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While most parents agree that raising a family is a full-time job on its own, few parents can comfortably afford to stay at home with their children without earning some kind of income. After all, there are bills to pay, food and clothing expenses for the whole family, and college tuition costs to save up for! Also there may be the added cost of treatment programs for your teens too!
Fortunately, earning money as a stay-at-home parent has never been easier. Remote work and freelancing are more popular than ever, and apps like TaskRabbit and DoorDash make it easy to join the gig economy as an independent contractor. Check out these tips from My Warrior Mom Life to discover a few flexible business ideas for stay-at-home moms and dads.
Try Freelance Writing, Bookkeeping, or Graphic Design
For stay-at-home parents with skills in areas such as writing, bookkeeping, or graphic design, freelancing could be a great way to earn an income and enjoy a flexible work schedule that allows them to continue caring for their children during the day.
Freelance writers create different types of written content for various publications and clients, while bookkeepers help companies track their income and expenses. Graphic designers use technology and art to create different types of visuals for the companies and clients they work with.
Freelancers can also work as:
- Virtual assistants
- Tutors
- Proofreaders
- Graphic designers
- Bloggers
- Software developers
- Web designers
- Social media managers
- Childcare providers
- Customer service representatives
- Make money as an affiliate
There are a plethora of websites to find freelance work opportunities, including Designhill, Toptal, We Work Remotely, and Behance. However, it’s important to understand the differences between freelancing and working as an employee, as how you’re categorized will affect your taxes and how you’re paid for your work.
Keep in mind that if you’re freelancing as a web or graphic designer, you’ll need to find easy ways to share design ideas with clients. If you need to convert a file to make it less time-consuming to email, there are plenty of free online tools that you can use.
Become a Dropshipper
Dropshipping is another possible business idea for stay-at-home parents, especially those with an interest in pursuing entrepreneurship. This low-investment business idea is easy to start, as the costs associated with becoming a drop shipper typically include a domain name, online advertising, and product testing. But like any type of business, you’ll need to market yourself as a drop shipper in order to stand out online.
Launch a Photography Business
If you enjoy photography, you might also consider starting your own business as a freelance photographer. Some photographers specialize in staging and shooting weddings and events, while others shoot families, newborns, and maternity photos. Other types of photographers shoot products, fine art, landmarks, animals, food, and real estate.
Consider Ridesharing, Errand Running, and Food Delivery
Some other great ways to earn money as a stay-at-home parent include ridesharing, errand running, and food and grocery delivery. If you don’t mind driving, for instance, you could become a driver for rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft. Or if you enjoy running errands, assembling furniture, doing yard work, and delivering food or groceries, you might consider becoming a Tasker for TaskRabbit. Other delivery apps to work for include DoorDash, Instacart, Shipt, and Uber Eats.
Learn How to Start Your Home-Based Business Today
Once you’ve chosen a business idea that fits your skills, interests, and busy schedule as a stay-at-home parent, your first step toward earning an income is writing a business plan. Your business plan should include a description of the company you’re starting, information about your financial needs and projections, and details about how your products or services will be sold. You’ll also need to decide how you’ll structure your new business.
After writing your business plan and choosing a business structure (also known as your legal entity), you can use an online formation service to easily set up a new company from home. Online formation services can be used to form a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), get a registered agent and a “doing business as” name, and apply for an employer identification number (EIN). Some businesses can be started as sole proprietorships — eliminating the need to use a formation service — but this type of legal entity isn’t right for everyone.
Learn How to Start Your Home-Based Business Today
Acquiring new customers is critical for any business’s sustainability. However, finding prospective clients can be challenging for many new businesses. This is where lead generation strategies come into play. Adopting solutions related to lead generation is vital for any organization that seeks to expand its customer base and generate revenue. Effective lead-generation strategies can increase a company’s visibility, establish its credibility, and ultimately stimulate growth. The importance of lead generation cannot be overstated. It is a fundamental process that lays the foundation for enduring business success.
Find the Job that Works Best for You
Making the decision to return to work isn’t an easy one when you’ve chosen to stay home with your children, but gig work, freelancing, and low-investment business ideas make it easier than ever to earn an income while continuing to care for your family. Online formation services make it as simple as possible to start a new business from home, and apps like Uber, Shipt, and Instacart allow you to join the gig economy at any time.
You may be returning to work, but there’s no need to find a standard 9-to-5 job when flexible and remote work opportunities are so readily available. You’ll earn some extra money without spending too much time away from your children, and you’ll keep your career alive at the same time.
Every family is different, but we can learn from each other. My family struggles with technology. Learn about our journey at My Warrior Mom Life!