Start a business with 0 euros

Projects are multiplying in your head…

You want to start your own business, but You have no budget? Is it possible to get started with limited funds?

Yes, but it depends on your project. If it requires acquiring premises or buying materials, you'll need to think about financing. But in many other cases, it is possible today to start an independent activity with €0.

Be careful though — consider the small administrative fees (around one hundred euros) and the fact that you won't be able to pay yourself a salary immediately. Beyond these considerations, it is entirely possible to create your small business project with €0.

You want to get started… Codeur.com offers you some tips to make it easier to succeed.

What type of business can you start with a €0 budget?

From a legal standpoint, no type of company require requires a mandatory minimum capital except for the SA (public limited company), which imposes a minimum capital of €37,000. You can therefore create, according to your choice and needs, either a SARL (limited liability company), an EURL, a SAS, a MICRO ENTERPRISE or AUTO-ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

The micro-enterprise is part of sole proprietorships (EI or EIRL). It is a legal form chosen by a large number of entrepreneurs businesses, becauseit is flexible and quite simple to set up. The EURL (single-member limited liability company) is a status equivalent to that of the SARL (limited liability company) but can be created by a single person.

The SARL is often chosen when people want to share the investments related to the creation business, it also allows the company's manager to be paid as an employee.

Then there is the status of thea micro-enterprise. which is the simplest way to start. It requires no investment and takes very little time to set up. It is part of sole proprietorships. It allows you toto be be exempt from VAT. However, you must not exceed certain revenue thresholds:

Another advantage of this status, it's that you only pay contributions on what you have earned. If nothing does not count during the early period, you have no contributions to pay.

If you earned less than €5,000 in the calendar year, you will be exempt from the business property tax (CFE)

You can also choose the withholding tax option for your income tax (each time you declare an amount, a % is deducted as income tax).

Tips for starting a business with a €0 budget

Starting a business with 0 euros may seem a bit complicated. There's always a small initial outlay. However, you can try to get close to that. Codeur.com gives you some advice:

Create a business plan

The business plan is the founding element of your project. It's a document that will allow you to clarify everything concerning your project. It will be your action plan and serve as a reference when building your business. The business plan includes:

This document will also be requested when you look for people to invest in your business, whether it's banks or internet users in the context of Crowdfunding.

Check available support options

If you are unemployed, you may be eligible for certain conditional support for taking over or creating a business. There are:

You can also turn to loans for business creation or to tax-based financial aid such as the research tax credit, the Young Innovative Company (JEI) tax credit or the University Young Enterprise (JEU).

Consider crowdfunding

Since the early 2000s there has also been a financing tool developed through internet platforms called crowdfunding. These platforms connect business founders and internet users. The idea is that internet users help finance projects whatever regardless of their nature (artistic, industrial, entrepreneurial…)

Love money

Your close contacts (family or friends) may want to encourage you in your venture. Ask them to help you get your project creation costs down to zero euros. Be convincing !

Training

Starting a business requires skills. If you lack them in some areas—perhaps administrative work or sales—don’t hesitate to go online and follow training tutorials.

Mastering tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPointor e-commerce site builders or website creation software will be a great help

Grow your business for free

Once created, your business will need to grow. That can cost money. Start with channels that aren’t too demanding financially, such as word-of-mouth and your network. Get active on social media. Creating a website is now a necessity.

To help you with this task, you can call on freelancers for a reasonable fee. They will be able to assist in implementing your site and in its search engine optimization. Indeed, a website that does not appear on the first pages of search engines will not be of much interest. The SEO part is therefore fundamental

Here are some tips to grow your network:

Join an online community through social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram. Choose the networks that best match your needs and your target audience.

Join groups you can sign up to in order to meet people who share your entrepreneurial ideas. In addition, joining these types of groups can also provide valuable insights about your potential future customers. You can also make yourself known through them.

Develop a partnership with other businesses

Post small ads, often free, on sites like leboncoin, je-me-propose.com… There are options for every profession.

For example, you can obtain a sponsored blog post in exchange for helping your supplier promote their brand using your skills.

Attend events and conferences

Beyond the Internet, you can attend events related to your business to meet new people and expand your network. You might even meet potential investors!

Solutions for starting a business with zero euro

Keep your day job

Many people decide to leave their job when their first idea is born. This is especially true for those stuck in work that doesn't really excite them. However, creating a business can be a long and costly process. In the early stages you may not be able to pay yourself a salary. If you add the stress of not making ends meet to the stress of succeeding in your project, you may not hold up.

This will help you hold on financially and provide a lifeline in case the development of your business doesn't go so well. Of course, you can always quit your job if everything goes well; that's your choice.

Choose a sector that requires little equipment

In the event that if you have no money, you won't be able to invest in merchandise or equipment. So forget selling products, unless you decide to create a dropshipping e-commerce. There, you won't need to buy stock and you can work from home. Dropshipping connects three parties commercially: the buyer, the seller (you) as well as and the supplier. You act as an intermediary between the buyer and the supplier. You don't have to front any money nor manage inventory.

You can also choose:

Become a freelancer.

Depending on your skills, you can become a web writer, graphic designer, web designer, developer… anything related to the Internet is growing and opens the door to many professions.

Personal services

Still related to your skills, there are traditional trades such such as hairdressing or at-home beauty services, but also child care, pet sitting and dog walking. The elderly care market is growing significantly and opens doors to service jobs (shopping, small administrative tasks…).

Become a consultant.

This field is particularly aimed at people trained and experienced in the chosen field (accounting, coach sports, business creation, communication…)

A career as a sales agent awaits you.

In real estate, for example, it is increasingly developing through online platforms that handle the "marketing" side, leaving you the task of finding properties for sale to offer to buyers.

Healthcare activities

They are often linked to the need to obtain a diploma, yet require little investment. Psychologist, life coach… You can consult at home or in video conference a conference.

Crafts and DIY

These are professions that can be started without too many resources. Some, however, such as painter or plumber, will require some investment in equipment.

Recycle your personal equipment

You surely have the necessary equipment to start your business. It is not necessary to immediately buy a MacBook Pro, the latest smartphone, or a new-generation tablet.

Your current desktop computer and a one-year-old smartphone will be more than enough to:

If you really need to buy equipment, check Le Bon Coin or visit second-hand shops. Now is not the time to dip into your small savings.

Work from home

There's no need to immediately want a flashy illuminated sign on premises on the Champs-Élysées. If possible, set up a professional corner in your living room, with a small desk and a few trays for your papers for respond to freelance assignments.

Our tip

We never said it was easy to start a business with €0 capital. However, with a bit of cleverness and some recycling (very trendy!), you can get the beginnings of your activity off the ground and earn your first profits. 3 steps prove to be fundamental to carrying out your project: – Preparing your business plan – Choosing the legal status best suited to your needs – Completing the administrative procedures to be able to launch your new venture. Once all this is done, all that will remain is to reinvest it in acquiring clients, and then obtain cutting-edge equipment, a suitable office and, why not, the development of complementary services.

What advice would you give to a freelancer who wants to start out with no budget?

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