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There are a few businesses that you can get up and running
quickly if time is of the essence. If you've just lost a job or
you can't take the one you have much longer, here are several fast start ideas. (article continued below ...)
1. Private Tutor. To start this business,
you would have to be qualified in at least one academic subject,
have some teaching skills and experience (being a training
instructor could qualify). The subjects usually requiring
tutoring are math, foreign language and any of the sciences.
It's less demanding than full-time teaching and you don't have
to put up with the bureaucracy. It will undoubtedly be evening
and (perhaps) weekend work, but you can charge anywhere from $25
to $75 per hour depending on the subject.
2. Errand
runner/driver. Many businesses today are in need of a runner to
bring material around from place to place. A company which does
a lot of printing may need constant business to printer
assistance. As long as you have your own car and are a safe
driver, you're in business. You don't need to learn anything
about computers, either. You're simply in business. You will
likely always be on call during the week (maybe Saturdays), and
if you don't like traffic this could be a problem. You should be
able to canvass local businesses for work and be paid upwards of
$10 per hour. Your auto insurance agent should be informed of
the new use for your car.
3. Computer services for small
businesses. You'll need a computer, laser or bubble jet printer
and a fax machine to offer these services, but many small
businesses need the assistance. It might be in copywriting,
mailing programs, newsletters or maintaining a billing follow-up
database. You can charge from $20 per hour and up depending on
the work. It's easy to get going since you've already got the
computer in your home. Canvass businesses locally for work after
you've devised an attractive flyer listing and selling your
services.
There are other jobs that may require more set-up, but can be
fantastic money-making opportunities. Among these are:
1. Tax
preparer/bookkeeping services. Being computer literate will help
you handle several dozen clients all at once. You may need some
training if you are not a CPA, but software programs today make
it easier to walk through even the most complex tax situations.
You will be overwhelmed during the tax season of January to
April, but you can charge from $25 to $50 per hour and make
enough during the first four months of the year to almost get
you through the remaining months.
2. Specialty grower. Let's say
you have some land and you love to garden. You enjoy working
outdoors and are tired of working inside a building for a
living. Why not become a specialty grower? Gourmet stores all
over the country are looking for the unusual in the way of
plants and edible flowers. Herbs are also popular. You can even
sell the crops you grow at the local farmer's market on Saturday
mornings. If you already have the land and the desire to do
this, why wait. Start it part-time if you want, but you may find
dozens of outlets for your goods if you are up to the test. The
risk is bad weather, of course, but it's a chance worth taking
if you love gardening.
3. Cleaning services. Commercial building
maintenance people are often on the lookout for good help in
this area. You'll need a lot of cleaning supplies, but if you
can handle the evening hours and can find reliable assistants,
this can be a gold mine business, especially if you specialize
in the hard-to-do work like swimming pools, blinds and windows.
People hate to do windows. You can charge per house or per hour
for commercial buildings.
4. Massage therapist. If you're good
at giving massages, consider getting a license or certification
to be a massage therapist. Health clubs, running clubs, and
conventions are all good candidates for your work. You can earn
up to $100/hour but you have to be in good physical condition.
Arm, hand and back strength are particularly important. You make
your own hours!
5. Caterer. If you like to cook, consider the
catering business. If you have a good kitchen set-up and can
cook large volumes well and have a few unusual, but tasty,
recipes, you can become a local party favorite. Repeat business
is the name of this game and you can charge per person for your
catered meals or appetizers. Ethnic dishes are the in thing for
parties these days and the more diversified you are, the better.6. Computer consultant. If you are a programmer, this is
certainly a job that can lend itself to contract labor, run out
of your own home. Competition is heavy, but once you have a few
clients, you will likely make an excellent living at something
you're good at and probably enjoy. The low starting rate for
programmers is $50/hour and you can charge more based on your
expertise and the problem to be solved. The more diversified
your experience, the more likely the calls will be coming in for
your services. You will need to stay up on current technology,
but most programmers do this naturally. There is a plethora of
magazines and other publications about the latest and greatest
technology. Canvass local businesses to ascertain their computer
needs. You're only selling your services, so cold calling is a
low pressure issue. Most businesses have some complaint about
their computer system and are looking for easy answers from
someone who is local and has good knowledge and experience.
Solid computer expertise is invaluable to small businesses.
7.
Bed-and-breakfast accommodations. Wouldn't it be great to
operate a bed and breakfast in the middle of a territory that
attracts thousands of tourists and other travelers each year? If
you've a knack for hosting people on a full-time basis and have
the house to convert to a couple of extra bedrooms, you can be
in business. It's truly full-time, even though you're only
serving breakfast. There's laundry to do, beds to be made,
bathrooms to clean and reservations to handle, but it can often
be done at a leisurely pace. Room rates are $75 per night and
up, so the money can add up pretty fast. Be careful of burnout,
however, as there are no holidays from this job, unless you have
another person/couple who can take over for a couple of weeks.
8. Arts & Crafts. If you have a propensity for things arts
and crafty, you should consider selling your goods for a
living, part- or full-time. Have you ever walked around an art
show? There are plenty of these around and you can get a booth
and earn back your expenses for the day with one sale. If you
love to paint, sculpt, make pottery or whatever, there is a lot
of potential for you. You can also starve, too, but you don't
start up the business thinking that. Businesses buy lots of arts
and crafts each year for their firms' decorations or for sales
contest prizes, convention awards, etc. If you are already doing
this, you probably have studio space in your house plus some
supplies to get going. Step it up to the next level!
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