Most Profitable Businesses to Start with $5K in 2025

It is a myth that viable companies and business require high capital. If you can find a business to start with 5k that helps people overcome certain challenges, you can be a business owner with a little saving.

The power of lean startups lies in launching quickly, testing the market, and scaling smartly. With $5,000 or less, you can turn ambition into reality. This guide cuts through common myths about startup capital and showcases proven business ideas under 5k and introduce with the ideas that actually work.

Key Takeaways:

• $5,000 is a realistic launch budget for many high ROI businesses.
• Service-based and digital models offer the lowest barriers to entry.
• Lean principles minimize risk and maximize learning.
• Lean principles help you start with less money, avoid big risks, and learn what works faster.
• Be a contrarian thinker; observe your surroundings and look for gaps and opportunities that can be filled with a small budget of 5k.
• Focus on proven ideas with clear paths to revenue.

13 Businesses to Start with $5,000(5k)

We focus on high ROI models, digital-first ideas, and service-based businesses, demonstrating how to start your own profitable venture with 5,000 USD today.

Some of these business ideas are perfect for small town business settings, offering services that meet local needs, others are completely online, giving you the flexibility to work from anywhere.

1- Virtual Assistant Service

Become a virtual assistant (VA) and offer online administrative, technical, or creative services to businesses and entrepreneurs. This digital nomad kit essential requires strong organizational skills and basic tech proficiency. You can start by specializing in areas like email management, calendar scheduling, social media posting, basic graphic design, or customer support. Find clients on freelance platforms (Upwork, Fiverr), social media for free marketing (LinkedIn, Facebook Groups), or local networking. Starting with 5k covers essential tools and initial marketing efforts. This is a highly scalable business to start with minimal overhead.

Costs

• Computer/Laptop: (Can often use existing) - $0-$1000
• Reliable High-Speed Internet: $50-$100/month
• Essential Software Subscriptions: (Google Workspace, Zoom, Canva Pro, Project Management Tool) - $30-$100/month
• Website Domain & Basic Hosting: $50-$150/year
• Professional Development Course: (Optional but recommended) - $100-$500
• Marketing Materials & Online Ads: $200-$500 initial budget
• Business Registration & Insurance: $100-$300
• Contingency Fund: $500-$1000

Estimated Required Capital for a Virtual Assistant Service: $1,030 – $3,650.

Estimated Revenue

• Entry-Level VA: $15-$25/hour - Potential $2,400-$4,000/month (full-time)
• Specialized VA (e.g., Tech, SMM): $25-$50/hour - Potential $4,000-$8,000/month
• Monthly Retainer Packages: $500-$2,000+ per client monthly
• ROI Potential: High, as primary costs are time and tools. Can achieve positive cash flow within 1-3 months.

2- Home Cleaning Service

Launch a residential cleaning business. This service-based model thrives on reliability and quality. Start with basic equipment and target local clients. You can operate solo initially, scaling by hiring as demand grows. Focus on main street neighborhoods, apartments, or specific niches like move-in/move-out cleans or post construction cleaning. Starting costs cover supplies, transportation, insurance, and marketing. This is a proven model with consistent demand, making it one of the cheap businesses with strong potential to grow your client base.

Costs

• Cleaning Supplies & Caddy: (Vacuum, mop, buckets, cloths, eco-friendly cleaners) - $300-$800
• Transportation: (Reliable vehicle, fuel) - $100-$300/month (consider existing car)
• Liability Insurance & Bonding: $400-$800/year
• Business Registration & Licensing: $100-$300
• Uniforms: $50-$150
• Marketing: (Flyers, local online ads, website) - $300-$800
• Booking/Invoicing Software: $10-$50/month
• Initial Contingency: $500

Estimated Required Capital for a Cleaning Service: $1,760 – $3,700.

Estimated Revenue

• Per-Home Cleaning: $100-$250+ (depending on size/frequency)
• Weekly/Bi-weekly Clients: $400-$1000+/month per client
• Solo Operator: $3,000-$6,000+/month (with 15-25 regular cleans)
• Scaled with Employees: $10,000+/month (Owner focuses on sales/management)
• ROI Potential: High. Recurring revenue model builds stability quickly.

3- Lawn Mowing and Basic Landscaping

Combine lawn care and simple landscaping services like mowing, trimming, edging, leaf removal, and basic bed maintenance. Starting with 5k gets you essential equipment. Target residential clients and small businesses. Build your reputation through quality work and reliability. This business leverages seasonal demand and offers opportunities for recurring contracts. You can start solo, scale from solo to team, and eventually add painting and more complex services.

Costs

• Commercial Mower: $1,000-$2,500 (Used can be viable)
• Trimmer & Edger: $200-$500
• Leaf Blower: $150-$400
• Hand Tools (Rakes, shovels, pruners): $100-$300
• Trailer (Optional but recommended): $500-$1,500 (used)
• Truck/Van (Can use personal vehicle initially): Fuel/maintenance costs
• Liability Insurance: $600-$1,200/year
• Business Registration: $50-$150
• Marketing (Signs, flyers, online): $300-$500
• Fuel & Maintenance Fund: $200/month

Estimated Required Capital for a Lawn Care and Basic Landscaping Business: $3,100 – $7,250.

Estimated Revenue

• Average Lawn Mow: $40-$80
• Weekly Accounts: $160-$320+/month per client
• Seasonal Cleanups: $150-$500+ per job
• Solo Operator: $4,000-$8,000+/month (peak season)
• Scaled with Crew: $15,000+/month
• ROI Potential: High, especially with recurring clients. Equipment lasts multiple seasons.

4- Wedding Arch & Backdrop Rentals

Get your place in the wedding market by renting wedding arches and elegant fabric backdrops or floral walls. Focus on easy-to-transport, durable, and photogenic designs. Starting requires sourcing or building a few key pieces. Market directly to couples via social media, wedding planner networks, and wedding expos. This is a niche rental business with high ROI potential per item due to the premium nature of events. How this works: Rent an arch for $150-$500 per weekend. You can start with just one or two high-demand designs under 5k.

Costs

• Building Materials for Arches: (Wood, PVC, metal frames) - $200-$500 per arch
• High-Quality Fabrics/Drapes/Artificial Florals: $300-$800 per set
• Transportation (Van/Trailer): (Can use personal vehicle + trailer rental initially) - $500-$1,500 investment / $50-$100 rental per job
• Storage Unit: $100-$200/month
• Liability Insurance: $500-$800/year
• Business Registration & Website: $200-$400
• Professional Photography (Crucial!): $300-$800
• Marketing (Social Media Ads, Wedding Wire): $300-$700 initial
• Cleaning & Maintenance Supplies: $100

Estimated Required Capital for a Wedding Arch & Backdrop Rentals Business: $3,000 – $7,100 (for two units).

Estimated Revenue

• Per Arch/Drapes Rental: $150-$500+ per weekend
• Additional Backdrop Rentals: $100-$300+ per weekend
• Delivery/Setup Fee: $50-$150+ per event
• With 2 Arches: Potential $1,000-$2,000+ revenue per busy weekend
• Monthly Revenue (Seasonal Peaks): $2,500-$8,000+ (during peak wedding season)
• ROI Potential: Very High. Initial inventory costs are recovered quickly with rentals.

5- Handmade Product Business (Candles, Soap, Framed Prints)

Turn creativity into a product based ventures. Sell handmade candles, soap and framed prints online (Etsy, Shopify, Amazon Handmade) or at local markets/craft fairs. Starting with 5k covers initial materials, small-batch production equipment, branding, and marketplace fees. Focus on unique scents, designs, or high-quality ingredients. This business leverages the maker movement and direct-to-consumer sales. You can test the market with small batches before scaling production. To look professional with your $5K business, you can create professional email templates.

Costs

• Raw Materials (Wax, oils, fragrances, soap bases, paper, ink, frames): $500-$1,500 (initial stock)
• Production Equipment (Melting pots, molds, printer, cutter, safety gear): $500-$1,500
• Packaging & Branding (Labels, boxes, tape): $300-$700
• Online Store Fees (Etsy/Shopify subscriptions, listings): $50-$150/month
• Professional Product Photography: $200-$500 (or DIY with good lighting)
• Initial Marketing/Samples: $200-$500
• Craft Fair Booth Fees: $50-$300 per event
• Business Registration & Sales Tax Permit: $50-$200
• Shipping Supplies: $200

Estimated Required Capital for a Handmade Product Business: $2,100 – $5,550.

Estimated Revenue

• Candle Price: $15-$40+ each
• Soap Price: $6-$15+ per bar
• Framed Print Price: $25-$100+
• Profit Margin: Typically 50-70% after material costs
• Monthly Revenue (Online + Fairs): $1,500-$5,000+ (depends heavily on marketing/sales channels)
• ROI Potential: Moderate to High. Margins are good, but sales volume takes time to build. Scaling production lowers per-unit costs.

6- Registered Agent Service

Offer registered agent service for LLCs, corporations, and other business entities within your state. As a registered agent, you receive official legal and government documents (like service of process, tax notices) on behalf of your clients and forward them promptly. This is a highly scalable, location-based online service with recurring revenue. Starting requires understanding state requirements, a reliable physical address (often your home office initially), and a professional system. How this works: Charge $50-$150 per client per year. You can start under 5k you mainly need compliance knowledge and administrative setup.

Costs

• Business Registration & Licensing: $100-$300
• Reliable Mail Scanning/Forwarding Service (Optional but recommended): $20-$50/month
• Professional Website & Domain: $200-$500
• Compliance Software/Docketing System: $50-$200/month (or start with robust spreadsheets)
• Liability Insurance (E&O): $500-$1,000/year
• Marketing (SEO, Legal Directories, Networking with Attorneys/CPAs): $500-$1,500 initial
• Business Bank Account & Accounting Software: $50/month
• Document Storage/Management: $20/month (Cloud storage)

Estimated Required Capital for a Registered Agent Service: $1,440 – $3,620.

Estimated Revenue

• Annual Fee Per Client: $50-$150
• Clients Needed for $500/mo Revenue: 40-100 clients
• Scalable Revenue: $1,000-$5,000+/month (with
• 100-500+ clients)
• ROI Potential: Very High. Low overhead, recurring revenue. Profitability increases significantly with client volume.

7- Social Media Management for Local Businesses

Help local businesses (main street shops, restaurants, service providers) establish and grow their social media presence. Services include content creation (images, reels, posts), community engagement, scheduling, and basic analytics reporting. You can start with minimal investment using free marketing tools initially (Canva, CapCut, Meta Business Suite). Starting with 5k enhances your toolkit and marketing reach. Leveraging social media for free reach is core, but paid ad management can be an upsell. Target businesses you see struggling online.

Costs

• Computer & Reliable Internet: (Can use existing) - $0-$1000
• Professional Software Subscriptions: (Canva Pro, Later/Buffer, Grammarly, Adobe Express) - $50-$150/month
• Business Registration: $50-$150
• Professional Website/Portfolio: $200-$500
• Marketing (Networking, Outreach, Case Studies): $300-$800
• Education/Courses (Advanced SMM, Ads): $200-$500 (Optional)
• Project Management Tool: $10-$50/month
• Contingency: $500

Required capital to start a social media management company: $1,310 to $3,650.

Estimated Revenue

• Basic Management Package: $500-$1,500/month per client
• Content Creation Add-Ons: $200-$500+/month
• Ad Management: 15-20% of ad spend + fee
• With 3-5 Clients: $1,500-$7,500+/month
• ROI Potential: High. Skills and time are the main investments. Scalable by refining processes or hiring freelancers.

8- Bounce House & Party Rental Business

Start a rental businesses focusing on bounce houses, wedding arches, and vending machines (small candy/toy machines are affordable). This business caters to birthday parties, community events, and festivals. Starting with 5k allows purchasing 1-2 quality commercial-grade inflatables or several smaller items like arches and game units. Focus on safety, cleanliness, and reliable delivery/setup. Insurance is non-negotiable. Market locally through social media, community boards, and party planners. How this works: Rentals range from $150-$500+ per day.

Costs

• Commercial Bounce House: $1,500-$3,500+ (Used can save significantly)
• Blower: $200-$400
• Cleaning & Repair Supplies: $100-$300
• Delivery Vehicle (Van/Trailer): $1,000-$2,500 (Used trailer + using existing truck/SUV)
• Commercial Liability Insurance (Absolute Must): $1,000-$2,500+/year
• Storage Unit: $100-$250/month
• Business Registration & Licensing: $150-$300
• Marketing (Website, Flyers, Social Ads): $500-$1,000
• Safety Equipment & Checklists: $100
• Vending Machine(s): $300-$1,000 each (Optional add-on)

Required Capital for a Bounce House & Party Rental Business: $4,650 - $10,850 (for one unit).

Estimated Revenue

• Per Bounce House Rental: $150-$350+/day (Weekends prime)
• Delivery/Setup Fee: $50-$100+
• Weekend Revenue (1 Unit): $300-$700+
• Monthly Revenue (Peak Season): $2,000-$6,000+ (with 1-2 units)
• Vending Machine Revenue: $50-$200+/month per machine (Location dependent)
• ROI Potential: High per rental day. Initial unit cost recovered in 5-15 rentals. Seasonality is a factor.

9- Interior/Exterior Painting Service

Offer residential painting services – a classic service based businesses cleaning, painting and lawn care are main street staples. Starting requires skill, but you can learn through practice and courses. Start with smaller interior jobs (rooms, cabinets, fences) before tackling large exteriors. Starting with 5k covers quality brushes, rollers, sprayers (optional initially), ladders, drop cloths, paint, insurance, and basic marketing. Build reputation on meticulous prep work and clean finishes. This is a proven path with tangible results clients value.

Costs

• Professional Quality Brushes, Rollers, Trays, Poles: $200-$500
• Drop Cloths, Tape, Caulk, Spackle, Sandpaper: $200-$400
• Ladders (Multi-position & Step): $300-$800
• Paint Sprayer (Optional for efficiency later): $200-$800
• Vehicle (Van/Truck for equipment): Fuel/Maintenance (Use existing vehicle + trailer if needed)
• Liability & Workers Comp Insurance (Essential): $1,000-$2,500+/year
• Business Registration & Licensing: $150-$300
• Marketing (Signage, Vehicle Wrap/Magnet, Online): $500-$1,000
• Initial Paint Supply Fund: $500-$1000 (Clients usually pay for paint separately)

Estimated Required Capital for an Interior/Exterior Painting Service: $3,050 – $7,300.

Estimated Revenue

• Small Room Paint: $400-$800+
• Exterior Door/Trim: $200-$500+
• Whole Interior: $3,000-$8,000+
• Solo Painter: $4,000-$10,000+/month (based on job size/completion time)
• Scaled with Crew: $15,000-$30,000+/month
• ROI Potential: High. Labor is the core value. Profit margins on labor typically 30-50%.

10- Vending Machine Route Owner

Build a semi-passive income stream by placing vending machines in high-traffic locations (offices, factories, laundromats, community centers). Start with 1-2 machines under 5k, focusing on snacks or drinks. This is a contrarian path to main street business ownership – your product sells itself 24/7. How this works: You secure locations (often free if you offer commission), stock machines, and collect cash/coins. You can source refurbished machines to save capital. Focus on reliable equipment and good locations for high roi. Scale from solo operator to a route by adding machines.

Costs

• 1-2 Refurbished Snack/Drink Machines: $1,500-$3,500 total
• Initial Inventory (Snacks/Drinks): $300-$600
• Vehicle (For Restocking - can use existing car): Fuel/maintenance costs
• Business Registration & Licenses/Permits: $100-$300
• Insurance (Liability & Property): $400-$800/year
• Dolly/Hand Truck: $100-$200
• Cash Box/Change Fund: $100
• Location Security Deposit/Commission Advance: $0-$500
• Marketing (Simple Flyers for Location Prospecting): $50-$100

Estimated Required Capital for a Vending Machine Route Owner: $2,550 – $6,100.

Estimated Revenue

• Average Machine Revenue: $50-$200+/week (Highly location-dependent)
• Profit Margin: 40-60% after cost of goods
• Weekly Net Profit (2 Machines): $80-$300+
• Monthly Net Profit: $320-$1,200+
• ROI Potential: High with prime locations. Machines pay for themselves in 6-18 months. Scalable by adding units.

11- Handyman Service

Offer minor home repair and building services (drywall patches, faucet fixes, door adjustments, shelving installation, painting touch-ups, furniture assembly). This business leverages practical skills and solves common homeowner headaches. Start with basic tools and target residential clients via social media, local apps (Nextdoor), and flyers. You can avoid large construction projects initially. Starting with 5k covers quality tools, insurance, and marketing. This is a proven, always-in-demand service based businesses model on main street.

Costs

• Comprehensive Tool Kit (Drill, saw, levels, wrenches, etc.): $800-$1,500
• Reliable Transportation (Truck/Van preferred): Fuel/maintenance (can use existing vehicle)
• Liability Insurance (Essential): $800-$1,500/year
• Business Registration & Licensing: $150-$300
• Uniforms & Safety Gear: $100-$200
• Marketing (Website, Vehicle Magnet, Flyers, Online Ads): $500-$1,000
• Booking/Invoicing Software: $20-$50/month
• Initial Materials Fund (Clients usually pay, but small items helpful): $200

Estimated Required Capital for a Handyman Service: $2,570 – $4,750.

Estimated Revenue

• Hourly Rate: $50-$80+
• Average Small Job: $150-$400
• Solo Operator: $4,000-$8,000+/month (full schedule)
• ROI Potential: High. Labor and expertise are the primary products. Positive cash flow possible immediately.

12- Mobile Personal Trainer

Become a personal trainer offering sessions in clients' homes, parks, or rented spaces (community centers, gym corners). Starting with 5k covers certification, basic portable equipment, insurance, and marketing. You can specialize (seniors, weight loss, post-rehab). Leverage social media for free marketing by sharing fitness tips and client success stories. This business thrives on relationships and results, offering high roi on your expertise. Get certified by a reputable organization (NASM, ACE).

Costs

• Certification Course & Exam: $500-$800
• CPR/AED Certification: $50-$100
• Liability Insurance: $200-$400/year
• Portable Equipment (Bands, dumbbells, kettlebells, mat, cones): $300-$800
• Business Registration & Website: $200-$500
• Marketing (Social Media Ads, Local Partnerships, Apparel): $500-$1,000
• Appointment Scheduling Software: $10-$30/month
• Transportation: Fuel costs

Estimated Required Capital for a Mobile Personal Trainer: $1,760 – $3,630.

Estimated Revenue

• Per Session Rate (1-on-1): $60-$100+
• Package Deals (e.g., 10 sessions): $500-$900+
• Semi-Private Sessions (2-4 people): $35-$50/person/session
• With 15-20 Sessions/Week: $900-$2,000+/week
• Monthly Revenue: $3,600-$8,000+
• ROI Potential: High. Primary investment is certification and marketing. Margins excellent once established.

13- On-Demand Massage Therapist

Offer call in massage therapists services directly to clients' homes or offices. This business provides convenience and relaxation. Starting requires state massage therapy license (non-negotiable cost), portable table, linens, oils, insurance, and reliable transport. Start with 5k if licensing fees in your state are moderate. Market through social media, wellness apps, corporate partnerships, and therapist directories. Focus on a specific niche (sports, prenatal, stress relief) for high roi.

Costs

• State Massage Therapy License & Fees: $500-$1,500+ (Varies significantly by state)
• Massage Table & Carry Case: $200-$500
• Linens, Oils, Creams, Sanitizers: $200-$400 initial stock
• Liability Insurance: $200-$500/year
• Business Registration: $50-$150
• Transportation (Reliable Car): Fuel/maintenance
• Marketing (Website, Online Profiles, Business Cards, Social Ads): $500-$1,000
• Booking/Payment System: $20-$50/month
• Uniforms: $100

Estimated Required Capital for an On-Demand Mobile Massage Therapist: $1,770 – $4,200.

Estimated Revenue

• Per Hour Session (Mobile Premium): $80-$120+
• Travel Fee: $10-$25+
• Corporate/Event Rates: Higher (e.g., $100-$150/hour)
• With 15-20 Sessions/Week: $1,200-$2,400+/week
• Monthly Revenue: $4,800-$9,600+
• ROI Potential: High. Mobile convenience commands premium pricing. Recover licensing/tool costs within first few months of consistent bookings.

Every good business, regardless of capital, is built on a need. Whatever problem you're solving for your customers or clients, you can always utilize email communication. With Tabular Email Builder, you can create beautiful, professional, and responsive email templates that work seamlessly across all clients and devices.

How to Manage and Grow a 5k Business Successfully

How to Calculate Return on Investment on a $5,000 Budget

Knowing how to calculate ROI helps you measure the profitability of your investment and make informed financial decisions. Without this, you won’t know if your business is growing or losing money.

• ROI = (Net Profit / Total Investment) x 100%
• Track EVERY expense (Costs).
• Track ALL income (Revenue).
• Calculate Net Profit (Revenue - Costs).
• Divide Net Profit by your initial $5k investment, multiply by 100. (e.g., $2,000 Net Profit / $5,000 Investment = 0.4 x 100 = 40% ROI).
• Aim for positive ROI within 6-12 months.

Using Contrarian Thinking to Your Advantage

Seeing your limited budget as an advantage promotes creativity and efficiency, forcing you to find unique, low-cost solutions instead of relying on big spending.

• See your $5k limit as an advantage forcing focus and efficiency.
• Bootstrap instead of seeking loans immediately.
• Start service-based before jumping into high-inventory product businesses.
• Use free marketing channels aggressively before paid ads.
• Focus on solving one core problem exceptionally well.

Using Seller Financing to Buy Existing Businesses

Seller financing enables you to start with a proven business model and customer base without needing a large upfront payment, reducing startup risk and increasing chances of success.

• Seller financing allows you to buy existing businesses (like a small lawn care route or cleaning client list) under 5k.
• The seller acts as the bank, receiving a down payment (your $5k) and regular payments from the business's cash flow.
• Reduces risk (proven model, existing customers) but requires due diligence on the business's health and terms.

Social Media for Free Marketing

Using social media effectively is a low-cost way to reach and engage customers, build your brand, and generate leads without expensive advertising.

• Consistency is Key: Post valuable content regularly.
• Engage Authentically: Respond to comments and messages promptly.
• Showcase Your Work: Before/Afters, client testimonials, behind-the-scenes.
• Use Local Hashtags & Groups: Target your specific geographic area.
• Collaborate: Partner with complementary businesses.
• Run Targeted Organic Campaigns: Focus on building community, not just sales pitches.

Knowing When to Reinvest Profits and Outsource Tasks

Knowing when to reinvest or outsource helps you balance growth and efficiency. Reinvesting fuels expansion, while outsourcing saves your time for core business activities without breaking the budget.

• Reinvest Profits: When it directly drives growth or efficiency (e.g., buying essential equipment, funding a marketing campaign proven to work, building inventory for high-demand product).
• Outsource Tasks: When your time is better spent on revenue-generating activities (e.g., bookkeeping, basic graphic design, scheduling, specialized social media ads) and outsourcing costs less than your potential earnings doing core work. Don't outsource your core value proposition too early.
• Rule of Thumb: Reinvest until core operations are solid and profitable. Outsource non-core tasks that drain time as profits allow.

How to Scale from Solo to Team

1. Systematize: Document EVERY process (sales, service delivery, billing).
2. Prove Demand: Ensure consistent, overflowing work before hiring.
3. Hire Slowly: Start with part-time or contract help for specific tasks (e.g., a cleaner, a virtual assistant for admin).
4. Train Thoroughly: Use your documented systems.
5. Delegate, Don't Abdicate: Maintain quality control.
6. Focus on Leadership: Your role shifts from "doer" to "manager/visionary."
7. Invest in Management Tools: Simple CRM, project management software.

Conclusion: Launching a Successful Business with $5K

Starting a business with 5k today isn't just possible; it's a proven path for countless entrepreneurs. The cheap businesses listed here are ideas that actually work when combined with dedication, smart execution of how to start, and contrarian thinking.

• $5,000 is sufficient capital for numerous viable businesses to start with.
• Focus on service-based businesses (cleaning, lawn care, painting, virtual assistant, social media management, registered agent service) and scalable product based ventures (handmade goods) or rental businesses (bounce houses, wedding arches) for the best high roi potential on a small budget.
• Digital-first ideas leverage technology and online reach efficiently.
• Understanding the power of lean startups minimizes risk and accelerates learning.
• Calculate ROI and manage finances tightly.
• Use free marketing, especially social media, aggressively.
• Know when to reinvest profits back into a business to grow your capabilities vs outsource tasks draining your time.
• Buying small businesses through seller financing is a viable option.
• Have a plan to scale from solo to team as demand justifies it.

Now you proven ideas and a roadmap to start your 5k business but the rest is up to you. The hardest part is beginning. Pick one idea that you think it's suitable, research deeply, calculate roi on a realistic plan, get your basics in order, and start. A $5,000 business can become a million-dollar company, but every business owner has to crawl before running.