By: Jennifer Brazer
Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.
Fact Checked By: Brittany McMillen
Launch Your Dream: 5 Small Businesses Easy to Start Today!
Have you ever dreamed of owning your time, setting your income, and finally calling the shots—all without a business degree or a trust fund? In 2025, that’s not just a dream—it’s a playbook. Small businesses are booming because starting one today doesn’t require much more than Wi-Fi, mindset, and a smart idea. In this guide, I’ll walk you through five of the easiest and most profitable small businesses you can start this week—with real tips, tools, and insider advice I’ve seen work firsthand.
Key Takeaways
- Leverage TikTok organic reach for dropshipping profits of 40–60%
- Turn résumé writing into a $5–8K/month business using Canva and LinkedIn
- Start a mobile car wash with as little as $50 and scale using local student labor
- Use AI tools like ChatGPT to launch a tutoring business with minimal prep work
- Avoid cash flow mistakes—use automated tools and expert checklists from day one
Why 2025 Is the Year of the Micro-Entrepreneur
Let’s be real—starting a business used to be out of reach for most people. But now? Remote work, community support for small businesses, smart tech, and local business marketing have leveled the playing field. The SBA reports over 33 million small businesses in the U.S. according to latest community support for small businesses data, and many of them started for under $500.
Micro-entrepreneurship (doing more with less) is rising fast, especially when paired with effective marketing strategies for small businesses and tools that remove traditional roadblocks—like rent, payroll, and inventory.
What’s concerning, though, is that 38% of startups fail because they run out of cash, often by underestimating their startup costs. I’ve seen this firsthand with clients who didn’t plan enough runway. This is why smart financial planning matters from day one.
This pattern of small business growth isn’t new. In the 1980s, we saw similar expansion when deregulation and new tech created opportunities. The difference today? The barriers are even lower, and the tools are much better.
Business #1: Dropshipping Dominance
How to start a Shopify store in 4 hours
Dropshipping eliminates the biggest challenge of retail—holding inventory. You act as the middleman, the brand face, the creative engine.
Here’s how to get started fast:
- Set up your Shopify store (website costs typically run $120-$360 per year)
- Link Oberlo or Spocket for product sourcing (think trending niches like pet gadgets or eco-home goods)
- Post TikTok demos to build organic traffic and trust
Want a shortcut? Follow Kamil Sattar’s “Ecom King” approach to geo-targeted product pushes—yielding 40–60% profit margins.
Pro Tip: “Most beginners blow up their first store by trusting the wrong supplier. Always order samples and test shipping speed,” advises our team at Complete Controller.
Common startup expenses for dropshipping include business formation fees ($50-$500) and minimal equipment costs since you’re running things online. This makes it one of the most accessible businesses to start in 2025.
Business #2: Résumé Writing Revolution
Tap into the $3B career coaching industry
Laid-off tech workers, career switchers, recent grads—they all need a leg up. That’s where you come in.
Tools to start:
- Canva for sleek templates
- Google Docs for real-time feedback
- LinkedIn Premium to pitch your services directly
Upsell opportunities:
- LinkedIn profile rebuild: $197–$497
- Cover letter customization: $50–$100
- One-on-one coaching sessions: $75/hour
Success Story: One freelancer made $8,000/month by targeting r/resumes on Reddit and converting warm leads using a simple Google Form intake process.
I’ve seen this business model succeed repeatedly because you’re charging based on value, not hourly rates. With the average administrative assistant earning $22/hour, you can easily make 3-4 times that with specialized résumé services.
Business #3: Mobile Car Wash Empire
The $50 startup that outshines brick-and-mortar
Grab a bucket, a waterless cleaning product, and a folding chair—you’re in business.
Startup tips:
- Start with weekly fleet clients at offices and gyms
- Use EcoTouch to cut water costs
- Price at $30–$50 per wash
Growth trick: Hire hustling local students using Instagram Stories. Pay per job to keep your costs low and morale high.
I’ve seen clients flip $200 into steady $4K–$5K monthly income working only weekends. The best part? Unlike a physical car wash that costs hundreds of thousands to build, you can start tomorrow with almost no overhead.
Business #4: Virtual Tutoring 3.0
AI tools that grade while you sleep
Got a knack for math? Grammar? History? Someone out there will pay for your help.
Launch kit:
- Zoom + Google Docs for live and collaborative teaching
- ChatGPT for lesson planning and faster grading
- Canva + YouTube Shorts to market your unique teaching style
Hot niche: AP exam and SAT prep. Demand is strong, and parents will pay.
Case in Point: VIPKid generated over $300 million before AI. Now, a single tutor armed with the right tech can replicate a six-figure setup solo.
I know a Complete Controller client who started tutoring as a side gig and now earns more from it than from her full-time job. She attributes her success to consistency and using technology to handle administrative tasks.
Business #5: Social Media Consulting
Charge $100/hour without a portfolio
Local businesses know they need social media—but many are stuck or totally offline. That’s your opening. According to small business digital marketing trends, while consumers are heavily engaged on platforms, many businesses struggle to keep up. Understanding these small business digital marketing pitfalls gives you an immediate advantage.
Start strong:
- Offer free audits to three business accounts in your community
- Record your feedback using Loom videos
- Use Metricool for real-time, cross-platform insights
Sell impactful results:
- Monthly social media plans
- Content calendars
- Video editing tip sheets
Authority Hack: Earn a free Meta Blueprint certification (you’ll be shocked how much credibility that adds on your pitch deck).
My favorite part about this business is that you can start with zero portfolio and build credibility through results. One of my clients started by helping a local florist who now attributes 40% of their business to social media leads.
Funding Your Venture: Grants vs Bootstrapping
You don’t need a loan to get started. Small business grants are available—but few entrepreneurs even know where to look. Check out the official small business grants page for opportunities you might qualify for.
Two shots worth exploring:
- Verizon Digital Ready Grants: $10K–25K for online startups. Many go unused each cycle.
- GrantWatch.com: Allows customized searches based on industry, size, and zip code
If all else fails? Start by bootstrapping with cash from freelancing, selling unused items, or offering one-off services like résumé writing.
The average cost to start a small business in 2025 is $40,000 in the first year, but these five options can start for far less—often under $500. This makes them ideal for testing entrepreneurship without risking your financial future.
The Complete Controller Edge
This is where most people mess up—the money side. Bookkeeping isn’t exciting, but it’s what separates the hobbyists from the high earners. Follow these small business management tips to avoid common pitfalls.
True story: A client of ours ignored sales tax compliance and had to pay $17K in back taxes. All avoidable.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Use QuickBooks for expense tracking from Day 1
- Automate recurring invoices
- Follow our Complete Controller Reconciliation Checklist monthly for stress-free reporting
I started Complete Controller because I saw too many brilliant business ideas fail due to poor financial management. You can have the best concept in the world, but without proper bookkeeping, you’ll never know if you’re truly profitable.
Conclusion: Your First Step Toward Business Ownership
Starting a business doesn’t require genius, luck, or massive capital. It takes action, accountability, and the right guidance.
Which of these small businesses speaks to you? The beauty is in their simplicity—you can start any of them this week. The cost barriers are low, the learning curves are manageable, and the profit potential is real.
I’ve spent 15+ years helping entrepreneurs launch and scale businesses. The ones who succeed aren’t necessarily the smartest or the richest—they’re the ones who start, learn, and adjust along the way.
👉 Download your free 30-Day Launch Checklist from Complete Controller and let’s build your dream with both feet on the ground.
FAQ
What’s the cheapest business to start in 2025?
Dropshipping (no inventory) and résumé writing (just need Canva and Wi-Fi) are the cheapest to start, often costing less than $200 to launch.
How do I find small business grants?
Check Grants.gov and filter for “micro-enterprise” under $50k annual revenue. GrantWatch is also helpful for customized searches by industry and location.
Can I run these businesses part-time?
Yes—all five options can operate with 5–10 hours per week starting out. Many of my clients began as side-hustles before going full-time.
What’s the biggest mistake new entrepreneurs make?
Mixing personal and business finances. Always open a separate LLC bank account to track expenses properly and protect your personal assets.
How does AI help small businesses?
It speeds up content creation (Jasper.ai), grading (ChatGPT), and admin tasks (Summarize.tech)—saving hours every week while improving quality.
Sources
- Bankrate. (January 31, 2025). Average Cost Of Starting A Small Business. https://www.bankrate.com/loans/small-business/small-business-average-cost/
- Complete Controller. (n.d.). Launch Your Dream: 5 Small Businesses Easy to Start Today! https://www.completecontroller.com/
- Complete Controller. (n.d.). 5 Essential Marketing Strategies to Help Grow Your Business. https://www.completecontroller.com/5-essential-marketing-strategies-to-help-grow-your-business/
- Complete Controller. (n.d.). Small Business Bookkeeping: 9 Tips and Tricks. https://www.completecontroller.com/small-business-bookkeeping-9-tips-and-tricks/
- Complete Controller. (n.d.). 10 Social Marketing Mistakes. https://www.completecontroller.com/10-social-marketing-mistakes/
- GrantWatch. https://www.grantwatch.com/
- Pew Research Center. Social Media Fact Sheet. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/social-media/
- SBA. (2023, January 26). 2023 Small Business Facts. https://advocacy.sba.gov/2023/01/26/2023-small-business-facts/
- SBA. Funding Programs: Grants. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/grants
- Shopify. (April 3, 2025). Startup Business Costs: How Much They Are and How To Calculate. https://www.shopify.com/blog/cost-to-start-business
- Spocket. https://www.spocket.co/
- Smith, A. (2020). Digital Revolutions: From Internet to Social Media. Digital Journal.
- Upmetrics. (January 14, 2025). How to Calculate Business Startup Costs (2025 Guide). https://upmetrics.co/startup-costs
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
