Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Back to the drawing board.
Thanks to all of you who have offered encouragement and comments to my I need your help! post. I do appreciate it.
So, it's back to the drawing board. What other legitmate home-based businesses are out there...that don't involve food? Please, share your thoughts and ideas, and if you can include website links or phone numbers, I'd sure appreciate it!
Magi left a comment cautioning me to look into Health Dept regs, since my idea of a home-based bakery would involve making food for public consumption. I looked online and found some of the Health Department regulations. Let me just say that they make it pretty darned hard to meet the guidelines by working from home. I'm not sure that a home-based bakery is going to work.
So, it's back to the drawing board. What other legitmate home-based businesses are out there...that don't involve food? Please, share your thoughts and ideas, and if you can include website links or phone numbers, I'd sure appreciate it!We hope to make a decision about whether or not to accept the NE job within the next day or two.
Thanks for your input! I do appreciate it.
Labels: family, home-based business, leap of faith, working mommy
18 Comments:
I'm just catching up with you...
I did not start a business up from scratch but did to Pampered Chef for three years, quitting just a year a and a half ago. I wasn't even a so-called cooking expert, but I learned a lot and it actually a lot of fun. I earned quite a big of extra money...but when I decided to homeschool, I knew I had to let something go. But I do miss that spending money!
I know you're probably looking at starting something from the ground up...whatever you decided, I hope it flourishes and is lots of fun!
Blessings!
i know of someone who makes and sells scented candles. she pours all of them into jars (like mason jars) so there's no need to mess with molding them into certain shapes or anything. she mixes up different essential and aromatherapy oils to make different scents. i think she has a website, makes specials sales for friends for the holidays, and may even sell them at local craft shows.
That's a bummer. I did a little research on the subject myself and found a ton of websites with work-at-home businesses, but like you, I'm not sure which ones are legit. I have a lot of friends who've done the home party thing like Tammy with Pampered Chef and they seem to like it, but most people I know quit after a year or two or three.
Good luck with your search. I think you just need to think about what you like/like to do and go from there. If you really like children, perhaps a home-based daycare. If you are musically inclined, piano lessons? If you are a crafter, something creative that doesn't involve food... not sure if any of those apply to you, but just a suggestion for a place to start.
Sorry, I hated to be a party-pooper, but I figured you'd want to know before you put too much effort into this project. I hope you come up with something really cool, so I can copy you. ;O)
I'm just catching up with the previous post, too, so first let me say I can't wait to hear the decision you and Oronzo reach.
I've only ever done one home based business but trust me, it's not for everyone. I had a day care home. Back in the 70's I took in two babies and four toddlers and cleared about $600 a week. Day care is, of course, a lot higher now. And yes, there are state and county regulations but they're not out of line when you realize children are involved.
It's hard work. And definitely not for everyone. But it is sometimes a simple solution for a young mother who wants to stay at home with her children. One side benefit, of course, is daily play groups for your own children.
I am just catching up, also.
Good luck on the decision making on the new job offer. I know it has to be a hard decision.
I don't have any great ideas as far as a home based business. I thought the cookie ideas sounded great, but I have hear how hard it can be. I know that a lot of my friends do home daycare, so that they can stay at home with their own children. Every state has different rules, but many you are not required to have a license if you have less than a required amount of children daily. They make pretty good money, but I know that childcare isn't for everyone.
Whatever you all decide, I wish you nothing but the best!
I do Mary kay.......but I have friends who do Arbonne, Pampered Chef, maybe even a part time job at a local church could get you some extra $$$$$...let us know.
You could do a catery business with baking, someone near me does that and they are able to do it from home, mostly doing baked goods for office functions etc.
Also, what about child minding a toddler while parents work? You don't necessarily have to do it 5 days a week, you could look for someone who wants someone part time?
Like I said in my post on Sunday, thanks so much for the recipe!
I didn't get a chance to comment yesterday and I've been trying to come up with bakery-themed names for your business! That's a bummer that a home-made bakery would be hard to do because I think you would do really well with one! I'm sorry it looks like that avenue may be out.
I do have a home-based business, but it's with Discovery Toys, and I think you were looking for something different weren't you? Something you create yourself? Wish I had some ideas for you!
I know this is a very big decision for you guys to take this job and move back to NE or not. Is there any negotiating with for his salary? Is there potential for the salary to increase?
Good luck with what you decide!
Hope you don't mind but don't give up your first instinct -- i.e. baking.
Also, stay away from those online surveys. Most of the time, these surveys will only give you the "chance" to win some sort of lottery. Rarely, will they pay you.
But that's me. Perhaps I'm not part of their target market.
I love photography and writing, being a former investigative journalist. But I love taking care of my two kids more. So I "reinvented" myself. As you know, I do digital artwork (ie. turning photos into paintings, wall mount art) but only of photographs that I can take from home or in places that are safe and healthy for my kids.
And I found out that lots of mom and dads (ahem!) love them. More importantly, my kids and wife love me for it.
It's a struggle. But no regrets.
Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/
Have you thought about taking in a child for daycare? When I quit my job and Justin was 15 months old, I was able to slowly transition out of my position and into daycare. I watched a little girl 3-4 days a week, and it was awesome. She went everywhere with us, and was Justin's best friend. Plus, I was able to glimpse life with 2 children. After the difference of paying for Justin to be in daycare and gas and what-not, I was only making a tiny bit LESS staying home than working outside the home! Crazy.
I have a friend near Wayne that grows and sells her owned canned food from her home. I am not sure just what all she does but maybe she can give you guidance especially if you move to the area. I can gladly call her for you and also give you her number. She is a sweet heart like you!
Hugs!
My first thought was catering, too. I wonder if you're working for catering companies if some of the regulations are different since technically you're not dealing directly with the public? I don't know anything about it though.
One thing I've learned about working from home (I've been doing it for about five years now and so has my sister) is that it's not always easier than working not at home. The biggest thing is figuring out your boundaries and sticking to them. That's really hard for me -- I tend to work a little bit all day and never really get a break. If I'm doing something not work-related (like reading blogs after checking work email!) I feel really guilty. One of my goals in the change-over we're having as a family (my husband is getting laid off at the end of March) is having real childcare and scheduling my work hours. Either my childcare will be Brett (hopefully!) or else I'm going to see if my babysitter can pick up some more hours. It's just too crazy-making otherwise.
How close to Omaha will you be?? I am originally from Omaha and worked there post college for about 7 years. My Mom was also an HR person for an insurance claims processing place that had a lot of "home workers" that could input the data at home from all of the insurance claims.
Here's my e-mail - let me know how close to Omaha you think you'll be.
kimdavis99@yahoo.com
Sending tons of positive vibes for your decision! Moving is a tough gig but can be so rewarding!
Here are some avenues I've known others to take:
1. Taking in another toddler.
2. Pampered Chef.
3. Creative Memories (scrapbook company, much like Pampered Chef.)
4. Children's books. I know of someone in our small town that is a stay-at-home Mom...and is doing a business w/an established company like #s 2-3...but it's children's books. The parents (or other buyer) fill out a piece of paper w/personal details about the child, pick the book (choices are like 12-13 different titles)...and then she feeds the info into her computer program...and out pops a great personalized book for a child. the owner binds the book...it looks just like something you'd buy at Barnes and noble...very professional.
I will look for her card...or call around and see if I can find the name of the company. The book titles are for all ages, such as: Batman, football, cheerleading, All About Me, Jesus Made Me. etc.
Kristi in Texas
Not sure if you are a scrapbooker or not, but if so you can make a pretty good business from that. There are several people who make scrapbook page layouts and sell them on ebay or at craft fairs. There are so many people who love to have nice scrapbooks but just don't have the time to make them. You would price them depending on how elaborate a page is. You could also make themed books for weddings or baby books and sell an entire book for a good profit. I would search ebay for them to see how much they are going for. The best thing about ebay is that you don't have to leave your house to do anything now that the mail man will even pick up your outgoing packages at your door.
I make and sell hair bows. I started mainly selling on ebay (which I still do) and I also take custom orders from friends and people in my town. My biz is really starting to take off because I have decided to focus on it as a business and not just a hobby. I am doing Bow Parties now. I get someone to host a party and I set up in their home and sell to their friends who show up. It is set up kind of like a "Pampered Chef" party. I get others to host shows. I do pretty well for myself!
If you have a crafty talent take advantage of it.
Good Luck with whatever you do!
Linda
Post a Comment
<< Home