Palo Alto Software
 
 

No Money? No Problem!

by Tim Berry

Is it possible to start a business without money or collateral?

Anything is possible and most companies were started from someone’s ideas written down on paper and financed by those who saw merit in the plan. Still, realism is important. This depends a lot on the specifics of the business. Some businesses are relatively easy to start without start-up funds, some virtually impossible.

I think you need to match your ideas to reality. Millions of service businesses start without money or collateral. These tend to be consultants, graphic artists, accountants, and other professionals. You have a skill that other people need, you have potential customers, take a job, and get started. Twenty years ago I started my business plan consulting business without money or collateral, just a skill, contacts, and the will to do it. You probably know several people who have done the same.

On the other hand, some businesses just don’t happen without start-up money. For example, you may want to develop and produce some electronic item that the world needs, but for that business you’ll need money for designers, software engineers, hardware engineers, prototypes, testing, packaging, and lots of other start-up costs.

Even on a smaller scale, few restaurants or retail stores start up without money to pay in advance for the location, fixtures and furnishings, signage, and so on. In these cases, you don’t necessarily have to have the money and collateral yourself, because for a good business the idea is that you raise the money from other people who want to participate in the upside of the investment.


That’s what this whole site, Bplans.com, is about: developing the business plan and raising money.

{ 6 trackbacks }

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{ 90 comments… read them below or add one }

chit win January 11, 2008 at 4:35 am

I do want to really know

Tom February 22, 2008 at 9:18 pm

I want to open a supply and tool store for drywallers in my area. How do I develop equipment connections with suppliers to give a competitive price?

chi February 22, 2008 at 10:35 pm

i want to launch a kids clothing line.i have no idea how to go about it and i have no money.please what advice do you have for me?

MDM February 25, 2008 at 3:37 pm

I am a real estate investor surrounded by foreclosed properties and homeowners unwilling to file bankruptcy. I have a plan, but need capital.

Aditya Chandre March 1, 2008 at 4:32 am

it is realy good i want to try it plz help me
thanking you

MAHLODI March 7, 2008 at 3:45 am

I want to start stationery supplier especially for the rural areas,coming from rural area i saw many schools and orgaisatio tavelling a long distance to buy stationery. My plan is not solid,i have the ideas and where to start but no capital please help me

kimberley March 7, 2008 at 7:21 pm

I would like to find resouces to buy and start my salon

Bobo March 11, 2008 at 11:32 pm

hi my name is bobo from Soweto, i want to start an advertisisng agency in soweto and i need your help, i dont know where to start andi dont have a capital.

capenter March 17, 2008 at 6:51 am

I’m planning on opening a miniature golf course in the Dominican Republic in a resorts area.I have investors ready to join in,but i need to develop a business plan for them.How can you help me.

Cap

Jae March 18, 2008 at 8:35 am

I’m in the early stages of attempting start a lounge in Philadelphia,I have no capital and really need some assitance
-Jae

Yolanda March 20, 2008 at 6:49 am

I am in despread need, I want to open my own small business, I have no money to open, never ran a business, would like to know how to start a business

Tasha April 1, 2008 at 1:45 pm

Hi i am interested in starting a lounge in orlando live entertainment but I have no funds to start my idea please help!

quinton April 4, 2008 at 12:02 pm

I need information on how to start a janitorial bussiness with no capital. where do i get the contracts?

Janice April 5, 2008 at 12:41 pm

Hi

I have an excellent business idea that MUST work and need a shrewd investor who can smell a good deal. Where can I find such a person?

JMc April 5, 2008 at 12:44 pm

Hey Jan

You sound positive! I wish I could help. Anyway, not to worry, there must be someone out there who will pick up on your good vibe and give you that needed break.

junior April 8, 2008 at 9:33 am

hi my name is junior..iam 17 i knoe wat u thinking i am to young …i want to start my own closing store…and i have alot of ideas about wat kids wear and dont..but i have financial problems..my question is how do i get people to believe that i can start it or to invest in it

Thanks junior

liljo April 14, 2008 at 12:52 pm

Im interested in starting a barber shop….a lot of good ideas just not sure where to start

APRIL DELAUDER AND VINCENT AVERY April 20, 2008 at 2:09 am

we are interested in starting our business in a legal bar. we are trying to start it but don’t have the funds or the knowledge of where exactly to satart.

Maya April 21, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Hi,i want to open a modeling agency in limpopo bt idont hav capital or knw wer to start.iv gt experience in modeling

pat April 21, 2008 at 3:52 pm

i am trying to start my own buisness and dont know how to get started w cash in hand an materials. Can you help me out and show me a little insight on how to get started.?

Clifford April 25, 2008 at 2:16 am

Hi there….

I realy want to start a Coffee Shop, and have no funds to do that, and it’s not always nice to ask Mom and Dad to help.

How can i start my own Coffee Shop with no funds?

liz April 26, 2008 at 5:48 pm

i need help launching my feed store! ive got the building the knowledge and the drive just no funding

Mrs Donald Lasalle Lee April 26, 2008 at 7:51 pm

I would like to start a small learning lab in my area.
I need funds in launching my center. I have the knowledge I need someone to care.

Darlene Lee

Casi Deatherage April 28, 2008 at 2:52 pm

We have resources built into Business Plan Pro to help you get funding. For example, some businesses choose to start by bringing in investors for start-up funding, while others go to a bank for a business loan. Business Plan Pro has resources built in for both approaches (the SBA loan application for bank loans, the Venture capital Database for investment sources).

Best regards,

Casi Deatherage
Palo Alto Software
Customer Care

Maria Garcia May 8, 2008 at 1:42 pm

I would like to open a shoe store, but need help with funds. And, eventually my husband would like to start a car wash business. Any suggestions?

trachelle May 15, 2008 at 4:40 pm

I want to open an all day spa in a coming up community in my city but don’t have the funds.

T.Baker May 16, 2008 at 9:32 pm

I would like to open up a winner cafe’ an right now i dont have any funds.An i know alittle about wine but i love wine and i love to cook so the food would come from my cook book. So Can You HELP !!!!!!

Joe Wright May 26, 2008 at 10:55 am

I would like to start a trucking company and I need startup funds to get a dependable and quality use tractor to haul TL and LTL interstate. I have 15 years of business management skills and 10 years in the trucking business. Help please

Avi Gavrieli May 29, 2008 at 3:01 pm

I’m in the process of starting up a real estate management company (apartments), but need capital. Help!

Elita June 10, 2008 at 12:46 am

I would like to start a bridal hire business I live in Blantyre, Malawi, pls help

wiseman khosa June 20, 2008 at 1:20 am

i need to strat computre shop at limpopo how do i strat with a business plan

zohaib June 20, 2008 at 3:00 am

hai
iam zohaib i want to open the showroom of bikes but i dont have money and no experience i need the advice and help would like to know how to start a business how to open the showroom?

zohaib June 20, 2008 at 3:02 am

hai
iam zohaib i want to open the showroom of bikes but i dont have money and no experience i need the advice and help how to open the showroom?

Joanel June 21, 2008 at 9:02 am

I want to open a little ice cream shop but don’t have the money to do it. Please help.

Joanel June 21, 2008 at 9:04 am

I want to open a ice cream shop but don’t have the money to do it please help.

Alicia June 29, 2008 at 9:14 pm

I want to open my own business but, I’m 18 with no money….PLEASE HELP

clifton July 6, 2008 at 8:29 am

I want to start an autobody repair shop ,has oer wenty years but dont have sart capital or equiptment.PLEASE HELP ME

FAROOQ July 14, 2008 at 4:11 am

ALL OF YOU GOOD EVENING I AM FAROOQ I WANT TO START A BUSINESS I HAVE NO MONEY HOW TO START THE BUSINESS I HAVE NO IDEA I HAVE NO CAPITAL ALSO.PLEASE ANY ONE HELP ME.

Christine Balog July 19, 2008 at 8:11 am

I am interested in starting my own non-medical home care buisness and I have over 13 years exp.in the dept. In addition, alot of back up from friends and family just not the funds to get started. I even have clients already set up! Please some one help me to get this franchise of waiting success on the go.

juan July 20, 2008 at 1:03 am

i want to start en internet company based on turisim in central america. i need finances to travel and get equipmente necesary for my buisness idea. how can i get started

Lydia Saladino July 22, 2008 at 8:07 pm

I would to start a cookies shop but don’t know how to start it I don’t have the money I have so many ideas
and I know they are great Thank You

Rudolph July 24, 2008 at 3:13 pm

Hello,

I currently live in California and want to start my own IT Staffing firm desperately in Irvine CA or Downtown LA but don’t have the capital to do so, I have plenty of years in the IT Industries but again don’t have the means of funds to start business.I need and want a good business partner and someone willing to fund my dream of running and owning my own IT Staffing Company. Any ideas or Help????

Bernetta August 16, 2008 at 7:15 am

I’m interested in opening a pie shop, not sure how to get started. Have been planning and using your sites on line tools.

Ozlemli September 20, 2008 at 8:04 am

Business Plan Pro Thanks

Annete September 27, 2008 at 6:56 am

iam a working mom with a wonderful idea for an out of home buisness i have all the experiance i need to launch it but not sure how to get started or what it would cost to start can you point me in the right direction

victoria October 13, 2008 at 8:34 am

i have a couple of business ideas, but am not sure how to get started. i am also wondering how much capital is needed to start my on-line business.

Lerato October 22, 2008 at 5:56 am

My business is about developing the standard of living of black learners by offering them consistent motivation to pursue their career goals and my strategy of achieving this, is the new and is the best. All I need is a start-up capital.

Kay October 30, 2008 at 5:05 am

I am interested in opening a daycare. I’ve done the basic fundamentals and am now in search how to get funding to get my project off the ground and running.

Gary B Spector December 28, 2008 at 11:56 am

I have been in the food business for 36 years working for other people making them successful.I am now 58 years old and have just been layed off for the first time in my life. I want to own my own business I have been very successful running other stores and food operations. Now I feel I need to take this chance and I know that I will not fail.I am creative, sharp, I know what peoples needs are, I belive in catering to your area and concetrate on selling the family value, local vendors, all natural ingredients. I have a spot located in the best part of town and all the remodleing and equipment cost worked out including labor and food cost. I know just what I know what the market will bare. The cummuunity is waiting for something like this. I did my own study and talked to people in the area I have talked to other shop owners in the shopping center. Plus that area just keeps getting the big guys Sears,Target,Pathmark,Penny,s,ETC.ETC. In the four shopping centers the take all four corners there is nothing like this in any of the centers or in 25 mile radis. It is a all natural prepared food take out with a sald bar and hot and self service case selling organic coffee and juices with a 12 table area for sit down for lunch or dinner. So as you can see I am very excited about this but I dont have any money just the experiance to make it work were can I turn for help please adive me. Gary Spector

Kafcookie February 17, 2009 at 8:41 am

It is my life long dream to have my own business. Over the past few years I have tried to incorporate my talents for baking, love of music, love of poetry, and creative design. I have an idea that I would like to execute into a business….it’s a Dessert Lounge. I would like to open this business in the south. This lounge would have selected decadent desserts with a lounge area for music. Each night will feature something different like live jazz, open mic for poetry, game night etc. This lounge is family friendly for family meetings, corp. meetings, showers, tea with friends or just relaxing with a good book. I am busting with excitement to get this business off the ground but I’m not sure how to get started. I’ve started researching cost for startup, I have a name for the business that I registered but I need direction with how to get started and the finances. I been looking at sample business plans on line but I am still a little uncertain with my direction on kicking this off. Please advise.

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