The success story is Zoom, founded by Eric Yuan. Zoom is a communication platform that offers video and audio conferencing, collaborative workspaces, chat, and more. Yuan came to the U.S. from China in the mid ’90s to pursue the internet boom—but it took a while to get here. The first eight times he applied for a visa, he was denied. Finally, on the ninth attempt, he was approved, but the process lasted two years¹. In 2012, after working for a Silicon Valley communication startup for years prior, Yuan founded Zoom. He says that Zoom started as a daydream, a solution to a long-distance relationship that required a 10-hour train ride to see the other¹. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Zoom became a lifeline for millions of people who needed to work, learn, and socialize remotely. Zoom's revenue grew by 326% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2020, and its daily meeting participants reached 300 million². Yuan's success story teaches us that perseverance, passion, and innovation can overcome any obstacle and create value for the world.

This is just an example of how businesses can pivot and succeed during a crisis. They show us that challenges can be opportunities, and that creativity and adaptability are essential for business survival and growth. What are some other business success stories that inspire you? Let us know in the comments below.  

- **Dropshipping**: This is a low-investment business model where you sell products online without having to buy or store inventory. You can use a platform like Shopify or Oberlo to create your own online store and source products from third-party suppliers who will ship them directly to your customers. You only pay for the products when you make a sale, so you don't need any upfront capital. ¹⁴

- **Service-based business**: You can use your skills, knowledge, or experience to offer services to other people or businesses. For example, you can start a freelance writing, virtual assistant, social media marketing, handyman, or dog walking business. You can find clients through online platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Facebook groups, or by networking and referrals. You don't need any money to start a service-based business, just a computer and an internet connection. 

- **Print-on-demand business**: This is a type of dropshipping business where you sell custom-designed products like t-shirts, mugs, posters, or books. You can use a platform like Printful or Printify to create and sell your products online. They will handle the printing and shipping for you, so you don't have to worry about inventory or fulfillment. You can create your own designs or use existing ones from platforms like Canva or Creative Market. ¹⁴

- **Online teaching or tutoring**: You can share your knowledge or expertise with others by creating and selling online courses or offering online tutoring. You can use platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, Teachable, or Outschool to create and host your courses, or platforms like Wyzant, Preply, or Chegg to find students and offer tutoring. You can teach anything from languages, math, music, coding, or business skills. You don't need any money to start an online teaching or tutoring business, just a computer, a webcam, and a microphone. 

These are just some of the many home business ideas you can start with no money.