12 Business Ideas You Can Start in College with Just $100 (Yes, Seriously)

Byfirstclassuni.com

You’ve got big dreams and… a hundred bucks. (Been there). Maybe that’s your entire savings. Maybe it’s your birthday money. 

Maybe it was supposed to go toward textbooks, but you’re thinking “capitalism > capitalism class.” 

Either way, $100 might not seem like much, but in the right hands (👀yours), it’s seed money for a legit college hustle.

A lot of entrepreneurs start a business in college and watch it grow into multimillion-dollar ventures. That could be your story, too. Or not. 

Maybe you’ll make just enough from your business to be able to buy the cute clothes you’ve wanted since last Christmas. Maybe you’ll make enough to order takeout every single day and not go broke. 

Whatever the goal is, starting a business in college is a great idea… if you’re confident you know how to balance school work with your side hustle.

So here are 12 fun, doable, and actually realistic business ideas you can start with just $100, because you are never too young to be a CEO.

1. Campus Thrift Flipping

  • What it is: Buy trendy, pre-loved clothes from thrift stores or Facebook Marketplace and resell them on Depop, Instagram, or Poshmark.
  • What you’ll need: $50–$75 for starter pieces, good lighting, a decent phone camera, and ✨aesthetic vibes✨.
  • Why it works: Gen Z loves sustainable fashion. And you? You’re giving secondhand Chanel on a ramen budget.

2. Custom Press-On Nails Business

  • What it is: DIY press-on nail sets, customized with cute designs, then sold on Etsy or Insta.
  • What you’ll need: Nail tips, glue, paint, and packaging. You can get a starter kit under $100.
  • Why it works: Everyone wants salon nails without salon prices, especially during midterms.

3. Dorm Decor Design Services

  • What it is: Help students design their dorm room layout and aesthetic on a budget.
  • What you’ll need: Canva, Pinterest, some mood board magic, and possibly a $10 domain.
  • Why it works: People want a Pinterest-perfect room but don’t know how to make it happen. Be their dorm whisperer.

4. Freelance Services (Duh)

  • What it is: Sell your existing skills: writing, editing, graphic design, social media management, tutoring, etc.
  • What you’ll need: A free Fiverr or Upwork account, and maybe $20 for a cute portfolio website.
  • Why it works: You already do this stuff for class, now get paid.

Need help getting started? Check out my free Upwork course.

5. Mini Snack/Drink Pop-Up Stand

  • What it is: Sell snacks, homemade drinks, or baked goods in your dorm or during events.
  • What you’ll need: Ingredients, cute packaging, and a basic cooler or table setup.
  • Why it works: Students will pay $5 for a cookie at 11 p.m. during finals week. You just have to be the plug.

6. eBook or Study Guide Sales

  • What it is: Write short guides for surviving certain classes or studying smarter.
  • What you’ll need: Google Docs, Canva, and a little brain power.
  • Why it works: You took Psych 101 and cried, now profit off your trauma and save the next generation.

7. Instagram Page Management for Local Businesses

  • What it is: Manage social media for small businesses near campus.
  • What you’ll need: $0–$30 for tools like Canva Pro or Later. Use your own Insta as a portfolio.
  • Why it works: Local businesses need Gen Z flair. You are the Gen Z flair.

8. Personalized Digital Planners & Notion Templates

  • What it is: Design and sell aesthetic digital planners, Notion setups, or budget templates.
  • What you’ll need: Canva, Notion, or Google Sheets, and $0 upfront.
  • Why it works: Students are ✨obsessed✨ with being organized in theory. You’re selling the dream.

9. Photo or Video Editing Services

  • What it is: Edit photos, TikToks, Reels, or YouTube videos for content creators or local businesses.
  • What you’ll need: Editing software like CapCut, Adobe, and Photoshop(some have student discounts), and a portfolio.
  • Why it works: Creators want content. You want coin. Win-win.

10. Digital Art or Sticker Shop

  • What it is: Design stickers, art prints, or phone wallpapers and sell them on Etsy or Redbubble.
  • What you’ll need: iPad or phone, drawing app like IbisPaint or Procreate Pocket, or even Canva, and your creative brain.
  • Why it works: Everyone wants cute stickers for their laptop, water bottle, or trauma journal.

11. College Event Planning/Hosting

  • What it is: Plan fun, themed events for your dorm or clubs, think “Taco Tuesday Trivia” or “Paint & Sip (with mocktails, ofc)”.
  • What you’ll need: A few props, snacks, and maybe Canva for invites.
  • Why it works: People love events, hate planning them. You get to be the fun one with a clipboard.

12. Laundry + Cleaning Services

  • What it is: Offer to clean or organize dorms, do laundry, or run errands for overwhelmed students.
  • What you’ll need: Cleaning supplies and boldness.
  • Why it works: Some people will pay for you to fold their laundry while they nap. And honestly? Respect.

Bonus Tip: Invest $30 in a Domain + Build Your Brand

Even if your business is small now, make it look big. Because your bank account might be screaming, but your hustle doesn’t have to be.

Snag a domain name, set up a Linktree or portfolio, and start creating content. Everyone loves a founder arc.

Remember: “Started from the dorm, now we’re here” hits different when your dorm was a shoebox and your startup budget was the cost of 4 lattes.

Start Your Business Now

Look, you don’t need a Shark Tank deal (yet) or a trust fund. You need grit, WiFi, maybe a ring light, and a little chaos in your soul. 

Don’t wait until you “have it all together”. Start messy, start small, just start.

Your $100 business idea might be the thing that pays your rent, builds your portfolio, or changes your life. 

And worst-case scenario? You’ll gain experience, confidence, and at least one fire LinkedIn post.

Now go be the CEO your group project wishes they had.

Wishing you peace and funds,

Dee

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