Working full time for someone else can be difficult. You may have got annoying or undermining co-workers, impossible deadlines, low pay, long hours, and a lack of appreciation from your bosses or managers for what you do accomplish. You may feel like you are being micromanaged, and under constant supervision. As an employee it’s also hard to schedule needed appointments around a regular work schedule, or take days off if you’re sick, or just need a vacation!
Many employers are hesitant to implement flex-time policies (though proven to be a boon to business) and unlimited vacation days. If you are fortunate enough to be working for one of these employers, well, kudos to you! If not, then you may be one of hundreds of thousands of workers that daydreams about starting your own business so that you can have the flexibility to work at your own pace, wherever and whenever you want, and around your own family’s schedules.
Here are five business ideas to get the wheels churning and help you pick an entrepreneurial idea that is best suited to your unique skills and experience.
Get Creative!
If you enjoy handcrafting items instead and tackle the crowds at bazaars, craft fairs, and trunk shows, consider starting a new crafts-based business. You can search many online directories of local events to find opportunities near and far where you can showcase your goods.
Launch a new brand or business dealing in fine art and collectibles. If you enjoy decorating and collecting knick knacks, you can open shop as a creativity consultant or collect items for sale and use as an interior designer.
Follow Your Passion
Most of us have some hobby or outside work activity that we truly love to do. We have sports and volunteer projects that really make our heart sing and that we are happy to wake up to do in the mornings. It’s completely possible to turn these part-time passions and recreational loves into full-time businesses and careers.
Enjoy archery? Teach children all about it! Enjoy playing poker with your buddies on Friday nights? Set up a “game night” service. If you like hiking, hunting, or camping in your free time, for example, brainstorm ways to create a business that brings all your loves together, connects locals, or teaches the needed skills that others who are just starting out would be happy to learn.
Direct Sales of In-Demand Products
If you need to make a quick buck and are willing to purchase some stock inventory, consider setting up a shop in a high traffic area selling products that everyone needs. Fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) bought at wholesale and sold at just below retail will give you a competitive edge and net some fast cash. Set up a cart or kiosk in a high traffic area like a mall or street corner or design a direct sales program.
You can also sell online via your own website, or list items piecemeal on third company sites like Amazon and Ebay. Also keep a look out for other vending opportunities at local community events, schools, community centers, markets, and swap meets nearby.
Business to Businesses Services (B-to-B)
Brainstorm ways that you can add value to your knowledge and make it available to other businesses. Instead of focusing on consumers, break into the business service industry. What service or niche knowledge can offer your fellow business clients? The possibilities here are literally endless. You can offer a service that is tried and tested, like transcription, filing, or shredding services or you can come up with ideas that no one’s tried yet where you know there’s a need.
This is where your experience in at your day job will come in handy. Brainstorm services that you wish you had or wish your company provided to you that are directly related to your specific field – consider all the possibilities. You may hot upon the next “big thing” in business to business services!
If you want to work directly with companies as a consultant or freelance professional create profiles with online freelancing sites like Freelancer, or Upwork, to put yourself out there for potential business clients to see and hire.
Provide a Personal Service
Fill your client’s unmet needs in their day-to day lives. Personal services can include jobs like; dog walking; childcare; home organization; cooking and cleaning; personal shopping; nutrition or fitness coaching; or even tutoring.
If you’re good with budgets, accounting, or project management, also consider assisting people with developing new responsible spending plans, managing or consolidating their student debts, or giving them the tools they need to save for their own personal goals.
If you take some time to sit and write out all the ideas and possibilities you are sure to find a few that are in line with your unique skills and experiences – a job that you look forward to putting energy into – each and every day.