For many entrepreneurs, homebased small businesses prove to be the part-time supplementary alternative or a full-time solution to the family’s income. Typically, home businesses start out as hobbies.
These hobbies can be anything, from babysitting to selling clothes to providing computer services to neighbors.
Here are some of the popular hobbies that turned into profitable homebased businesses:
Online selling
Online marketplaces such as Amazon, Craigslist or eBay has enabled businesses to sell, re-sell, or have their products and services tested for a low fee. Use these online selling platforms to start selling goods, purchasing wholesale or used goods, or using drop-shipping services.
Computer services
For tech-savvy individuals, a computer-related business is suitable. Computer technicians, systems analysts, internet engineers, web designers, computer programmers, networking specialists are often in demand. Smaller companies can use you as a subcontractor or consultant. Whether you provide technical support or website design, you can make big profits for these services.
Agriculture/horticulture/culinary providers
You know you can rake in a profit if you take advantage of your green thumb or your cooking prowess. You can create specialty baked items you can sell to friends and family, and potential clients such as restaurants, farmer’s markets or businesses. You can also grow organic vegetables and fruits or rare breed of flowers and plants.
Whatever your hobby is, you can make a profit out of it. However, there are a few things you need to address to make your hobby-turned home business succeed.
Ask these questions:
- Who is your target customer? Who will want to buy what you make? Do you think your target customer can afford your products or services? You can start by asking your friends if they’re willing to pay your asking price. Then go directly to people like business owners or your friends’ friends and see their reaction about your price? There are also quick online surveys asking people if whether they would pay a certain amount for your product or service.
- Are you in the right location to be offering your product or service? Is this the right timing to offer this product or service? Promoting your business depends on what you’re willing to capitalize on. You can market your products or services through social media such as Facebook or Twitter. Or you can throw out business cards, flyers, and posters just to get your business out there. You need to make some research on how effective online marketing works. You can also use Etsy, which enables business owners to create an online store and does the marketing for them.
- Are you willing to take your hobby into a full-fledged home business? Can this support your lifestyle? Do you need to add additional staff to help you with your business? If your hobby is really your passion and you have turned it into something profitable, you can just use Etsy and slowly build your target audience on social media outlets. Post some high quality images or videos of your products or services and engage with your audience if they decide to ask questions and comment on your business. Share real-time experiences if you must. Of course, you may also need a team to handle all the paperwork and accounting. Take time to hire the right people who are also passionate about your hobby and will help you grow your business.