NFIB

When Starting a New Business, Don't Overlook What's in Your Own Home
04/ 01/ 2002


When people think of starting a new business, they often feel that an 'official' business will require the purchase of expensive equipment-or call for extensive training. This is not always the case, as explained in today's Workshop by contributor Jeffrey Moses.

Look around your own home when thinking of starting a new business. You may have everything already in place (or almost in place) to start a business with no added expense for equipment or training. For example, do you own a van or a pickup truck? That could be the basis for starting a wide range of home-based services, such as: house painting or vinyl siding cleaning services, swimming-pool maintenance, package delivery or courier services, light hauling or moving services, etc. One individual started a window-repair service using his van. Two years later, his company had five vans and six employees.

If you have a lawn mower and a van or truck, you might be surprised at the response you'll find for lawn and garden maintenance. One person I spoke with started a simple lawn-mowing service five years ago that has expanded into a business providing a six-figure income.

If your kitchen is modern and has ample space (and if you have a love for cooking), you might consider setting up a catering service that supplies specialty bakery items, or offers meals consisting of specialty diets (such as the Atkins, diabetic or vegetarian diets). There may be some initial expenses to meet all local health codes and regulations, but your only other costs would be the ingredients and the advertising (posters, small newspaper ads). As your business grows, you can consider moving from your home to larger kitchen/pick-up/delivery facilities that can accommodate an expanded scale of business.

Do you have tools and are you handy with around-the-home or auto repair? If so, you may want to start a mobile handyman or auto repair business. A tip: work flexible hours so that you can meet people at their homes during evenings and weekends. With the long hours many people work today, such flexibility will be highly appreciated and will set you apart from a 9-5 auto repair shop.

Do you have a green thumb? And do you have a big backyard to set up a garden? If so, why not start a specialty plant or herb business? Organic vegetables and herbs are a growing market segment today. You could sell directly to individuals or supply retail markets such as grocery stores, health food stores or gourmet restaurants.

If you have adequate space in your home, you could provide day-care services. A caring, reliable day-care center is always highly appreciated by busy, working parents. Again, be sure that all local codes and regulations are met.

Don't forget the possibility of supplying housecleaning services. With both couples working, many homes can use an extra helping hand to keep things clean, neat and orderly. All you'll need is a vacuum cleaner and cleaning implements.

If you have a computer and basic bookkeeping skills, you may be only a mild learning curve and software upgrade away from starting a business that provides bookkeeping/payroll services for small businesses.

Note: many types of businesses that use a computer require a fairly steep learning curve. These include desktop publishing, graphic design, newsletter writing and publishing, etc. Many individuals who start successful businesses in these fields have extensive experience and training. But that's not to say such training can't be acquired; it just may take you a little longer than anticipated.

Be creative when thinking of a new business to start. Simply by looking around your own home you may be able to get into a line of work that you love, and that allows you to start with very low initial cost.

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