What you can realistically start with under R1,000

8 options that fit

1. 1

   Event staff, promoters and brand ambassadors

   Work shifts handing out samples in shops, running activations, ushering at events and staffing stands, booked through agencies and apps.

   • To start: R0 to R300
   • First income: about 21 days
   • No cold selling needed
   • Some evidence

   Why it fits: Customers can come through applying for jobs or platform roles, which you are comfortable with.

2. 2

   Dog walking and pet sitting

   Walk dogs, feed pets and house-sit for owners who work long hours or travel, in your own neighbourhood.

   • To start: R0 to R800
   • First income: about 14 days
   • No cold selling needed
   • Some evidence

   Why it fits: Needs 4+ hours a week; you have 10.

3. 3

   Reselling pre-loved items online

   Sell your own unused items, then source second-hand clothes, books or electronics to resell on Yaga or Facebook Marketplace.

   • To start: R0 to R2 000
   • First income: about 7 days
   • No cold selling needed
   • Some evidence

   Why it fits: Needs 2+ hours a week; you have 10.

4. 4

   Flipping furniture and electronics on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree

   Buy under-priced furniture, appliances, tools or electronics from estate sales, auctions and listings, clean or fix them, and resell them at a fair profit on Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.

   • To start: R500 to R5 000
   • First income: about 21 days
   • No cold selling needed
   • Some evidence

   Why it fits: Needs 5+ hours a week; you have 10.

5. 5

   Paid research studies and surveys

   Take part in academic studies (Prolific) and market research surveys for small payments.

   • To start: R0
   • First income: about 14 days
   • No cold selling needed
   • Some evidence

   Why it fits: Customers can come through work handed out by an app or platform, which you are comfortable with.

6. 6

   Selling at craft, flea and weekend markets

   Rent a table at a craft, flea or weekend market and sell goods you make or buy in, face to face, with a card machine and a WhatsApp catalogue for repeat buyers.

   • To start: R300 to R3 000
   • First income: about 21 days
   • No cold selling needed
   • Some evidence

   Why it fits: Needs 6+ hours a week; you have 10.

7. 7

   Reselling airtime, data and electricity

   Sell prepaid airtime, data and electricity to your community from your phone through vending platforms.

   • To start: R100 to R2 000
   • First income: about 7 days
   • No cold selling needed
   • Some evidence

   Why it fits: Needs 5+ hours a week; you have 10.

8. 8

   Home and office cleaning for your own clients

   Clean homes, flats and small offices for regular clients you find yourself, or start through an app such as SweepSouth and build your own client list.

   • To start: R0 to R1 500
   • First income: about 14 days
   • No cold selling needed
   • Some evidence

   Why it fits: Customers can come through work handed out by an app or platform, which you are comfortable with.

How we built this list: we run our scoring method on one common situation and show the options that pass every hard limit, best fit first. Your own answers will change it.