Category Archives: Start your own Work at Home Business

10/22/11

Turn your Hobby into Cash!!

Sounds like a commercial for selling gold.  But, I’m here as a cheerleader, encouraging women to turn a hobby that you enjoy into money in your pocket!!  I know you can do it, because I have, and if I can do it, you can do it!

 

Everyone is good at something. 

 

And everyone has at least one hobby they enjoy doing.

 

So why not capitalize on that hobby?

 

For me, I enjoy writing.  I started college with a major in Journalism, before deciding half way through Freshman year that I loved both Political Science and Communication.  I often regret that decision.  So….I’ve turned my hobby into something more.

 

Although not my full time career, I truly enjoy writing.  A few years ago, I worked hard getting a couple sample pieces together to send to editors.   After a lot of effort, I got in as a freelancer for some local magazines.  I would have done the work for free!  The fact that they paid me was an added bonus. 

 

Although the pay was small at first, writing now is a real part of my income, paying for a car payment and some spending money each month. 

 

If your talent is making cakes, I encourage you to start making cakes for a profit.  Sell them to friends, family, or neighbors. 

 

Can you knit or sew?  Take it to the  next level by marketing and selling your craft. 

 

Two success stories I’ve written about, Julie and Megan, both are great examples of two women who chose to take their talent to the next level and earn a profit by sharing it with the world. 

 

Like to clean (ok, who really likes to do that, but maybe you do?) then start a side business as a part time cleaner.  Love kids?  Consider watching additional kids in your home or on the weekends.  Are all your friends always saying how well decorated your home is?  Market yourself as a part-time interior decorater.

 

Whatever it is you enjoy, find your God-Given talent (which we all have) and share it with the world!!

 

 

10/10/11

Tell your Employer, “I’m working from home!”

Perhaps one of the easiest–yet most overlooked options—for working at home is to stay with your current job!  Before you quit your office job in search for work at home opportunities, consider approaching your current employer about your desire to work at home.

 

“Yeah Right,” you’re thinking, “My boss would never go for that!”

 

Maybe, maybe not.  But it’s absolutely worth a shot.

 

In fact, this is exactly how I became a work at home mom.  Instead of taking a new position, I kept the job I loved, and made changes that satisfied both mine and my employer’s needs.

 

With a computer, phone, printer, and high speed Internet, I am able to telecommute with offices hundreds of miles away from me.

 

And don’t worry about your employer–there are incentives for them as well, including possible reduction in expenses (I now use my own paper/printer, coffee, electricity, etc).  Your employer may also notice an increase in productivity as you are able to get work done more efficiently without  distractions in typical work place environments such as water cooler chat, breaks, social lunches, commuting time, and gossip.

 

In addition, some employers will hire you on as an independent contractor, saving them hundreds or thousands of dollars in benefit payments.  (There are many  important things you should know about being an independent contractor before you agree to this, such as providing your own health insurance benefits)

 

If your employer is not yet on board, consider starting with one day a week from working at home.  Many Fortune 500 companies are offering this option to their employees, in an effort to save on commuting costs.

 

Start with one day a week until both you and your employer feel more at ease with the situation.

 

The economy is tight right now, so perhaps you are thinking this is not the time to negotiate with your boss.  On the contrary, you could be saving your employer money on overhead and benefits.  Additionally, new talent is expensive to find.  Most employer’s do not want to go through the process of replacing good employees, and are willing to work with you to meet your needs.

 

So have confidence, have a plan, and approach your boss about the mutually beneficial idea of working at home.