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Original poster

Sahm who would love to set up a little business ideas please.

210 replies

Somersby12 · 07/12/2023 00:58

I am a very happy sahm & I need to be due go dhs irregular work pattern which involves being on call /needing to leave the country at the last minute etc.. So I obviously need to be here for the dc.
I would love to set up a small enterprise to keep myself busy & for the extra income for myself. Would love some ideas & I am absolutely not in any way crafty. Non crafty ideas would be most welcome

OP posts:
Rainbowshine · 07/12/2023 12:35

A friend needed a very flexible occupation to manage around caring for a parent with dementia. She buys old furniture cheaply, upcycles it and sells it online. She does it beautifully and she branched out into giving lessons too. The benefit is that she can take commissions etc and do the work whenever she can. Of course she has a garage to do this and does have an initial outlay for the furniture and materials, but she prices things to make a profit. She’s careful about what she buys and has worked out what sells and what doesn’t. Not a massive money spinner but she enjoys it and makes enough for her needs.

Nunquamnonparatus · 07/12/2023 12:48

What's your previous experience?

Being a Virtual Assistant works well for many in your position and it's easy and inexpensive to start.

As long as you have a skill others need and the list is vast.

Lots of support out there as well-

I used the Business-Savvy VA and Society of Virtual Assistants to start

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 07/12/2023 20:51

Obviously I don't know where you're based, but there's a company near me that offers a kind of home help service for the elderly who don't want/need to go into a care home, but just need checking up on. It's usually about 2/3hrs a day, making a cup of tea, doing a bit of shopping, changing light bulbs, making lunch, having a chat, that sort of thing. Minimum wage obviously, but you get assigned your clients, so you can call ahead if you're running late because of DC, etc. A few of my friends have done it because it fits in well with school hours, and it's not as hard work as being an actual carer.

Original poster
Somersby12 · 07/12/2023 20:56

sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 07/12/2023 20:51

Obviously I don't know where you're based, but there's a company near me that offers a kind of home help service for the elderly who don't want/need to go into a care home, but just need checking up on. It's usually about 2/3hrs a day, making a cup of tea, doing a bit of shopping, changing light bulbs, making lunch, having a chat, that sort of thing. Minimum wage obviously, but you get assigned your clients, so you can call ahead if you're running late because of DC, etc. A few of my friends have done it because it fits in well with school hours, and it's not as hard work as being an actual carer.

That sounds ideal. I'd enjoy the company & chats too. I'll look into this one definitely.

OP posts:
sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea · 07/12/2023 21:24

The company near me is called Home Instead, but I'm not sure how national they are! All the people I know who've done it says it's been really rewarding & they've kept up the friendship with their clients who have gone into care homes later on. It might be a good way to build up some confidence before going back to full time work too Flowers

Original poster
Somersby12 · 07/12/2023 21:35

@sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea thank you for this I'm definitely going to explore this further. It would be very rewarding & yes it will definitely help build my confidence & people skills again. I've been out of the work force for 12 years.

OP posts:
girlfriend44 · 07/12/2023 21:40

Seems a tad odd asking people what you can do?
What are your interests and skills it's a personal thing.

Original poster
Somersby12 · 07/12/2023 21:54

I'm just looking for inspiration & to see if other sahm set up little businesses or little money spinners. Not odd at all. It is a chat forum after all.

OP posts:
Flibbertygibbetty · 07/12/2023 22:22

A few ideas:
Do you like gardening? Could you grow plants and sell outside your house eg pots of herbs, trees, fruit bushes?

Do you like working on the computer? Could you start a blog, advice site or write online games like murder mystery, children’s themed parties or escape?
Do you like cooking? Could you offer a service where you provide home cooked meals to people nearby on holiday or busy or supper party style meals with three courses?
Buying and selling if there is a niche you know of or declutter your house and sell it all off this year aiming for enough for a holiday.
Do you like foraging? Could you lead foraging walks, cooking, teaching or one to-one days? Can you do guided walks around your town on history, geology, legends etc?

SheilaFentiman · 07/12/2023 22:38

How much do you want to make a year?
Are your children in school?

AngeloMysterioso · 07/12/2023 22:42

So you’ve no experience outside retail
No qualifications
Haven’t worked for 12 years

What makes you think you could run a business?!

By calling it a “tiny business”, “side hustle”, “little money spinner” you’re actually being quite dismissive of the hard work, drive and acumen that is needed to run an actual business of any size. You can’t even be arsed to think of one by yourself, how on earth could you expect to successfully run one?

Original poster
Somersby12 · 07/12/2023 22:47

SheilaFentiman · 07/12/2023 22:38

How much do you want to make a year?
Are your children in school?

About 6k a year. Yes the dc are in school.

OP posts:
SheilaFentiman · 07/12/2023 22:55

So if they are in school, is it at least worth looking into, say, retail shifts between 10 and 2? And weekend if that is possible?

SheilaFentiman · 07/12/2023 23:02

If you were working for national living
wage, 4h a day, 4d a week, 30-35 weeks a year, you would get around £6K

Not saying that finding something flexible would be easy but nor is starting a “little money spinner”

SkaneTos · 07/12/2023 23:03

Perhaps you can look for some inspiration and information on this board
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/small_business

Good luck!

fridaynight1 · 07/12/2023 23:43

Register as a cat sitter with cat in a flat. We paid £22 a day for 2 visits a day when we went away on holiday. So £220 in total. And that was one of the cheaper cat sitters. Not a bad side hustle - especially if you have more than one cat to visit. The sitter will stay for 15 - 30 mins to feed, water, change litter tray and give a little pampering. Times are flexible - we just asked for 2 visits a day and left the time up to the sitter.
Depending on the age of your kids you could park your car on the drive with iPads etc or if the owner is ok with it let them come in the house with you or play in the garden.
The lady that we chose to look after our cat was a nurse and worked shifts so the flexibility suited her.
My daughter’s cat sitter takes her son with her and he plays with the cat while she is changing the litter tray.

MoveOnTheCards · 08/12/2023 07:03

@AngeloMysterioso harsh but true!

margotrose · 08/12/2023 07:27

Wouldn't it make more sense to get a job working school hours somewhere? When I worked in ASDA lots of people worked 9.30-2.30 during the week to fit around their kids.

I own a small business and there's no such thing as a "side hustle" that makes you good money without you putting hours into it first. I've been going for almost four years now and while it's a lot easier than it was, it's still exhausting and takes a lot of time management. I couldn't do it around small children.

Original poster
Somersby12 · 08/12/2023 07:40

Yes any part time job will need to revolve around the dc's school & their extracurricular schedules. It makes no sense otherwise as I'd only be working to pay childcare.

OP posts:
LaurieStrode · 08/12/2023 08:04

People always seem desperate for child minders and babysitters.

LaurieStrode · 08/12/2023 08:05

Somersby12 · 08/12/2023 07:40

Yes any part time job will need to revolve around the dc's school & their extracurricular schedules. It makes no sense otherwise as I'd only be working to pay childcare.

Well, you'd also be funding your pension, gaining work experience, updating skills, networking, etc.

It's an investment in your future.

margotrose · 08/12/2023 08:07

Somersby12 · 08/12/2023 07:40

Yes any part time job will need to revolve around the dc's school & their extracurricular schedules. It makes no sense otherwise as I'd only be working to pay childcare.

But very few "side hustles" will fit that bill, which is why people are saying you'd be better off getting a term-time only job somewhere, or working school hours even if that means you have to pay for childcare in the holidays.

You wouldn't just be working to pay for childcare, you'd also be paying into your pension and keeping your CV going for your future.

Whinge · 08/12/2023 08:12

LaurieStrode · 08/12/2023 08:05

Well, you'd also be funding your pension, gaining work experience, updating skills, networking, etc.

It's an investment in your future.

Show quote history

Exactly. Op has been out of work for at least 12 years and only seems to have a bit of retail work before that. It's a vulnerable position to be in when you've been out of work for so long and are reliant on a partner.

Original poster
Somersby12 · 08/12/2023 08:16

So much food for thought on this. I joined swagbucks this morning off the back of another thread. Won't make me rich by any means but it's a start. The carer for the elderly & pet sitting both pop out at me as something I'd be able for & would enjoy.

OP posts:
KnickerlessParsons · 08/12/2023 08:19

What about child minding?