Ever
dream of running a part-time business while keeping your day job? Want to
operate a sideline business along with your current business? Or are you
simply curious about entrepreneurship, and want to test the waters before
you commit to the world of commerce? Whatever your reason, here are 25
sure-fire ways to get started today with your own part-time business.
Antiques
Make new money from old treasures and have fun doing it! Scout garage sales,
estate auctions and flea markets for great buys on antique furniture, toys,
clothing and other treasures from the past. Rent space at antique
cooperatives, or set up booths at weekend fairs to sell your antiques.
Computer
Tutor
Whether you're an expert at Windows or Linux, desktop publishing or Web
research, HTML or word processing, you can help anyone enhance their
computer skills. Start promoting your computer-training services by teaching
classes through organizations in your community which offer adult education
courses.
Custom
Jewelry and Accessories
Put your creative talents to work designing custom jewelry and accessories.
Whether you work with sterling silver or recycled metals, clay or papier-mâché,
there's a market for your custom earrings, pins, bracelets, necklaces and
belt buckles at art shows, crafts fairs and holiday boutiques.
Espresso
Cart
Brew up profits day after day! Specialty coffee drinks generate gross
profits of 55.1 to 61.5 percent per cup, says the Specialty Coffee
Association of America. So brush up on your coffee drinks, buy or rent an
espresso cart, and head for sporting events, concerts and farmers' markets
in your community.
Garage
and Attic Cleaning/Hauling Service
Nobody likes to spend a weekend cleaning out the garage, attic or garden
shed--it's dirty and time-consuming, and when it's done, there's still the
task of hauling off all that discarded junk. But if you don't mind putting
in the physical labor, a cleaning and hauling service can be a lot of fun.
You can usually find a few treasures among the trash which most people are
delighted to give away, and you can add to your income by recycling bottles,
newspapers and metal castoffs. You'll need a pick-up truck or other vehicle
capable of carrying everything from cast-iron sinks to old timbers.
Handyman
If it's broke, you can fix it. Your phone will ring off the hook with calls
from homeowners, senior citizens and others who don't want to fix it
themselves. Advertise in shopper publications and on bulletin boards, and
drop off fliers at real estate offices. Then start repairing everything from
leaky faucets to broken windows.
Home
Inspection
Buyers need not beware when they hire a home inspector to conduct a complete
physical checkup on their dream home. You'll inspect the house for
structural problems and refer your clients to the contractors or handymen
who can make the repairs. Knowledge of construction and your local building
codes will get your business off the ground.
Medical
Transcription
Work as an important member of a medical team without leaving your homebased
office. There's big demand by hospitals, doctors, dentists, chiropractors
and veterinarians who need outside help transcribing patient medical
records. Training in medical terminology and linguistic skills will keep
your business healthy.
Mobile
Home-Entertainment Service
When it's dirty, disconnected or in need of repair, you'll save the day for
homeowners who want their stereo, compact-disc player or videocassette
recorder in working order. Brush up on your electrical and wiring know-how.
Door-to-door fliers and calls to retail-store managers about your services
will get your business off to a great start.
Mobile
Window Tint
With some training and basic equipment, you'll be seeing plenty of green
with your mobile window-tinting business. For best results, have a pager and
van ready to help car, van and truck owners prevent heat damage to their
vehicles' interiors. Other hot markets: homes, high-rise condominiums and
office buildings.
Office
and Home Organizer
Attention all neatniks: Help packrats, overworked executives, and other
organizationally challenged individuals clean out messy closets, straighten
files, and throw out the excess clutter. Putting your knack for neatness to
part-time business use is bound to arrange some tidy profits for you.
Personal
Chef
What's for dinner, honey? Great home-cooked meals for working parents and
busy professionals who hire you as a personal chef. There's plenty of demand
for this specialized service. So plan your menu, make out your shopping
list, and go to work to satisfy your hungry clientele.
Personal
Trainer
Pumping iron; pumping profits. Americans of all ages, sizes and shapes want
to keep fit, trim and healthy, and they're willing to hire their own
personal coach to exercise correctly. Spread the word about your
physical-fitness expertise at health spas, running, swimming and biking
clubs, and other athletic outlets.
Picture
Framer
Get in the frame with a picture framing service. You can work with gallery
owners, artists, portrait photographers and individuals who've purchased a
print, painting or fine photo. If you aren't already a framing expert, read
up, take classes at a local college or community center, then assemble your
tools--including clamps, saws, miter boxes, glue, and a pneumatic or hand
stapler. Establish relationships with local artists' groups, galleries,
photographers and print shops that can give you their business or refer
their customers to you.
Plant
Leasing And Maintenance
Got a green thumb and a delivery van? You're all set to service
corporations, home builders, health clubs and other businesses who want
fresh greenery. Develop a steady clientele with a regular watering, pruning
and fertilizing program and a full replacement guarantee.
Records
Search
Using specialized databases, you'll search public records on your computer
to help your clients find lost loves, check out questionable suitors, track
down debtors, verify a contractor's track record, or dig up facts on a
business opportunity. Clients include attorneys, business owners and
individuals.
Restaurant
Delivery
Whether it's macaroni and cheese or a five-course gourmet meal, at-home meal
replacement is fast becoming the newest way to dine. When customers want
their restaurant orders "to go," you'll be "on the go"
with your restaurant delivery service. A great way to make your late
afternoons and weekends extra-profitable!
T-Shirt
Design
If you're an artist in search of a medium, why not make T-shirts your
canvas? Paint, draw, bead or appliqué your designs on plain T-shirts, and
spend your weekends showcasing your art-to-wear at farmers' markets and
crafts fairs.
Wallpaper
Hanging
Help residential and commercial clients turn drab walls into works of art
with your wallpaper-hanging skills. Build a growing business with great
referrals and repeat customers. Drop off fliers at paint and wallpaper
stores; also, advertise in shopper publications, in homeowner-association
newsletters, and on bulletin boards at local supermarkets and malls.
Yoga
and Tai Chi Instructor
In today's hectic, fast-paced world, parents, business owners and students
alike can benefit from the deep-breathing, relaxation and centering
techniques you can teach them. Get started by offering classes at health
clubs, through your city's recreation and parks department, or on your own.
