Whether setting up your own business is something you’ve always dreamed of or you’re just looking for a way to supplement the family income, trying to juggle a fledgling operation while being the primary caregiver for your family can be difficult. But if done well, it can be quite profitable and fulfilling for you too. Below you’ll find a list of six business ideas that work best for stay-at-home parents.

Business Ideas For Stay At Home Mums

1. Professional Consultancy

Deciding to take a couple of years – or longer – out of the workforce doesn’t have to mean your career takes a back seat. Why not consider offering boutique consultancy services in your field? You will have to allocate some time for client meetings and communication during business hours, but you are otherwise free to work when it suits you.

2. Virtual Assistant

Administration, call handling and calendar management are all roles that can be done away from a traditional office environment. You can offer the services independently or sign up with an agency to help place you with clients.

3. Party Plan Businesses

No doubt you’ve been to an in-home demonstration before. The consultants are often parents just like you, running their own operation in the times that suit them and selling products they love. You could display and sell anything from cosmetics and clothing to home appliances.

4. Start a Tech Company

If you are the type of person who loves the thrill and challenge of a sales job and have access to a phone and a computer, you could be the boss of your own telecommunications company. Many savvy entrepreneurs are taking advantage of services like Telcoinabox, which make setting up what is virtually your own phone company simple and affordable for everyone.

5. Service-Related Business

Is there something you wish you could outsource around your home to make your family’s lifestyle easier? Why not look into seeing how feasible it is for you to offer it. Make sure you establish if there is actually a market for the service and if you can provide it affordably while still making above minimum wage yourself – sometimes there’s a reason why such a thing doesn’t already exist!

6. Washing and Ironing

More laundry might be the last thing you want right now, but there can be some serious cash to be made by offering this service and it’s something you can do while indulging in some ‘you’ time while watching your favourite show or after the children go to bed. You already have all the tools you need to get started and marketing can be as simple as hanging a sign up on your local noticeboard.

Working from home can be a great way to contribute to the family budget while raising your family. But make sure you do your research to ensure you can afford the time commitment as well as any capital outlay to make it really work for you.

What advice would you give to stay-at-home parents looking to build a side project business around their family life?

This is an S2 POST.