The 200 Best Home Businesses: Easy To Start, Fun To Run, Highly Profitable

275 Pages·2005·3.309 MB·English

by  Katina Z. Jones

The
S E C O N D E D I T I O N

2
0
The 200
Turn your career dreams into
0
a profitable reality! Best
B
e
T
ired of your humdrum workday routine? Looking for a new and excit-
s
Home Businesses
ing career path that allows you to be your own boss and make your
t
own rules? The 200 Best Home Businesses, Second Edition is the
book for you. H
This completely revised and updated secondedition profiles 200 of the
Easy to start • Fun to run • Highly profi table
best and most profitable businesses that you can run from your home. Inside,
o
you’ll fi nd jobs for your every interest, from computer programming to being
a personal chef. Each business profi le provides you with all the information m
you need to choose the business that’s right for you:
• The pros and cons of each business e

• Estimated startup costs B
• Skills needed
u
• Advertising tips
s
i
• Expert advice from home business entrepreneurs
n
No matter what your interest or level of experience, you can take charge
e
of your life, tap into your unique background and talents, and build a solid
career for the future. The 200 Best Home Businesses, Second Edition shows s
you how! s
e
Katina Z. Jones is the author of several books on starting home businesses, including the Adams Busi- s
nesses You Can Start Almanac. She lives in Akron, OH.
Photo by Bart Harris Second
Edition
$12.95 (CAN $14.50) Business/Career
ISBN-13: 978-1-59337-296-5
ISBN-10: 1-59337-296-5 Jones
K a t i n a Z . J o n e s
www.adamsmedia.com
Jones / 200 Best Home Businesses 1-59337-296-5 — by: EPS, Inc. (TN)
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S E C O N D E D I T I O N
TThhee 220000
BBeesstt
HHoommee BBuussiinneesssseess
Easy to Start ● Fun to Run ● Highly Profi table
Katina Z. Jones
Jones / 200 Best Home Businesses 1-59337-296-5 — by: EPS, Inc. (TN)
jjoonn7722996655__bbooookk..iinndddd ii 44//1144//0055 1111::5533::4455 AAMM
For Howard Lund, a master entrepreneur.
Copyright © 2005 F+W Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission
from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.
Originally published as Easy to Start, Fun to Run &
Highly Profitable Home Businesses, copyright © 1998 Adams Media.
Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company
57 Littlefield Street
Avon, MA 02322. U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com
ISBN 13: 978-1-59337-296-5 (paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1-60550-845-0 (EPUB)
ISBN 10: 1-59337-296-5
Printed in Canada.
J I H G F E D C B A
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Jones, Katina Z.
The 200 best home businesses / Katina Z. Jones.—2nd ed.
p. cm.
Rev. ed. of: Easy to start, fun to run & highly profitable home businesses. ©1998.
Includes index.
ISBN 1-59337-296-5
1.Home-based businesses—Management. 2. New business enterprises. I. Title: Two
hundred best home businesses. II. Jones, Katina Z. Easy to start, fun to run & highly
profitable home businesses. III. Title.
HD62.38.J66 2005
658’.0412—dc22
2005009559
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is
sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If
legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.
—From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a
Committee of the American Bar Association and a
Committee of Publishers and Associations
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where
those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed
with initial capital letters.
Composition and interior design by Electronic Publishing Services, Tennessee
This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.
For information, call 1-800-289-0963.
Contents
1 Accountant 30 Book Indexer
2 Adoption Agency 31 Book Packager
4 Advertising Agency 33 Bookkeeper
6 Advertising Sales Representative 34 Bridal Consultant
7 Animal Breeder 36 Bridal Show Promoter
8 Antiques Dealer 37 Building Maintenance Service
10 Apartment Preparation Service 38 Business Broker
11 Artists’/Photographers’ Agent 39 Business Form Production and
12 Arts Festival Promoter Sales
13 Association Management Services 41 Business Networking Service
14 Auctioneer 42 Business Plan Writer
16 Auditor 43 Cake Decorator
17 Automotive Detailing 44 Calligrapher
18 Automotive Loan Broker 45 Career Counselor
20 Automotive Maintenance 47 Carpet/Upholstery Cleaning
21 Automotive Paint Touch-Up 48 Catalog Retailer
Professional 50 Caterer
22 Band Manager 51 Childbirth Instructor
23 Bankruptcy Services 52 Child-Care Referral Service
24 Bartending Service 53 Collectibles Broker
25 Bartering Service 54 Collection Agency
27 Bed & Breakfast 56 College Application Consultant
28 Bicycle Rental 58 College Internship Placement
29 Boat Maintenance/Cleaning Service
Service 59 Color Consultant
Contents iii
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60 Commercial Cleaning Service 99 Event Planner
62 Commercial Photographer 100 Executive Search Firm
63 Commercial Plant Watering 102 Fan Club Management
Service
104 Fax-on-Demand Service
64 Computer Consultant
105 Feng Shui Consultant
66 Computer Maintenance Service
106 Financial Aid Consultant
67 Computer Programmer/Database
107 Financial Planner
Consultant
109 First Aid/CPR Instructor
68 Computer Trainer
110 Food Item Manufacturer
70 Concert Promoter
111 Framing Service
71 Consulting Engineer
112 Freelance Writer/Copyeditor/
72 Cooking Instructor
Illustrator
73 Corporate Art Consultant
114 Gardening Consultant/
74 Counselor/Psychologist Landscaper
75 Courier Service 116 Genealogical Service
77 Credit Consultant 117 Gerontology Consultant
78 Damage Restoration Service 118 Gift Basket Business
79 Dating Service 119 Government Contract Consulting
80 Day-Care Service (Child or 120 Grant Writer
Adult)
122 Graphic Designer
81 Desktop Publisher
123 Hairstylist
83 Digital Imaging Service
125 Handbill Distribution
84 Disability Consultant
126 Handyman Network
85 Disc Jockey
127 Home Business Consultant
87 Dog Trainer
128 Home Entertainment System
88 Doll Repair Service Service
89 Draftsperson 129 Home Health Care Service
90 e-Book Publisher 130 Home Inspector
92 Effi ciency Expert 131 Home Preparation Service
93 Electrical Contractor 133 Homeschooling Consultant
94 Employee Benefi ts Consultant 134 Image Consultant
95 Employee Leasing 135 Incorporation Service for
96 Engraving Service Businesses
97 Envelope Stuffi ng Service 137 Insurance Agent
98 Etiquette Adviser 138 Interior Designer
iv Contents
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140 Jewelry Designer 179 Newspaper Delivery Service
141 Knitting/Crocheting Instructor 180 Notary Public
142 Lactation Consultant 181 Online Auction Consignment
Service
143 Laundry Service
182 Online Marketing Specialist
144 Lawn Care Service
184 Online Message Board Manager
145 Lawyer
185 Online Retailer
147 Licensing Agent
186 Online Services Consultant
148 Literary Agent
187 Outdoor Adventures
150 Litigation Management Service
189 Outplacement Services
151 Magician
190 Paging Services
152 Mailing List Service
191 Party Planner
153 Makeup Artist
192 Personal Assistant
154 Management Consultant
193 Personal Development Coach
156 Manicurist
195 Personal Instructor/Fitness
157 Manufacturer’s Representative
Trainer
158 Marketing Consultant
196 Personal Shopper
160 Massage Th erapist
197 Pet Grooming
161 Meals to Go
198 Political Campaign Manager
162 Mediator
199 Pool Maintenance
164 Medical Claims Processing
200 Printing Broker
165 Medical Transcriptionist
201 Private Tutor
166 Meeting Planner
202 Product Designer
167 Message Retrieval Service 204 Professional Organizer
168 Messenger Service 205 Property Management Service
169 Mobile Paper-Shredding Service 206 Public Pay Phone Service
170 Modeling Agency 207 Public Relations Consultant
172 Monogramming Service 209 Publisher of Personalized
173 Mortgage Loan Broker Children’s Books
174 Mover 210 Rare Book Dealer
175 Multilevel Marketing 211 Real Estate Broker
176 Music Instructor/Professional 212 Relocation Consultant
Musician 213 Repair Services
177 Mystery Shopper 214 Resume Service
178 Nanny Service 216 Retirement Planner
Contents v
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217 Reunion Organizer 237 Temporary Employment Agency
218 Roommate Referral Service 239 Ticket Broker
219 Rubber Stamp Business 240 Time-Management Specialist
220 Sales of Novelty and Promotional 241 Trademark Agent
Products 243 Translation Services
222 Sales Representative 244 Travel Agent
223 Sales Trainer 245 Upholsterer
224 Seamstress 247 Used Computer Sales
225 Secretarial Service 248 Vacation Rentals Broker
227 Seminar Service 249 Vacuum Cleaner Repair
228 Silk Flower Arranger 250 Vending Machine Service
229 Small Business Consultant 251 Videographer
230 Standardized Test Preparatory 252 Web Site Developer
Services
254 Window Treatment Specialist
231 Stock Photography Service
255 Word-Processing Service
233 Systems Integrator
256 Workers’ Compensation
234 Tax Preparation Service Consultant
235 Telemarketing Service
vi Contents
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Introduction
Th ere has never been a more exciting time to start your own business. New busi-
nesses are springing up every day across the country, and the majority of them are
started right at home. Whether these new ventures are inspired by stay-at-home
moms looking to earn extra cash, young people starting their careers with their
own businesses, previously employed middle managers, or just regular folks look-
ing to increase their monthly income, many are fi nding themselves caught in the
entrepreneurial spirit.
As companies are learning to be leaner and meaner, career-minded indi-
viduals are learning that the only place to fi nd true job security is right in their
own home. Th ey already know that the best way to prevent a layoff is to open up
shop for themselves. Changes in government programs and tax benefi ts for these
entrepreneurs have created a market situation for which it has never been easier
to start—and operate—a new business. It’s almost as if you’d be foolish not to try
your hand at running your own show.
New technology in both the communications and computer industries has
made home offi ces the norm, instead of the exception. Many entrepreneurs have
been able to start their own home ventures while still employed, thus increasing
their capital and minimizing their day-to-day fi nancial risk.
Th is book, revised and updated with twenty-four new business opportuni-
ties, emphasizes the potential for many businesses that might start out as hobbies,
personal interests, or an expansion of a particular skill you might already have.
Take time to read through all of the business opportunities included here. You’ll
fi nd that there is a balanced mix of part-time and full-time opportunities. Many
jobs listed are considered white collar, but there are plenty of businesses listed that
require a more hands-on approach and specifi c technical skills.
As you read each business description, you’ll notice some specifi c statistical
information at the beginning of each entry. It is organized as follows:
Start-up costs: Start-up costs can include everything from outfi tting your home
offi ce with furniture, computer equipment, and business cards, to advertising cam-
paigns and staffi ng. We’ve calculated these costs by adding together all potential
Introduction vii
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equipment, advertising, and operating capital estimates (such as payroll, benefi ts,
and utilities). We considered every possible cost, and then asked the question:
“What’s the least amount of money you would need to start this business the
right way?”
Potential earnings: For most businesses listed in this book, this range is
calculated by multiplying typical fees by a forty-hour work week. However, the
market for some of these jobs is such that, while they would provide great extra or
part-time income, they are not likely to provide forty hours of pay per week, year
round. Obviously, your potential earnings will change dramatically if you are only
considering starting any new business part-time. Please note: Potential earnings
do not take into consideration the costs incurred during startup.
Typical fees: Each business idea has been thoroughly researched to fi nd out
what people who are actually in the business are charging their clients. For many
entries, you will see a range instead of one fl at fee, since pricing strategies often
vary depending on geographic location.
Advertising: Here we have listed all the possible ways you could promote your
business, from methods that cost nothing, such as networking, to developing actual
media campaigns that might cost thousands of dollars a year. Th ese expenses have
been fi gured into initial start-up costs.
Qualifi cations: Th is category contains everything you need to know about pro-
fessional certifi cations, licenses, and other information pertinent to what it takes
to work at home in a particular fi eld.
Equipment needed: Th e equipment purchases you are likely to make to run
your business effi ciently.
Staff required: A high percentage of these businesses won’t require anyone but
yourself, but those needing additional staff are identifi ed, often with a suggested
number of employees.
Hidden costs: Th is is probably the most important element of each entry. Th e
costs that you don’t think about are often the ones that drive your business into
the ground. Th ey include insurance coverage, workers’ compensation, and even
fl uctuating material costs. Many of these are expenses that you simply can’t predict
or that you might not have realized are incurred by state and federal government
requirements. Some may be as simple as the cost of additional gasoline.
viii Introduction
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