Small Business Articles
10 Top Small Business Franchises For Under $20,000
May 28, 2008
For any good business to run, a handful of factors must be in place. Among those few things, two of the most important are business skill on the part of the owner and sufficient startup finances. Have one of those without the other, and you're not likely to see the business succeed; either the business will open brilliantly with the evident effects of each dollar spent and then come crashing down under the weight of poor direction, or it will never open, because for all the skill a potential owner has, she can't afford to purchase even a building-and a grown woman with a curbside, plywood lemonade stand just doesn't fly.
It's for such brilliant folks on a tight budget that we've put together a list of ten great, low-cost small businesses that the fresh-out-of-the-gates business tycoon can jump into with minimal startup cost, just to get the financial ball rolling.
1. Fast-teks
For only a fraction of the cost of most other computer service agencies, this business dumps its franchisees right into the heat of an ever-growing market of computer users in need of technical assistance. At most, the initial investment for this franchise is $7000, there is no experience requirement for the new franchisee (either in computers or management), and work can be done right from home. This is a great opportunity to hone your knack for managing multiple employees on different job sites.
2. TSS Photography
For a roughly $20,000 outset cost, dive into the world of professional photography and prove to yourself that you don't need anyone to help you make your way in the world-and have fun while doing it. Owning and running your own photo lab under the TSS banner, head out into your local area and build relationships with schools and sports teams. You'll never run out of work.
3. Inxpress
Are you good at building client relationships? Perfect! With this small business franchise opportunity, that's all you do. The job of the franchisee is to get out into the city and establish and maintain contacts to whom the franchisor can sell shipping services with major freight companies directly, at discounted prices.
4. Infinite Marketing
Sell VBCs-it's that simple. Though it sounds like some strange cable channel that no one watches, VBC stands for Video Business Card, and the idea is revolutionary. Get your business start by marketing a product that enables users to market themselves in a way that no mere business card could ever allow. It's such an interesting concept, it virtually sells itself, and any business ability you bring to the table only adds to your financial success.
5. Club Z In-Home Tutoring
Yet another opportunity for very little liquid capital investment, a Club Z small business is a whiz-bang choice for the administration-minded teacher-at-heart. The essential job of the franchisee with this company is to link students with professional tutors who can provide in-home, supplemental education in various subjects. No previous experience is necessary, and there's no need for a business location other than your living room.
6. Servicemaster Clean
Own your own business providing carpet, drape, and upholstery cleaning for residences and commercial locations alike. For a measly initial investment, hop into a van and feel the sense of accomplishment that can only come from running and operating your own service industry franchise.
7. MonitorClosely.com
The name of this game is keeping people safe. MonitorClosely provides cutting edge surveillance products to a wide variety of facilities, ranging from daycare locations to convalescent homes. Running the business from home, franchisees are never required to order, keep, or even touch the product. Working as a middleman, business owners build and sustain relationships with companies needing security products and connect them to the central franchisor who is responsible for sales of the actual products.
8. HomeTask.com Handyman Service
Whether you love to strap on your tool belt and get the work done with your own two hands or prefer to manage others who can do the ground work for you, this is a great franchise business opportunity. For minimal startup cost, franchisees with this group have the advantage of working under a central communication team that serves as the linking point between clients and your company, making your job little more than deciding who in your outfit goes to which address.
9. National Property Inspections
With this franchise, you benefit from a trusted name in the home-inspection industry and all the training that comes with it. Other than that, everything is essentially up to you. Be in the field as little or as much as you wish, doing all your office work from home, and reaping the personal reward of knowing that you ensure home and purchasing safety for your clients.
10. Guard-a-Kid
Nothing is worse than hearing about an abducted child. At one simple Guard-a-Kid kiosk, parents are offered the chance to collect all important information about their children into easily referable formats, which makes recovery far more likely should anything tragic ever happen to their child. Make your living helping families.
Though it may seem like a daunting task to begin a business with little more than your business savvy, it's not impossible. In fact, it's probably easier than it seems. These are only a few of the many options available for those who are low on startup funding, which means that it is more than likely that anyone can find one that's right for them without breaking the bank.
For any good business to run, a handful of factors must be in place. Among those few things, two of the most important are business skill on the part of the owner and sufficient startup finances. Have one of those without the other, and you're not likely to see the business succeed; either the business will open brilliantly with the evident effects of each dollar spent and then come crashing down under the weight of poor direction, or it will never open, because for all the skill a potential owner has, she can't afford to purchase even a building-and a grown woman with a curbside, plywood lemonade stand just doesn't fly.
It's for such brilliant folks on a tight budget that we've put together a list of ten great, low-cost small businesses that the fresh-out-of-the-gates business tycoon can jump into with minimal startup cost, just to get the financial ball rolling.
1. Fast-teks
For only a fraction of the cost of most other computer service agencies, this business dumps its franchisees right into the heat of an ever-growing market of computer users in need of technical assistance. At most, the initial investment for this franchise is $7000, there is no experience requirement for the new franchisee (either in computers or management), and work can be done right from home. This is a great opportunity to hone your knack for managing multiple employees on different job sites.
2. TSS Photography
For a roughly $20,000 outset cost, dive into the world of professional photography and prove to yourself that you don't need anyone to help you make your way in the world-and have fun while doing it. Owning and running your own photo lab under the TSS banner, head out into your local area and build relationships with schools and sports teams. You'll never run out of work.
3. Inxpress
Are you good at building client relationships? Perfect! With this small business franchise opportunity, that's all you do. The job of the franchisee is to get out into the city and establish and maintain contacts to whom the franchisor can sell shipping services with major freight companies directly, at discounted prices.
4. Infinite Marketing
Sell VBCs-it's that simple. Though it sounds like some strange cable channel that no one watches, VBC stands for Video Business Card, and the idea is revolutionary. Get your business start by marketing a product that enables users to market themselves in a way that no mere business card could ever allow. It's such an interesting concept, it virtually sells itself, and any business ability you bring to the table only adds to your financial success.
5. Club Z In-Home Tutoring
Yet another opportunity for very little liquid capital investment, a Club Z small business is a whiz-bang choice for the administration-minded teacher-at-heart. The essential job of the franchisee with this company is to link students with professional tutors who can provide in-home, supplemental education in various subjects. No previous experience is necessary, and there's no need for a business location other than your living room.
6. Servicemaster Clean
Own your own business providing carpet, drape, and upholstery cleaning for residences and commercial locations alike. For a measly initial investment, hop into a van and feel the sense of accomplishment that can only come from running and operating your own service industry franchise.
7. MonitorClosely.com
The name of this game is keeping people safe. MonitorClosely provides cutting edge surveillance products to a wide variety of facilities, ranging from daycare locations to convalescent homes. Running the business from home, franchisees are never required to order, keep, or even touch the product. Working as a middleman, business owners build and sustain relationships with companies needing security products and connect them to the central franchisor who is responsible for sales of the actual products.
8. HomeTask.com Handyman Service
Whether you love to strap on your tool belt and get the work done with your own two hands or prefer to manage others who can do the ground work for you, this is a great franchise business opportunity. For minimal startup cost, franchisees with this group have the advantage of working under a central communication team that serves as the linking point between clients and your company, making your job little more than deciding who in your outfit goes to which address.
9. National Property Inspections
With this franchise, you benefit from a trusted name in the home-inspection industry and all the training that comes with it. Other than that, everything is essentially up to you. Be in the field as little or as much as you wish, doing all your office work from home, and reaping the personal reward of knowing that you ensure home and purchasing safety for your clients.
10. Guard-a-Kid
Nothing is worse than hearing about an abducted child. At one simple Guard-a-Kid kiosk, parents are offered the chance to collect all important information about their children into easily referable formats, which makes recovery far more likely should anything tragic ever happen to their child. Make your living helping families.
Though it may seem like a daunting task to begin a business with little more than your business savvy, it's not impossible. In fact, it's probably easier than it seems. These are only a few of the many options available for those who are low on startup funding, which means that it is more than likely that anyone can find one that's right for them without breaking the bank.
