There are many, many things you can make and sell working from home. These products are good for starting a business because you can work at your own pace and build up your business according to your own time-table. Perhaps you can start selling a few of these items on eBay or craigslist as you work on your long-range business plans. Maybe you just need extra income to pay off debt. Having your own business is a great part-time job!

Overall, these businesses do not require a major investment in “facilities”. You can work in your kitchen, a spare room, or wherever you have space. Of course, you want to do your own due diligence and research and check with your local authorities about business licenses (for more info, read my Business Licenses article.

Pick something that suits your personal hobbies and interests, if possible. That will help keep you from getting bored with your choice. If you really hate to cook, making dog biscuits is probably going to be a short-lived activity for you. If you are allergic or sensitive to fragrance, beauty products is probably not a great match for you. Most people can probably find something they like doing well enough to start a business doing it.

If you don’t know how to do something, there is plenty of “how-to” info online. You can find free information on just about anything these days. There is more in-depth info on many business ideas available on this site, for instance. Just browse through themore than 40 articles in my Business Ideas section.

This is just a sampling of ideas. There are unlimited possibilities out there! I know people running businesses producing many of these products, mostly from home. There’s no reason you can’t do the same!

Here’s the idea list to help get you started:

Beauty Products:

Soaps
Lotions
Creams
Lip balms
Shampoo & Conditioner
Facial Masks


Home Fragrance Products:
Potpourri
Candles
Sachets
Carpet fresheners

Pet Products:

Dog biscuits or treats
Dog toys
Dog leashes
Dog collars
Dog beds
Dog blankets


Holiday Products:

Holiday ornaments
Holiday or seasonal wreaths
Gift baskets
Holiday-themed picture frames
Holiday Clothing

Decorative Items:

Decorated cork or message boards
Decorated containers
Wall art
Vases
Canisters
Plaques
Mirrors
Pillows
Trivets
Tissue box covers
Flower pots

Jewelry and Accessories

Earrings
Rings
Necklaces
Bracelets (wrist and ankle)
Keychains
Watches
Hair accessories
Purses or handbags

Business ideas are unlimited, of course. Too often, we censor our own ideas, thinking “that won’t work”, and then, we see the exact same thing in a store or on a commercial. Don’t let your inner critic stop you from pursuing your business-owning dreams! Do you research, create great products or services, get smart people to help you, and you can have a successful business. It’s up to you!

If you need help or just want to bounce your ideas off someone, check out the SOHO forums, where you’ll find a very supportive and knowledgeable group!

My ebook, Finding the Perfect Small Business for You has some exercises that help you discover what kind of business is right for you, as well as some tips on getting started.