Here's an excellent
collection of over 2OO easy business ideas for women that can be
started with little training and investment All these ideas are
capable of producing additional income.
Most of these businesses can be conducted in the privacy and comfort
of home, in between household chores, during weekends or at your
leisure. All of these ideas do not require extra help, brawn and best
of all, some are extensions of hobbies or skills developed or acquired
from childhood.
For best results, browse through the business suggestions and write
down those that sound interesting. List the opportunities you would
like to try out. Then narrow the list down to one, two or more related
businesses. For instance, if you collect dolls as a hobby, you can
start your own doll making business or start designing and sewing doll
clothes (specializing in party clothes) for Barbie or ordinary dolls.
These ideas are intended to stimulate your imagination. Only you can
make the decision based on your own experiences, qualifications,
interests and the current market in your community. As you compile
your list of possibilities, take a critical look around your area.
Note what is and isn't available; what is overpriced or inadequate
that people in your community will pay for. When you find just the
right combination, start preparing for a successful business
operation!
The first thing you must do is to prepare a BUSINESS PLAN. This is an
outline of what you plan to do and how you intend to do it. When you
write a business plan, it will make you organize your business in your
mind and on paper. This will insure your ultimate business success!
Be sure to check with city hall on local license, tax or permit
requirements before making your final selection/s and before investing
your money. Sometimes a minor adjustment at the start can prevent
future headaches.
Finally, familiarize yourself with your choice/s. Start ordering your
office supplies, but don't invest too much in stock because you may
make adjustments as you learn your market and adjust to market
conditions.
GOOD LUCK ON YOUR NEW
BUSINESS!ADULT
DAY CARE CENTER. Operate a center to look after elderly
and/or
handicapped people. Offer refreshments, games and activities and
assistance
but not "health care."
ADVERTISING SPECIALTIES. With
distributor provided catalogs and samples call on regular customers
and supply them with custom imprinted pens, calendars, matches, etc.
ADVERTISING SERVICE. Arrange for
the design, printing and distribution of advertising/announcement
flyers, mail outs and ad campaigns for clients for fee plus
commission.
ALTERATIONS. Replace buttons, let
out cuffs, shorten sleeves, turn collars repair tears for clothing
stores, laundries and cleaners who don't already offer this service.
ARTIFICIAL PLANTS. Make your specialty artificial flowers
and plants. Sell a selection of arrangements, baskets and special
occasion creations; take custom orders.
BABY CLOTHES. Specialize in
bargain-priced new and hand-me-down infant clothing and supplies.
Offer an alteration service; take in trades to refurbish and resell.
BABY FOOD. Specialize in mixing,
processing, packaging and selling homemade
natural baby foods. Licensing and health permit required, dedicated
work area strongly
recommended.
BABY SITTING. Go to client's home
by appointment and stay with the children
for hourly fee. Charge extra for two or more, doing housework or for
taking the kids out.
BABY PICTURES. With still or video
camera, arrange with the hospital staff to photograph newborns (with
parents, nurses, visitors). Sell print sets to proud parents.
BABY SITTING SERVICE. Accumulate a
list of qualified, bonded sitters.
Advertise your service and rates, deliver and pick sitters. Collect
fees and pay
sitters a percentage.
BABY'S DOLLS. Make and attach fine
wigs from client baby's own baby hair to
keepsake dolls. Try to get cloth from baby's actual clothes to make
similar looking
outfits for the doll.
BANQUET DECORATING. Take full
charge of banquet room preparation: theme
decoration, seating arrangements, centerpieces. Advertise your service
and list
with Chamber of Commerce.
BASKET WEAVING. Design, make and
sell a variety of your basket creations:
plain and decorated (or with arrangements). Sell various fibers, plans
and instruction kits.
BATIK CREATION. Learn this ancient
process: dip fabric in wax, crinkle, scratch or melt design into the
wax, then dip in dye. Clean, stretch and dry for a valuable
decoration.
BEAN SPROUTS. Grow fresh bean
sprouts on a rotating basis: have new crop every week or as needed to
supply client restaurants, vegetable markets and retail
customers.
BEAUTY AIDS. Sell general or
specialized beauty (or ethnic) supplies in your home, at salons or by
appointment. Represent established lines and/or sell you own brand.
BONSAI PLANTS. Grow (or buy) and
arrange into attractive pots or arrangements.
Retail from your home, through ads, or wholesale to flower shops,
greenhouses and
nurseries.
BOOK REVIEWING. If qualified, read
current books for publishers or agents. Write reviews to be quoted in
book promotions or media reviews; work towards your own column.
BOOK SALES. Sell general subject
or specialized books wholesale or retail by mail: through mailing
lists or direct advertisements. Warning: lots of competition in this
field.
BOOKKEEPING SERVICE. Provide
bookkeeping services to (especially one-person) small businessmen in
your area. Expand to more complex systems and computers.
BOTANICA. Stock "magic" potions,
roots, powders, candles, good luck charms.
Print (buy) and sell related instructions and lore. Be careful not to
guarantee results.
BREAD SPECIALTIES. Bake and sell
unusual varieties of home made breads: low
calorie, ethnic, etc. Take orders for loaves fresh from your kitchen,
deliver to stores
on a route.
BUYER'S GUIDE. Publish and sell or
give away your guide to best prices and values
available in your area. As it gains in popularity charge more to list
the businesses!
CACTUS CULTURE. Propagate, grow,
groom and arrange native and exotic cacti for
retail and wholesale market. Prepare little information booklets for
each species.
CAKE DECORATING. Take orders to
bake and decorate special occasion cakes. Retail through small,
constant ads ("CAKES- phone number"). Offer to decorate bakery cakes.
CALLIGRAPHY. Easily learned by
artistic person: work through ads and stationary
stores. Print fancy menus, show cards, place cards, invitations,
announcements, etc.
CAN ART. Make and sell pincushion
chairs and other unique, decorative items from
tin cans and bits of cloth. Write down your plans and sell kits with
instructions.
CANDLE MAKING. Turn a hobby into a
profitable business. Design your own line,
offer custom styling, scents and special effects. Between orders, make
standard items.
CANDY MAKING. Specialize in one or
more types of candies that you can make in
your kitchen. Package with you brand and wholesale to stores or sell
through ads.
CANNING SERVICE. Preserve
customer's home grown (or purchased) garden products with your canning
operation. Use your recipes or theirs, apply personalized labels.
CARPET CLEANING. With steam
shampoo equipment, clean and renew residential and commercial carpets.
Contact rental agencies, apartments and condos for wholesale jobs.
CATERING SERVICE.
Prepare old fashioned, gourmet or special occasion
meals for
clients to pick up. Use insulated canisters to keep the food hot
(charge deposit).
CERAMIC FLOWERS. Learn to fashion,
color, fire and arrange ceramic flowers, both singles and in
arrangements. Display them for sale; teach the art in your ceramic
shop.
CERAMICS. Make ceramic pieces to
retail, wholesale and display in your "school".
Hold classes, sell greenware, kits and supplies. Charge for finishing
and firing pieces.
CHEESE MAKING. Make your own brand
of unusual or gourmet cheeses from your cow or goat milk. Sell from
your place, on a route to area stores, or in mail order kits.
CHILD PICK-UP SERVICE. Pick up and
deliver client's kids after school, theater,
games. Pick-up, deliver to parties, charge extra to stay with them
until mom returns.
CHILDREN'S TOWN HISTORY. Write and
illustrate a booklet about your town just for
kids. Sell copies to doctors, dentist offices, stores, hospitals and
nursery schools.
CHILDREN'S BOOKS. With licensed
equipment, "publish" children's books with their
name appearing in print throughout the book. Set up booth in malls for
holidays.
CHILDREN'S ROOM DECORATOR. Specialize in decorating nursery
and children's rooms. Offer varied "package" motifs. Work with or
through suppliers for a commission.
CHILDREN'S CLOTHING. Specialized
in new (stylish and/or closeout) and outgrown
children's clothes, accessories. Alter hand-me-downs, "wash" jeans,
monogram sweats.
CHINA and GLASS DEALER. Collect
and deal in antique and interesting china and
glass items. Buy at auctions, private and public sales and through you
advertisements.
CLIENT LISTINGS. Contract to keep
customer (or business) information lists: customer birthdays,
purchases, credit records, price records, employee records.
MAKE-UP ARTISTRY. Make up women,
actors for formal or entertainment situations.
Offer classes for beauty or actor application and sell "your" line of
make-up supplies.
CLIPPING SERVICES. Review
newspaper publications for contracted subjects (wedding announcements,
graduations, mention of client products). Sell to agents and
merchants.
CLOTH LABELS. Make and sell small
orders of fabric labels for small businesses
and home crafters on your embroider machine. Offer lower prices for
repeated orders.
COMMUNITY COOK BOOK. Publish a theme or organizational
oriented recipe collection with entries from each
family/member/department. Print and distribute for a fee.
COMPANION SERVICE. Accompany
lonely, ailing or elderly people alone temporarily, on shopping trips,
to and from the doctor, on short tours or when traveling longer
distances.
COOKBOOK PUBLISHING. Publish a
cookbook of your own favorite recipes (usually
a catchy, interesting subject collection). Promote and sell through
ads and stores.
COOKING LESSONS. Give
gourmet/ethnic/regional cooking, canning, baking lessons
in your specialty from your kitchen, or by appointment in your
student's kitchen.
COOKING SERVICE. Prepare complete
meals at home, from your traditional or
customized (gourmet, ethnic, traditional) menu to be delivered and
served hot, or picked up.
COOKING, CUSTOM. An overseas
treat: offer genuine American style home-cooking.
Prepare and deliver (serve?) complete meals to parties, banquets and
private homes.
CURTAIN LAUNDRY. Wash, stretch and
pleat curtains in your home laundry. Be
sure to learn fabric requirements and have insurance. Offer
installation and sell
liners.
CUSTOM COOKBOOKS. Assimilate, decorate (personalize the
cover) and custom print (on computer), client recipe collections --
into their own "family heirloom" cookbook.
CUSTOM HANDICRAFTS. Use your
talents to embroider, tat, sew, crochet products
for customers with limited time or talent. Make extra good sellers
between custom
orders.
CUSTOM CLOTHING DESIGNS. Paint,
block print or transfer unique or custom designs on clothing for
smocks, aprons or fabrics to be used for clothing, curtains or even
upholstery.
CUSTOM KNITTING. Take orders for
hand-knitted sweaters, stockings and sets. Make more fast sellers
between orders; attach your labels to all products!
CUSTOM TAILORING. Offer the luxury
of hand made clothing: shirts, skirts, coats,
uniforms, suits. Good service to add to alteration business when you
feel competent
to start from scratch.
CUT FLOWER BUSINESS. Grow and
supply freshly cut flowers to markets and florists in your area. Offer
a variety of seasonal or specialize in one (or two) greenhouse/shade
house grown varieties.
DANCING SCHOOL. Instruct others on
your dance specialty in group or individual
classes. Be sure to "showcase" students to encourage them and
publicize your business!
DECORATIVE PATCHES. Design
patches, quilt names and sew-on decals for sweatshirts, garden shirts.
Design completed garments and do-it-yourself kits.
DIRECTORY PUBLISHING. Publish
local information booklets or maps: where to shop, eat, fish or visit.
Booklets can be given away or sold by paid advertisers, businesses.
DOLL CLOTHES. Difficult work for
expert seamstresses, but pays well. Work with
doll makers, collectors, sell at fairs and through advertisements in
doll related
publications.
DOLL MAKING. Use ceramic molds,
hand paint and finish fine dolls to sell to
collectors, children and stores. Advertise in doll publications;
attend doll shows.
DOLL COLLECTING. Buy, sell and
trade fine and antique dolls with other collectors
and investors. Visit shows and fairs regularly to keep abreast of
trends and prices.
DONUT MAKING. Make and sell a
variety of donuts at home or in public view at
fairs, flea markets and public events. Offer "specials": tasty
toppings, bargain bags.
DRAPERY SERVICE. Make (have made),
clean or alter drapery for private or commercial customers. Sell
replacements. Use ads for retail jobs, call on commercials.
DRAPERY CLEANING. Offer in-home
(in-office) or pick-up service to renew and re-
pleat curtain fabrics. Offer re-lining and expand to do upholstery,
walls, and rugs.
DRY CLEANING. Offer a dry cleaning
service in your area for clothes, drapes, etc.
Send items to processing plant until you are ready to do the cleaning
yourself.
ENAMELING/CLOISONNE. Create
beautiful, unique enameled objects of art to sell:
your own designs, themes, plaques, jewelry, trinkets. Sell at shows
and via catalogs.
ERRAND SERVICE. Perform errands
for individuals and businesses: go to the corner
store or across the country. Deliver or pick up messages, packages,
important papers.
ESCORT SERVICE. Supply
(legitimate) escorts for official and business functions.
Advertise for on-call escorts. Interview and qualify; have your entire
services bonded.
ETHNIC ARTIFACTS. Buy/create and
market one category of products (Indian, Black
heritage, German, Asian). Focus all of your advertising and expertise
on specific
market segment.
EXERCISE COMPANION. Serve as a
walking, jogging companion for company, morale support and extra
protection (good in cities). Carry any necessary (legal) protection.
EXERCISE FOR SENIORS. Conduct
daily passive aerobic classes and sessions for
different categories (agility) of senior citizens at your place, and
stops on a daily
route.
EXOTIC DISHES. Package and sell
your "special" recipe: frozen or fresh; wholesale or retail. Advertise
the product locally and rent a booth at fairs to publicize it.
EXOTIC PLANTS. Raise and sell
especially valuable plants, such as four leaf clovers,
rare mosses or delicate begonias. Advertise and display often at fairs
and shows.
FLOWER ARRANGING. Arrange flowers
for parties, banquets, office functions, from
general decor to head table centerpieces. Make up displays to sell
through stores.
FLOWER DRYING. Raise or buy
dryable flowers and shrubs for retail and wholesale
customers: one kind packets or arrangements. Sell kits with complete
instructions.
FOLK ART GALLERY. Specialize in
folk art. Become an "expert" in one or more
areas (and receive much free publicity). Buy, sell, take consignments,
appraise,
teach.
FORMULAS. Research libraries and
books for marketable formulas: soap, shampoo,
hair tonic, cleaners. Bottle or package under your own label and
market locally.
FORTUNE TELLING. If you are good
at palmistry or tarot reading, give performances
at parties, fairs and at a mall booth and at festivals. Sell booklets,
card kits.
FREEZE DRY FLOWERS. With your
equipment freeze dry and preserve wedding bouquets, corsages,
centerpieces. Add this service to florist or nursery business for
extra income.
GALLOPING GOURMET. Go to people's
homes by appointment; cook them a gourmet meal! Furnish helpers,
utensils, condiments, place settings service if desired for extra
charges.
GARAGE CLEANING. Contact to clean
out garages, sheds and attics for individuals,
rental agents and absentee landlords. Get paid for the work AND keep
anything of value.
GARAGE SALE SERVICE. Set up,
promote and manage garage sales for inexperienced or reluctant
clients. Inventory, help price and sell for percentage of the
proceeds.
GARAGE SALES. Buy underpriced
items at auctions and other garage sales. When
sufficiently "stocked" have your own -- or hold "joint" sales at
various locations.
GENEALOGY. Trace and document
family archives. Provide records and related artifacts to descendants.
Charge by amount of research involved and documents produced.
GHOSTWRITER. Write articles,
letters, reports, speeches and other papers for busy
executives and those with little talent in this area. Provide signed
agreement to clients.
GLASS ETCHING. Custom-etch
glassware for individuals, and to order for retail stores. Offer
monograms, town or company logo, family crest, art designs or scenery.
HANDBAGS. Specialize in ladies
handbags. Make them in your "factory" to retail or
wholesale, or buy and stock a wide variety of sizes, styles, colors
and prices.
HANGING PLANTS. Specialize in
hanging plants of all sizes and descriptions. Display when in peak
condition in various types of attractive pots, holders and hangers.
HEALTH FOODS. Use only natural
fertilizers and pesticides in your garden to produce higher priced
organically grown products. Sell as "organically grown" products.
HERB HOUSE. Grow, process and sell herbs that grow well in
your area (or greenhouse). Package products separately and in blends
(e.g. pickling preparations).
HERB PLANTS. Provide live, healthy
potted herbs (basil, chives, borage) for really
fresh seasoning to gourmet restaurants. Exchange for new plants as
needed.
HERBAL SEASONINGS. Develop,
package and market your own blends of seasonings for local, hopefully
wider distribution. Arrange for attention-getting packaging to
expedite sales.
HERBAL AND SPICE TEA. Blend and
sell different blends of herbal teas. Include leaflets with history
and folklore in each package. Use uniquely decorated containers.
HOBBY NEWSLETTER. Originate a
newsletter or directory for and about hobbyists and their crafts.
Build readership by fostering participation, exchanging ideas, listing
fairs and supply sources.
HOBBY KITS. Sell do-it-yourself
hobby kits in your field of expertise. Include step-by-
step guidance and pictures to help beginners learn the craft.
HOLIDAY, SPECIAL EVENT BASKETS.
Prepare holiday and special event baskets of fruit, flowers,
"goodies". Wholesale or consign to gift stores and advertise custom
retail work.
HOME-CANNED GOODS. Take orders or
sell home canned goods from your garden. Offer ethnic, regional, or
dietary (low-salt/sugarless) as well as "regular" recipes.
HOME-SMOKED MEATS. With your
smoker, recipes and wood selection, smoke and sell your sausage, hams,
ribs and chicken. Offer hot smoked meats & sandwiches for holidays and
banquets.
HOME STUDY COURSES. Sell/rent
new/used home study courses. Buy new courses on sale (when available),
buy courses back from students. Sell locally and by mail order.
HOMEMAKER'S HELPER. Provide
temporary relief or assistance for sick, vacationing or just plain
"pooped" moms. Charge by the hour or job (more than a full-time
helper).
HOMEOPATHY. Specialize in natural
remedy products and related folklore. Provide
information on "reputed" remedial properties. Be very careful not to
offer "cures".
HOROSCOPE SERVICE. Provide
horoscope/astrology information to clients -- prepare
manually or use your computer program to select and/or print out the
information.
HOSPITAL GROOMING. Assist patients
with nail, hair, skin care in hospitals and
nursing homes. License may not be needed to provide an appreciated
service on a route.
HOUSE CLEANING. Offer one-time or
periodic house cleaning services. Perform the
heavy tasks (shampoo rugs, clean stoves, wash windows, wax the floors,
defrost, etc.)
IMPRINTED CLOTHING. Print (or have
printed) names, designs, slogans on T-shirts,
hats, uniforms by heat transfer, screen or sublimation for schools,
companies, or
tourists.
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS, CASSETTES.
Make recordings of yourself or others teaching and demonstrating their
crafts and specialties. Market via mail or wholesale to stores.
INVISIBLE MENDING/WEAVING. Repair
snags, tears, burns in fine clothing and fabrics. Advertise locally
work with cleaners and clothing stores in your area.
JEWELRY SALES. Sell inexpensive to
fine jewelry to friends, through party plans,
direct from advertisements, or wholesale to local stores. Compare
suppliers constantly!
JEWELRY BOXES. Make fine jewelry boxes (lined, lacquered, inlaid,
shell covered)
for gift stores, catalog sales and retail sales. Add music works for
extra profits.
JEWELRY CREATIONS. Use your talent and ingenuity to mass produce or
individually
create exquisite jewelry -- from virtually anything from diamonds to
sliced bamboo.
JEWELRY BUYING (OLD). Buy old, "worn out" or "outdated" jewelry for
"salvage".
Actually, rejuvenated old jewelry is quite valuable! Sell "waste" only
as salvage.
JUNK JEWELRY ART. Buy old jewelry and create designs on framed velvet
backgrounds.
Glue on beads, drill holes for lights. Wire and light for a
spectacular display.
KID PHOTO DOLLS. Take or use photos of kids to make various size (up
to full size)
"paper dolls" of clients' children. Cut out, seal in plastic and mount
in slot on sturdy
plywood and base.
KITCHEN SPECIALTIES. Whip up and sell your mouth-watering or
prize-winning recipes.
Sell to local restaurants or advertise with big posters at the fair
booth. Sell hot, canned
or frozen!
LAPIDARY (GEM MAKING). Operate a "rock shop" in your garage. Cut,
polish facet, shape
and mount gems in commercial findings. Sell mounted, unmounted gems
and jewelry.
LIVE-IN AGENCY. Check out both prospective employers and workers.
Charge fee to find
a reliable widow to stay with elderly person who would otherwise have
to go to a home.
LOCAL WHO'S WHO. Compile and publish a directory or index with
biographical sketches
of prominent people (pioneers, heroes, leaders) in your area, past and
present.
LOCAL HEROES. Research and write items about local heroes (police,
scouts, lady
pioneers, ancestors). Sell to local publications and again later as a
collection.
LONELY HEARTS. Advertise for, list and match names of people who would
like to
meet others. Consider age, interests, hobbies, what they like in
others, church affiliation,
education.
MACRAME. Make and sell a good selection of hangers and hangings. Take
orders for
custom work. Find (keep secret) good sources for materials, sell
do-it-yourself kits.
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS. Sell a variety of magazine subscriptions from
your "office";
Use "gimmicky" ads, give credit for leads and do lots of telephone
canvassing.
MAIL ORDER SALES. Find the right product, "showcase" it, advertise it,
and sell it
by mail (ad and/or mailing lists). Caution: Heavy competition and many
"sharks"!
MAIL ORDER BOOKS. Sell books by mail (most suppliers will drop-ship).
Always offer
follow-up products and check several sources before "signing" with any
one.
MANICURE SERVICE. Provide nail care service in or from your "salon."
Check needs in
hospitals, nursing homes, even office and factory workers on break.
MINERALS AND GEMS. Where petrified wood, meteorites, jade, or other
potential gem
minerals are available, gather and process them. Sell finished jewelry
and stones.
MINIATURE GARDENS. Create various sizes of garden-like displays of
live plants for
hospital sick rooms, boxes for balconies, rooftop planters, offices
and residences.
MONOGRAM SERVICE. Embroider names, logos, initials on clothing,
uniforms and
company
team jackets. Specialize in a style or service, charge extra for
custom work.
MUSHROOM CULTURE. Grow and sell mushrooms. Fill standing gourmet
restaurant and
store
orders, advertise for retail sales. Can, freeze or dry leftovers and
stems.
NAIL POLISH MANUFACTURING. Buy red lacquer in bulk and bottles in
bulk. Mix in
various
colors, bottle and sell. Add your own nail polish remover (acetone
mixture).
NARRATING. Use your speaking ability to narrate private or commercial
movies, videos,
demos and advertisements. Sell taped versions for slide show
presentations.
NATIVE PLANTS. Become an expert on plants native to your locale. Grow,
propagate and
improve. Raise the value of your plants and seeds by enclosing an
informative brochure in
each pack.
NATURAL JEWELRY. Make and sell jewelry and decorations from seeds,
twigs, berries.
Example: China berry seed necklaces, "moose-apple" pins, acorn beads,
willow wreaths.
NATURE'S PRODUCTS. When in an area with wild products (honey,
berries)
that
you can harvest, do so! Process, package and sell as genuine products
of nature.
NECKTIES. Make and sell exclusive, hand made ties from exotic
materials from all over
the world. Offer a wide selection of designs, attach your exclusive
label.
NEEDLECRAFT. Make and sell homemade items (pot holders, bonnets, towel
rings) to sell
on consignment, to mail order catalog companies, or through parties
and ads.
PAPER SCULPTURE. Create and sell your own unique "heads", figures,
caricatures,
abstracts,
even effigies! Sell for up to P1,000 each for holidays, promotions,
parties.
PAPIER MACHE SCULPTURE. Create a selection of your "standard"
caricatures, pinatas
and
offer custom versions. Assemble do-it-yourself kits with full
instructions.
PARTY PACKAGES. Make up and market complete party packages with
innovative games,
masks,
favors, stunts and entertainment for various age, size and interest
groups.
PARTY PLANNING. Take complete charge of customer's planned party:
decorate, schedule
activities, send invitations. Arrange entertainment, catering and
clean-up.
PASTE CRAFT. Glue unusual fabrics onto hard surfaces (trays, dishes)
to sell in craft
shops. Build stock of fabrics and projects, teach, sell do-it-yourself
kits.
PEN PAL SERVICE. Advertise in overseas publications. Offer to enroll
host country
citizens in correspondence clubs for US or other nationality pen pals.
Offer introductions.
PEN PAL CLUB. Advertise for members and arrange into categories by
age, location, sex,
interests, etc. Charge for membership (or newsletter), addresses or
"matches" from your files.
PERFUME BAR. Stock and sell a selection of genuine and/or "imitation"
brand perfumes
and accessories from your salon (have samples and take orders to
start).
PERSONALIZED OFFICE ITEMS. Make and/or sell personalized (engraved or
monogrammed)
office accessories: logos, coffee cups, desk signs, paperweights,
briefcases, etc).
PET SITTING. Feed, water, clean up after and check on pets twice a day
in their homes
while owners are away. Call owners or veterinarian if there are any
problems.
PET HOTEL. Board and care for pets in your kennels or cages while
owners are away.
Or, work with assistants who provide "foster homes" for unusual or
pampered pets.
PET TATTOOING. Offer this permanent identification service to breeders
and individuals to deter theft, expedite recovery of lost pets and
confirm lineage (e.g., breeder has record
of marks).
PIES AND COOKIES. Take orders or contract for baked goods from your
kitchen. Deliver
to customers or stores daily with your name and logo imprinted on the
cartons.
PILLOWS. Make and decorate designer, fancy, or "down home" pillows to
sell in boutiques,
fairs, party plans, sales catalogs and/or advertisements and mail
order.
PLANT SCULPTURE. A profitable specialty: braid trunks, shape into
interesting forms.
Trim, bend, graft, to create valuable sculptures that bring premium
prices.
POMANDERS. Revive this old Egyptian art: process oranges into hardened
and long-
lasting sachets. Use spice and perfume mixtures and penetrating
cloves: sell!
POPCORN PRODUCTS. Make and market various popcorn base products. Give
your
recipes
exotic names. Create your colorful holiday and special occasion
containers.
POTTED PLANTS. Learn to start (propagate) and groom popular potted
plants. Display
in attractive settings, especially when they are in bloom or full
foliage.
POTTERY. With your potter's wheel, make, fire and sell your own style
of pottery.
Encourage onlookers and students and put your "mark" on every piece
you offer for sale.
PRINTS, LINOLEUM. Cut your artistic designs into linoleum blocks; make
and frame
your prints. Teach the art, sell kits, publicize student work (great
advertising!).
PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS. Contract with food brokers to demonstrate
consumer
products
(prepare and give out samples) in supermarkets, drug stores and
shopping malls.
PRODUCT BROKER. Buy a quantity of a product wholesale (preferably at a
close-out price)
and advertise it as a "one-time special" locally. Sell leftovers at
close-outs!
PRODUCT REPACKAGING.
Buy bulk products (nails, beans, vinegar) by the
ton or barrel.
Re-package into neatly labeled packets, pints, boxes and sell for much
more.
PUPPET MAKING. Create your own puppets (cartoon, caricatures or custom
faces). Give shows at children's parties, train both "actors" and
puppet makers. Sell kits.
QUILTING. Make and sell beautiful homemade quilts from "scraps" in
your "spare time".
Take color photographs of each quilt and make a "catalog" to show
them.
RAG DOLLS. Make and sell rag, sock and similar stuffed dolls in your
own unique fashion. Attach your label and offer to stores in your area
and
via mail nationwide.
READING TO PATIENTS. Visit hospitals, nursing homes or individual
homes and read stories, novels to patients. If time is limited, read a
chapter a week. Charge relatives.
REAL PEOPLE DOLLS. Make and dress doll representations of real people
(heroes, historical, actual clients). Include information about the
person.
Present in attractive glass display boxes.
RECIPE SALES. Perfect your favorite recipes. Promote and sell them
individually, in small sets, or collections. Sell something that will
make
the cook look great!
REPORT WRITING. Write information or "how-to" articles on subjects in
which you are well versed. Sell to technical publications or advertise
and
sell "reports" direct.
RESIDENTIAL POSTCARDS.
Take pictures of well-kept homes and make.
RESUME SERVICE. A professional resume writing services: interview and
review qualifications. Slant for types of job sought: include picture
on each
resume (computer programs exist).
RUG MAKING. Make and/or sell hand woven rugs in standard and custom
designs. Offer instructions, materials do-it-yourself kits, plus
related
supplies and equipment.
SCARECROWS. Make and sell authentic scarecrows for gardeners and
garden displays. Also, sell kits, complete with frames, straw, and old
clothes and face parts.
SCREEN PRINTING. Set up a silk screen apparatus in your shop to print
anything from a small badge to a large order of real estate signs,
even
fabrics and labels.
SEED PACKETS. Collect, sort, label and sell packets of selected
wildflowers or plants native to your area. Include instructions,
history
and folklore on each package.
SEED DEALER. Buy bulk seeds from suppliers or farmers. Repackage
into small packets and blends. Add instructions and package along with
folklore info; wholesale to local markets.
SEWING SERVICE. Make repairs and do alterations for non-sewing (busy
bachelor?) clients needing buttons, adjustments. Charge extra for
one-day
or "emergency" service.
SEWING CLASSES. When qualified, hold sewing classes in your home.
Offer full courses as well as special "how-to" seminars for specific
techniques. Sell material and supplies to students.
SHELL CRAFTS. Use glue, dyes, toy animals eyes, props and your
imagination to make shell decorations and novelties to sell at fairs
and
wholesale to local stores.
SHOPPING SERVICE. Do grocery shopping for clients. Get their list,
buy and deliver. Use your shopping, pricing experience and volume
buying to
get best values.
SHUT-IN SERVICE. Call and/or visit temporary or permanent shut-ins on
behalf of absentee relatives. Take magazines, play games, read to
them, and
be their friend.
SILK FLOWER RENTALS. Make up silk flower arrangements for weddings,
funerals, bar mitzvahs and banquets. Sell, rent and offer
do-it-yourself
baskets, centerpieces, etc.
SNAIL RAISING. Raise and sell fresh "escargot" (edible) snails for
gourmet restaurants. Preserve, package and sell leftovers to local
stores
or a food broker.
SOAPMAKING. Learn as a hobby or adjunct to candle making. Create and
sell various shapes, colors, fragrances. Mold prepared solutions or
make
your soap from scratch.
SPECIALTY FOODS. Represent one or more suppliers of specialty foods
(diet, ethnic, gourmet) to restaurants, stores and/or individuals.
Advertise for customers.
SPECIALTY MERCHANDISE. Sell a line of merchandise from your catalogs
and samples to retail stores, individuals, and sub-sales efforts like
parties
or group discounts.
SPICES AND HERBS. Grow spices and herbs that thrive in your climate
(and greenhouse). Sell dried, blended, freshly cut, in flats or pots,
packets and bunches -- ready for use.
SPIDER FARM. Raise different kinds of spiders: sell webs to
scientific institutions. Sell to schools and laboratories. Write
booklets
for each species.
STAMP APPROVALS. Buy Philippine or foreign stamps in bulk; search for
valuables (to sell individually); sell the rest in packets or as
approvals
(e.g., 2 for each one kept).
STAMP DEALING. Buy, sell and/or trade postage stamps of the
Philippines or the
world. Buy in bulk, sell packets, mixtures, sets and singles to
beginning
or intermediate collectors.
STENCILING (FABRICS). Design your own stencils for interesting fabric
designs. Apply to clothing and fabrics for sale. Sell stencils, fabric
kits
paints, dyes and supplies.
STORY TELLER. Narrate stories at children’s parties. Use props
(dolls, pets, puppets) and audience participation. Perfect the stories
then
tape or put down on paper.
SURPLUS PRODUCE. Buy peaches, tomatoes, etc., when in season and price
is low. Preserve (freeze, can, dry) to sell when the price goes later
in the season.
TAILORING. Use your skills to
custom tailor men, boys and women's garments (including jackets,
uniforms, suits) in or from your home "shop."
Attach your own label.
TALENT AGENCY. Locate and list people (and animals) with unusual
talents (charge a small listing fee). Send lists to talent agents,
producers,
show managers, and actors.
TELEPHONE CANVASSING. Contract with salesmen or businesses to obtain
leads or potential customer info for them from your telephone
operation.
Charge by the lead.
TELEPHONE SALES. Call listed or phone book names to sell merchandise
or services (yours or client's). Charge a sales commission and keep ALL
profits on your products.
TEMPLE RUBBINGS. With lumber (or similar) crayon and rugged, fabric,
copy stone or metal relief designs by rubbing onto covering paper or
fabric.
Seal, frame and sell.
TERRARIUMS. Start and nurture plants in bottles and plastic containers
that require little if any watering. Grow plants to peak of
attractiveness
and sell, container and all.
TOWN HISTORY. If none exists, "publish" a booklet about your town.
Sell direct and/or to merchants for resale or to give away (consider
including paid advertisements.)
TURTLES. Raise and market various types of turtles: edible, aquarium,
decorative, pet shop and possibly larger ones to protect species
and/or
market to zoos and preserves.
TUTORING. Provide assistance by appointment or scheduled classes to
students (anyone in need) of your expertise, whether academic,
technical or
operational skill.
TYPING SERVICE. Do typing jobs in your home: for doctors, lawyers,
business people, and students. Charge less than word processor but
still
make a nice profit.
USED BOOKS SALES. Buy, sell and trade used books: novels, reference,
science, text, even collector editions from your home.
VITAMIN SALES. Sell one or more lines of vitamins and supplements,
some with generic or your name "brand." Advertise and/or enlist
user/helpers
and party plans.
WEAVING, SPINNING. On old fashioned equipment, spin, weave and dye
authentic, hand made fabrics that command high prices; sell kits,
instructions and folklore.
WEDDING CONSULTANT. Plan and coordinate weddings from start to finish:
decor, guests, dresses, schedules, catering, photographer, etc.
Receive fee
and commissions.
WILD BERRIES. Pick, preserve and sell wild (only!) blackberries,
gooseberries, etc. Prepare different forms, but always emphasize that
they
are genuine wild products.
WILDFLOWER SEEDS. In your travels, gather wildflower seeds. Seal and
label, then take home and cultivate to produce seeds for packets "from
around
the nation."
WILDFLOWER PLANTS. Start, nurture and market when ready, genuine
wildflowers and
plants of local interest. Have small brochures printed for each plant
(this sells them).
WINE AND BEER MAKING. After perfecting your recipes, sell kits,
instructions and supplies (not the product) to others who would also
like to
make their own too.
WORD PROCESSING. Produce "editable" drafts and finished professional
letters, manuscripts and documents for students, lawyers, writers and
businesses. Allow editing prior to final printing.
WRITE FOR CHILDREN. Write poems, Sunday school stories, puzzles,
explanations, riddles, etc., for children. Sell to local papers,
children's
book publishers or in your own booklets.
WRITING, FREELANCE. Starting with local articles (even "filters");
sell or even GIVE to local paper (to be "published"). Work up to
articles
and stories that sell.
YOUR-BRAND PRODUCTS. Make or formulate your own line of household products from "secret" recipes. Design your own packages and
advertising and market your products. |
