Many people don't have a lot of money or didn't get a chance to learn a lot in school. But, they can still start their own small bus...
Many people don't have a lot of money or didn't get a chance to learn a lot in school. But, they can still start their own small business. Our article '40 Micro Business Ideas for Poor People with Limited Literacy' shows how easy it can be. We share 40 simple business ideas that don't need much money or reading skills to start. These ideas can help people earn money for their families and change their lives for the better.
If you are reading this, please help someone around you to buy the necessary equipment and help making someone earn the bread and butter for his family. Your small act of kindness may bring huge joy in someone's life. Thanks!
Micro-business ideas for people
who are facing economic challenges or have limited literacy can be designed to
require minimal initial investment, straightforward skills, and can be based
around common daily needs in their communities. Here are some ideas:
1- Street Food Vendor
- Equipment: Portable food cart or stand, basic cooking utensils.
- Cost: Approximately $200 - $500.
2- Vegetable/Fruit Vendor
- Equipment: Stalls or baskets for display, weighing scale.
- Cost: Around $50 - $150.
3- Handicrafts Maker
- Equipment: Materials vary based on the craft (fabric, beads, etc.).
- Cost: Typically $30 - $100 for initial materials.
4- Small-Scale Poultry Farming
- Equipment: Coops, feeding equipment.
- Cost: About $100 - $300. Alibaba Coop Link
5- Mobile Car Wash Services
- Equipment: Portable washing kit, cleaning supplies.
- Cost: Around $100 - $200.
6- Home Cleaning Services
- Equipment: Basic cleaning supplies.
- Cost: Approximately $50 - $100.
7- Handyman Services
- Equipment: Basic tool kit.
- Cost: About $50 - $150.
10- Laundry Services
- Equipment: Washing machine, iron.
- Cost: $200 - $600. Alibaba Washing Machine Link
11- Water Delivery Service
- Equipment: Delivery vehicle or cart, water containers.
- Cost: $100 - $500.
12- Recycling Services
- Equipment: Collection bins, basic sorting tools.
- Cost: $50 - $150.
13- Tailoring and Alterations
- Equipment: Sewing machine, fabric.
- Cost: $100 - $300. Alibaba Sewing Machine Link
14- Bicycle Repair Shop
- Equipment: Tools for bicycle repair and maintenance.
- Cost: Approximately $100 - $300.
15- Local Grocery Delivery
- Equipment: Delivery vehicle (bicycle/motorbike) and crates for carrying groceries.
- Cost: Around $150 - $600.
16- Herb and Spice Selling
- Equipment: Containers for storage and packaging.
- Cost: About $50 - $200.
17- Pet Care Services
- Equipment: Basic pet grooming tools and supplies.
- Cost: Approximately $50 - $150.
18- Basic Computer Training
- Equipment: A few computers or laptops.
- Cost: $200 - $800 per computer.
19- Flower Arranging and Selling
- Equipment: Basic floristry tools, containers.
- Cost: $50 - $200.
20- Shoe Repair Services
- Equipment: Shoe repair tools and supplies.
- Cost: Around $100 - $250.
21- Candle Making and Selling
- Equipment: Wax, wicks, molds, fragrance oils.
- Cost: Approximately $50 - $200.
22- Fishing and Selling Seafood
- Equipment: Fishing gear, coolers for storage.
- Cost: $100 - $300.
23- Used Book Sales
- Equipment: Bookshelves, storage space.
- Cost: About $50 - $200.
24- Local Transportation Services
- Equipment: Small vehicle or motorbike.
- Cost: $500 - $2,000.
25- Roadside Assistance Services
- Equipment: Basic car repair and emergency tools.
- Cost: Around $100 - $300.
26- Pottery Making and Selling
- Equipment: Pottery wheel, kiln, clay.
- Cost: $300 - $1,000.
27- Second-Hand Clothing Sales
- Equipment: Clothing racks, storage space.
- Cost: $50 - $200.
28- Tutoring Services
- Equipment: Educational materials, books.
- Cost: About $50 - $150.
29- Home-Based Childcare
- Equipment: Toys, child safety equipment.
- Cost: $100 - $500.
30- Small-Scale Catering
- Equipment: Cooking supplies, transport containers.
- Cost: $200 - $700.
31- Bread Making
- Equipment: Baking tools, oven.
- Cost: $200 - $600.
32- Small Livestock Farming
- Equipment: Shelter for livestock, feeding supplies.
- Cost: $100 - $500.
33- Personal Shopping Services
- Equipment: Transportation or online ordering capabilities.
- Cost: Minimal, primarily transport costs.
34- Seedling Sales for Gardening
- Equipment: Seeds, soil, small pots.
- Cost: $50 - $200.
35- Local Cultural Workshops
- Equipment: Materials specific to the cultural craft or practice.
- Cost: $50 - $250.
36- Basic Mobile Car Mechanics
- Equipment: Car repair tools.
- Cost: $100 - $400.
37- Basket Weaving and Selling
- Equipment: Materials for weaving (reeds, fibers).
- Cost: $30 - $100.
38- Home-Based Hair and Beauty Services
- Equipment: Basic beauty and hair tools.
- Cost: $100 - $300.
39- Event Planning Services
- Equipment: Organizational tools, perhaps small decorative items.
- Cost: $50 - $200.
40- Packing and Moving Services
- Equipment: Transportation, packing materials.
- Cost: $100 - $500.
41- Mushroom Farming
- Equipment: Mushroom spores, growth medium.
- Cost: $50 - $200.
42- Community Composting Services
- Equipment: Compost bins, shovels.
- Cost: $50 - $150.
43- Home-Based Bakery
- Equipment: Baking utensils, oven.
- Cost: $200 - $600.
Conclusions
Please note that these are approximate costs and can vary based on location, quality of equipment, and scale of operation. For purchasing equipment, websites like Alibaba and AliExpress can provide a wide range of options, but it's essential to consider shipping costs and potential import duties.
Many of these ideas leverage local skills and
resources, requiring minimal startup costs and catering to the needs of the
community. They can be a great way to empower individuals and foster local
economic growth.
Each of these ideas would need to be adapted to the
specific context of the community, considering factors like local demand,
available resources, and the particular challenges and skills of the
individuals involved. Training and support in basic business skills, customer
service, and financial management can also be incredibly beneficial to help
these micro-businesses thrive.
Alibaba or AliExpress?
Alibaba:
- Target Audience: Primarily designed for wholesale trade, catering to businesses buying in bulk.
- Minimum Order Quantities: Often requires purchasing large quantities of items, making it suitable for business-to-business (B2B) transactions.
- Customization and Negotiation: Allows for negotiations with suppliers for customization, pricing, and minimum order quantities.
- Supplier Focus: Generally focuses on manufacturers and exporters, especially from China and other Asian countries.
AliExpress:
- Target Audience: Aimed at individual consumers or small retail orders, more like a traditional online retailer.
- Retail Purchases: Allows buying single items or small quantities, making it suitable for business-to-consumer (B2C) and small business purchases.
- Fixed Prices: Typically offers fixed prices, with a retail-like shopping experience.
- Global Marketplace: Features a wide range of products from international sellers, not just Chinese manufacturers.
