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kountrykia45 -> Home-Based Business (3/24/2008 10:34:34 AM)

I'm a retired person, and would like a supplement income in my home.Does anyone know how to get started in this? Any ideas, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks



APZR -> RE: Home-Based Business (3/24/2008 3:36:54 PM)

Do something you enjoy doing, and sell your product/service on the net. Being creative, there's a lot you can do and sell from home.



fauxmom -> RE: Home-Based Business (3/24/2008 4:15:44 PM)

I too am interested in working from home. I am a single Mom with a business of painting houses and decorative finishing however, there isn't enough work going on right now to pay the bills. I am really struggling don't know what to do have been doing this for 29years and know nothing else. I also homeschool and literally down to my last $25. with bills due at end of week. Really struggling with trusting God feel very nervous about to jump out of my skin. Keep asking God if I've left something undone? I am bidding alot of work just nobody is booking the work.
I am wondering what work at home businesses are for real? Please any suggestions wil be very much appreciated. Thankyou in advance.



visus -> RE: Home-Based Business (3/25/2008 1:49:59 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: fauxmom

I too am interested in working from home. I am a single Mom with a business of painting houses and decorative finishing however, there isn't enough work going on right now to pay the bills. I am really struggling don't know what to do have been doing this for 29years and know nothing else. I also homeschool and literally down to my last $25. with bills due at end of week. Really struggling with trusting God feel very nervous about to jump out of my skin. Keep asking God if I've left something undone? I am bidding alot of work just nobody is booking the work.
I am wondering what work at home businesses are for real? Please any suggestions wil be very much appreciated. Thankyou in advance.



Maybe you can consider starting a blog about painting and decorating. Add a few ads which might help with the bills. this will not pay in the short term, but in the long run might help.



kountrykia45 -> RE: Home-Based Business (3/25/2008 11:13:57 AM)

It takes money to start a business online.What kind of business would take very little money upfront? Just a part-time business would be ok for me. Alot of these jobs online are scams. How can you find one legitimately? There has got to be something out there, right? Thanks for your replys.



APZR -> RE: Home-Based Business (3/25/2008 5:23:45 PM)

fauxmom, have you tried to branch out... like in doing blinds and shutters? My neighbor has a business painting faux finishes on garage doors, shutters, and other exterior surfaces in multi-million dollar homes. They stay busy and have a waiting list even while the economy in general is slow.



brian307 -> RE: Home-Based Business (3/25/2008 6:31:16 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: kountrykia45

It takes money to start a business online.What kind of business would take very little money upfront? Just a part-time business would be ok for me. Alot of these jobs online are scams. How can you find one legitimately? There has got to be something out there, right? Thanks for your replys.


You're right. It does take money to start a business, whether it's online or not.

What kind of business would take very little money upfront? What do you consider "very little" money? Less than $50? Less than $100? Less than $500? I know many part-time, home-based businesses that cost very little to get started: Avon, Tupperware, Watkins, Mary Kay, etc.

You say a lot of these online jobs are scams. I say they are all scams. I've said it before, but it kills me to see people posting on different forums who think they are going to find someone who will pay them to sit at home and type on their computer, or sit at home and assemble crafts, or stuff envelopes. It ain't gonna happen. There are, however, some legitimate home-based businesses out there that cost very little to get started. You just have to find them.

I read a book several years ago that was helpful to me. It was called "Home Based Businesses You Can Buy" by Paul & Sarah Edwards. I just looked on Amazon.com and you can buy it used for $1.98. I think it would be a good investment for someone who is looking for ideas for working at home.

Good luck to you!

Brian



kountrykia45 -> RE: Home-Based Business (3/25/2008 7:59:32 PM)

Thank you Brian for the suggestion about the book. Appreciate it.
quote:

ORIGINAL: brian307

quote:

ORIGINAL: kountrykia45

It takes money to start a business online.What kind of business would take very little money upfront? Just a part-time business would be ok for me. Alot of these jobs online are scams. How can you find one legitimately? There has got to be something out there, right? Thanks for your replys.


You're right. It does take money to start a business, whether it's online or not.

What kind of business would take very little money upfront? What do you consider "very little" money? Less than $50? Less than $100? Less than $500? I know many part-time, home-based businesses that cost very little to get started: Avon, Tupperware, Watkins, Mary Kay, etc.

You say a lot of these online jobs are scams. I say they are all scams. I've said it before, but it kills me to see people posting on different forums who think they are going to find someone who will pay them to sit at home and type on their computer, or sit at home and assemble crafts, or stuff envelopes. It ain't gonna happen. There are, however, some legitimate home-based businesses out there that cost very little to get started. You just have to find them.

I read a book several years ago that was helpful to me. It was called "Home Based Businesses You Can Buy" by Paul & Sarah Edwards. I just looked on Amazon.com and you can buy it used for $1.98. I think it would be a good investment for someone who is looking for ideas for working at home.

Good luck to you!

Brian



groom52 -> RE: Home-Based Business (3/27/2008 6:26:59 PM)

When considering a home based business one thing to consider is whether or not people who hear about from you will go running for the hills. As has already been said, companies like Avon, Tupperware, Watkins and Mary Kay have pretty decent reputations and people might very well buy products from you.

I'm disabled and all of the work that I've done has been home based. The most proifitable has been with one of the companies already mentioned here. When I started offering catalos to neighbors and folks around my community they were often happy to take one. Often they said they used to buy those products from somebody else but the person stopped being a representative of the company. They wanted the products but didn't know anybody to get them from.

So over a number of years, through word of mouth and always having a few spare catalogs with me, I built up a substantial customer base.

As for online earning, probably the best way to start with that is trying out things that don't cost anything at all. The paid to click ad sites that if you are patient you can earn some extra dollars one or two pennies at a time. Certainly not a fortune, but since it can be done while you are doing household chores beside the computer (folding clothes, etc.) it can help a little.

But be cautious about any opportunity that wants you to pay either large amount right now or something every month and all you get in return is the "privilege" of talking other people into parting with their money for that same "privilege."

Be patient. Even if you try one of the well known and liked companies mentioned above, it will take time to build your customer base.

Look into a few or even several of them before trying one out. Be informed and plan to succeed. Try to find somebody who is helpful (not pushy) to mentor you in any home business you start.

God bless you in your efforts.



kountrykia45 -> RE: Home-Based Business (3/27/2008 7:38:34 PM)

Thank You groom52 for all your advice. It will certainly give me things to think about. Have a good, and godly life.
quote:

ORIGINAL: groom52

When considering a home based business one thing to consider is whether or not people who hear about from you will go running for the hills. As has already been said, companies like Avon, Tupperware, Watkins and Mary Kay have pretty decent reputations and people might very well buy products from you.

I'm disabled and all of the work that I've done has been home based. The most proifitable has been with one of the companies already mentioned here. When I started offering catalos to neighbors and folks around my community they were often happy to take one. Often they said they used to buy those products from somebody else but the person stopped being a representative of the company. They wanted the products but didn't know anybody to get them from.

So over a number of years, through word of mouth and always having a few spare catalogs with me, I built up a substantial customer base.

As for online earning, probably the best way to start with that is trying out things that don't cost anything at all. The paid to click ad sites that if you are patient you can earn some extra dollars one or two pennies at a time. Certainly not a fortune, but since it can be done while you are doing household chores beside the computer (folding clothes, etc.) it can help a little.

But be cautious about any opportunity that wants you to pay either large amount right now or something every month and all you get in return is the "privilege" of talking other people into parting with their money for that same "privilege."

Be patient. Even if you try one of the well known and liked companies mentioned above, it will take time to build your customer base.

Look into a few or even several of them before trying one out. Be informed and plan to succeed. Try to find somebody who is helpful (not pushy) to mentor you in any home business you start.

God bless you in your efforts.



WhiteRoseBlessings -> RE: Home-Based Business (3/31/2008 11:07:02 PM)

kountrykia45,

There is a similar thread over in the Women's folder, and below is one of my posts from over there:






Almost anything that can be done as an employee can also be done as a sole proprietor or consultant, and can also be done (or based) from home (depending on the allowances of your local laws and ordinances)

Clerical work
Bookkeeping
Telephone Answering Service
Real Estate Broker
Property Appraiser
Fitness Instructor
Personal Chef
Laundress
Daycare
Seamstress
Personal Assistant
Delivery Service
Researcher
Writer
Web Designer
Crafter
Publisher
Repairman
Lawn Maintenance
Furniture Repair
Carpenter
Housecleaner
Organizer
Book-binding
Antique appraiser
Art framer
Teaching (whether children or adults; general education or specific focuses)
Language translator
Court Reporter
Chimney Sweep
Florist
Plant Care and Upkeep
Masseuse
Chiropractor
Hiking Guide
Tour Guide
Swim Instructor
Books for the Deaf

etc.
etc.
etc.



Some things, of course, require specialized education and credentials. Some don't.

What do you like to do? What are your passions?
Those would be the first things I would encourage you to explore.

Your opportunities are pretty much limitless.

Blessings,
Sharon-Marie



WhiteRoseBlessings -> RE: Home-Based Business (3/31/2008 11:13:23 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: brian307

You say a lot of these online jobs are scams. I say they are all scams. I've said it before, but it kills me to see people posting on different forums who think they are going to find someone who will pay them to sit at home and type on their computer, or sit at home and assemble crafts, or stuff envelopes. It ain't gonna happen. There are, however, some legitimate home-based businesses out there that cost very little to get started. You just have to find them.

I read a book several years ago that was helpful to me. It was called "Home Based Businesses You Can Buy" by Paul & Sarah Edwards. I just looked on Amazon.com and you can buy it used for $1.98. I think it would be a good investment for someone who is looking for ideas for working at home.

Good luck to you!

Brian
Paul & Sarah Edwards are great authors in this regard.

I will also add that one can start a business from scratch without buying a pre-existing one. I started 2 business back in 1985; one is a typing business (that has grown into general office support) and one showcases my calligraphy. I didn't have to pay anyone for the privilege of starting my own business.




kountrykia45, I also want to let you know that you may need to get a business license to operate your business; you may want to check the ordinances of your town or city. But those are usually good for one year at a time.



crm4souls -> RE: Home-Based Business (4/2/2008 9:15:44 PM)

You need to decide what kind of business you want to do and then go from there as many have said. You can do quite well with just 20 hours a week with some businesses. Go with God...



wordsnpic -> RE: Home-Based Business (4/3/2008 8:51:29 AM)

I have been working with Pre-paid legal and I have found it to be a product that I can embrace. So many network marketing operations are based on an inferior product, but this seems like a good one -- $25 per month for all the legal advice you want -- wills, credit cleanup, etc.



ladioffaith -> RE: Home-Based Business (4/7/2008 4:01:39 PM)

I sell Pampered Chef, and used to sell jewelry before that.

quote:

When considering a home based business one thing to consider is whether or not people who hear about from you will go running for the hills.


I could not agree more!

The first thing to ask yourself is if you love the product. The second is to find out if the people in your life will support it. I wish I'd asked myself that question when I started selling jewelry.

Most "home party" type businesses want you to have 4 or more bookings on your calendar when you sign up. DO NOT SKIP THIS! Ask family and friends, "If I sold X, would you support me by having a show?

Other considerations:
* How many times a year do they change catalogs?
* How much of the catalog (and your kit) is retired when they do so?
* Do you have to carry inventory?
• Is the product one you and the people in your life would support?

Also, I have found that in 4 years of business, most home party plans have many Christians in the organization, because believers tend to be very family-focused.



groom52 -> RE: Home-Based Business (4/7/2008 6:44:29 PM)

Since ladioffaith mentioned which company she is a rep of I guess it would be OK for me to say which one I am with.

It's a company I never intended to be with because probably 95% of their reps and 90% of their products are designed for woman. As you might have guessed...the company is Avon.

But being in a wheelchair I wasn't having much success selling business cards and advertising specialities. At the time most of the small number of businesses in my end of town were not wheelchair accessible.

But the products in the Avon catalogs had potential customers in every home in the neighborhood as well as everywhere else in town. So...I swallowed my pride and started leaving catalogs on doorsteps every other week.

It worked.

Of course if you go with any company or business venture, allow it several months or even a couple of years for it to become established. It does take time.



TonyRush -> RE: Home-Based Business (4/10/2008 2:40:26 PM)

I've been working from home for years and can't imagine living any other way. If I can assist with any input or advice feel free to shoot me a private message.

Tony Rush



brian307 -> RE: Home-Based Business (4/13/2008 11:26:46 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: groom52

Since ladioffaith mentioned which company she is a rep of I guess it would be OK for me to say which one I am with.

It's a company I never intended to be with because probably 95% of their reps and 90% of their products are designed for woman. As you might have guessed...the company is Avon.

But being in a wheelchair I wasn't having much success selling business cards and advertising specialities. At the time most of the small number of businesses in my end of town were not wheelchair accessible.

But the products in the Avon catalogs had potential customers in every home in the neighborhood as well as everywhere else in town. So...I swallowed my pride and started leaving catalogs on doorsteps every other week.

It worked.

Of course if you go with any company or business venture, allow it several months or even a couple of years for it to become established. It does take time.


I don't see anything at all wrong with a man selling Avon. I remember when I was a kid, every so often a man would come around to our house selling Fuller Brush products, and their products were pretty much all targeted toward women.

I say more power to you, and good luck to you!



legalnicki -> RE: Home-Based Business (4/14/2008 12:06:56 PM)

One thing that I tried was working for West as a "work-at-home agent". Basically, you are a customer service agent on the phone, taking orders for a variety of companies, depending on what you train for.

You basically start out taking orders for informercials and other products you see advertised on TV (i.e. kitchen appliances, CD/DVD sets, matresses, etc.). There are several other specific well-known companies you can train for (such as cable shopping channels, flower deliver companies, cell phone providers, etc.). You get paid per minute that you spend on the phone with customers, but West records calls to make sure you are doing your job right and not chatting up customers for more money. I didn't like working on the informercial line (there are a *lot* of upsells you try to make before you let the customer hang up, and there are a few products that you might find objectionable, but these products rarely came through to my line), but I soon trained to take calls/place orders for a pizza chain, and that was fun and easy.

I only did this for a month or 2. I think for me it worked out to be about $8-11/hour, but when you consider you don't have to commute or purchase work clothing, I think it is worth it for a little extra money. You do need to have a quiet room during your work times, as well as a high-speed internet connection and a land phone line. There *are* people who support themselves on a FT basis, and I think it is a matter of working their way up to higher pay and training to take calls for companies that pay more.

I think this is perfect if you want a paycheck, but don't want to start your own business.



U376977 -> RE: Home-Based Business (4/16/2008 2:27:48 AM)

legalnicki, who would you call/contact to do something like this. Sounds perfect for my wife!!!



TheHermit -> RE: Home-Based Business (4/16/2008 3:38:00 AM)

I know two people where I live who have window washing businesses. I would have never thought that would make any money, but they both do it full time and have a nice client base. In fact they make more than I do! They got started by going door to door, but now all the advertising is word of mouth. As a bonus, window washing is great upper body exercise.

As a side note, my wife and I made a little extra cash for a while by selling things from our house on Craigs List and Ebay. It is amazing how much stuff you have and never use that other people will pay for!

Also, you might want to find out if your church will let you put anything in the bulletin or news letter about you looking for work. It might not be a long term answer, but in the short run people might be willing to pay you to do things like bake cookies or wash their cars. You never know what God will use.



legalnicki -> RE: Home-Based Business (4/16/2008 11:12:40 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: U376977

legalnicki, who would you call/contact to do something like this. Sounds perfect for my wife!!!

West's Website: http://www.westathome.com/
http://www.workplacelikehome.com/forum/ is a forum just for WAHMs, and it specifically discusses West as well as other similar companies (such as LiveOps). It is a good place to start researching working from home because the forum members are people who are actually doing it. The reveal what they like and what they don't like about specific companies, so you can kind of gauge which opportunities are best for you.



angie4God -> RE: Home-Based Business (4/16/2008 12:51:19 PM)

Thanks for those sites legalniki. I've always been leary of the work at home things in my emal box. But that West Comany looks like something that's reputable. I just might look into that once my youngest starts school. I'm working full time outside the home. But I've always wanted to work from home and be home for my girls, and it looks like something I could do while the kids are at school should I decided to stay home.

Thanks again [:)]



khavecat -> RE: Home-Based Business (4/16/2008 3:13:03 PM)

I believe that the company and the education is most important. The pet rock was not a great product but people bought it. Does the company have a track record of success and a track record of teaching others to be successful.
I have been in network marketing since 1999 and I love it. Whether Avon, Pre- Paid, Mary- Kay or Market America, the concept of private franchising works.
If I may make a suggestion, decide whether you want earned or passive income. I'm with one of the most hatted NM companies out there. But we are the most successful and most copied.

Find a good company that wants to serve you and help u make it!!



AmyinVA -> I just started sellling Usborne Books (4/19/2008 3:01:04 PM)

I just started sellling Usborne Books a few months ago, and it has turned out to be great. Because the startup costs are so low, and there are no minimums, I decided it was low risk enough to give it a try. I was able to make back the cost of my kit after my first 2 shows, and at that point my goal was just to get a lot of Usborne books for free/cheap to build my homeschooling library. In less than 3 months I earned over $400 worth of free books, and some more for almost free. And I have made several hundred dollars in the past 2 months, and more each month as I grow my client base. I am starting to think this will turn into something that will help supplement our family income, as well as help me educate my children. If I wasn't homeschooling 5 children and running a home, I could probably make a lot of money, but for now I am happy to be able to tithe (not my DH's priority right now but he doesn't mind me tithing from my own earnings) and help pay down our debt. Not to mention, the children think it is the greatest thing ever- they LOVE the books and enjoy helping me with our new business. I find the home parties to be a lot more fun than expected, and working with schools, preschools and libraries is a lot of money for not a whole lot of time invested.

I sponsor some other new Usborne consultants whom I met on a different Christian Moms message board, and they are doing great, too. I have a strong training program, I think. :)

If you want to hear more, please email me at amyinva@gmail.com and I am happy to give you any other information. It has been a real blessing to my family.

Amy
My website is www.All-Usborne.com (look at Income Opportunities for even more info)



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