Many people around us talk about the benefits of businesses within the Circular Economy. They list each positive aspect it brings for us and the environment. It all sounds great, but we believe many people hesitate because they’re unsure of where to start, and most importantly, how to begin a business without investing a large sum of money.
Well, here at Trenza Verde, we want to promote new businesses and innovative ideas, so we’ve prepared this first article to share 5 business ideas you can start. These ideas will likely allow you to generate income while caring for and respecting the environment, which is the ultimate goal that drives all of us within the Circular Economy.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the list. We hope to hear from you soon to talk about your success as an entrepreneur in green businesses.
We explain each business idea step by step, so you can start implementing it in no time. Choose the one that best aligns with your interests and personality.
Creative Reuse Business for Clothes and Accessories
a) To get started, you need to gather unwanted or second-hand clothes from friends, family, and local donation centers. In the beginning, you can do this in a very hands-on way. Later, you should create a collection system that won’t take up much of your time, allowing you to find the best pieces for your product line and accessories.
b) If you’re serious about fashion, you should dedicate space to learning basic sewing and design skills through free online tutorials or through free and certified courses offered by arts and labor-focused institutions. For example, in Colombia, SENA offers these courses both in-person and online, and they are free for citizens and legally-resident foreigners.
c) The pieces and clothing you’ve collected now need to be transformed into new, modern, and unique garments and accessories (for example: turning jeans into bags, shirts into skirts, old nylon jackets into caps, etc.). A helpful tip to get started is to follow accounts on social media (Instagram and TikTok) that focus on the Upcycling technique. You’ll see how many creative people give new life to clothes and accessories that seemed destined for the trash.
d) Now think about how to promote yourself and show the world what you do! Create at least two social media accounts to showcase your creations. It’s very important for potential buyers to know your story and what makes your brand and products special.
e) Create a product catalog that you can list for sale on platforms like Etsy, Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, or local markets (many cities set up outdoor spaces to promote entrepreneurs and new businesses). If you want to sell, you need to make yourself known and be present in both virtual and physical spaces for your business to take off.
f) Now comes a challenging part: reinvesting the profits in materials, technology, machinery, and tools to scale your business. For example, my friend Sarah collected jeans and transformed them into bags, purses, and wallets. She sold them online for $25 each and used the profits to buy more supplies and expand her product line.
Electronic Device Repair Service:
a) The first thing to keep in mind is that you need basic skills in repairing electronic devices. Not only that, it’s also good to assess the real demand for repairs in the market. A great example of this is cell phones, as many people don’t have the money to buy a new phone every time their device gets scratched or stops working. If you don’t have knowledge but are really interested in this field, you can opt to learn through free, comprehensive online courses. We also recommend educational institutions focused on work that offer a variety of programs (short courses, technical and technological courses), and trust me, if you certify your skills, more clients will trust the service you provide.
b) Now that you have the knowledge, it’s time to put it into practice. Offer free repairs to your friends and family to gain experience and build your reputation. The important thing is that you gain confidence and realize that this is something you’re truly passionate about.
c) Now it’s time to show others what you can do! Create a presence on social media to showcase your repair skills. Use two, at most three, social media platforms that can help you show what you can do and where you’re located so that your customers can find you.
d) Teamwork makes the dream work! In cities, there are many electronics stores and even recycling centers where you can get spare parts and materials for your work. Plus, you can turn them into partners who will recommend you to their clients.
e) You need to make yourself known and build a customer base, so offer repair services in your community and neighborhood through word of mouth and also online platforms (WhatsApp is a great ally, and it doesn’t cost you anything).
f) A good tip: expand your skills to handle more complex repairs and increase your service offerings. For example, John started by fixing smartphones with broken screens for his classmates. As his skills improved, he began repairing laptops and tablets, charging between $50 and $100 per repair.
Composting Service
a) If your interests lean more toward farming and agriculture, we recommend learning about composting techniques and its benefits. Again, you can learn this through free online resources or by enrolling in free courses and diplomas.
b) A business always starts on a small scale, so you can begin with a small composting system in your backyard using kitchen scraps and garden waste.
c) At this point, you need to start thinking of this as a real business, and be prepared to get your hands dirty! So, you should offer to collect organic waste from neighbors and local businesses to gather more materials for your composting process.
d) Create high-quality compost. Like any good business idea, you will need to go through the process repeatedly (iterations), improving it and being willing to search for the best formula to bring to the market with a top-quality product.
e) Now that you have a product you’re proud of, sell and give away the compost to local gardeners, urban farms, or community gardens. You need to build a name and reputation so others will want to buy your product.
f) Surround yourself with strategic partners to expand your operation! The best strategy is partnering with other businesses and offering composting workshops. For example, María collected coffee grounds from local cafes and vegetable scraps from restaurants. She turned them into rich compost, which she sold to urban gardeners for $10 per bag.
Online Second-Hand Market Curator
a) The first thing you need to do is choose your niche (for example, vintage clothing, retro electronics, rare books, collectibles, classic furniture).
b) Next, you will create social media accounts and establish an online presence focused on your niche. Remember, it’s important for people to clearly understand what you do. It might seem obvious, but many people forget their focus and end up promoting items that aren’t related to their true niche.
c) Now the adventure begins! You’ll look for items from second-hand stores, garage sales, and online markets that you believe have sales potential or cater to collectors or nostalgia enthusiasts.
d) This point is closely related to the previous one: you need to research the items to determine their value and potential market. You won’t just gather items based on hunches. For this, there are Facebook groups that give you an idea of what’s trending and what interests your niche.
e) Create attractive content showcasing the items and their history or unique characteristics. Often, it all depends on how well you tell a story to make people feel the magic of your item.
f) List items for sale on platforms like eBay, Depop, or your own social media. For example, Carlos focused on vintage audio equipment. He would find undervalued items in second-hand stores, clean them, check that they still worked, and then sell them online for a profit, often doubling or tripling his initial investment.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service
a) The first thing you need to do is learn about eco-friendly cleaning techniques and products. There are plenty of videos and documents online to help you understand and make your own products at home.
b) Time to get to work! Start by creating your own natural cleaning solutions using common household ingredients.
c) After experimenting, it’s time to offer free cleaning services to friends and family to gain experience and testimonials.
d) If you believe you have a good product, it’s time to open your social media accounts and show everyone the eco-friendly approach of your cleaning products.
e) You have to take a risk! Look for partnerships with local businesses or homeowners who value sustainable practices. We know it can be tough to do the commercial work, but we’re confident some will be willing to collaborate.
f) Another very attractive option is to expand your services by offering DIY eco-friendly cleaning workshops. For example, Maria started by cleaning homes using vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. She charged $25 per hour, emphasizing the health and environmental benefits compared to more aggressive methods with harmful chemicals for people and the environment.
We hope this article has given you some great ideas to start your business. Some may require more experience and knowledge, but we believe that whichever one you choose, it will be a total success.
Let us know what you think of the article and if you’d like more ideas to venture into the world of the Circular Economy.