On being a money-making mom
(This post is inspired by Money Making Mom, which I'm giving away in this post. Not sponsored! This giveaway is now closed...congrats to Sarah!)
For all of my adult life, I have always earned money in some way, shape or form.
(Actually, I started when I was 14, teaching piano lessons.)
But for most of my life, I have not worked a full-time job, save for a few years there before we had kids.
So, in my 16 years of being a mom, I've never been a 100% stay-at-home mom or a full-fledged working mom...I've always been a hybrid of the two.
And, except for a several-year stint of working at Nordstrom (hated it!), I've always been an entrepreneur.
I've:
- taught piano lessons
- done childcare
- worked as a photographer
- played the piano for hire (at church, for weddings, for funerals)
- done freelance writing
- blogged
The great thing about all the entrepreneurial jobs I've held is that they've all been really flexible, which has made combining work and motherhood so much easier.
Laura Vanderkam frequently talks about how if you work your way up to a high-level job, you earn a certain amount of schedule flexibility that you don't have when you're entry-level. This is true, but I see entrepreneurship as an alternate way to gain that flexibility.
If I had to go somewhere to work for regular shifts, I'd probably have been much less inclined to keep working once I had kids. But this part-time self-employed bit has been a perfect fit for me.
I've been able to:
- avoid childcare costs almost completely
- keep using my gifts and talents (which brings me joy and serves others)
- contribute to my family's financial well-being
- avoid burnout (working 40 hours a week away from home would be hard for this introverted homebody!)
- set my own work days/hours
- adjust my schedule as necessary for my kids (when they're sick, need appointments, etc.)
- make my schedule mesh with Mr. FG's more immovable schedule
And since I've worked part-time, for myself, I've been able to avoid a lot of the costs typically associated with working. I haven't needed a special wardrobe, I don't typically commute, I usually have time to cook meals and I haven't had to outsource household tasks.
While I might not earn as much as I would working full-time, the income from my work combined with the money I save by being frugal (and by avoiding traditional working costs) has had a significant impact on our family's financial well-being.
I don't think that entrepreneurship or part-time work is perfect for everyone, but for me, it's been great.
If you've been wanting to pursue the idea of working for yourself but you don't know where to start or you feel discouraged and overwhelmed at the thought of all the unknowns, I think Money Making Mom could be a big help to you.
It's practical and encouraging and will help you think through not only the how, but also the why of becoming a money-making mom (so that you're not just pursuing money for the mere sake of making money). And there's lots of helpful stuff in there about finding what it is that you're passionate about and could make money doing.
(Me? I like saving money, taking photos, and writing. So this blog is a pretty darn near perfect fit for me!)
The Money Saving Mom team sent me a review copy to keep, but since I've read it now, I'd love to pass my book on to one of you.
Soooo, let's do a giveaway!
Leave me a comment telling me what your dream entrepreneurial job would be. How would you love to use your passions and gifts to earn money?
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend upon the number of entrants. One entry per person. Winner will be chosen at random when the giveaway closes at 11:59 PM EST on December 1st, 2015. Giveaway limited to residents of the continental United States.
(I'm sorry, international readers! It's just that shipping it outside of the U.S. would be kind of expensive for me.)
I would love to do freelance editorial work. I'm hoping to start my first class toward a master's degree next month.
I always thought making meals for working families would be great, I love to cook and feel family meals are important but not always easy for working parents. I am an introvert though and am not good at putting myself out there to find people.
I dream of leaving my fulltime paying job with a horrible commute to either organize homes or walk dogs/pet sit or a combination of the two.
My dream job would be to write and illustrate children's books that encourage imagination and kindness that are also commercially successful.
I don't really know except it would be something to do in my home with flexible deadlines to work around my health and my family's schedule.
Thanks so much for posting about this! I'm not a mom yet, but I have thought about if I could stay at home with my kids when I finally do have children. Of course, the struggle is finances (like most people nowadays). My dream entrepreneurial job would be one where I could make my own skincare/beauty products. I love experimenting with natural ingredients for skincare. My skin is crazy sensitive to chemicals, so less chemicals is better. So it would be homemade skincare or a crafty type job. I love to crochet, arm knit, finger knit, etc.
Baking- cakes, cookies, cupcakes!
My dream job would be website maintenance and design work.
My husband keeps telling me I should open my own pastry shop. We have 2 little kids and hoping to have few more so the idea of a shop is overwhelming at this time. I was thinking to take small orders and bake from home. Quick breads, scones, cinnamon rolls, even bread. Love baking bread .
I did quit my RN job after the birth of our 2nd child. The hours were flexible but the exhaustion that comes along with being on my feet for 9-10 hours and then taking care of a baby is unreal.
I would LOVE to have an antique, shabby-chic, repurposed furniture and goods type of shop!! It is totally up my ally......
I absolutely love to knit and to make hand-sewn quilts. I would love to have the opportunity not only to make products to sell, but maybe also to open my own knitting/crocheting/sewing shop and to be able to teach anyone who wants to learn how to do any of these creative and fun hobbies. I would also set up knitting and quilting clubs for other crafty people like myself to just spend time together working on our passions!
My dream job is doing pretty much what you're doing -- making it work with various types of flexible, part-time work.
I'd love to open a restaurant to feed people who can't afford much. The food would come from the farm we just purchased, so it would be healthy, home-cooked meals made with love. My passion in life is to serve others & this would help me to serve both my family & other families in need.
Here are my two ideas (I flip flop depending on the day):
1. Using my Nurse Practitioner background- instead of working in a clinic, perform house calls for individuals who have a difficult time getting to clinic for various reasons.
2. Teach sewing to children and adults.
I work in public education as a consultant. I am very thankful that I do have some flexibility with my job, however it does also come with many time-consuming, travel-commuting demands that often conflicts with my family's schedule. As an educator, I consider myself a life-long learner. I would love to learn more about blogging and creating online professional development tools and resources for educators.
I'm a mom of two tots under 3 and am starting to try and take off into the world of blogging and reviewing, I have ideas and passions but need help organizing them into full fledged published products.. This is where I think this book would come in handy! I def could use the advice.
My dream entrepreneurial job would be to take pictures. I take a gazillion pictures of my children and my family and of this beautiful world around us that I would love to just take that passion for photography and make it a reality. I'm afraid to do it because I'm 43, have three kids (16, 12, 10), and work from home already doing transcription work (hate it but it pays the bills and keeps me home!). Plus, the expense of starting a photography business is kind of huge (especially when you don't use credit cards for anything!). Maybe some day......
My passions are organization, writing, craft beer and fitness. I would love to be able to combine a few of these into a business or even have businesses based on a few of these individually!
My dream job would to be a personal shopper (clothing, home decor - a little of everything) and run my own on-line store as well. I am going to try my hand at some online sales after the holidays but don't really know how to get into the personal shopping but I would love to do that full time and be able to stop working a normal job one day.
My dream mom job would be making money from my homesteading ventures. Or selling the many chalk painted trash to treasure furniture projects I do.
I'd love to be a freelance travel photographer - picking and choosing the assignments as they fit with my family's schedule, giving me the freedom to do something I enjoy (photography) while allowing me the time to occasionally have an identity other than mother/wife/house cleaner/homework wrangler/cook/laundress/etc.
Hi. I just stumbled across your blog recently, but already enjoy it. I am a minister, and one thing I've always wanted to do was become a traveling minister. I would love to travel to smaller congregations that can't afford a full-time minister. I would love to stay a week or a month or even a year just to help out. It's something my wife and I talk about doing when I retire. Or, I would like to write encouraging, inspirational books. Thanks for the opportunity to share!
I'd like to run an etsy shop selling vintage and homemade items.
I would love to start a little company called "sassy shirt" with my sister. Funny high quality tshirts.
We have been saving little sayings now for 3 years.
Than you for having a give a way
I write a column for my local (small) newspaper now about twice a month, for free. I'd like to write it more often and have it published in more newspapers, for not free 🙂
I also have a children's book series bumping around in my head (and on paper) and another historical fiction children's book in my head, too.
Now, if I could just find more time (homeschooling, babies)! And courage to approach bigger newspapers.
My dream job would be to de-clutter peoples homes. I love to throw away, have garage sales & donate to local places that need items collecting dust my home. I would love to help others do that as well as helping them save/make money by sharing what I know!
I would love to bring green & sustainable ideas to the church. To promote the idea that loving the creation is not an inherent opposition to loving the Creator. To show people that by recycling & reusing they can bring money into the church to be used for missions or to further the kingdom. To inspire the church to love the people of the world & for that love to be a verb.
I have a small etsy shop making cross stitch patterns, I would love to make that my full-time business!
I am a vocal music teacher who a stopped teaching to be at home with my children who I now homeschool. I have always thought I would like to teach somehow from home, but we live so far in the country that most people wouldn't want to drive for that. Recently, my children's piano teacher asked me to help her some, and the small extra income has been nice. But I have to drive almost 30 minutes to do that. I am thankful that I know how to live frugally though, and we are so blessed!
I've brought some extra income in through the years sewing, but I'd like it to be more steady and reliable--a successful etsy shop, or such like.
I actually started down this road with one of my dream jobs...I quit my part time job with no flexibility to become a full time private tutor. It isn't paying the bills yet, but the flexibility has allowed me so much more freedom.
I also have a dream of one day making birthday cakes for kids and having that be a business.
I'm working toward becoming an independent, freelance photographer! It is hard work but I would love to be able to quit my day job once we have kids and only work when it fits our schedule, and especially always be off for holidays and family events!
My passion is sewing and it has been my dream for many years to find a way to be able to sew for a bit of profit and also have time and money to do some sewing for charity.
I am passionate about preparation, more specifically disaster preparation on a budget, and want to share its importance with as many people as I can. I'm not a "doomsday prepper" and don't want to be categorized as such, but I strongly believe that I have a responsibility to ensure that my family will be OK if something were to happen. For instance a blizzard (I live on Ohio) that leaves us without power and running water for 2 weeks, an extended electrical outage, or something of the sort.
I've started a small WordPress blog (I love writing as well) to document our family's journey in ensuring that our family is prepared in as many ways as possible for a disaster and I hope it inspires others to do the same.
Your blog is an inspiration to me as I love your frugal finds and thoroughly enjoy the tidbits of your life that you show us!
What is your blog? I would like to read it. 🙂
Dayna - it is http://www.thebudgetpreppersite.wordpress.com ! Disclaimer - it is in the very, very early stages! I'm about to publish my second post, so please bear with me 🙂 I would really appreciate feedback though if you're willing to give it!
I'd love to be able to earn a little extra money from home...I used to love to write, I really need to make more time for it...I would love to combine my writing skills with my love of books {especially children's books}maybe as a reviewer.
My dream job would be to sell skin care products online.
I'm in the process of figuring out this very thing. I would like to write. I watched a TED talk by Elizabeth Gilbert (so worth watching) and she said to follow what makes you curious if you don't have passion. If you have a passion you're probably already following it, and trying to come up with a passion is overwhelming. The first thing that popped up that I was curious about was if I could be a writer. I'm taking a writing class in the new year and doing a bit on my own. I'm going to see where it goes. Another thing I would like to do is teach cooking. It would be fun to teach a children's cooking class or a family cooking class.
I've worked at home for the past 17 years as a copy editor and proofreader, and it's been a real lifesaver, first with young children and now that my parents are older. I can rearrange my schedule as needed to take them to doctor appointments or out shopping or whatever--of course, that also means I sometimes end up staying up late to meet deadlines, but I'm willing to do that for my independence! I'm truly blessed!
I would like to work from home, but I honestly don't know how I might want to do this. You have got me thinking....
Recording audio books for children
Not really sure. Something sewing or organization related.
Personal coaching, exhorting, and encouraging of other women to live this life in light of eternity -- except I'd rather not charge for it because the ladies/friends I know who could benefit from it don't have the budget to pay for it. 🙂
My husband and I both would love to become real estate investors! He's more interested in flipping, but I would love to become a landlord. We were landlords years ago and "flipped" our last home.
I would love to earn extra money, but I am stumped how to do it in an entrepreneurial setting.
I already have her book (so if I win I will just give to someone else :)) I clean houses 2 days a week it was something that we thought would work for our family & it has for most of our married life (over 24 yrs) I didnt do much for a couple years after our youngest was born & hes almost 15, YIKES good gracious that came fast 🙂 my ideal job would be to cook or bake for others maybe someday 🙂
I would love to have an etsy business of some sort, I have lots of crafty dreams and ideas but not great at the follow through
I would love to use my AutoCAD drawing skills working from home as I have time that fits into my guys schedules. I enjoy the creative process of design and have done various types of drawing in the past but, have been out of the job market for too many years to have the contacts for getting new work.
My dream job is to be a foster/adoptive mom with a side gig as a private swim instructor.
My dream business would be to own my own gym open to everyone, but have a separate ladies only room for women who were uncomfortable working out in front of men. I'd have all kinds of classes, a health food bar, dietary counseling, personal training, etc.
I have no idea....which is why I would love to read that book. Thank you for your blog, I look forward to it among my other less fun e-mails!
I'm transitioning from working part-time to stay at home fulltime and starting up an Etsy shop. I love to sew, make cards, and anytime I can organize is a great day for me! I'd love to read the book just to know how to stay positive through it all.
So fun to read everybody's dreams in the comments!
This would be for my wife Julia who is an artist. She would like to be able to sell her paintings. Alternatively she sells Greeting Cards made from the 150 to 200 pictures that she has painted. She makes all kinds of greeting cards using her paintings, including Christmas cards, Birthday cards etc, etc. The problem is how to sell them! Her business name is "Greeting Cards by Julia"
I'd love to tutor kids one-on-one in math (preferably middle school). And maybe teach piano lessons to beginners.
I would love to be able to have a certified commercial in my home and sell baked goods!
My dream job would be organizing for other people. Helping them stay on top of things that were constantly causing them stress.
There are few ideas I have tossed around over the past few years - 1) I love making soap, but making a significant amount of money on it is a tough gig; 2) baking bread, but I'm not sure about legal issues (like, could someone sue me if they claimed my bread made them sick?); 3) organizing/decluttering, but I don't feel like it's a high demand skill. Any of these would be fun to make some extra cash!
I am really wanting to be home when my youngest starts middle school. I have 2 graduated and 1 graduating this year but my youngest son has 2 years before he starts middle school and I just think with his personality, there is going to be trouble. You see our middle school and high school is on the same campus, so the 7th graders mix in with the 12th graders. He is very much a 'I wanna fit in with the big kids' type of personality (must be from being 12 years younger than his oldest sibling) and that concerns his dad and I. So I'd love to be able to homeschool/virtual school him but I work full time.
My dream business would be to fun either a catering or baking type business from home and use my 'frugal skills' especially in the kitchen to help other moms that need a little guidance.
I would love to own a craft shop. Not a yarn shop or a supply store but a true craft shop where I would sell yarn, paper, and craft supplies from small companies. I could sell artwork and yarn from local artists. Provide classes for adults and children to learn how to draw or make a scarf. Even evenings where moms and dads could just come to color or create a bit of pottery. The kids could do the same or sit in to hear a local author read from their book. Call it a non-work night. Or better yet field trips to the parks to learn to paint landscapes. Kids learning to make kites instead of just flying them. . It would be warm and welcoming with a cup to tea. That is what I would love to do.
I work a forty-hour week as an editor but I do one day from home with my two young kids. I would love to become a doula and do freelance editing!
Love Crystal!!!! She did a fabulous webinar with Sonlight over the summer I really enjoyed...
I would love to be able to support our finances better. I represent doTerra oils but that doesn't bring in much income... My dream would be online Wellness coaching and wiring, which I work towards every day 🙂
It's great to read stuff from blogs like Money Saving Mom (and of course right here!! 😉 ) that are written by homeschooling work-at-home mamas since that's where I'm at in life 🙂
Writing... Not wiring... Obviously I need practice?? 😉
My dream business would be travelling the world, experiencing new things and exploring new cultures, in order to offer advice to others and share my knowledge of those locales with the world. I love travelling and have been fortunate enough to do a fair bit; perhaps I should start a travel blog...
I love to cook meals for others. Nothing fancy, just good old home cooking. I currently feed all of the student athletes at our local high school before every game and they just love home cooking. To date I have served over 6,000 meals and I love the pay I get in hugs and kisses. I would love to cook for others or teach them how to plan, prepare and serve nutritious delicious food to bless their loved ones. Thanks for the contest!
I quit working full time with my first child- who is now almost 16. I did a few different part time things, entrepreneurial things, and some full-time babysitting (one child) for a period. Now I can say that I'm doing my dream job like that- and it's volunteer. 🙂 My family has been working in Congo in medical missions. (Now in the US, switching to another African country.) I homeschool, and I do work that I can do from home or in shorter time periods away. Balancing the schedule can be a problem, but I think that's a problem we all have. It's the opposite of anything money making, but I can honestly say there's nothing else I would rather do.
I am currently working as a merchandiser ... Which gives me some degree of flexibility. However, my dream job would be to do freelance writing.
I started a Life Coaching Business focusing on confidence, productivity, and performance coaching. I LOVE it. I would go part time for my day job (Mental Health Epidemiologist) so I could take on more clients but that will have to wait until my husband has finished school and starts working himself. Being an entrepreneur is a bit nerve wracking but I love the control over what I am going to work on and how much.
My dream is to grow my very tiny sewing business. While caring for my three kids at home!
I love to knit, so I would love to make money knitting. I've looked into test knitting, but I'm not loving that idea. I want it to still be something I love. So I recently came up with an idea to design nerdy knitting projects and maybe start a blog about it. 😀
I would teach kids, pregnant women and children, particularly low income parents how to shop for and prepare healthy meals on a shoe string budget, how to move your kids from kids cuisine and lunchables to fresh fruit and real food. I work with so many young mothers that do not know how to cook or introduce new foods to their kids. They tell me things like "all he eats is Froot Loops", "it's too expensive to buy healthy food". I would take them shopping, teach them about food labels, show them how to make some basic meals, develop meal plans, offer support and guidance, and convince them that children will eat what you feed them. 🙂
I'm a professor and former high school teacher. I would love to be a freelance tutor (math, physics, chemistry, SAT, ACT). Before I had children, I supplemented my full-time income with tutoring. Some months I made more tutoring in the afternoons/evenings than I did teaching during the day.
I would love to do some sort of tutoring or teaching.
I would love to be a translator! My dream entrepreneurial job would be to translate texts from Spanish to English at home.
I would love to write -- short stories and devotionals. My husband would like to raise veggie and flower transplants at home, which he already does to some extent but could use some information. Those would be our dreams.
My ideal mom job is to edit/proofread/write. I currently work at a local college as a writing center tutor and I love it. Before that I owned my own cleaning/maintenance business, managed apartments, and babysat several children.
2 things I really enjoy, besides staying at home with my family 🙂 , is writing and caring for pets. I've though heavily about continuing my education towards dog behavior. I have my degree in biology with the initial intent of working in biological conservation.
My dream job would to be able to stay home with my children and teach other's how to save money. I think it would be awesome to be a personal shopper, but saving them money while doing so.
I would sew all day, every day if I could, so I would love to make a business out of that. Would love to read Crystal's book!
I have always dreamed of writing a children' book and having my children, nieces and nephews illustrate it!
I already do some sewing from home and would love to try writing short stories, but with 2 little boys the story writing has to wait 🙂
There are so many things I would love to do, now that the toddler days are over for me, and before the grand babies start coming! Maybe something to do with kids, elderly folks, or photography. I hope to win this book, because I need some motivation and self-confidence to get going! Thank you for having this contest!
Right now I am a full time public school teacher and I tutor privately on the side. I'd love to be able to solely tutor as my main source of income. Not in the cards right now but definitely a goal!
I'd love to do something with art. I like tutoring too, especially in sciences.
I work full time outside the home, but my husband became a stay at home dad with our son a few months ago. I think he would be interested in this book, assuming the "mom" in the title really just means "parent" and the tips are applicable regardless of gender. 😉
Yes, I'd say that's the case. I think they called it Money Making Mom to kind of go along with the whole Money Saving Mom theme, but you don't have to be a woman or a mom to find the book helpful.
I dream of finding my passion. Actually I think I wouldn't mind being a personal assistant for hire (by the task).
Some of my interests are writing, photography, and having a clothing boutique on eBay. 🙂
I'm a SAHM and a freelance editor. Ideally, I'd love to expand my editing business once my children are older (they are 6, 3, and 1), rather than work outside the house.
I would love to do something creative, such as cooking foods for parties or something kind of artsy, like painting or crafts.
I would love to be able to make my own soaps, teas, tinctures, and other natural household products from herbs I grow myself. I currently work two part-time jobs while homeschooling and eventually I would love to just work from home selling the lovely things I make.
I would love to do something with my sewing skills, I love making children's clothes. I also love to organize and would love to turn that into a business!
My dream job would be to use my skills as a CPA to teach life skills, particularly financial skills for teens and young adults by blogging, classes, and books. I would also like to intermingle family values and family traditions with that in some way.
I would love to take some of my ideas and start an etsy shop!
I would love to own a antique/craft/gift store. I also love photography, so I would do that, too.
First of all, I'm loving all these comments! It's easy to forget there are so many passionate people out there who want to experience more.
Right now I live overseas. I have a blog about my experiences as a new military spouse. I started it because it's the kind of blog I wished for but couldn't find when my husband joined the service. I do this on my own time and it doesn't earn ant revenue.
I'm also an avid reader and have recently begun to post book reviews on my Facebook. I'd LOVE to get paid for that!
I would love to get this book for my daughter. She is a stay at home mom, raising & home schooling two kids. I think this would be a good book to help her get the creative juices flowing about how she could use some of her talents to earn a little bit of income to help make ends meet.
My dream entrepreneurial job would involve creativity, personal growth, and service to others along with the flexibility I desire as a mom of littles!
I'm not a mom yet. I think that it would be fun to be the food prep person for families. Get the groceries, prep them for meals.
I am working two entrepreneurial businesses right now. One card and gift sending and the other makeup. But my heart's desire is to be able to continue caring for seniors with dementia or physical needs and giving respit to their families. I love singing hymn and old songs to them and reading scriptures to them and see how they remember these things.
Thanks for letting me share.
Joan
I have always wanted to write a children’ s books
I would love to invest further into real estate. The idea of repurposing run down homes that need "rouge and lipstick" into affordable and respectable housing for hard working people warms my heart.
I teach during the day full-time and tutor nearly full-time as well after school and on weekends. I am tired! I would love to start a business where I can work quietly in the peace of my own home. Peace and quiet I crave ... I would love to have a mail order business that sells international foods. I could pack boxes with products and peanuts, add an invoice, print the shipping label and mail ... The perfect business for an introvert.
I'm a new stay-at-home mom to a sweet baby girl. I've always loved baking for coworkers, and they have even encouraged me to sell the goodies. Now that I stay home, I decided it's the perfect time--and so Kristen's Kitchen was baked...err born. 🙂 It's the perfect thing for me to do--earn a little cash by doing something productive while my husband is at work. I take orders for cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, cookies and pies, and my goal is to pay for our 5th year anniversary trip next fall! 🙂
I love to make things, especially from "leftover" yarn and fabric, and would like to figure out how to make a little money that way. I also love to teach kids how to make things themselves. So something there would be great as well. Next fall my eldest will be in kindergarten and my younger daughter will be in preschool three days a week, so I will have a little more time to start exploring options.
I don't need the book, but wanted to throw in my two cents.
My parents are self-employed, and while they have more schedule flexibility in some ways, they have much less in other ways. There is no one to back them up - if they go on vacation, they have to close their office. I love being able to take my vacation days, and not worry about work while I'm gone.
I also love the security that comes with a regular pay-check. Running your own business is *hard.* I would hate to rely on that as my income; I'm sure it would be different if one spouse made a living wage.
Also, in my job, the further up the chain I go, the more hours seem to be needed/expected of me. When I started out, I arrived and left on time. Now that I have much more responsibility, I find myself staying later to keep up with my work. I'll admit that some of this is my own fault - I'm a work-aholic.
I would run a non-profit fostering dogs of people in the the armed forces for when they are deployed.
When the hero comes home, their dog would be there for them.
I would love to earn money by writing a food blog. We have to eat anyway and I would love to help people solve their food issues, like low salt, low fat, gluten free, nut free diets. Just for example. Maybe coming up with sample menus for certain dietary restrictions and selling them with recipes would be awesome.
My dream is to start my own photography business, doing portrait sessions for families, kids, babies, etc. It seems like the market is over saturated in my area, but my goal would be to earn a "little extra" to fund vacations and homeschool materials. 🙂
Homeschooling my daughter *feels* like a full time job right now, LOL. I have been having a hard time keeping up with dishes and laundry as of late...what I used to think of as my dream job was to stage homes for sale. I don't know that that is my current dream job though. I haven't really given it much thought. But I'd love to read this book, maybe give me some ideas and/or motivation.
I would love to make a living being a dog trainer or personal finance coach.
I'd love to expand my eBay store and operate a freelance writing business and figure out a product to make and sell locally as well.
I would love to expand my garden and make and sell my canned goods. I would also like to incorporate that passion to the classroom and help students to become more Eco friendly.
An art major in college, I have taught (art) at the schools where my children attended in exchange for tuition, designed and made costumes for a local university theater and other theaters, kept children, worked in a nursery at a church, worked flexible hours at a retail store, owned a retail maternity store, made selling calls for an information tech company and designed storage spaces for theaters in the area--all while homeschooling 1-4 children! Kids are now grown, and I have retired from costuming at and for theaters. Now I am working on my folly finale': opening a vintage clothing online store where I will also offer handmade reproductions of costumes from bygone eras. So my dream entrepreneurial job is my last one--and includes all of my loves: design, sewing, making a little go a long way and business!
Since I have several young children and am homeschooling as well, I would enjoy making some extra money in a variety of small ways that add up to something more substantial. I have always enjoyed editing papers for others and secretarial-type work, specifically
I have several dream entreprenurial jobs that float through my mind on a regular basis...one is to go back to teaching ESL/ELL students on a private, tutorial basis. Another is to have something of an organizing business but to focus more on estate work. Of course, if I ever real went back to a "real job" I want to work at a library! 🙂
Thank you for the give away! I've always wanted to run my own school, and I still do, but will probably just settle for teaching my own children.
I already work part time as an educational writer, but it would be great if I could make the time I spend on our homeschool planning into a source of income.
I want to start a business doing craft and art parties for kids and adults.
Back in the good 'ol college days I worked at a childcare center and have four of my own kiddos now. Someday/somehow I would love to run classes similar to music classes that would be more geared towards literacy, art, and science. They would basically be a weekly library/art center/science center hour rolled into one.
I don't know what I would do! It would combine the flexibility of working for myself around my family's needs and interacting with other people. I really need a balance between the two! Perhaps the book would help determine what that looks like?
I am one of the lucky ones that works a 40 hr/week (or more!) job for "the man", but have a lot of flexibility- work from home twice a week, and make my own schedule, so I work 6-3 in the office the other three days, and am home before the kids' school bus drops them off. if one of the kids is sick, I can work from home instead of using vacation/sick time, which is great. that flexibility, along with my 6 mile commute, keeps me quite content and keeps me from looking for other gigs, even though I could make more money, but at the expense of having to put my 2nd grader into after school care and not being able to shuttle to after school activities or helping my 8th grader with homework.
that said, in a dream world, I'd either work as a party planner -throwing awesome parties on a budget- or as a consumer finance consultant- I've done the job so long, I already am the go-to person for all my friends before they buy a car, take out a car loan, choose a mortgage, etc. It can be an overwhelming process for someone that has never bought a home or car before, so to have an "expert" that is working FOR them could be useful.
I worked for several years full-time before I had my three kids. Since then, I have done freelance writing and editing. I would like to increase the amount I do and make it more of a business. And maybe have a blog and maybe sell some crafts on etsy. And my husband really wants me to pursue some eBay selling - we have a lot of no-longer needed stuff sitting around that I could easily turn into cash. I have thought about going back to work at a "real" job since my youngest child is in third grade - but after thought and prayer, right now the part-time entrepreneurial type-work does seem to suit our family life better.
I'd like to be a party planner. I love all the details of making things run smoothly and especially making an event beautiful.
I would love to sew baby blankets. The receiving blankets I make are larger so they actually cover the baby. I also used to dream about shopping for people. Before I started working full-time outside the home I could find the best deals. And I really LOVE to shop. Thank You for the inspiration
I would design sewing and knitting patterns, both for clothing and non-clothing items.
My husband and I are missionaries, which allows me to use my talents of being frugal, recycling things by giving them to others in need, and learning from and teaching others.
My dream business would be making 18" doll clothes that represent well-known Christian women of the past...pastor's wives, missionaries, etc...to go along with a biography of the woman.
Helping a friend with the finishing side of doing woodworking crafts.
I'd love to teach online classes in the Humanities.
i would love to offer a personal finance consulting service, to help people get better with their money.
My husband and I dream of running a blog together. We both love writing, but our voices and passions are distinctive enough to give multiple perspectives on topics we both love.We just need to figure out how to get started.
I have no desire to do full time child care, but I'd love to cover school breaks. I'd provide fun, educational activities to fill the days and provide a needed service for working parents without giving up the ability to focus most of my energy on my own children.
I'm a librarian and am planning my retirement in 2016. Unlike most of the readers above me, I am not a young women with young children, so my dreams and wants differ somewhat. I've always wanted a small, cozy bookstore in an older building that still has integrity and is begging for someone to bring it back to life. I'd have comfy chairs and a nice cozy coffee/tea area and offer not only some new and newer books, but copies of older books as well. Might even add a few rare books....
As you can see, this dream is probably unrealistic and probably wouldn't be a money maker, but a place for people to gather, read, dream and drink coffee and tea--a community hangout for book reviews and small group sessions of sorts. We're never to old to dream....
I have been told I am a good baker and do some catering for friends and family. I would like to learn how to decorate cakes and cookies to look professional so that I could open a bake shop that sells cookies, cakes, cupcakes, breads and tarts all made from scratch. I have thought about a franchise but that seems so restrictive and doesn't allow much creativity. I have put a hold on this book from the library but my own copy would be better.
I am a single mom of an 8 year old, and I have a lot of health issues. Ideally, I would love to be a party planner, as I have a knack for entertaining, on the cheap. In a perfect world, I could work around my son's school schedule, ad my numerous doctor visits.
I'm living my dream job--I'm learning to be content right where God has me! My (very new) husband and I are moving to Scotland next year to join a missions team. I stay home and am learning to keep house, sewing and selling items to friends and on my etsy shop, and fundraising for our mission. I NEVER thought I would love staying at home so much. I'm available to help friends when they need me, I go to the gym in the mornings and get up with my husband when he leaves for work (at 5:10am!). The only thing I would change is I would love to have a keyboard so I could re-learn to play piano, but we're hoping to do that when we get to Scotland. Check us and our mission out at http://www.gracingscotland.com 🙂
I would sew more for charity. I, like Donna the librarian, I will retire soon and hope to expand my charity sewing.
I would love to start a photography business!!
I would so enjoy earning a living by selling handmade things. That would give my crafting passion a great outlet!
I have four little ones at home and I do a combination of teaching online classes, giving massages (I'm a certified massage therapist) and doing the everyday hustle of frugal and simple living. In order to run the house and be there for the kids I want to up the amount of classes I teach online (and write the next great american novel!)
I have recently made the decision to stay at home (four months ago) after many years of juggling work and home life. I've never been happier but I also want to do something else to help with expenses looking into a food truck, crafting or sewing alterations, all things I enjoy.
My dream job would be to be able to be a stay-at-home mom to my three children while supporting my husband in full-time ministry. My husband has the desire to go into ministry full-time and I would love to be able to be a helper to him in this. Praying this is in our future!
I would love to have a bookkeeping business from home. I currently have one client but it's only about 30 hours for the year so I need more clients to build this business! Anther passion of mine is crafting and would love to be involved in craft shows or sell some handmade items. Almost polar opposites, but I think it would be fun to do both and it would allow me to exercise both my creative and analytical sides! 🙂
I would love to do freelance editorial work, tutor middle school kids, and write speeches on an ad-hoc basis.
My 2 primary passions are cooking & reading; so either personal chef or some sort of proof-reader/editor gig sounds great to me!
My dream job involves homesteading. Raising chickens, selling eggs and home grown veggies from my driveway. Getting back to the real values of life.
I would love to be able to sell home baked goods.
I would want to be a freelance photographer. Not only make an income but offer my services for those who cannot afford pictures.
My dream entrepreneurial job would be to have a design studio with a staff. I have been working as a freelance graphic designer for years which has been a huge blessing to my family and has allowed me great flexibility. But, I would love to have a staff to work on company projects and help bring my ideas to life. I also imagine that this studio would have a homeschool room in it for my children so if I had to be in the office, they wouldn't miss a beat!
I'd love to start a small baking business at home with my teen daughter who loves to cook!
I would take care of pets.
I have been working 20+ years as an intervention specialist in the public school system. I have loved this work but as I near retirement I am looking for new avenues of income and creativity. I am trying to begin a blog and am working on crafts that I can sell. I have in fact sewn baby quilts for people that have gone to multiple states. I make a majority of my Christmas presents each year. I have made bouquets, pew flowers, and decorations for various weddings. I love photography and have done various weddings and family portraits. My possibilities are endless; it's just learning the ropes. I'm really looking forward to the next phase of my life.
I'm not exactly sure what I would want to do. I would love to work from home, but just don't know how to make it work. I think I might be interested in writing/blogging, selling crafts on etsy, and/or cooking/baking for others.
I currently teach flute/piano lessons going home to home. But ideally, I would do it from my home.
I would love to do something with helping people get organized.
I am a librarian and passionate to the point of obsession about organizing information in a way that makes sense. I would love to be able to take a mass of information from companies or individuals researching new products or starting their own businesses and set them up for success through transforming the mass into well-organized, filed sets of data.
Donna's used bookstore sounds pretty good, too, though!
My dream job is what you do! Being there for my family and making ends meet by doing jobs here and there. I love photography and painting, I love making headbands (started an etsy shop) and would love to watch another kid at my home too!
I have been blessed this last five years to work from home doing what I use to do full time. I would love to share for those of you that might be able to do this as well. I teach at four different online universities as an adjunct professor in their nursing department. I was a nurse for many years full time. Very grueling schedules. I stayed at home with my oldest five children and when they started school, I went back to full time hospital work. Later in life, we had an unexpected pregnancy, and we were in no shape for me to stay at home with this one, so I researched a way to stay at home and still work, and I stumbled on teaching online.
Many people do not think of this, because they think you have to have a degree in education. But many online universities only require a bachelor's or masters degree in the subject area you would teach. So, if you have a business degree, or a psychology degree, or nursing, history, sociology, health, pretty much anything, chances are - you are qualified. Most online universities want people with a degree in their field, and experience working in their field.
I love it. I usually work about 1 to 2 hours a day at the most now that I am use to it and have been teaching the same courses for a while. I make more now than I did working full time out of the home. I can set my schedule, and pretty much travel and do whatever I want, as long as I have my laptop with me. So, if our family wants to go out of town or on vacation - I just take my work with me! I love being home with my family, and still contributing to our financial well being!
Thank you for posting this. I have been thinking about my dream job - and it's still kind of up in the air. Sometimes I hope that I'll spend forever as a Camp Executive Director, working in upper management area of running a summer camp. Then sometimes I think about how when I have kids, I want to be a stay at home mom, but I'm worried I'd get bored. I love writing, photography, saving money, and all. I even started a blog (to help my wife and I pay down our debt). Thank you for being an inspiration.