I'm writing articles (like this one) that aim to give you a snapshot of a business idea. This is exactly what I wanted when I was on my first maternity leave, but couldn't find. I had an idea that I could run a business around my family, but no idea what I could actually do or how it might work.
This is going to take me a while to complete, so in the meantime I thought a list of businesses that you could run as a mum would be useful. I'll link each idea to the posts as I write them.
(I'm not saying that this list is all that mums can expect to do – being a mum (or a dad) shouldn't limit you from any type of business, providing you have the appropriate childcare and support. This is a list of businesses that suit mums that want to work around their families so they can reduce the childcare costs and spend more time with their children.)
You'll see that some businesses appear more than once under different headings - thinking about a business ideas as a group might spark more ideas than a simple list. Let me know what you think…
- Business Services
Accountancy
Bookkeeping
Web Design
Graphic Design
Copywriting
Public Relations
Marketing Consultant
Interior Design
- Teaching, Training, Coaching, Children
Online Tutor
Personal Trainer
Childminder
Running an Information Website
- Web-Based Businesses
Running an Information Website
Running an Online Shop
- Writing
Proof Reader
Copywriter
Public Relations
Journalist
Blogger or 'Ghost Blogger' (i.e. blogging for someone else)
- Services For People At Home or On Holiday
Ironing
Dog walking
Cleaning
Babysitting Agency
Equipment Hire
Wedding/Event Planner
Gardener
Photographer
Interior Designer
Travel Agent
House Sitter/Pet carer for people on holiday
- Sales and Advertising
Direct Selling and Party Plans
Developing and Selling a New Product
- Art, Design and Craft
Web Designer
Graphic Designer
Photographer
Selling crafts you've made yourself at craft fairs, parties and online
Interior Designer
- Health and Beauty
Holistic/Complementary or Sport Therapist
Direct selling and Party Plans (healthcare products and food supplements)
Doula
Antenatal teacher or therapist
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
A good list. Crafting mums should also consider writing and publishing their own craft book. Not as difficult as it might sound with the internet and print-on-demand publishing. You can control the whole thing yourself and it’s very profitable. Traditional publishing might get you 10%, ebooks in particular – a huge growth area – can bring you as much as 90% of cover price.
Great list and very inclusive. I do a combo of a few of these (info websites & selling crafts as well) and just seeing this list gives me a few ideas on areas where I can potentially expand.
Bob, great idea, I hadn’t thought of publishing e-books for crafts specifically, thanks for that.
Amber, thanks for the feedback, I’m really glad that this has given you areas you can expand.
Hi – we took on the franchise for Treasure Trails in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and its proved to be a great business which could be done around a family. I know they are selling franchises for other parts of the company and would be worth looking into.
Thanks Amanda, I had heard of Treasure Trails but didn’t realise it was a franchise. I’ll check them out.
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