Someday i want to start a online small business but i stink with ideas or dream big. I would like to start small if possible but im not sure what type of business is small or dosent require inventory. For a first time startup thing i dont really want to deal with inventory.

The only thing i think could fit this post is something like youtube or even tikok? There may be better ideas out there.

  • pr06lefs@lemmy.ml
    14·
    2 days ago

    contracting and consulting. house painting for instance, computer programming, landscaping, etc.

  • sunbrrnslapper@lemmy.world
    8·
    2 days ago

    Professional services of any kind typically don’t require much, if any inventory - because you are selling your time and expertise.

    My personal experience in founding/running a business and mentoring other founders is that you will need both an interest in (bordering on passion for) whatever you sell - and decent business acumen. Without an interest in what you are selling, the temptation to offload the work will be high - and you will lose control of quality and serving your customers (hello, Boeing). Without business acumen, you will struggle to keep the business viable (mostly - there are a few exceptions out there). Also, get a good accountant to do your monthly books and taxes - they are worth their weight in gold.

    If you are in the US, SCORE is a non profit of volunteers who either are current or former business owners. They offer mentorship to people wanting to start a business and are fantastic.

    Finally, be aware that business ownership is high risk high reward, and a shit ton of work. If you are successful, you can be really successful. You can also lose your house.

    Feel free to DM me if you have specific questions about getting started.

  • otacon239@lemmy.world
    8·
    2 days ago

    There are plenty of commission-based businesses where you wouldn’t need to hold stock, but would order materials upon request. You could even have the client front the cost of materials and have them pay the rest upon completion.

  • Kennystillalive@feddit.org
    5·
    2 days ago

    • Learn how to eddit and try to wotk as a freelancer for youtuber and tiktokers.

    • Learn some cool craft that can be done on comissions.

    • turn into a power user of some sort of niche work related software (SAP for example) and offer lectures for company workers.

    • get real good a at a certain field (Tarifs for example or cyber security) and offer lectures and guidence /counseling for comapnies.

    What ever you do, look that you are passionate about it. Being you own boss might sound good, but if you can’t stay motivated, you’ll fail.

  • Pyr@lemmy.ca
    3·
    2 days ago

    Being a middleman. Someone I know ran a business selling T-shirts with print on them and never touched a shirt. Just took the order, and then ordered it from some shop in China to directly ship it to “his” customer.

    Basically just ran a website, took money, and worked customer service if needed.

    • GrumpyCat@leminal.spaceOPEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      I dont really have any skills i would consider useful, but im up to learn something as long as i dont have to work outside because im in Arizona and its crazy hot here. I would like to start small if possible.

      • Protoknuckles@lemmy.world
        2·
        2 days ago

        Try Udemy. You can learn skills like website creation. Once you have a marketable skill you can try to freelance; Website creation, computer repair, phone repair, translation, transcription. There are a lot of skills you can try to sell. Oh! Or you could do arts and crafts style stuff. Sell stickers or custom mugs, or 3d printed objects. Look into a cameo or silhouette machine.

        • sunbrrnslapper@lemmy.world
          3·
          2 days ago

          Tacking onto this, if you can find AI prompt engineering courses, that might be a sellable service that few people offer in this moment. Does make you part of the larger AI problem (probably on par with owning a gas station or drycleaner), but if you can stomach it ethically, there’s a big market for it.

  • normalexit@lemmy.world
    11·
    2 days ago

    Right now a startup using AI can get some funding if you have a half decent idea and a prototype. It’s dumb, but that’s a thing.

    B2b saas type offerings can make some bank. Wrap an aws service and resell with your own flair…

    You can sell data, but that requires an idea.

    Otherwise buy some glass beads and get your ass on etsy