Balancing work and childcare isn’t getting any easier, and finding home business ideas and jobs you can do from home is more of a challenge than the Internet ads let on. For this reason, many moms have decided to take matters into their own hands, resulting in small businesses they can run on their own terms while looking after their kids. The good news is that with some organization and planning, you too can enjoy the flexibility and autonomy of running your own business from home – and it might just be the best thing you’ve ever done. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Blogger
These days, mommy-blogger success stories are a dime a dozen, but could blogging ever work for you? Absolutely, if you’re creative, dedicated and a little tech savvy, but blogging isn’t always as easy as it looks. To be successful, you must pick a niche and focus on reaching your target market, much like in any other kind of business, and you also need time to create regular posts. Luckily, it is entirely possible to make your blog into a full-time business through opportunities like affiliate marketing, advertising and selling digital products (i.e., eBooks and coaching materials), so long as you’re prepared to put in the groundwork.
Baker or Crafter
If you have a flair for arts and crafts or baking, why not put your skills to good use and get paid for your time? You can sell your products over the Internet using your website and then deliver them yourself or through a courier service. Don’t forget to update your social media pages regularly to get people excited about your products, and remember to brand your business, so you make an impression on your customers. You’ll need to pick a name and logo that tells people what you sell (e.g., Mom’s Cookies), then build your brand from there. If you need help with your branding and marketing (which most new businesses do), you can consult a full-service marketing agency like Eventige.
Online Tutor
Do you have a skill you’ve neglected since becoming a parent? Now you can put it to good use. Gone are the days when you had to go to the homes of students to provide tutoring; you can now use video conferencing platforms like Skype to share your expertise online while your children nap. So if you’re an English teacher on maternity leave or a stay-at-home-parent who’s fluent in French, you can use your skills to help others and get paid for your time.
Virtual Assistant
Whether you’re looking for a full-time income or just some extra money in your pocket, launching a virtual assistant business is a great way to work flexibly from home. You can offer services like research, writing, transcription, customer service and data entry. Again, you will need to promote your services with a website and social media presence, and you might also wish to sign up to a freelancer platform like Upwork or Fiverr to find jobs.
