To try start a little business once kids go back school in September?

[blueberrywaffle]

So I can't physically work as I have to many appointments for my children that no job would accommodate, I am their main carer as they are seriously poorly. (Appointments be from 1/3 a week then over night stay appointments 2 nights every other month)
so I don't want to be at home doing nothing come September, mind over thinking etc as il feel I have a lot of time on my hands ?
I want to do something productive, feel useful and like I'm doing something worthwhile and earn some extra money as snice leaving work Iv really felt it as it's costing a lot in travel expenses to and from hospital appointments as we have to travel to a hospital out of our area
I won't lie since my baby's fell poorly Iv lost who I am, it's been 100mph focusing on them and getting them treatment but things are setting now and we're getting a routine.
I had to leave work to care for them and since then it's just appointments non stop I don't get a break so now their going to school in September full time il be lost , I can't just sit an do nothing?

Il still have a baby at home but he really is no trouble! So I'm just asking for ideas if anyone does any small businesses from home ?

Iv seen things like wax melts etc, so anything crafty I can do in my own time would be a big help. I'm stuck on good ideas, what's missing in the market ??

Have a look at the £10 a day thread - they have lots of ideas on there of things that can be slotted around a family.

I have a small business I sell on etsy. I think it's a mix of good and bad. It's a lot of time for relatively small profit but it is really satisfying having a small shop and happy customers

So long as you stay away from MLMs it’s worth a try!

What about getting on off those machines that print names etc you can use to personalise things. If starting in sept maybe think about Xmas specific stuff

Dont be tempted into ANY MLM offerings. They prey on women.

What did you enjoy as a hobby pre kids? There may be business opportunity there if you can share.

What sort of level of education do you have? That would help (eg if you speak a second language/ maths skills) with suggesting industry/job types.

Well, what do you know you can make to a high standard?
Maybe something with low outlay to start with?
Then you need to see how many other people are out there selling the same thing.
How can you make yours unique and interesting?
Where are you going to sell??
It might take some patience to really get going and be prepared to not make a lot of money for a while.
It’s definitely worth a go but be realistic with how easy it’s going to be.

I just want to do it to keep me busy. A little pocket money to !
And the circuit machines yes. My SIL has the best one you can get so can print on fabric, engrave etc so said I can use that an she will show me how to work it etc as her business doesn't need it no more !
Thanks for all the advice.
I have all GCSEs, majority grade B/C nothing more or less , have some NVQs to and level 1&2 anatomy and physiology if this helps ?

What about papercutting? Crochet? Book folding?

Etsy is quite competitive but there’s always space for one more. Start researching things now and also create a Facebook shop.
Make sure that if you’re using phrases that they’re not copywrited and stay clear of anything Disney related or they will get your shop shut down.
Good luck!

Maybe take in some ironing? Or offer a laundry service? Less overhead and very little start up costs.

The personalised/homemade crafty things market is a bit saturated unless you offer something unique.

Avoid MLMs please, for your sake.

But are you a crafty/artsy person OP? That's where I'd start from with it - what talents have you already got that you might utilise or anything you're interested in. It's no good setting up a wax melt business if you've zero interest in wax melts themselves.

I see a lot of people on Instagram making good money out of reselling second hand clothes (or vintage sellers, as they'd call themselves). Would that be of interest? You could trawl the charity shops with the baby in a buggy, maybe?

I organise pop up shops around my local area for artists and crafts people. The most over saturated areas right now are wax melts and lower priced jewellery (ie pieces made with polymer clay, anything using cheap fixings rather than precious metals, resin etc) You're hopefully on to something with the cricut, I know several people selling homewares or clothing with slogans that are doing really well, and it is something you can set up fairly easily without prior experience or any particular talent. As a pp said though, just avoid anything that's copyrighted at all costs!

You could definitely do it. I would love to- shame I'm not crafty!

Will you be able to sustain it if it takes off and grows rapidly though? I'm not trying ro clip your wings, a friend has had her "making and selling online" business take off into a full-time gig WAY faster than anticipated. She loves it but I know she's very, very busy!

@Whatinthelord

So long as you stay away from MLMs it’s worth a try!

What about getting on off those machines that print names etc you can use to personalise things. If starting in sept maybe think about Xmas specific stuff

That market is extremely saturated, I don't think you'd earn much, for the initial outlay and time it takes to make things.

Hi OP, I saved your thread to read through, because it piqued my interest. I'm thinking about trying a few business ideas, not with the intention of making my living, but just as a creative outlet really. How are you getting on?

It's no good setting up a wax melt business if you've zero interest in wax melts themselves.

I guess it's no good setting up a wax melt business if it's not actually a business.