QUESTION: I'm recovering from a long illness and would
like to work from home doing something that affords me a little
extra money without taxing my energy too much. Any suggestions
other than a telemarketing or online business?
Teri Pedersen
Stamford, CT
ANSWER: Many people recovering from health problems or
suffering from chronic illnesses can work or run their own
businesses from home more easily than taking full-time jobs with
daily commutes and fixed schedules and responsibilities. In your
own business, you can choose the type of work you do, who you want
to work with and how much work you take on for a given day, week or
month.
We suggest doing an inventory of your skills, interests and
existing contacts, then brainstorming ideas for serv-ices you can
provide from home.
For example, when an interior decorator we interviewed suffered a
serious injury, she realized she would no longer be able to lift
furniture and accessories as she had done previously. Given her
decreased stamina and mobility, she realized she needed to change
directions. As she assessed her skills and interests, she
identified a new niche. Because she'd always been a collector
of rare artifacts and already had contacts in the design industry,
she decided to start a home business supplying other decorators
with unique and interesting artifacts.
We also spoke with someone who was stricken with an illness that
prohibited her from eating the kinds of food she'd eaten all
her life. So she began experimenting with recipes for healthy
versions of her favorite desserts. After getting rave reviews from
her friends, she decided to create a line of healthy chocolates.
The former model had contacts with upscale hotels and spas that
cater to models and other health-conscious consumers-they became
her first customers.
Both of these entrepreneurs were able to find ways they could work
from home that provided them with the flexibility they needed. Here
are a few other in-demand home businesses that meet these criteria:
mailing-list services, bookkeeping services, computer programming,
tutoring, coaching, technical writing and financial planning.
This story appears in the May 2000 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
