Here's an excellent collection of over 2OO
easy business ideas
for women that can be started with little training and investment
All these ideas are capable of producing additional income.
Most of these businesses can be conducted in the privacy and
comfort of home, in between household chores, during weekends or at
your leisure. All of these ideas do not require extra help, brawn
and best of all, some are extensions of hobbies or skills developed
or acquired from childhood.
For best results, browse through the business suggestions and
write down those that sound interesting. List the opportunities you
would like to try out. Then narrow the list down to one, two or more
related businesses. For instance,if you collect dolls as a hobby, you
can start your own doll making business or start designing and sewing
doll clothes (specializing in party clothes) for Barbie or Cabbage
Patch Kids.
These ideas are intended to stimulate you imagination. Only you
can make the decision based on your own experiences, qualifications,
interests and the current market in your community. As you compile
your list of possibilities, take a critical look around your area.
Note what is and isn't available what is overpriced or inadequate that
people in your community will pay for. When you find just the right
combination, start preparing for a successful business operation!
The first thing you must do is to prepare a BUSINESS PLAN. This
is an outline of what you plan to do and how you intend to do it. When
you write a business plan, it will make you organize your business in
your mind and on paper. This will insure your ultimate business success!
Be sure to check with city hall or county courthouse on local license,
tax or permit requirements before making your final selection/s and before
investing your money. Sometimes a minor adjustment at the start can
prevent future headaches.
Finally, familiarize yourself with your choice/s. Start ordering your
office supplies, but don't invest too much in stock because you may make
adjustments as you learn your market and adjust to market conditions.
GOOD LUCK!
ADULT DAY CARE CENTER. Operate a center to look after elderly and/or
handicapped people. Offer refreshments, games and activities and assistance
but not "health care."
ADVERTISING SPECIALITIES. With distributor provided catalogs and samples call on regular
customers and supply them with custom imprinted pens, calendars, matches, etc.
ADVERTISING SERVICE. Arrange for the design, printing and distribution of
advertising/announcement flyers, mail outs and ad campaigns for clients for fee
plus commission.
AFRICAN VIOLETS. Specialize in the propagation and care of this popular
indoor plant. Nurture, hybridize and sell when in full bloom. Sell accessories
and supplies.
ALTERATIONS. Replace buttons, let out cuffs, shorten sleeves, turn collars
repair tears for clothing stores, laundries and cleaners who don't already offer
this service.
AQUARIUM SNAILS. Raise red ram's horn snails for home and commercial fish tanks. Sell to
pet shops and aquarium dealers. Advertise in fish related trade journals.
ARTIFICAL PLANTS. Make your specialty artificial flowers and plants. Sell
a selection of arrangements, baskets and special occasion creations; take custom orders.
BABY CLOTHES. Specialize in bargain-priced new and hand-me-down infant
clothing and supplies. Offer an alteration service; take in trades to refurbish
and resell.
BABY FOOD. Specialize in mixing, processing, packaging and selling homemade natural baby
foods. Licensing and insurance required, dedicated work area strongly recommended.
BABY SITTING. Go to client's home by appointment and stay with the children
for hourly fee. Charge extra for two or more, doing housework or for taking the
kids out.
BABY PICTURES. With still or video camera, arrange with the hospital staff
to photograph newborns (with parents, nurses, visitors). Sell print sets to proud
parents.
BABY SITTING SERVICE. Accumulate a list of qualified, bonded sitters.
Advertise your service and rates, deliver and pick sitters. Collect fees and pay
sitters a percentage.
BABY DOLLS. Make and attach fine wigs from client baby's own baby hair to
keepsake dolls. Try to get cloth from baby's actual clothes to make similar looking
outfits for the doll.
BANQUET DECORATING. Take full charge of banquet room preparation: theme decoration,
seating arrangements, centerpieces. Advertise your service and list with Chamber of
Commerce.
BASKET WEAVING. Design, make and sell a variety of your basket creations:
plain and decorated (or with arrangements). Sell various fibers, plans and
instruction kits.
BATIK CREATION. Learn this ancient process: dip fabric in wax, crinkle,
scratch or melt design into the wax, then dip in dye. Clean, stretch and dry for
a valuable decoration.
BEAN SPROUTS. Grow fresh bean sprouts on a rotating basis: have new crop
every week or as needed to supply client restaurants, vegetable markets and retail
customers.
BEAUTY AIDS. Sell general or specialized beauty (or ethnic) supplies in your
home salon or by appointment. Represent established lines and/or sell you own brand.
BONSAI PLANTS. Grow (or buy) and arrange into attractive pots or arrangements. Retail from
your home, through ads, or wholesale to flower shops, greenhouses and nurseries.
BOOK REVIEWING. If qualified, read current books for publishers or agents.
Write reviews to be quoted in book promotions or media reviews; work towards your own
column.
BOOK SALES. Sell general subject or specialized books wholesale or retail
by mail: through mailing lists or direct advertisements. Warning: lots of competition in
this field.
BOOKKEEPING SERVICE. Provide a (even beginning) bookkeeping services to (especially
one-person) small businessmen in your area. Expand to more complex systems and computers.
BOTANICA. Stock "magic" potions, roots, powders, candles, good luck charms.
Print (buy) and sell related instructions and lore. Careful not to guarantee results.
BREAD SPECIALITIES. Bake and sell unusual varieties of home made breads: low calorie,
ethnic, etc. Take orders for loaves fresh from your kitchen, deliver to stores on a route.
BRIDGE LESSONS. Give Bridge lessons in your home when you are qualified. Charge by the
lesson, or course. Hold tournaments, award prizes, publicize students.
BROMELIADS. Specialize in culture of these beautiful pineapple relatives with
their hauntingly beautiful blooms. Sell growing on driftwood arrangements for highest
prices.
BUYER'S GUIDE. Publish and sell or give away your guide to best prices and values
available in your area. As it gains in popularity charge more to list the businesses!
CACTUS CULTURE. Propagate, grow, groom and arrange native and exotic cacti for retail and
wholesale market. Prepare little information booklets for each species.
CAKE DECORATING. Take orders to bake and decorate special occasion cakes. Retail through
small, constant ads ("CAKES- phone number"). Offer to decorate bakery cakes.
CALLIGRAPHY. Easily learned by artistic person: work through ads and stationary stores.
Print fancy menus, show cards, place cards, invitations, announcements, etc.
CAN ART. Make and sell pincushion chairs and other unique, decorative items from tin cans
and bits of cloth. Write down your plans and sell kits with instructions.
CANDLE MAKING. Turn a hobby into a profitable business. Design your own line, offer custom
styling, scents and special effects. Between orders, make standard items.
CANDY MAKING. Specialize in one or more types of candies that you can make in your
kitchen. Package with you brand and wholesale to stores or sell through ads.
CANNING SERVICE. Preserve customer's home grown (or purchased) garden products with your
canning operation. Use your recipes or theirs, apply personalized labels.
CARPET CLEANING. With steam shampoo equipment, clean and renew residential and commercial
carpets. Contact rental agencies, apartments and condos for wholesale jobs.
CATERING SERVICE. Prepare old fashioned, gourmet or special occasion meals for clients to
pick up. Use insulated canisters to keep the food hot (charge deposit).
CERAMIC FLOWERS. Learn to fashion, color, fire and arrange ceramic flowers, both singles
and in arrangements. Display them for sale; teach the art in your ceramic shop.
CERAMICS. Make ceramic pieces to retail, wholesale and display in your "school".
Hold classes, sell greenware, kits and supplies. Charge for finishing and firing pieces.
CHEESE MAKING. Make your own brand of unusual or gourmet cheeses from your cow or goat
milk. Sell from your place, on a route to area stores, or in mail order kits.
CHILD PICK-UP SERVICE. Pick up and deliver client's kids after school, theater,
games. Pick-up, deliver to parties, charge extra to stay with them until mom
returns.
CHILDREN'S TOWN HISTORY. Write and illustrate a booklet about your town just for kids.
Sell copies to doctors, dentist offices, stores, hospitals and nursery schools.
CHILDREN'S BOOKS. With licensed equipment, "publish" children's books with their
name appearing in print throughout the book. Set up booth in malls for holidays.
CHILDREN'S ROOM DECORATOR. Specialize in decorating nursery and children's rooms. Offer
varied "package" motifs. Work with or through suppliers for a commission.
CHILDREN'S CLOTHING. Specialized in new (stylish and/or closeout) and outgrown children's
clothes, accessories. Alter hand-me-downs, "wash" jeans, monogram sweats.
CHINA and GLASS DEALER. Collect and deal in antique and interesting china and glass items.
Buy at auctions, private and public sales and through you advertisements.
CLIENT LISTINGS. Contract to keep customer (or business) information lists:
customer birthdays, purchases, credit records, price records, employee records.
MAKE-UP ARTISTRY. Make up women, actors for formal or entertainment situations. Offer
classes for beauty or actor application and sell "your" line of make-up
supplies.
CLIPPING SERVICES. Review newspaper publications for contracted subjects(wedding
announcements, graduations, mention of client products). Sell to agents and merchants.
CLOTH LABELS. Make and sell small orders of fabric labels for small businesses and home
crafters on your embroider machine. Offer lower prices for repeated orders.
COMMUNITY COOK BOOK. Publish a theme or organizational oriented recipe collection with
entries from each family/member/department. Print and distribute for a fee.
COMPANION SERVICE. Accompany lonely, ailing or elderly people alone temporarily, on
shopping trips, to and from the doctor, on short tours or when traveling longer distances.
COOKBOOK PUBLISHING. Publish a cookbook of your own favorite recipes (usually a catchy,
interesting subject collection). Promote and sell through ads and stores.
COOKING LESSONS. Give gourmet/ethnic/regional cooking, canning, baking lessons in your
specialty from your kitchen, or by appointment in your student's kitchen.
COOKING SERVICE. Prepare complete meals at home, from your traditional or customized
(gourmet, ethnic, traditional) menu to be delivered and served hot, or picked up.
COOKING, CUSTOM. An overseas treat: offer genuine American style home-cooking. Prepare and
deliver (serve?) complete meals to parties, banquets and private homes.
CURTAIN LAUNDRY. Wash, stretch and pleat curtains in your home laundry. Be sure to learn
fabric requirements and have insurance. Offer installation and sell liners.
CUSTOM COOKBOOKS. Assimilate, decorate (personalize the cover) and custom print (on
computer), client recipe collections -- into their own "family heirloom"
cookbook.
CUSTOM HANDICRAFTS. Use your talents to embroider, tat, sew, crochet products for
customers with limited time or talent. Make extra good sellers between custom orders.
CUSTOM CLOTHING DESIGNS. Paint, block print or transfer unique or custom designs on
clothing for smocks, aprons or fabrics to be used for clothing, curtains or even
upholstery.
CUSTOM KNITTING. Take orders for hand-knitted sweaters, stockings and sets (ski outfits?).
Make more fast sellers between orders; attach your labels to all products!
CUSTOM TAILORING. Offer the luxury of hand made clothing: shirts, skirts, coats, uniforms,
suits. Good service to add to alteration business when you feel competent to start from
scratch.
CUT FLOWER BUSINESS. Grow and supply freshly cut flowers to markets and florists in your
area. Offer a variety of seasonal or specialize in one (or two) greenhouse/shade house
grown varieties.
DANCING SCHOOL. Instruct others in your dance specialty in group or individual classes. Be
sure to "showcase" students to encourage them and publicize your business!
DECORATIVE PATCHES. Design patches, quilt names and sew-on decals for sweatshirts, garden
shirts. Design completed garments and do-it-yourself kits.
DIRECTORY PUBLISHING. Publish local information booklets or maps: where to shop, eat, fish
or visit. Booklets can be given away or sold by paid advertisers, businesses.
DOLL CLOTHES. Difficult work for expert seamstresses, but pays well. Work with doll
makers, collectors, sell at fairs and through advertisements in doll related publications.
DOLL MAKING. Use ceramic molds, hand paint and finish fine dolls to sell to
collectors, children and stores. Advertise in doll publications; attend doll shows.
DOLL COLLECTING. Buy, sell and trade fine and antique dolls with other collectors and
investors. Visit shows and fairs regularly to keep abreast of trends and prices.
DONUT MAKING. Make and sell a variety of donuts at home or in public view at fairs, flea
markets and public events. Offer "specials": tasty toppings, bargain bags.
DRAPERY SERVICE. Make (have made), clean or alter drapery for private or
commercial customers. Sell replacements. Use ads for retail jobs, call on commercials.
DRAPERY CLEANING. Offer in-home (in-office) or pick-up service to renew and re-pleat
curtain fabrics. Offer re-lining and expand to do upholstery, walls, and rugs.
DRY CLEANING. Offer a dry cleaning service in your area for clothes, drapes, etc. Send
items to processing plant until you are ready to do the cleaning yourself.
ELEPHANT GARLIC. Specialize in growing and marketing this remarkable, delicious giant
garlic for gourmet restaurants and stores. Sell fresh, dried and frozen.
ENAMELING/CLOISONNE. Create beautiful, unique enameled objects of art to sell: your own
designs, themes, plaques, jewelry, trinkets. Sell at shows and via catalogs.
ERRAND SERVICE. Perform errands for individuals and businesses: go to the corner store or
across the country. Deliver or pick up messages, packages, important papers.
ESCORT SERVICE. Supply (legitimate) escorts for official and business functions. Advertise
for on-call escorts. Interview and qualify; have your entire services bonded.
ETHNIC ARTIFACTS. Buy/create and market one category of products (Indian, Black heritage,
German, Asian). Focus all of your advertising and expertise on specific market segment.
EXERCISE COMPANION. Serve as a walking, jogging companion for company, morale support and
extra protection (good in cities). Carry any necessary (legal) protection.
EXERCISE FOR SENIORS. Conduct daily passive aerobic classes and sessions for different
categories (agility) of senior citizens at your place, and stops on a daily route.
EXOTIC DISHES. Package and sell your "special" recipe: frozen or fresh;
wholesale or retail. Advertise the product locally and rent a booth at fairs to publicize
it.
EXOTIC VEGETABLES. Grow high value plants (chives, watercress, capers). Use a small
greenhouse to produce big profits. Deliver fresh to restaurants and stores.
EXOTIC PLANTS. Raise and sell especially valuable plants, such as four leaf clovers, rare
mosses or delicate begonias. Advertise and display often at fairs and shows.
FOWER ARRANGING. Arrange flowers for parties, banquets, office functions, from general
decor to head table centerpieces. Make up displays to sell through stores.
FLOWER DRYING. Raise or buy dryable flowers and shrubs for retail and wholesale customers:
one kind packets or arrangements. Sell kits with complete instructions.
FOLK ART GALLERY. Specialize in folk art. Become an "expert" in one or more
areas (and receive much free publicity). Buy, sell, take consignments, appraise, teach.
FORMULAS. Research libraries and books for marketable formulas: soap, shampoo, hair tonic,
cleaners. Bottle or package under your own label and market locally.
FORTUNE TELLING. If you are good at palmistry or tarot reading, give performances at
parties, fairs and at a mall booth and at festivals. Sell booklets, card kits.
FREELANCE HOT FOOD DELIVERY. Contract to use your van to deliver hot food for one or more
fast food businesses. Have set of magnetic signs each sponsor. Save them money.
FREEZE DRY FLOWERS. With your equipment freeze dry and preserve wedding bouquets,
corsages, centerpieces. Add this service to florist or nursery business for extra income.
GALLOPING GOURMET. Go to people's homes by appointment; cook them a gourmet meal! Furnish
helpers, utensils, condiments, place settings service if desired for extra charges.
GARAGE CLEANING. Contact to clean out garages, sheds and attics for individuals, rental
agents and absentee landlords. Get paid for the work AND keep anything of value.
GARAGE SALE SERVICE. Set up, promote and manage garage sales for inexperienced or
reluctant clients. Inventory, help price and sell for percentage of the proceeds.
GARAGE SALES. Buy underpriced items at auctions and other garage sales. When sufficiently
"stocked" have your own -- or hold "joint" sales at various locations.
GENEALOGY. Trace and document family archives. Provide records and related artifacts to
descendants. Charge by amount of research involved and documents produced.
GHOSTWRITER. Write articles, letters, reports, speeches and other papers for busy
executives and those with little talent in this area. Provide signed agreement to clients.
GLASS ETCHING. Custom-etch glassware for individuals, and to order for retail stores.
Offer monograms, town or company logo, family crest, art designs or scenery.
HANDBAGS. Specialize in ladies handbags. Make them in your "factory" to retail
or wholesale, or buy and stock a wide variety of sizes, styles, colors and prices.
HANGING PLANTS. Specialize in hanging plants of all sizes and descriptions. Display when
in peak condition in various types of attractive pots, holders and hangers.
HEALTH FOODS. Use only natural fertilizers and pesticides in your garden to produce higher
priced organically grown products. Sell as "organically grown" products.
HERB HOUSE. Grow, process and sell herbs that grow well in your area (or greenhouse).
Package products separately and in blends (e.g. pickling preparations).
HERB PLANTS. Provide live, healthy potted herbs (basil, chives, borage) for really fresh
seasoning to gourmet restaurants. Exchange for new plants as needed.
HERBAL SEASONINGS. Develop, package and market your own blends of seasonings for local,
hopefully wider distribution. Arrange for attention-getting packaging to expedite sales.
HERBAL AND SPICE TEA. Blend and sell different blends of herbal teas. Include leaflets
with history and folklore in each package. Use uniquely decorated containers.
HOBBY NEWSLETTER. Originate a newsletter or directory for and about hobbyists and their
crafts. Build readership by fostering participation, exchanging ideas, listing fairs and
supply sources.
HOBBY KITS. Sell do-it-yourself hobby kits in your field of expertise. Include
step-by-step guidance and pictures to help beginners learn the craft.
HOLIDAY, SPECIAL EVENT BASKETS. Prepare holiday and special event baskets of fruit,
flowers, "goodies". Wholesale or consign to gift stores and advertise custom
retail work.
HOME-CANNED GOODS. Take orders or sell home canned goods from your garden. Offer ethnic,
regional, or dietary (low-salt/sugarless) as well as "regular" recipes.
HOME-SMOKED MEATS. With your smoker, recipes and wood selection, smoke and sell your
sausage, hams, ribs and chicken. Offer hot smoked meats & sandwiches for holidays and
banquets.
HOME PERMANENTS. Specialize in giving "home perms" at "their" place.
Go to offices, homes, hospitals, senior citizen centers by appointment or on a route.
HOME STUDY COURSES. Sell/rent new/used home study courses. Buy new courses on sale (when
available), buy courses back from students. Sell locally and by mail order.
HOMEMAKER'S HELPER. Provide temporary relief or assistance for sick, vacationing or just
plain "pooped" moms. Charge by the hour or job (more than a full-time helper).
HOMEOPATHY. Specialize in natural remedy products and related folklore. Provide
information on "reputed" remedial properties. Be very careful not to offer
"cures".
HOROSCOPE SERVICE. Provide horoscope/astrology information to clients -- prepare manually
or use your computer program to select and/or print out the information.
HOSPITAL GROOMING. Assist patients with nail, hair, skin care in hospitals and nursing
homes. License may not be needed to provide an appreciated service on a route.
HOUSE CLEANING. Offer one-time or periodic house cleaning services. Perform the heavy
tasks (shampoo rugs, clean stoves, wash windows, wax the floors, defrost, etc.)
IMPRINTED CLOTHING. Print (or have printed) names, designs, slogans on T-shirts, hats,
uniforms by heat transfer, screen or sublimation for schools, companies, or tourists.
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS, CASSETTES. Make recordings of yourself or others teaching and
demonstrating their crafts and specialties. Market via mail or wholesale to stores.
INVISIBLE MENDING/WEAVING. Repair snags, tears, burns in fine clothing and fabrics.
Advertise locally work with cleaners and clothing stores in your area.
JEWELRY SALES. Sell inexpensive to fine jewelry to friends, through party plans, direct
from advertisements, or wholesale to local stores. Compare suppliers constantly!
JEWELRY BOXES. Make fine jewelry boxes (lined, lacquered, inlaid, shell covered) for gift
stores, catalog sales and retail sales. Add music works for extra profits.
JEWELRY CREATIONS. Use your talent and ingenuity to mass produce or individually create
exquisite jewelry -- from virtually anything from diamonds to sliced bamboo.
JEWELRY BUYING (OLD). Buy old, "worn out" or "outdated" jewelry for
"salvage". Actually, rejuvenated old jewelry is quite valuable! Sell
"waste" only as salvage.
JUNK JEWELRY ART. Buy old jewelry and create designs on framed velvet backgrounds. Glue on
beads, drill holes for lights. Wire and light for a spectacular display.
KID PHOTO DOLLS. Take or use photos of kids to make various size (up to full size)
"paper dolls" of client's children. Cut out, seal in plastic and mount in slot
on sturdy plywood and base.
KITCHEN SPECIALTIES. Whip up and sell your mouth-watering or prize-winning recipes. Sell
to local restaurants or advertise with big posters at the fair booth. Sell hot, canned or
frozen!
LAPIDARY (GEM MAKING). Operate a "rock shop" in your garage. Cut, polish facet,
shape and mount gems in commercial findings. Sell mounted, unmounted gems and jewelry.
LIVE-IN AGENCY. Check out both prospective employers and workers. Charge fee to find a
reliable widow to stay with elderly person who would otherwise have to go to a home.
LOCAL WHO'S WHO. Compile and publish a directory or index with biographical sketches of
prominent people (pioneers, heros, leaders) in your area, past and present.
LOCAL HEROES. Research and write items about local heroics (police, scouts, lady pioneers,
ancestors). Sell to local publications and again later as a collection.
LONELY HEARTS. Advertise for, list and match names of people who would like to meet
others. Consider age, interests, hobbies, what they like in others, church affiliation,
education.
MACRAME. Make and sell a good selection of hangers and hangings. Take orders for custom
work. Find (keep secret) good sources for materials, sell do-it-yourself kits.
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS. Sell a variety of magazine subscriptions from your
"office"; Use "gimmicky" ads, give credit for leads and do lots of
telephone canvassing.
MAIL ORDER SALES. Find the right product, "showcase" it, advertise it, and sell
it by mail (ad and/or mailing lists). Caution: Heavy competition and many
"sharks"!
MAIL ORDER BOOKS. Sell books by mail (most suppliers will drop-ship). Always offer
follow-up products and check several sources before "signing" with any one.
MANICURE SERVICE. Provide nail care service in or from your "salon." Check needs
in hospitals, nursing homes, even office and factory workers on break.
MINERALS AND GEMS. Where petrified wood, meteorites, jade, or other potential gem minerals
are available, gather and process them. Sell finished jewelry and stones.
MINIATURE GARDENS. Create various sizes of garden-like displays of live plants for
hospital sick rooms, boxes for balconies, rooftop planters, offices and residences.
MONOGRAM SERVICE. Embroider names, logos, initials on clothing, uniforms and company team
jackets. Specialize in a style or service, charge extra for custom work.
MULTI-LEVEL SALES. Work with reputable company (e.g. Amway, Watkins) to make money from
sales of merchandise -- both your own sales and those by others that you sponsor into
the program.
MUSHROOM CULTURE. Grow and sell mushrooms. Fill standing gourmet restaurant and store
orders, advertise for retail sales. Can, freeze or dry leftovers and stems.
NAIL POLISH MANUFACTURING. Buy red lacquer in bulk and bottles in bulk. Mix in various
colors, bottle and sell. Add your own nail polish remover (acetone mixture).
NARRATING. Use your speaking ability to narrate private or commercial movies, videos,
demos and advertisements. Sell taped versions for slide show presentations.
NATIVE PLANTS. Become an expert on plants native to your locale. Grow, propagate and
improve. Raise the value of your plants and seeds by enclosing an informative brochure in
each pack.
NATURAL JEWELRY. Make and sell jewelry and decorations from seeds, twigs, berries.
Example: China berry seed necklaces, "moose-apple" pins, acorn beads, willow
wreaths.
NATURE'S PRODUCTS. When in an area with wild products (hickory nuts, maple syrup) that you
can harvest, do so! Process, package and sell as genuine products of nature.
NECKTIES. Make and sell exclusive, hand made ties from exotic materials from all over the
world. Offer a wide selection of designs, attach your exclusive label.
NEEDLECRAFT. Make and sell homemade items (pot holders, bonnets, towel rings) to sell on
consignment, to mail order catalog companies, or through parties and ads.
PAPER SCULPTURE. Create and sell your own unique "heads", figures, caricatures,
abstracts, even effigies! Sell for up to $5O each for holidays, promotions, parties.
PAPER MACHE SCULPTURE. Create a selection of your "standard" caricatures,
pinatas and offer custom versions. Assemble do-it-yourself kits with full instructions.
PARTY PACKAGES. Make up and market complete party packages with innovative games, masks,
favors, stunts and entertainment for various age, size and interest groups.
PARTY PLANNING. Take complete charge of customer's planned party: decorate, schedule
activities, send invitations. Arrange entertainment, catering and clean-up.
PASTE CRAFT. Glue unusual fabrics onto hard surfaces (trays, dishes) to sell in craft
shops. Build stock of fabrics and projects, teach, sell do-it-yourself kits.
PERFUME BAR. Stock and sell a selection of genuine and/or "imitation" brand
perfumes and accessories from your salon (have samples and take orders to start).
PERSONALIZED OFFICE ITEMS. Make and/or sell personalized engraved or monogrammed office
accessories: logos, coffee cups, desk signs, paperweights, briefcases, etc.
PET SITTING. Feed, water, clean up after and check on pets twice a day in their homes
while owners are away. Call owners or veterinarian if there are any problems.
PET HOTEL. Board and care for pets in your kennels or cages while owners are away. Or,
work with assistants who provide "foster homes" for unusual or pampered pets.
PET TATTOOING. Offer this permanent identification service to breeders and individuals to
deter theft, expedite recovery of lost pets and confirm lineage (e.g., breeder has record
of marks).
PIES AND COOKIES. Take orders or contract for baked goods from your kitchen. Deliver to
customers or stores daily with your name and logo imprinted on the cartons.
PILLOWS. Make and decorate designer, fancy, or "down home" pillows to sell in
boutiques, fairs, party plans, sales catalogs and/or advertisements and mail order.
PLANT SCULPTURE. A profitable specialty:
braid trunks, shape into interesting forms. Trim, bend, graft, to create valuable
sculptures that bring premium prices.
POMANDERS. Revive this old Egyptian art: process oranges into hardened and long-lasting
sachets. Use spice and perfume mixtures and penetrating cloves: sell!
POPCORN PRODUCTS. Make and market various popcorn base products. Give your recipes exotic
names. Create your colorful holiday and special occasion containers.
POTTED PLANTS. Learn to start (propagate) and groom popular potted plants. Display in
attractive settings, especially when they are in bloom or full foliage.
POTTERY. With your potter's wheel, make, fire and sell your own style of pottery.
Encourage onlookers and students and put your "mark" on every piece you offer
for sale.
PRINTS, LINOLEUM. Cut your artistic designs into linoleum blocks; make and frame your
prints. Teach the art, sell kits, publicize student work (great advertising!).
PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS. Contract with food brokers to demonstrate consumer products
(prepare and give out samples) in supermarkets, drug stores and shopping malls.
PRODUCT BROKER. Buy a quantity of a product wholesale (preferably at a close-out price)
and advertise it as a "one-time special" locally. Sell leftovers at close-outs!
PRODUCT REPACKAGING. Buy bulk products (nails, beans, vinegar) by the ton or barrel.
Re-package into neatly labeled packets, pints, boxes and sell for much more.
PUPPET MAKING. Create your own puppets (cartoon, caricatures or custom faces). Give shows
at children's parties, train both "actors" and puppet makers. Sell kits.
QUILTING. Make and sell beautiful homemade quilts from "scraps" in your
"spare time". Take color photographs of each quilt and make a
"catalog" to show them.
RAG DOLLS. Make and sell rag, sock and similar stuffed dolls in your
own unique fashion. Attach your label and offer to stores in your area and
via mail nationwide.
READING TO PATIENTS. Visit hospitals, nursing homes or individual
homes and read stories, novels to patients. If time is limited, read a
chapter a week. Charge relatives.
REAL PEOPLE DOLLS. Make and dress doll representations of real people
(heroes, historical, actual clients). Include information about the person.
Present in attractive glass display boxes.
RECIPE SALES. Perfect your favorite recipes. Promote and sell them
individually, in small sets, or collections. Sell something that will make
the cook look great!
REPORT WRITING. Write information or "how-to" articles on subjects in
which you are well versed. Sell to technical publications or advertise and
sell "reports" direct.
RESUME SERVICE. A professional resume writing services: interview and
review qualifications. Slant for types of job sought: include picture on each
resume (computer programs exist).
RUG MAKING. Make sell hand woven (or?) rugs in standard and custom
designs. Offer instructions, materials do-it-yourself kits, plus related
supplies and equipment.
SCARECROWS. Make and sell authentic scarecrows for gardeners and
garden displays. Also, sell kits, complete with frames, straw, and old
clothes and face parts.
SCREEN PRINTING. Set up a silk screen apparatus in your shop to print
anything from a small badge to a large order of real estate signs, even
fabrics and labels.
SEED PACKETS. Collect, sort, label and sell packets of selected
wildflowers or plants native to your area. Include instructions, history
and folklore on each package.
SEED DEALER. Buy bulk seeds from suppliers or farmers. Repackage
into small packets and blends. Add instructions and package along with
folklore info; wholesale to local markets.
SEWING SERVICE. Make repairs and do alterations for non-sewing (busy
bachelor?) clients needing buttons, adjustments. Charge extra for one-day
or "emergency" service.
SEWING CLASSES. When qualified, hold sewing
classes in your home.
Offer full courses as well as special "how-to" seminars for specific
techniques. Sell material and supplies to students.
SHELL CRAFTS. Use glue, dyes, toy animals eyes, props and your
imagination to make shell decorations and novelties to sell at fairs and
wholesale to local stores.
SHOPPING SERVICE. Do grocery shopping for clients. Get their list,
buy and deliver. Use your shopping, pricing experience and volume buying to
get best values.
SHUT-IN SERVICE. Call and/or visit temporary or permanent shut-ins on
behalf of absentee relatives. Take magazines, play games, read to them, and
be their friend.
SILK FLOWER RENTALS. Make up silk flower arrangements for weddings,
funerals, bar mitzvahs and banquets. Sell, rent and offer do-it-yourself
baskets, centerpieces, etc.
SNAIL RAISING. Raise and sell fresh "escargot" (edible) snails for
gourmet restaurants. Preserve, package and sell leftovers to local stores
or a food broker.
SOAPMAKING. Learn as a hobby or adjunct to candle making. Create and
sell various shapes, colors, fragrances. Mold prepared solutions or make
your soap from scratch.
SPECIALTY FOODS. Represent one or more suppliers of specialty foods
(diet, ethnic, gourmet) to restaurants, stores and/or individuals.
Advertise for customers.
SPECIALTY MERCHANDISE. Sell a line of merchandise from your catalogs
and samples to retail stores, individuals, and sub-sales efforts like parties
or group discounts.
SPICES AND HERBS. Grow spices and herbs that thrive in your climate
(and greenhouse). Sell dried, blended, freshly cut, in flats or pots,
packets and bunches -- ready for use.
SPIDER FARM. Raise different kinds of spiders: sell webs to
scientific institutions. Sell to schools and laboratories. Write booklets
for each species.
STAMP APPROVALS. Buy U.S. or foreign stamps in bulk; search for
valuables (to sell individually); sell the rest in packets or as approvals
(e.g., 2 for each one kept).
STAMP DEALING. Buy, sell and/or trade postage stamps of the USA or
world. Buy in bulk, sell packets, mixtures, sets and singles to beginning
or intermediate collectors.
STENCILING (FABRICS). Design your own stencils for interesting fabric
designs. Apply to clothing and fabrics for sale. Sell stencils, fabric kits
paints, dyes and supplies.
STORY TELLER. Narrate stories at children’s' parties. Use props
(dolls, pets, puppets) and audience participation. Perfect the stories then
tape or put down on paper.
SURPLUS PRODUCE. Buy peaches, tomatoes, etc., when in season and price is low. Preserve
(freeze, can, dry) to sell when the price goes later in the
season or in winter.
TAILORING. Use your skills to custom tailor men, boys and women's
garments (including jackets, uniforms, suits) in or from your home "shop".
Attach your own label.
TALENT AGENCY. Locate and list people (and animals) with unusual
talents (charge a small listing fee). Send lists to talent agents, producers,
show managers, and actors.
TAMALES AND TACOS. Take orders for tamales, tacos (or other
specialties) in your kitchen for customer or pick-up (or delivery to
restaurants). Freeze leftovers.
TELEPHONE CANVASSING. Contract with salesmen or businesses to obtain
leads or potential customer info for them from your telephone operation.
Charge by the lead.
TELEPHONE SALES. Call listed or phone book names to sell merchandise
or services (yours or client's).Charge a sales commission and keep ALL
profits on your products.
TEMPLE RUBBINGS. With lumber (or similar) crayon and rugged, fabric,
copy stone or metal relief designs by rubbing onto covering paper or fabric.
Seal, frame and sell.
TERRARIUMS. Start and nurture plants in bottles and plastic containers
that require little if any watering. Grow plants to peak of attractiveness
and sell, container and all.
TOWN HISTORY. If none exists, "publish" a booklet about your town.
Sell direct and/or to merchants for resale or to give away (consider
including paid advertisements.)
TURTLES. Raise and market various types of turtles: edible, aquarium,
decorative, pet shop and possibly larger ones to protect species and/or
market to zoos and preserves.
TUTORING. Provide assistance by appointment or scheduled classes to
students (anyone in need) of your expertise, whether academic, technical or
operational skill.
TYPING SERVICE. Do typing jobs in your home: for doctors, lawyers,
business people, and students. Charge less than word processor but still
make a nice profit.
USED BOOKS SALES. Buy, sell and trade used books: novels, reference,
science, text, even collector editions from your home.
VEGETABLES, OFF SEASON. Grow and sell "vine ripened" (with lights,
heat) tomatoes from your greenhouse in winter, fresh corn in spring, ripe
strawberries in the fall.
VITAMIN SALES. Sell one or more lines of vitamins and supplements,
some with generic or your name "brand." Advertise and/or enlist user/helpers
and party plans.
WEAVING, SPINNING. On old fashioned equipment, spin, weave and dye
authentic, hand made fabrics that command high prices; sell kits,
instructions and folklore.
WEDDING CONSULTANT. Plan and coordinate weddings from start to finish:
decor, guests, dresses, schedules, catering, photographer, etc. Receive fee
and commissions.
WILD BERRIES. Pick, preserve and sell wild (only!) blackberries,
gooseberries, etc. Prepare different forms, but always emphasize that they
are genuine wild products.
WILDFLOWER SEEDS. In your travels, gather wildflower seeds. Seal and
label, then take home and cultivate to produce seeds for packets "from around
the nation."
WILDFLOWER PLANTS. Start, nurture and market when ready, genuine wildflowers and plants of
local interest.
Have small brochures printed for each plant (this sells them).
WINE AND BEER MAKING. After perfecting your recipes, sell kits,
instructions and supplies (not the product) to others who would also like to
make their own too.
WORD PROCESSING. Produce "editable" drafts and finished professional
letters, manuscripts and documents for students, lawyers, writers and
businesses. Allow editing prior to final printing.
WRITE FOR CHILDREN. Write poems, Sunday school stories, puzzles,
explanations, riddles, etc., for children. Sell to local papers, children's
book publishers or in your own booklets.
WRITING, FREELANCE. Starting with local articles (even "filters");
sell or even GIVE to local paper (to be "published"). Work up to articles
and stories that sell.
YOUR-BRAND PRODUCTS. Make or formulate your own line of household
or products from "secret" recipes. Design your own packages and
advertising and market your products.
