Although it seems like everyone wants to make money working from home, not everyone is ready to be their own boss. Operating a business from home can require a lot of determination and courage, especially in the early start-up stages of the business.
Most new businesses are a life without customers, so it can be an uphill battle to win over customers and make a profit. That’s where persistence comes in. You have to be confident in what you are doing, be prepared to work hard, and pick yourself up after every setback.
Working for yourself is not like working for someone else. There is no guaranteed salary package every week, and you must be a highly motivated entrepreneur. You will often be working on your own with no one else around to support or guide you.
Yet despite all of that, working from home can be very exciting and financially rewarding. There are literally millions of home business entrepreneurs around the world. Many earn money working from home online, and others do more traditional jobs.
Before you start working from home, take a look at some of the thousands of home business opportunities out there and see what you like. However, remember that there should always be a market for any product or service you want to sell. There’s no point in having a brilliant idea if no one on the planet wants to buy it.
Here are 10 startups to get your brain working. One of the ideas might stimulate your thinking and you might come up with an even better idea.
1. Garden water features
It is becoming more and more popular to have a special water feature in your garden. Create water sculptures from stone, wood, clay or plastic. Use lighting for added effect. Some training may be required, start small and build your experience.
2. Decorative boxes
Create individual boxes for special gifts. Decorate smooth cardboard or wooden boxes with raffia, shells, fabric or any other material that gives the box a special touch. Sell to specialized stores or by mail.
3. Chocolate Easter Eggs
Make handmade chocolate Easter eggs for customers. Decorate Easter eggs with a variety of edible items and include solid chocolate eggs as well as those with soft centers in your selection of edible delights. Check the statutes of local authorities, etc. to ensure compliance, especially in relation to food preparation.
4. Publicist
If you have media contacts, you may be interested in starting a home-based business that promotes special events hosted by local businesses, clubs, outlets, or schools. Events can be over a period of time, like a summer festival, or one-time events, like a new store opening.
5. Treats for dogs and cats
Provide fresh homemade meals for cats and dogs, made with quality ingredients. Sell your gourmet pet packs through pet stores, or customers may buy directly from you. Again check the regulations.
6. Gingerbread houses
This traditional artisan/edible treat is a wonderful way to bring a little magic into people’s homes. There are many good books available at your local library or bookstore, showing you how to make gingerbread houses, both large and small. The Internet is a search source for research. Sell through specialized stores on request.
7. Four-leaf clover plants
Why not bring someone unlimited good luck by giving them a gift of live four-leaf clover plants? Grow and package these lucky charms for your customers. Sell through specialty stores and garden centers. If you can’t grow the plants, make lucky four-leaf clover novelties or collectibles out of plastic, resin, plaster, wood, or some other suitable material.
8. Sweet smell
Handmade soaps make a beautiful gift for anyone. Incorporates aromatherapy essential oils for added impact and convenience. Sell either as individual items or make personalized soap gift baskets with a theme. For example, you could have a revitalizing soap gift basket with soaps that incorporate rose, peppermint, and violet essential oils.
9. Home Office Designer
With a growing trend in people working from home, why not start an office space design business for other home based businesses? Start-up costs are minimal, although you will need to develop contacts in the office furniture and accessories business.
10. Christmas decorations
Make quality Christmas decorations to hang on Christmas trees. Use a variety of materials. Package them in attractive boxes of six to twelve decorations, or crackers (bon bons) per package. The key is to make the decorations different from what you normally see in retail stores. You could even personalize them with children’s names or photos, etc.
Keep in mind; If you want to earn money working from home online or at any job, always check the laws and regulations that may affect the operation of your business. What may be legal in one country may not be in another.
