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Side hustles aren’t just for young professionals trying to save up for a home – use these business ideas for students and stay-at-home parents.
If you’re a stay-at-home parent or a student, you already have a full-time job, but you may also have time on your hands and an itch to start a business doing something that you already love, keep yourself busy, be your own boss and make some money in your free time.
Technology has made it easier than ever to operate and market any business with free tools like google docs and social media platforms.
Here are just a few ideas for small businesses that you can run on a part-time basis that check all those boxes above and can even be fun!
Design and Sell Custom Shirts
Have you ever been shopping and thought to yourself that you’d like a certain shirt or sweater if it didn’t have this or that element or that it was missing something?
Do you get complimented on your taste in clothes and accessories? It can’t hurt to try your hand at designing your own shirts and selling them online.
With platforms like Shopify and Etsy and printing companies that provide Toronto custom shirts and allow you to choose from several different styles and colours and play around with freehand designs, digital images, fonts, etc., online, you can become a fashion mogul with just a laptop and your sense of style.
Chances are, if you’re into fashion, you check out designers and retailers on Instagram, so you already have an idea of how to market your business.
Become an Online Retailer
You can still sell clothes, or toys, books, tools, or anything else you know there’s a market for, even if you’re not artistically inclined.
Setting up a retail website with an e-commerce platform that provides technical support is easier than ever. Maybe you’ve got an eye for vintage clothing and can curate a collection for your online store, or maybe you’re able to source portable, solar-powered cell phone chargers from overseas.
As a student, selling printed products can be quite useful so you can earn some extra money. If you want to sell custom print on demand products online, Gelato is a great platform to get started.
Whatever the product may be, however, it’s important to conduct thorough market research before you commit to any purchases, make sure there’s a demand and thoroughly vet potential suppliers.
Check out their reviews and test their products for safety and quality and you will probably need commercial liability insurance to make sure your legally protected in case of property damage or personal injuries caused by your products.
Become a Tutor
If you had a career before you became a stay-at-home parent, are particularly good at a certain school subject or can speak another language, consider working as a tutor. There are qualifications and requirements to become a tutor in Ontario, but once you meet them, you can get steady and fulfilling work helping kids understand those subjects that many students struggle with.
If you’re a stay-at-home parent, you can also mentor or tutor new parents by sharing the valuable wealth of knowledge you’ve accumulated over the years.
It doesn’t have to be a hands-on business either. You can offer virtual consultations or start a blog and write about topics like baby-proofing, children’s clothes, toys and everything else parents need to know.
