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Here's an excellent collection of
over 2OO easy business ideas for women that can be started with little
training and investment All these ideas are capable of producing additional
income.
Most of these businesses can be conducted in the privacy and comfort of
home, in between household chores, during weekends or at your leisure. All
of these ideas do not require extra help, brawn and best of all, some are
extensions of hobbies or skills developed or acquired from childhood.
For best results, browse through the business suggestions and write down
those that sound interesting. List the opportunities you would like to try
out. Then narrow the list down to one, two or more related businesses. For
instance, if you collect dolls as a hobby, you can start your own doll
making business or start designing and sewing doll clothes (specializing in
party clothes) for Barbie or Cabbage Patch kids.
These ideas are intended to stimulate you imagination. Only you can make the
decision based on your own experiences, qualifications, interests and the
current market in your community. As you compile your list of possibilities,
take a critical look around your area. Note what is and isn't available what
is overpriced or inadequate that people in your community will pay for. When
you find just the right combination, start preparing for a successful
business operation!
The first thing you must do is to prepare a BUSINESS PLAN. This is an
outline of what you plan to do and how you intend to do it. When you write a
business plan, it will make you organize your business in your mind and on
paper. This will insure your ultimate business success!
Be sure to check with city hall or county courthouse on local license, tax
or permit requirements before making your final selection/s and before
investing your money. Sometimes a minor adjustment at the start can prevent
future headaches.
Finally, familiarize yourself with your choice/s. Start ordering your office
supplies, but don't invest too much in stock because you may make
adjustments as you learn your market and adjust to market conditions.
GOOD LUCK IN YOUR NEW BUSINESS!
SELL THE REPRINT RIGHTS 7,000 CD-ROM! - Earn a Full-time income working
part-time. Harnessing the power of eCommerce has just been made simple ;-)
ADULT DAY CARE CENTER. Operate a center to look after elderly and/or
handicapped people. Offer refreshments, games and activities and assistance
but not "health care."
ADVERTISING SPECIALTIES. With distributor provided catalogs and samples call
on regular customers and supply them with custom imprinted pens, calendars,
matches, etc.
ADVERTISING SERVICE. Arrange for the design, printing and distribution of
advertising/announcement flyers, mail outs and ad campaigns for clients for
fee plus commission.
AFRICAN VIOLETS. Specialize in the propagation and care of this popular
indoor plant. Nurture, hybridize and sell when in full bloom. Sell
accessories and supplies.
ALTERATIONS. Replace buttons, let out cuffs, shorten sleeves, turn collars
repair tears for clothing stores, laundries and cleaners who don't already
offer this service.
AQUARIUM SNAILS. Raise red ram's horn snails for home and commercial fish
tanks. Sell to pet shops and aquarium dealers. Advertise in fish related
trade journals.
ARTIFICIAL PLANTS. Make your specialty artificial flowers and plants. Sell a
selection of arrangements, baskets and special occasion creations; take
custom orders.
BABY CLOTHES. Specialize in bargain-priced new and hand-me-down infant
clothing and supplies. Offer an alteration service; take in trades to
refurbish and resell.
BABY FOOD. Specialize in mixing, processing, packaging and selling homemade
natural baby foods. Licensing and insurance required, dedicated work area
strongly recommended.
BABY SITTING. Go to client's home by appointment and stay with the children
for hourly fee. Charge extra for two or more, doing housework or for taking
the kids out.
BABY PICTURES. With still or video camera, arrange with the hospital staff
to photograph newborns (with parents, nurses, visitors). Sell print sets to
proud parents.
BABY SITTING SERVICE. Accumulate a list of qualified, bonded sitters.
Advertise your service and rates, deliver and pick sitters. Collect fees and
pay sitters a percentage.
BABY'S DOLLS. Make and attach fine wigs from client baby's own baby hair to
keepsake dolls. Try to get cloth from baby's actual clothes to make similar
looking outfits for the doll.
BANQUET DECORATING. Take full charge of banquet room preparation: theme
decoration, seating arrangements, centerpieces. Advertise your service and
list with Chamber of Commerce.
BASKET WEAVING. Design, make and sell a variety of your basket creations:
plain and decorated (or with arrangements). Sell various fibers, plans and
instruction kits.
BATIK CREATION. Learn this ancient process: dip fabric in wax, crinkle,
scratch or melt design into the wax, then dip in dye. Clean, stretch and dry
for a valuable decoration.
BEAN SPROUTS. Grow fresh bean sprouts on a rotating basis: have new crop
every week or as needed to supply client restaurants, vegetable markets and
retail customers.
BEAUTY AIDS. Sell general or specialized beauty (or ethnic) supplies in your
home salon or by appointment. Represent established lines and/or sell you
own brand.
BONSAI PLANTS. Grow (or buy) and arrange into attractive pots or
arrangements. retail from your home, through ads, or wholesale to flower
shops, greenhouses and nurseries.
BOOK REVIEWING. If qualified, read current books for publishers or agents.
Write reviews to be quoted in book promotions or media reviews; work towards
your own column.
BOOK SALES. Sell general subject or specialized books wholesale or retail by
mail: through mailing lists or direct advertisements. Warning: lots of
competition in this field.
BOOKKEEPING SERVICE. Provide a (even beginning) bookkeeping services to
(especially one-person) small businessmen in your area. Expand to more
complex systems and computers.
BOTANICAL. Stock "magic" potions, roots, powders, candles, good luck charms.
Print (buy) and sell related instructions and lore. Careful not to guarantee
results.
BREAD SPECIALTIES. Bake and sell unusual varieties of home made breads: low
calorie, ethnic, etc. Take orders for loaves fresh from your kitchen,
deliver to stores on a route.
BRIDGE LESSONS. Give Bridge lessons in your home when you are qualified.
Charge by the lesson, or course. Hold tournaments, award prizes, publicize
students.
BROMELIADS. Specialize in culture of these beautiful pineapple relatives
with their hauntingly beautiful blooms. Sell growing on driftwood
arrangements for highest prices.
BUYER'S GUIDE. Publish and sell or give away your guide to best prices and
values available in your area. As it gains in popularity charge more to list
the businesses!
CACTUS CULTURE. Propagate, grow, groom and arrange native and exotic cacti
for retail and wholesale market. Prepare little information booklets for
each species.
CAKE DECORATING. Take orders to bake and decorate special occasion cakes.
Retail through small, constant ads ("CAKES- phone number"). Offer to
decorate bakery cakes.
CALLIGRAPHY. Easily learned by artistic person: work through ads and
stationary stores. Print fancy menus, show cards, place cards, invitations,
announcements, etc.
CAN ART. Make and sell pincushion chairs and other unique, decorative items
from tin cans and bits of cloth. Write down your plans and sell kits with
instructions.
CANDLE MAKING. Turn a hobby into a profitable business. Design your own
line, offer custom styling, scents and special effects. Between orders, make
standard items.
CANDY MAKING. Specialize in one or more types of candies that you can make
in your kitchen. Package with you brand and wholesale to stores or sell
through ads.
CANNING SERVICE. Preserve customer's home grown (or purchased) garden
products with your canning operation. Use your recipes or theirs, apply
personalized labels.
CARPET CLEANING. With steam shampoo equipment, clean and renew residential
and commercial carpets. Contact rental agencies, apartments and condos for
wholesale jobs.
CATERING SERVICE. Prepare old fashioned, gourmet or special occasion meals
for clients to pick up. Use insulated canisters to keep the food hot (charge
deposit).
CERAMIC FLOWERS. Learn to fashion, color, fire and arrange ceramic flowers,
both singles and in arrangements. Display them for sale; teach the art in
your ceramic shop.
CERAMICS. Make ceramic pieces to retail, wholesale and display in your
"school". Hold classes, sell greenware, kits and supplies. Charge for
finishing and firing pieces.
CHEESE MAKING. Make your own brand of unusual or gourmet cheeses from your
cow or goat milk. Sell from your place, on a route to area stores, or in
mail order kits.
CHILD PICK-UP SERVICE. Pick up and deliver client's kids after school,
theater, games. Pick-up, deliver to parties, charge extra to stay with them
until mom returns.
CHILDREN'S TOWN HISTORY. Write and illustrate a booklet about your town just
for kids. Sell copies to doctors, dentist offices, stores, hospitals and
nursery schools.
CHILDREN'S BOOKS. With licensed equipment, "publish" children's books with
their name appearing in print throughout the book. Set up booth in malls for
holidays.
CHILDREN'S ROOM DECORATOR. Specialize in decorating nursery and children's
rooms. Offer varied "package" motifs. Work with or through suppliers for a
commission.
CHILDREN'S CLOTHING. Specialized in new (stylish and/or closeout) and
outgrown children's clothes, accessories. Alter hand-me-downs, "wash" jeans,
monogram sweats.
CHINA and GLASS DEALER. Collect and deal in antique and interesting china
and glass items. Buy at auctions, private and public sales and through you
advertisements.
CLIENT LISTINGS. Contract to keep customer (or business) information lists:
customer birthdays, purchases, credit records, price records, employee
records.
MAKE-UP ARTISTRY. Make up women, actors for formal or entertainment
situations. Offer classes for beauty or actor application and sell "your"
line of make-up supplies.
CLIPPING SERVICES. Review newspaper publications for contracted subjects
(wedding announcements, graduations, mention of client products). Sell to
agents and merchants.
CLOTH LABELS. Make and sell small orders of fabric labels for small
businesses and home crafters on your embroider machine. Offer lower prices
for repeated orders.
COMMUNITY COOK BOOK. Publish a theme or organizational oriented recipe
collection with entries from each family/member/department. Print and
distribute for a fee.
COMPANION SERVICE. Accompany lonely, ailing or elderly people alone
temporarily, on shopping trips, to and from the doctor, on short tours or
when traveling longer distances.
COOKBOOK PUBLISHING. Publish a cookbook of your own favorite recipes
(usually a catchy, interesting subject collection). Promote and sell through
ads and stores.
COOKING LESSONS. Give gourmet/ethnic/regional cooking, canning, baking
lessons in your specialty from your kitchen, or by appointment in your
student's kitchen.
COOKING SERVICE. Prepare complete meals at home, from your traditional or
customized (gourmet, ethnic, traditional) menu to be delivered and served
hot, or picked up.
COOKING, CUSTOM. An overseas treat: offer genuine American style
home-cooking. Prepare and deliver (serve?) complete meals to parties,
banquets and private homes.
CURTAIN LAUNDRY. Wash, stretch and pleat curtains in your home laundry. Be
sure to learn fabric requirements and have insurance. Offer installation and
sell liners.
CUSTOM COOKBOOKS. Assimilate, decorate (personalize the cover) and custom
print (on computer), client recipe collections -- into their own "family
heirloom" cookbook.
CUSTOM HANDICRAFTS. Use your talents to embroider, tat, sew, crochet
products for customers with limited time or talent. Make extra good sellers
between custom orders.
CUSTOM CLOTHING DESIGNS. Paint, block print or transfer unique or custom
designs on clothing for smocks, aprons or fabrics to be used for clothing,
curtains or even upholstery.
CUSTOM KNITTING. Take orders for hand-knitted sweaters, stockings and sets
(ski outfits?). Make more fast sellers between orders; attach your labels to
all products!
CUSTOM TAILORING. Offer the luxury of hand made clothing: shirts, skirts,
coats, uniforms, suits. Good service to add to alteration business when you
feel competent to start from scratch.
CUT FLOWER BUSINESS. Grow and supply freshly cut flowers to markets and
florists in your area. Offer a variety of seasonal or specialize in one (or
two) greenhouse/ shade house grown varieties.
DANCING SCHOOL. Instruct others in your dance specialty in group or
individual classes. Be sure to "showcase" students to encourage them and
publicize your business!
DECORATIVE PATCHES. Design patches, quilt names and sew-on decals for
sweatshirts, garden shirts. Design completed garments and do-it-yourself
kits.
DIRECTORY PUBLISHING. Publish local information booklets or maps: where to
shop, eat, fish or visit. Booklets can be given away or sold by paid
advertisers, businesses.
DOLL CLOTHES. Difficult work for expert seamstresses, but pays well. Work
with doll makers, collectors, sell at fairs and through advertisements in
doll related publications.
DOLL MAKING. Use ceramic molds, hand paint and finish fine dolls to sell to
collectors, children and stores. Advertise in doll publications; attend doll
shows.
DOLL COLLECTING. Buy, sell and trade fine and antique dolls with other
collectors and investors. Visit shows and fairs regularly to keep abreast of
trends and prices.
DONUT MAKING. Make and sell a variety of donuts at home or in public view at
fairs, flea markets and public events. Offer "specials": tasty toppings,
bargain bags.
DRAPERY SERVICE. Make (have made), clean or alter drapery for private or
commercial customers. Sell replacements. Use ads for retail jobs, call on
commercials.
DRAPERY CLEANING. Offer in-home (in-office) or pick-up service to renew and
re- pleat curtain fabrics. Offer re-lining and expand to do upholstery,
walls, and rugs.
DRY CLEANING. Offer a dry cleaning service in your area for clothes, drapes,
etc. Send items to processing plant until you are ready to do the cleaning
yourself.
ELEPHANT GARLIC. Specialize in growing and marketing this remarkable,
delicious giant garlic for gourmet restaurants and stores. Sell fresh, dried
and frozen.
ENAMELING/CLOISONNE. Create beautiful, unique enameled objects of art to
sell: your own designs, themes, plaques, jewelry, trinkets. Sell at shows
and via catalogs.
ERRAND SERVICE. Perform errands for individuals and businesses: go to the
corner store or across the country. Deliver or pick up messages, packages,
important papers.
ESCORT SERVICE. Supply (legitimate) escorts for official and business
functions. Advertise for on-call escorts. Interview and qualify; have your
entire services bonded.
ETHNIC ARTIFACTS. Buy/create and market one category of products (Indian,
Black heritage, German, Asian). Focus all of your advertising and expertise
on specific market segment.
EXERCISE COMPANION. Serve as a walking, jogging companion for company,
morale support and extra protection (good in cities). Carry any necessary
(legal) protection.
EXERCISE FOR SENIORS. Conduct daily passive aerobic classes and sessions for
different categories (agility) of senior citizens at your place, and stops
on a daily route.
EXOTIC DISHES. Package and sell your "special" recipe: frozen or fresh;
wholesale or retail. Advertise the product locally and rent a booth at fairs
to publicize it.
EXOTIC VEGETABLES. Grow high value plants (chives, watercress, capers). Use
a small greenhouse to produce big profits. Deliver fresh to restaurants and
stores.
EXOTIC PLANTS. Raise and sell especially valuable plants, such as four leaf
clovers, rare mosses or delicate begonias. Advertise and display often at
fairs and shows.
FOWER ARRANGING. Arrange flowers for parties, banquets, office functions,
from general decor to head table centerpieces. Make up displays to sell
through stores.
FLOWER DRYING. Raise or buy dryable flowers and shrubs for retail and
wholesale customers: one kind packets or arrangements. Sell kits with
complete instructions.
FOLK ART GALLERY. Specialize in folk art. Become an "expert" in one or more
areas (and receive much free publicity). Buy, sell, take consignments,
appraise, teach.
FORMULAS. Research libraries and books for marketable formulas: soap,
shampoo, hair tonic, cleaners. Bottle or package under your own label and
market locally.
FORTUNE TELLING. If you are good at palmistry or tarot reading, give
performances at parties, fairs and at a mall booth and at festivals. Sell
booklets, card kits.
FREELANCE HOT FOOD DELIVERY. Contract to use your van to deliver hot food
for one or more fast food businesses. Have set of magnetic signs each
sponsor. Save them money.
FREEZE DRY FLOWERS. With your equipment freeze dry and preserve wedding
bouquets, corsages, centerpieces. Add this service to florist or nursery
business for extra income.
GALLOPING GOURMET. Go to people's homes by appointment; cook them a gourmet
meal! Furnish helpers, utensils, condiments, place settings service if
desired for extra charges.
GARAGE CLEANING. Contact to clean out garages, sheds and attics for
individuals, rental agents and absentee landlords. Get paid for the work AND
keep anything of value.
GARAGE SALE SERVICE. Set up, promote and manage garage sales for
inexperienced or reluctant clients. Inventory, help price and sell for
percentage of the proceeds.
GARAGE SALES. Buy under-priced items at auctions and other garage sales.
When sufficiently "stocked" have your own -- or hold "joint" sales at
various locations.
GENEALOGY. Trace and document family archives. Provide records and related
artifacts to descendants. Charge by amount of research involved and
documents produced.
GHOSTWRITER. Write articles, letters, reports, speeches and other papers for
busy executives and those with little talent in this area. Provide signed
agreement to clients.
GLASS ETCHING. Custom-etch glassware for individuals, and to order for
retail stores. Offer monograms, town or company logo, family crest, art
designs or scenery.
HANDBAGS. Specialize in ladies handbags. Make them in your "factory" to
retail or wholesale, or buy and stock a wide variety of sizes, styles,
colors and prices.
HANGING PLANTS. Specialize in hanging plants of all sizes and descriptions.
Display when in peak condition in various types of attractive pots, holders
and hangers.
HEALTH FOODS. Use only natural fertilizers and pesticides in your garden to
produce higher priced organically grown products. Sell as "organically
grown" products.
WORD PROCESSING. Produce "editable" drafts and finished professional
letters, manuscripts and documents for students, lawyers, writers and
businesses. Allow editing prior to final printing.
HERB HOUSE. Grow, process and sell herbs that grow well in your area (or
greenhouse). Package products separately and in blends (e.g. pickling
preparations).
HERB PLANTS. Provide live, healthy potted herbs (basil, chives, borage) for
really fresh seasoning to gourmet restaurants. Exchange for new plants as
needed.
HERBAL SEASONINGS. Develop, package and market your own blends of seasonings
for local, hopefully wider distribution. Arrange for attention-getting
packaging to expedite sales.
HERBAL AND SPICE TEA. Blend and sell different blends of herbal teas.
Include leaflets with history and folklore in each package. Use uniquely
decorated containers.
HOBBY NEWSLETTER. Originate a newsletter or directory for and about
hobbyists and their crafts. Build readership by fostering participation,
exchanging ideas, listing fairs and supply sources.
HOBBY KITS. Sell do-it-yourself hobby kits in your field of expertise.
Include step-by- step guidance and pictures to help beginners learn the
craft.
HOLIDAY, SPECIAL EVENT BASKETS. Prepare holiday and special event baskets of
fruit, flowers, "goodies". Wholesale or consign to gift stores and advertise
custom retail work.
HOME-CANNED GOODS. Take orders or sell home canned goods from your garden.
Offer ethnic, regional, or dietary (low-salt/sugarless) as well as "regular"
recipes.
HOME-SMOKED MEATS. With your smoker, recipes and wood selection, smoke and
sell your sausage, hams, ribs and chicken. Offer hot smoked meats &
sandwiches for holidays and banquets.
HOME PERMANENTS. Specialize in giving "home perms" at "their" place. Go to
offices, homes, hospitals, senior citizen centers by appointment or on a
route.
HOME STUDY COURSES. Sell/rent new/used home study courses. Buy new courses
on sale (when available), buy courses back from students. Sell locally and
by mail order.
HOMEMAKER'S HELPER. Provide temporary relief or assistance for sick,
vacationing or just plain "pooped" moms. Charge by the hour or job (more
than a full-time helper).
HOMEOPATHY. Specialize in natural remedy products and related folklore.
Provide information on "reputed" remedial properties. Be very careful not to
offer "cures".
HOROSCOPE SERVICE. Provide horoscope/astrology information to clients --
prepare manually or use your computer program to select and/or print out the
information.
HOSPITAL GROOMING. Assist patients with nail, hair, skin care in hospitals
and nursing homes. License may not be needed to provide an appreciated
service on a route.
HOUSE CLEANING. Offer one-time or periodic house cleaning services. Perform
the heavy tasks (shampoo rugs, clean stoves, wash windows, wax the floors,
defrost, etc.)
IMPRINTED CLOTHING. Print (or have printed) names, designs, slogans on
T-shirts, hats, uniforms by heat transfer, screen or sublimation for
schools, companies, or tourists.
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS, CASSETTES. Make recordings of yourself or others
teaching and demonstrating their crafts and specialties. Market via mail or
wholesale to stores.
INVISIBLE MENDING/WEAVING. Repair snags, tears, burns in fine clothing and
fabrics. Advertise locally work with cleaners and clothing stores in your
area.
JEWELRY SALES. Sell inexpensive to fine jewelry to friends, through party
plans, direct from advertisements, or wholesale to local stores. Compare
suppliers constantly!
JEWELRY BOXES. Make fine jewelry boxes (lined, lacquered, inlaid, shell
covered) for gift stores, catalog sales and retail sales. Add music works
for extra profits.
JEWELRY CREATIONS. Use your talent and ingenuity to mass produce or
individually create exquisite jewelry -- from virtually anything from
diamonds to sliced bamboo.
JEWELRY BUYING (OLD). Buy old, "worn out" or "outdated" jewelry for
"salvage". Actually, rejuvenated old jewelry is quite valuable! Sell "waste"
only as salvage.
JUNK JEWELRY ART. Buy old jewelry and create designs on framed velvet
backgrounds. Glue on beads, drill holes for lights. Wire and light for a
spectacular display.
KID PHOTO DOLLS. Take or use photos of kids to make various size (up to full
size) "paper dolls" of client's children. Cut out, seal in plastic and mount
in slot on sturdy plywood and base.
KITCHEN SPECIALTIES. Whip up and sell your mouth-watering or prize-winning
recipes. Sell to local restaurants or advertise with big posters at the fair
booth. Sell hot, canned or frozen!
LAPIDARY (GEM MAKING). Operate a "rock shop" in your garage. Cut, polish
facet, shape and mount gems in commercial findings. Sell mounted, unmounted
gems and jewelry.
LIVE-IN AGENCY. Check out both prospective employers and workers. Charge fee
to find a reliable widow to stay with elderly person who would otherwise
have to go to a home.
LOCAL WHO'S WHO. Compile and publish a directory or index with biographical
sketches of prominent people (pioneers, heroes, leaders) in your area, past
and present.
LOCAL HEROES. Research and write items about local heroics (police, scouts,
lady pioneers, ancestors). Sell to local publications and again later as a
collection.
LONELY HEARTS. Advertise for, list and match names of people who would like
to meet others. Consider age, interests, hobbies, what they like in others,
church affiliation, education.
MACRAMÉ. Make and sell a good selection of hangers and hangings. Take orders
for custom work. Find (keep secret) good sources for materials, sell
do-it-yourself kits.
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS. Sell a variety of magazine subscriptions from your
"office"; Use "gimmicky" ads, give credit for leads and do lots of telephone
canvassing.
MAIL ORDER SALES. Find the right product, "showcase" it, advertise it, and
sell it by mail (ad and/or mailing lists). Caution: Heavy competition and
many "sharks"!
MAIL ORDER BOOKS. Sell books by mail (most suppliers will drop-ship). Always
offer follow-up products and check several sources before "signing" with any
one.
MANICURE SERVICE. Provide nail care service in or from your "salon." Check
needs in hospitals, nursing homes, even office and factory workers on break.
MINERALS AND GEMS. Where petrified wood, meteorites, jade, or other
potential gem minerals are available, gather and process them. Sell finished
jewelry and stones.
MINIATURE GARDENS. Create various sizes of garden-like displays of live
plants for hospital sick rooms, boxes for balconies, rooftop planters,
offices and residences.
MONOGRAM SERVICE. Embroider names, logos, initials on clothing, uniforms and
company team jackets. Specialize in a style or service, charge extra for
custom work.
MULTI-LEVEL SALES. Work with reputable company (e.g. Amway, Watkins) to make
money from sales of merchandise -- both your own sales and those by others
that you sponsor into the program.
MUSHROOM CULTURE. Grow and sell mushrooms. Fill standing gourmet restaurant
and store orders, advertise for retail sales. Can, freeze or dry leftovers
and stems.
NAIL POLISH MANUFACTURING. Buy red lacquer in bulk and bottles in bulk. Mix
in various colors, bottle and sell. Add your own nail polish remover
(acetone mixture).
NARRATING. Use your speaking ability to narrate private or commercial
movies, videos, demos and advertisements. Sell taped versions for slide show
presentations.
NATIVE PLANTS. Become an expert on plants native to your locale. Grow,
propagate and improve. Raise the value of your plants and seeds by enclosing
an informative brochure in each pack.
NATURAL JEWELRY. Make and sell jewelry and decorations from seeds, twigs,
berries. Example: China berry seed necklaces, "moose-apple" pins, acorn
beads, willow wreaths.
NATURE'S PRODUCTS. When in an area with wild products (hickory nuts, maple
syrup) that you can harvest, do so! Process, package and sell as genuine
products of nature.
NECKTIES. Make and sell exclusive, hand made ties from exotic materials from
all over the world. Offer a wide selection of designs, attach your exclusive
label.
NEEDLECRAFT. Make and sell homemade items (pot holders, bonnets, towel
rings) to sell on consignment, to mail order catalog companies, or through
parties and ads.
PAPER SCULPTURE. Create and sell your own unique "heads", figures,
caricatures, abstracts, even effigies! Sell for up to $5O each for holidays,
promotions, parties.
PAPER MACHE SCULPTURE. Create a selection of your "standard" caricatures,
piñatas and offer custom versions. Assemble do-it-yourself kits with full
instructions.
PARTY PACKAGES. Make up and market complete party packages with innovative
games, masks, favors, stunts and entertainment for various age, size and
interest groups.
PARTY PLANNING. Take complete charge of customer's planned party: decorate,
schedule activities, send invitations. Arrange entertainment, catering and
clean-up.
PASTE CRAFT. Glue unusual fabrics onto hard surfaces (trays, dishes) to sell
in craft shops. Build stock of fabrics and projects, teach, sell
do-it-yourself kits.
PEN PAL SERVICE. Advertise in overseas publications. Offer to enroll host
country citizens in correspondence clubs for US or other nationality pen
pals. Offer introductions.
PEN PAL CLUB. Advertise for members and arrange into categories by age,
location, sex, interests, etc. Charge for membership (or newsletter),
addresses or "matches" from your files.
PERFUME BAR. Stock and sell a selection of genuine and/or "imitation" brand
perfumes and accessories from your salon (have samples and take orders to
start).
PERSONALIZED OFFICE ITEMS. Make and/or sell personalized (engraved or
monogrammed) office accessories: logos, coffee cups, desk signs,
paperweights, briefcases, etc).
PET SITTING. Feed, water, clean up after and check on pets twice a day in
their homes while owners are away. Call owners or veterinarian if there are
any problems.
PET HOTEL. Board and care for pets in your kennels or cages while owners are
away. Or, work with assistants who provide "foster homes" for unusual or
pampered pets.
PET TATTOOING. Offer this permanent identification service to breeders and
individuals to deter theft, expedite recovery of lost pets and confirm
lineage (e.g., breeder has record of marks).
PIES AND COOKIES. Take orders or contract for baked goods from your kitchen.
Deliver to customers or stores daily with your name and logo imprinted on
the cartons.
PILLOWS. Make and decorate designer, fancy, or "down home" pillows to sell
in boutiques, fairs, party plans, sales catalogs and/or advertisements and
mail order.
PLANT SCULPTURE. A profitable specialty: braid trunks, shape into
interesting forms. Trim, bend, graft, to create valuable sculptures that
bring premium prices.
POMANDERS. Revive this old Egyptian art: process oranges into hardened and
long- lasting sachets. Use spice and perfume mixtures and penetrating
cloves: sell!
POPCORN PRODUCTS. Make and market various popcorn base products. Give your
recipes exotic names. Create your colorful holiday and special occasion
containers.
POTTED PLANTS. Learn to start (propagate) and groom popular potted plants.
Display in attractive settings, especially when they are in bloom or full
foliage.
POTTERY. With your potter's wheel, make, fire and sell your own style of
pottery. Encourage onlookers and students and put your "mark" on every piece
you offer for sale.
PRINTS, LINOLEUM. Cut your artistic designs into linoleum blocks; make and
frame your prints. Teach the art, sell kits, publicize student work (great
advertising!).
PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS. Contract with food brokers to demonstrate consumer
products (prepare and give out samples) in supermarkets, drug stores and
shopping malls.
PRODUCT-BROKER. Buy a quantity of a product wholesale (preferably at a
close-out price) and advertise it as a "one-time special" locally. Sell
leftovers at close-outs!
POTTED PLANTS. Learn to start (propagate) and groom popular potted plants.
Display in attractive settings, especially when they are in bloom or full
foliage.
POTTERY. With your potter's wheel, make, fire and sell your own style of
pottery. Encourage onlookers and students and put your "mark" on every piece
you offer for sale.
POTTED PLANTS. Learn to start (propagate) and groom popular potted plants.
Display in attractive settings, especially when they are in bloom or full
foliage.
POTTERY. With your potter's wheel, make, fire and sell your own style of
pottery. Encourage onlookers and students and put your "mark" on every piece
you offer for sale.
PRINTS, LINOLEUM. Cut your artistic designs into linoleum blocks; make and
frame your prints. Teach the art, sell kits, publicize student work (great
advertising!).
PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS. Contract with food brokers to demonstrate consumer
products (prepare and give out samples) in supermarkets, drug stores and
shopping malls.
PRODUCT REPACKAGING. Buy bulk products (nails, beans, vinegar) by the ton or
barrel. Re-package into neatly labeled packets, pints, boxes and sell for
much more.
PUPPET MAKING. Create your own puppets (cartoon, caricatures or custom
faces). Give shows at children's parties, train both "actors" and puppet
makers. Sell kits.
QUILTING. Make and sell beautiful homemade quilts from "scraps" in your
"spare time". Take color photographs of each quilt and make a "catalog" to
show them.
RAG DOLLS. Make and sell rag, sock and similar stuffed dolls in your own
unique fashion. Attach your label and offer to stores in your area and via
mail nationwide.
READING TO PATIENTS. Visit hospitals, nursing homes or individual homes and
read stories, novels to patients. If time is limited, read a chapter a week.
Charge relatives.
REAL PEOPLE DOLLS. Make and dress doll representations of real people
(heroes, historical, actual clients). Include information about the person.
Present in attractive glass display boxes.
RECIPE SALES. Perfect your favorite recipes. Promote and sell them
individually, in small sets, or collections. Sell something that will make
the cook look great!
REPORT WRITING. Write information or "how-to" articles on subjects in which
you are well versed. Sell to technical publications or advertise and sell
"reports" direct.
RESIDENTIAL POSTCARDS. Take pictures of well-kept homes and make.
RESUME SERVICE. A professional resume writing services: interview and review
qualifications. Slant for types of job sought: include picture on each
resume (computer programs exist).
RUG MAKING. Make sell hand woven (or?) rugs in standard and custom designs.
Offer instructions, materials do-it-yourself kits, plus related supplies and
equipment.
SCARECROWS. Make and sell authentic scarecrows for gardeners and garden
displays. Also, sell kits, complete with frames, straw, and old clothes and
face parts.
SCREEN PRINTING. Set up a silk screen apparatus in your shop to print
anything from a small badge to a large order of real estate signs, even
fabrics and labels.
SEED PACKETS. Collect, sort, label and sell packets of selected wildflowers
or plants native to your area. Include instructions, history and folklore on
each package.
SEED DEALER. Buy bulk seeds from suppliers or farmers. Repackage into small
packets and blends. Add instructions and package along with folklore info;
wholesale to local markets.
SEWING SERVICE. Make repairs and do alterations for non-sewing (busy
bachelor?) clients needing buttons, adjustments. Charge extra for one-day or
"emergency" service.
SEWING CLASSES. When qualified, hold sewing classes in your home. Offer full
courses as well as special "how-to" seminars for specific techniques. Sell
material and supplies to students.
SHELL CRAFTS. Use glue, dyes, toy animals eyes, props and your imagination
to make shell decorations and novelties to sell at fairs and wholesale to
local stores.
SHOPPING SERVICE. Do grocery shopping for clients. Get their list, buy and
deliver. Use your shopping, pricing experience and volume buying to get best
values.
SHUT-IN SERVICE. Call and/or visit temporary or permanent shut-ins on behalf
of absentee relatives. Take magazines, play games, read to them, and be
their friend.
SILK FLOWER RENTALS. Make up silk flower arrangements for weddings,
funerals, bar mitzvahs and banquets. Sell, rent and offer do-it-yourself
baskets, centerpieces, etc.
SNAIL RAISING. Raise and sell fresh "escargot" (edible) snails for gourmet
restaurants. Preserve, package and sell leftovers to local stores or a food
broker.
SOAP-MAKING. Learn as a hobby or adjunct to candle making. Create and sell
various shapes, colors, fragrances. Mold prepared solutions or make your
soap from scratch.
SPECIALTY FOODS. Represent one or more suppliers of specialty foods (diet,
ethnic, gourmet) to restaurants, stores and/or individuals. Advertise for
customers.
SPECIALTY MERCHANDISE. Sell a line of merchandise from your catalogs and
samples to retail stores, individuals, and sub-sales efforts like parties or
group discounts.
SPICES AND HERBS. Grow spices and herbs that thrive in your climate (and
greenhouse). Sell dried, blended, freshly cut, in flats or pots, packets and
bunches -- ready for use.
SPIDER FARM. Raise different kinds of spiders: sell webs to scientific
institutions. Sell to schools and laboratories. Write booklets for each
species.
STAMP APPROVALS. Buy U.S. or foreign stamps in bulk; search for valuables
(to sell individually); sell the rest in packets or as approvals (e.g., 2
for each one kept).
STAMP DEALING. Buy, sell and/or trade postage stamps of the USA or world.
Buy in bulk, sell packets, mixtures, sets and singles to beginning or
intermediate collectors.
STENCILING (FABRICS). Design your own stencils for interesting fabric
designs. Apply to clothing and fabrics for sale. Sell stencils, fabric kits
paints, dyes and supplies.
STORY TELLER. Narrate stories at children’s' parties. Use props (dolls,
pets, puppets) and audience participation. Perfect the stories then tape or
put down on paper.
SURPLUS PRODUCE. Buy peaches, tomatoes, etc., when in season and price is
low. Preserve (freeze, can, dry) to sell when the price goes later in the
season or in winter.
TAILORING. Use your skills to custom tailor men, boys and women's garments
(including jackets, uniforms, suits) in or from your home "shop". Attach
your own label.
TALENT AGENCY. Locate and list people (and animals) with unusual talents
(charge a small listing fee). Send lists to talent agents, producers, show
managers, and actors.
TAMALES AND TACOS. Take orders for tamales, tacos (or other specialties) in
your kitchen for customer or pick-up (or delivery to restaurants). Freeze
leftovers.
TELEPHONE CANVASSING. Contract with salesmen or businesses to obtain leads
or potential customer info for them from your telephone operation. Charge by
the lead.
TELEPHONE SALES. Call listed or phone book names to sell merchandise or
services (yours or client's).Charge a sales commission and keep ALL profits
on your products.
TEMPLE RUBBINGS. With lumber (or similar) crayon and rugged, fabric, copy
stone or metal relief designs by rubbing onto covering paper or fabric.
Seal, frame and sell.
TERRARIUMS. Start and nurture plants in bottles and plastic containers that
require little if any watering. Grow plants to peak of attractiveness and
sell, container and all.
TOWN HISTORY. If none exists, "publish" a booklet about your town. Sell
direct and/or to merchants for resale or to give away (consider including
paid advertisements.)
TURTLES. Raise and market various types of turtles: edible, aquarium,
decorative, pet shop and possibly larger ones to protect species and/or
market to zoos and preserves.
TUTORING. Provide assistance by appointment or scheduled classes to students
(anyone in need) of your expertise, whether academic, technical or
operational skill.
TYPING SERVICE. Do typing jobs in your home: for doctors, lawyers, business
people, and students. Charge less than word processor but still make a nice
profit.
USED BOOKS SALES. Buy, sell and trade used books: novels, reference,
science, text, even collector editions from your home.
VEGETABLES, OFF SEASON. Grow and sell "vine ripened" (with lights, heat)
tomatoes from your greenhouse in winter, fresh corn in spring, ripe
strawberries in the fall.
VITAMIN SALES. Sell one or more lines of vitamins and supplements, some with
generic or your name "brand." Advertise and/or enlist user/helpers and party
plans.
WEAVING, SPINNING. On old fashioned equipment, spin, weave and dye
authentic, hand made fabrics that command high prices; sell kits,
instructions and folklore.
WEDDING CONSULTANT. Plan and coordinate weddings from start to finish:
decor, guests, dresses, schedules, catering, photographer, etc. Receive fee
and commissions.
WILD BERRIES. Pick, preserve and sell wild (only!) blackberries,
gooseberries, etc. Prepare different forms, but always emphasize that they
are genuine wild products.
WILDFLOWER SEEDS. In your travels, gather wildflower seeds. Seal and label,
then take home and cultivate to produce seeds for packets "from around the
nation."
WILDFLOWER PLANTS. Start, nurture and market when ready, genuine wildflowers
and plants of local interest. Have small brochures printed for each plant
(this sells them).
WINE AND BEER MAKING. After perfecting your recipes, sell kits, instructions
and supplies (not the product) to others who would also like to make their
own too.
WORD PROCESSING. Produce "editable" drafts and finished professional
letters, manuscripts and documents for students, lawyers, writers and
businesses. Allow editing prior to final printing.
WRITE FOR CHILDREN. Write poems, Sunday school stories, puzzles,
explanations, riddles, etc., for children. Sell to local papers, children's
book publishers or in your own booklets.
WRITING, FREELANCE. Starting with local articles (even "filters"); sell or
even GIVE to local paper (to be "published"). Work up to articles and
stories that sell.
YOUR-BRAND PRODUCTS. Make or formulate your own line of household (or?)
products from "secret" recipes. Design your own packages and advertising and
market your products.
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