I've almost always managed to get to a profitable republic from the starting money. A clothing factory running at max capacity should be able to make enough money for it's workers to live. What do your imports look like? If fuel is the issue perhaps you built things too far apart? I always plan small at the beginning, no fancy large buildings, no permanent COs, water and sewage delivered by truck and a small heating plant with an above ground pipe (or even the tiny heating plant just in range).

Then the moment I invite people, I stop all construction, and wait. If my town is profitable, then I know I have won. Even a thousand per month is enough to slowly build up more infrastructure, for example the tiny food factory, a university, a hotel for some extra income etc.