Businesses You Can Start

As a business woman that has been self employed for 14 years and has done some of the many jobs listed below with great success. I also know others that have made their living doing the other jobs I have had listed. I want to share all this information with you so you can find something you do well or love to do and turn it into a business of your own.

Being your own boss gives you control over your time, money, and a lot of perks. Wouldn’t you love to pick your own hours? Be able to work around your kids’ schedule so you don’t have to pay a babysitter or so you can attend school functions? Not have to answer to a boss and be able to stay home if you are sick or the weather is bad? Best of all make as much as you want while still being able to write off things like your vehicle, computer, supplies, and much more.

There are many businesses out there that promise to make you tons of money but they want you to invest in their parent company and then you are expected to sell their products or get others to invest in their business. In the end you do all the work and if your lucky enough to sell whatever your cut is minimal, not the tons they claim.

So this is a way for you to be in the money, do something you like, and control your time. So Read on and I am sure you will find something that catches your eye and makes you say, “ I can do that and make money?!”

I will try to give you as much info for each business that I can and the rest is up to you!

One word of advise before you start reading though,
Don’t be afraid, jump in with both feet, give it one hundred and ten percent, don’t back down, think positive, and most of all don’t give up, you can do it!

To start any business I first suggest you take at least a business start up class at a local community college. Here you will learn how to set up books, to register and get a state business license, what you can use for income tax write offs, and other things needed to start your endeavor. There are more classes for small businesses offered but this is the most important I feel. If you don’t want to do the school thing you can get books from the Small business division in your state. They are listed in the government section under State, then under Small Business. Call and ask them to send you a packet that explains the how to’s of starting a business in your state. They can also tell you how to get low interest loans to start up if you need help. In this info you will also learn how to set up your business as a self proprietor, a limited liability co., or others.

I also suggest that you find an accountant to work with so you don’t write off things you can’t and miss things you can write off. You can pay them to do all your books or you can do them yourself and have them check them quarterly or at the end of the year have them do your taxes for you so they get done right. Income tax is so much more complicated when a business is involved so this is important. And remember this is a tax write-off in itself.

Also once you get started make up some cheap business cards that you should leave everywhere you go and put on every bulletin board you see. Also flyers are a great way to get the word out in certain areas you want to work. Say you have two jobs in close proximity and want more, flood that area around with them for better exposure. You can always put a small ad in a local paper or service type paper. Another good place for some jobs is at the local senior centers, they are always looking for help in many areas. Make sure to tell everyone you know about this new thing you are doing and again hand out those cards everywhere!

Remember the more business you get the more you will make. Your goal is to get to a point where you can or have to say I am totally booked with the time I have to give. Make sure you don’t let your business take over your life. Set boundaries such as devoting this much time a week to this business and stick to it or it can and will take you over. You can always expand by hiring people to help but keep an eye on them, don’t lose control of your business. Make sure people working for you represent your company in a positive way.

Some of these businesses are ones you can start that take a minimum amount of investment. Others may take bit more but you should be able to make enough to pay your start up investment off in the first year.

1. A Lawn Mowing Business

   Not just for kids anymore! This business takes a minimum amount of investment, especially if you already own some equipment or if the people you contract with have equipment you can use. One thing I do suggest though, is if you take on very many yards invest in a self-propelled mower. If you want it get into it deeper you can buy a rider mower and do large yards, fields, or sometimes you can even contract with parks. In the fell depending on where you live, you can make a killing cleaning up leaves and cleaning out flowerbeds And let me tell you this is a good work out job! No extra working out is needed.

   Bare amount needed is a mower, trimmer, and blower. To move this equipment you can use a van, truck, or small trailer. All equipment, vehicle, and gas used is a tax deduction.

   There are many people that need this service. The elderly, people who work full time, and realtors that need to have property maintained.

   You charge per yard and a minimum for your area is easy to find by contacting a couple of other companies and asking their prices. Put out flyers, let yourself be known at senior centers, advertise in the Thrifty Nickel.(Good money, good exercise)

2. Yard Grooming Service

   This is a great job for people who love to garden and weed. You can do this business with or without mowing. The equipment is extremely minimal. Small rakes, shovels, hoes, and gloves. This is a great job if you live in areas where grass is not found. I have some friends living in Arizona around a retirement community where they clean yards that have rocks, cactus, etc. They make a killing because these people all want their yard to be the best looking!

   There are many people out there that either can’t, don’t have time, or hate yard work but want beautiful yards.

   You can charge per job or per hour that is something to work out yourself or with your client. Flood areas with flyers. Contact senior centers, put ads in papers, pass out
   cards and flyers, and check with Realtors.

3. Trimming Bushes and Trees

   Most people have no idea or refuse to trim bushes, grasses and trees. If this is something you do well you can make a bunch of money because people who can’t trim but like their shrubs groomed are willing to PAY to make them look good. This business takes hardly nothing to start up. Trimmers (hand or electric), some tarps, and trash bags.

   Make and put out flyers on homes with shrubs especially unruly ones and wait for the calls.

   This is a business you can make a lot at if you are good at what you do! (My husband does this and can name his price)

4. Housekeeping

   Do you love to clean and are good at it? This is the right job for you! There are millions of people that hate to clean and are willing to pay well to have someone else do it. This is a job that you can bring your own supplies to, let the client provide them, or a combination of the two.

   You can offer a variety of services(windows, deep cleaning, laundry, etc.) or be a basic cleaner. Just remember the more you do the more the pay. You can offer an hourly rate and have set pricing for extras.

   I would recommend to get bonded for this type of job not only for your own welfare but also it helps your client to feel comfortable having you in their home. Bonding is something you can find out how to get done through your state and works like insurance. It assures the client that you are not going to steal from them. Again contact senior centers, advertise, and put out flyers.(can be interesting/ good money)

5. Painting

   Are you good at painting walls and not messy? Do you have a knack for doing all the new and exciting wall techniques? Can you free paint murals or stencil well? Then this is the right ob for you. Many people can’t paint well, hate it, or don’t know how. This is where you come in!

   For this job it is better to bring all your own equipment because it is easier to paint with things you are used to. It is also a good idea to bring along some samples of different types of techniques and pictures of places you have painted. See if you can advertise at paint stores, and
   all the above mentioned ideas.(fun, good money)

6. Dog Walking

   Are you crazy about dogs do you love to play with them, and do you love to walk? Why not make money if this is your passion. There are tons of people that live in apartments and condos and own dogs. A lot of time these people have such busy schedules and don’t or are just to lazy to take their dogs out. They are willing to pay you to do this for them.

   You can take one dog at a time or be brave and take out a herd, that’s up to you and your client. Also how your charges run is up tot you, too.

   Easiest way to find clients is to advertise in condo, apartment, business, and grocery lobbies. This is another job I recommend being bonded for. Advertise at Vets, dog parks, and pet stores.

7. “Taxi Service”

   Drive a taxi you say? No way I say. I am talking about shuttling people from place to place. There are so many elderly people that have no means of getting to a doctor’s appointment, the hairdresser, grocery store, etc. They would rather pay a person driving a private car that they can chat with than to call a cab or ride a bus. Also offering to take people to and from the airport is a smart thing to offer. This job can become overwhelming if you don’t keep to a schedule. People prefer being dropped off and picked up at the door instead of having to wait for a shuttle bus, RTD, or a cab. With this job you can make as much in tips as you charge. I have a friend I set up in this type business and she has hired two more helper drivers to keep up and is making serious money.

   This job takes someone who loves driving, talking and helping people. You can multi-task this job by dropping off one client and going to get another while that one is being taken care of. Remember with this job the more personal you make the more you will make.

   A great place to find clients would be a local church, office buildings, or senior center.(interesting job)

8. Delivery Service

   Almost like the above except you are moving things in your vehicle instead of people. You could do grocery shopping for a shut in, pick up take out, things from the cleaners, and so on. I have a neighbor that started a delivery of take out food business. He picked ten restaurant in his area and talked to them about letting him promote through them with flyers. He now has 10 drivers delivering and he just coordinates the whole thing form his home.

   This is a great job for anyone who likes to drive and doesn’t have a problem talking to others. Your charges can be hourly, by mileage or a combo of both.

9. House Watcher

   Do you like being in other people’s houses and don’t mind sleeping in different environments? This would work for you. It entails you either going by daily when the client is away and watering plants, gardens, animals, picking up mail, and whatever they need done. In some instances you are asked to actually stay at the home while they are gone. This is a very adventurous job and needs to be taken on only if you are able to be alone in strange places. It is not a job where you can take your girlfriend/boyfriend, husband/wife, child or friend with you to. Talk to travel agents about letting you advertise with them. And this is another job that you would need to be bonded.(fun job)

10. House/Animal Sitter

    This is a job that requires sitting. You go to someone’s house and wait for the cable man, furnace fixer, appliance repair man, etc. Some people even want someone to stay with their pet a day or two a week. There are many people that would pay you to stay there and watch or wait so they can get things fixed or their pets can get attention and still be able to go to work. They don’t want to use their precious comp time to wait and this is good for you especially if you love to read, knit, or watch TV. Not many jobs where you can get paid to do things you like. Also a job that needs you to be bonded. This business takes minimal investment.

11. Antique/Collectible Seller

    Do you have an eye for antiques and collectibles? Do you have many items you would like to sell? This is a fun and interesting to make money. You can either sell the items on online auctions, sell at flea markets, rent space in an antique co-op booth, or go all out and rent a building to sell your precious items. It just depends on how much you have and how deep you want to get into it.

    It can be a very
    lucrative business if you know about how to buy low enough to be able to sell for a profit. This is a business that requires a good eye and a lot of knowledge. This business takes a bit more investment but is not as physical as some of the jobs listed above. Best bet for getting an inventory together is yard sales, flea markets, and second-hand stores. Get a bunch of things together before starting and remember to keep buying!

12. Clean-outs

    What is a clean out you ask? Simple, it involves cleaning out garages, attics, houses, etc. People hate to do this! But if you find going through tons of stuff as fun this is for you. And the big benefit is sometimes you find something great! You get paid per job or per hour and a lot of times you’ll find things you can resell or you can also recycle things for extra money.

    There are many elderly, people moving, and spring cleaners also Realtors and landlords that are in need of the house clean out service. If you live in a area where there are a lot of foreclosures this can turn into a goldmine because the banks will usually pay well to get these places back on the market asap.

    This job takes a strong back, will and sometimes a strong stomach, but you can make a ton. This job works best with a truck and a trailer but you can always rent a dumpster to be brought to the location (just remember to add the rental price into the total you charge.) (Good money in this!)

13. Daycare/Preschool

    Do you love kids, have kids of your own, a big child friendly space and have patience galore? This is the business for you! Many people prefer the homey type daycare to the big business ones.

    This is a great business if you have kids of your own and need to make some money but either can’t afford daycare or don’t want to put your kids in one. Check with your friends and family to see if they or their friends are in need of this service. I watched many fiends kids so I could stay home with my own and enjoyed it immensely. You can even micro manage this job by watching only a certain age group. You can also make it a lets play and have fun place. Or do creative things like learning things, doing art, etc. and making it into a preschool with

    shorter hours and setting it up for certain age groups at specific times.

    Many states require a license and have other rules involving running a daycare in your home so be sure to check all this out before starting this up. The lady that did my girls preschool made a good living, had her summers free and was loved by all who used her, thus bringing her in more kids each year. (never a dull moment)

14. Catering

    Do you love to cook and create great foods? Do people tell you your food tastes exceptional? This is something you can start and run from your own kitchen! You don’t need anything extra to start this job and you can write off your income tax part of your home, cooking utensils, public service, appliances, car, and many more things.

    To start make up some samples and take them to local businesses in office buildings, or go to trade shows for weddings, home & garden, etc and show off your goodies. This is a business where samples will work better than flyers. Offer snacks for meetings, sack lunches, or full out catering for parties, receptions, luncheons, and so on.

    This job is not one that is always going to work on your time because you need to deliver your at the times they are needed, but you can get help from someone you trust and build their pay into the cost of the job.

    Take a cue from Monica on the show Friends. Start up is nothing, because you probably have it all already.(gets creative juices flowing)

15. Cake Decorating

    Can you decorate cakes or have you always wanted to?
    Here is something for you to turn into your own business. I would suggest that before you start this business you should take a class or two on decorating to learn the secrets. The price you pay for these classes will be a deduction when you start your business.

    For clients to start off approach family and friends. Most people would rather pay someone they know and trust for a “personal” cake than a store. Make sure to give them business cards to set by the cake for advertisement. If you want to expand into wedding cakes make sure you sign up for the wedding trade shows, show your products to planners, and see if you can advertise a boutiques.

    This business is not as easy to make your own hours as the others because they involve getting cakes to places at specific times you can always pay someone as an assistant to do deliveries you can’t just build that cost into the cake.

16. Pooper Scooper Person

    This sounds like a crappy job and it is but it’s a money maker. No one likes to clean up after their pets so they will pay you to do it for you. I know it sounds like a horrible job but hear that after awhile you become de-sensitized and smell nothing. You don’t have to touch anything and just need a rake and shovel. You can wear your mp3 player while working and get loads of exercise. I don’t know how else to pitch this one, except I have been told people pay bundles to have their poop picked up. So at least give it a try!

    To promote this one go to vet’s, pet stores, dog parks and hand out cards and in papers.( Just remember…Good money)
    money.

17. Wedding/Occasion Singer

    Is your singing voice amazing? Do you love to sing? Then go forth and sing! This is a great business and can be fun, too. You can set up to sing at weddings and parties or if you want to be creative become a mobile singer. Then you can deliver balloons, flowers, or whatever while using those magnificent chords.

    This business can be promoted with flyers at party stores, wedding shows, karaoke places, or start an online website. If you are good and promote yourself well you could even get to travel. (My cousin did this and made enough to pay for college)

18. Meal Cooker/Meal Preparer

    Are you good at making meals and enjoy doing it? This is a relatively new business area and could become potently a huge one. Many people work and don’t want to or don’t care to make dinner. So they go though a drive-thru and grab some fast food wishing they could have a real meal. That is where this business comes in! You make those good to eat wholesome meals for these people. You offer ones cooked for a bit more or ones that they just need to pop in their oven.

    You can do a delivery service or make them come to you. Offer a weekly menu with a couple choices or a certain meal each day. You can make up many meals at one and freeze them. There is so much potential to this business that it could become one where you will need to hire help!

    Advertise in business newspapers, lobbies of office buildings, churches, and leave business cards everywhere.
    (Two friends are doing this and now it is huge)

19. Presser/Steamer

    This is a hot one! But if you love to press or steam women out there will love you and be willing to pay you to do it for them or their corporate husband. Cleaners charge an arm and a leg while leaving scorch marks, creases where they don’t belong, and missing buttons. The human touch is always better. Office lobbies, bulletin boards, and word of mouth will promote this business.

20. Window Washer

    This is a great business and you don’t ever have to go up high. There are so many businesses, apartments, and even houses that pay to have their windows cleaned. I know one woman who started washing a couple of tire stores and now does over 25! It takes a long brush, a pail, window cleaner, and along handled squeegee. There are classes you can take to learn the art of window washing, but that would be a decision you could make. It could be a fun and exciting way to make a living. To drum up business go around and give free demonstrations.

21. Voice/Instrument Teacher

    Are you a good singer or play instruments well? Then this is a good way to make a living. Kids in any type of music are always trying to get better. And many of them want to get to the highest level, or they are told by their teachers that they must take outside lessons to get to a higher group. I know my daughter is in that position and when I checked into a voice teacher the prices are quite high! And what’s more they all seem to have a waiting list!

    This is one that I would promote through schools, theaters, and churches.

22. Truck Caterer

    These are the people that have a catering type truck that they drive to businesses with prepared food to sell the workers for snacks and lunches. I have a friend that makes her own sandwiches, burritos, cookies, etc to sell and has a huge following. But if you don’t want to be that involved you can buy pre-packaged food, it sells well also. You have to invest in a truck or van, but it is a tax write-off and a small business loan can help you out here. You then need to set up a route, and take flyers to each business to let them know what you will sell, prices and a time you will be there. It can be a fun business and profitable, too

23. Event Planner

    I have a cousin that plans weddings, proms, birthdays, etc. Are you good at planning and setting things up? Then you can do this too. There a so many people out there that can’t or won’t take the time to plan these type of things, you would be amazed! She started with her daughters prom, when no other parents wanted to help. From there she was approached by many parents and teachers for help planning things for them, and hence her business started!

    You can approach this with flyers, business cards at places where people go for wedding things. Or you can do shows such as Home and Garden, Kid Expo, Wedding Expo, etc. This is a fun job because you get to dream through others eyes and spend money that is not your own. Being a person that has a calm persona also is a big help.

24. Ebayer For Others

    Do you eBay and do it well? Do you have time to keep up with actions you are running and answer questions in a timely fashion? Do people always ask you to help them learn to EBay or sell things for them? This is a great job for you, then. I was always having people ask me for this help and I finally decided to make it a business. I will give lessons on how to eBay but now I charge a fee for the lesson and any additional help I charge for, too. If they just want to have me eBay their things I charge an up front fee and also take a 10% cut from anything that gets sold. I make them write their own descriptions and set their own prices. I will take pictures for them, which I also charge a fee for. If they want me to take care of the mailing part, I charge for my time. The one thing I don’t do when I eBay other’s things is list it under my account. This is because if someone sells something that is not as they represent it or they decide to take care of the mailing part and it doesn’t get out in time, I am not getting the bad feedback.

    You can make a great amount of money doing this but I do suggest that you make up some type of contract that you have them sign for each thing you sell and have them pay their fess up front.. That protects you from getting stiffed, stuck with things, or whatever else comes about.

    You can promote this through family, friends, churches, and

    so on. You can do this with only people you know or if you know what you are doing you can offer you services to anyone.

25. Tow Truck Driver

    This is a bigger investment type job in the beginning BUT it will make you a good living. This is a more physical type job than the ones above. There is certain ways to hook up cars and the best way to learn this business would be to work for someone for a bit. Once you learn, though you need to invest in a tow truck of your own because why make someone else rich? Your best advertisement is your business name and phone number on your truck.

    You need to realize that this job will require nights and weekends to make the bucks but it only takes a few hours and your done. If you want a real challenge and a good income this is what you want to invest in. This business will also take extra insurance and check with your state because they will tell you anything else that is required. This is one business that you would want to check into a small business loan.

26. Vending

    This is another of the bigger investment type jobs and this is a very physical if you are looking at doing soda pop. But you can invest in the gum type machines instead. Either can bring you a hefty income depending on location and the amount equipment you have out. Small gum machines are something that won’t take a lot of time, don’t have a lot of repairs needed usually someone gets a coin stuck.

    The bigger machines take more time, can have a few more problems at times but yield a better income. You can go out and find locations and machines on your own, you can go through a vending placement service, or you can find venders that are selling in the paper.

    This is a great business but you need to put back 50% of what you make to cover restocking and any repairs that come along. You need to fix things right away in this business or else you make no money and you loss clients.

    This is my main business and I get a lot of clients this way. This business takes a friendly, conscientious, strong person who is willing to work all types of weather. You can work this business with a truck, van, or trailer and some coolers to get started. A small business loan would be a big help for this one, too. This job can make you a good living as long as you remember to make your clients happy.

There should be enough diversity and information above for you to go out and become a small business person and with time and perseverance you can turn your business into a big one. Just remember you have to jump in with two feet and don’t get discouraged.

If you need to make more than you are when you start up or need to have someway to get insurance, you can always work somewhere part time until your business gets so big you have to devote full time to it. There are many insurances that are set up for small businesses so just check in the yellow pages.

Please don’t forget to check with the Small Business Bureau in your State Government index and order a packet to start your own business.

It is a big step to go out on your own but if you really want to work for yourself you can do it!