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.
- Pet comforting (visitation and feeding while owner is away)
- Dog training
- Dog walking
- Pet grooming
- 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.
- Auto mechanic
- Auto detailing
- Auto customization
- Taxi/limo/chauffeur/rideshare
- 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.
- Growing and selling produce
- Personal Chef
- Coffee
- Restaurant
- Specialty gourmet offerings
Website Services: Website production and marketing is a necessity in today’s business landscape. Skills in this area are highly desirable.
- Website design
- Search engine marketing
- Search engine optimization
- Website optimization
- 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.
- Graphic design
- Computer aided design
- Screen printing
- Painting/drawing
- 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.
- House cleaning
- Home repair
- Real estate sales
- Interior design
- Home staging
Homes (Outdoors): Ditto as above, but this time on the outside.
- Landscaping
- Master gardening
- Snow plowing
- Growing/selling plants/flowers
- 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.
- Fitness/personal trainer
- Martial arts trainer
- Yoga instructor
- Nutritionist
- Rehabilitation
Recreation: Closely tied to health, recreational activities have an enormous impact on our life satisfaction and fulfillment.
- Backcountry guide
- River guide
- Canoe/kayak rental
- Hunting guide
- 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.
- Photography
- Wedding planning
- Travel agent
- Catering
- 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.
- Writing
- Life coaching
- Financial planning
- Accounting
- 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?
Related Posts:
- 8 Personal Finance Spring Cleaning Ninja Moves!
- Review of Ooma: The Budget Saving Phone Device with No Monthly Bills
- How to Buy Glasses Online
My wife started her photography business that way. Loved taking pictures, researched how to get better, bought a better camera, got some cash from folks, bought a pro grade camera and now has a budding business that can make us some extra cash.
One thing I do, is develop the popularity of new products at my job. I am in sales- and I love the sustainable packaging and GREEN products we sell. I tend to talk about those more and make sure every customer I visits knows about them. So I am making more money by selling higher margin items that I am passionate about. Developing a hobby within the confines of my job.
One thing you missed with in the automotive section is being an automotive buyer. They assist people with picking out the vehicle that is appropriate for them assist them with the purchase of it. They can make excellent money.
GE – these are all great suggestions. It just proves that yeah, there really is a lot out there that people are willing to pay for. Why not try to make a little income off of 1, 2, 3, or 4 of these things?
Ted – great point about developing hobbies within the confines of your job.
It is true that if you love what you do you will never “work” a day in your life…
—
Thanks and Regards
Noel for Nopun.com
a graphic design studio
This is a great post. We started a company just about a year ago for the same reason. To help those who had talents that they enjoyed to do, make money doing them.
Great list!
I babysit and dog sit for extra money…people are always looking for someone trustworthy to watch their kids and their pets.
I’ve also seen pooper scoopers listed on Craigslist as well.
Quite a good list you created here! I’ve done several landscaping jobs as a side business. My wife does babysitting to get us an extra 300-400 a month.
Some ventures are a combination of several of the things you mentioned. For example, starting a personal finance website combines the whole “Website services” category with writing… Any (marketable) topic or hobby that you have an interest in can be parlayed into a successful website
Right Noel, Have been a painting contractor
, painting homes for over 30 years, extremely blessed at what I do, not having to work a day from that point forward. Blessed in the fact I love what I do, and where I do it, in the Colorful State of Colorado.)
So quite a few years ago, my brother-in-law bought a raft rental business and they also offer guided trips and such. Needless to say doing boat rentals isn’t going to be cheap because you have to buy all you boats up front… and they can easily run $1k to $5k per boat, that sure is one expensive hobby. I can see how the guides you listed could be hobby turned money maker, but I don’t see how boat rentals could be.
I ran a business selling chainmaille hobby supplies for 3 years. I found people were willing to pay to learn a new hobby. I put together instructional kits and ring sampler packs for people who were new to chainmaille weaving. It was very successful until I couldn’t keep up anymore and I couldn’t afford to hire help either. I really enjoyed it at first, but after a while, paid vacation and only 40 hrs per week started to sound really awesome too.
Now I work as a tax preparer, so I’m busy three months out of the year. It’s a great position if you like law and/or finance and are looking for a little extra income without a huge obligation. I’m currently a SAHM and finishing up my undergraduate degree, so it’s a great way for me to stay in the workplace without eating up too much time with my son. It makes a great second job too.
I loved the idea of earning money at my hobby, but once I was actually doing it for 40+ hours a week it became a chore and I stopped enjoying it.
Now I have the best of both worlds, a part time “real” job and the time and freedom to follow my passions. I earn less but have an infinitely greater quality of life…