Experience shows that a lot of people put off starting a business because they think they need deep pockets to get going.
They imagine they need 5 figures in savings before they’ve even sold a thing.
Although having some startup capital can be helpful, the truth is, some of the most successful solopreneurs in the world began with little more than an idea and a few hundred quid.
Also, if you continue with your day job whilst starting a new business, the amount of money that you’ll need is probably less than you think.
So to prove my point, I’ve been scouring the internet and found five business examples that prove my point, and hopefully give you a bit if inspiration:
Tabs Chocolate
This is an aphrodisiac chocolate brand that went viral on TikTok. I haven’t tried it myself, so I’ve no idea whether it works or not 😂
They started with less than £1,000 and now the brand makes over £11M a year!
Looking at their marketing strategy, their product was deliberately designed for shareability. That way, by creating something visually striking that fit perfectly with TikTok culture, they turned social media into a free launchpad.
You don’t necessarily need a physical product this bold to apply the same principle. Just think about how your business could be packaged for Instagram reels, YouTube Shorts, or even a quirky landing page.
Plenty of Fish
This is a free dating site built by one man with almost no budget.
He started with less than £1,000 and eventually sold after hitting £10M/year.
The lesson here is clear – People love free. By offering his service for free, he attracted millions of users and created his own momentum.
This is a great example, as same approach can work for free newsletters, free digital tools, or free starter courses…things that hook an audience before you introduce a paid version.
TLDR Newsletter
This is a daily newsletter covering tech news in bite-sized form.
They started with less than £500 and now earn £5M a year!
This goes to show that consistency and clarity can build trust faster than money. TLDR kept their format simple and repeatable, and built a loyal audience one issue at a time.
If you’ve ever considered starting a newsletter, blog, or podcast, this model shows that focusing on one simple idea can beat complexity and huge budgets.
Even in 2025, newsletters are still big business. And you don’t need to be in tech , you could start a:
Finance tips newsletter helping people manage their money
Health and fitness digest with daily routines, recipes, or motivation
Local business round-up spotlighting deals, events, and news in your town (local newsletters have massive potential)
Side hustle ideas digest (like what we talk about here each week!)
Book or film club newsletter with reviews and recommendations
Neville Medhora’s Copywriting Course
This is an online course teaching copywriting skills.
They started with less than £500 and now generates £1.3M/year.
Looking at their origin story, Neville didn’t use ads or SEO campaigns to begin with. He tapped into his own network, offering value to people who already trusted him.
The same applies if you’re starting consulting, freelance services, or coaching. Often your first paying customers are already in your phone contacts, not “out there” in the wider market.
Carrd
This is a no-code platform for building one-page websites.
Again, they with less than £500 and now make over £1M/year.
AJ, the founder, focused entirely on building a tool that solved a clear problem, and word-of-mouth did the rest.
For you, this could mean building a simple template, a niche toolkit, or even a downloadable resource that solves a pain point for a small but eager audience. If they solve a real problem, geat products often market themselves.
Takeaway
These aren’t unicorns that got lucky. They’re proof that with focus, creativity, and persistence, even a small budget is enough to start something that grows into a serious business.
The pattern is clear: choose a simple idea, launch quickly, and use free or organic growth channels before spending a penny on ads.
Imagine what you could achieve in the next 12 months if you stopped waiting for perfect conditions and just started with what you already have?
If you had £500 to invest in yourself today, what would you create?
Could it be a newsletter, a digital course, or even a simple online shop for a unique product like Tabs Chocolate?
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