Capitalizing on your own talents, skills or ideas, you can create just about any type of service business. Charge clients by the hour or by the job for things like dog walking, personal shopping, house cleaning, bookkeeping, closet organization, in-home child care, music lessons, math tutoring, landscaping and more. You may be able to start up a personal services business strictly by word of mouth. Start-up expenses may be no more than the cost of of your first batch of business cards.

If you choose to enter into a direct sales opportunity, be aware that many of these companies are those that encourage home parties for presenting the products to groups of interested people. Examples of direct sales parties that you may have have heard about or participated in would be costume jewelry, sterling silver jewelry, kitchen gadgets, travel discounts and pet supplies. Start-up costs for most direct sales companies will be less than $300. A small segment of direct sales, sometimes referred to as 'top tier', will have higher price points of entry. (Examples would be Liberty League, Wealthmasters and Global Resorts.)

Network marketing companies enroll independent associates, sometimes referred to as distributors or consultants, to market their products and services, in exchange for commissions. In addition, residual income can be earned off the sales volume in a down line sales organization. Learn how to use the internet to leverage your prospecting efforts and it is possible to build an organization of thousands. Typically, you will receive 4-8% of the monthly sales volume, plus most compensation plans reward associates for bringing new people into the business. Internet-based network marketing makes a large organization more attainable than in years past. With proper training, and execution of the techniques, internet marketing can replace the 'friends and family' approach.

Although network marketing has suffered in the past from image problems, the business model itself is legitimate and legal in most countries. Network marketing business opportunities are plentiful and varied: wellness & nutritional supplements, make-up and skin care, travel, electricity providers, telephone services - I have even seen a healthy chocolate MLM company! (No joke) Start-up costs tend to be less than $100, but in some top-tier opportunities, it will be several thousand dollars. For the majority,there is no need to purchase and maintain an inventory; however most compensation plans will require a monthly personal purchase amount, in order to remain eligible for commissions.