Top 10 Business Ideas for Work at Home Moms

Home based businesses are a great career solution for moms who want to spend more time with their family. Working out of the home keeps us close to our kids and gives us the flexibility to shift schedules for sports practices and school events, sick days, medical appointments and other activities that wouldn't be possible with a "regular job."

Even though opening up a home based business sounds intimidating, it's really not. For many of us, including me, home businesses evolve out of a hobby or activity that has career possibilities. Here are 10 ideas to get you started.

Offer home classes. If you have a skill that others might be interested in learning, offering home classes can earn you cash. Music and art classes are some of the more typical offerings; don't forget instruction in cake decorating, scrapping, knitting, sewing and other handicrafts.

Custom sewing. Moms who are fabulous at sewing can tap into the niche market of handcrafted gowns for children and teens.

Paint art furniture. Hand painted, "artsy" furniture is wildly expensive to buy but easy to do if you've got an eye for design. Check with boutique furniture stores and craft fairs to find out what's popular and what's not.

Catering. Enjoy cooking & baking? Catering can also be a lucrative business for a work-at-home mom. One of the ways I'll earn extra money during the holidays is baking deserts and artisan breads for parties.

Home based bookkeeping services. If you're good with math, there's a growing demand for home based bookkeeping services. A great place to start the search for clients is in your own neighborhood.

Growing produce. Moms who enjoy gardening can expand their vegetable beds and grow produce to sell at the farmer's market, to neighbors or at the corner market.

Property management. If you have a real estate license and are tired of selling homes, consider managing property instead. To keep close to home, limit the properties you manage to ones that are within a few miles of your house.

Online tutor. Do you have a college degree in art, science, mathematics or history? Consider joining one of the dozens of online tutoring sites for a part time teaching job that can be done from home at a schedule that works for you.

eBay seller. For moms who like to cruise the thrifts and flea markets, eBay is a great way to turn a hobby into cash. Collectibles, antiques, old books and gently used name brand clothing are just a few of the many categories that are profitable for on-line vendors.

Freelance writing. Thanks to the internet, writing for your local newspaper, print magazine, or other venue is easier than ever. An online search of "freelance writing jobs" will turn up a wide range of writing opportunities.

More articles by Carolyn:
Can I Start a Business in My Garage?
Estimating Revenue & Costs of a New Business
Four Free Marketing Techniques