Several times per year I get emails from former colleagues or friends stating that they lost their job or are sick of the corporate world. Since I work from home, their emails always end with a request for the current home-based options available. Here are 40 businesses you can start from home. Click through any of the links to learn more about the business and read interviews with business owners in these industries.
- Web Design
- Laundry Business
- Customer Service
- Transcription
- Web Content Writer
- Copywriter
- Social Media Expert
- Virtual Assistant
- Blogger or Affiliate Marketer
- eBay Seller
- Homemade Crafts
- Tailor
- Consultant
- Coach or Mentor
- Virtual Professional Organizer
- Direct Sales
- House Sitter
- Pet Sitter
- Day Care
- Write and Sell eBooks
- Tutor
- Meal Delivery
- Caterer
- Cake Decorator
- Personal Trainer
- Candle Maker
- Soap Maker
- Housecleaner
- Event Coordinator
- Jewelry Maker
- Interior Decorator
- Landscaper or Gardener
- Sell Produce from Your Own Garden
- Music Teacher
- Wedding Planner
- Pet Groomer
- Antique Restoration
- Photographer
- Accountant
- Resume Writer
As you can see, some of these options can be operated entirely out of your home. Others you will need to venture out to earn your living. There is something for everyone, however. Assess your needs, passions and skill set.
Wow. You posted this eeeearrrly- usually people don’t get the jump on me! LOL This is a great list but also, they need to go back and read through some of your related posts:
http://theworkathomewife.com/can-i-work-from-home-2/
Etc.
TS Mize recently posted ..So- I’m Looking for a Corporate Attorney
Twitter: thewahwife
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I actually had something scheduled this morning rather than writing on the fly as I have been lately…miracle! lol Thanks for recommending that post. I hadn’t read it myself in awhile.
Great list, Angie! So many people don’t realize that there are many options when it comes to businesses they can start.
Now I’m off to retweet.
Nicole recently posted ..10 Tips for Reusing Plastic Milk Jugs
Great list. When I first looked into working from home many, many years ago I found a lot of useful information on entrepreneur.com, the website for Entrepreneur Magazine. Another good one is Home Business Magazine, homebusinessmag.com, which used to be free back then. Now it charges for print, but most of the information is on their website. These two were a huge help for me just started out years ago.
Chrystal recently posted ..Is Writing Your Priority
Great list for people to consider their options.
Bailey recently posted ..Chuck It Balls
Great list! I think it’s all about finding something that you love or a talent you have and turning it into a career. You must be really motivated and disciplined, or just plain hard headed
, to make it work though.
Carrie recently posted ..Meals For Lazy Evenings
You realize, Angie…this info would make a fab ebook (forgive me if you’ve already done it and I’m flubbing for not doing my research). You’re so helpful – why not? Want to collaborate?
Laura Townshend recently posted ..Self Employment Takes Time- Don’t Kid Yourself About the Hours
Ooohh.. good idea! I would love to collaborate on something like that if you guys are looking for others to get involved.
Sharon recently posted ..Getting your Business Going Again
Awesome list. There are so many possibilities for people looking for new opportunities. The list is a great start for them, even if his or her opportunity is not listed. It will get the person to thinking about other options.
Jacqueline recently posted ..Learning to Create new Habits
A great list of businesses you can start from home. Each one I think would take an enormous amount of effort. What’s the saying though? “Good things come with effort” – It’s something like that. I guess my point is that working from home is fine and dandy but there is no easy button.
Thanks Angie!
Twitter: thewahwife
says:
Thanks, everyone. Richard, if you find that easy button, you let me know where it is.
Great list. Many of these have crossed my mind over the past few years. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. LOL!
Mia @ Freebies and Cheapies recently posted ..Failing at Your New Year Resolutions
Twitter: thewahwife
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Some days Mia, neither do I. lol
Great list. This is why I tell people who think all work at home opportunities are scams that they’re wrong. You don’t have to rely on others to make the work available to you. You can take a chance and do it on your own.
Stephanie – Home with the Kids recently posted ..5 Tips to Make the Most of Being a Stay at Home Mom
The only thing I have to add to this is that some of these do require some education, but if you already have some training and want to work at home, you can easily do it.
Sharon recently posted ..Getting your Business Going Again
Great list! I even found some jobs that my teen can do this summer!
Marleeka Choat recently posted ..The Results Are In!
Great list! If I get questions from friends and family about working from home, I am sending them to this blog!
Clarissa recently posted ..Hubby is a Genius-Definite Mood Booster!
This list is a great starting point to get people thinking about what they could do from home, their individual situation, what they can already offer etc.
This is a really good list. Something to keep in mind. Currently, my brother and I are setting up a window washing business starting from home.
Visiting from SITS. Nice list. I’m considering working from home as a freelance proofreader, now that my little one is about to enter Kindergarten.
Holly recently posted ..Word of the Week-Chibi- A True Story from Japan
Twitter: thewahwife
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Best of luck, Holly!
Wonderful list, I’ve been looking at becoming a Travel Agent, but haven’t been successful finding all the requirements. I will look into more on your list.
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I am just starting to blog and am in the process of developing a niche blog. This information is great. I have taken your button and placed it on my blog! I already work for corporate America from home but would like to be able to get some fun money via a niche blog some day. For now, I am just blogging about my travels…Glad I “stumbeled” tonight!
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This article came through an email from Stumble Upon and wanted to say that its a great article.
Thanks for the taking the time to write it,
Mike
Mike recently posted ..Leadership Development- Developing Building Learning Leadership Skills
Great post Angie. I am a consultant so I was pleased to see my title on the list. Thank you.
Justin Hammonds recently posted ..How to Generate Free MLM Leads- Increase Brand Loyalty- & Nurture Your Following in 4 Easy Steps
Very informative. May I add another profession? Translator. I does have the requirement of you speaking two languages, but it’s an idea for bilingual people everywhere. I do it and leaving the office has improved my life 100%.
Twitter: thewahwife
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Thanks, Lily.
Very good list!!!
I myself am going down the website root
, its so cool working from home!!!
Twitter: thewahwife
says:
I agree. Best of luck!
Very interesting post as I often forget just how many types of work from home opportunities exist out there! Thanks for the enlightening reminder.
My personal favorite is consultant, for the following reasons:
–>low start-up costs,
–>flexible hours,
–>a high hourly pay rate, and
–>you likely already have the expertise to get started.
I started my consulting business part-time, and built it into a full-time endeavor which has been the sole income for my family of 4 for the past 3 years.
I make several times what I used to make at my day job, and have much more flexibility–which is a wonderful thing, since it allows me to volunteer at my kids’ school every week.
I’ve found that fear often stops aspiring consultants–and other aspiring business owners–from starting their business.
One of the neat things about becoming a consultant is that you DON’T need a pile of cash to start a consulting business. For example, you can create a professional website for under $100–typically in an evening (I have a free ebook that shows you exactly how to do this, even if you’re not a techie).
Whether you decide to start your own consulting business–as I and lots of others have done–or some other business, these days it’s wise to diversify your income.
Great List indeed. I have several businesses myself. Not a wife but a mother of 3. I used to think my choices were limited…now I realize it’s just the opposite. I can have several businesses AND make over six figures a year…without have to do direct marketing…which is not a BAD thing….just wanted something different. I found it. Check out MoxieTalk.com…we are starting up soon and will bring lots of great insight into running a business online and offline. I say to women wanting to do the same…whatever you do…start making money today…it’s called BootStrappin’ it!
Great list. In the current financial climate lots of people are turning to starting up their own business. Its good to see people providing others with the right foundations and ideas for the long road a head!
Great list of start up buisnesses…take a chance and work from home…there is something for everyone
Social Media Expert should be tops right now!!!
Twitter: thewahwife
says:
That one is very popular right now.
Just found this list via stumbleupon. Such a nice, concise post. These days, there are so many opportunities because of the web – especially for anyone with skills and experience in writing or design. Thanks for this!
Thanks for the list because it gives people choices for their various interests so they can turn hobbies into a paying job! In the Internet age – working from home has gotten easier. To me, like a regular job onsite or working from home – both requires hard work.
These are all great ideas, and they will work if you have the patience to stick to it~
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As a work at home husband, I really appreciated this list. It is hard to be innovative with ideas nowadays, since niches get saturated so quickly.
Question: are these in any particular order, or just random assortment of suggestions you compiled?
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Twitter: thewahwife
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You are welcome, Anthony. Thanks for stopping by.
Does anyone know if JetBlue still uses work-at-home moms for their phone support? I thought that was super innovative! A lot of jobs where you can telecommute make great work at home jobs. Phone sales jobs can be a good one.
Twitter: thewahwife
says:
I’m not sure about JetBlue, Jim. I know there are several big companies that use home contractors for their customer service.
Hi Angie,
Thanks for the list, I’m having a crack at affiliate marketing and I’m loving it! However, I think people who want to work from home must have a certain mindset – its still work and to make a success of it you have to put some real effort and commitment in (so easy to think “oh, I’ll do it later” and watch TV for a while!) But if you are disciplined, its a great life
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You are 110% correct, Jay. Best of luck in your new venture!
I can’t get over how helpful a list this is. I’ve been wanting to look into transcribing for awhile now, thanks for the link up!
Doug Gene recently posted ..Rocky Mountain Trail Coupon Code and Review
Twitter: naturalmothers
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What a great list of work from home jobs- this is so good I’m sending the link to a friend. Thanks you SO MUCH!
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Received a letter from the By-law enforcer saying that she became aware that I was doing business with out a valid business license. Has anyone else here had the same experience? In my opinion I do not meet the criteria as I do not have door traffic, parking, inventory, do not receive benefit from the city as a licensed home business using the web. Others ave answered this by saying it depends on the city by-laws, so I know about that one. Any opinions would be cool to see, thanks.
Twitter: thewahwife
says:
Can’t help with that, Rudy. Sorry. You would need to contact your local government offices. Licensing requirements vary greatly by location.
Twitter: TechTeric
says:
Nice listing of business! Thanks!!
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Twitter: BrianHumek
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Great list. I’ve tried tackling some of these. The best I’ve done is photography, selling stock photos to magazines and newspapers. I also do rewriting for non-native English speakers. These would be great if it were extra income, but without a full-time paying job, what income I make is not nearly enough. Time to take my at home jobs more seriously.
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Great list. Many people though have been looking for something that they can strike quickly with. With business there never seems to be an instant formula or pushbutton formula. Business is hard work and hopefully people realize that before starting.
Great list! Would love to do freelance writing from home (I write a lot in my full-time job) but can’t see how I would ever earn as much as I do being employed
I think that you can start almost all kinds of businesses from home. As we all know Apple was started in Job’s bedroom and then moved to garage once the business grow and Microsoft was started in garage as well.
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Yes you can start any business from home, but eventually you need to have a designated space to enable growth. Interesting list of business ideas.
Hi Angie, thank you for your 40 home business works but I wonder how many of them that you’ve tried and how about your income from there?
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Hi, Jenni. I’ve been a virtual assistant since 2007. It certainly pays my bills.
A few of the links above go to interviews conducted here on my blog with home business owners making their own way in the online world. Being a business owner (online or off) isn’t for everyone and it requires far more work than being an employee. However, the rewards and income potential exceed the downfalls for many of us.
Twitter: SeniorsResource
says:
Hi Angie, Great article! It’s got me thinking of another business I’d like to start ‘on the side’. I wanted to mention that the Home Care industry is a terrific business to start from home! The business of providing care to disabled and elderly from your home. Hire caregivers and place them into the homes of clients around your community. Over a decade of success with it and we’ve just put it into a how to guide for those who are interested: http://www.startyourhomecarebusiness.com
Twitter: thewahwife
says:
Thanks, Kevin.
There are some good ones I hadn’t thought of on here! To be honest I truly believe that most businesses can be operated from home- although you do need to be particularly savvy as you will be operating online. Personally I design perfume from home- which is a little similar to soap making, but not quite, so maybe you can make that 41:)
There are so many opportunities to make money these days. People need to be open minded and willing to step out of their comfort zones. Thanks for sharing Angie.