If You’re Broke, Start THIS Business First (It’s Stupidly Simple)

Let’s be real. If you're broke and trying to start a business, the worst thing you can do is overcomplicate it. No, you don’t need investors.

No, you don’t need a fancy app or website. What you need is cash flow—fast. And there’s one type of business that makes that happen better than any other.

Forget e-commerce. Forget SaaS. Forget passive income pipe dreams. If you’re starting from scratch, the smartest move you can make is launching a service-based business.

Here’s exactly why that works, how to start one today, and how to scale it into something bigger down the road.

Why Service Businesses Are the Perfect First Business

1. You Make Money FAST

Let’s be honest—most people start a business to make money. But ironically, many dive into models that take forever to become profitable. Think about it: SaaS requires product development. E-commerce needs inventory and marketing spend. That’s a lot of upfront effort and cash before you even make your first dollar.

With a service business, all you need is a skill and a client. That’s it.
When I launched NorthStackAI, I didn’t build a fancy product. I offered a solution—automation for businesses—and sold it first. Got paid upfront. Built it after. That’s the play: Sell first. Deliver after.

2. Startup Costs Are Practically Zero

Service businesses are the ultimate low-barrier entry. You don’t need capital. You don’t even need a website. You just need to be good at something and find someone who needs that thing done.

When I started Sigma School, there was no polished site or branding. I just helped people learn to code—and that was enough to get traction.

Got a skill like video editing, copywriting, AI automation, or web design?
You already have everything you need to start.

3. Instant Market Feedback

Most business models have a long runway. You build, test, tweak, launch—then pray someone buys. Not with services. If people are paying you, it works. If they’re not, you pivot. Simple.

Each client gives you feedback. You get paid while learning what the market really wants. That’s priceless.

NorthStackAI started as a consulting gig. Through client work, I discovered common needs, then built systems to solve them. What began as a service evolved into a scalable solution.

How to Start Your Service Business (Step-by-Step)

Alright, now let’s break it down into three simple steps so you can take action today—not someday.

Step 1: Pick a Problem You Can Solve

All business boils down to one simple principle: solve a painful problem. To figure out where you fit in, start by asking yourself a few key questions.

What are you naturally good at? What do people already come to you for help with? And what common struggles do businesses face that you know how to fix? That’s exactly how I discovered my niche.

I noticed companies were overwhelmed with repetitive, manual tasks, so I stepped in and offered automation solutions. That’s how NorthStackAI was born.

Maybe your strength is in copywriting, running Facebook ads, or creating standout branding. Whatever your edge is, identify it—and lean into it. That’s where your service business begins.

Step 2: Find and Sell to Your First Clients

This part takes real hustle—because the truth is, no one’s going to hand you clients on a silver platter. You’ve got to get scrappy and put yourself out there.

Start by reaching out directly to business owners on LinkedIn, where many decision-makers hang out. Share your knowledge and insights on platforms like Twitter to attract attention and build credibility.

Jump into niche Facebook groups where your ideal clients are already asking for help, and offer your services directly. If you’re ready to go a step further, use tools like Instantly.ai or Lead Carrot to find targeted leads and send cold emails.

The goal at this stage isn’t to land ten clients—it’s to get just one. That first win builds momentum, and momentum is everything.

Step 3: Deliver Results & Build Systems

Now that you’ve landed a client, your focus should shift to overdelivering. Go above and beyond to make their life easier and get them tangible results.

When clients see real value, they’re more likely to stick around, refer others, and help build your reputation. As you begin working with more clients, it’s essential to start systemizing your workflow.

Use tools like GoHighLevel to streamline client communication and manage relationships efficiently. Automate repetitive processes with tools like Zapier or n8n to save time and reduce manual work.

For task and project management, platforms like ClickUp can help you stay organized and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

The goal is to create a repeatable system that runs smoothly without requiring you to be involved in every detail. That’s how you move from trading hours for dollars to building a scalable business.

Scaling Up: Where It Gets Fun

Once you’re making money and consistently delivering results, the next step is figuring out how to scale—and there are three powerful ways to do it. The first is by hiring a team.

Bringing in others to help you fulfill the service allows you to shift your focus toward growth activities like marketing, sales, and strategy. It frees up your time so you can work on the business, not just in it.

Another option is to productize your service. Instead of customizing everything for each client, you can create a streamlined, repeatable offer with fixed pricing and deliverables.

This makes it easier to sell, fulfill, and scale—because you’re no longer reinventing the wheel with every new project. Clients love clarity, and productized services offer just that.

Finally, if your service solves a problem that shows up repeatedly, you can turn it into a full-on product—like a SaaS, an online course, or another type of digital solution. That’s exactly what I did with Sigma School.

It started with me teaching people to code one-on-one, but over time, I built systems, automation, and a team around it. Now it’s a complete bootcamp that runs at scale.

By turning your expertise into a product, you create leverage—allowing you to earn more without directly trading time for money.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple

Starting a business doesn’t have to be complicated. If you want to learn the ropes, make real money, and build a foundation for bigger opportunities—start with a service business.

No fluff. No fancy tools. Just you, your skills, and people willing to pay for them.