Author Topic: Real Businesses for Moms (Read 8715 times)

ggreg · « **Reply #10 on:** March 08, 2014, 02:43:43 PM »

Find something you know about and care about and work out how to solve people's problems.

There are literally 1000s of ways to make a profit because there are 1000s of unsolved problems.

I know a women, single mum, who makes money printing ribbons for the end of athletics races like marathons and such, and also makes printed sashes for birthday cakes and beauty contests. I gave her the running winners tape idea and how to sell it or market it to race directors. She sells about 300 dollars worth every week. The ribbons are made by a machine she bought. She sells the for 400% of the raw input costs

In a place the size of the US think how many schools cross country races there are, not to mention 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon. There are literally 100 races per week, easily. Ribbons are light and easy and cheap to post.

If you were organising a race how the heck would you go about making a 4 meter long ribbon with printed writing on it? If you can buy one for 15 buck why wouldn't you. It looks cool in the pictures and makes the race look professional and that is what makes runners sign up next year.

Or what about all the parents of children who need spiked running shoes for racing, wear them once and the child grows out of them. Or ice skates. Specialise in good quality second hand sports equipment.

I cannot tell you what business to run because I don't know where you passion lies. What problems would you like to solve?

Marlelar · « **Reply #11 on:** March 08, 2014, 02:49:57 PM »

I have known dozens of women who have tried to make extra cash making and selling "stuff" and none have ever made enough to make it worth their while. The only ones who actually make a bit on the side are the ones who have a skill such as bookkeeping or doing taxes or computer maintenance. I have one acquaintance who maintains the computers for several very small businesses. She works under the table and doesn't charge too much but makes what she calls "enough".

I think the key is to have a skill to sell rather than "stuff".

Marsha

Nadir · « **Reply #12 on:** March 08, 2014, 03:08:16 PM »

Find something that people hate to do, like the ironing, then do it for them.

My mother did that and I would help her when I could. There was always demand. Usually the customer dropped off and picked up themselves on their way and coming home from work, so the overheads were almost zilch!

Graham · « **Reply #13 on:** March 08, 2014, 03:32:23 PM »

Also, dog walking.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2014, 05:57:57 PM »

Quote from: Tiffany

I for sure did not inherit the "make money gene" so take this with a grain of salt. Just trying to say be cautious from what I've seen, many women do not account for their supplies and funds their husband buys for them or their own investment of time.

I've seen this go both ways. Some have good sense in running a business (whether natural of acquired in school) and can keep good records and such. Others will go on and on simply presuming that all their work is making them money, but really having no clue if it does or how much. (It's not limited to women, either.

) It's the "hobby jobs" that most likely have this potential problem because you're not expecting to make much to begin with, so time and expenses need to be watched carefully and weighed against other things you could be doing with that time.

It's helpful when you can find a way to make a side income doing something you truly enjoy so that your work and recreation overlap. I know of one mother who loves taking photos and would be spending a certain amount of her time each week doing that whether she's being paid or not. So, when she can get an odd job taking pictures, it's easy to justify the time necessary as she'd be spending some time each week on this hobby anyhow.