There’s no question starting a new business is tough, but deciding what career you want to pursue to begin with can be even tougher. If you’ve been stuck in the same job for a while, or have taken a career break to raise kids, it can be difficult to find the motivation and inspiration required to go at it alone.
The good news is, when it comes to exploring ideas for a new venture, you don’t have to brainstorm alone. Research revealed that 45% of female entrepreneurs sought inspiration from family or friends, which can be a great first step in identifying what sort of home-based occupation is right for you.
But if you still need help deciding on your ideal home-based business, here are 5 ideas to inspire you…
Virtual Assistant
Set up costs: $
Essential equipment: Computer, Internet connection, phone
Qualifications and experience: Working in an office environment in a similar role is useful, but not essential
With improvements in technology, companies looking to keep costs down, and smaller businesses looking for ad-hoc support, the demand for virtual assistants has increased significantly.
The role of the virtual assistant can vary depending on your experience. But most people understand this role to be similar to a personal assistant, with tasks including typing up notes; organizing calendars; scheduling meetings; data entry; and managing calls.
To get started, there are a few things you’ll need. Firstly, you’ll need to be hyper-organized, especially if you’re planning on taking on smaller tasks for a lot of clients. Software such as Trello or Asana can help to streamline task management. As well as providing a useful time-tracking tool which will help you stay on top of your workflow, it’ll ensure you’re not undercharging for your time – which is easy to do when you start out.
While some virtual assistants will be expected to be available during normal business hours, there are still many tasks you can complete during your evenings and on weekends. So, while being a virtual assistant isn’t as flexible as some home-based businesses, you’ll have the benefit of being able to work from anywhere, as long as you can connect to the internet.
Landscaper
Set up costs: $$
Essential equipment: Tools, transport, protective clothing
Qualifications and experience: None, though a good knowledge of plants would be of benefit
If you enjoy the great outdoors and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, landscaping can be a great home based business.
Lots of people simply don’t have time to take care of their yard. So even if you only have a few tools, you can start a gardening business focussing on maintenance, offering things like lawn care, planting, pruning, and weeding.
You’ll need some plant knowledge if you’re going down the landscaping route, as it’s important to understand which plants will thrive – and where – in your clients’ yards.
And if you’re going to offer a service that involves using equipment like saws and mowers, make sure you’ve got the right protective clothing for the job.
Bookkeeper
Set up costs: $$
Essential equipment: Computer, Internet connection, accounting software
Qualifications and experience: Previous role in accounting and/or certification a major plus, although possible to get started with a high school diploma in relevant subjects
Number-crunchers can build a very successful career helping people balance their books. Many business owners don’t have the time, or the know-how, to manage their cash as effectively as they could, but don’t want to employ someone full-time to take care of it either. This is where freelance bookkeepers can capitalize!
As a bookkeeper, you’ll be expected to have an understanding of financial statements including expenditures, debts, receipts, accounts payable and receivable, invoices, and profits. It’s also highly likely you’ll be required to use accounting software and spreadsheets, so strong computer skills are essential.
Proofreader
Set up costs: $
Essential equipment: Computer, Internet connection
Qualifications and experience: None required, but strong reading and writing skills essential
Proofreading is a great way for wordsmiths to make money. It’s flexible, and has minimal start-up costs, but you will need an exceptional eye for detail when it comes to spelling and grammar. Companies which produce content with errors such as these risk losing credibility – or worse – if a particularly bad typo gets overlooked.
Whether it’s copy for websites, brochures, or even novels, as long as the written word remains important, people will need proofreaders.
Graphic Designer
Set up costs: $
Essential equipment: Computer, Internet connection, design software
Qualifications and experience: No formal qualifications necessary, just some creative flair and experience with using design software. A portfolio can also help.
From marketing collateral to logos, typography to web pages, there are hundreds of different visual concepts to create, so if being creative is more your thing, a career as a designer could be perfect for you.
A designer will need to understand how to interpret and deliver on a client’s brief, and depending on the type of design services you offer, may need to be able to work across different mediums, including online. Those wanting to design websites, for example, are often expected to have at least a basic understanding of web development, so it’s worth bearing this in mind before embarking on a career which is focused on digital design.
What are you waiting for?
There are lots of reasons for starting a home-based business. For many women, it’s because they want to be their own boss, while others want more flexible working hours, more money, or a new challenge. For some, their dream’s always been to have a job doing something they’re passionate about.
As of 2018, there were 11 million female entrepreneurs in the States. Many of them run their businesses from home. All across America, sisters are doin’ it for themselves – so why not join them?
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