You are reading this because you are either an Associated Content Producer looking to add another stream of income, a stay-at-home parent looking to add some extra money to the paychecks that are coming in, or you just dream of starting your own successful business.
The big question is: Where do you start? I am going to answer your question with a question. What do you like to do?
If you are a people person that loves to decorate, you can go back to school and become an interior designer. No time or money for school. Right. OK, you can work for a company such as At Home America. At Home America offers their kit for a relatively low cost for shipping provided that you book and hold a few parties to make up the difference of the kit. You can beautify your home as well as give other people the opportunity to purchase top end, lower cost items to decorate their home as well.
If you are a stay-at-home parent, you know that one of the most important things to do with your young children is to read to them. Maybe you just love children’s books. For a low start up fee, you could become an Usborne Books at Home Independent Consultant. You can host home shows, do direct sales from the catalog, web sales, or become an Educational Consultant and contact schools and daycare’s to host book fairs. There are incentive trips, continual training and support, and the hostess program is one of the best in the direct sales industry. Any free books your hostess would earn would not come out of your pocket.
If you love to cook, you could sign up with a company such as Pampered Chef. The start up cost is relatively low, but you must be a people person as this will require cooking shows. While you can probably do direct sales from the catalog, most people want to see what they are getting before they decide to order it.
So what if you have no money to start up or none of the above interests you? Then you think outside of the box! Do you love pets? Start a pet treat business. You can search the Internet for free pet treat recipes. It is considerably cheaper than buying them from the store and the buyer knows that they can pronounce everything on the label! I’ve done this in the past and make $4 per order of treats; most treats cost less than a dollar per order to make.
Do you have a bunch of books laying around the house? Do you always pick up more books when you go to garage sales or thrift stores? If they are in good condition, consider setting up a book shop on Amazon or eBay.
Are you knowledgeable about what products are currently hot on the market? Set up a drop shipping business on ebay. You can search the Internet for sites that offer free drop shipping. Just do your homework and always make sure you know what the cost for shipping is going to be. Add a dollar to it for handling the sale. Start the bid at what the product would cost you plus the minimum fee ebay charges for listing with them.
Are you crafty? Crochet, cross stitch, knitting, sewing, making jewelry, and other practically “lost arts” can be sold on etsy. Etsy is a relative newcomer to the world of Internet sales, but if you are good at marketing and want to stay away from the outrageous fees eBay charges, etsy may be the place for you.
If you are just looking to clear out your material or yarn stash, but you do not want to spend any money by offering the items online consider thinking one season ahead. If it is winter, make things for spring. Then at the beginning of spring, get a garage sale license and sell what you’ve made. Every season is three months. How much stuff could you make in three months? What would you charge for it? Check the Internet for formulas on how to price your goods. Don’t sell yourself short
Do you love to write? If you do and are good at marketing, check out Lulu for self-publishing. You can publish everything from cookbooks, CDs, books, and calendars.
For more ideas visit The Working at Home Mom…dads I am sure she would welcome you too. You will get more great ideas on starting a new business. No, that’s not my link. I am a regular reader of her blog and she generates lots of brilliant ideas to help bring more income into your life!
