Most people think you need money to make money—but what if you could start a business with virtually no overhead and still build something real?

If you’re asking yourself how to start a business with no overhead, you’re not alone. With the rise of remote work, digital platforms, and proven licensing models, starting lean is no longer a limitation—it’s an advantage.

At Merge, we work with entrepreneurs who want full ownership without the weight of traditional startup costs. And the truth is: there’s a smarter way to do it.

Here’s how to start a business with no overhead—and why business brokerage is one of the most powerful models to make it happen.

What Does “No Overhead” Actually Mean?

Let’s define it upfront. When we say “no overhead,” we mean:

  • No office lease

  • No inventory

  • No employees

  • No big equipment or recurring fixed costs

In other words, you can run your business from your laptop, manage your own time, and keep expenses minimal while still driving high-value outcomes.

This isn’t about hobby income—it’s about starting lean and building smart.

Step 1: Choose a Service-Based Model

If you want to minimize overhead, avoid product-based businesses. Inventory, shipping, and manufacturing come with built-in costs that pile up quickly.

Instead, choose a service-based model—especially one that taps into high-value needs.

Business brokerage is a prime example. As a broker, you help founders sell their companies, earning a success fee when the deal closes. There’s no inventory, no storefront, and no capital tied up in operations.

💡 Merge Tip: The Merge license gives you everything you need to run a brokerage business from day one—with no ongoing overhead beyond your effort.

Step 2: Use a Platform Instead of Starting from Scratch

One of the fastest ways to burn time and money is trying to build all your systems on your own—website, CRM, contracts, pricing, marketing. It adds up fast.

A smarter option? License a platform that’s already built for the work you want to do.

The Merge license gives you:

🛠️ Tools & Templates

  • A custom-built CRM for tracking sellers and buyers

  • Ready-to-use legal docs, valuation models, and outreach templates

  • Beautiful prospectus designs to present listings professionally

🎓 Training & SOPs

  • Step-by-step onboarding to launch quickly

  • Video training and scripts for every part of the deal process

  • Templates for prospecting, listing, negotiating, and closing

💬 Ongoing Support

  • Monthly strategy sessions

  • Slack access to other licensees

  • Optional coaching or design support (only when needed)

All of this is included in your license—so you can focus on building relationships and closing deals, not building infrastructure.

Step 3: Work from Anywhere

When your business is digital and service-based, geography no longer matters. That means no rent, no commute, and no location-based costs.

With the Merge model, most licensees work from home or while traveling. Client meetings happen over Zoom. Materials are sent digitally. Deals close virtually.

It’s one of the few high-income careers that doesn’t require a single square foot of office space.

💡 Merge Tip: This model is ideal for people who value time freedom—parents, frequent travelers, remote-first entrepreneurs, and more.

Step 4: Focus on High-Margin Work

Some low-overhead businesses still require a huge time investment for relatively small payouts (think freelance writing or tutoring). To make a lean business truly work, you want to focus on high-margin, high-ticket work.

Business brokerage delivers exactly that. A single deal can earn you five to six figures in success fees—often with no costs beyond your time and tools.

And the best part? With Merge, you keep 75%+ of your revenue, including:

  • Success fees

  • Retainers

  • Exit readiness projects or advisory work

💡 Merge Tip: Our licensees often start with just one or two listings—and grow into a steady pipeline that supports full-time income, without full-time expenses.

Step 5: Keep It Simple and Flexible

The best low-overhead businesses are simple and agile. You don’t need dozens of clients, massive ad budgets, or complex operations.

With business brokerage, you can:

  • Work with just a handful of sellers at a time

  • Run everything through one system (provided by Merge)

  • Grow at your own pace—part-time or full-time

  • Say no to the clients who aren’t the right fit

It’s your business, your way—without the stress of overhead that eats into your freedom or profits.

Who Is This For?

Starting a business with no overhead doesn’t mean starting with no experience. The Merge license works best for people who bring credibility, relationships, or insight—even if they’ve never worked in M&A before.

You might be a fit if you’re:

  • A former founder or operator

  • A consultant, coach, or advisor

  • A vertical expert in SaaS, marketing, healthcare, etc.

  • A business broker or searcher looking for more structure

  • A strategic thinker with a network of business owners

If you’re already trusted, already connected, and ready to monetize that trust—this is your moment.

Final Thoughts

Starting a business doesn’t have to mean sky-high costs or years of building.

If you’re looking for a way to start lean, stay flexible, and earn meaningfully, business brokerage through the Merge license is one of the smartest moves you can make.

You’ll get:

✅ A full-stack platform ready to go
✅ Zero overhead beyond your time
✅ High-ticket earning potential
✅ Support, training, and tools—no guesswork

So if you’re ready to build something real without the weight of traditional overhead…

👉 Learn more about licensing with Merge
👉 Book a call to see if it’s a fit for you