Starting a business with a shoestring budget is a more common occurrence than you think! Sure, whenever you take a look at the small home based business literature that seeks to sell business opportunities, you will find copious examples of how $5,000, $10,000 or even more could set you up for a life of riches and the quintessential American dream of working from home; however, only a fraction of home based business entrepreneurs actually start out this way! It is quite impossible for many people to even consider a huge investment. So, is there another way to go for those who may be long on ideas and time but short on cash? YES!!

Consider for example the profitable eBay retailer who started out by selling her or his kids old doll houses. With little more than a digital camera and a cable to upload the photos, she or he was able to attract interested buyers to the site and if the item was priced right, probably also closed the sale. From there it is only a hop, skip and a jump to sell not only unwanted personal belongings, but also items purchased wholesale elsewhere, items received for little or no money from friends and family, and even home made articles! The initial expense to get started is negligible – if you already have a digital camera there is precious little else you need. You need to be creative and think about ideas that others may not have thought about or ideas that you have seen and think you could improve without breaking the bank.

Another commonly traversed road is that of skill marketing. As a skilled seamstress, for example, who already owns the basic tools of the trade for the everyday sewing you may do, why not create a couple of beautiful showpieces – such as your niece's communion dress or your cousin's wedding dress – and then pass out business cards are the events? Request the cost of materials as a down payment and then charge for the labor at pick up of the garments. You will find that the only expense you will need to pay to get started is that of having a few business cards printed up. The garments you use as showpieces you most likely would have created already!

Service businesses are also a great way to get started. House cleaners, window washers, lawn care specialists, and others who are willing to provide a come-to-your-home service are in huge demand by those who need help in these areas and it is not surprising that their services will be in hot demand. Start up is simply the cost of some flyers or business cards as well as the basic supplies. Even those may be purchased at cut rate cost from a dollar store. The complete expensive is probably less than a fast food meal!

As you can see, starting a business with a shoestring budget and succeeding is not a market anomaly but instead it is a common practice that is engaged in time and again on a daily basis by would-be entrepreneurs who are not afraid to venture out and give it a try!