Business to Start With 10k [2025] Most Profitable Businesses

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I’ll list the best ideas for a business to start with 10k. This site your reading right now is a business I started for under $10,000!

The worst business I started with 10k was a meditation app for pet cats. Turns out they’re already pretty good at doing nothing. Then following it up with a nap.

Some of the most profitable businesses to start with 10k are:

  • online real estate investor using EquityMultiple
  • content creator – YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, UGC (user generated content for cash)
  • blogging on Squarespace
  • ecommerce store on Shopify
  • writing an email newsletter on Kit
  • teaching courses on Teachable

There are over 33 million1 small businesses in the U.S. Don’t delay your big dreams. Go for that Touchdown Money!

Julia Phillips showing her face. She's blonde with brown eyes. Overlayed over her picture is her name and what she does: content creator for beauty, health, and lifestyle.
Julia Phillips is a content creator and monetizes with UGC videos for brands. You can start this business for 10k or less.2

Best Business to Start With 10K

What’s the best business to start with 10k? That depends on your personal skill set and passion for what you do.

Here are the most profitable small businesses to consider. 

1 – eCommerce (Selling stuff online)

You don’t have to be a computer genius to become an online retailer. Far from it. Just decide what you want to sell, and then create an online store on a platform like Shopify.

It’s a super convenient platform for reaching an audience and selling products. 

Remember you don’t have to start a new business. You can use your 10k to buy an existing profitable business! Go here to learn how to find an online business for sale.

Or if you’re more of a do-it-yourself type of person, you can create your own website from scratch. 

Additionally, hiring eCommerce virtual assistants can help you grow your business at a low price, without needing to spend too many hours per week to succeed. 

Check out my list of the best website builders. These services are seriously awesome – and they’ll make it easy to create a website that your future customers will love. 

2 – Blogging

Blogging is a lucrative and very profitable business. I know. I’ve helped build the audience for bloggers who’ve went on to make millions of dollars. Yes, really.

There are lots of ways to monetize a popular blog:

  • Selling ads
  • Affiliate marketing (where you link to products, then earn a percentage from sales)
  • Selling ebooks and other paid content 
  • Selling products and services within the blog

But how can you attract readers? First of all, make sure you choose an interesting topic and write posts that people will find valuable. 

Here are the best web hosting services. And here is the best small business website design.

When you’re blogging you can make money promoting referral bonus apps and earn 20 dollars per referral.

Also, read my affiliate program guides to decide which are best for your site:

3 – Email Newsletters

An email newsletter is sort of like a blog that you send right to people’s inboxes. You write regular updates, then email them to a list of subscribers. 

Morning Brew is a popular newsletter that takes business news and makes it fun and understandable to a wide audience.

The co-founders of this email newsletter sold it to corporation called Axel Springer for, wait for it, $75 million dollars.

You can go from a newsletter business to start with 10k all the way to millions of dollars in the bank. It’s amazing.

Pick a topic you know a lot about. It’s especially good if it’s a topic your friends are always asking you questions about.

As you build your list of email subscribers, you can monetize the newsletter through ads or affiliate marketing. And then, you could cash in by selling your newsletter to a company. 

Get started with an affordable but professional email platform:

  • Kit – formerly known as “ConvertKit,” is best for beginners who don’t want to code (see my full Kit review)
  • ActiveCampaign – best for people who are comfortable with more complicated features

Here’s my list of the best email marketing software. These email newsletter platforms will help you reach a targeted audience and save time through automation. 

4 – 3D Printing

3D printing is an exciting technology that can help you create practically anything. The possibilities are almost endless, from something as simple as a smartphone stand to something as complex as an electric violin.

And that flexibility makes 3D printing an excellent business to start with 10k!

There are two main ways to make money with 3D printing:

  • Option #1: Charge other people to use your printer.
  • Option #2: Print your own products, then sell them as a retailer.

Whichever option you choose, your first step is to buy the 3D printer, which could cost anywhere from $100 to $600. 

Then, you’ll need 3D printer software to help you create and implement designs. Luckily, this software can be pretty inexpensive. In fact, TinkerCAD and Ultimaker Cura, 2 of the best software systems, offer versions that are 100% free.

Read my complete guide to 3D printing software to learn more. 

5 – Content Creation

Money might make the world go round, but what makes the internet go round? Content!

You know all the videos, blog posts, images, and podcasts you find online? Well, someone created all of that – and a lot of them were paid for their efforts.

That means you can get paid, too!

Start by finding your niche. Whether you’re a talented writer, a skilled photographer, or an excellent videographer, you can find a market for your work. And if you also enjoy exploring, be sure to check out this guide on how to make money as a travel photographer.

You’ll also have to invest in equipment. Luckily, you shouldn’t have to spend too much – which is what makes content creation a great business to start with 10k or less.

Think you’ll go in for podcasting? Then check out my review of the best audio editing software.

Or is creating video tutorials more your jam? Then take a look at my investigation of the best webinar software. 

Utilize your network, and things will come together. Plus, blogging is one surefire way to double 10k quickly because it has the chance to scale so quickly!

Content Creators is a great way how to make money as an attractive male. And how to make money as an attractive female. But anyone can be a content creator if you’ve got great information to share.

You can also use your content creation skills as a way how to make money as a video editor.

6 – Provide Professional Training

Are you skilled in a specific professional area – something like sales, marketing, or customer service? And do you have the patience to share those skills with others? 

If so, you could monetize your skill set through professional training.

Upskilling is the key to career advancement, and people know it. That’s why they’ll pay you to help them.

There are a few ways to start your professional training business:

  • Option #1: Use the Teachable platform to create an online course and market it to students. This is a great option if you’re a little “iffy” with technology and want to use an existing framework. 
  • Option #2: Apply to be a teacher with SkillShare, an online learning platform. With this approach, you won’t have to create lessons from scratch, and you’ll gain valuable teaching experience.
  • Option #3: Start your own training business from scratch. This is the best option for maximizing independence. It will take more legwork than the other options, but today’s online tools will make it easier. Check out my review of the best webinar software to see what tools are available. 

Tips to Start a Business With 10K

Choosing a business to start with 10k is just the first step. From there, you have to actually build and run your business. 

Nerve-wracking? Sure. Exciting? You bet! 

Here are some tips on how to start a business with 10k. And don’t forget, once you’ve hit your goals, you can learn how to turn 10k into 100k!

Create a Business Plan

Your business plan is basically your business’s founding document. What are your goals, and how will you achieve them? That’s something you should know right from the start, and writing them down can make it easier to organize your ideas.

A solid business plan should include your:

  • Business structure
  • Growth strategies
  • Funding plan
  • Financial overview
  • Needs (including software and equipment)

Choose a Business Structure

What legal structure should your business have? This is where things get technical – and maybe a little intimidating. But don’t worry. It’s not as scary a decision as it seems! 

Potential business structures include:

  • Sole proprietorship – Your business is legally attached to you as an individual.
  • Partnership – You’re running the business with at least one other person.
  • Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Your business’s assets are separated from your personal assets.
  • Corporation – Your business is a completely separate entity. 

For smaller, self-run businesses, you’ll probably choose between a sole proprietorship and an LLC. 

And if you go with an LLC, you can pay for an online service that walks you through the process. 

Here’s my guide to the best LLC services. Or, you can get started with my #1 pick here.

extra pointExtra Point: Don’t make the rookie mistake of listing your home address on public records. Instead, learn How to avoid using home address for LLC. And read my LLC checklist to make sure you don’t miss any important steps.

Decide If You’ll Need Loans

So you’re thinking of a business start with 10k – but do you have all of the funding up front?

If you’re falling a little short, consider taking out a small business loan. It’s generally cheaper than running up a balance on the best business credit cards.

Check out my review of the best small business loans. Learn more about Lendio.

Develop a Bookkeeping Strategy

I once knew a small business owner who admitted they didn’t know whether or not they were making money. That’s…not great. If you don’t know how your business is doing, you can’t make smart decisions about how to improve it!

Luckily, managing your finances is easier than ever thanks to modern technology. Check out my list of the best small business accounting software available today. 

Common Questions About Business to Start With 10K

Businesses to Start With 10K?

Here are some of the best ideas for starting a business with 10k:

Most Profitable Business to Start With 10K?

The most profitable business to start with 10k is an online store because it could grow into a massive brand with a set of loyal customers.

But there are plenty of other profitable business ideas, including blogging, professional training videos, and being a content creator. 

You can also become an online real estate investor for 10k with EquityMultiple.

Many of the most profitable businesses are on the internet. That’s because you don’t have to pay rent for an office or commercial space. Here’s how to make money online for beginners.

What Business to Start With 10K?

Here’s an interesting idea for a business to start with 10k: 3D printing. You can use a 3D printer to make almost anything, and there are multiple ways to profit:

  1. Buy a 3D printer and rent it out.
  2. Print your own products to sell online on Shopify

More ideas for a business to start with 10k:

  • Online real estate investor – use EquityMultiple
  • Make online videos teaching a topic – use Teachable
  • Write email newsletters about your favorite topic – use Kit
  • Blogging – use Squarespace

What Businesses Can I Start With 10K?

There are lots of businesses you can start with 10k, including:

What Kind of Business Can I Start With $10000?

You can start lots of businesses with $10,000, so the choice depends on your skills and interests. Love buying and selling? Then start an online store with Shopify.

A more passive business is to become an online real estate investor with EquityMultiple.

Have a passion for creating things from scratch? Then consider blogging, content creation, or 3D printing.

 Here are the most profitable online businesses.

What Can I Do With 10K to Make Money?

One way to make money with 10k is to start a small business such as a reseller business. Check out What Flips to learn more.

If you want passive income, consider investing the 10k in bonds, stocks, or real estate. Get started in stocks with Acorns (get $20 with my link). For real estate investments, try EquityMultiple.

Since you have 10k, check out how to turn 10k into 100k. And read Betterment vs Acorns to make the best decision for you.

What Business Can I Start With $5,000 Dollars?

Check out low-cost business ideas with high profit.

Are you a woman? Check out the best business ideas for women.

And here’s how to make more money.

Is 10K Enough to Start a Business?

10k is absolutely enough to start a business. For many online businesses, you’ll hardly need any equipment to get started – maybe just a bit of software and a computer. That means $10,000 should be more than enough. Examples:

  • Remote real estate investor using EquityMultiple
  • Blogging business using Squarespace
  • Content creator business
  • Teaching online video courses using Teachable
  • Writing email newsletters using Kit
  • Selling products online with Shopify
  • Selling your designs on products with Printify

Wondering, what can I sell to make money? Or how to make 10k a month? Read those to get more business ideas!

If you want to sell stuff online, find out, is it worth selling on ebay?

What Business Can I Start With 10K as a Student?

As a student, you’ll probably want a business that won’t take up too much of your time. After all, you’ll also be focused on your studies.

Related:

Sources:

1 – https://advocacy.sba.gov/2023/03/07/frequently-asked-questions-about-small-business-2023/

2 – https://juliapcreative.com/