This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission) at zero cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for details..

How I started my first business with less than $100

I started my first business “The LaTersa Diaper Cakes” in 2010 and it all started with my love for crafts. Every since I can remember, I and my late granny have been sewing, quilting, and all types of crafts. We just really love all the things that allow our creativity.

Once my kids were born, I wanted to find a way for me to stay home with them. For the first six months, I was frustrated because I just didn’t know what the heck was I going to do all day with two toddlers. Soon, I began watching YouTube videos on gift baskets and diaper cakes and I said to myself: “I can do this and still be able to provide financing to our household budget and expenses.

How I Started My Business With Less Than $100

Well in today’s blog, I’m going to share with you step by step on how I started my business back in 2010. See, when I first started, I was scared out of my mind!

I promise you, I had no clue what the heck I was doing. I was the freebie queen and I googled everything even Youtubed (is that even a word LOL)  it a lot back then. My hard-headedness caused me $3,000 because I didn’t want to listen. So, if you are up for the real truth and nothing but the truth, sit back and relax and grab your favorite notebook, cause I’m spilling all the tea. Shhhhhhh

Best Business Ideas To Make Money

 

WHAT IS YOUR GIFT & HOW WILL YOU MAKE MONEY?

In my case, it was diaper cakes and when I first started, my cakes were horrible, but with much practice and trial and error, I got better and better at my skills. Where it took me about 2 hours at first to create beautiful diaper cakes, it only took me 45 minutes. See, a lot of people will stay stuck at the beginning stages because they don’t feel that they are good at anything.

God gave each one of us gifts and talents but it is your responsibility to figure out what it is. What do you enjoy doing? What can you do all day that even if you weren’t getting paid for it, that you would still do it? Take out a  notebook and write down three things that you love doing.

For example, when I first started my business, I started with my love for crafts and I enjoyed making gifts for people on their special day. I could sit for hours and hours making gift baskets and designing diaper cakes and I wouldn’t get tired. So, I began selling my diaper cakes on sites like Etsy and eBay to get my foot wet. I wanted to test the waters and see if there really was a demand for them.

CHOOSE A PLATFORM

There are tons of online sites where you can sell your gifts. Now, when you are first starting out, you might not have a website, so I recommend starting with Etsy or eBay.

I started with these two I made quite a bit of money with these sites. Soon, I left them because the fees started to rack up.  I eventually started my own blog/website.

If you don’t want to start your blog just yet, use Shopify. It is really easy to set up and you can sell your gifts or digital products from there. You don’t have to make it complicated.

MAKE YOUR BUSINESS LEGAL

When you are really serious about your business, you have to decide if you will be a solo-preneur, LLC, or INC. Talk it over with your local accountant and choose the best business entity for you.

I highly suggest you do this so that you can protect your family and personal assets. I started out as a solopreneur, but after my second year, I finally incorporated my business. In order for people to take you seriously, you will have to make your business legitimate.

 

SALES TAX & BUSINESS LICENSE

In order to sell anything within city limits, you have to have a seller’s permit. This protects you from getting fines and tickets. Stop by your local city hall and check to see what the city guidelines are and what the requirements for you to do business inside of the city limits.

You don’t want to be charged with being out of compliance and disobeying the city ordinance.

See, I worked at my local city hall for several years, and I’ve seen how people get fined for not paying their business taxes. Get your seller’s permit so you can start doing business.

Depending on which business model you choose, if you are selling tangible and physical products, you can get tax-exempt when shopping at certain stores.

Other related posts

• How I started my own diaper cakes business
• 5 steps to start selling your crafts
• 5 Online marketplaces to sell your handmade items

 

GET YOUR BUSINESS CARDS

You need a way for people to find you and your new business. You can get your business cards for as little as $10. Actually, you can get 500 cards for $10.

Pass these out to everybody you meet so that people can know where to come for your business and services. Vistaprint is always sending me promotions and coupons inside my email. So, right now go and open an account, which is free for you to get started.

Here’s a true story, when I first started my diaper cakes business, everywhere I went, I would pass my cards out and introduce people to my business. Now, I will warn you that not all people are open to listening to you ramble about your business, so that is why it is crucial for you to have confidence in yourself and your business.

Start A Business With No Skills

PICK ONE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM

When starting out, its important to choose one platform and dominate that one and spread the word around about your business. People don’t know you, so its important to build up the know like and trust factor.

I started it out and I was that gal who bought this, buy that and people didn’t even know me. You can’t get on these social media platforms and think people will just take out their wallets because they won’t.

Remember, we live in a digital world and what you put out into the world is basically what people will know about you.

Take your time and add value and put out content that is engaging. Respond to your comments or at least like every comment that is on your page. It is very rude to ignore your fans/followers.

 

BUILD YOUR LIST

Social media sites are not yours, its a place where you engage with your followers. In order to have a successful and profitable business, you must have a list.

Give away something of value such as an ebook, cheat sheet or something of value in exchange for their email address and name. If you want to know how to create a Free lead magnet or free offer click here! 

CONCLUSION: Starting a business does not have to be hard. With the right steps and guidance, your business will be up and thriving in no time. Take these tips and apply them today and if you need any help, don’t hesitate to contact me. Cheers to your success!

I hope this post blesses you in some way; LEAVE ME A COMMENT BELOW and let me know your journey to becoming a mompreneur.  It is my deepest desire to see you win and have a thriving and successful business, grab my FREE Business Startup Workbook below:

How I started my first business with less than $100