share some ideas for a small homebased business

[MsMarieH]

I had written up this list of thoughts for one of the other boards, but thought I would add it here as well.

1. Computer tutoring – teaching others how to use computer programs, surf the internet, etc.

2. General tutoring – tutoring students in Math, English, Science, Social Studies, etc.

3. Concierge service – running errands for people like picking up and returning library books, Blockbuster rentals, dry cleaning, groceries, etc.

4. Organization service – helping people to declutter their homes and/or home offices and then organize the materials that remain.

5. Specialized organization services – a subset for specific projects like helping people to organize their photographs or recipes.

6. Handyman services – helping people with minor household projects like hanging pictures, painting, spring cleaning, etc.

7. Yard cleaning services – lawn mowing, weeding, pruning, planting, etc.

8. Child care – taking care of peoples kids as a daycare type business or just date night type babysitting.

9. Dog walking service

10. Pet sitting – for people that travel and want someone to take care of their furbabies.

11. Elder care – checking in on elderly people to ensure they take their medications, assisting with light housekeeping, taking them grocery shopping, etc.
12. Garage / Yard sale

13. Internet based work – such as writing reviews, getting paid to write blogs, filling out online surveys, etc. (watch out for scams!)

14. Writing – freelance writing of articles for magazines or the local newspaper

15. Typing – freelance typing for local students, businesses, etc.

16. Scanning photographs and creating digital photo albums for people

17. Sewing – mending, clothing repairs, creating new clothing or decorative items for the home, etc.

18. Crafts – creating craft projects and then selling them from your home. Particularly good if you do something customized, like painting pictures of people's homes for instance or creating custom embroidered Christmas stockings with people's names on them.

19. Ebay – selling your own things or things you “rescue” on garbage day. You can sell for others and take a commission on the sale (usually about 50%).

20. Cake decorating – wedding cakes, birthday cakes, etc. (Michael's offers inexpensive classes, though the starting equipment can be a little pricey if you don't already own it)

21. Teaching classes - Michaels and other craft stores are often looking for people to come in and teach classes. So are local continuing education groups, park districts, libraries, etc. Do you have knowledge you could share with others? Could be on computers, organizing, cooking, crafts, etc.

22. Jewelry making - can be relatively easy to learn some of the low end beading / silverwork.

[Debbie-cat]

Hey danni, LOVE the Hat! Didn't realize you were there! Been through there so many times. Will stop by next time I go through.

Some great ideas on here....do you have a market place where you could sell things? Like a farmers market that you can rent a booth? You could then do baking ... like bread and rolls and sell them there. People would snatch them up. Then you could expand into other food related items. Not sure if it would make you enough though if the market was only open one day a week.

How about Avon? That company seems to be making a comeback....although there might be a few people around you that sell it already. Housecleaning? Hmmm will try and think of more for you.

[Debbie-cat]

Great list MsMarie!

[SteveA]

If you have something you are passionate about (or even interested in learning about) and are OK doing some writing (not award-winning writing, just readable, decent writing), then I have a couple of ideas for you:

1) Create a website about your passion or interest. On the website place ads using a service, such as Google Adsense, which pays you whenever someone clicks an ad on your site. You could also promote affiliate offers such as books from Amazon, and if you get enough traffic to the site, you could sell ad space. I like this approach because you can create the content and keep earning money from it without feeling pressured to produce new content regularly. By the way, I have two sites like this and they both make money (one is even earning around $800 a month – for a site with just 22 short pages).

Another very successful online home-based business for me has been selling used books. I buy them at yard sales, thrift shops and on eBay. I resell them on Amazon. Big tip on books: do not deal in fiction at all, only buy nonfiction and look for something that has value on Amazon already. You can check used book prices at Amazon through a web-enabled phone.

Good luck! If you want some specific info, PM me and I’ll provide you with links to resources, etc.

Steve

[shanebishop]

As far as Internet-based work is concerned, you can find plenty of business opportunities online. With a good POS software (I suggest Retailexpress.com.au), you can run your own retail business built around Ebay, Amazon, or even your own website.

[mom2three]

What about being a personal chef where you prepare food for others in their homes.

[GirlBoyGirl]

These are all great ideas! I love the idea of doing in-home baking for people, they might like that it is done in their own home (or they might hate it lol!). You could always try putting some ads on CL (and the local Facebook buy/sell pages that you mentioned) and see if someone takes you up on it.

I am completely lucky on this one, but I found an office to clean every Saturday morning for $65/week and its small and easy to clean and best of all, they don't care if I am licensed/bonded. Could be a liability for me but I am just going with it as we need the money!

Can you clean houses in the mornings after you drop your kids off at school? Do their schools have lunch aides that you could apply to do? Or work in the cafeteria? It isn't at home but its good hours!

Also, you might want to check out some of the forums like work place like home dot com (no spaces) for wah jobs. I do some call center work from home!

Oh one last thing, when I went to my last craft fair, the lady making the most sales was the one selling homemade dog treats! Go figure!