31 Home Businesses You Can Start For Less Than $50

Are you looking for home businesses with low startup fees? Well, keep reading; I have a big list of business ideas that are less than $50 to start!

If you’re anything like me, your first experience with a direct sales rep is probably with Avon or Tupperware (both of which are still going strong today).

Our Avon rep would make the rounds once a month, going door-to-door, saying, “Avon calling.” My mom would let her in, and she’d show us all of her new products and goodies. As a kid, I loved looking at all of the makeup, lotions, perfumes, and lipstick samples.

Today the direct sales industry has exploded; there are hundreds of companies with thousands of products. And women everywhere are cashing in by selling products through pop-up parties, social media, and digital sales.

While some MLM companies have significant startup fees, there are many that you can start for less than $50 — some business opportunities are FREE!

If money is tight, here is a huge list of home businesses with low startup fees (companies are listed from lowest to highest startup cost).

1. Teespring – $0

Okay, not a direct sales opportunity, but this business opportunity is totally free! Teespring is a platform where you can create apparel, coffee mugs, bags, home decor, phone cases, and more! To get started, create a free account and then design your products. Once you hit the publish button, your creations will be featured on their site for sale. There are many factors to figure in when calculating your earnings, from the type and quality of products used to how many sales you generate. Play around with the platform to get an idea of how much you can earn.

Be sure to read our full review on Teesping here.

2. Avon – $0

Did you know that Avon is rated the number one direct sales company in the world, with net sales reaching over 11 billion in 2011 alone?! Avon sells old-time beauty favorites like Skin So Soft and new and exciting skincare products like the ANEW product line. Avon is currently running a special where you can get started for free; usually, it’s $25 to get started.

3. Tocara – $1

If you love sterling silver, stainless steel, and 10K gold jewelry, check out Tocara! With this low-cost direct sales opportunity, you can get started for as little as $1! This petite kit comes with your website, online training, marketing tools, and the opportunity to earn free products. Consultants earn 25-40% commission on sales and get heavily discounted jewelry. This business opportunity is available in the US and Canada.

4. Magnabilities – $12.95

Magnabilities sells customized magnetic jewelry. With this business opportunity, you can join the virtual opportunity for just $12.95, which includes your website for one month. After that, it’s $12.95 a month. They also have a $50 startup kit that contains $100 in products and business supplies. Consultants earn up to 50% commission on sales and additional commission for building a team.

5. Aloette – $16.95

Aloette sells skincare products infused with organic aloe, along with cosmetics and bath and body products. All products are cruelty-free, have farm-to-jar ingredients, and are free of harsh chemicals. With this opportunity, you can get started for as little as $16.95 with their social influencer starter kit. Influencers earn 25% on sales and get a 25% discount on products.

6. Crowned Free – $19

Crowned Free sells women’s clothing, t-shirts for kids, jewelry, home decor, accessories, and more. For only $19.99, you can start with the affiliate digital startup kit, which gives you a website for 30 days. After that, it’s $5.99 for your website. For just a tad bit more ($49), you can get the stylish starter kit, where you’ll receive $400 worth of products, postcards, order forms, flyers, and business opportunity packets. Consultants earn 25-30% commission, and they get paid every two weeks. Crowned Free has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

7. Java Momma – $20

Java Momma sells organic fairtrade coffee, flavored coffee, loose-leaf tea, cocoa, and accessories in various flavors like sea salt caramel mocha, raspberry chocolate rodeo, and pumpkin muffin. Baristas earn 20% commission on sales and additional commissions on team sales. Java Momma offers three starter kits ranging in price from $20-$145. With this opportunity, you’re only required to make one sale every three months, and your replicated website is free.

8. Jordan Essentials – $24.50

Jordan Essentials is an affordable business opportunity that will cost you only $24.50 to start. Selling healthy skincare and life products, consultants earn a 25% commission on sales. Your starter kit includes products, samples, tools, and your website for three months. Jordan Essentials is a member of the Direct Selling Association.

9. Labella Baskets – $24.95 a Month

Labella Baskets sells gift baskets, personalized gifts, plantable greeting cards, candles, charm bracelets, cookies, and more. You can join this low-cost direct sales opportunity for just $24.95 a month. This fee includes your website, training, back-office, and more. Consultants earn 30-40% commission on personal sales and even more if they build a team.

10. Kaeser & Blair – $25

If you know a lot of business owners who need promotional items, Kaeser & Blair might be the perfect low-cost business opportunity for you! With Kaeser & Blair, you can get started for just $25, which includes a business manual, 5-7 product samples, and online training. As an independent seller, you’ll earn a 50-65% commission on sales of promotional products. They even have a free trial packet if you’d like to test the waters and see if this is the right opportunity for you.

11. WineShop at Home – $25

WineShop at Home sells wine, stemware, gift baskets, and more. With this low-cost business opportunity, you can get started for $25, which includes order forms, a few wine tools, and your website for one month (after that, it’s $19.95 a month). While you can choose the $25 virtual vino kit to host an in-home tasting party, you’ll need wine, so I’d recommend the $99 starter kit, which also comes with a couple of bottles of wine. Consultants earn 20-44% commission on sales and team-building efforts.

12. JAFRA – $25

JAFRA sells skincare products that contain royal jelly, along with fragrance, makeup, and bath and body products. Their business opportunity starts at just $25. Consultants earn up to 50% commission on sales. The JAFRA business opportunity is available in the US, Mexico, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Indonesia.

13. Yanbal – $29

Available in the US, Peru, Spain, Mexico, Italy, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia, Yanbal sells bath and body, skincare, makeup, fragrances, and jewelry. Style advisors can get started for $29 and earn 20-50% commission on sales and additional commission for building a team.

14. JR Watkins – $29.95

JR Watkins sells natural home care cleaning supplies, extracts, spices, seasoning mixes, baking decorations, and cooking spray. The startup cost is only $29.95, and independent consultants receive 35% savings off of products.

15. pawTREE – $29.99

pawTREE sells seasonings, food, treats, supplements, toys, and accessories for cats and dogs. Pet pros can earn up to 35% commission on sales and additional commission for team-building activities. For your $29.99 starter fee, you’ll get a variety sampler kit, access to all their training, and your website free for three months!

16. Mary Kay – $30

You probably have experience with Mary Kay, and if you love their beauty and personal care products, you can start your business for just $30! With this option, you’ll get your personalized website for one year, access to ProPay (a payment processing tool), online training, marketing tools, and more. Beauty consultants can earn up to 50% commission on sales and earn great prizes for meeting and exceeding goals.

17. Youngevity – $30

If you’re of the mindset that variety is the spice of life, you must check out Youngevity! They sell everything, including health, nutrition, and weight loss products, nail wraps, nail polish, makeup, clothing, food and beverages, essential oils, pet products, and more! To become a distributor, there is a $30 enrollment fee, which renews annually at $49.95. I wasn’t able to locate the commission rate for distributors, so you’ll need to inquire about this information.

18. doTERRA – $35

doTERRA sells essential oils, care products, diffusers, and other wellness products. You can get started for as little as $35 for the product guide enrollment fee, and your website is free (products cost extra). Consultants earn a 25% commission on all retail sales, and you can earn more for building a team.

19. PartyLite – $35

If you’re into good-smelling candles and home decor, another popular multi-level marketing company to explore is PartyLite. With their basic builder kit, you can join for just $39! Affiliates can earn up to 35% commission on sales plus additional bonuses for signing up other affiliates.

20. OneHope – $39

If you love wine, check out OneHope. With this home-based business opportunity, you can launch your business for just $39 with their virtual kit. Your website will cost an additional $12 per month or $99 per year. As a OneHope cause entrepreneur, you’ll earn 20-25% commission on sales and additional commission for team-building activities. With OneHope, 10% of your qualified event proceeds go to a non-profit of your choice.

21. Lemongrass Spa – $39

Do you love all-natural bath, body, and beauty products? With Lemongrass Spa, you can start your own business for just $39! With their low-cost social selling kit, you’ll get body care essentials, catalogs, and promotional materials. As a consultant, expect to earn a 25% commission on sales, additional commission for building a team, product discounts, bonuses, and prizes for meeting and exceeding milestones.

22. Think Goodness – $39

With Think Goodness, you can sell products from Origami Owl, Willing Beauty, CMYK, and Intuitiv Wellness. With this opportunity, you can get started for just $39, which includes a $180 TG product pack, a personalized website, training, and more. Brand Ambassadors can earn up to 25-30% commission, plus additional perks.

23. Team Beachbody – $39.95

If you enjoy fitness and wellness, become a Team Beachbody Coach, and sell products like the grueling P90X workout system and workout programs, shakes, nutritional supplements, nutritional bars, and fitness gear. With a low startup cost of $39.95 and a monthly recurring fee of $15.95 – this could be a great home-based business opportunity for the fitness enthusiast.

24. Life’s Abundance – $40

If you’re into healthy living for yourself and your pet, look into Life’s Abundance. Selling clean beauty, body, and supplements for people, food, treats, supplements, and products for cats and dogs; it’s only $40 to get started! There is a $19.95 annual renewal fee, and you’ll earn a commission on your personal sales and sales from your team.

25. Unicity – $40

Unicity sells nutritional, personal care, and wellness products globally. With this business opportunity, you can purchase just the digital getting started guide without products for $40.

26. Boisset Collection – $49

Boisset Collection is a direct sales company that sells wine, accessories, jewelry, and gifts. For just $1, you can sign up with their go-green kit, which includes access to their digital platform, training tools, marketing assets, and website for 90 days (after that, it’s $14 per month). This does not include any wine or stemware, so you’ll want to consider purchasing a tasting kit.

27. L’BRI – $49

L’BRI sells skincare products that are infused with aloe, as well as makeup. For $49, you can join as a consultant, which includes samples, a website for 30 days, and training and marketing materials. Consultants earn up to 35% commission on sales and discounts on personal orders.

28. Red Aspen – $49

If you love makeup and nail dashes, check out the Red Aspen business opportunity! With your $49 enrollment fee, you’ll receive an onboarding checklist, welcome letter, products, and your website, free for three months. Brand ambassadors earn up to 35% commission on sales, plus you can build a team and earn even more.

29. Tastefully Simple – $49

Are you a foodie? If so, check out the direct sales company, Tastefully Simple! With their starter business blast-off kit, you can start for just $49! The kit includes a welcome booklet, meal kit, party food kit, catalogs, brochures, and your website for two months. Consultants earn up to 40% commission, and you can build a team for even more earnings.

30. Tula Xii – $49

Tula Xii sells customizable lifestyle organizers. For just $49, you’ll get one planner, inserts, supplies, and your replicated website for one month. After that, your website is $8.99 a month. Brand ambassadors earn 25% commission on sales and 10% in sales bonuses. You can make even more for building a team.

31. Trades of Hope – $49

Another home business with low startup fees is Trades of Hope. Selling jewelry, gifts, bags, clothing, and coffee, direct sales reps can earn 25-35% commission on sales. With their $49 starter kit, you’ll receive a $100 value in product samples, business training, marketing tools, a private Facebook group, and more.

Final Thoughts About Businesses with Low Startup Fees

So there you have it, a bunch of home businesses with low startup fees! While these are good budget-friendly options, if you don’t have a passion for the products you’re selling — you will have difficulty convincing others to purchase them from you. And honestly, why would you want to sell something that you yourself don’t love?!

If there is a direct sales company that you LOVE, keep tabs on their business opportunity page. Oftentimes, companies run specials where you can sign up for a discounted rate, or you can earn your kit by hosting a qualified party. I’ve also seen a couple of direct-selling companies that offer payment plans, too, so keep your eyes open; there are lots of ways to sign-up with a company you’re passionate about.

Do you know of another direct sales company that offers low startup fees? We would love to know about it — drop us a note below, and we’ll consider it for our list.

Originally published January 10, 2014. Content updated February 2023