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50 Profitable Businesses You Can Start With $50K or Less

Starting a business is not a guarantee that you will become financially stable, because not all businesses have the potential to become profitable.

There are factors that can determine the profitability of a business such as location, competition, access to products or raw materials et al.

Despite the fact that the profitability of a business is not guaranteed, it is important to note that there are several business opportunities that by nature are profitable, all things being equal.

As an aspiring entrepreneur or investor who is looking for a profitable business to start with $50K in the United States, I am glad to announce to you that you are reading the right article.

In this article, we will look at the 50 most profitable businesses an entrepreneur or investor can start with $50K in the United States of America with ease.

Best Business ideas to Start With $50K

  1. Car Wash

Car Wash Business

If you are looking to start a profitable business in the United States with $50K, then one of your options is to open a car wash. Interestingly, with as little as $20K, you can successfully secure a facility for your car wash, and then with $30k, you can take care of your equipment, utilities, and the salary of your employees if you have any.

  1. Roadside Assistance Business

Starting a roadside assistance business is suitable for someone who already has the required mechanic training and experience.

As a matter of fact, a roadside assistance business can be started with less than $50K especially if the business owner plans to start the business small, with a fairly used utility truck, and toolbox, and with one or two employees.

  1. Car Wrapping Services 

Car Wrapping Business

Starting a car wrapping business is straightforward and doesn’t require huge initial startup capital. You can rent a small garage or workshop for as low as $25,000 (it could be lower or more though), then you can make use of the remaining $25,000 to purchase your working tools, and initial supplies and also to take care of the expenditures that come with starting a car wrapping services.

  1. Chimney Sweep Business

A chimney sweep business does not attract high expenses, as a matter of fact, you can start a chimney sweep business from your home without having the need to rent or lease an office facility.

You are expected to spend the bulk of your money on acquiring your working equipment and tools. You may also want to acquire a utility truck that aids you in moving your tools and equipment to and from job sites. Interestingly, you can buy a used utility truck for as low as $20K.

  1. Hotshot Trucking Business

Hotshot Trucking Business

All you need to start a hotshot trucking business is your truck and the required equipment for hauling loads. This is so because the trucks used by hotshot carriers are usually equipped with trailers, flatbeds, or other specialized equipment depending on the nature of the cargo being transported.

Hotshot trucks are typically medium-duty to one-ton trucks that fall into Class 3 (10,001-14,000 lbs), Class 4 (16,001-19,500 lbs), or Class 5 (19,501-26,000 lbs).

Interestingly, you can purchase a used truck for your hotshot business for as low as $30,000, and then purchase a trailer for $13,200.

  1. Mobile Phlebotomy Business

Mobile Phlebotomy Business

You can successfully run your mobile phlebotomy business from your home, while you move from one location to another to attend to your clients.

With that, you can be rest assured that you will spend less than $50K to get all the phlebotomy equipment and supplies needed to get the business up and running.

  1. Coffee Distribution Company

Coffee Distribution Business

When it comes to starting a coffee distribution business, all you need to have in place is your distribution truck and your source of coffee supplies. Interestingly, you can negotiate with coffee production companies or coffee importers to help them distribute their products.

Trust me, if you are trustworthy, they can give you goods worth several thousand dollars on credit.  Just make sure you have a list of coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, offices, and retail stores that are willing to buy coffee from you, and you are good to go with the business.

  1. Open a Sewing Shop

Sewing Business

Trust me, you can start a small-home-based sewing shop, or even start from renting a small shop. Note that for you to build a profitable sewing business, you must be creative, and be willing to give your customers more than they expect as it relates to the creation, alteration, repair, or customization of garments, accessories, and other textile items.

  1. Coffee Truck Business

Coffee Truck Business

A coffee truck business is a mobile business that prepares and sells coffee from a customized truck, or van. The truck or van is designed in such a way that they can move from one location to another, allowing the owners to target different customer bases and attend events, festivals, office parks, construction sites, or busy street corners, depending on the target market.

Interestingly, with less than $20,000 you can get a reliable truck and van, and with less than $30K you can get the equipment and supplies needed to get the business up and running.

  1. Solo Law Practice Business

As the name implies, a solo law practice business is a legal business where a single lawyer operates and manages their own law firm independently.

The lawyer is solely responsible for all aspects of the practice, including legal work, client management, administrative tasks, marketing, and business development.

The nature of this business makes it possible for the owner of the business to operate from a shared office space or a low-budget office space as a means of cutting costs. Of course, the operational cost for a solo law practice business is very minimal.

  1. Hat Business

Hat Store Business

Starting a large-scale hat production business might cost you over $250,000, but it is important to note that you can successfully start a small-scale hat business with less than $50K.

You can actually start a profitable and low-budget hand-crafted hat business by making hats from a variety of materials, including fabric, straw, wool, fur, and more.

Just make sure you combine creativity, fashion awareness, manufacturing expertise, and business acumen to create and market hats that cater to different tastes and needs in the market.

  1. Crochet Business

Crochet Business

A crochet business typically involves producing a wide range of items, such as clothing, accessories, home decor, and gifts, all made through the art of crochet.

Interestingly, you can start your crochet business from your home or from a small shop facility that might cost you less than $15,000 to rent.

If you are creative with your crochet, and you are able to secure high-paying clients, you can rest assured that the business will be profitable.

  1. Dental Billing Company

The dental billing business involves managing the billing and insurance claims processes for dental practices, and it can be started from a shared office space, or even from your home.

For a dental billing business, the major areas where a large chunk of your start-up capital will be spent is in renting or leasing an office facility.

  1. Land Clearing Business

Land Clearing Business

What you need to start a land clearing business are business registration, permits and licenses, excavator, bulldozer, skid steer loader, mulcher/brush cutter, chainsaw, stump grinder, woodchipper, dump trucks, grader, tractor and attachments, erosion control equipment (like silt fences, sediment basins, and erosion blankets.), and utility vehicles. You can actually get all this equipment on lease if you don’t have the capital to purchase them.

  1. Peanut Farming Business

Peanut Farming Business

Although it might cost you a little to acquire farming land, you will also need a substantial amount to acquire equipment and tools such as seed drills or planters, cultivation equipment, irrigation equipment such as drip irrigation or overhead sprinklers,

Peanut harvesters, drying equipment, combine or picker, storage bins, and processing equipment such as roasters, blanchers, and grinders. You can actually get fairly used of this equipment for less than $40,000.

  1. Sealcoating Business

A seal coating business is a company that specializes in the application of seal coat, a protective layer, to asphalt surfaces such as driveways, parking lots, and roads. It is a business that can be started from your home or from a small office space.

  1. Trash Can Cleaning Business

A trash can business specializes in cleaning and sanitizing residential and commercial trash cans. You would need to budget for equipment and supplies such as utility trucks, high-pressure washers, water tanks, cleaning brushes, cleaning solution tanks, wastewater collection systems, personal protective gear, deodorizing agents, mobile cleaning platforms, and scheduling and tracking software.

  1. Sandblasting Business

Just like other service-based businesses, a sandblasting business goes to clients’ locations to offer their services. Sandblasting business usually provides their services to industries such as automotive, construction, manufacturing, marine, restoration, or any other industry that requires surface preparation or cleaning.

Sandblasting businesses often use specialized equipment, such as sandblasting machines or cabinets, air compressors, and safety gear, to carry out the process effectively and safely. Trust me, with $40,000 or less, you can get all the equipment and tools needed to start your sandblasting business.

  1. Open a Soda Shop

Soda Shop Business

 All you need to get your soda shop business started is to rent a shop, equip the shop, and then get your supplies. Note that you would need to register the business, and get the needed licenses and permits, and equipment. You can also offer milkshakes, ice cream floats, sundaes, and other sweet treats.

  1. Tie Dye Business

Tie Dye Business

A tie-dye business can be started on a small scale, and it is a business that can be started from the comfort of your home. A tie-dye business typically offers a range of products, such as t-shirts, hoodies, dresses, scarves, socks, and other garments. These items are often made from natural fibers like cotton or rayon, as they absorb the dyes well.

  1. Foreclosure Cleaning Business

The foreclosure cleaning business is a simple and easy-to-start business that does not require a massive capital base. A foreclosure cleaning business, also known as a REO (Real Estate Owned) cleaning business, is a type of service that specializes in cleaning and maintaining properties that have been foreclosed upon by banks or other lending institutions.

The basic equipment and supplies needed to start a foreclosure business are affordable, and you can spend far less than $40K to get them.

  1. Laundry Pickup and Delivery Business

Interestingly, a laundry pickup and delivery business is a straightforward business that can be started by anyone as long as you know how to drive, and you have the required business network.

If you already have a van or a car, you can spend far less than $50K to get your laundry pickup and delivery business up and running.

  1. Potato Chip Business

Potato Chips Business

A potato chip business involves the production, packaging, and distribution of potato chips, also known as crisps. The Equipment, tools, and supplies needed to start a potato chip business are affordable.

Basically, you should have a potato washing and peeling machine, slicer, fryer, dehydrator, seasoning machine, and packaging machine if you want to start your potato chip business.

  1. Waterproofing Business

A waterproofing business is a company that specializes in providing solutions to prevent water intrusion and protect buildings or structures from water damage.

All you need to start a waterproofing business is your registered business name, the required business licenses and permits, and also the needed equipment tools, and supplies.

  1. Water Restoration Business

A water restoration business, also known as a water damage restoration business, is a business that specializes in mitigating and restoring properties that have been affected by water damage. Interestingly, all the equipment, tools, and supplies needed can be obtained with less than $40,000.

  1. Vanilla Extract Business

A vanilla extract business involves sourcing high-quality vanilla beans from different regions, producing the extract using various techniques, and packaging and distributing the finished product to retailers or directly to consumers.

Although vanilla extract businesses are usually started on a large scale, it is important to note that the business can also be started on a small scale with low start-up capital.

  1. Bicycle Advertising Business

A bicycle advertising business is a business that basically advertises for businesses and individuals using their bicycles as a medium.

Bicycle advertising is part of the mobile advertising industry. Interestingly, bicycle advertising is suitable for any type of product and service, and it comes with advantages few OOH advertising instruments can provide. Trust with as low as $500-$750 you can get mid-range quality commuter and recreation bikes and entry-level road bikes.

  1. Background Checking Business

All you need to get your background-checking business up and running are the required business registration, the required business licenses, and permits, and software applications.

So also, you will definitely need computers/laptops, servers, internet facility, telephone, fax machine and office furniture (chairs, tables, and shelves) amongst others and all these can be gotten as fairly used.

  1. Baking Supplies Business

A bakery supplies business is involved in the sales and supply of everything that is used in the bakery industry. Bakery supplies are in high demand due to the fact that bread, cakes, biscuits, and every food that is produced in the bakery industry are considered staple foods across the board.

  1. Cleaning Services Business

Interestingly, a cleaning service is not a difficult business to start, and it can be started by anyone who can clean and has an eye for detail.

The whole idea is that as a cleaning services business, you can offer a wide range of services such as window washing, floor cleaning, vacuuming, furniture cleaning, carpet cleaning, air duct cleaning, water damage restoration, and other similar services.

  1. Kayak Rental Business

Kayak Rental Business

A kayak rental business is a business that rents or leases a kayak and related accessories to customers. Interestingly, an aspiring entrepreneur can start a kayak rental business with less than a handful of kayaks.

Of course, kayak prices vary considerably, ranging from low-end youth models at $100 to high-end fishing yaks and top-of-the-line composite kayaks at $2000. Apart from kayaks, you would need to purchase a kayak tracker, booking software, dash cam, locks, and cleaning supplies.

  1. Consulting Business

Business Consulting Company

When we talk about consulting services, we are perhaps talking about getting practical advice from experts. The consulting industry is indeed a broad industry that covers a wide range of services such as management consulting, strategy consulting technological consulting, marketing consulting, human resource consulting, training consulting, tax consulting, and any other business activities that involve giving advice et al.

  1. Start Cupcake Business

How to Start a Cupcake Business

One thing about the cupcake business is that it is your creativity that can stand you out from your competitors. No doubt, people who are into cupcake-making are very creative. This is why you can come across cupcakes in different shapes, designs, and flavors.

Interestingly, all the equipment and tools needed to start a cupcake business are affordable, and you can get them with less than $30K.

  1. Defensive Driving Training School

Defensive Driving School Business

A defense driving school has to do with dishing out instructions that teach drivers- especially rookies some important lessons about being behind the wheel; it is a driving skill set that allows a driver to defend himself against possible collisions caused by bad drivers, drunk drivers, and poor weather.

All you need to start a defensive driving training school are your business license, permits, cars, and training materials. All this can be gotten for less than $50K.

  1. Donut Shop Business

How to Start a Donut Shop Business

A donut shop is a shop where different varieties of donuts are made and retailed. In order to start a donut shop, you are required to rent a shop facility.

You can get a decent shop for $10,000 or less, and you can use about $20,000 to equip the shop and make use of the remaining $20,000 to take care of the business registration, supplies, and operational costs.

  1. Lemonade Stand Business

How to Start a Lemonade Stand Business

A lemonade stand basically prepares and sells lemonade from a stand. A lemonade stand refers to a small, temporary, stand-alone booth used in high-traffic areas for the purpose of selling lemonade.

Note that to start a lemonade stand business, you would need basic equipment such as a portable stand, a commercial juicer, plastic cups, and straws.

  1. Liquor Distribution Business

A liquor distribution business is a business that buys different types and brands of liquor from manufacturers and then distributes (sells) to liquor retailers. When it comes to starting a liquor distribution business, all you need to have in place to get the business started is your distribution truck and your liquor supplies.

Interestingly, you can negotiate with liquor production companies or liquor importers to help them distribute their products.

  1. Monogram Business

The monogramming business involves the artistic designing of gift items by creating 2 or more alphabetic letters on the gift item.

The gift items could be cups, Tee shirts, towels, bags, wedding invites, caps, jackets, etc. Interestingly, all the equipment, tools, and supplies needed to start a monogram business are affordable.

  1. Painting Business

What painters do is apply paint, special coatings, and wallpaper to various internal as well as external surfaces for protection, cleanliness, or beautification.

Painters are sometimes contracted to paint ships but not automobiles, aircraft et al. Please note that you are required to undergo training before becoming a professional painter.

  1. Pest Control Business

Pest Control Business

Pest control businesses involve removing or eradicating potentially harmful insects, rodents, and reptiles from farms, and commercial and residential properties.

It is important to state that before you can start a pest control business in the United States of America, you must apply for a pest control license and pass an exam to demonstrate your ability to properly handle chemicals.

  1. Pet Transportation Business

As the name implies, a pet transportation service is a company that helps to transport pets from one location to another; it could be within a country or from one country to another and the mode of transportation could be air, sea, or land. This kind of business is such that needs the effort of more than one person.

The fact that it is against the rule to transport pets in the same vehicle as a human makes the pet transportation business a thriving business.

If you are considering starting a pet transportation service company, then you should look towards purchasing suitable vans and trucks, cages, and crates amongst others.

  1. Peacock Farming Business

Peacock farming is perhaps one of the new and less competitive bird-related farming businesses an entrepreneur can start, but that does not rule out the fact that it can sometimes be challenging especially if you do not live around a farm community.

  1. Post-Construction Cleaning Business

Post Construction Cleaning Business

 Post-construction cleaning as the name implies is a form of cleaning that is carried out on a newly constructed building or structure.

It is expected that after construction before the facility is put to use, a thorough post-construction cleaning will be carried out in order to clear the debris and clean the floor, railings, toilets, windows, roof, and the entire compound.

  1. Professional Organizer Business

Being a professional organizer means that you will be engaged in promoting the professional interest of members of your organization.

You will also conduct research, develop statistics and certification standards, lobby, and publish materials for your members and clients.

Starting a professional organizer company is not too expensive except for the money required to rent and furnish an office space. Running this type of business requires that you be trained and certified in the relevant field, and it is indeed a very lucrative business in the United States.

  1. Property Manager Business

As a property manager, your core business responsibility is to maintain and renovate building facilities and to liaise with landlords, tenants, and in some cases various contractors for you to effectively conduct your business. You are expected to have a full grasp of the law when it comes to landlord and tenant relationships et al.

  1. Real Estate Brokerage Business

The truth is that the real estate brokerage agency is an important line of business in the real estate industry. It is common practice for an intermediary to provide real estate owners with dedicated sales and marketing support in exchange for commission.

  1. Open a Resale Shop

A resale shop is any shop that gets used goods for resale in their store. Resale shops can be categorized into three niche ideas, and they are consignment shops, buy-outright shops, and thrift shops.

A consignment shop accepts goods from customers, merchandises them for sale, and pays a portion to the contributor. A buy-outright shop purchases used goods and marks them up to earn a profit.

  1. Scrap Metal Recycling Business

The scrap metal recycling business is highly profitable because there is hardly any country or city where you will not find used and abandoned metal scraps.

What you need to successfully launch a scrap metal recycling business is the machines and equipment needed and how to operate them, a good knowledge of where to collect used and condemned metal, and where to sell the raw materials generated from the recycling process.

  1. Used Cars Dealership Business

Steps to Start Used Car Dealership Business

A used car dealership business is all about selling used cars to willing buyers. They buy used cars at a favorable price and then resell them at a good price that guarantees profits for them. One thing about a used car dealership business is that you can start this business without money and still make profits.

  1. Private Duty Nursing Business

Private Duty Nursing Business

If you are a nurse or a medical practitioner and you are tired of working for someone or the government, you should consider starting your own private nursing service.

Private nursing service is relatively easy to start, it requires moderate start-up capital, and it is indeed one of the coolest ways to make money as a nurse especially if you are starting the business in the United States, Canada, and Europe or in Australia.