How to start working for yourself? 8 simple tips

Working for yourself with the prospect of building a full-fledged business

Only a type of activity that allows the owner to delegate powers and, over time, step away from business, while receiving passive income, can be called a full-fledged business. This doesn't mean you can't do everything yourself initially. But, if you want to achieve true financial independence in the future, you need to choose ways of earning money that are easily scalable and do not depend on your personal talents. Among these areas:

Agriculture and crop production . By choosing this method of earning money, you can focus it on direct sales to the end customer or wholesale deliveries to stores, which will determine the development strategy for your future business. There is great demand in this area for the cultivation of expensive and relatively new products on the market (arugula, Japanese mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, ginger), greenhouse floriculture (houseplants and flowers for cutting into bouquets) (see Growing flowers in a greenhouse as a business), growing quality seedlings, procurement of seeds and planting tubers.
Mini-production of consumer goods and food products . This category does not include the manufacture of unique products (handmade). In order for your business to become a business in the future, it is necessary that the production process be brought to uniform standards, and the technology does not depend heavily on the creative component. For example, you can come up with your own recipe for sauce, sausage or stew and sell it first to your friends, and then expand to a more global market.
Internet trading . This type of activity is easy to start from scratch - you can work as a dropshipper (see Dropshipping - what it is and how it works: for dummies) or an organizer of joint purchases, gradually moving on to wholesale purchases and opening your own store.
Domestic services . The most promising types of self-employment in this area are services that require expensive specialized equipment (your own fleet can be formed gradually in the process of activity), and also characterized by the complexity of legalization and fairly simple operating technology that any beginner can master. In this case, when you hire staff when expanding your business, they will not be tempted to become your competitor. These types of activities include: disinsection and disinfection of premises, plumbing and construction work.

Idea #9: Shoe repair

Shoes are a thing that is present in every person’s wardrobe, since this item helps to keep feet warm and give comfort, and also becomes an element of a certain image or style.

But, unfortunately, nothing lasts forever, and the quality of things deteriorates significantly. However, throwing away your favorite boots or sneakers just because the owner cannot independently change the sole, zipper or heel cap is not rational, and besides, it’s offensive. Therefore, shoe repair services remain in demand from year to year.

The peculiarity of such a business is that shoes are an element of the wardrobe that is worn by representatives of all genders and ages, while the options change depending on the onset of the new season. Therefore, shoe repair services are popular among the population all year round.

What is needed to open a business: premises for a workshop in which shoe repairs will be carried out and orders will be stored, the acquisition of tools and materials that are necessary for the work.

Suitable for: in this type of activity, the main thing is also the ability to work with your hands, but accuracy and perseverance will be an advantage for a shoemaker.

Self-employment as additional income

The desire to build your own business is not inherent in everyone, but everyone undoubtedly has the desire to earn more than their employer can offer. If you consider yourself to be in this category of people, an excellent option would be to develop your own business in parallel with your main job, which will allow you to be more confident in the future and provide insurance in case you lose your official position. At the same time, you can choose for yourself either a completely new type of activity that will allow you to live with dignity, or focus on your current profession, developing skills and improving your qualifications. In this direction, the most accessible options are the following types of self-employment:

Needlework and handmade . This method is often chosen by women who are forced to stay at home on maternity leave (see: What to do on maternity leave to earn money: ideas for every taste). For most, handicrafts (sewing, knitting, patchwork, decoupage, wool felting, embroidery) remain a means of additional income, but the most talented ones completely switch to working for themselves, devoting their entire lives to their chosen business. When choosing handmade as a type of income, it is important to understand that commercialization has a strong influence on the creative process and you may be faced with the need to give up your own opinion for the sake of market trends (see How to make money on handmade: creating a business on handicrafts).
Multi-level marketing . The right choice of MLM company and type of product will allow you to easily generate real passive income right at your main workplace, turning colleagues into buyers and partners.
Freelancing . The main advantage of this type of work is the ability to start without investment. Moreover, if, when you quit your main job, you immediately lose all the clients coming to you, then working as an independent specialist, you can get many independent regular customers. The most popular types of earnings in this area are copywriting, photo processing and photography, design, programming, video creation, administration of Internet sites (social communities, stores, video channels), and expert services.
Information business . You can train others in various formats (personal meetings, webinars and conferences via Skype and other instant messengers, via email), as well as completely different skills. The following are in high demand: tutoring for schoolchildren, business training and personal growth classes, people management and communication skills, pickup courses for women, photography and music classes.
Services sector . Having special professional skills, you can work for yourself in your free time, providing individual household services - equipment repair, nail service, tailoring, gardening services, photography, cleaning. These types of activities allow you to get good income, which can even become your main income, but if you decide to step away from business, you won’t be able to delegate authority and receive passive income.

You've had enough trouble

Failures make you stronger. They teach you to follow a proven path, weigh prospects and risks. Emphasize the importance of preliminary preparation. Planning and building a “reserve airfield” in case of failure. With age, the experience of trial and error is enough to turn “full bumps” into a significant advantage.

Your fear of failure is less than in your youth. Fear of defeat leads to the inability to make decisions quickly. Distrust of others and inaction. Starting your own business after 40, you are not afraid of difficulties. You project and know the answer to 9 out of 10 upcoming questions.

Self-employment and the Internet

Many people mistakenly believe that working for yourself via the Internet is easy money. Of course, you can choose a quick way to earn some money by entering captchas or writing comments, but classifying such activities as self-employment is extremely wrong. To create a real business on the Internet it will take no less effort than to build your own business offline.

There are several types of activities that allow you to effectively and profitably work for yourself via the Internet:

Own web project . This category includes not only creating a website or blogging to make money from advertising (see How you can make money on your own website from scratch). You can create a unique project: a loan selection service, a calorie calculator for animals, a new social network, a recipe portal, an online cinema, a freelance exchange or a game server. All these resources can be easily monetized by collecting data about users and subsequently selling this information, providing a package of extended services, subscription fees, and brokerage fees.
Online services . Many in-demand specialized services can be provided online. For example, sign language interpretation via Skype, remote psychotherapy sessions, classes to improve diction, making astrological forecasts, remote control of automated systems.
Selling hosting . You can become a reseller by purchasing a wholesale package from the main server owner and renting out small portions of it for individual sites. This practice is actively supported by hosting companies that offer very favorable rates for wholesalers.
Cybersquatting (reselling domain names) . This method is among the top most promising types of earning money on the Internet. Knowing the most popular website names, you can book them and then resell them to companies with similar names. The initial cost of a domain is from $20 per year; if a company is interested in it, it can be resold at a price from $400 to several thousand.

Registration of a business coach as a self-employed person

Despite certain disadvantages, registering as a self-employed citizen is an excellent chance for those who want to work within the law, without fear of being held accountable for illegal business, but are afraid of regular payment of insurance payments, the complexities of tax and accounting, or the obligation to have an online account. cash register. Self-employed people are completely freed from these nuances of running a business.

Registration of self-employed citizens is carried out in one of the following ways:

through the mobile application of the Federal Tax Service of Russia “My Tax” (available on Google Play and App Store);
through the “My Tax” web account on the website of the Federal Tax Service of Russia;
through an authorized bank (via online banking or mobile application).

Do I need to register as self-employed? What is more profitable than individual entrepreneur or self-employment? Much depends on the region of the country, income stability, the scale of your activities and other parameters - the answer will be different for each specific case.

How to choose the right way to earn money

When choosing an idea for self-employment, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of how clients perceive the business. So, for example, if you are interested in working for yourself, ways for men to earn money in which they will be more successful include areas of activity that require knowledge of technology, engineering and heavy physical labor.

Among them:

car service services;
sale of heating and electrical equipment;
installation of energy saving systems;
expert assessment of the condition of real estate;
drawing up construction projects;
furniture manufacturing and repair;
freight and passenger transportation.

Men's ways of earning money also include:

home mini-production (even if it is the production of cosmetics);
livestock and horticulture;
sale of goods for hunting and fishing.

Of course, women can engage in such a business, but to achieve decent results they will need much more time and effort, because unfortunately, most clients will not take them seriously.

Considering options for working for themselves, ways for women to earn money are more often associated with the provision of intermediary services (tourism agents (see How to become a travel agent from scratch at home in Russia and Ukraine), real estate), work with documentation (legal and accounting services), education and beauty industry. In addition, it is easier for women to work in retail trade of consumer goods, as well as in online marketing (dropshipping clothes and shoes, children's products) and any areas that require excellent communication skills.

On the other hand, even in a truly male or female business, you can choose a niche that will become an advantage for you. For example, in the beauty industry, men can provide services aimed exclusively at men (opening a barbershop), while a woman can achieve success by targeting women who do not trust men (taxis for ladies, female construction crews).

Selecting a subject of activity

So, I want to work for myself, what should I do to quickly get back on my feet? First, evaluate your life experience and education. You cannot become a lawyer, barrister or notary without the appropriate education. If you have never had anything to do with law enforcement agencies, then it is hardly worth creating a security company or detective agency. Don't forget about personal connections.

Most often, people associate the beginning of their entrepreneurial career with trading . This is a standard option that has led many to success and even more to failure.

You can talk endlessly about the pros and cons of retail trade, but results can only be achieved with great persistence and the ability to find your niche in the market. There are no universal recipes or miracle tips here, but it’s definitely worth studying other people’s experience (without accepting it as dogma). First, try working as a salesperson in a regular store or supermarket. This will help you not only get your bearings, but also understand your capabilities.

How to start working for yourself without investment

If you have start-up capital, it is easier to build your own business. If it is not there, it is better to choose adapted options or choose a job that will allow you to accumulate initial investments in a business of interest. No financial investment is required for such areas of work as:

Studios for website promotion with texts and links . It is very easy to obtain the necessary skills online; you can find customers remotely on freelance exchanges or by personally offering services to companies. Services of accompanying persons and nurses. Taking children to school, walking dogs, accompanying disabled people.
Creation and promotion of groups on social networks for subsequent sale or monetization through advertising.
Development and copying of landing pages for sale . You can find orders on freelance exchanges or through advertisements.
Services of a sports instructor with a visit to the client’s home.

When deciding on self-employment, it is important to remember that any self-employment is a way to earn money that requires high discipline and constant self-control. You will have to do not only the work itself, but also perform the duties of a sales manager and accountant, conduct purchases (if this is production), bear responsibility for warranty and financial obligations, study the market and plan further development.

Advice from experienced entrepreneurs

Experienced entrepreneurs recommend:

Be more decisive. You should not be afraid to conduct business negotiations with large companies. You also need to be bolder and try any, even non-standard ideas. Even the strangest idea can turn into a business feature.
Don't give up ahead of time. Don't give up at the first setbacks. You need to go to the end and try to change something in the business if it does not give the desired results.
Work legally. Even a small business must operate legally.
Constantly look for ways to expand and improve the business. Even if your business is working fine, you shouldn’t stop there. You should always strive to scale your business.
To work hard. Owning your own business requires hard work. You need to be prepared for this. There is a risk that at first you won’t even have time to sleep. But over time it will bear fruit. A small business in the garage may well turn into a large production.

A home business is a great option for men who do not want to be dependent on their bosses. The main thing is to take a responsible approach to its organization.