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Tip Sheets
Working Part-Time From Home
If you want a part-time, home-based business, this article includes over 100 business ideas. This is a sample to get you started—the possibilities are endless.
The best home-based business ideas:
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build on your interests and skills |
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respond to well-researched customer needs and preferences |
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are solid business opportunities, not scams designed to part you from your money! |
The more tailored a business idea is to your needs and the needs of potential customers, the better it is. To get started with ideas of your own, choose an appropriate interests/skills category and check out the related occupations.
| Interests/skills |
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Sample home-based business occupations |
| Animal care |
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pick-up and delivery pet groomer, aquarium service operator, pet sitter, dog trainer, pet breeder
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| Art/graphic design |
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custom tile painter, silk plant arranger, graphic designer, interior decorator, photographer, mural painter, furniture painter, house portrait painter, fabric painter, calligrapher, greeting card artist, art tutor, event videographer
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| Business-related |
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word processor, billing service operator, telephone answering service operator, team building consultant, specialized business travel agent, human resource consultant, medical transcriptionist, court/real time reporter, inventory service operator
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| Computers |
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computer network installer, website designer, computer rescue specialist, consultant/trainer, desktop publisher
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| Cooking/catering |
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business lunch or boxed lunch caterer, cookie/bread maker, gourmet jam/salsa seller, chocolatier, special event caterer
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| Crafts/sewing/ woodworking |
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craft manufacturer (e.g. decorations, willow furniture, lamp shades, specialty pinatas or photo albums), craft show/flea market retailer, dressmaker/alterationist, furniture refinisher, chair caner, dollhouse builder, window covering designer/maker, doll refurbisher, custom bridal veil designer/maker, upholsterer, picture framer, engraver
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| Education/child care |
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day home operator, private facilitator/trainer, tutor, craft workshop instructor, music teacher, babysitter for local inns and hotels, gardening teacher/consultant
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| Entertainment |
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clown, party planner, puppeteer, novelty message deliverer, educational performer, lyricist, game inventor, disc jockey
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| Finances |
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accounting system developer, bookkeeper for small businesses, investment consultant, real estate appraiser, retirement planner, credit repairer, refund auditor, insurance claims consultant, tax preparer, credit consultant
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| Health care |
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alternative health consultant, massage therapist, reflexologist, midwife, personal fitness trainer, personal weight management consultant
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| Home/garden care |
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lawn care specialist, herb gardener, window washer, tree trimmer, commercial plant horticulturist, hauling service operator, commercial/apartment cleaner, house sitter, chimney sweep, house painter, carpet cleaner, pond and water garden installer, landscape/garden designer, playhouse designer/builder, home inspector, landlord
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| Personal service |
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neighbourhood concierge, gift basket maker, seniors' helper (shopping, yard, fix-it services), bed and breakfast operator, balloon/candy deliverer, gift-buying specialist, dating service operator, wardrobe or image consultant, house childproofer, career counsellor, résumé writer
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| Research/organization/ special events |
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family tree researcher, fundraiser, corporate meeting planner, information broker, indexer, balloon decorator, party rental business operator, reunion planner, wedding consultant
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| Sales/marketing |
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direct distributor (e.g. home party sales), comic book dealer, sports card dealer, freelance publicist, manufacturer sales representative, collectibles dealer, market researcher, on-line marketing consultant, Internet advertising salesperson
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| Writing/publishing |
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family history videographer, corporate newsletter publisher, editor, proofreader, corporate biographer, desktop publisher, translator, grant writer, advertising copywriter, technical writer, abstract writer |
Beware of work-at-home opportunities that sound too good to be true—they probably are. When you start looking for home-based business ideas, you will find many electronic and print ads promising that you can generate hundreds of dollars a week working part-time from your home (no experience required). You may even be approached by family members, friends or acquaintances. Be cautious if the opportunity is vague but promises to be extremely lucrative, especially if it requires spending money or calling a 1-900 number.
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download an online copy or order the publication from the Publications website at alis.alberta.ab.ca/careershop |
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call the Alberta Career Information Hotline at 1-800-661-3753 toll-free or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton |
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visit your local Alberta Employment and Immigration service centre. To find the centre nearest you, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline. |
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Additional Information
Visit your local library to research business ideas. Contact The Business Link at 1-800-272-9675 toll-free and be sure to check the Self-Employment link on the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website at alis.gov.ab.ca/ec/wo/small-bus.html
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Last Updated: June 20, 2006
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