The idea that you can start and run a business, let alone a successful one, with zero experience, might sound ridiculous. It’s like saying that you want to build a house from scratch on your own because you once assembled an IKEA wardrobe. Yet, many people are doing it, and winning at it, too.
According to the US Chamber of Commerce, an impressive 5.5 million new business applications were filed in 2023, roughly five hundred thousand more than the previous year. Some of these applications are likely filed by people like you who know next to nothing about running a business.
So, what’s the secret to running a business with zero experience? Read on to find out.
Find a Partner with Some Business Experience
One of the best things you can do to make a success of your new business as a first-time entrepreneur is to partner with someone who has the skills or experience you need.
If you’re strong on the creative side, find someone who’s great at finance, sales, or marketing. Take Airbnb, for example. When Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia launched the company, they had no idea how to scale the technical side of their business.
So, what did they do? They teamed up with Nathaniel Blecharczyk, a computer science whiz from Harvard. While Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia handled the creative and design aspects, Nate built the tech that made Airbnb possible. The rest, as you already know, is history.
Of course, there are plenty of things you can handle on your own, like creating your official site using an AI website builder.
According to Hocoos, you don’t need tech or coding skills to do this. Just answer a few questions and you’re up and running in minutes. Still, you’ll definitely need help in other areas, and partnering with the right person is one of the smartest ways to fill those gaps.
Get A Business Coach
If you don’t like the idea of someone else coming in to be a part of your business, then getting a business coach is another good option. This individual, preferably someone already successful in your line of business, will help you understand the finer points of running a business, hold you accountable, and provide occasional reality checks.
If you don’t have the cash to pay for one-on-one coaching at the moment, look for mentorship programs. There are lots of platforms that connect first-time business owners like you to seasoned founders, usually for free.
A good mentor will provide you with the real-world wisdom and practical insights you need to succeed in business.
Learn Online
The internet has made it easy to learn just about any topic online. From bookkeeping to sales, digital marketing, and networking, you can learn everything you need to find your feet in the world of business.
On YouTube alone, more than 20 million videos are uploaded every day. It’s safe to say that a good number of these content targets the first-time business owner.
If you choose to learn online, focus on practical over theory. Instead of spending long weeks reading PDFs on business models, take an interactive course that can actually help you with your business idea. Add a few YouTube videos and podcasts from actual founders in your niche, and you’ll be surprised at how much you can learn.
Join a Network of Similar Businesses
One of the most powerful things you can do as a new business owner with zero experience is to surround yourself with fellow business owners. This could be a local community, a niche community on LinkedIn, or even a trade association.
Networking, whether online or offline, isn’t just helpful; it’s essential. It not only opens doors to opportunities, according to Nexford University, but also builds relationships and creates a strong support system for entrepreneurs.
You never know whether your next mentor, supplier, employee, or even customer is with you in the same group.
Buy an Existing Business
If you don’t fancy starting from scratch, why not consider buying an existing business? This way, you skip all the hassles of business registration, naming, branding, setting up systems, and finding your first customer. You’re taking over something that’s already running, just bringing in your unique perspective.
And you wouldn’t be alone in doing this. More than 2500 businesses were sold and bought in the third quarter of 2025, according to a recent BizBuySell Insight Report. 40% of these buyers were individuals like you, leaving their 9-to-5 jobs to seek business ownership.
Before signing on the dotted line, be sure to do your due diligence. If needed, get an expert to go over the company’s finances to be sure of what you’re getting into.
Building a Business with Zero Experience Is Possible
As you can see, building a business with zero experience is possible. In fact, you don’t need to already own a business, have an MBA, or have decades of management experience to build something successful. You just need to be willing to learn, adapt, and ask for help.
Hopefully, this article has given you the information you need to take the first step. Before you know it, you’ll be mentoring other first-time business owners.