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If you lie awake at night racking your brain for a fall-back plan or
second-income generator, find a movement, trend or something that works in a
big way, and then drum up a way to tweak it for a specialized audience. The
key to turning a unique idea, skill or talent into a steady side gig is to
pay attention in life--ideas are all around you.
Here are some ideas for where to look as you try to find the niche that
suits you best:
Personal services. Can you save someone else time? Running errands
for seniors, preparing someone's tax returns or walking your neighbors' dogs
are examples of valuable services to offer.
Gardening and landscaping. Consider the growing garden trade.
Homeowners who lack the time or desire to plant and prune still recognize
the importance of curb appeal today. Landscape design, maintenance and
retail gardening businesses are hot now. If you enjoy working in nice
weather around nature, the field of horticulture covers a wide range of
professional specialties. You can be an arborist, look after commercial
greenhouses, and care for golf courses or large private estates. With a
formal education, you'll learn about jet stream patterns and their effect on
which plants grow best in certain regions.
Outdoor recreation work. For some folks, there's no separation
between work and play. Such types are reluctant to punch a clock or limit
themselves to an indoor office cubicle to earn their living. If you're a
wilderness buff, perhaps you're ready to strike out on your own and take
Mother Nature on as a business partner. Business ideas include
kayaking/white-water rafting outfitter; guided mountain biking, photo
trekking, backpacking, or rock climbing tour operator; or opportunities
within the state park system.
Pet services. Could your business be going to the dogs? Upscale
pet-related services and merchandise are bringing home the bacon--to the
tune of $30 billion a year in the United States today, according to a recent
research study from Unity Marketing. Pet foods, doggie daycare, shampoos and
even "pet pampering" spas and hotels are just a few of the
products and services that make up the industry. If you have a knack for dog
handling, dog obedience is another hot extra-income generator.
Workplace design. You could be a creator of the workplace of the
future. As industries evolve, tomorrow's offices will entice us through hip,
ergonomically correct furnishings, the use of color, and innovative
lighting. The need for experts who can implement ergonomically correct
conditions is rising. Areas of specialization include industrial workplaces,
occupational safety, furniture design, computer hardware, human-computer
interaction, product liability, consumer products and virtual environments.
Feng shui consulting. Interest in feng shui has risen in recent
years as more people seek greater levels of satisfaction and productivity in
their careers, businesses and lifestyles. This ancient art promotes
spiritual and material well being by devising the best way to lay out your
house or office. Certified experts are hired to do "readings" for
both residential and commercial space. Consultants can charge between $235
and $1,000 for a two-hour consultation, depending on the size of a property.
Some businesses will pay upwards of $25,000 for large-scale projects. Field
certification costs upwards of $3,500 and includes class time, mentoring and
field training.
Alternative health services. As our health-care system becomes
more prevention-oriented, Americans are increasingly more accepting of
alternative, holistic health, and wellness practices. Healing arts such as
massage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture and yoga are in demand by private
and corporate clientele. Food items or eateries offering organic edibles
free of processed ingredients, preservatives and sugars are sought after by
the health-conscious.
Grooming services. Thanks to the popularity of TV shoes such as Queer
Eye for the Straight Guy, men are becoming more upfront about wanting to
look and feel good about themselves. For these so-called metrosexuals, a new
wave of relaxation havens specially designated for men are cropping up.
Today's hottest services include facial bronzing, stone massage, organic
facials, reflexology and seaweed wraps.
Spiritual work. Spiritually minded people make humanity their
life's work. Today, there are plenty of creative job paths you can pursue if
you feel inspiring others is your life mission. For example, religious
craftspeople and artists (think of all the Judaic and Catholic supply shops,
candleholders, jewelry charms, trinket boxes, decorative nativity art and
collectibles there are); church camp/counselor/director; religious writers
and authors (even for religious greeting cards); and spiritual retreat
leaders. These last folks lead trips to destinations with
biblical/historical significance.
Senior-focused services. Don't forget the lucrative aging baby
boomers. The fifty-plus population is an intelligent, active group. They
need products, services and information providers to meet their
entertainment, education and lifestyle needs. Today, there are
senior-focused book authors; website developers; travel, insurance and
real-estate companies; and computer-training firms reaping profits from the
older Americans they serve.
Business writing and services. If your skill is putting it in
writing, hire yourself out as a business plan writer. Too many businesses
lose out on new contracts, funding or clients because they don't know how to
communicate their message on paper. Businesses today have a need for
marketing, strategy, lobbying and proposal writing services. Also, the
demand for freelance writers with specialties in grant writing, bio met, IT,
economic development and general business is high. Project work includes
requests for proposals (RFPs), corporate training guides, computer
documentation, white papers, government licensing applications, legislative
memos and executive bios. Fees typically start at $100 per hour, or between
$30,000 and $60,000 a year.
Home design and services. These days, home is where the art is.
Thanks to baby boomers with discretionary income and a nationwide
"cocooning" trend, interior decorating and design services are in
demand. From guesthouses to second homes, vacation retreats to master
bathrooms, those cashing in on the thriving home-fixings craze include
architects, interior designers, landscape architects and pool builders.
Other jobs include project management professionals for furniture companies
or corporate facilities, and designers of hotels, healthcare institutions,
retirement communities and nursing homes.
Culinary services. By the same token, staying in is the new going
out and people are entertaining in their homes more than ever. Dinner
parties have made a big comeback. If you have culinary skills, you're in
demand. Aside from catering, you may decide to give one-on-one cooking
lessons, help prepare menus or conduct demonstrations in your own home. For
the many people trying to eat well, both for health and epicurean reasons,
you can hire yourself out as a personal chef or nutritionist.
Editor's
note: Excerpted from Keep
Your Paycheck, Live Your Passion. Copyright (c) 2005. All rights
reserved.
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