9 Businesses You Can Start for Under K3500

Most people think that they need lots of money to start a business. Whereas this might be true to a certain extent, it’s not always the case.

There are a lot of businesses that you can start with less than K3500. In fact, it is possible that sometimes all you need is time, especially for online businesses, if you have access to a computer and an internet connection.

Here we briefly explore a few businesses that you can start for under K3500.

1. Hair and Makeup

If you are good at braiding hair and styling, you can start your hair plaiting business for next to nothing. You can make house calls to plait your customers hair, the customer usually provides their own extensions. When you want to expand your skills, there are many hair plaiting tutorials online that you can watch. Similarly, with makeup, you can make house calls. If you choose to do makeup, you will need roughly between 1500 and 2000 for a good quality makeup kit. Again, make up tutorials will be great, to help you hone your skills.

2. Chicken farming

For about K3500, you can start up a chicken farm. I would encourage free range local chicken as they would cost less to look after. For starters, put up a wood and wire mesh structure that can accommodate about 20 or more chickens. This should cost about K1000. You can then buy a few weeks old local chickens at k70 each. Ensure to include a few cocks for reproduction purposes. Additionally, you can supplement the free ranging with some vegetables like rape, spinach, lettuce, pumpkin etc. If done right, within a few months, your stock should multiply and the hens should be able to lay eggs which you can sell. You can pass by the Poultry Association of Zambia, for help on how to go about your project.

3. Garbage collection

At the beginning, all that is required is a simple bicycle with a carrier at the back. A bicycle can be bought for around K1000. With a bicycle in place, you can go around different neighbourhoods offering garbage collection services for as little as K30 per household. Be sure to go to the city Council however, and get yourself registered. They will also give you a set of guidelines to follow and some help.

4. Blogging

This is one of those businesses you can start with little or no cash as long as you have access to a computer, an internet connection and are willing to invest a lot of time. If you’re familiar with a specific topic, then you can launch a blog where you share this knowledge. Make sure the knowledge you are putting out there is relevant and fresh. Always update your blog at least twice or thrice a week to generate traffic. You can earn money by selling ad space or becoming an affiliate to bigger blogs, websites or companies as your traffic steadily grows.

5. Consultation

If you already have the knowledge or experience in a specific area, such as ICT, then you can easily start your own consulting agency. The main costs involved are marketing your business and networking. For starters, you can invest in business cards and a social media presence.

6. Web and Graphics design

Like consultation above, if you are skilled at web and/or graphics design, then you can set out to begin designing websites and graphics for different companies that need them. And like above, the costs are the same, so ensure to invest in business cards and a social media presence. Additionally, make sure you have a killer website to display your portfolio.

7. Second-hand clothes

Investing in clothes is a good way to start small and grow. Salaula can be a very rewarding business if marketed nicely. Once washed and ironed, you can hawk your goods to different people and offices and make a tidy profit.

8. Sewing

If you are a skilled tailor, a sewing machine is a good investment for you. A sewing machine costs roughly K1500. With this, you can even work from home as you slowly grow your business.

9. Washing and Cleaning Services

I have interacted a lot with washing and cleaning people because I tend to use them a lot. Most of them will tell you they only started out with a few basins, washing soap and powder as well as rent for their premises. Their marketing was done through word of mouth and in a few months, their services had grown tenfold.

There are many other businesses out there that you can start for as little as K300. They, however, require a lot of hard work and commitment if you are going to grow and expand them into profitability.

Sep 6th, 2017 by Jason Kinene; edited by Mutinta Nanchengwa