Business Ideas to do from the comfort of your own home

You have been contemplating starting a business, and you might even have an excellent idea for it. And why not? So many Americans are doing the same thing. After all, the US has over 30 million business, which accounts for 99.9% of employments.

However, the concept of leaving a stable job, with steady income to risk into an adventure might not be so appealing after all. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), over half of small businesses fail in the first year alone. Starting a business – independent of its nature – has levels of risks. The amount of money and time you are willing to invest will determine the degree of risk you are taking.
At the same time, the Internet has opened many doors allowing us to engage into activities that were once not possible. Many have taken advantage of this marvelous tool and converted it into a money making machine.

Starting a home business, at your own pace, is a lot easier to tame than going on a full-scale business – and it is a dream of many. While some people prefer getting out of the house and working at an office, plenty of others enjoy the comfort of their own home.

A home business might strike as not as profitable as others, or perhaps it might not generate the amount of money you need to pay your bills. You will be impressed with the number of people who run their business from home and still able to bring a large sum of money.

1. Selling on eBay

With eBay being over two decades old, it is one of the most feasible platforms to start a home-based business. There have been several success stories of people who started small, and now they are big-time players. Though it is a business that can be fully done from your basement, to be successful a lot of work is involved. Take pictures of the items you are selling, edit the image, create detail description, among others. As a seller, depending on the quantity of items you are selling, it could become a full time job, especially on when comes to shipping the goods promptly. Furthermore, your success will depend on your customers. Receiving negative feedback in the early stages could sink your business before even takes off.
Due to the fierce competition, prepare and research a good strategy is paramount for the success of this type of business.

2. Freelance Writing

This is probably the lowest investment to start. A computer with a word processor is enough – at least as far as equipment.
There is a variety of jobs out there related to freelance writers. You can target many different forms of writing – resumes, news articles, newsletter, marketing, thank you notes, etc.
Furthermore, there are tons of listings and job boards. The key to succeeding in this type of gig is networking. Attend workshops and writers meetings. Use social media for your advantage. You can also use other platforms for advertising your services, such as Craigslist. Start a blog, it can be used as a showcase of your work.

3. Making YouTube Videos

I understand this might not be an easy task for many. But you can earn a good income by making captivating videos. Considering that the platform is the second most used website in the world, just behind Google. Over 400 hours of content per minute are uploaded to the site. Hence, if you are choosing this route, your video must stand out.
If you can make an original video, then all you have to do is create an account and start uploading. Once your videos get traction and lots of viewers, you can become a YouTube Partner to monetize your videos.

4. Beauty Therapist

This is a great business idea for women. While this type of business requires creativity and a certain amount of patience, it does not need any formal training. There is a wide array of opportunities in this market from customers who just want to spice up their looks or to work with other organizations that use stage make up. This business can be easily combined with others. For instance, you can start a YouTube channel showing how to do make-up. It serves as a form of market for your business, as well as it could bring money from your channel.

5. Party Planning

Over the last five years, Party and Event Planning industry have grown by 2.9%, with a staggering revenue of $5bn. At the same time, other businesses have increased by 1.7%. This is perfect not only for running from home but also it is an excellent business idea for women.
The most critical requirement for this business is an excellent organizational skill. You can specialize in many different segments, such as children party, adults get together, business events, etc.

6. Sell Images Online

If you like taking photos and you have a good camera, selling your photos online can be a great way to start making money.
Though people have been able to sell pictures they have taken from their cellphones, I strongly suggest a different route. Using a robust camera, and learning editing with Adobe Lightroom could give you an extra edge when your prospect sees your image.
Sites like Shutterstock, Getty Images among others.

7. Bookkeeping

If you have the patience for adding numbers, data entry, and balancing checkbooks; accounting might be a job for you. As many small business owners find themselves with little time to do paperwork; this is a field that can be easily explored.
There are different ways to acquire customers. You may try to approach entrepreneurs offering your service. Another way, not as profitable, is partnering with a CPA. Since keeping the books do not require credentials, this type of work tends to be passed off. Networking with the right people can help you land on a good gig.

Worth to be mentioned

Planning. The lack of planning is one of the main reasons small businesses fail. It will be challenging to layout a perfect plan. However, it is the essence of your success. You have to understand where you are going and how you are getting there.
Further, starting a business is a risk. How much money, time, and resources you are investing, will tell you how big of a chance it is. You have to come to terms with yourself of how much of it you are willing to take. Planning will serve as a guideline.
Do not give up. Just as with any type of business, to be successful, you have to market and network. In the beginning, it will be tough. Finding clients will seem impossible. Do not give up, you have to keep on pushing until you acquire valuable accounts.
Journaling. I cannot stress the importance of keeping detailed notes. Start with a free CRM version, there are many out there. Any communication with your client, you should document. This will come handy once you start getting employees, and passing those clients to your field managers. It also helps you be in the loop while others work the account.

Conclusion

Starting a business can be difficult, and you might discover a path filled with thorns, you will realize that entrepreneurship is not all roses. Find one reason to why you want to start a business; when the desire to quit arises, that one purpose will help you to keep focused.
When running a business, you are entering into uncharted territory. You must always remember… stay bold, stay fearless. Stay up to date with tips to start or run your business. Sign up for our newsletter.