Stay-at-Home Parents: 3 Great Non-Ecommerce Businesses to Start Today

Starting an ecommerce business can be time consuming and expensive. If you're looking to start a business that doesn't involve buying and selling products online, here are three great ideas to consider.

1. Try Freelancing

If you have a skill or talent to offer, freelancing is a great way to start a business. Many online platforms make it easy to find clients and get started. Some freelancing ideas for stay-at-home parents include writing, editing, graphic design, and web development. You can even offer virtual assistant services.

2. Launch a Daycare

If you love children and have a knack for child care, this may be the perfect business for you. You can start small by offering weekend or evening care and then expand as needed. Your area may require child care providers to have a license, so research the requirements before getting started.

3. Sell an Online Course

If you have a skill or expertise that you can teach others, creating an online course is a great way to start a business. Course creators earned over $400 million on Teachable in 2020 alone. The average price tag per course was $120, so this is a great option if you're looking to generate some extra income. You can create courses on a variety of topics, including cooking, gardening, and parenting.

Get Your Business Off the Ground

Now that you've read about some great business ideas for stay-at-home parents, it's time to get started. Here are some tips to help you get your business off the ground:

• Create a business plan. This helps you map out your goals and objectives, and it also gives you a clear idea of how to get started.

• Choose a business structure. Decide if the best structure for your business is a sole proprietorship, an LLC, or a corporation. This is an important decision that affects how your business is taxed and how liability is handled. LLCs are a popular choice for emerging entrepreneurs. These protect your personal assets should your business become the subject of a lawsuit, and they provide certain tax advantages.

• Outline a marketing plan. You need a marketing plan to attract your ideal clients. Consider your target market, your budget, and the best marketing channels for your business.

• Set up a work-from-home space. For extra productivity, set up your workspace in a dedicated area of your home. Choose a well-lit room with plenty of storage for your supplies and equipment.

When you're ready to take on investors and expand your business, it's easier to transfer shares of a corporation to investors as opposed to getting investors involved in a limited liability company membership. Established investors tend to prefer the well-established structure that comes with being incorporated. Each state has its own rules governing LLC and open corporation formation and operation, so do your research before moving forward.

Get Started Today

Now is the perfect time to start a business from home. With the right planning and execution, you can be on your way to success. Use these tips to get started, and if you need help getting your business off the ground, contact a professional business consultant for assistance.

Membership in the Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce will help you build relationships that can grow your business to new levels of success. Join us today!