September 30, 2003
Carla Goodman
Ever dream of running a part-time businesswhile keeping
your day job? Want to operate a sideline businessalong 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 businesshealthy.
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 businessoff 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 businessuse 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 businessor 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 businessopportunity. Clients
include attorneys, businessowners 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, businessowners 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.
Business writer Carla Goodman clued
our readers in to 25 secrets of selling in the April issue of
Business Start-Ups.
