Start a Business
Right now the opportunities are endless for creating unique work-at-home positions
along with some tried and true ideas for selling established products, hosting parties,
or selling online.
Childcare Services
Since you are already at home with your own children, you could offer childcare for
others in your area. Take out an advertisement in your local newspaper or offer
to your friends, folks in your playgroup, or at your church. Make sure that you
look into your state laws on how many children you can have in your care without
being licensed. This is an especially profitable thing to offer around the holidays
when parent’s need to get out to do a little Christmas shopping. They will be happy
to know that their child is safe with an experienced mother and you can make a little
extra cash when you probably need it the most.
Baking/Catering
If cooking is your strong point, then maybe doing some baking or catering on the
side might be a good option for you. They offer wonderful classes on cake decoration,
candy making, and other baking courses for a relatively low fee at many of your
local craft stores. Check into these and see if you can acquire a new skill. As
mentioned under childcare services you will need to check into your local laws for
what you can do within your own kitchen. If you are required to meet certain commercial
kitchen standards, you could always go to the person’s home to prepare the baked
goods, meals, or whatever type of food you might be offering.
Scrapbooking
This is a very hot and exciting time for people who are in the scrapbooking business.
There are so many people who are enthralled with the hobby, but few who actually
have the time to do it. You could start a business offering your expertise in scrapbooking
to create the scrapbook of their dreams. Many people who do not have the time would
pay for someone to put these together for them. They make wonderful anniversary,
birthday, and wedding gifts as well. You would need to pay for start-up costs, but
with enough people interested you could recover these costs quickly.
Errand Services
You have to run errands yourself, right? Might as well see if someone else might
need errand services as well. Many elderly people or those without vehicles would
benefit from these types of services and you could earn a little money doing what
you were planning to do anyway.
Crafts/Floral
Do you make beautiful wreaths? Are you creative with making holiday ornaments, gifts,
or knick knacks? Maybe you could earn money selling these at craft shows, garage
sales, or to friends/relatives.
Mystery Shop
Be sure to check out my mystery shopping section for more information. This is where
you are sent out by a company to different shops in your location and you are responsible
for completing a survey on behalf of the company. The mystery is that no one knows
that you are working for a company; therefore they act as they normally would with
their regular customers. Upon completing the survey the company either reimburses
you for a purchase made or you receive a cash payment for your services. These can
range from five bucks on up depending on the lengthiness of the survey and the effort
that is involved. I have been doing mystery shopping for the past several months
and have been very successful at it. It is important to know that you DO NOT have
to pay anyone to become a mystery shopper- you do not need an e-book to explain
how to do it and you do not necessarily need to be a member to any organization
in order to do it.
Gift Baskets
There are many inexpensive ways to create beautiful gift baskets and many people
pay top dollar to have gifts put together for them. You can find beautiful vintage
baskets at garage sales and antique stores. Using these baskets you can fill them
with gifts that all center around the same theme. For example, center a bridal shower
gift all around pampering the bride. Fill the basket with pretty bath soaps, a cooling
eye mask, pretty nail polishes, lotion, and a pretty loofah scrubber. Contact local
businesses around the holidays and ask if they need help in creating unique gifts
for their employees. Many higher ups don’t have time to devote towards making unique
gifts, but they are looking for something special for their employees and your basket
could be the ticket.
Selling on eBay
This is a very hot time for selling on eBay, and even Oprah is doing it for her charity.
As the old saying goes, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure” Begin by checking
out books at the library on selling on eBay. Also think about a specific type of
thing you might like to focus your selling on- fine china, old maps, dolls, or wherever
your interest may lie. It is easier to begin with a passion you have already had
because you won’t have to start from scratch with your knowledge. Once you have
picked your item start watching the listings on eBay. I would suggest starting small
when you are first starting out. The worst thing in the world would be to buy something
at a huge cost, try to resell it, and then no one have an interest in your item.
There are many great books that you can get at your local library that will provide
the beginning tools you need to start on this business venture. People make incredible
amounts on eBay- why can’t you?
Join a Business
Along with creating your own business, you could begin taking part in a business
that has already been established. This can really work to your advantage because
the products that you will be selling or the parties you will be hosting will already
be recognized by individuals. Immediately an individual can tell you whether or
not they like certain products or if they are too overpriced. The problem you run
into is that people already have these preconceived notions and the market is very
saturated with lots of people selling the same thing. Every market is competitive
though, but with the right mindset and drive you can make your dreams possible in
any of these home businesses.
Avon
Ding-Dong, Avon calling. See, all I said was the word and you are already thinking
about a positive or a negative experience that you have had with the company. Let
me begin by saying that Avon sells in over a hundred countries and they have over
three million sale representatives all over the world. They are the world’s leading
direct seller of beauty products and their line doesn’t stop at just make-up. Avon
sells everything from jewelry to clothing to children’s toys- there really isn’t
anything that you won’t find in an Avon catalog. Your income is determined by how
much money in products you sell and it is completely commissioned based. The beauty
of Avon, in my opinion, is that there really is no huge investment other than your
time. You can begin selling Avon with only a ten dollar investment. These ten dollars
get you started with your first two campaigns of catalogs, a training manual, and
a bag full of goodies which include samples for customers, ordering booklets, and
information on embarking on your career in Avon. If you are interested in selling
Avon click here and I can get you started or answer any questions you might have.
Mary Kay
This is also one of the largest direct sellers of beauty products. Mary Kay offers
a large line of face care products and make-up along with health supplements. Mary
Kay was founded in 1963 by Mary Kay Ash. Consultants sell products by organizing
home parties, selling door to door, and selling through their internet Mary Kay
approved web sites. The starter costs for this company is a bit higher in that you
need to invest a hundred dollars to get your starter kit. This kit includes all
the sales materials and products you would need in order to get started. As an Independent
Consultant you are also eligible for a fifty percent discount on your products.
The company offers wonderful incentives to its top sellers including the ever famous
pink Cadillac for the company high-rollers. If you are interested in selling Mary
Kay products please call 800.MARY.KAY for more information on how to get started.
Pampered Chef
Pampered Chef is a direct seller of guaranteed, professional-quality kitchen tools
and pantry items. These include cookware, preparations tools and gadgets like ice
shavers and apple corers. The company was founded in 1980 by Doris Christopher and
the majority of the money made by the company is made through the Kitchen Shows
which are hosted by the Pampered Chef consultants. There are many different sizes
of starter kits you can obtain to being as a consultant and there is a price to
fit the range of each individual. The Pampered Chef's Kitchen Consultants host shows
or parties in homes to sell products. The company provides various incentives to
their consultants including jewelry and vacation rewards for good sales. Call 800.266.5562
if you are interested in obtaining more information about Pampered Chef.
Southern Living
Southern Living magazine has been around for decades, but the latest and greatest
addition to the Southern Living family is their home parties where you can buy and
sell products that are featured in the Southern Living magazine. The products include
food products, cookbooks, pottery, and other accessories. As a Southern Living at
Home consultant, you will sell products primarily through home parties and catalog
distribution. Southern Living at Home offers a basic starter kit, which includes
business supplies and 20 products, for an investment of $199, plus sales tax. Consultants
get a commission of 25 percent on each product sold and can buy company merchandise
at a 25 to 40 percent discount. Most products in the Southern Living at Home catalog
range in price from $7 to $100. The company also provides incentives such as free
merchandise and annual trips. To get information in the mail, send a $10 check to
receive the Fast Track Opportunity Pack (includes an informational video, application
form, product previews and a current catalog) to:
Southern Living at Home
Fast Track Opportunity Pack Request
P.O. Box 830951
Birmingham, Alabama 35283-0951
Paid Listings:
Watkins Home Based Business
Make money from home with Watkins Products. Famous for quality and value since 1868.
Moms Work at Home - No inventory
& no risk. Finally, something you can believe in!