One of the quickest ways to start cash coming in is to set up a service. Making money is a big motivation for many of us and if you choose the right service with low start up costs, almost everything you make is profit from day one.
If you think you have no skills, that shouldn’t stop you. I bet you would be able to offer one of these services almost straight away: cleaning or ironing; errands and ‘waiting in’ for deliveries; decorating; pet sitting or dog walking. If you had an office job in the past, would you be able to offer virtual admin support?
Things to watch out for
Before you get going, work out what you need to get started. Do you have the equipment that you need, and is it up to the job? An iron or hoover that might work fine when you are just using it for the home and family may wear out more quickly if you are using it every day for work. Perhaps most importantly, find out about insurance. If you have customers coming into your home you will need public liability insurance, and don’t forget to check with your home insurers as some won’t cover you if you are running a business from home. You may also want cover if you are going onto client’s premises in case of accidents. Manor Insurance (0800 092 4383) offers policies for small or work from home businesses.
Retraining
If none of these ideas appeal, you might want to follow up your own interests and retrain. Why not ask your local college about how to train as a doula, antenatal teacher; childminder; coach; personal trainer; beauty therapist or complementary therapist. Check out whether the college has a nursery or visit Learn Direct Advice (www.learndirect-advice.co.uk 100 900) to get help with grants and the cost of childcare.
How to find customers and clients
Lastly, but vitally, whatever your service you need to find clients. Work out what is unique about what you offer, and don’t be shy about telling people about your new service. Use your home pc to draw up some flyers and put them where your target clients are likely to be. Join business networks and online forums to get more support and ideas.
