I thought I would do a few posts on ideas for these sideline or moonlighting businesses. 

In Side Business Ideas (Part I): Handyman Oriented, I started with handyman oriented businesses, now I am going to focus on what I call Producer/Processor oriented businesses.  I now live in the country-- I don't have to look far to see these types of businesses-- many could still be done by city dwellers.  If you enjoy making or growing things, here are some ideas (in alphabetical order):

• Bait
• Breeder (Dogs, Horses, Fish, Etc.)
• Cheese
• Christmas trees
• Cider
• Compost
• Cut flowers
• Doughnuts 
• Dump runs and used goods sales
• Eggs
• Fertilizer
• Firewood
• Fruit
• Guide service
• Herbs
• Honey
• Jams and preserves
• Lumber
• Meat
• Milk
• Nursery
• Pies
• Trapper
• Vegetables
• Wool

Always be mindful that you may need special training and/or licenses in your state or locality.  There is also an investment in tools and equipment, property, and supplies to be made in many cases.

Next, I will focus on computer businesses . . .

This post originally appeared on DivorcedDadFrugalDad.com, here is the link to the original post: Side Business Ideas (Part I): Side Business Ideas (Part II): Producer/Processor Oriented . 

I thought I would do a few posts on ideas for sideline or moonlighting businesses.

I figured I would start this series with handyman oriented businesses.  If you are good with tools and tinkering, and you like DIY projects, here are some ideas (in alphabetical order):

• Assembler service
• Auto repair and service
• Carpentry
• Carpet installer
• Chimney sweep
• Cleaning
• Driveway repair
• Drywaller
• Fencing
• Flooring
• Electrician
• General contractor
• General handyman
• Inspection
• Landscaping
• Locksmith
• Masonry
• Painting
• Pest control
• Plumbing
• Repair service
• Roofing and siding
• Security
• Snow plowing
• Windows and doors

Be mindful that you may need special training and/or licenses in your state or locality.  There is also an investment in tools and equipment to be made in many cases.

Next, I will focus on what I call, Producer/Processor businesses . . .

This post originally appeared on DivorcedDadFrugalDad.com, here is the link to the original post: Side Business Ideas (Part I): Handyman Oriented.

Related posts:
What is Defensive Entrepreneurship?
Why Defensive Entrepreneurship?
Who is the Ideal Defensive Entrepreneur?
What is Multipreneuring?

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Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

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Related Posts:
Self Reliance and the Whole You . . . 
A Horse, a Horse, My Kingdom For a Horse . . .
What Happened to Self Sufficiency? 
Relationships in the Self Reliant Lifestyle 
Become a Utilitarian Minimalist! 
Polymaths Rejoice! Self Reliance is Obtainable
 

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DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom.  He is dedicated to living a quality life through frugality, personal growth and productivity, and defensive entrepreneurship.  He also enjoys cooking from scratch and fishing.

I like starting businesses on a shoestring (Starting Your Business Fast and on a Shoestring), but sometimes you need financing.  As a would be small business owner, you won't be able to have a public offering  (sell stock), but you still need outside resources to start the business-- here are some ideas on creative financing:

• Barter/Countertrade-- Involves swapping goods and/or services to get what you need.  For example, maybe you could trade your computer consulting services for some of your accountant's tax services
• Licensing/Franchising-- If you have a brand or system, you could sell licenses or franchises
• Suppliers Trade Credit-- You could got to suppliers and as for longer terms before payment is due.  This gives you time sell the goods and collect the money before paying suppliers
• Client Contracts-- Look to get clients to commit to contracts and possibly give discounts for advance, down, or fast payments
• Percentages/Commissions-- Pay your sales force with commissions so outflows of cash are tied to cash inflows
• Strategic Alliances/Joint Ventures-- Form alliances or joint ventures to share costs or perhaps provide the financing to your non-financial contribution
• Grants/Awards/Programs-- Look for grants or awards, especially if your business is tied to research or is science related
• Governmental Incentives-- There may be government incentives available.  Investigate programs available for your business

Many times, it pays to use more than one of these approaches . . .

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

This post originally appeared on Defensive-Entrepreneurship.com, here is the link to the original post  Creative Financing for Defensive Entrepreneurs. 

Related posts:
New Product/Service Ideas
The Passive Income Ideal
Ideas on Pricing . . .
Passive Income-- Four Myths Debunked
Finding Business Opportunities
Side Business Ideas Recap
Flipping Burgers, Cars, and Houses . . .
Added Value and Adding Value . . .
Problems are Wonderful!

When starting a business, failure is not an option, but unfortunately, it is a possibility.  I thought I would share three tips to help the budding Defensive Entrepreneur avoid failure.  No guarantees, but let's try to stack the deck in our favor . . .

Here are the three tips:

1. Think it through-- Develop a meaningful, well thought out business plan.  You need to have an idea of where you are going and contingencies to deal with the possible surprises and setbacks
2. Don’t try to do it all-- Get outside professional, managerial, and collaborative help.  Take advantage of the synergies of working with others.  It can also lead to bigger, faster success
3. Focus, Focus, Focus-- Have a vision, make a commitment, and stick to it through thick and thin.  Persistence can pay big rewards

There other things (luck comes to mind) that can help you succeed, but these are core and critical.

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

This post originally appeared on Defensive-Entrepreneurship.com, here is the link to the original post  Three Tips to Avoid Failure When Starting a Business. 

I think the fastest business to start is an on-line business.  Effectively you can start them in a matter of hours.

Starting an on-line business steps are as follows:

• Get a unique web address
• Secure hosting and site development software
• Start building and populating the site with content
• Get Google Adsense running (Helps to already have an account)

Easy-- huh? I have accomplished this in as little as two hours.

The real trick comes down to:

• Picking the business/topic
• Attracting people to the site

This is where the real work comes . . .

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

This post originally appeared on Defensive-Entrepreneurship.com, here is the link to the original post What is the Fastest Business to Start? 

Remember, they are called wild animals for a reason!

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Like this post? Check out the related posts for more information.  You can also get email notification of new posts in your email by subscribing.  Your email address won't be used for any other purpose than to send you notification of a new post.

Related Posts:
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Self Reliance and the Whole You . . . 
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What Happened to Self Sufficiency?  
Polymaths Rejoice! Self Reliance is Obtainable
 
_______________________________________

DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom.  He is dedicated to living a quality life through frugality, personal growth and productivity, and defensive entrepreneurship.  He also enjoys cooking from scratch and fishing.

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Like this post? Check out the related posts for more information.  You can also get email notification of new posts in your email by subscribing.  Your email address won't be used for any other purpose than to send you notification of a new post.

Related Posts:
Self Reliance and the Whole You . . . 
A Horse, a Horse, My Kingdom For a Horse . . .
What Happened to Self Sufficiency? 
Relationships in the Self Reliant Lifestyle 
Become a Utilitarian Minimalist! 
Polymaths Rejoice! Self Reliance is Obtainable
 

_______________________________________

DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom.  He is dedicated to living a quality life through frugality, personal growth and productivity, and defensive entrepreneurship.  He also enjoys cooking from scratch and fishing.

All of us have thought about what we could do as a sideline business . . .

While I have covered this before  . . . it never hurts to revisit this concept. To answer the question, ask yourself-- what do I have to offer?

• Skills
• Talents
• Experiences
• Services
• Products

Only you can answer this question, but we can all do more than one thing. Sit down and brainstorm-- list ideas on paper. Play with different ideas. Ultimately, you will find the solution.

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

This post originally appeared on Defensive-Entrepreneurship.com, here is the link to the original post What Can I Do As a Sideline Business? 

Thank you for visiting the Self Reliance Workshop and come back soon for more . . . follow me on Twitter at SelfRelianceWS, DvrcdDadFrglDad, and Surfcasting2Day.

Like this post? Check out the related posts for more information.  You can also get email notification of new posts in your email by subscribing.  Your email address won't be used for any other purpose than to send you notification of a new post.

Related Posts:
Self Reliance and the Whole You . . . 
A Horse, a Horse, My Kingdom For a Horse . . .
What Happened to Self Sufficiency? 
Relationships in the Self Reliant Lifestyle 
Become a Utilitarian Minimalist! 
Polymaths Rejoice! Self Reliance is Obtainable
 

_______________________________________

DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom.  He is dedicated to living a quality life through frugality, personal growth and productivity, and defensive entrepreneurship.  He also enjoys cooking from scratch and fishing.