Some of the most successful home businesses I know are ones where the proprietor has turned specialized knowledge or skills into a thriving business. As you look for ideas for your home business, or consider expanding your current operations—don’t overlook special skills, contacts, or knowledge you may have acquired that could be valuable to customers and clients.
Sure, you might think of highly educated consultants as a perfect home-based business, but if you have specialized skills and knowledge in things like shipping and mailing, mechanics, appliance repair, second (or third) language skills, etc. these can be perfect for a home-based business. Think of things that you have taken the time to learn how to do that not everyone does—do you know how to apply for scholarships? Write grants? Pack and ship merchandise or books? Are you good at coordinating parties or running errands? You may think that you need to find an existing business or do something that seems like a typical and traditional business—but the truth is, you may have special skills that are incredibly marketable.
Of course, if you have acquired skills that you hate—it is probably not a good idea to try to build a business around them. I spent over twenty years working in nonprofit fund development and while I am one heck of a fundraiser, I got so burned out that I knew I didn’t want to have anything to do with that world. I like NOT using those special skills and experience, even though I know it has some value. But, before you purchase a franchise or get involved in a business in which you have no experience, consider taking stock of your professional skills and special knowledge, and see if you cannot parlay that into a thriving home-based business.
Also: Ideas Can Come From Anywhere
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