Side Business?

Well, since you're across the country, and no threat to me...

Seriously, I started a cleaning business eight years ago, and never looked back. Several good reasons for this particular type of business, in no particular order, are:

You can start it for VERY little money, both for supplies and advertising. It's nice to have so little overhead at startup that you're making money almost immediately.

If you are so inclined, you can do most of the work yourself, at least until you've gotten a few clients. It's not rocket science, after all. Then hire people as you expand. You can hire either employees or subs.

You can pick and choose a variety of special services to try (homes, offices, windows, carpet/upholstery, floors, etc.), depending on how many types of contractors are in your area. OK, the carpet/floors thing will need some specialized (read expensive) equipment and training, but you also make that back fairly quickly doing specialized work. At >$.25/square foot, it adds up!

You can work the days and hours that are good for your lifestyle. If a job doesn't feel right to you, you can walk away.

Last, but not least, HUGE tax advantages. I'm only a d/b/a, so I file a Sched. C along with my 1040, but I do the thing myself. That's not rocket science, either; Save your receipts, keep good records... not too difficult, really.

A lot also depends on your age and physical condition, as well as determination to succeed.


This is, of course, all dependent on what type of person you are, but it's worked so far for me. You must treat your customers the way you want to be treated, and they will stay with you. That's not to say it's all gravy, but the good has outweighed the bad by quite a bit. My .02 for today. Good luck with whatever you decide to try!

I get paid too much on OT to make it worth getting a second job. OT has slowed down a bit lately, but I'm still not hurting.

Wes

My son and I sell items on ebay. He's a senior in HS and I stop by the thrift stores and pickup items. He lists and sells them for his job. Better than bagging groceries. I also own and operate a 250 acre pine tree plantation with my brothers. Not much work, just plant em and wait like 20 years to cut them.

What a great thread!!!

I was laying tile for the past few years on the side, but I kinda pulled out when I started my odd houred retail job. I continually think about kicking that back up into full gear, but it hasn't happened yet. Opus is so right though, if you just do a good job and put the customer first, people are blown away.

I would love to have some small job on the computer at home on the side. Anyone ever look into those vacation packages deals where the computer does the selling? It always intrigued me, but looked rather fake/too-good-to-be-true kinda deal.

Most of the forum knows of my side job, DJing. However, my photography has been doing ok as well. The local paper I freelanced with over a month ago has been using photos of mine on a weekly basis (weekly paper). I get paid by the photo and don't have to do any editing to it. I send the photo as it was shot with no editing on my part. All totaled, my side work pays my truck payment, gas and insurance. Easy $$$!


DJ John

Side businesses can be great opportunities. The tax breaks are significant when used correctly (and legally). A few things to consider:
1. Visit with a community college professor who teaches business/marketing. The free advice is worth the time.
2. Have reasonable goals
3. Make sure you can invest the money without strapping yourself
4. Don't plan on taking money out for your own salary for at least a year
5. Have a proper business plan
6. Talk to others in the field
7. When investing in the startup supplies/items buy used whenever possible.
8. Have a friend or two to act as outside consultants. Tell them you want brutal honesty.
9. Don't wrap your emotional self worth in the success or failure
10. Enjoy the ride

i do word of mouth electronics installs car and home its not steady but it pays quite nicely when its there
funny but that is what i do all day long for my real job minus the car stuff

I'm an entrepreneur, send me your money and great things will happen:rolleyes:

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jwhitakr wrote: »

Good luck to ya man! Do you do bathroom tiling? Kitchen? I'll let you know if I hear of anyone wanting some work done here locally.

Hey thanks man! I'd appreciate it! I specialize in kitchens and bathrooms, but have done it all honestly. I just finished up a front porch and steps for this lady in Mission Hills. Nightmare of a job, did it during 10 degree weather, had to have tents and heaters up to keep the air above 40 degrees... ugh. But yah, I have access to any material with my day job! I enjoy it, and that's what matters!

Thanks!

jwhitakr wrote: »

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that ... I'd say that it depends on if your goal is simply to make money, or to do something fun on the side that also results in some extra income.

I have a website that I run on the side that makes much less than my hourly rate at my full-time job ... but I still do it for the other benefits ---it's fun, it's challenging and I am constantly learning new things.

To each their own, I have more fun in my freetime doing other things than I would doing anything that would make me money. I make more than "enough" money, so you would have to pay me a lot to get me to stop having my free time be mine.

Side Business???? Oh Boy!!!! Here we gooooooooooooooooooo


1. HP engine building. Mostly degree in cams, install nitros kits and set-up rear ends for a few shops and friends as needed. Sometimes do a complete build if the money is right.

2. Buy, sell & trade HO scale model trains on ebay. I mostly deal in imported brass models.

3. Custom detailing and painting of model trains of all scales.

4. Most ANY home repair or remodel. I'll do hands on for some fine detail work like trim and crap. But mostly just act as general contractor and call in some of my subs from work and make a few funds as a middle man.

I try and stay a little busy from time to time....LOL

I make a little extra on the side buying and selling audio on eBay. Not a huge amount, just enough to buy a few pieces for me each year. I made enough in 2007 to buy a plasma tv. I'd do more but running the e-zine takes up enough time as a hobby.