I had a call from lady who was interested in starting a business with a friend whom she met through her work. They were looking at the starting a trucking business and buying two tractor-trailer units. Capital required to start this type of business could likely exceed $300,000-$350,000 including equipment, permits and operating cash.

But they had no start up cash as they were building a home. I hear that a lot, people want to start a business but do not have cash.

What can they do?

To start a business without cash or equity to invest is a problem. You need some money to get yourself started. Obviously the easiest and lowest cost business to start is a service business.

Start Where You Are At

If you have no cash to invest in a business why would you go out and try to borrow $350,000 to start a business you have no experience in?

What are your skills?

If you are good at organizing a business start providing services as a professional organizer. Find your first clients in family and friends and organize them at a discount or even for free. Then get a testimonial from them.

Start Small

If you love to bake, bake great cakes. Take them to the local flea market and start selling your cakes. See if you like it. Take every penny of profit and re-invest in the business and then start to set some money aside to invest in some training or software to write a business plan.

NOTE: For more help you can try the US Small Business Administration (SBA) Answer Desk - 1-800-UASK-SBA. While the U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. You can also visit: www.sba.gov/answerdesk.html