There aren’t too many children who grow up dreaming of working at home. However, there are millions of adults dreaming of doing that very thing — millions dreaming of the elusive “work from home” position where they are the boss.
And while some might fear the isolation of no longer being in an office environment or hate the irregularity of paychecks if working as a freelancer, there are many reasons why some would choose to leave the 9-5 grind and chart their own course.
Computer keyboard
The biggest reason to ditch the day job and work for yourself at home? The earning potential is limitless. Also, gone are the days of a miserable commute and asking for time off if it’s needed.
If you need to make extra money or if you’re looking to make the work from home option work for you, here are a few options and things to consider:
More read: Enhance your business skills through MBA.
Kitchen-Based Business Options
Perhaps you make a phenomenal cupcake. Perhaps your friends beg you to be the host of the monthly dinner party because you can cook anyone out of the kitchen. If your talents lie in all things edible, consider turning your kitchen into a money making machine. A quick check of the local and state laws in your area and you could be on your way to your dream career — all in your own kitchen.
Sales-Based Business Options
For people with a knack for sales, consider opening up an online store via Etsy or eBay. Through it you can sell handmade gifts, artwork, miscellaneous items from around the house, items you’ve purchased at thrift stores or garage sales, etc. There have been countless stories of people who make hundreds of dollars a week just by selling used textbooks and the like on sites such as these.
If the online sales world isn’t your thing, consider becoming a sales rep for a direct marketing company. Yes, you will need to leave the house to host product parties or to ship items, but the majority of the tasks involved with a position like this can easily be taken care of at home.
Tech-Based Businesses
If you have specialized skills in the field of technology, there’s no reason why you can’t do those jobs from home. If you’re a software engineer or an app designer, you can do your job in your home office. Other tech jobs that work well from home and can easily be turned into home-based businesses are website designers, database and Excel experts and technical sales reps. CNN recently highlighted jobs where the pay is making a comeback after significant cuts and IT ranks high on the list.
No matter what you choose, working from home will require dedication and hard work, just like any in-office job. You’ll have to make sure to manage your time well in an effort to stay balanced and to stay on top of your financial needs.
