Business Ideas & Opportunities for Self-Employment Work at Home
It may be more challenging to decide what type of business to operate at home than to find business opportunities. Many large companies and wholesalers actively search for independent home business owners. Start planning what supplies and equipment you will need once you decide on a home business. Also, set aside a specific room in your home so you can deduct your home office for tax purposes.
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Business Consultant
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Use your previous job experience to start a consulting firm. Business consultants often have backgrounds in accounting, auditing, marketing, web design, computers or distribution. Contact former business associates, employers or agencies. Let your colleagues know you now run a consulting business. Join professional organizations related to your field. Find out when these professional associations meet and attend luncheons or speaking engagements they sponsor. You can meet future business clients at various meetings. Pass out business cards and brochures about your consulting services. However, first get to know and develop a rapport with people.
Direct Sales
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Direct-sales companies need people to sell perfume, clothing, cookware and cutlery. Decide which products interest you the most. Fully research a direct-sales company before getting involved with it. Call the Better Business Bureau in the city where the direct-sales company is based. Ask the Better Business Bureau representative if there are any complaints against the company. You want to deal with a legitimate direct-sales company.
You will spend a large part of your time setting appointments, whether dealing with consumers or businesses. Maintain a database of your customers, including names and addresses, so you can call on them in the future.
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Internet Business
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Turn your favorite hobby into an Internet business or sell your favorite products online. You can work an Internet business almost exclusively from home. However, you need shipping labels and boxes to send out your products. You can start an Internet business for about $5,000, according to the website Entrepreneur. Most of your initial investment goes into developing your website. Do not scrimp when creating a website; hire a web designer, if necessary. Your website could be your only contact with prospective customers. Use plenty of color, graphics and even videos on your website. Make your website user-friendly so people do not get discouraged and move on to competitive sites.
Also, find a wholesaler or manufacturer to supply your products. You can find wholesalers through the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW). Macrae's Blue Book provides lists of manufacturers.
Daycare Business
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About two-thirds of all family dual-income earners work. Therefore, you have a large potential market for starting a daycare business. Also, most daycare companies are run by home-business owners, according to Small Business Notes, an online reference site. Check with your local government office to find out if there is a limit to the number of children you can care for at home. Also, find out what licenses and legal requirements, including insurance, are needed to operate a daycare business from home. Your city hall or local county administration office should be able to answer your questions. Distribute fliers in your area to attract customers.
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References
- Entrepreneur: Direct Sales: Golden Opportunity or Hype?
- Entrepreneur: Start Your Online Business for Less Than $5,000
- Entrepreneur: How to Start a Consulting Business
- Business Know-How: Find Suppliers for Your Business
- Small Business Notes: Operating a Day Care Business
- Internal Revenue Service: What You Need to Know about the Home Office Deduction
Resources
- Photo Credit internet image by Holger B. from Fotolia.com
