Parenting. Is there any other job that requires such intense on-the-job training? I doubt it! I bet that before kids, you could never have imagined you would possess the skills you do now. I mean, we’re all just winging it, but almost overnight we’ve become mini-experts in entirely new fields. Why not use that parenting knowledge and experience, and combine it with your passions or previous career? All you need is some motivation and a desire to start a business from home.
Here are 20 business ideas within the parenting niche to get you going, and all with minimal start-up costs, if any.
Write About Parenting:
1. Freelance writer
As a freelance parenting writer myself, my advice would be to start making a list of article ideas and pitching them to your favorite websites and magazines. Write for free to build up your portfolio for a little while, but then start charging for your words. Write as often as you can. Your writing will improve, and you’ll gain confidence in your ability.
2. Mommy Lifestyle Blogger
The mommy lifestyle blogosphere is saturated, but if you dream up a new perspective on parenthood, and put the time and effort into it, you can make some money by either selling products or services, advertising, publishing sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing.
Related Content: How to Start a Blog and Make Money From It
3. Author
Have you always fancied yourself a children’s book author, or perhaps you’ve got a unique parenting experience or skill that you’d like to share with the world? Get pen to paper, and either self-publish or pitch your book to as many publishers as you can. JK Rowling was turned down by 12 different publishers before Harry Potter was accepted!
4. Parenting Magazine Editor
If you’re an experienced writer or you write in a specific parenting niche, you just may get noticed by a magazine. This actually happened to me. I was documenting local child-friendly cafes, and the editor-in-chief of a local mama mag contacted me to see if I’d like to work for the magazine. I jumped at the opportunity and was made local editor! I get to write park reviews, street reviews, and interview inspirational moms who have started businesses since having kids. I love it!
Related Content: How to Earn Big by Writing for Women’s and Parenting Magazines
Support Other Parents:
5. Parenting Coach
Have you had plenty of experience with kids now, and discovered some awesome tricks and tips you’d like to share with other parents? More and more parents are seeking support and practical advice when they want to grow in the way they raise their children. Think of it as a health coach for when parenting becomes overwhelming and all-consuming.
6. Consultant
Have you found your calling since having kids? Have you discovered the secret to gently encouraging babies to blissful sleep, or have you found the trick to enticing toddlers to eat all of their greens? You could start up a consultancy business, offering other parents support packages, either in-person, virtually, or over the phone. You will need particular qualifications for services such as postpartum doula/support, sleep guidance, baby massage instruction, or family health coaching.
7. Virtual Assistant for Families
Busy families can benefit from a virtual assistant who organizes their schedules, makes appointments, orders groceries online, plans meals, sends reminders and gift ideas for special occasions, finds them a cleaner or plumber, and so on. If you can think of help you would appreciate, it’s likely someone else would appreciate it too! Parents are often too willing to pay for this kind of assistance since it allows them more time to be with their children.
8. Errands and Odd jobs
If you’re out and about running errands, why not do someone else’s and get paid to do it? Pick up a local family’s dry-cleaning, a few groceries for dinner, walk their dog, or water their plants when they’re away. If you’re an excellent organizer, other families could book you to de-clutter the kids’ toys, or organize the closets and kitchen cupboards.
9. Home Laundry Business
If folding or ironing relaxes you (yes, I know you exist!), then you could offer to collect and return a busy family’s laundry pile. They will love you!
10. Home Cook
Are you amazing in the kitchen, or do you have a selection of family favorites that you’d like to share? Parents are extraordinarily busy these days, and many don’t have the time, energy, or ideas to cook meals when they get home at the end of a long day. Offer to cook up a storm for them, and they’ll be very grateful.
Related Content: How This Mom Turned Her Love of Cooking Into a Personal Chef Business
Offer Services to Other Parents:
11. Home Daycare Operator
If you have a passion for working with kids or even worked in the industry before you had your own, a great idea is to start your own home daycare. The bonus is that if you have small children yourself, they can be home with you while you work. Your littles also get to work on their social skills. You’ll need to do some research to find out what the local regulations and the necessary qualifications are.
12. Catering Business
If you’re like me and love to cook, spread the word that you cater for dinner parties or kids’ birthdays, or that you specialize in food allergies, for example. I started to make dinners for a family I know, and the next thing I know I was cooking meals for eight local families, plus catering for small parties at the weekend. A good-sized kitchen is a must!
13. Cake Decorator
People love personalized cakes but rarely have the skill it takes to decorate them beautifully. If you’re creative and have a good eye for detail, this could be your side hustle. You’ll need to look into food handling laws, but it can definitely be worth it. And you’ll never be out of work!
14. Event Coordinator
If you are great at delegating, researching, planning, and organizing events, then this could be right up your alley. Pick a niche, such as baby showers or 1st birthday parties, and market yourself through Instagram with lovely images of your work.
15. Photographer
Families everywhere search for skilled photographers to capture special milestones, so if you have a flair for taking photos and are good at putting people at ease, this kind of business would have minimal set-up costs. It’s just a matter of getting your name out there.
Related Content: From Fired to In-Demand Photographer – One Mom’s Story
16. Social Media Manager
As well as being a parenting writer, I manage social media accounts for small businesses in the parenting niche, which is a ton of fun. I often take the photos myself, and use quotes and stories that moms find relatable, which means that the posts come across naturally. If you’re interested, reach out to your favorite accounts, and simply ask them if they need help.
Related Content: How to Find Work-at-Home Social Media Jobs
17. Tutor
If you have a background in education or have a specialized educational interest, you can tutor children either virtually or in-person. You could join agencies, but if you advertise in local forums, you should be able to run it as your own business.
18. Kids’ Party Entertainer
Are you fantastic with kids and partial to a princess or Darth Vader costume? Kids’ party entertainers are always in demand, particularly when parents decide to have the parties at home.
Sell Products to Parents:
19. Handmade Store Owner
Could you turn your hobby or passion into a business? Natural beauty products, candles, baby clothes, knitwear, jewelry, artwork, and digital products…there are endless ideas! Consider what you’re good at or what you would like to learn, and list items for sale on Etsy or at a local market.
Related Content: The Best Places to Sell Your Handmade Goods
20. Social Media Influencer
Get paid to market other people’s products through the power of social media. Becoming an influencer takes time and dedication, but it’s achievable once you build a trusting relationship with your audience. There are platforms where you can list yourself as an influencer and pitch for campaigns.
Conclusion
Finding the balance between work and parenting can be a real struggle. So, why not consider combining the two?! There’s no need to switch off from mom mode when you work in the parenting niche. I hope you can find something in this list that you hadn’t thought of and it starts you down a new and exciting (and hopefully lucrative) path. Good luck!
It’s always a beautiful opportunity for anyone to use the Internet in their part-time venture go from a side hustle to a full-time online business. What I know today I wish I knew back in 2005 because I probably would’ve been a few million dollars richer. It’s better to move slow and not to progress at all when it comes to building an online business from home from the ground floor up because slow progress is better than no progress. :-)