Home-Based Business Start-Ups
Many frustrated job-seekers and workers, whose hours-wages have been cut back; retirees; recent graduates, and those seeking new career directions are considering purchasing franchise opportunities like those featured in regular issues of Home Business® Magazine.
They like the security of investing in established, turn-key businesses with proven operating systems, brand name recognition, and company support. Some franchise opportunities can be operated, part-time, allowing franchisees (the buyers) to earn money at regular jobs while they learn their franchises’ operations.
Here are 15 home-based franchise-business opportunity ideas for you to consider:
Home-Based Franchise Business Ideas
1. Auto-Services (Mobile)
Strapped for cash caused by the slow economy, many people are working odd hours or multiple jobs and need their cars and trucks to get to work. By performing vehicle services such as washing and detailing; glass tinting; or small repairs at their places of work or at their homes, your clients will not have to have their vehicles in a service garage all day.
Success Tips: Survey your area for the mobile auto-service opportunity with the most profit potential. Then research one or more of the opportunities that interest you; and ones that will utilize any auto-repair experience or training you have had. Market your automotive services to local employers.
Suggested Resource:
*Mobile Auto Detailing Company by Tim Roncevich, Steven Primm.
2. Business Coach
Entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals hire business coaches to evaluate their own personal performances and how these actions have impacted their work and business outcomes. Coaches have clients set goals to improve their clients’ proficiency in specific skills and other areas to increase their businesses’ profits.
Success Tips: Professional coaches exhibit patience and work on a collaborative relationship, a type of partnership with their clients. Many business coaches find success specializing in the industry-professions in which they are familiar. Market your services to business owners’ organizations.
Suggested Resources:
*International Coaching Association.
*Co-Active Coaching, 2nd ed.: New Skills for Coaching People Toward Success in Work and Life by Laura Whitworth.
3. Children’s Instruction-Tutoring
With school districts cutting back on staff and extracurricular activities, parents and organizations hire instructors to tutor children, teens, and those with special needs in subject areas in which their pupils need extra help. Parents also often enroll their children in recreational and hobby courses for enrichment purposes.
Success Tips: Enjoying helping children learn and having a thorough background, including certification or licensing in the areas you will teach, are important criteria to have. Stay current with educational trends and any necessary courses you may be required to have to teach.
Suggested Resources:
*National Tutoring Association.
*Tutoring as a Successful Business – An Expert Tutor Shows You How by Eileen Kaplan Shapiro.
4. Commercial Cleaning
Business owners, organizations, schools, and property managers continue to hire quality professionals to clean and maintain their buildings and facilities. Concerned with cleaning chemicals that are toxic to humans and the environment, many clients prefer to contract professionals who use “green” cleaning methods and solutions.
Success Tips: Cleaning business opportunities range from general cleaning to specialized clean-up of carpets, blinds, ceilings, windows, and other designated areas. Stay current with the latest machines and methods to stay ahead of your competition. Encourage referrals from satisfied clients.
Suggested Resources:
*Cleaning Consultant Services, Inc. – information, publications.
*Cleaning Up for a Living, 2nd ed. by Don Aslett, Mark Browning.
5. Computer (IT) Consultant
At the speed that technology is changing, business owners, independent professionals, and individuals often lack the time or expertise to set up and/or maintain their computer systems. Computer consultants install, repair, and train their clients’ and business owners’ employees how to operate their systems and software. They also analyze and recommend the best networks for their business’ operations or individuals’ goals.
Success Tips: You should have the education and training in the latest systems and programs in order to provide your clients with the advice and solutions they need to operate. Clients will appreciate prompt, fast, and problem-solving service to get them back to working on their projects. Choose a computer business opportunity that works in the technological areas you prefer and/or have had previous experience or training.
Suggested Resource:
*Building the IT Consulting Practice by Rick Freedman.
6. Disaster Restoration & Cleaning
No matter where you live, freak weather occurrences, floods, fires, burst plumbing pipes, and other unexpected events and natural disasters often result in damaged homes and buildings. In this business you are a specialist in cleaning and removing the debris, mold, and other residue from the buildings and spaces adversely affected by these happenings.
Success Tips: Previous work experience will help you to better assess the damage to your clients’ structures and provide the best clean-up solutions. Network with governmental disaster agencies and officials; and property insurance companies for referrals and to be compliant with any regulated disposal methods. Provide prompt and quality service so your clients’ personal and business lives can quickly return to normal.
Suggested Resources:
*Center for Disease Control and Prevention – article(s) about safe clean-up procedures: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/cleanup/.
*U.S. Small Business Administration’s resources for disaster clean-up and precautions: https://www.sba.gov/managing-business/running-business/emergency-preparedness/disaster-cleanup.
7. Energy Saving Consulting
Rising fuel costs, the trend to “go green,” and changing environmental impact laws are creating the need for specialists to review business and property owners’ current energy usage. They help their clients reduce operating costs and explore alternative “greener” energy sources.
Success Tips: It is helpful to have prior education and/or training in this field. Network with local, state, and federal energy officials for information on current programs that can benefit your clients. Stay current with the latest “green” energy technology news.
Suggested Resources:
*Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy: https://energy.gov/eere/office-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy – Energy information portal.
*AltenergyMag – www.altenergymag.com/ – electronic magazine featuring news, information on alternative energy.
8. Financial Planning
With a financial crisis in many sectors of our economy, people and business owners are looking for better methods to manage their money and stay solvent. Financial counselors assist clients in finding ways to reduce their expenditures, invest wisely, plan for retirement, and reach other financial goals.
Success Tips: Experts in finance have the necessary certification, licensing, and the education to offer their services. Many will specialize in helping entrepreneurs, the elderly, and other niche groups. Networking with financial institutions, accounts, lawyers, and other agencies will help you receive business referrals. You should be patient, non-judgmental, and offer practical solutions in helping your clients plan their financial futures.
Suggested Resources:
*Financial Planning Association (FPA)- www.fpanet.org/; certification, articles.
*Getting Started as a Financial Planner by Jeffrey H. Rattiner.
9. Food Specialties
The popularity of cable television food channels has increased the demand for different types of prepared foods and beverages to be delivered or prepared on-site for meals or parties. With less time to shop, people also like to send both the traditional and the latest food and drink specialties as gifts or for special occasions and celebrations.
Success Tips: Attend franchise and business opportunity shows; as well as food specialty trade shows to get an idea what food trends are growing in popularity. Conduct market research in your area to see what foods potential customers are interested in. Join a local business owners’ organization to find opportunities to highlight your company and get referrals for additional work.
Suggested Resources:
*How to Start and Operate a Meal Delivery Service by Rob Spina.
10. Fitness Programs
With estimates that one-third of American adults and children are obese, health professionals are urging people to improve their diets and exercise more. You can invest in a fitness business that offers dance, fun-fitness programs, and others activities that people will enjoy participating in while getting in shape. Personal trainers and weight counselors are also in demand to help people plan healthy regimens that fit their goals and schedules.
Success Tips: You should not only be a healthy example, yourself, but also have the qualifications and training to safely direct these programs and to help clients reach their fitness goals. Make sure your clients have their doctors’ permission to undertake any exercise programs. Network with other professionals such as dieticians and/or nutritionists for referrals and/or joint collaborations on certain projects.
Suggested Resources:
11. Handyman (Woman) Services
Many older individuals, busy couples, landlords, and real estate agents have a long list of small (and sometimes large) fix-it jobs in their houses or buildings that they prefer to have an expert handy-person do. Installing new light fixtures, fixing windows and screens, and replacing faucets are just samplings of the many jobs you will be asked to do in this much-needed service.
Success Tips: Though not required, being licensed in electrical and plumbing skills will help qualify you as an expert. Enroll in local technical school courses if you need to hone your repair-installation skills. Prompt response to jobs and quality work will help build a solid network of satisfied and repeat customers who will be happy to promote your business with many referrals.
Suggested Resources:
*How to Start a Home-Based Handyman Business… by Terry Meany.
*New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual, Reader’s Digest.
12. Internet & E-commerce Consulting
Business owners, of both brick and mortar establishments and those with e-commerce sites; self-employed professionals; and creative types all seek advice as to the best methods to market themselves and their web sites. Many Internet consultants specialize in advising those in specific industries or professions so they will stand out from their competitors.
Success Tips: Write related articles in business and trade journals; produce a blog and e-newsletter; exhibit conduct workshops at trade shows and business conferences; and speak to targeted groups to promote your expertise. Staying current with the latest methods of Internet marketing including the use of social networks, will broaden your appeal to potential clients.
Suggested Resources:
*How to Be a Successful Internet Consultant by Jessica Keyes, AMACON, 2002.
*Marketing Plan Handbook (5th Edition) by Marian Burk Wood.
13. Outdoor Advertising
Supply business owners with eye-catching outdoor signs, billboards, vehicle wraps (advertising), and other unique outdoor advertising methods to capture the attention of potential customers. Consider opportunities that use the newer DOOH (digital out-of-home) advertising screens and devices. Offer promotional packages to fit clients’ budgets.
Success Tips: Keep up with the latest outdoor advertising trends. Having a sales and marketing background will help you analyze what type of promotional signage will best fit your customers’ advertising goals. Networking with business ownership organizations will increase your potential customer referrals.
Suggested Resources:
*How to Start a Billboard Advertising Business.
*Outdoor Advertising Association of America.
14. Pet Services (Mobile)
Pet owners seek a variety of pet-related services. These include on-site grooming, exercising, training, sitting, and transportation. You can also sell an endless variety of pet products on the side or full-time.
Success Tips: Many pet service providers use their previous experience and/or training to specialize in the types of animals and/or specific breeds of animals with which they work. They may also teach pet owners how to properly care for and train their pets.
Suggested Resources:
*International Boarding and Pet Services Association.
*National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.
15. Senior Services (In-Home, Non-Medical and Personal Care)
Enable seniors to live independently by assisting them in basic, non-medical services. Your duties may involve shopping, running errands, driving them to appointments, and doing repairs and other basic chores for those who cannot drive or are somewhat limited in their abilities to do essential daily tasks.
Success Tips: Prior experience and training with older populations are important so you understand their needs. You and any staff should demonstrate respect, patience, and enjoyment in working with seniors. Good communication with family members and social service agencies is also necessary to ensure your clients’ well-being.
Suggested Resources:
*In-Home Care for Senior Citizens: A Bedside Companion by Shirley M. Baker-Davis.
Unfortunately, many franchise-business opportunity scams also exist, so thoroughly investigate any franchise you are considering. Hire a franchise attorney to review your contract and the company’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) (the company’s financial history) that franchisors (the owners) must give you. The FTC Franchise Rule also says you can get a list of a company’s franchisees if you wish to discuss their experiences with a particular franchise.
Franchises and business opportunities** are not for everyone. Some are expensive, and you (the franchisee) must generally follow company procedures. But a franchise may offer faster money-making potential and less risk than an independent startup. The profit-making potential is there. With your due diligence and hard work, franchise success can happen for you, too.
For important information, visit the sites of Federal Trade Commission, International Franchise Association, and American Association of Franchisees and Dealers. Check out business opportunites at www.homebusinessexpo.com.
