10 Home-Based Businesses to Start Today

Ten years ago I left my job with a Fortune 500 company to start my own home-based medical transcription business so that I could stay home with my new baby. I’m one of the millions of women and men who have started their own home-based business since the 1980s. Although a home-based business may lead to a more hectic home life, home-based businesses have the important element of flexibility that is not usually found in a regular 9 to 5 job. Home-based business owners can tailor their businesses to fit their needs as well as their families’ needs. When my children were young, I would work during their naps or when my husband was home. Now that they are in school, I work when they’re away at school, which leaves me available to them when they’re home.

Listed below are some home-based business ideas that may appeal to you. Choosing the right home-based business for you can be a difficult task. However, think hard about what goals you want to achieve and what is important in your life. Evaluate your skills and interests and narrow your business choices.

Gift Baskets

The gift basket industry is over a billion dollar industry. Baskets can be filled with an assortment of specialty foods and gifts and can be specially designed for any occasion such as birth of a baby, birthdays, housewarming or get well. Start-up costs can range from $4,000 for small operations to $15,000+ depending on the type of baskets offered and type of customers serviced. Gift baskets usually sell from $25 to $85 each. Resources: Visit Gift Basket Professionals Network (www.giftbasketbusiness.org) for more information. Also read, "How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business" by Shirley George Frazier.

Errand Service

An errand service can include deliveries and trips to and from day care centers, pharmacies, grocery stores, post offices and mailing centers. Duties could include picking up and delivering forms and documents for businesses or going food shopping for individuals. Start by conducting market research in your area to determine what type of errands are most in demand. Start up costs range for $1,000 for basics ads and marketing to $8,000 for electronic equipment. Clients are charged between $18 to $35 an hour. Resources: The International Concierge and Errand Association (www.iceaweb.org) can provide additional assistance in getting started. Rob Spina’s book “How to Start and Operate an Errand Service” may also be of help.

Professional Organizer

Professional Organizers help clients in their homes and offices manage their time, papers, space and clutter that need organizing. This can include organizing kitchens, closets, home libraries, home offices, computer files and anything else that is cluttered or disorganized. Start up costs range from $5,000 - $7,000. Clients are charged between $35 to $150 per hour depending on the job. Resources: National Association of Professional Organizers (www.napo.net). Don Aslett’s book “For Packrats Only: How to Clean up, Clear out and Dejunk Your Life Forever!”

Tutor Service

Tutoring and remedial educational services are needed in almost every state. College bound students, college students, adults and children all need help with their education. High school students often need help with SAT and ACT preparation. Start up costs range from $5,000 to $10,000 for home office supplies, educational materials and furniture for tutoring areas. Students are charged $35 to $50 per hour and $600 to $900 for SAT preparation course. Resources: National Association of Tutoring (www.ntatutor.com). Linda Myers book, “Becoming an Effective Tutor”.

Sewing Services

Many women have turned their sewing skills from hobbies into profitable businesses. You can choose to specialize in alterations, sewing costumes, sewing curtains, or custom apparel. Start up costs range from $1,000 to $5,000. Pricing can range for $6.00 to $18 per garment alterations and as much as $400 to $1,200 per window treatment depending on the style. Resources: Home Sewing Association (www.sewing.org). Barbara Write Sykes book, “The Business of Sewing”.

Pet Sitter

Pet sitting involves visiting client’s homes to feed and exercise their pets. Start up costs range from $5,000 to $11,000. Pricing is typically $15 per day for one pet , one visit per day. Resources: National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (www.petsareinn.com). Patti Moran’s book “Pet Sitting for Profit: A Complete Manual for Success”.

Information Broker

A person with a background in research skills and techniques can have a successful home business finding and reporting data to their clients. You will search databases, library sources, reference books and publications to find the information the clients require. Start up costs range from $3,000 to $11,000. Clients are charged anywhere from $80 to $125 per hour or more. Resources: Association of Independent Information Professionals (www.aiip.org). Sue Rugge’s book “The Information Broker’s Handbook”.

Children’s Party Planner

If you enjoy parties and children and have a special talent, then maybe children’s party planning is for you. A party planner may organize the whole party or just part of it. They will help with reserving the party place, ordering the cake, running the games and helping with the actual party. Start up costs range from $1,000 to $6,000. Hourly rates run from $50 to $70. Resources: International Special Events Society (www.ises.com). Phyllis Cambria’s book “The Complete Idiots Guide to Throwing a Great Party”.

Catering Service

If your talented in the kitchen, perhaps a catering service is the business for you. Caterer can create meals for a small group of people or for a wedding reception with 500 guests. Start up costs range from $6,000 to $80,000 depending if you have to put in a licensed kitchen. Set the price is charged per person at 2 to 3 times the cost of the food and paper products. Resources: Judy Richards book entitled, “Catering: Start and Run a Money Making Business”.

Tax Preparation Service

If you know income tax filing procedures then a tax preparation could be a full or part time income opportunity. Most of the work occurs between January and April however some are able to work year round filing extensions and keeping records. Start up costs range between $6,000 to $8,000. Check with others in the business to find out what the going rate per form is. Some charge from $50 to several hundred dollars depending on the number of forms and time involved. Resources: Online Tax and Accounting Sites Directory (www.taxsites.com/associations.html). Gordon Lewis, “Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation: Start and Build a Prosperous Bookkeeping, Tax & Financial Service Business”.

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