Are you looking for a way to start your own business or work from home? Caron Beesley, Community Moderator for SBA.gov posted some great ideas and considerations.
1. You may want to utilize the skills you already have and explore freelancing. Whether you’re a writer, artist, tax advisor, designer or handyman, you may be able to connect with former customers or employers to start and begin expanding your business from there. Just don’t forget to set up your new business properly with the correct permits/licenses/other legalities. The enormous flexibility of freelancing comes with a price, however – freelancing requires discipline and some amount of planning for peaks and valleys in cash flow.
2. Naturally organized and have a background in administration? Consider being a virtual assistant. Businesses are looking to save costs and outsource administrative support. Virtual assistants, working remotely from a home office, are growing in popularity to meet this need. A virtual assistant may assist in many ways, from answering calls to assisting with marketing or providing technical support. Look for a local VA organization to help connect with clients and kick-start your business.
3. Are you a good writer? Pick something you are passionate and well-educated about, and start blogging! Writers with a passion for a specific topic or hobby that will garner some attention can earn money by affiliate marketing (a way for a company to sell its products by signing up "affiliates" who market the company's products for a commission). Increase your visibility and popularity through search engine optimization, social media, and networking with other bloggers in your blogosphere.
4. Those with a creative tendency may want to take on a challenge by starting a creative business. If you can identify a need in the market that you can fill with your talents, do some planning to see if you can build a dynamic business to meet that need.
5. A variety of businesses can arise from your own kitchen with a home-based bakery or food business. Although food production from a home is heavily regulated, it can be rewarding if cooking is your expertise. Take Martha Stewart, for example—she famously entered the food service business with a basement-based catering company in 1976. Get to know the rules and regulations concerning the production of food for public consumption in an at-home environment, and read up on other regulations on product labeling and other topics. A small catering or home bakery may not be so far off!
6. If you are already a parent or just good with kids, child day care may be a lucrative and long-lasting business opportunity. When selecting a day care, parents often prefer a home environment. If you can do well with your clients’ kids and they adjust well, it is likely you will have that business for years to come. Understandably, this is another regulated business so be sure to research regulations like the provision of meals, minimum space requirements per child, and the number of licensed care workers per child.
7. Always on Amazon, Etsy, and eBay? Sites like these could be another opportunity to start an online marketplace store. The products you sell could range from clutter in your own house, products from junk/yard sales, your own artistic handiwork, or thrift store finds. You can even consider buying wholesale or adopting a drop-shipping model. For a successful store, try to find products that are in high-demand and not readily available from other sources.
8. Other business ideas include a dog walking/pet care business, a travel agent, a home-based franchise business, event planning/coordinating, architectural design, music/art lessons, or tutoring students!
Whatever your idea make sure you start, structure and operate your business according to legal and regulatory requirements. If you need more information on any of these topics, see the SBA website for links to other topics of interest.
About the Author
Caron Beesley is a small business owner, a writer, and marketing communications consultant. Caron works with the SBA.gov team to promote essential government resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners start-up, grow and succeed. Follow Caron on Twitter: @caronbeesley
