Posted by NSA in WA on 7/21/04 11:06am
Msg #4729

Ideas for other work-from-home businesses

Now that the refi market is slowing due to rising interest rates, lots of us are considering adding a side career. For those of you considering getting into the NSA business, you missed the wave.

Lots of us became NSAs because we love working independently. Here are some resources to help you determine just what other work you might want to do. Find a trade for which there is a huge demand with a shortage of workers. Won't that be a refreshing change from the NSA industry!


Websites with ideas
Some have message boards. You needn't be a Mom to get great work-from-home ideas. Try to have a positive and creative attitude when exploring. "Yeah, but..." will stop the exploration process cold.

www.iVillage.com Look for the Work section. The articles are shallow but the message boards are terrific.
www.BizyMoms.com
www.DrLaura.com The section on Moms working from home.
www.Stretcher.com This website mostly has ideas for living frugally. But there are also some great ideas for working from home and stay-at-home working Moms. Check the topical index.

Look at the course listings on the websites of your local technical and community colleges. These schools try to be savvy about what trades are actually hiring so they do not turn out graduates who can't get work. You may only need a few classes to get the skills for a new trade.


Local resources
In many communities, the unemployment office has gone through a huge overhaul of its services. Rather than just listing the most dreadful job opening, many now offer libraries and computers with programs that can help you explore what work you might like to do. They also have counselors to talk about demographics and other information you will need to know. Everything is free.

Talk to your local Small Business Administration and Economic Development Council agency workers to find out which trades are needed and which are not. They know your local business and demographic stats better than anyone. Find your local SBA office at www.SBA.gov

For example, my town hosts the county hospital and the county courthouse. Court reporters and medical transcriptionists are two work-from-home businesses for which there is a real need here. The skills involved are similar to those needed for NSA work and only a year or so of study is needed to make a great income.

Stay away from the multi-level marketing offers. They are almost always scams.

Good luck!