Right now, there are over 16 million self-employed people in the US (Source: Pew Research). More and more people want to work for themselves. Whether you’re looking to achieve a better work/life balance, spend more time with your family or travel the world while still earning and income, there’s never been a better time to become your own boss.
There’s a huge amount of information on the internet about some of the more popular, home-based self-employment ideas to make some extra money, but here are a few you might not have considered.
Life Coach
A life coach is a person who is part therapist, part personal trainer, part mentor. Their job is to inspire people and help them achieve their goals. There are many specializations in life coaching including career, personal, business, health, and relationship.
If you like the idea of helping people reach their full potential by holding them accountable but also inspiring them then this job could be perfect for you.
Many life coaches also provide phone or video consultations so you aren’t geographically limited when looking for clients.
There are no specific educational requirements to become a life coach but there are many certifications, online courses, and workshops you can complete.
Digital Nomad
Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash
A digital nomad isn’t a particular job in itself but describes those people who, first and foremost, want to travel the world, but want to keep working as well.
If you have experience and skills in certain sectors such as social media, mobile app development, copywriting or anything else that could be done with just an internet connection then this is an option for you.
In the past, people who wanted to travel for significant periods, would either have to save up and quit their jobs and use savings to fund their adventures or take on entry-level jobs in other countries.
By working completely remotely, you don’t have to take a career break which can make it difficult to get back into employment, lose skills. With today’s technology, that doesn’t have to be the case and your career can flourish, no matter where you are.
Often, the cost of living in other countries is significantly lower, meaning you can live well for far less money than you would at home.
Dog Walker
Photo by leonides ruvalcabar on Unsplash
If you love dogs and are fit and active, then dog walking could be the ideal career for you. People love having dogs but worry they don’t have the time to exercise them, or are worried about them being left a home while they are at work.
Over 63 million households have a registered dog. Pets are a multi-billion dollar industry and people are prepared to pay to make sure that their four-legged friends get the best care.
Additionally, you can look to diversify into dog behavioral therapy, grooming or home boarding.
Most areas have their own requirements for the licenses and insurance dog walkers need, so be sure to check on this before you set yourself up.
Professional Meal Prepper
Photo by Ella Olsson on Unsplash
The meal prepping phenomenon is one of those trends that has successfully broken down cultural, gender and economic divides. Elite athletes, bodybuilders, stay at home moms, students on a budget and busy professionals are all meal prepping these days.
Just search ‘meal prep’ on YouTube or Instagram and you will find hundreds of thousands of examples. And it looks like it’s here to stay. The popularity of meal prepping has led to the rise of the ‘professional meal prepper’.
As a meal prepper, you either visit your clients’ homes and cook on-site or prepare the meals in your own kitchen and deliver them. It’s becoming increasingly popular with time-poor professionals with families who don’t want to spend their precious free time cooking but don’t want to rely on fast food or take-out wither.
One of the most popular meal preppers on social media is Fresh Erica.
If you are a trained chef or someone who really enjoys cooking, then get up to speed on the latest recipes to suit a variety of lifestyles and diets. You’ll still be able to practice your skills but without the stress of a busy, noisy professional kitchen.
Professional Organizer
Photo by Burgess Milner on Unsplash
Here is another one of those jobs that make you go ‘is that a thing?’ Yes, people are paying other people to organize their houses and apartments.
Since Marie Kondo became an international decluttering superstar with the KonMari method, the world seems to be determined to rid themselves of clutter.
But as with so many other things we should be doing, people don’t have the time, skills or energy to get it done. That’s where professional declutterers come in and organize everything from garages to the kitchens, closets to paperwork.
It’s not just a fad either and goes far beyond just tidying up. Having an uncluttered, organized, clean and tidy living space has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, improve creativity and even reduce family and relationship tensions.
You also get the opportunity to work with people to understand their lifestyle and how they live, which lets you tailor your organizational efforts to each person.
To get started, visit the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals to get some inspiration and network with other professionals.
Following your passions
Making the decision to become self-employed is exciting. Make sure you take the time to reflect on what you feel passionate about and how you can use your transferable skills to do something a little different than you may not have thought about in the past.
