_{This weeks Hussle Topic is all about starting a business/creative hussle with no money.}

Yo Hussle fam,

One thing I often come across is people thinking that you can’t start a business without money. While this might be true for certain types of businesses, there are plenty of ventures you can start (or work towards) with little to no money. In today’s day and age, with the blessing of the internet, a lot of things are literally at our disposal.

I also believe true creativity is birthed from having limited resources. When you don’t have money, you’re forced to figure out how to get things done with nothing. That’s real creativity, so don’t shy away from it. If you know how to create with no money, imagine what you can do when you do have it.

When we started GUAP Magazine, we had no money but a lot of passion and a clear vision. We leveraged our existing skills and resources to get off the ground. I learned how to shoot, build websites, and edit videos from YouTube. We attended public events to network and promote our work. We offered our services for free to build a portfolio, used free online tools to create our brand, and networked tirelessly to find clients and supporters.

Over time, our efforts paid off, and we were able to scale the magazine. Having money would have helped in the early years, but not having money allowed us to be more efficient and develop a formula that enabled us to create great work at minimal cost.

Here are 5 tips I’ve learned about starting a business with no money:

People often think you need money to start a business, but that’s not always the case. When you pay for a service, what you are really paying for is knowledge or skill. If you don’t have money, you usually have time. Spend that time learning the things you were going to pay for, even if it’s just basic knowledge. When you're starting out, you either sacrifice time or money, or sometimes both. Platforms like YouTube are basically a free university—spend as much time as you can learning the things you need.

Remember what I said about value exchange. Offer your skills or products in exchange for services you need. For example, if you’re a photographer, trade a photoshoot for website development or marketing help. This way, you can get essential services without spending cash. This also helps you build your network horizontally and allows you to form lifelong connections while helping others.

Everyone has social media, but you can either use it for work or play. It’s one of the greatest things that’s happened to creators and entrepreneurs, as it allows us to promote what we do to a mass audience with no middleman. Social media is a powerful tool for building brand awareness and connecting with potential customers. Create engaging content, join relevant groups, and participate in discussions to build your network. Attend local meetups and networking events to connect with other entrepreneurs and potential partners.

Your venture isn’t going to be what you envision it to be on day one, and that’s okay. Launch your business on a small scale to minimize risks. Begin with a minimal viable product (the most basic format of your idea) and put it out there. Get real-life feedback to make improvements and gradually scale your business as you gain more customers and resources. There are lots of tools online that can help you create your most basic format—if you want to create an app, start with a microsite; if you want to shoot with the best cameras, start with your phone, etc.

Be frugal and keep your overhead costs low. Work from home or a co-working space, use free or low-cost software, and avoid unnecessary expenses. Focus on investing in things that will directly contribute to your business growth.

Starting a business with no money is all about leveraging what you have, staying resourceful, and maintaining a strong focus on your goals. With determination and a bit of creativity, you can turn your business idea into a reality.

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_{I’ve found that curiosity is one of the keys to growing in this industry. The moment you stop learning, is the moment you stop growing so every week in Curiosity Corner. l share a bunch of random books, youtube videos, music I listen to and more that have and still help me develop both personally and professionally. Have a look and let me know your thoughts!}