Starting your own business at home can allow you to use your skills to make an income while, creating your own schedule, and staying home with your kids. About 1 in 5 parents in the United States have a stay-at-home mom or dad. With advancements in technology, working a business from home has never been easier.
Home-based businesses have been increasingly popular for mothers who want flexibility in their schedules, creating their own hours, and earning extra income. With so many small businesses, you may not be sure where to start.
Related: Can you run a business out of your home?
What To Consider Before Getting Started
Here are a few things to consider before you get started.
What existing skills or interests do you have?
If you’ve spent any time in the workforce, you’ve probably gained skills that will apply to your home business. For example, maybe you work at a job that you could do from home, or perhaps you were able to sharpen your sales skills.
Think about the skills required at your current job and past jobs, and write everything down. Think of any achievements you’ve had and areas you excelled at.
From there, think about what your interests are. Do you enjoy writing, spending time outdoors, crafting, etc.? No matter your interests, there is likely an at-home option for you.
What type of business do you want to start?
Once you know what you’re good at and what you enjoy, you can break it down even further. Multiple businesses, including selling digital products, physical products, or services.
Digital products may include courses, ebooks, templates, planners, etc., that you design using your tablet or computer. On the other hand, physical products are items you create at homes, such as candles or jewelry. You may offer online or offline services, such as online resume writing or at-home meal prep.
Here are some questions to ask yourself to get a better idea of the type of business you want to start:
- Do I enjoy working closely with other people?
- Do I want to spend time on or off of technology?
- Which option would allow me to spend my free time better?
Finding a need
No matter your skills and interests, there has to be a need. People are most likely to pay for products or service that saves them time, even if it will cost them more than doing it themselves. The drive to purchase convenient foods has proven the desire to save time. We’ve all experienced exhaustion after a long day where it’s more than worth it to drop extra cash to save time on dinner.
Saving time isn’t just limited to food, however; people are always looking for ways to add more hours to their day.
In addition to saving time, consumers will pay for something that saves them money or gains money in the long run. Even if the upfront cost is more, if there is a chance it could benefit them financially, they’re willing to spend it.
Health is also a substantial need individuals are willing to spend money on. Meal prep services, health coaching, food trackers, etc., are all examples of products or services that can improve health.
Lastly, people spend money to experience more joy. This could mean a unique or personalized candle, plants, or a children’s book for their kids.
Look for a business with low startup costs
If you are starting this business without much money, it’s a good idea to find something that is low-cost but scalable. This means that you won’t need to put up a bunch of cash up front but will be able to earn more and more as time goes on.
Choose a business that fits around your family
You’re likely looking at the best businesses for stay-at-home moms because you want more time and freedom. With more schedule flexibility, you can carefully choose when you want to spend time with your children and when you want to work. Consider your routines, how much time you want to work each week, and if you’d prefer set hours or a fully flexible schedule.
Related: What are the advantages and disadvantages of working from home?
46 Best Home-Based Business Ideas for Stay at Home Moms
Here are the 46 best small business ideas for stay-at-home moms that are inexpensive to start and offer time flexibility to be with family.
1. Resume Writing
By starting a resume writing service, you will help job applicants create professional-looking resumes that highlight their skills and past work experience. You do not need any formal education or certifications to be a freelance resume writer, though some customers may prefer a degree in English or a related field.
People are willing to hire a resume writer to better their chances of landing a job to make more money in the future hopefully.
Related: How to start a resume writing business
2. Sell Pictures
If you love photography and have a nice camera, you could spend more time doing what you love while making money doing it. To sell your photos, your best bet is to sell them as stock photos on websites such as Shutterstock or Dreamstime. Business owners or bloggers will typically look to stock photography websites to save time and resources creating the images themselves.
Though you may not make a ton right off the bat, the payouts will increase over time as you continue to add photos.
Related: How to start a photography business
3. Buy Things For Resale
There are two methods for buying and reselling for profit. In the first method, you will buy new items, such as Wal-Mart clearance items, for cheap and sell them at a markup. The other way involves purchasing second-hand items versus new things. Believe it or not, this is a pretty solid way to make some extra money.
Websites like craigslist offer heavily discounted or even free items because the owner wants to get rid of them. For example, you can purchase a couch for $50, spruce it up a bit, and then resell it for hundreds.
4. Craft Business
Do you have a specific skill set for creating handmade items? If so, you can easily create your store with platforms like Shopify, Etsy, eBay, or Amazon. Some people just use social media apps like Instagram or Facebook, and a payment app to sell handmade products successfully. No matter what your handmade items are, you’ll likely need a business license or vendor’s permit before you get started.
Related: How to start a crafting business
5. Consulting Service
Consider starting a consulting business if you have the expertise or are the go-to person for specific problems. Depending on the route you choose, you may need a certification or license, though many coaching sectors do not require it.
Here are some examples of consulting services offered online:
- Business consulting
- Sales consulting
- Marketing consulting
- Financial consulting
Before you decide, ensure that you check and see if licensing is required before starting. Coaching typically has no specific licensing requirements though certifications are highly recommended.
Related: How to start a marketing consulting business
6. Virtual Assistant
Freelance virtual assistants usually provide clients with administrative, creative, or technical assistance. Duties vary depending on each company’s needs. Hiring a virtual assistant saves time, so you’ll be in charge of more mundane tasks that a business owner may not have time to do.
Tasks of a virtual assistant may include:
- Taking calls
- Managing schedules
- Bookkeeping
- Customer support
- Updating databases
- Conducting research
- Managing social media profiles
- Developing marketing material
You don’t need a license or education to be a virtual assistant, though some positions may require prior skills, such as graphic design.
Related: How to start a virtual assistant business
7. Pet Sitting
Do you want to hang out with dogs, cats, and other pets while you get paid? When owners go on vacation or are away from their homes, they will often hire someone to pet sit their animals to ensure they get plenty of food, water, and exercise. Typically, pet sitting is done at the owner’s residence. Though a business license isn’t required, it’s advisable. It’s also a good idea to have liability insurance.
8. Teach Singing or Piano
You can hold singing or piano lessons from the comfort of your own home. You’ll teach students vocal techniques or help them learn to play piano while providing feedback. You don’t need a music degree to teach singing or piano unless you plan on working with advanced students.
Related: How to start a music lesson business
9. Blogging
Blogging is a relatively low-start-up option that allows you some flexibility. You can earn some money with Google ads, but there are multiple ways you can grow your blog to supply income, including:
- Advertising
- Selling digital products
- Offer members-only content
- Affiliate marketing
- Land brand sponsorships
In most cases, bloggers do not need a federal license to start their business, though some states require a general business license. You may need a sales tax license or permit to sell goods or services using your blog.
10. At-Home Daycare
If you enjoy spending time with children, an at-home daycare is a profitable business for stay-at-home moms. Most states have a requirement to start an at-home daycare, depending on how many children you watch at once. You’ll be responsible for watching kids while their parents are at work, offering activities, and giving them some meals.
Related: How to start a daycare
11. Freelance Writer
Companies hire freelance writers to either write one article for their website or hire them for the staff. There are various niches and topics freelance writers can choose to write about. Some companies may hire you to write articles, emails, sales pages, etc. Find clients on job platforms such as Indeed, Fiverr, or Upstart. You may need a general business license, but be sure to check local laws.
Related: How to start a freelance writing business
12. Sew And Sell
Why not use them to start a small business if you have sewing skills? Whether you’re an expert or have some basic sewing skills, you can make some cash. You can sew pillows, clothing, quilts, stuffed animals, or even templates for other sewers.
The more you sew, the better your skills will become, and you can start raising prices for your products. You’ll likely need a business license, but this will depend on where you operate, how you operate, etc.
Related: How to start a sewing business
13. Jewelry Making
Jewelry making has become a popular method for freelance business owners because it’s a low investment and simple to do. One of the most common jewelry-making methods includes silicone molds and resin or polymer clay. Like other examples, selling crafts may require a business license, but you’ll need to look into your local laws and regulations.
Related: How to start a jewelry making business
14. Soap Making
You’ll create and sell various soaps in different shapes, colors, and scents as a freelance soapmaker. Some of the most popular soapmakers use soap to create object-shaped soaps, such as fruits, animals, desserts, plants, etc. Sell your soaps in spas, boutiques, art festivals, flea markets, eCommerce, or social media.
Related: How to start a soap making business
15. Make Candles
Like making soap, making candles allows you to get creative to design desirable scents, shapes, and colors for your candles. Some of the two most popular candle-making methods include attractive or realistic designs or giving them catchy or cheeky names.
Related: How to start a candle making business
16. Baking
If you’re the go-to mom for bake sales or are famous for your homemade chocolate chip cookies, why not sell them? You can create cookies, cupcakes, cakes, etc., for special occasions or just because treats. Get creative with your designs, and before you know it, you’ll be the go-to baker for all the events in your neighborhood.
There may be local requirements when selling foods at home, so look into local laws and regulations.
17. Online Tutor
Since the invention of the internet, more and more people have been turning to online chats for tutoring services. You can help people of all ages with a subject they struggle with. Some websites connect you with kids learning English, though you need a degree. Tutors aren’t required to have a teaching license, but you may need a business license.
Related: How to start a tutoring business
18. Crocheting
Crocheting has been a common method to help with anxiety because of its relaxing and focused nature. However, it doesn’t have to be a stress-reducing hobby; you can sell your creations. Create adorable animals, famous characters, scarves, and more to sell. You can sell at local craft fairs, farmer’s markets, etc., or online like other options.
19. Make Alterations
If you’ve ever been to a wedding, you’re probably familiar with the world of clothing alterations. Some clothing needs a looser fit, while others may need to be snugger. Whatever the case, your job would be to ensure the clothing fits precisely as the customer wants. If you have good sewing skills and have always done your own alterations, then this may be a business idea to keep in mind.
20. Website Design
Website design is more than just creating an eye-catching website. As a web designer, you’ll also need to ensure a high-quality user experience and have some knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO.) You do not need any schooling to be a web designer, but an Art or related degree can benefit. However, you’ll likely need a business license.
Related: How to start a web design business
21. Sell Plants
Do you love taking care of plants and have a home that allows you to hold a large plant inventory? You can propagate your plants to turn them into cuttings to sell. While some cuttings may not have a high value, there are some unique or rare plants that you can resell for big bucks. You can start an Etsy shop or eBay account or sell through an eCommerce store.
There are various laws regarding selling plants, and some states require certification.
Related: How to Start a plant nursery
22. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a popular form of retail business because it allows the store owner to sell without having inventory. The customer would purchase a product from you; then, you would buy it from a vendor at wholesale pricing and input their address. You’ll likely need a seller’s permit and resale certificate. We recommend using Shopify to dropship, as it covers the various taxes that may apply.
Related: What is dropshipping?
23. Gift Wrapping
As a gift wrapper, you’ll wrap presents so that the customer can both save time and get nice-looking wrapping in return. During holiday seasons, reach out to department stores or malls to market your gift wrapping business. Look for wholesalers who sell unique wrapping supplies at a lower cost. You can also take it up a notch by adding gift baskets for purchase.
Related: How to start a gift wrapping business
24. Photo or Video Editing
As a freelance photo or video editor, you’ll work with photographers, advertising agencies, influencers, or others who want to take their videos and photographs to the next level. Your job will be to use photo or video editing software to make adjustments and edits to create a more professional look. It can help to narrow down which photos and videos you edit, such as weddings or fashion photography.
Related: How to start a photo editing business
25. Write Children’s Books
Writing a children’s book requires little to nothing to start and is an excellent option for moms with a creative mind. Unlike books for adults, children’s books don’t have as much writing and have more imagery, making them quicker to create. To write a good book for children, brainstorm ideas, develop the main character, and define the story’s problem to be solved.
You may need specific state permits and licenses to operate a children’s book business. Once you’re finished with your book, you can self-publish on Amazon.
Related: How to start a children’s book business
26. Sell Digital Products
If you love to tap into your creative side, tons of digital products are in demand. You can create checklists, ebooks, journals, printable color sheets, etc. Many digital product creators use a platform, such as Canva, to design their worksheets or books and then sell them on Etsy. When selling online, you’ll need some business license, but there may be other requirements within your local laws.
27. Social Media Influencer
Social media influence has blown up in the last decade because it requires little to no start-up if you have a smartphone. As a social media influencer, you’ll choose a niche you’re interested in, such as fitness, fashion, food, etc., and share tips, tricks, and inspiration. You can partner with brands that will pay for posts or make money with affiliate marketing.
28. Youtuber
Like a social media influencer, YouTubers will choose a niche and make videos about their niche. Popular YouTube channel ideas include workout routines, recipe walkthroughs, true crime, or makeup tutorials. However, the sky is the limit with the niche you can choose; you can share stories or education on anything you’re good at or have a passion around.
Once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours, YouTube will pay you. However, most YouTubers get most of their revenue from exclusive memberships, merch, and brand deals.
29. Podcasting
Podcasting is essentially like YouTube but with more of an audio focus. Even if you have a video podcast, most of the video will be watching you talk or your voice over other videos. You may also do a podcast that does not contain video.
Most podcasters earn their income with brand sponsorships, affiliate links, or marketing their own products and services. All you need to start is a microphone, computer or laptop, and simple recording software.
30. Edit Podcasts
You can just edit podcasts for others rather than starting, recording, and editing your own podcasts. If you have experience with editing software, then podcasters will be willing to pay you to edit them. Because researching, planning, and recording podcasts is time-consuming, most podcasters will eventually hire someone to take care of the editing process – that’s where you come in.
31. Teach an Online Course
If you like the idea of recording videos but want to get paid for your content, you can create and sell online courses. There are thousands of online courses across all topics. If you wish to teach relationship advice or how to bake a loaf of bread, there is a business opportunity to create an online course. Teachable is a popular online course platform, though there are many others to choose from at various price points.
32. Massage Therapist
If you don’t already have a certification as a massage therapist, you’ll have to get one. For moms who have experience as massage therapists, you can start your own massage therapy business from home. Many massage therapist business owners will travel to the client’s house, which is more appealing than going out for many people.
Related: How to start a massage therapy business
33. Dog Grooming
While there are no legal certifications required to be a dog groomer, having some sort of training can help ensure you do a great job.
Training will enhance skills like:
- Working with breed-specific haircuts
- Handling aggressive dogs
- Nail trimming and grinding
- Ear cleaning
- Anal gland expression
Starting an at-home dog grooming business is one option that has a higher start-up cost. However, if you have the skills and the passion for working with dogs, the upfront cost may be worth it.
Related: How to start a dog grooming business
34. Meal Prep
By offering meal prep services, you’ll take care of providing prepared meals for individuals or families. For people trying to start a healthier lifestyle, meal prep is often a considerable part of their routines. However, meal prep can be time-consuming, making it hard to stick with the new lifestyle. Depending on your location, you may need various permits and licenses.
Related: How to start a meal prep business
35. Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping involves recording financial transactions for businesses. You’ll be in charge of preparing documents for transactions and other business events. It is recommended that you have a college education, prior experience, or training to do the best job as a bookkeeper.
Related: How to start a bookkeeping business
36. Cake Decorator
As a cake decorator, you’ll use edible decor to make plain cakes come to life. You may create unique designs, turn cakes into scenes, or make edible characters. People hire cake decorators for events that may include weddings, birthdays, gender reveal parties and other life events. There are various licenses and permits you may need to get started.
37. Travel Planning
Travel planners, like travel agents, help individuals, couples, or families prioritize and maximize their experiences while on vacation. Depending on their chosen destination, there may be various attractions or a few hidden gems. As the travel planner, you’ll take the clients’ interests and budget to create an unforgettable traveling experience. You don’t need any training or qualifications to start, but there may be local requirements.
Related: How to start a travel agency
38. Affiliate Marketing
You may promote products on social media platforms, blog posts, Pinterest, or YouTube. As an affiliate marketer, you’ll use photos, videos, and written reviews to promote another company’s product. Then, if a customer makes a purchase using your affiliate link, that company will pay you a small commission for either product clicks or sales.
The best way to promote affiliate products is to choose a niche and start with a few favorite products or services to promote. You can choose to work with the company itself or use platforms like Share-A-Sale or RewardStyle that house multiple brands.
39. Print-On-Demand Store
To start a print-on-demand store, you’ll work with a supplier that will customize products with your designs on a per-order basis. You’ll need to come up with some catchy designs or phrases, add them to the products, and the supplier will take care of the rest.
Typically, you’ll get a small percentage of sales, most going to the supplier to cover inventory and printing costs. The benefit is that you don’t need to hold any stock, purchase high-price printing tools, or deal with shipping.
40. Rent Out Space on Airbnb
Do you have an extra room or vacation home that rarely gets used? You can rent out that space on Airbnb for travelers to stay for some time. Before listing your area on Airbnb, think of the benefits of staying at your place, such as location, uniqueness, privacy, or pet-friendly. You’ll also likely need to hire a housekeeper to take care of cleaning up after each person or group leaves.
Related: How to start a bed and breakfast
41. Grant Writing
There are many businesses that stay at home moms can do, but grant writing is a great option for those who want to work from home and make a difference. Grant writing is a process of writing proposals to request funding from organizations or government agencies.
As a grant writer, you will research potential funders, write proposals, and track progress. This can be a very rewarding way to work from home, as you will be helping organizations get the funding they need to do important work.
Related: How to start a grant writing business
42. Social Media Manager
A social media manager is responsible for creating, managing, and optimizing content through various digital platforms. With the popularity of social media, many companies with an online presence now employ social media managers to ensure their brand is represented effectively and positively on social media accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others.
The job of the social media manager is to create content for these sites, write posts that engage and interact with followers, monitor feedback from customers, respond to inquiries and track analytics – all daily tasks necessary for a successful social media presence.
Related: How to start a social media marketing business
43. Laundry Service
Laundry services are great for those who don’t have the time or access to do their own laundry. Laundry services offer a convenient way of taking care of the tedious task of washing clothes and will launder, dry, fold, and return clothing to its customers.
44. Life Coach
A life coach business helps individuals reach their goals, whether personal or professional. This can range from help obtaining employment, setting up an effective time management routine, finding their personal purpose, or creating healthier habits. These sessions often start with the most pressing matters and can be held one-on-one with the coach or in group settings depending on the client’s needs.
By providing individual guidance and developing tailored action plans, a life coach can help people really understand themselves better and identify what prevents them from achieving their desired success.
Related: How to start a life coach business
45. Graphic Designer
Graphic designers are creative professionals who specialize in visual communication using various media. They work with clients to come up with design solutions for a wide range of print and digital images for logos, websites, advertisements, and more.
Related: How to start a graphic design business
46. Proofreader
Do you have an eagle eye for errors in an article or written document? If so, then a business as a proofreader might be the perfect fit for you! A proofreader is an individual who checks written content for any mistakes to provide their clients with error-free documents and flawless content.
With a keen eye, they examine work for spelling and grammar mistakes, improper formatting, and punctuation errors. Additionally, proofreaders also identify inconsistencies throughout a document, such as typos and improper word use. A successful proofreader requires someone with patience and flexibility to effectively accomplish their tasks – perfect if you want a casual business that allows you to work remotely on your schedule.
This material is property of StartingYourBusiness.com
Common Questions From Moms Starting A Business
How can a busy mom start a business?
For a busy mom looking to start her own business, it’s important to remember that there are already a lot of demands on your time. Knowing how to manage this precious resource is key.
Consistency is also essential in order to make progress in launching and running the business. Develop a schedule that works for you so that you can remain focused, organized, and productive as you plan out your product or service offering, find customers or clients, set up inventory and materials, market yourself and your business, etc. These are all tasks that can be broken down into manageable steps over the course of days and weeks.
And don’t forget to ask for help when you need it – with entrepreneurial support already available through resources such as coworking spaces, mentoring centers, and even online discussion boards – there are plenty of people around to lend a hand!
What is the easiest business to start?
It’s important to remember that some businesses will be easier for different people, depending on their skills and background.
The best way to figure out which one is the easiest for you to get up and running is to ask what things are you naturally good at or interested in and then think about what type of business opportunity makes the most sense with the things you have available.
Another thing I would recommend is instead of asking what is the easiest business to start, ask what products and services are needed in your area and if can you provide them better than anyone else.
What businesses are in demand?
It’s hard to answer the question of which businesses are currently in demand, as the answer will vary greatly depending on the area.
Businesses that thrive in one city might not do so well in another due to differences in culture, economy, and competition. Also, a business in a large city may not do well in a rural area. This is why it’s important to do research into the area you intend to start a business before committing to any particular path.
It’s also vital for entrepreneurs to assess their own capabilities, desires, and resources before making any decisions about what business they want to pursue.
Final Thoughts
Starting a freelance business allows moms to make money from home, often doing something they enjoy. If you’re a stay-at-home mom, you’ll want a business that works for your family’s schedule. Choose something that you are interested in, have some skills or experience with, and are in demand. If you don’t have any start-up money, you’ll ideally want to choose a low-cost option to start.
Are there some ideas that you have tried and I have missed, or have questions about a particular idea? Let me know in the comments!
