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In the almost seven years that here has been online, one of the hottest topics is "How can I find work from home?". Seeing the Survey thread and how many views it has received has prompted me to get on my soapbox and offer some friendly advice.
I see so many moms try and fail with things like survey sites, referral programs, multi-level marketing schemes, etc. Too many times moms are lured into thinking some of these things provide easy money, which is almost never the case. Home parties are another one. Unless you are the very rare type that is meant to go into sales, these jobs are very hard to succeed in. Your potential client list rarely goes much further than your own circle of friends. I know of a few instances where moms have been successful, but rarely these jobs last longer than a year.
If you want to work from home, find something that utilizes YOUR OWN SPECIAL TALENTS and interests. In the beginning it can be difficult, intimidating, or frustrating to start your own business or do something without outside help. However, if you're doing what you enjoy and put your heart and soul into it, its rewards are much greater. I wish more moms would use their talents to in a creative way: tutoring, creative pursuits, writing, photography, etc. Or, channel their prior professional training into something that brings in money and keeps them current in their career. For some ideas of what I'm talking about, visit our Work at Home Ideas page:
Looking for a quick buck isn't the answer. Use that time and energy and channel it into something with long-lasting rewards and benefits!
OK, I'll step off my soapbox here. I wanted to get some of you thinking of what you can do that is fun and uses your existing talents and interests. Here are some of the things moms in my community are doing to make extra money:
Freelance writer
Making custom handbags, selling them online
Mini employment agent
Home staging for realtors
In home muralist for kids' rooms
Spanish tutor
Part-time University adjunct faculty
Photographer
Does anyone else have any work-at-home ideas that don't involve referral programs, home parties, or the like? What are some of the moms in your community doing? My whole goal in this thread is to get moms thinking about what they can do to share their talents with others, and make a little money too!
(Remember, promoting your home business isn't allowed here, but you are welcome to submit a Work at Home Mom Profile to promote your business within our site free of charge)
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I got lucky, my career let me start working from home a few days a week after DS was born. And now that we're moving they've offered to keep me half time working from across the country. I'm a database / computer programmer, there's nothing I need to do for work that I can't do on my home machine or laptop.
One pit fall that I fell into that I want to warn against is the grave assumption that working from home means you can do it all. Post move I'll be expected to keep 'normal' business hours two days a week so that I can be in easy contact with my coworkers.... I know already that I'm going to need to use daycare two days a week, to think that you can work from home lots of hours and still be a full time mom & wife & homemaker is just spreading yourself too thin and leading your self up for lots of stress and disappointment (I know, I tried when DS was a newborn!)
I also (very part time) work from home as an independent contractor... a friend of a friend hooked me up doing some technical consulting for a vet clinic nearby, I get paid hourly when they have (computer) technical issues, or I take the lead in purchasing them new computers and setting them up --- its a great arrangement, I'll miss that when we move!
Just thought I'd share my experiences.....
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I think its great that you are posting this. There are so many schemes and scams that can get SAHM if they aren't careful.
Utilizing your own talents is what is important. I know someone who does home parties and does well, however, that doesn't fit my skills or personality.
Do you love to garden? Then maybe you can sell at Farmer's markets, roadside stands, fairs, even to local grocery stores and nurserys.
I make rustic home decor items and sell them. (not promoting, just giving an example) its something I love because I also have my house decorated this way and so I don't feel like its a chore to create these things. I took something that I enjoy and found a way to make it profitable.
What about a service you can provide to other moms, working and not. Maybe babysitting, party planning, errand services.
If you are artistic that can be a huge asset. Photography, painting, writing, drawing. You could sell to art shows, museums could display your work, online, framing galleries, local businesses would also be a good marketing location.
I'm sure there will be a lot more information posted by other ladies, these are just some ideas that are always in my head.
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Things that I have contracted for or done to earn extra money from home:
On-call Breastfeeding Consultant for local WIC Program and Health Dept.
Tutoring
Publishing services (resumes, business cards, letterhead, etc.)
Wallpapering & painting
eBay (posting for other people)
gift basket services
accounting services (for small businesses or organizations)
wedding/party planning
My SIL does some other things from home:
Cake decorating
Organizing services
I've never really set any of these up as full businesses because I don't really want to make that commitment. I like to be able to say "no" when I want. If I had a business, I would be more obligated to custumers. Now, friends and family just ask if I have the time, and I can accept if I like. They also refer their friends and family to me. I do, however, have a contract for the breastfeeding services that is renewed on an annual basis.
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this information is helpful for me as I am trying to figure out what I want to do. I have few talents but am looking into child care at home. I will look up these resources.
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Thank you, Kim, for posting this. I hate it when the only one who makes $$ is the one at the top, with the below getting crumbs at best, or nothing, or at worst, spending their $$. One other trap I see, that tried hard to get me to give in, is a company wanting me to work for them, but didn't want to give me any details. You see, according to them, I was highly qualified, but I had to pay $100 for more info because they had so many people who would waste their time. Ummmm..If so many people waste their time, doesn't that tell you something? You should NEVER pay to work, and that includes employment agencies (I once paid a fee to work at a bank when I was young.) A good company will pay all fees and will not be a nickel and dimer. If they are, you don't want to work for them anyway. Same w/modeling - no fees, ever, including your portfolio. Headshots, yes, possibly, but use your own photographer.
In my community, we have a wonderful woman who just did a gorgeous mural for the school. I believe she did it for free, and she is getting so much business that she has no time for herself now. She makes usually a minimum of $300 for her murals.
The realtor staging is a growing area and is wonderful for those with an eye for design. Our neighbors actually used one and the name and talents are getting passed around the neighborhood with good results.
If you are organized, I second the organizer work. It is so needed! There is a post going on now here about it, and I've even contacted a couple of them. My problem is they are overpriced, so if you can be competitive or even offer something more value-add, your name will get around quickly.
Do you have free time? The errand service is getting HUGE! I would actually pay $10 to have you run to the pharmacy for me if I can't get out, or the grocery store. Many are doing that now. Also, just helping someone w/ a project - uncluttering, painting, helping w/the garden, there are so many things that a person needs help with. You could walk dogs and leave your cards w/vets.
A lot of people watch kids, but be careful of the permits and laws in your area. It's relatively little money, considering the hours. You could be taking on someone else's sickness and problems. I think it takes a special person to take in someone else's kids, and, despite what my dh tried to talk me into, knew I wasn't the type.
Advertise at the local college to do resumes, term papers, research, etc. Your local library will also let you post.
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We do some small time puppy breeding. We only have 2 dogs and so far they have had 3 litters. Our mail has also studded for 3 other dogs. We are contemplating adding a couple more dogs to our family, but are not sure of the work load. Also, different cities have different regulations as to how many animals you can have if you live within city limits. Where we used to live, we could only have 3, but here, there is no limit. It is alot of work, but we would have the dogs anyway, and the money is good for our AKC registered pups.
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I agree it's important to look beyond the "easy money" and "perfect for SAHM" advertising and find something for YOU. I am a former newspaper reporter, and working at home as a freelance writer just "works" for me. It's where my experience is, and I'm using my education (degree in English) and experience in a way that's meaningful to me.
Before I started writing (when my kids were old enough that I was willing to take on the WAHM challenge), I did the Ebay thing. It can be a lot of fun and easy work. I actually paid for my daughter's excellent Montessori preschool with Ebay money.
I will say, though, that working at home is a lot harder than I ever thought it would be. Just today, with the kids at home for a holiday, I have refereed a water fight (way too cold for that), folded laundry and started another load, made beds and vacuumed, made lunch for 2 visiting children, ordered 200 leis for a party this weekend, balanced my checkbook and made muffins for a school party tomorrow. AND I'm on deadline with an e-book that's due tomorrow.
Working at home, therefore, is best for multitaskers! .
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Thanks for the many suggestions. I am also debating on going back to work or working from home. I kind of know what I want to do, but getting it started is kind of difficult. WONDERFUL ideas ladies!!!
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I totally agree with you Kim!
I work from home as an Account Manager for a mystery shopping company. I schedule and edit the shops that other people do. It is totally flexible and works perfect with our lifestyle. I was asked to apply for this position because I had done a very nice job on some mystery shops I had performed. It is an almost impossible job to get but it just fell on my lap because I had done a good job in the past.
You just never know what opportunities might appear. Just do your best at whatever you do and you just never know. I never in a million years thought I would get this opportunity and actually, didn't ever plan on working again until I started and found I really love my position.
So many people want someone to tell them what they can do and then make excuses as to why they can't do any of the suggestions. If you really want to do something, you will figure it out what works for you! There is always a way if you want it bad enough.