If you want to start your own business but are struggling with budget constraints, worry no more. In 2026, there are many small business ideas you can start from a corner of your home with an investment of less than ₹10,000. These robust business models are not only great for women and youth but also have strong profit-generating potential. In today’s digital age, with the right skills and a strong passion, you can transform a small startup into a major brand.
Tiffin Service
In today’s fast-paced lives, people are tired of unhealthy food outside and are looking for pure, home-cooked food. From big cities to small towns, tiffin service has become a necessity for those living away from home for studies or work. You can start this business from your own kitchen with an investment of just ₹5,000 to ₹8,000.
The key advantage of this business is that you don’t have to pay hefty rent for a shop. Just be meticulous about cleanliness, taste, and timely delivery. As your clientele grows, your monthly income will surpass even a corporate salary.
Pickle and Spice Business
Pickles and fresh spices have a unique significance in Indian cuisine. Amidst the plethora of adulterated products available in the market, if you start selling pure homemade pickles and hand-ground spices, success is assured. To start this business, you only need fresh vegetables, oil, spices, and some glass jars. The demand for homemade pickles has now reached abroad, so this can also become a profitable export business. An initial investment of ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 can yield strong margins, thanks to low raw material costs and high taste.
Unique Tea Stall
Tea is India’s most profitable beverage, and its business never slows down. Examples like “MBA Chaiwala” have proven that even a small tea stall can generate crores in turnover. All you need is a good location and the development of a signature tea taste. With milk, tea leaves, and some basic utensils, you can set up a great setup for under ₹10,000. If you add something new, like kulhad tea or tandoori tea, your name will spread rapidly, and customers will be drawn to your shop.
Mehndi Artists and Beauty Services
During wedding and festival seasons, the demand for mehndi artists skyrockets. There’s still a significant shortage of professional mehndi artists in rural areas and small towns. If you have a knack for art, you can earn thousands of rupees by purchasing a mehndi cone for just a few hundred rupees. Nowadays, a mehndi-style bridal mehndi is charged between ₹5,000 and ₹15,000. Alternatively, you can also offer basic beauty parlor services from home, with minimal investment but substantial earnings.
Digital Service Centers and Online Work
In today’s digital India, every government job requires filling out online forms or preparing documents. People in villages and towns often travel to cities for these small tasks. If you have an old computer and printer, you can start a business by putting up a small board outside your home and filling out online forms, updating PAN cards/Aadhaar cards, and making photocopies. Apart from this, using AI tools, you can also provide cutting-edge services like content writing and social media management, which have zero investment and maximum profit.