TURN YOUR IDEA INTO A PRODUCT

Coming up with a good idea isn’t a static process; it involves a lot of trial and error. The best way I’ve found to make good idea is to write and write often. Make lists every day of things that you might enjoy, and try to figure out how you could make money doing them. To help, here’s a list of some business ideas you can begin with.

1. Rent out a room in your home

Have some extra space in your home? Turn that extra bedroom into a “bed and breakfast” room. If you live near any sort of tourist destination, you may sign up to host students, visiting professors to a nearby college, or hospital patients receiving long-term treatment. 

2. Freelance writing

If you’re good with words, you might be able to find some work as an online freelancer. A variety of publications need online content in the form of stories, news or reports, and if you have the talent and skill, you could easily be the one to create them.

3. Personal chef

I recently met a woman who earned quite a bit of money as a very part-time chef. Once a week, she would go to someone’s house and prepare a homemade meal for their family, then do all the dishes and cleanup work. This gives the family plenty of together time, while putting some cash in the woman’s pocket. If you love to cook, this can be a great opportunity, but you may have to put a lot of effort into searching for clients.

4. Event DJ

Are you an audiophile? If you have a great sound system and a large selection of music, you’ve already got what you need to hire yourself out as a DJ for various events and receptions. This is a great way to fill an afternoon or evening while also earning some cash in the process.

5. Gardening services

I’ve actually fielded requests from others looking for people willing to do this, so the demand is out there. To put it simply, some people are willing to pay others to get a vegetable or flower garden started for them in their yard so they can have access to ultra-fresh produce without all the legwork. If you have a green thumb and some knowledge about the vegetables that grow well in your area, this would be an easy business to start.

6. Growing and selling produce

Like to grow vegetables? Focus in on one vegetable every season and sell the excess at farmers’ markets. My father does this with okra and pepper and earns some solid extra money during the dry seasons. You can do really well, though, if you can grow things inside during the dry season. As okra can sell quite well.

7. Sewing and alterations

My wife is quite handy with a sewing machine and often hems and modifies our children’s clothes. She could easily take this a step further and offer her services to others, doing basic garment repair and modification for a small price on lazy evenings.

8. Pupil teaching

Did you major in a subjects like English, science, or math in SHS, or do exceptionally well on the WASSCE exam? Do you have patience with children? If so, you likely have what you need to teach kids  in particular subjects. Seek out parents or teachers and let them know that you tutor students in a certain subject, and offer materials for them to share.