed” trap, read common side hustle mistakes that quietly kill momentum first.
Also, when you need quick help for branding, listings, or tiny jobs you don’t want to do yourself, you can tap into freelance services on Fiverr and keep moving.
HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT $100 BUSINESS (SO YOU DON’T WASTE IT)
You can start almost anything with $100… and still fail, because the idea wasn’t the problem. The plan was.
Here’s the cheat code: pick a business that matches one of these wins:
- Low upfront costs (no inventory, no equipment you’ll “maybe use”)
- Fast time-to-cash (you can sell this week, not “someday”)
- Easy to repeat (you can deliver it again without reinventing everything)
Before you spend a dollar, answer this: Who pays for this, and why now?
If you can’t say it in one sentence, it’s not ready.
19 CHEAP SMALL BUSINESS IDEAS YOU CAN START WITH $100
1) LOCAL SOCIAL MEDIA SETUP (FOR SMALL SHOPS THAT ARE CLUELESS ONLINE)
So many local businesses have an Instagram that looks like it hasn’t been fed since 2021.
Start-up cost: $0–$50 (Canva-free is fine; spend on templates if you want)
What you do:
- Create a clean bio, highlights, 9-post grid, and a weekly posting plan
- Offer “done-for-you” posting packages
Scale in 2026: Turn it into monthly retainers and outsource design + scheduling.
2) MOBILE CAR CLEANING (SIMPLE, FAST, ALWAYS NEEDED)
People love clean cars. People hate cleaning cars. That’s the business model.
Start-up cost: $60–$100 (basic supplies)
Make it profitable: Offer 2–3 tiers: quick clean, deep clean, premium add-ons.
Scale in 2026: Get recurring customers (weekly/biweekly) and partner with apartment complexes.
3) PRINT-ON-DEMAND DESIGN SHOP (NO INVENTORY, NO STORAGE DRAMA)
You create designs, upload them, and products ship only when someone orders.
Start-up cost: $0–$100 (mockups, maybe a few design assets)
Best niches: hobbies, jobs, inside jokes, local pride
If you want the full playbook, don’t wing it—use a beginner-friendly print-on-demand guide and copy the process.
Scale in 2026: Build collections, list on multiple marketplaces, and test designs weekly.
4) RESUME + LINKEDIN MAKEOVERS
Hiring managers skim. Your job is to make them stop skimming.
Start-up cost: $0–$30
Offer packages: resume refresh, LinkedIn rewrite, cover letter add-on
Scale in 2026: Turn templates into a digital product and sell them repeatedly.
5) SIMPLE WEBSITE SETUP (ONE-PAGE “GET FOUND” SITES)
Most small businesses don’t need a 20-page site. They need: services, contact, and proof.
Start-up cost: $20–$100
- Domain + basic hosting (or even a landing page tool)
To keep it cheap, grab a domain from Namecheap for domains and basics and use a simple theme.
Scale in 2026: Sell ongoing maintenance, SEO basics, and “add a booking system” upgrades.
6) HANDMADE DIGITAL PRODUCTS (PRINTABLES, PLANNERS, CHECKLISTS)
Digital products don’t require shipping, storage, or bubble wrap. Glorious.
Start-up cost: $0–$50
Ideas that sell:
- budget trackers
- meal planners
- classroom worksheets
- wedding checklists
Scale in 2026: Bundle products, upsell premium versions, and build an email list.
7) PHONE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR LOCAL BRANDS
You don’t need a $2,000 camera to take solid photos for menus, products, or real estate.
Start-up cost: $0–$40 (basic lighting or reflectors)
Deliverables: 20 edited photos + 5 short reels
Scale in 2026: Monthly content packages for 3–5 local clients = steady income.
8) PET SITTING + DOG WALKING
This is one of the easiest “start now” businesses if you’re reliable.
Start-up cost: $0–$30 (treats, bags, basic leash)
Pro tip: Use a simple intake form and a “house rules” checklist.
Scale in 2026: Hire a second walker and take a cut per job.
9) HOME ORGANIZING (THE CLUTTER WHISPERER BUSINESS)
People will pay good money to stop feeling stressed in their own house.
Start-up cost: $0–$50 (labels, bins if you want)
Sell: “One room in 2 hours” packages
Scale in 2026: Do before/after content, then sell virtual consults.
10) BASIC BOOKKEEPING FOR SOLOS (NO CPA VIBES REQUIRED)
Lots of freelancers just want someone to keep things tidy.
Start-up cost: $0–$100
If you’re managing invoices and expenses, tools like QuickBooks for simple small-business bookkeeping can keep your workflow clean.
Scale in 2026: Turn it into monthly packages and specialize by niche (coaches, creators, trades).
11) VIRTUAL ASSISTANT (FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED A BRAIN EXTENSION)
Inbox cleanup, scheduling, customer support, admin tasks. It’s endless.
Start-up cost: $0
Best way to start: Offer one clear service (“I handle your DMs in 48-hour batches”).
Scale in 2026: Productize your services and hire contractors for overflow.
12) LOCAL ERRAND + “ODD JOBS” SERVICE
Busy people pay for time.
Start-up cost: $0–$30
Services: pickups, deliveries, waiting in line, returns, simple setups
Scale in 2026: Bundle weekly hours (like a mini concierge).
13) SIMPLE LOGO + BRAND KIT (BEGINNER-FRIENDLY VERSION)
No, you don’t need to become a graphic design wizard overnight.
Start-up cost: $0–$50
Sell: clean logos, color palettes, fonts, and social media covers
Scale in 2026: Use systems: niche-based templates + fast turnaround.
If writing copy isn’t your strength (brand bios, taglines), run everything through Grammarly for clean, professional wording so clients don’t get “their” and “there” mixed up on a business page. Painful.
14) CLEANING SERVICE (HOMES OR SMALL OFFICES)
This is boring. It’s also profitable.
Start-up cost: $50–$100
How to stand out: show up on time, bring your own supplies, be consistent.
Scale in 2026: Raise prices, add recurring clients, hire a helper.
15) BUY-LOW / SELL-HIGH RESELLING
You don’t need a warehouse. You need a good eye.
Start-up cost: $50–$100 (inventory)
Best categories: small electronics, books, niche collectibles, kids items
Scale in 2026: Track what sells, then focus on one category and source smarter.
16) BASIC VIDEO EDITING FOR SHORT FORM (REELS/TIKTOK/SHORTS)
Creators film. They hate editing.
Start-up cost: $0–$50
Offer: 10 clips/week, captions, hooks, and cuts
Scale in 2026: Package it, raise rates, hire an editor, keep the clients.
17) PRINTING + SIMPLE MARKETING MATERIALS (FOR EVENTS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES)
You don’t have to own printers. You can broker the job.
Start-up cost: $0–$50 (samples, design templates)
For physical materials, local businesses constantly need cards, flyers, and signage—services you can arrange through Vistaprint for marketing materials while you charge for design + coordination.
Scale in 2026: Partner with event planners, salons, gyms, and realtors.
18) LLC + BUSINESS STARTUP HELP (CHECKLIST-BASED, NOT LEGAL ADVICE)
People get stuck on “how do I start?” and procrastinate forever.
Start-up cost: $0
Your offer:
- a step-by-step setup checklist
- business email + basic branding setup
- “get your basics done this weekend” coaching
If clients want an all-in-one setup platform, you can point them to Tailor Brands for business formation and branding tools and focus on your coaching and execution support.
Scale in 2026: Turn your checklist into a course + offer done-with-you calls.
19) NICHE TUTORING OR SKILL COACHING
Math tutoring, English practice, guitar basics, fitness form checks, software coaching—people pay for clarity.
Start-up cost: $0–$25
Best approach: pick one niche and one audience (example: “Excel for small business owners”).
Scale in 2026: Group sessions + recorded lessons + monthly membership.
HOW TO SCALE ANY $100 BUSINESS IN 2026 (WITHOUT BURNING OUT)
PRICE LIKE YOU’RE SERIOUS
The fastest way to stay broke is to charge “cheap” forever.
Start fair, then raise prices when:
- you have proof (reviews, before/afters)
- you have a repeatable process
- you’re booked more than 60% of your available time
Key takeaway: If you’re always busy and still not earning much, pricing is the problem.
PRODUCTIZE YOUR SERVICE
Instead of “I do anything,” sell one clear package.
Examples:
- “10 reels edited per week”
- “Instagram setup in 48 hours”
- “One-page website in 3 days”
Key takeaway: Clarity sells. Confusion doesn’t.
GET CLIENTS THE BORING WAY (WHICH WORKS)
Yes, social media helps. But direct outreach wins when you’re new.
Try this:
- Make a list of 30 local businesses that look neglected online
- Send a short message with one helpful suggestion
- Offer a tiny starter package
Do that for 7 days and you’ll get more traction than 3 months of “manifesting clients.”
BUILD PROOF FAST
People don’t buy your potential. They buy your results.
Quick ways to build proof:
- Do 1–2 discounted “beta” clients in exchange for testimonials
- Take before/after photos (cleaning, organizing, designs)
- Track simple wins (time saved, turnaround speed, deliverables)
Key takeaway: Proof beats persuasion. Every time.
Starting a business with $100 isn’t a fantasy—it’s a filter. It forces you to pick ideas that actually sell instead of ideas that just sound cool.
Choose one of the 19 options above, keep the setup simple, and get your first paying customer before you buy anything “extra.”
Then scale the boring way: tight offer, consistent outreach, visible proof, and smarter pricing.
Do that, and 2026 can be the year your “tiny side hustle” turns into something real.
If you want to speed up your first week, outsource one annoying task (logo, listing copy, basic edits) through freelance help on Fiverr and spend your time on selling.