With Everybody Laid Off, What the Best Home Based Business to Start?

[LaydeeBug]

I'm just trying to come up with ideas...but all of mine are naughty :eyes: It's been a long night.

[Botany]

1. Home Baked Bread sold to markets and restaurants

if that doesn't work an escort service or pot growing seem like
good bets.

[LaydeeBug]

2. I'd prefer to pot growing myself, but...

I was actually thinking about adult toys. You are naughtier than me. :P

[Ikonoklast]

38. Home commercial baking with no inspected kitchen is a big no-no.

Good way to get a visit from the state health department.

[meegbear]

3. The naughty ones are the best ...

* work at home
* set your own hours
* meet interesting people

Go for it!

[Lilith Velkor]

71. Word. n/t

[Lasher]

4. Daycare

If I wanted to start a home based business I'd certainly look into that.

[prolesunited]

24. Not sure about that

With people not working, there is less of a demand. I've seen many stories about daycare centers facing problems with more and more people pulling their kids.

Any kind of personal service biz would be hit, IMO. With more people having time on their hands, they are cleaning their own houses, doing their own shopping and mowing their own lawns.

[eShirl]

5. a product that saves people money

step 1: think of product that can save people money
step 2: ???
.
.
.
step ?: profit!!!

[woodwrite]

9. Step 2

Think Prohibition.

[rucky]

6. Repo Woman

but if you're willing to do that, you may as well stick with the shower-cam idea.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

41. Actually, the repo industry took a hit last quarter.

I guess they're running out of stuff to repo.

[dysfunctional press]

87. i used to do repo's for the bank i worked at- YEARS ago.

but- with car sales dropping like a rock- so will repo's.

[Uben]

7. Estate sales and liquidation

I just completed my first one and made $3k. Took about a week of hard work (60 hrs)to put together. There are a lot of things to beware of, though. Have a contract, and make sure once you have it signed, nothing leaves the estate. people have a tendency to want to take all the expensive items and that cuts heavily into your profits. I got 50% on this one but typically its more like $1K + 30%.
You comb thru the estate and gather all items you think will sell, which is just about everything! If they want a clean-out after the sale, charge for that, too. Most estate sales are a result of deaths, so the family will usually get what they want and then sell the rest. you should scrutinize what's left and determine if you think it's woth doing. Sometimes there is just not enough items to make a reasonable profit and you wind up doing more work than you are compensated for!

I did this one for a friend, but I have a friend that does it professionally, so I had someone to consult.

[LaydeeBug]

13. This sounds very interesting, thanks.

[demodonkey]

28. How do you sell the stuff?

If you do the organizing but have to hire an licensed auctioneer, they get a percentage and that cuts into things too. Most heirs don't want to see 75% or more lost to the people that handle the sale.

Years ago my mother and I did an estate auction for a deceased aunt. Got everything organized for the auctioneer and cleaned up the mess. We got a little bit over the regular executrix fee for our extra work, but am not sure it was worth it. The auctioneer made the most.

[KittyWampus]

46. Ebay and Garage sales, for one.

[Uben]

69. Just like a garage sale

You price each item to sell. This is not a big profit game, it's all about getting rid of everything. The first day of the sale, you get full marked price. The second day you reduce everything 50% and be willing to take even less. Don't worry, the things that will sell for good money will be gone the first day. Some sale managers group things and display them for easy viewing, eliminating the need to have every room open. Always close the bathrooms...no exceptions. One way in and one way out....no exceptions. Your check-out should be by the exit so everyone will have to pass by you. If you have multiple rooms in use, have someone in each room, because some people just can't resist the urge to steal. Have all small valuable items close to check-out and always under scrutiny!
Have sacks and boxes available, because some people may buy a lot.

If someone offers to take what is left at a large discount after the sale is over, get their number. I had three such offers, but there was not enough left to worry about it. Some professional estate sale entreprenours keep mini-warehouses full of items they themselves bought at a huge discount and have their own sales or just add their stuff to a sale they are conducting.

Give a receipt to those who purchase large items they will be coming back to pick up. Insure they bring back that receipt to pick up. This avoids confusion on who bought what.

Anyone can do it, and you can make good money doing it!

[mwb970]

8. How about creating an unemployment "link anthology"?

A lot of these thousands of laid-off people are turning to the Internets and the Google. What if they found an ad for your eBook, containing hundreds of links of interest to the unemployed that you have sorted, checked out and annotated? How much searching time would that save them? $5 or $10 worth?

Think about it.

[jody]

10. A SUCCESSFUL employment agent. n/y

[ThomWV]

11. Drug dealing pays very well and most are home based businesses

[fasttense]

12. We've been considering this also.

We are seriously considering growing vegetables. We have some land and are going to put it to work. At least we get to eat our products.

But I would be very careful about selling food items made in your home kitchen. There are some very strict hygiene rules and laws that apply to homemade food products sold to the general public. Each state has it's own requirements. (Of course if your a corporation, you can get on the board and ignore those hygiene requirements.)

One requirement that most people don't think about is that animals are NOT allowed in the kitchen, even if they are well behaved and stay off the counters. Some states will actually come out and inspect your kitchen and take samples and test. And some states never inspect and don't care.

[KittyWampus]

47. I used to sell my herbs at a local farmers market. Good money. How you set up stuff helps sell.

Make it look good.

[Dawgs]

14. "With Everybody Laid Off"

I think this fear is getting a little out of hand people. It's not that bad, yet.

[SammyWinstonJack]

18. It's a recession when your neighbor loses his job, it's a depression when you lose your own .

I'm assuming you still have your job? If so, lucky you.

[Dawgs]

19. Thanks for responding to my post; even though you didn't read it.

I never said things weren't incredibly bad. I just want to make sure we keep things honest around here.

[ColbertWatcher]

33. Where do you live? It's pretty bad out where I am (Los Angeles). n/t

[Dawgs]

39. Everybody is laid off in Los Angeles?

:shrug:

[Tsiyu]

54. Dude

This thread is not in any way fearmongering. If you take it as such, you are vewy sensitive.....

[jillan]

15. Let me know too.

I signed up to do surveys - I haven't heard from them yet.

I'm getting to the point of thinking of doing daycare - and I would hate that.

[Neecy]

23. this isn't exactly a home-based business

But it can be a source of extra income if you have spare time.

Amazon.com has a division called mTurk, which is basically a free-form freelance gig. It's been equated to a giant global sweatshop - and some of the criticism is deserved, since there are some who expect a huge amount of work for very little pay - but if you specialize in things that pay a decent amount you can make some good pocket cash. It isn't a freelance site where you bid for jobs - the amounts are set and you can pick and choose what you want to do (the tasks are called HITS).

Everything is paid through Amazon and you can either transfer your earnings into your checking account or take it out in Amazon.com gift certificates. It's a nice source of quick income, although some of the work can be pretty tedious. Google mTurk for the sign-up page.

[slackmaster]

16. Grow and sell weed

It's easy and profitable.

[KG]

17. 'erotic massage' - make money, spread joy!

a massage table, warm oil, and lots of happy endings!

[uppityperson]

20. have octuplets. eom

[wildflower]

21. I would answer these two questions:

(1) What do people need right now (anything else probably won't sell)?

(2) What do you enjoy doing (you're more likely to stick with it)?

These days it isn't always possible to find work you enjoy, but it helps if you can.

Make a list for each question and see where you find intersections.

So to take one example: people still need help with computers (as far as I know). So if you like fixing computers, you could start your own business doing it. Find out any credentials, licenses, and other city or state requirements you need to legally run that kind of business in your area, and get started.

I hope that helps a little.

[Ioo]

22. Crack.

[AngryAmish]

25. Blowjobs!

[SoCalDem]

26. It's probably going to be harder than ever to start a home business, in this climate

The problem with the economy right now, is that "people" don't want to/can't spend much money...for ANYTHING..

Home based businesses tend to be of three types:

1) making/selling a product/service that's not widely available in the current marketplace

2) a convenience business in a booming economy..these often are luxury services/products that are custom-made, specialty items/services that people with lots of money to spend, look for and want.

3) overflow from the marketplace because there's so much work that the marketplace cannot "handle" it all..

There probably aren't many people actively searching for many of the products/services that are home-based, these days...people are pinching pennies like never before..

Baked goods always spring to mind , when home-based businesses come up, because of the success of a few high-profile people who "made good", but in most municipalities, there are very strict laws about selling these things,.especially after the peanut butter fiasco...and municipalities are probably going into high-gear about now, when it comes to collecting fines from people who try to short-cut laws governing this type of thing.

If you DO have a special skill and LOTS of friends who are still flush with cash, you could make "extra" money, but I don;t think supporting yourself this way..

It's a scary place we are entering:(

[Bonobo]

27. Pissboy!

[Blue_Tires]

36. "You majesty! It's been said the peasants are revolting!"

"You said it! They stink on ice!"

[earth mom]

29. I highly recommend ebay or etsy-but you have to do some research.

Find a niche market that you know about: a hobby, or something you collect. Or search for something you can make/craft.

You can learn a lot by reading the message boards on both sites and by searching completed auctions on ebay and completed individual seller sales on etsy.


HTH! :hi:

[NashVegas]

30. Something That Advises People to Start Home-Based Businesses

Always seems to get a lot of hits.

[guitar man]

31. I'm thinking about buying a dump truck

If they get the stimulus passed with the road constriction etc. starting up, I'm thinking about buying a 15yd dump truck and getting the hell out from behind this desk. I may have to liquidate some things I've been trying to hold onto to do it, but it doesn't seem like a bad biz to get into.

[TwilightGardener]

76. Where I live, it's common for people to buy a hopper-style truck and then contract

with local farmers and industry to haul grain and gravel--grain hauling is big at harvest time. That's not a bad idea at all.

[ozu]

32. Amway!

Not really. Though I wonder if those pyramid scams will start making a comeback as people get more desperate.

[cobalt1999]

34. That requires looking at your skillsets

What can you produce well enough that others will be willing to buy it?

Can you bake exceptionally well? Sell "LaydeeBug Pies" --- although I think you need a new name :)
Are you great with animals? Pet sitting; dog walking and feeding while the owner are at work.
Can you make anything? Sell it consignment and online.

What's best for someone else might be a huge failure for you.

[JFN1]

35. You could become an assassin...

I hear it pays well...but the hours can KILL you!!:rofl:

[sweetpotato]

37. Clothing Alterations

Can you sew?

Altering clothing may be it. Or making clothing.

[Ilsa]

43. That's a lot of time with marginal return. Clothes are cheap.

Learning to tailor clothing well to suit many body types is pretty demanding. I only sew for family and friends.

Maybe sewing something decorative or an accessory will bring more money and in less time.

[sweetpotato]

65. tailoring/alerations/specialty sewing

all inclusive.

You need a sewing machine, good lighting and patience.

High end alterations can be costly. My XMIL had a home based sewing business throughout the 80s and 90s. She had a devoted client base that had her make their clothes and alter or tailor any new purchases. These people paid well for her services. She did pretty well on it back then, why not now?

[Ilsa]

66. I'm a seamstress. I know alot about tailoring and fitting and a good machine, lighting, and patience

are only the rudimentary things you need. There are other tools of the trade, and a person must have a very good sense of spatial perception to be good at this. Tailoring, especially for women's clothing, is a skill that takes time. But I have to admit, even good suits for women can be pretty inexpensive when they go on sale. In fact, I can get stuff that is cheaper now than it was in the 80's and 90's.

I can see where a little tailoring might work out, but sewing an entire suit can take some time. Furthermore, alot of offices have given in to "business casual" to help employees not have to spend as much money on their wardrobes, dry cleaning, etc. I would think that a person would need to be living in a medium to large city for those kinds of services to be profitable.

It's a great hobby and personal skill to have, but I suspect it isn't a all that profitable unless a person already has the skill set.

[Mike 03]

40. Individual Investment. Day trading? I can't of too many good

ideas at this time. Most of these "get rich at home by selling stuff on eBay" ideas are scams.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

42. Assassin? nt

[KittyWampus]

44. Finding old clothes and refashioning them. Taking old fabric and making quilts. Taking fabric

and making dolls.

Taking old toys and making artwork out of them

Re-working furniture with funky collage and paint techniques

Making unique candles and finding artistic ways to market them

Making earrings. I worked for several jewelry makers. If women can't afford a new outfit, they'll at least buy a new pair of earrings.

Reupholstering. Wealthy people who want to save money in a downturn reupholster furniture rather than replace it.

[Numba6]

45. the best ones are usually illegal

the best ones are usually illegal

[Vinca]

48. Have you got any used footwear?

We had a chat on the antique and collectibles board a while back about the odd things selling on ebay. It seems "some people" like used slippers way too much.:rofl:
http://cgi.ebay.com/WELL-WORN-WOMENS-HOUSE-SHOES-SLIPPERS-USED-SEXY-TRASHED_W0QQitemZ330301993103QQihZ014QQcategoryZ63889QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[kimmerspixelated]

49. Look into expired domains..

You can buy them for 7-10 dollars, and flip them for at least 60.00. Some folks are doing quite well. You do have to be careful, and research the history, etc.

[Edweird]

50. A home business telling others how to start their own home business...

[ima_sinnic]

51. a resume writing service (nt)

[maxsolomon]

52. chickens

you can 3 in the seattle city limits.

also prosciutto.

[wartrace]

53. Only three?

I am putting in a small coop this spring, probably only 20 birds max. At least I will be able to eat during my unemployment! I haven't thought about hogs but it sounds like an idea!

[maxsolomon]

56. then you ain't in the city of seattle

3 fowl, only 1 can be a rooster.

3 of the following in any combination:
cat
dog
pot-bellied pig

as long as you don't have more than 1 pot-bellied pig.

[wartrace]

64. I already have six dogs & two cats.

Nope, I am not in Seattle thank goodness.

[maxsolomon]

75. its the city's animal code

they don't really enforce it unless it's an issue. there's tons of tortoises around here, and someone's goat just got loose the other day & they gave it back.

[myrna minx]

55. LaydeeBug: Bounty Hunter.

:D

[backscatter712]

57. Porn site!

meegbear mentioned that the naughty ones are the best.

There's always a demand for porn...

[Greyhound]

72. Even porn is getting tougher, there's so much available for free that

pay sites and DVD sales are way down.

[tjwash]

58. Baseball bat collections agency?

nt

[Stephanie]

59. Paralegal assistance with bankruptcy, divorce, probate

If you know your way around the standard court forms you can assist people who can't afford an attorney and want to represent themselves, providing it's a simple case. A lot of it is just filling out forms and filing them with the courts. And knowing which forms are required.

[OhioChick]

60. Whores R Us. n/t

[leftofthedial]

61. boarding house with very, very cheap rent.

[sakabatou]

62. Well, I'm trying to make a start-up

of making wedding videos for people.

[DollyM]

63. I make dolls and do children's parties . . .

but even those are down considerably. I sold a doll today on Ebay that used to bring me about $175.00 and I got $100.00 for it. I just about cried. (That was a profit of about $10.00, hardly worth my time.) I got into a business like Build a Bear where you take ready to stuff animals to children's parties. It hasn't done well in the area I am in but it might it a larger metropolitan area. Here is my link www.noahsarkworkshop.com/tinamcculloch3751 The start up costs are pretty low, I signed up for $129.00 but sometimes they run specials for as low as $10.00 to join.

I also thought about setting up a business that does pre reference checks for people who are applying for jobs. You know, you want to make sure your past employer and references are saying good things about you so you have a third party company call and check your references and past employers to make sure they are not giving any red flags about you. I have seen other companies like this and have considered using them myself. You wouldn't need anything but a telephone, website and email address.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

67. Anything to do with gardening, growing veggies from vermiculture to seed

exchange. Teach canning and food dehydration. Develop a skill you can market at your local farmers market.

I'm taking a charcuterie workshop later this month.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

79. Here is an example of ones groups idea

to create veggie gardens on homeowners property. They build and tend the gardens until they harvest the vegetables, then share some with the property owner and possibly

sell the rest at a farmers market. Everyone wins, especially in an urban area.

http://www.seattlefarm.com/vegetable-garden.html

[L0oniX]

68. Moon shine, growing weed, reloading ammo

[Locrian]

70. something with seniors?

I would think the growing population of retirees. Assistant? Computers? Groceries? They might have some money - dunno.

I have to believe we are heading into a period where there will be a lot of retirees needing assistance. Unfortunately they will be the target of a lot of scams. But if you can get a reputation, or help them avoid problems / scams you might become very valuable.

Probably would depend on area - you'd want upscale, with a lot of em.

[KayLaw]

73. I've thought of that.

It's something I'd love to explore since I live in an area with a lot of seniors. I think it would involve getting bonded and obtaining insurance, though.

[WillieW]

74. Clearing out Foreclosed homes

With so many bank owned properties and all those foreclosures, the banks want to turn around a property ASAP and need the content of the foreclosure removed. Most people leave stuff behind when they leave. Get a truck, get the word out to lenders and then take the good stuff to the salvation army and the rest in the trash. But you ned some buddies to help you. This is big business right now! Saw this on the news last night.

[jillan]

77. One place that is always hiring - but you have to be a super loving person to do it -

become a respite provider for disabled children and/or adults.

They pay about $8/hr - or even more depending on the child.

A respite provider gives a break to parents like me that have a disabled child.

When you have a special needs child you can't always find good daycare. Places like after school programs don't have the staff to give a special child the extra care that they need.
It's always been a struggle for me and is part of the reason I'm not working right now.

If you think this is something you could do, contact your state's Dept of Disabilities office.

All it takes to get started is -
*find an agency to go thru (they will pay for your training)Dept of Disabilities should be able to help you with this - or you could try googling agencies for disabled children.
*CPR and First Aid Training (takes about an hour)
*Getting fingerprinted, and possible drug testing.
*About a 4 hr class on laws affecting this population; behavior modification techniques and other useful info.

If you think this is something you could do, I guarantee you will find work.
And if you are in the Phoenix area - contact me - I just might hire you :)

[lies and propaganda]

78. Soap, imho

Every soaper i know is doing SO well.

If you look at some of the soap shops on etsy, some of them have over 10,000 sales and I have often thought how much it would help to even be getting in $20-50 bucks in sales a day.

It sure isnt fused glass, I will tell you that ;0

[backscatter712]

80. Get some fat for the soap from the liposuction clinic!

I hear that it makes for the smoothest, creamiest soap!

Oh, and you can use it to make biofuel too! Paper Street Gas Station!

[shugah]

81. some ideas

web site development & design - in a bad economy, it is common for people to unexpectedly become entrepreneurs (your post proves it :-) ) anyone who is starting a business needs a website.

write novels in an "escape" genre - people read more in economic down times, and they like to get away from all this reality.

appliance repair - people are looking at repairing appliances instead of discarding and buying new.

grow fresh produce to sell at farmers markets - it is difficult for people who are informed but poor to afford the healthy food they prefer to eat.

not legal, but will likely become lucrative: build a still, make alcohol - people also tend to drink more in a poor economy

[roody]

82. Home water catchment. Especially in drought-prone

California.

[Cairycat]

83. Locksmith

A college boyfriend maintained that no matter how little people had, they would want to keep others from taking it.

[Rocknrule]

84. Prestige Worldwide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE8q6ur54Jk

[RagAss]

85. Cooking your neighbor's pets on the grill. Because they just can't get themselves to do it !

[dysfunctional press]

86. survivalist gear & equipment will be BIG as we get closer to december 2012...

it might not help now, but you can file it for later.

[tsuki]

88. Freelance care for elderly for children who want to get out for a while.