This is the third installment off my ‘Start Retiring Now, by Getting Paid to do what you Love’ Series. In the first post, I offered up a bit of motivation to start exploring your own interests and in the second offering we discussed the concept of marketable hobbies and what it takes to get paid for doing them.

In this post, I’ve provided a list of 55 services broken into 11 different categories where there is a heavy demand that originates from common human priorities. I think you’ll find a common theme in all 11 categories – these are all things that people value highly and pay good money for. If you’re good at it, you could turn it into a successful business. Even if you’re just average at it, it could result in a nice side income.

But let’s take baby steps here. I think the main point that I want to get across is that you love doing things, others need people to do these things for them, why not you – even just as a trial?

You’re not going to love all 55, but I can bet that you love doing at least a handful of them.

Some may require formal education and training, others require certification of some sort, but many do not require any formalized training or certification at all. I purposefully included services that do not require a 4 year degree. Enjoy, share, and comment below!

Pets: They provide so much joy in our lives that many of us are willing to pay good money for things that we think will keep them happy and healthy.

1. Pet comforting (visitation and feeding while owner is away)
2. Dog training
3. Dog walking
4. Pet grooming
5. Pet psychology

Autos: One of our most cherished possessions. We are willing to spend a lot of money on a very frequent basis to keep our autos healthy and looking good.

1. Auto mechanic
2. Auto detailing
3. Auto customization
4. Taxi/limo/chauffeur
5. Auto restoration/build

Food: We all need to eat. And we want to eat food that tastes good and adds to our overall life satisfaction.

1. Growing and selling produce
2. Personal Chef
3. Coffee
4. Restaurant
5. Specialty gourmet offerings

Website Services: Website production and marketing is a necessity in today’s business landscape. Skills in this area are highly desirable.

1. Website design
2. Search engine marketing
3. Search engine optimization
4. Website optimization
5. Development/coding

Skilled Arts: From brochure promotion to pottery to 5 and 6 figure canvas paintings – if you’re really good at it, someone is willing to pay for it.

1. Graphic design
2. Computer aided design
3. Screen printing
4. Painting/drawing
5. Ceramics

Homes (Indoors): Our houses are our highest ticket material possession, and we are willing to spend good money to repair, clean, improve, restore, and sell and buy them.

1. House cleaning
2. Home repair
3. Real estate sales
4. Interior design
5. Home staging

Homes (Outdoors): Ditto as above, but this time on the outside.

1. Landscaping
2. Master gardening
3. Snow plowing
4. Growing/selling plants/flowers
5. Siding/Roofing/Sidewalk/Powerwashing

Health: Many of us see view our health as our most valuable asset. We are willing to spend a lot to lose weight, become healthier, fight disease, and prolong our lives.

1. Fitness/personal trainer
2. Martial arts trainer
3. Yoga instructor
4. Nutritionist
5. Rehabilitation

Recreation: Closely tied to health, recreational activities have an enormous impact on our life satisfaction and fulfillment.

1. Backcountry guide
2. River guide
3. Canoe/kayak rental
4. Hunting guide
5. Bicycle maintenance/sales

Event Planning & Service: We want to enjoy life and our biggest life events can be even better with the help of others.

1. Photography
2. Wedding planning
3. Travel agent
4. Catering
5. Travel guide

Other: OK, so I ran out of categories. I don’t think it’s hard to imagine why there is a need for the following.

1. Writing
2. Life Coaching
3. Financial Planning
4. Accounting
5. Catching and selling wild game

Self Employment Income For what you Love Discussion

• What are the top 5 things on this list or on your own list that you think you’d like to make self employment income from?
• Have you started a successful business or made income in any of these areas? Has a friend or family member? How did you or your peer do it?

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