When starting a business, one of the key considerations is capital. Many people want to launch a business with minimal investment while still earning significant profits. Although it may seem too good to be true, there are businesses that can be built with modest resources.
In reality, while capital is an important factor, the size of your investment does not determine a business’s success. Even with a small budget, you can still build a successful business as long as you are committed and dedicated.
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Small-Capital Business Ideas
1. Accessories: A Low-Capital Business Option
If you’re a creative person, you can turn an accessories business into a promising venture. The products you sell can vary widely, from bracelets and necklaces to phone charms.
The startup capital for this business is relatively small because the trinkets and materials needed to make accessories can be purchased at low cost. Buying in bulk can make the price even more affordable.
If you live in Jakarta, you can visit Pasar Asemka near Kota Tua in West Jakarta. The materials you need to make various types of accessories can be found here at affordable prices.
2. Personal Shopping/Proxy Service (Jastip)
You don’t need to offer a jastip service for international shopping. You can start by focusing on nearby stores first.
For example, you could shop at the market on behalf of people who don’t have the time but are hesitant to use shopping apps. Your service would undoubtedly be very helpful and in demand.
Once you start earning more profit, you can expand your service by offering jastip for higher-end items, even extending to other cities or overseas.
3. Baby Food Catering (Complementary Foods for Infants – MPASI)
Unlike regular catering, an MPASI (baby food) catering business requires less capital because the ingredients are used in smaller quantities, which reduces the cost of purchasing them.
Since this business has relatively few competitors, your chances of attracting customers are higher. However, make sure to consult a nutritionist or pediatrician to determine the right ingredients for preparing nutritious MPASI.
4. Online Courses or Tutorials
Nowadays, everything can be done online, including learning. If you have a particular skill or expertise that you can teach others, creating an online course or tutorial could be a great option.
The startup capital for this business is relatively low. You only need a stable Wi-Fi connection and a capable laptop or smartphone to ensure good video quality.
Once your business starts to grow, you can offer offline classes or publish learning materials.
5. Digital Marketing
If you have skills in digital marketing, especially through social media, why not put them to use? From managing social media accounts and creating digital content to SEO optimization, you can offer these services to business owners who struggle to handle them on their own.
The startup capital for this business is minimal. Similar to online courses or tutorials, all you need is a laptop or smartphone, a stable Wi-Fi connection, and creativity. Make sure to approach it as professionally as possible to deliver satisfying results for your clients.
6. Typing or Writing Services
Do you have writing skills, whether on a laptop or by hand? You can use this to start a low-capital business. Nowadays, many people need these services because they don’t have the time to do it themselves.
Unlike copywriting services, which require additional skills like creating engaging content, typing or handwriting services simply involve rewriting materials provided by the client.
However, you may need to type or write quickly, as clients might require the work to be completed promptly.
7. Digital Products
There are various digital products you can turn into a business, from e-books and design templates to many others. You only need to create a product once and can continue earning profits as long as people keep buying and using it.
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8. Reseller or Dropshipper
This is a timeless business. As long as the internet exists and people continue to shop online, you can run this business. The main difference between the two lies in the startup capital required.
If you want to become a reseller, you may need to invest more capital upfront to purchase the products you plan to sell. In contrast, with dropshipping, you don’t need to buy the items—you simply sell them online, and the supplier ships them directly to the customers.
9. Thrifting: Another Low-Capital Business
Since this business involves selling second-hand items that are still in good condition, the capital required to purchase them is naturally lower compared to selling new clothing. If you sell items from your own wardrobe, the startup cost is even smaller.
In Jakarta, you can find quality second-hand clothing in the Senen area, Central Jakarta. In West Java, you can purchase them in Gede Bage, Bandung. Choose the best-quality items to ensure you can sell them at a higher price.
10. Coffee Shops or Small Local Eateries (Warmindo)
Almost everyone in Indonesia enjoys coffee and instant noodles. If you have some space in front of your house, you could open a coffee shop (warkop) or an Indomie stall (warmindo) there.
The startup capital for this business might be relatively high. However, you don’t need to over-decorate the place—keeping it simple makes customers feel more comfortable coming in, as they won’t fear high prices.
Just make sure your coffee and instant noodles taste great, so more customers will keep coming back to your coffee shop or warmindo business.
Those are some small-capital business ideas you can consider. If you’re looking for a community to share experiences or exchange ideas about running a business, you can join LabamuHub through the Labamu app.
This is a business community designed to build connections and collaborate with a shared goal: #GrowTogether in developing your business and going digital. Here, you will learn about Branding & Promotion to help your business become better known and trusted by customers.
If you’re a young entrepreneur looking for networking and collaboration, join LabamuHub now to help your small-capital business grow even further!
