One of the top questions that I get asked as an entrepreneur and business strategy coach is how to start a business without money. This a good question to ask because it forces one to think and to be resourceful. Sometimes it can be better not to have too much money when you are starting out because if you do not know what to do with it, you could likely waste it. It is better to do the groundwork first, think big, but start really small.

It all starts with cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset which is a lifelong endeavor. From that point of view, you are able to be more objective about the process instead of lost in all the steps ahead. Here is an overview of some steps to take in the process of launching your entrepreneurial journey.

Three key tips for starting your business with no money:

1. Access Free Resources – Check out the Blog post on Free Resources for more these organizations.
   • SBA – Small Business Administration in the USA is the federal agency that overseas small business growth and development and finances in part the SBDC and SCORE.
   • SBDC – Small Business Development Centers offer no cost consulting to small businesses via paid consultants.
   • SCORE – SCORE also offers no cost consulting from volunteers.
   • Bonus: Library – Take full advantage of your local library as well as online library resources.In the age of the internet, sometimes libraries can be overlooked. It is actually one of the first places I would start when launching a business. Read biographies of entrepreneurs and business people you admire to learn lessons directly from them.

2. Free Money
   • HelloAlice – Source for small business grants and other resources
   • Nav.com – Financial services organization that helps businesses build stronger credit.
   • Google Search – It is obvious and taken for granted that people will automatically do a Google search to find what they are seeking, but the key is to know what specific keywords to look for to find your desired results.
3. Action Plan
   • Write ideas – You do not need any money at all to write your thoughts and ideas
   • Visualize your success – This is your opportunity to dream and think through your thoughts and vision in detail.
   • Budget – Now is the time to quantify what your dreams may cost. What will it take to achieve your goals? This will let you know how much money you actually need and provide a guideline of how to spend your resources for their maximum effect.

Low Cost High Value Resources

In addition to these resources on how to start a business with no money, it is also valuable to have resources for your entrepreneurial journey that provide planning, accountability, and support. Two low cost but very high value options are to join The Super Charge Club and pick up a copy of my book The Little Girl’s Guide to Entrepreneurship which chronicles my entrepreneurial journey with key lessons learned that can add value to all entrepreneurs.