One summer when I was growing up I really wanted to earn some money during the summer holidays but I was really struggling to find a part-time job, nobody seemed to want to take me on because I was too young and all the summer jobs were already taken. So I decided that if nobody would employ me I would start up my own business.

I came up with the idea of running a mobile car washing business in my local area. I made up some fliers on A4 paper, nothing fancy just the business and a telephone number and I went around cold-calling my neighbour’s houses.

Business was fairly slow to take off, but I did eventually get my first job washing my neighbour’s car every week. Then I got a second and third client just from word of mouth. It eventually reached the point that I had customers for virtually every day of the summer holidays and I did all right out of it and I could work hours that suited me. But it all came to a sudden end when the summer holidays ended.

The point of this posting is not to talk about car washing but to illustrate that running a small business from home is very achievable. If you are looking for a second income there are plenty of things you could do to make money, if you are struggling for ideas think of something you are interested or passionate in, that’s what I have done with this website.

Small Business Ideas

Gardening – This may sound like a silly idea but many people are now to busy working to even think about gardening. Why not try advertising to elderly people who would be more than happy to have their garden maintained, and with prices for a gardener averaging anywhere from £8 – £14 it could be profitable business.

Ironing – This may sound like another daft idea, but many people either can’t be bothered ironing or don’t have time and would pay for this service. Try posting a leaflet through your neighbour’s letterboxes to get the ball rolling. If you have a Gran, Aunt, Uncle or anyone who likes ironing you could subcontract the work out to them 

Grocery Shopping –Many elderly people who cannot get around would be more than happy to pay someone to buy their messages for them.

Cleaning – Finding a reliable cleaner these days is easier said than done, many people are willing to pay a lot of money to have their house cleaned around – £10 per hour is the going rate and you don’t need any equipment either it will be all provided.

These may sound like silly ideas to you, but I personally know of someone who started a cleaning business this way and they have grown it into a large company with several members of staff and make a very healthy profit.

Internet Small Businesses

If you don’t have the opportunity to leave the house maybe you are a house mum or dad with a family then the internet is one of your best opportunities to make money, there are millions of people making money online now from internet advertising, ebay and other online revenue streams.

One of the greatest assets the internet offers is the amount of free information there is about online money making. Two years ago I couldn’t have told you the first thing about making money online. Two years on I wouldn’t say I’m an expert on the subject but I know loads more about it and I didn’t need to pay for any of it. And yes my conclusion is that you can definitely make money online, in-fact you can make a healthy living depending on how much work you put in.

If you are looking for some additional reading I have written a few articles on the subject of making money online, just do a search.