You don’t need a massive budget to start a business. With just $1,000 and a bit of creativity, there are real ways to get things off the ground, especially in a world where businesses are always looking for help online.

By Georgi Todorov Edited by Chelsea Brown May 2, 2025

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Key Takeaways

• You don’t need a lot of money or a new invention to start a business — offering simple, practical services, like helping businesses improve their online presence, can be a great way to begin.
• Many people talk about starting a business, but very few actually do. Just taking the first step, even with a small budget, puts you ahead of the majority.
• In this article, I’ll share six small businesses you can start with just $1,000.

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Starting a business doesn’t have to mean raising big capital or inventing something new. Sometimes, the best opportunities are right in front of us — like helping other businesses show up online where it really counts.

In this article, I’ll give you six ideas to start a small business for under $1,000.

1. Web design service

In today’s world, almost every business needs a website — whether it’s a local hairdresser or a large company. This opens up a great opportunity to start a web design business with very little money. With just $1,000, you can begin by offering simple websites using templates or more complex, custom-built sites.

The demand for websites is huge, and finding clients is fairly easy since businesses of all sizes need an online presence. In fact, 62% of companies say that more than half of their revenue comes from their website, showing just how important it is to have a good one. Once you’ve created a website, there are also ongoing opportunities for work, like website maintenance, marketing and admin tasks, ensuring you have a steady flow of income and long-term clients.

Related: You Don’t Need Thousands to Turn Your Business Idea Into Reality — Here’s How I Did It on a College-Kid Budget

2. Media buying company

Media buying is a vital service for businesses looking to effectively reach their target audience across multiple platforms. According to Impression Media, the global media buying services market stood at $69 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2%, reaching $125.9 billion by 2032.

This significant growth in the market presents a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to start their own media buying service. By helping businesses plan, execute and optimize their advertising strategies, you can offer valuable support in maximizing ad spend and ensuring campaigns are reaching the right audience on the right platforms.