If you’ve sifted through scam after scam hoping to find legitimate home-based business ideas, you’re just like I was three years ago. You want an opportunity that allows you to work from home while still paying the bills; one that will alleviate the financial struggles that arise when choosing to stay at home with your children.
Three years ago I decided to ditch my 9 to 5 office job and make money from home so that I could raise my newly born son. I had no idea that starting my own home-based business would not only provide the income my family needed in order for me to stay at home but that the income would surpass that of any full-time job I had ever held!
When you start a home-based business and dedicate your time and effort to it, you can absolutely see success! You have a talent that not all others have, and that talent is what makes your service or product attractive to potential customers.
Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and decide to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission. I only endorse what I know and trust.
30 Side Hustles That Will Make You Money On The Side
What You Need to in Order to Start a Home Business
It’s the 21st century. There are a few things that every home-based business will need in order to be successful:
- A website (DIY!)
- A reliable laptop
- A workspace
- A coffee maker (most important!)
Work From Home Business Ideas
I have put together a list of 100 home-based business ideas that you can start from the comfort of your home as a stay-at-home parent. Starting your own business allows you to set your own hours, set your own prices (granted they need to be competitive in order to gain customers / clients), and ultimately choose your own financial path.
You can often start a home-based business from scratch with low startup costs depending on the resources and technology you already have on hand. Keep in mind that each business is different and may require more or less funds to start than others. If you are willing to invest in yourself, your business can flourish!
Review these home-based business ideas that are current for 2018 and choose a path to get started making money from home! Keep in mind that these are generic ideas to get your gears turning. Make sure to do additional research to find out what is legally required in your state to start a home-based business!
100 Work From Home Jobs for Stay-At-Home Parents
Antique Dealer
As an antique dealer, you decide just how small or large you would like your venture to become. Antique collectors (your target customer) travel far and wide to find the perfect piece to add to their collection. Don’t underestimate the value of a vintage item.
Art
Paintings, Drawings, Calligraphy, Sculptures, Illustrations
Art has a way of selling itself, and on the right platform, you could just land your next big commission! If you have the skillset, consider designing a website to showcase your skills to the public.
Author
Ghostwriter, Book, eBook
There are various opportunities for aspiring authors to make money using their writing talents. Maybe you’ve been working on a book or have an idea in mind that just needs to come to fruition!
Blogging
Parenting, Crafts / DIY, Travel, Lifestyle, Finance, Food
If you have a specific skill set, knowledge base or interest, the sky is the limit when it comes to the possibilities of making money as a blogger. Some writers will blog on the side for some decent spending cash, while others make thousands of dollars each month! Keep in mind that this will never happen overnight. It takes hard work and dedication to make money blogging!
Bookkeeping
Do you have what it takes to keep the books for various clients? Start a business service as a bookkeeper either virtually or locally.
Car dealership
Consider the possibilities of buying and selling cars at a profit. If it’s something that interests you and you have the time and funds to build your inventory, this just might be an option for you.
Catering
Weddings, Birthday Parties, Special Events
Choose one specific event or diversify with a catering service! If you enjoy cooking great food in bulk, then start offering your services locally and start a home-based catering business.
Cleaning business
Commercial, Residential, Gutters, Carpet, Garage, Vehicles
A cleaning business can certainly be a la carte, but often the best way to start is to specialize in a specific area. What are you good at cleaning? Start with some before and after pictures of your own projects and use them to build a cleaning business portfolio.
Coach
Fitness, Health, Life
There are various coaching opportunities that you could consider for your home-based business. Whether you have past life experiences that will help you coach others or you’re willing to go through the proper training to get up to speed, you could be coaching clients online or locally.
Consulting
Business, Career, Marketing, Travel, Interior design
What are you best at? What could you see yourself helping others with? These are just a few ideas to get your consulting business started!
Craft services
Greeting cards, Decorations, Restorations, Kids’ Crafts
If you’re crafty and enjoy doing it, then maybe a home-based craft service is for you! Take custom orders online and let your creative juices flow!
Customer services representative
This could be a home-based business idea or you could search for companies hiring remote employees. Either way, you could be earning money from home as a customer services representative with little to no experience.
In-home daycare
If you are good with children, then consider providing daycare services in your home to local children.
Like many of these opportunities listed, an in-home daycare requires the proper certifications and paperwork to be a legitimate business. Make sure to check your state’s rules and regulations!
System Design
Security systems, Healthcare systems, Wiring diagrams
Are you tech savvy but not sure how to harness your talents? You just might have what it takes to design an elaborate home security system, nurse call system or prepare a wiring diagram for that fancy telephone system going in the new office space down the road. System Design companies can work remotely, so your client base is nearly unlimited!
Direct sales
Beachbody, Usborne, Mary Kay, Lularoe, Pampered Chef, Scentsy
I truly respect those who have what it takes to build a home-based direct sales business! We all have our strengths, and if selling and networking are yours, then you certainly have a solid number of companies to choose from.
Doula
Are you enamored with childbirth? Consider becoming a doula and delivering babies in your neighborhood!
Driver
Taxi, Uber, Lyft, Trucking
If you love to drive and have a clean driving record, you just might be able to build a profitable transportation business. Although it’s not your typical “at-home” job, you can certainly be your own boss and build your business out of your home to get started. Hire drivers and have them do the driving for you while you manage the books from home!
Ecommerce / drop shipping
Amazon, Ebay, Your Own Website
Have you always been interested in selling products for a decent profit? You can find some trustworthy products to drop ship or stock and rebrand your own inventory for this one.
Entertainment Service
DJ, Clown, Magician, Bounce House Rental, Tent Rental
If entertaining others is your passion, then consider building a home-based business that provides entertainment services in your area.
Freelance writing
Blogs, Articles, Web copy, Resume, Editing
With great writing skills, you could be building your income with a home-based freelance writing business. Start a blog to showcase your writing skills and be sure to tell your readers that your talents are for hire! Pick up freelance gigs on Fiverr to build your portfolio!
Gardening / lawn care
This one might be seasonal depending on your area, but even where there are harsh winters, you can always offer plow services until spring arrives!
Graphic design
Logo, Custom T, Flyers
Do you have an eye for graphic design? There are businesses everywhere that need your talents!
Hairstylist
If you love styling and cutting hair and you’re willing to go to school to receive the proper licensing, you might be ready to consider a home-based hair studio.
Handyman / handywoman
Can you fix things that most people cannot or do not want to fix? Offer your services as the go-to handyman or handywoman in town.
Lessons
Music, Sewing, Cooking, Dance, Art
What are you good at that others might like to learn? Teach lessons out of your home or in your client’s home!
Makeup artist
If you love makeup and receive compliments for your own makeup, you just might have what it takes to become a professional makeup artist.
Marketing services
Internet, Print, Social Media
Marketing is an absolute necessity for every business. Use your networking talents and start your own home-based marketing service.
Nanny
There are many parents who are looking for a full or part-time nanny to take care of their children. Start small and before you know it, you could have a full blown nanny service with multiple credible nannies on your team!
Organizer
Paper, Storage, Home
Do you like to keep your personal and commercial space impeccably organized? Snap some pictures and tell your potential customers what type of areas you like to organize.
Photography
Portrait, Wedding, Stock
Dust off your hobby camera and start snapping more beautiful images for cash. Build your online portfolio and see if you have what it takes to be a professional photographer.
Planner
Wedding, Party, Funeral
If you have a passion for event planning, then consider starting a home-based business in one of these categories!
Property management
Is your landlord looking for a reliable property manager? Chances are there are multiple properties near you that do not have proper management. Research your options to get started and consider this as your home-based business opportunity.
Refurbish / Repair Service
Furniture, Tech devices, Clothes, Vintage toys, Appliances, Small Motors
If you enjoy making items work or shine like new, you can always start a refurbish or repair service within your skillset. Add to your service list over time for a well-rounded home-based service!
Sales
Insurance, Real Estate, Vacuum
There is always something to sell! Start with something you believe in and share your experiences with others.
“Sitting”
House, Animal, Baby
You could be your town’s go-to for dog-sitting, house-sitting and/or babysitting!
Social media
Management, Analyst
If you have experience managing a growing company’s social media accounts, you are harboring a talent that many businesses need!
Tutoring
What was your best subject in college? There are virtual and local tutoring opportunities.
Virtual assistant
There is a growing need for virtual assistants today because it allows businesses to contract your services on an “as-needed” basis. Start listing your talents and offer your virtual assistance online.
Web design services
Ecommerce, Small business, Blogs
If you have an eye for design and the technical skills to go along with it, you can start your own website designing service!
YouTube
How to, Kid’s Chanel, Vlog, Gaming, Lifestyle
Do you have a new or exciting idea that is not already saturated on YouTube? If so, turn it into a YouTube channel and grow your following to make money through YouTube!
100 Home based business ideas
What home-based business ideas have I missed? What work from home opportunities on this list do you feel are no longer relevant in 2018? I would love to hear your ideas!
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