Business you can start with $500 and earn profit of $100 per month

 With $500 capital, your goal of making $100/month profit is realistic, but it depends on your location, effort, and business type. Here are profitable small business ideas you can start with $500 or less and realistically earn $100 or more monthly:

🔹 1. Mini Importation Business (Online Reselling)

Start-up Cost: $100–$500

What You Do: Buy cheap products from AliExpress, 1688, or DHgate and resell locally (e.g., Jumia, Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp).

What to Sell: Phone accessories, beauty products, smart watches, mini speakers, etc.

Profit Potential: 30–100% markup; can make $100+ monthly if you sell just 2–3 items daily.

🔹 2. Recharge Card & Data Reselling

Start-up Cost: $20–$100

What You Do: Buy bulk airtime/data at a discount, resell to people. Works well in Nigeria and other African countries.

How to Start: Use VTU apps like Recharge2Cash, Clubkonnect, etc.

Profit: Small profit per sale, but daily transactions add up quickly.

🔹 3. Foodstuff Packaging & Resale

Start-up Cost: $100–$300

What You Do: Buy food items in bulk (rice, beans, spices), repackage them in small bags, and sell to neighbors or online.

Profit: 20–50% margin, can easily make $100/month.

🔹 4. Thrift Clothing Business (Okrika)

Start-up Cost: $100–$300

What You Do: Buy Grade 1 secondhand clothes or shoes, sell on Instagram, WhatsApp, or a small physical space.

Profit: 50–150% markup depending on item and presentation.

🔹 5. Freelancing / Skill-based Services

Start-up Cost: $0–$200 (for learning tools or courses)

What You Do: Offer writing, graphic design, video editing, social media management, or virtual assistant services.

Where: Fiverr, Upwork, LinkedIn, or even local clients.

Profit: $5–$30+ per job. Just 5–10 jobs monthly can hit your $100 profit goal.

🔹 6. Small Scale Snacks Business

Start-up Cost: $100–$300

What You Do: Make and sell chin chin, puff puff, buns, plantain chips, etc.

Where to Sell: Schools, roadsides, offices, shops.

Profit: High markup if you manage costs and sell daily.

🔹 7. Phone Charging Business (if you're in a low-electricity area)

Start-up Cost: $100–$200 (small generator or power bank setup)

What You Do: Charge people’s phones, sell recharge cards or phone accessories.

Profit: Steady daily income of ₦500–₦1000 or more = $30–$60+, scalable with extras.

🔹 8. Barbing, Braiding or Home Services

Start-up Cost: $100–$300 (tools + training if needed)

What You Do: Provide haircuts, braids, makeup, or home cleaning services.

Profit: If you get 10+ customers monthly, $100+ is easy.

Bonus Ideas (If You Already Have Some Skills):

Blogging/YouTube with Affiliate Links

Digital Products (eBooks, Courses)

Social Media Page Growth + Monetization

Would you like me to recommend just one business idea best for your area (Nigeria) and how to start step-by-step with your $500?