Many of us dream of being able to work from home, but coming up with an idea for what to actually do may be a challenge. This article will suggest five home based businesses that are popular with women who work at home. Hopefully you’ll find some inspiration and take the plunge if you decide that working from home is right for you.
Virtual Assistants
Being an administrative assistant has never been so satisfying. The virtual assistant provides support to small business, sole proprietors, and entrepreneurs. A typical day for a virtual assistant may include typing up business, sales, or customer letters, returning phone calls for the client, setting appointments and meetings, as well as creating spreadsheets, compiling reports or any other task they’ve offered as a service. Many virtual assistants also offer writing, editing, and assistance in marketing and advertising.
Usually billed by the hour, virtual assistants can make close to their full time and in many cases well over what they made commuting daily as an administrative or executive assistant.
To start this rewarding job, you will need a computer, printer, fax machine or faxing capabilities on your computer, a cell phone or separate line, strong organisational skills, and good customer relations or experience in customer service.
E-retailing
Often referred to as e-commerce, this is a growing trend among many women who are looking for a way to earn money selling products online. You may find that you are exceptionally crafty; you can sew, or you build things. Creating an online store to sell your products is a booming business.
By using your talents and interests, you can apply your creativity to sell anything from homemade soaps and beauty products to clothing lines and jewellery. You will need a website to list your products and a method for which customers can check out items, or you can sell via ebay. You will also need to offer a variety of shipping methods as you could garner customers from all over the world. A strong business sense and organisational skills are beneficial when beginning an e-retail store.
Freelance Services
Being a freelancer can open you up to numerous job opportunities and possibilities depending on your talents. If you have a flair for the written word, you could work as a freelance or ghost writer. Many women find opportunities writing for local news outlets, online media and print publications. You can set your income by the word or by the hour if you market to private clients.
A teaching background could land you a job as a private tutor. As education becomes more competitive, parents are turning to private tutors to help their children with problem subjects or to get a leg up on their studies. Tutors usually bill by the hour and some list their services with local schools so that parents have a ready-made resource if they decide tutoring is something their child needs.
Catering
Do you have a knack or love for cooking and baking? Maybe you’re the one everyone looks to for a great dessert. Either way, you can put your culinary skills to work and build a baking and catering business for yourself.
Catering businesses are growing in popularity as nearly everyone can use the services you provide. Some catered events consist of birthday parties, graduation parties, business lunches, charity events, and weddings. Better still you may get a request for a romantic dinner or cocktail parties. People’s lives have become busier and rather than do the preparation and cooking for events, many individuals are opting to save time and spend the money to have even the smallest of gatherings catered.
Start up costs for catering can be small as you can use your own facilities. As the business grows you may need to move your office outside of the home to a more professional kitchen or upgrade your own. You will likely want to purchase your own linens, china, and tableware for events but to begin you can save money by renting these items. Some clients may even prefer you use their kitchen items if it is a small event or intimate setting.
Consulting
Do you have knowledge in a specific industry or niche? Put your education and knowledge to work for you by offing consulting services to businesses, individuals, and even publications.
You should have excellent interpersonal skills and be up on the current trends and information in your niche. Financial consultants, human resource consultants, doctors, and even lawyers can all consult on a private or public basis. Political consultants are especially sought after for their expert knowledge. However, this is only a small portion of the types of consulting jobs you can begin at home.
Some consultants also speak publicly for corporations, television news stations, and even radio. Most consultants bill their clients on an hourly basis or have a fee schedule based on the types of services required.
Each home business has its own regulations regarding licenses, taxes and other legal issues. Before you start your business find out what you need in terms of licensing. Keep in mind also that you may now be responsible for your own healthcare coverage unless you are covered under a spouse’s plan.
Not everyone is cut out to start their own business. You must be dedicated and willing to roll with the ups and downs of working for yourself. You are now in charge of every aspect of your career including management and administrative duties. Multitasking and the willingness to take on a variety of roles is necessary and helpful in running your own business.
If you think that you might like to start your own business, consider your skills, strengths and interests. If there is something you think you could build a successful business out of, explore it and begin networking with others in that field. You can learn a lot from their experiences and knowledge.
Recommended Reading
For more information and advice on how to work from home, take a look at the following books:
Will Work from Home: Earn the Cash - Without the Commute
The Work-at-Home Success Bible: A Complete Guide for Women
The Recession-Busting Guide To Making Money Online From Home
Undress for Success: The Naked Truth about Making Money at Home
101 Businesses You Can Start With Less Than One Thousand Dollars: For Stay-at-Home Moms & Dads
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