7 Small Business Ideas For Working Moms
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As a working mom, finding extra finances for your needs and those of your children is a priority.
You not only need money for their daily upkeep and the house bills, but also some extra to set aside for the bigger expenses such as college fees, braces and dental work, helping to pay for first cars, or weddings.
And, of course, you deserve something extra to take care of yourself and to save for retirement.
All these financial requirements may push you towards thinking of running your own business. But, it is not easy to get a business up and running when you already have so many responsibilities, including your day job.
While it is challenging to start and run a business as a working mom, it is possible. Many women are becoming successful mompreneurs, and you can do it too.
In this article, we give you a few business ideas for working moms and tips on how to start one.
Are you skeptical about starting a business?
You may be thinking that starting a business will take you away from your family. Or that it is a money trap that is likely to waste your hard-earned savings.
Maybe it’s because of the many failed businesses around or the feeling you have that it is hard to juggle work and a side hustle.
Well, while these are valid concerns, they should not keep you from trying your hand at running your own business. A side business can give you financial security and allow you to spend more time with your children, peace of mind, and income security.
How to pick a great business idea
The first place to start is by finding a business idea that works for you.
How do you do that? By:
- Choosing something you are talented in
It is easy to create a business from something you love to do because it comes naturally to you.
When things get tough, your love for what you do will keep you afloat. Therefore, look at your talents or skills as possible money makers.
For example, if you are fluent in a foreign language, start a business on the side teaching others to speak it. And if you enjoy fashion, you can start an online clothing store, blog, or Youtube channel.
- Choosing something you can do with your family
If you are afraid to start a business because you do not want to stay away from your family, why don’t you pick something you can do with them?
A good example is running a family blog or Youtube channel where you share tips on anything from parenting, cooking, gardening, and even finances.
Your audience may be other moms and dads, gardening enthusiasts, or any other audience looking to learn and enjoy your content through videos, pictures, and articles.
Monetize, and then embark on producing engaging content. Spread the word about it online through your social media.
Many companies also offer sponsorships to bloggers who share information on their products. You can also use your blog to sell family-friendly products such as kids’ clothing.
The possibilities attached to producing content on something you are passionate about are endless.
- Choosing something you can do during your free time
You are a working mom; therefore, you need to find a business you can run alongside your other responsibilities.
That means a part-time job you can do in your free time in the evening after work, during the weekends, or even at lunchtime.
Many working moms have started such businesses and ended up making them their primary source of income because they earn more from them than what they get at their regular jobs.
You can be one of them as well. All you need to do is start.
- Choosing something you can do from anywhere
There are numerous remote working opportunities for moms who want to work from any location.
You can earn from these money-making opportunities while away from home at a hotel, a friend’s house, or abroad on holiday.
They give you a lot of flexibility by allowing you to set your own working hours based on where you are at any given time.
Pick one of these opportunities as a small business idea and start working on it today!
Now that you know how to pick a good business idea, here are a few options.
Business ideas for working moms you can try!
1. Daycare services
If you enjoy taking care of kids and worry a lot about them when you are gone, explore opening a daycare center.
Daycare services will benefit you and other moms by creating a place where children can be well-taken care of.
It will help you and other working moms who always worry about the welfare of their children while they are away at work.
You will benefit from knowing your kids are being taken care of by trustworthy staff you have vetted in a way you feel is best and earn from it.
A win for any busy mom!
2. Sell new and second-hand products online
Having a brick-and-mortar store may be a hassle for you as a working mom, but that doesn’t mean you should give up on owning a shop. Just do it online.
There are lots of e-commerce platforms you can use to sell your products on the internet. Some great examples are Etsy, Amazon, Shopify, Facebook Marketplace, Walmart Marketplace, and eBay.
If you enjoy designing and making items such as jewelry and crafts, these are great platforms to sell them on.
You may also purchase products on wholesale from online stores and resell them at retail prices on these platforms.
And if you love frequenting flea markets and thrift stores, why don’t you pick a few items from these places and sell them online?
Anything you can earn a profit from will make a great sale item on the internet where you have millions of possible customers.
3. Catering
Do you love to cook? Why don’t you make a business of it?
You could cook for meal planners who are too busy to do it themselves and deliver the food to their homes or bake cakes for special occasions such as birthdays.
All you have to do is market your food items on social media sites and put up fliers around your neighborhood, and you will have a few customers to keep you busy every weekend.
4. Photography
Do you enjoy taking pictures? Then you probably already have a nice camera in the house that you can use to earn money part-time.
There are always events going on after work and during weekends or holidays during which you can take pictures for clients.
If you take amazing pictures, polish your editing skills and find ways to market your services online..
And if you feel event photography is not for you, you can try other forms of photography, such as portrait, nature, or commercial photography.
These are easier to handle because you don’t have to spend too much time taking pictures, but you will still get to do what you love and earn money from it.
5. Tutoring
You only require expert knowledge on a particular subject to tutor others on it. Online tutorship platforms such as Skooli and Studypool hire people to tutor students and adults looking for knowledge on any topic. You can earn as much as $ 45 an hour on such platforms.
If you are uncomfortable tutoring online, you may also do it from a physical location. There must be students in your neighborhood looking for a tutor. Put up posters and advertise in your local social media groups and find out!
And if you want to earn a passive income from educating others, create an online course.
You can create a course for people in any niche of your choice. Online courses may touch on subjects such as writing, languages, cookery, and bookkeeping, among others.
Upload your course on platforms such as Teachable, Udemy, and Thinkific, and you will be surprised at how much you can earn.
6. Freelance writing
If you have a good understanding of grammar and great editing skills, use those skills to earn money part-time.
It’s an excellent side hustle idea for anyone who has studied literature or worked in journalism.
As a freelance writer, you may find your niche based on what you are knowledgeable about, or anything you can research and write well on.
You can also write, self-publish, and sell your own e-books on personal websites or online platforms such as Amazon.
The possibilities as a freelance writer are endless. Just find a niche you are good at and someone to hire you, produce excellent content, and you will never lack a gig.
Some websites that offer writing jobs are Upwork, PeoplePerHour, iWriter, FlexJobs, and Craigslist.
7. Web and graphic design
Are you tech-savvy? You can earn money by designing websites and creating interesting graphics such as logos, product catalogs, informational flyers, and pamphlets.
You can work on your graphic design projects over your lunch break, in the evenings, and on the weekends.
You may also combine graphics with website design to create a lucrative online business.
To find clients, register on online platforms such as Fiverr and Creative Market.
Sourcing work from such platforms frees you from creating your own platform and is an easy way to market your skills to a wide market.
Getting funding for a small business
Maybe you are interested in starting a business but are worried about how to go about funding it.
Where will you get capital for your business? That should not discourage you from becoming a successful mompreneur.
You can get funding for your start-up through affordable business loans available for women looking to finance their business ideas.
Explore the many online lenders, banks, and government financial institutions who offer business financing.
You should also network with other women in your local business community and visit organizations such as SCORE that offer volunteer mentorship, training, and support for entrepreneurs.
Are you looking for extra income?
Pick a side business idea and start working on it today. Starting a small business will give you a chance to earn money during your free time and on your terms.
A business will give you more money to spend on your family and personal needs. It will also allow you to lower your taxable income by helping you to earn extra money for savings and retirement.
Remember, building a successful business involves trial and error as well as learning along the way.
Therefore, do not be discouraged if you face lots of challenges in the beginning. Within a few years, you will be the owner of a successful small business!
