5 Home-Based Businesses to Start with Almost Nothing
As you scroll through YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, have you ever noticed that people are sharing their business stories? They offer hundreds of tips on how to start your own home-based business. For example, yesterday I saw “150 Budget Friendly Startups”. Right after that I saw “75 Printables for Profit”, “50 Printables as a Side Hustle” and “25 Bags to Sew and Sell”. And how could I forget “56 Tips for Starting a YouTube Channel”? I do not know about you but after about tip number 5 or 6 my brain becomes mush. Even though I try to write them down I just get lost in all the different suggestions.
So, I have limited my tips or ideas for this blog post to 5. There are hundreds of ideas on starting a home-based business with almost nothing but here are the top 5 that I am most frequently asked about.
1. Teaching
Do you have a favorite hobby? Sewing, baking, music lessons, budgeting, photography, cleaning, candle making, swimming, quilting? Before 2020 happened there were thousands upon thousands of people who tutored students in their home or at local community education centers, after school programs, restaurants, craft stores, and Junior College programs. I started my teaching at a local shop in my area years ago. I then expanded my teaching to traveling away from home to give my lectures to community groups, local guilds and on cruises. But 2020 changed everything! My small home-based business had to learn to adapt and that is exactly what I did. Just like distance learning in schools, I had business meetings, lectures and coaching sessions by conference call and zoom. Nothing ever beats face to face but teaching with a zoom call comes close, it is like you are in the same room. Creating an online seminar to teach your student the keyboard or the chords on a guitar or how to mix a cake batter or how to make your cookies come out perfectly golden brown can still be accomplished. So, if you love teaching then you might want to investigate doing classes on zoom or an internet platform like Teachable.
2. Sewing and Alterations
At one point in time, we all need an alteration like a seam repaired, a button sewn on, pants that need a hem, a jacket that needs a dart, or a zipper that needs replaced. If you have sewing skills and a few basic supplies, you can do all of these yourself. But not everyone has this ability. Sewing skills are in great demand. Starting a home-based sewing business requires a small investment and if you sew you have everything you need already. Knowledge is your biggest asset. I would contact local sewing stores; fabric shops and cleaners to let them know you are available.
If you are not interested in alterations, there are other avenues for you pursue with your sewing skills. Pattern companies are always looking for people to test and edit patterns. Fabrics companies want people to make models from their newest lines. These places usually do everything by phone, zoom, and UPS. In your area, local shops are always looking for model makers as well. If you like to write instructions as you work, sewing and quilting magazines are looking for innovative ideas and pay well for each article and/or editing. Teaching others to sew, bagmaking, headbands, scrunchies, leotards, competition outfits, the possibilities are endless. And they can all be done from home.
3. Dog Walking/Sitting
Surveys say that one in every five households own a pet. Who is taking care of all these animals? This next business idea is the favorite side hustle of many moms who live in neighborhoods with pets. Do you have neighbors who work all day? Who lets their dog out while they are at work? Some owners send their dogs to doggie daycare. This is a pricey answer to letting the dog out. But most owners opt for hiring a neighbor or a friend to come over once a day to check on their dog and take them for a walk.
Pet owners also need people to come check on their dogs and let them out while they are on vacation, or they are on a short a weekend trip. This business is not exclusive to dogs; many cat lovers need someone to come change the cat’s water and food every day or check the litter box so do not limit yourself to only dog walking or dog sitting. The only investment needed for this business is a few phone calls or texts letting your friends and neighbors know about your service. You could invest in printing some business cards to leave at local veterinarians and pet shops.
4. Writing
If you love to write then this is the perfect home-based business for you. Creating content for others is one of the fastest growing side hustles around. You can list your services on platforms like Upwork and Fiver. Data entry, virtual assistant, customer assistant, proofreader and content creator are just a few of the jobs available. How many hours have you spent studying your hobby? You might want to share your knowledge with others. Search out publications on your hobby and submit articles to them. I got my first article published in “Miniature Magazine” ($150.). The magazine owned the copyright for three months, then it reverted to me. I submitted that article to several other publications and got paid again. Authoring articles for various publications is a fantastic way to make passive income. Writing content for bloggers and/or ghostwriting is another option. The only investment needed for this home-based business is your computer and the internet. If you do not have a computer available, always check out the Public Library. The library has all the resources you need.
5. Consulting
Has anyone ever asked you “How did you do that?” or “Will you help me learn more?” After a class or a lecture students would always want more information or help with their situation. When I first started teaching, I would always help as much as I could and spend extra time with students, even when they were asking questions unrelated to the class. But then I realized that I was giving away free advice using my time and resources that I could have been using in on my own business. Do not get me wrong helping others is important. I used to say “sure I’ll help you “and then I would spend a couple of days helping them get started. Now when someone says will you help me, I say “of course I will help you, I do one on one coaching. When would you like to set an appointment?.” I usually give a discount if a customer books and pays for 3 or more sessions in advance. Do not under value your time. You will be helping your customer obtain their goals in your area of expertise. If meeting in person is an obstacle, customers could call in once a week for a half hour facetime session or a zoom call.
These are only five areas where putting your knowledge, talent, and skills to work can earn you a weekly or monthly income. You may start out small and branch out from each of these areas to become larger and larger. For instance, a dog sitter may want to start a blog about their dog or cat experiences. A content creator may want to become a YouTube celebrity. Keep notes on each step of your journey. It will make it easier when you start to branch out.
You might want to look for a mentor, somebody that you really admire who is good at their craft. Sharing ideas with someone other than a friend or family member is always helpful. Having a mentor guide you can make your path easier and help you realize how you can make your home-based business unique. Be sure to check out their fees first. Many mentors offer a free 15-minute session, just to see if the two of you click. Remember to stay within you budget.
This is just a compact list of possibilities for starting a home-based business. You know what you are passionate about. Take your creativity and turn it into cash so you can create your own good life.
