Have you been dreaming about starting your own business?
Maybe bringing in some extra money while the kids are at school… but you’re just not sure what that could look like.
When I started my first business, my eldest was just 6 months old. One thing I always kept in mind was this: whatever money I put into the business had to be something we could afford to lose.
That simple decision took away so much financial pressure – and made starting feel a lot less risky.
So if you’ve been thinking about starting something, here are 7 business ideas you can start from home with very little outlay.
7 Business Ideas From Home You Can Start Today
1. Selling secondhand maternity clothes.
This was actually my first business – Blooming Beautiful..
I set it up in a spare room, and women would come and try clothes on by appointment. Then I advertised with a very simple flyer (photocopied at The Warehouse!) and put them up at kindergartens and daycares.
I was advertising for both: women to sell their clothes & and women to buy them.
(This was 2002 – imagine what I could have done with Canva now!)
2. Dog Walking.
You’d need to be confident with dogs, of course, but this is a real need — and you get exercise at the same time.
I’ve had friends whose dogs are collected and taken out for the day to a farm or a beach — they’re out for hours. So you have options with what to offer: a simple 30-minute walk, or more of a full outing.
You could also offer doggy day care. Some people don’t want their dogs left alone all day, so they would love a safe home environment where their dog can be around people.
That’s a premium service — and something you could charge more for.
3. A rubbish collection service.
I love this one — it’s so simple.
There are so many people who:
- don’t have a trailer
- don’t have a tow bar
- don’t have the time
This could be even more fun with a friend and can easily be done during school hours.
You could also:
- resell anything valuable
- upcycle items if you enjoy that
It’s a very practical service that meets a real need.
4. Doing people’s laundry.
People are busy, and more and more everyday tasks are being outsourced.
You’re already doing your own laundry — so why not a couple of extra loads?
You could:
- charge more for same-day service
- use premium or eco-friendly products
- position it as a “green” service
And it’s something you can do from home.
5. School pick up and drop offs.
When I had my youngest, I paid another mum for a school term to pick up my older two children so I didn’t have to wake the baby.
It was such a small thing — but it made a huge difference.
This is a fantastic service for families, especially those with a new baby. Trust is important, but often this can come from your existing school community.
You could also:
- offer before/after school care
- provide healthy snacks
- market it as a gift option from grandparents
6. Party entertainment.
One of my son’s best parties involved my husband and a cousin acting out a simple skit — one dressed as a clown, the other hiding from him in the backyard (there may have been a hose and a cream pie involved 😊).
The kids were completely captivated — sitting on a blanket in the driveway, laughing for ages.
You could offer:
- themed entertainment (clown, fairy, etc.)
- simple games or crafts
- a fun, memorable experience
Parents will love you.
7. Growing and selling indoor plants.
Many indoor plants can be grown from cuttings, and some are surprisingly valuable.
I bought a Hoya Crimson Queen cutting, and later saw a plant the same size selling for $200.
You could:
- specialise in certain plants
- sell online or at markets
- swap cuttings with other plant lovers
It’s a great way to build something over time.
These are just a few ideas to get you thinking.
It can help to write a list of what you want in a business:
- Do I want to get out of the house?
- Do I enjoy making something?
- Or providing a service?
- How many days a week do I want to work?
- Do I want school holidays off, or something year-round?
Depending on what you choose, you may also want to think about backup — for example, if clients rely on you and you take time off.
This is where:
- working with a friend
- or having someone cover for you
can be really helpful.
This type of thinking will help guide you to which business suits you best.
Remember you can always change direction. I sold my business Blooming Beautiful when I needed more of a creative outlet so don’t be afraid of starting.
If you’d like a simple, step-by-step way to start your own business, you can join my free class here.