Business Ideas You Can Do from Home, Even While You Homeschool
by Kristi Crosson
I love running a business at home with my children. It gets crazy at times. I have to be intentional to focus on the right things at the right times. I have to choose time with my kids or time doing work for my business. And I can’t say that everyone wants that pressure, but I love that they get to see me work. I love that they have ideas for their own businesses because they see me doing it. I love that it inspires them to be creative.
One day my daughter turned her bunkbed into a food-truck and she sold pretend food outside of a blanket window. My oldest wants to decorate desserts. Even my 3-year-old plays “business” of some sort. It usually involves a computer and him telling his brother and sister to wait a minute.
I am teaching them valuable lessons about work, perseverance, and faith.
Homeschooling is already a full-time job for many parents, so I know it might seem crazy to add a business on top of it. But the beauty of homeschooling is the flexibility it provides the whole family. YOU included. That’s right. Because you can be flexible about how to educate your children at home, you can also build a life that includes you building a dream business.
Let’s talk about your WHY. Why do you want to start a business?
Do you need income and you’re tired of working 40-60 hours a week away from home?
Do you have an idea that’s been burning inside of you and you just need to do it?
Are you a single parent and you need a flexible schedule?
Do you create something that people love?
Your why is really important for you. Take a minute to think about it and write down some of the reasons why you want to start a small business.
After you’ve done that, brainstorm. Make a list. Write down all the things you know how to do already. Then list all of the resources you have at your disposal. You’ll find some great options for businesses below. I’ve also created a list of resources to help you start your own resource list.
1. Photography
2. Photo editing
3. Graphic Design
4. Graphic design templates
5. Website design
6. Videography
7. Baking
8. Car repair
9. Catering
10. Sell chicken eggs
11. Fresh cut flowers
12. Writing
13. Editing
14. Sewing
15. Business consulting
16. Event planning
17. Tutoring
18. Wedding planning
19. Flower arranging
20. Errand running
21. Music lessons
22. Singing lessons
23. Handyman, or woman
24. Plumber
25. Welding
26. MLM sales
27. Childcare
28. Lawn care
29. Interior design/decorating
30. Voice overs
31. Financial planning
32. Bookkeeping
33. Accounting
34. Create an app
35. Computer repair
36. Crafting
37. Make soap
38. Create a makeup line
39. Woodworking
40. Teach something you know online
41. Virtual administrative assistant
42. Personal fitness instructor
43. Meal planner
44. Birth doula
45. Lactation consultant
46. Resell items
Here are some resource categories to consider:
1. Money in the bank – How much money do you have? While you don’t necessarily need a lot, even things like registering your business with your local city will cost at least a little bit.
2. Tools of the trade – What do you have? i.e. a camera to take photos, a computer to type articles, a smartphone, woodworking tools, etc.
3. Friends and family – Who can help? Be careful with this one. Friends and family may have some tools and things you don’t that they’d be willing to lend to you. They may be available to babysit on occasion.
4. Connections – Who do you know?
5. Education – What do you know? What can you learn? How can you learn it? Hint: The library often has free courses.
The most important thing is to find a problem and solve it. Choose a business that you can make work for you and your homeschooling needs. And choose one that maybe even the kiddos could help out with.
About the Author
Kristi Crosson is a writer and photographer and homeschools her three children, ages 8, 4, and 2. She is in the process of writing her first book, a personal story about God’s goodness in the midst of heartache and impossible situations.
Her background includes work in communications for a large Christian non-profit and freelance writing for hundreds of businesses on social media and blogs.
She has more than 15 years of ministry experience serving in the church and learned valuable leadership skills that she applies to her life and businesses. Kristi has a huge heart to fight human trafficking and see women experience God’s love in powerful ways.
When she is not busy with her businesses or her family, she enjoys creating art, playing music, singing, and hiking. And somehow manages to "do it all". Don't be fooled. In getting real, she'll share about how she manages her day to day work in business and homeschool.
Say hello to Kristi on her blog, on Facebook, or connect on LinkedIn. You can find Kristi’s book, “When God Says” on Blurb.
You can read Kristi’s column, Getting Real with Kristi on the 3rd Tuesday each month here at Mustard Seed Sentinel.
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