iCount Youth Account
Alternatives to Traditional Jobs
Creating a homemade job can provide a valuable service to others, but also a valuable paycheque to you! A good idea is the first step, then there are procedures to follow that will make it a success.
Make sure you have a skill or actually enjoy performing the type of work before you try to invent a business with it! Be committed as well. If you work for someone else and they tell you to start at noon, you start at noon. As your own boss you have to follow some rules of responsibility too or you will not be successful!
Start with pen and paper to identify your unique skills. Ask some questions to get started, but then expand as it suits your own personality:
- Are you good with pets, children or plants?
- Do you play guitar or piano?
- Can you drive?
- Are you able to lift heavy objects?
- Do you like crafts or baking?
- Can you do complicated math problems in your head?
See the full list of possible jobs and brief explanations below.
Assume you have picked a business. You must have a general plan of what types of services you will offer and how much you will charge. You have to work out how much it will cost to start, as well. If you need to buy supplies ahead of time, you have to make sure that each job covers your costs and gives you earnings as well. Example: If it takes 6 hours to complete a job, you charge $50.00 but use $26.00 in supplies, your total profit is $24.00 and you earned $4.00/hour – this is not a viable business. OR, maybe this job typically costs $100.00 – if you offer it for $85.00 you may get extra customers and still make almost $10.00/hour.
Do a bit of research, and see which ideas will pay off the most for you. This might be as simple as asking your neighbours if they will hire you, or it may take a bit more effort.
You will need to keep a calendar for appointments and be reachable by phone. Your advertising campaign needs to be simple but effective, so you might consider flyers to deliver door to door. After your first customers are pleased with your service, ask them to tell their friends. Dress neatly and do not blast the eardrums of your potential customers as you deliver your flyers.
Decide how much time per day or week you will dedicate to the business. In the first weeks, it will take more time, as you are just getting started and will be recruiting customers as well as working for them. Account for possible problems, such as bad weather or illness in your plans, but embrace the whole thing with a positive attitude! This is key to being successful.
Be courteous, reliable, reasonable and affordable. Work as much as possible to earn the most you can without overdoing it or turning in a sloppy job. If someone is dissatisfied, it is always better to refund their money or do the job again to please them than lose their business and possibly the business of their friends. If you have access to personal information, such as someone’s vacation schedule, do not share it with anyone else. Put in an effort!
Possible Business Ideas – If you have the knowledge, you could be successful at:
- Lawn mowing or gardening
- Tutor
- Pet sitting
- Babysitting
- Computers – program set-up, anti-virus installation
- House cleaning
- Construction new home clean up – offer services at the on site trailer
- Plant sitting for people’s vacations
- Dog walking
- Gutter cleaning
- Messenger or courier – by bike for local businesses
- Pool cleaning
- Laundry
- Errands or grocery shopping, especially for seniors
- Organized selling, such as for Avon, Tupperware, Pampered Chef
- Music lessons
- Sewing or needlecraft
- Baking
- Painting
