Startup cost: $500 - $3k

Setup costs for starting a virtual personal styling business range from $500 to $3,000. At the minimum end, this would cover basic website development, social media setup, and initial inventory purchases. On the higher end, additional expenses could include professional photography equipment, subscription to styling software, and marketing campaigns. Essential expenses at launch include a website, social media presence, and a small inventory of clothing items. Optional expenses might include hiring a graphic designer for branding or investing in premium software for styling recommendations. Hidden or recurring fees to consider could be website hosting, software subscriptions, and advertising costs. Online discussions suggest that costs can escalate once you commit to higher-quality tools and services. To take this side hustle seriously, I would advise a friend to budget between $500 and $3,000 for a solid start.