The Everyday Entrepreneur

Microbusiness Ideas

A microbusiness is a very small business, started with minimal resources, and operating without business loans or major overhead. Microbusinesses are ideal for teens who want to save for college while gaining business skills. They also work very well for people who want to make money while staying home to care for children or elderly family members. A microbusiness can be a good way to try out a possible career, or to supplement income in a flagging economy.

Microbusiness possibilites are nearly endless. My own microbusiness career began when I was in elementary school-- I used my little red wagon to peddle avocados around our neighborhood. I made an average of $100 a year, until I got too big to be seen in public with a red wagon! I graduated to making macrame bracelets with beaded names; then to doing- and ultimately teaching- calligraphy. Each of these microbusinesses brought in a decent amount of money for doing something fun and relatively low-key. I'm certain that the skills I learned from each venture were more valuable than almost anything I would have gained in a minimum-wage traditional job.

Here are some microbusiness ideas, with links to more information to get you started. You can learn a lot just by reading about what's available. Being your own boss is a great experience!

Well, I have to admit that I'm partial to anything that involves writing. Mr. Edwards is the guy who really knows about e-books. He's been working with them for many years, and is considered one of the top experts in the field. His methods are straightforward and simple, and if you follow his instructions, you'll certainly end up with an e-book. I think it's even possible to do it in seven days, though not many of us will have seven consecutive days to devote to writing and publishing!

Perfume Making - How to make and market fragrances, including instructions for every facet of the business. A delightful (and profitable) way to spend an afternoon!

Home Craft Business - The Complete Guide to Starting and Running Your Home Craft Business is a reasonably-priced, detailed manual for creating a microbusiness from your favorite activity.

Face Painting - Easy Face Painting teaches how anyone can get professional-looking results even if you've never painted before.

Dog Training- This link offers a brief, free e-mail dog-training course, plus a reasonably-priced comprehensive course that you can purchase.

Personalized Baby Newsletters and/or Candy Bars

Soapmaking- Simple Soapmaking offers a free report on 'Six soapmaking mistakes that can ruin your batch of soap,' plus complete soapmaking instructions and tips. Fragrant homemade soaps are fun to make, and can be quite profitable!

Battery Reconditioning- Who would have thought of this odd little business? The website offers quite a bit of useful information, plus an instructional course.

Personalized Candy Wrappers- This site offers software for making personalized candy wrappers. An interesting idea!

Earn free groceries! If you don't want to start a microbusiness now, perhaps you'd like to know how to save a lot on groceries without clipping coupons. Click here for more information.

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