any thoughts on turning a passion into a $ making endevour??

[IntlMom]

Ok, here's the deal:
I am a couponer. One of those crazy type ones that you see on TV... lol (I even auditoned for TLCs new show, but I was not extreme enough for them) lol

Every time I check out at any store I am asked for a business card or website, or contact information. PPl want to know if I teach classes, and if I would be willing to somehow teach them to do what I do.

The checkers all know me and love to see me coming, ppl behind me oogle at my totals and stand there in amazement every time...... not bragging, it's just the way it is.

So here's the deal. HOW do you take what you know and turn it into a small business? My hubby is BEYOND supportive and encouraging. I have tried blogging, but somehow that doesn't seem to be my fit. I wouldn't mind teaching classes, and I would love to somehow bill my services on a consultant fee somehow...... hubby tries to get me started with thinking what I'd talk about, but somehow that just seems really overwhelming.

Any thoughts? Am I crazy? (wait, don't answer that last question!!!!! lol!!)

[Imarachne]

If you find out--let us know !

[Ramona]

I'd attend a class in my area and also watch the attendance.

[hotprincesscm]

Maybe you can do a weekly class at a local community college or something. Maybe on a saturday and teach everyone how to organize their coupons and sales fliers for the upcoming week? Or what about ask if the local social services office would be in the market to hire someone to teach low income families how to coupon to make the most of their foodstamp money or something?

[starsapphire]

Our little city has adult education classes - all different kinds of classes, cooking, tai chi, etc. - through the parks and rec. dept. Maybe you could do something like that?

[fairydana]

I would def. take that kind of class if it were offered!! Especially now that times are getting so tough, any way that I can learn to save is a plus!! Go for it!! You can do it!!

[tervsforme]

I agree with star, adult community education classes in your area. They have all kinds of classes.

[latierra84]

I am a couponer as well, and have been asked about teaching classes at the local rec center or at home so I know (and as seen in the previous comments) people are very eager to see things like this offered and want to attend. I am not super social and don't know if I could actual teach a class, but if you'd enjoy it, GO FOR IT! I'd definitely start with the basics and explains how they work, your source for coupons, start easy with maybe free items with ecbs from CVS or stuff like that.

I think its a great idea!~

[SteveA]

Hi Traci,

You mentioned that you didn’t like blogging, but does that mean that you don’t like writing about your passion at all? If you are OK doing some writing, then I have a couple of ideas for you:

1) Create a website that has coupon tips and tricks. 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 on couponing from Amazon, and if you get enough traffic to the site, you could sell ad space to coupon sites, etc. I like this approach better than blogging 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).

2) Write up your coupon tips and tricks and publish them as a book for the Kindle and Nook ebook readers. Both Amazon and Barnes and Noble provide easy ways for authors to self publish to the ebook market. Like number 1, this is a write once, get paid for a while type of idea.

One other idea along the fee-based model:

3) How about taking a shopping list for a client and then doing a coupon clipping service to save them some money. You could charge half the savings. If you found enough clients with large enough grocery buying habits, you might could earn a fair amount. I know I’d gladly pay $25 to save $50 each week on the groceries that we’d be buying anyway.

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

Steve

[The Muse]

I'm not sure how you can turn it into a small business, but you can definitely turn it into supplemental income.

When I lived in the US, my town had an adult ed program. They were always looking for people to teach new classes. You might see if your town and surrounding towns have something similar. Call the adult ed office and see how you can suggest/teach a new couponing class. I'm thinking a 1 - 2 session class could get a lot of interest.

Another more difficult wayswould be to "consult" with people and teach them your tricks one on one. Maybe get some cheap business cards printed and next time someone asks, you can say, "as a matter of fact..."

I definitely thing there's a market for you skill. Please keep us posted!

[krzy4noah]

If your state has a County Extension Service they would probably be interested in having you come in and teach a class...I work for the University of Kentucky County Extension Service and we would love something like that through our Family and Consumer Science Department.

[lisaflex]

i say go for it! great idea! talk to the local community programs - bet it would be a big hit!

that is great. i am always trying to think of small supplemental income jobs to start. keep us posted! good luck!