Self-employment ideas

Comms69

Sandtree said:

AskAsk said:

Sandtree said:

To be honest there is probably more opportunity for a females to enter those sorts of trades because of the scarcity and that some lone female customers state they'd be more comfortable with a woman coming to do the job than some unknown bloke being let into their home so a potentially lucrative market to tap

To the OP - what is it that you dislike about being in an office? Excluding item 1, 7 and 8 the others are generally run in an office like environment.  Small consultancy type business on recruitment and travel etc can work but you must have a very clear niche and understand that niche inside out as you'll have to sell on expert knowledge not the lowest price.  I know one or two people that have set up such niche travel companies and its their full time income but they ultimately spent vast sums in their own travel costs and time to gain the knowledge that mean people contact them for their holiday arrangements rather than someone else.

i have never felt worried about a man coming into my home to fix anything, and i am not sure that people would choose a woman trades person over a male one if there was a choice.  i wouldn't mind either way.

I am sure for the majority they are also agnostic so the question is really if there are more women that want a strange male coming into their house (maybe because they'll think they'll do a better job or get lucky) or more women that may be worried about a strange male coming in and so would appreciate a woman (or maybe hope to get lucky with her).

My reference was to a newspaper article several years ago about a female trades person who said she worked for a "normal" plumbing company for a few years and got a lot of positive reaction from female customers when she turned up. She then setup her own business employing/subcontracting only female plumbers and will do any job, obviously, but have a high proportion of female customers with some multi million pound valuation having been put on her company... not sure what the price tag was for the naked cleaners company that was also in the paper but think they had a different appeal.

So she broke the law from day 1...

Brynsam

moksha76 said:

I would like to work for myself (ideally from home), but don't know what to do.

Am I being realistic? Or just fantasising? I'm sure you can earn money doing such things, but can you earn enough to live on? 

You're certainly not thinking it through. Until you identify something you actually want to do, have the ability to do, plus a clear plan as to how you get the training/experience/qualifications, you'll remain in the world of fantasy. How much do you need to live on? How committed are you to training? How much can you afford to spend on getting qualified? Responding to your specific 'ideas':

moksha76 said:

I would like to work for myself (ideally from home), but don't know what to do. I have an MA in English literature and psychoanalysis, but not much work experience. I cannot bear offices (tried it – it's just not for me). I'm an introvert, and need a lot of alone time. Wealth isn't my motivation. I just want to preserve my mental health.  Anyway, I have a few ideas:
1) Retrain in some kind of trade (plumber, locksmith, etc) If you need a lot of time alone, and would prefer to work from home, how would this fit the bill?
2) Do an online, CPD course and then work from home as a mortgage adviser How would you get clients?
3) Do a CPD course in travel and set up an online business as a travel agent In a time of COVID...?
4) Do a CPD course and set up from home as a recruitment consultant How would you get clients? What relevant experience can you claim to help you get clients? 
5) Become a freelance writer Write some articles and see if anyone will publish them. Do it today if you're serious. Start with a copy of the latest Writers & Artists Yearbook, available on Amazon. If you get to Sunday and you've not written and submitted at least one good-quality article, are you sure this is for you? Discipline and the ability to meet ridiculously tight deadlines are just as important as top class writing skills
6) Do a course in proofreading and copywriting and become a home-based, freelance writer/proofreader Copywriting is hugely competitive. Proof reading is extremely boring, tiresome and poorly paid
7) Become a private tutor (maybe combine it with freelance writing) If you've got a teaching qualification and relevant experience, it is quite possible to make a good living
8) Do a course in sports and injury massage and work for myself as a remedial injury therapist If you have 3 years to do the training, then give it a go
These are just a few vague ideas atm. Am I being realistic? Or just fantasising? I'm sure you can earn money doing such things, but can you earn enough to live on? 

Not sure why you are referring to CPD when you don't appear to have any professional qualifications. You need to do Continuing Professional Development when you are already qualified, to ensure your skills and knowledge are kept up to date.

Sandtree

Comms69 said:
So she broke the law from day 1...

I would agree there is a definite question over sex discrimination laws however she is not unique in that area and some organisations get away with saying they have to have gender specific employees 

AskAsk

Sandtree said:

Comms69 said:
So she broke the law from day 1...

I would agree there is a definite question over sex discrimination laws however she is not unique in that area and some organisations get away with saying they have to have gender specific employees 

reminds me of a minicab service where only women drivers were employed by the company.  something called sheila i think.  i don't think it became very successful, but i may be wrong.