From your kitchen table to Main Street: Can you grow your business without debt?
If you dream of owning your own business, your first stop may not be the bank. While some ventures require upfront capital, many can start small—right from your kitchen table, garage, or spare room—and grow organically. That’s exactly how we built Sagebrush Marketing, and we’ve seen countless others take the same path.
Our Story: A Business Built One Step at a Time
In April 2008, we didn’t take out a loan or rent an office to launch our business. Instead, we responded to an ad in the local newspaper seeking marketing help for the community’s lodging tax board.
That first contract required a formal business, so our first investment was paying an attorney to establish an LLC. Our second was a computer. That was it—no storefront, no expensive equipment, no risky debt.
For the first year, with a four-year-old and a ten-year-old at home, we ran Sagebrush Marketing in the evenings from our house. I kept my full-time job while building the business slowly. At the end of that year, I took the leap, quitting my job to work for myself full-time.
Seventeen years and a three-hour move later, our business has grown. We’ve expanded our marketing services and added a storefront. And we did it all while avoiding borrowing money—until we were ready to invest in a building.
What This Means for Other Entrepreneurs
We’re not the only ones who have taken this slow-and-steady approach to business growth. Across Main Streets everywhere, you’ll find shops, cafes, and service providers who started small—many from home—before growing into a full-fledged storefront.
If you have a business idea, you don’t have to start with a big loan or a large inventory. Instead, consider these steps:
• Start Small & Test the Market – Whether it’s a service business, handmade goods, or an online shop, begin with what you can manage and grow from there.
• Keep Overhead Low – Instead of renting space right away, work from home, sell at local markets, or utilize online platforms.
• Reinvest Profits – As the business grows, use profits to expand rather than taking on unnecessary debt.
• Take Strategic Risks – When the time is right—like when demand outpaces capacity—invest in a storefront, equipment, or employees.
Main Street’s Future: A Place for Growing Businesses
As I think about economic development in our community, I see huge potential for businesses currently running from kitchen tables, garages, and spare rooms to one day make their way to Main Street.
If you have an idea, don’t let the fear of financing hold you back. Start where you are, take small, smart steps, and build something sustainable. Your small business today could be a cornerstone of Main Street tomorrow.
Are you a business owner who started small and grew into something bigger? I’d love to hear your story! Let’s celebrate the journey and keep inspiring future entrepreneurs.