Monday, August 20, 2012
Business Ideas
Mommy Time
Money Matters
Rakets
Sidelines
Working Mom
7 Sideline Ideas for Working Moms
A Working Mom.
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| Photo from Linkage.com |
That's what I have been since 2004.
Recalling the 8 years that had gone by, leaving the house again for the
first time (after a year and a half of corporate career hiatus to focus on
taking care of my first child) is still fresh to me. It was with a heavy
heart that I left my son to the care of a yaya and be away from him the whole
day. I remember having to reacquaint myself with commuting during rush
hours, with the heavy traffic in a cold business district, with the irritating
sound of bus horns and scent of pollution, with riding the elevators and with
wearing smart-casual office attire. Not to mention, being a freshman
again in the corporate world meant to make a good impression and try to get along
with unfamiliar co-workers. It was a painful decision to work, but I had to.
Now, things
are so much in place, a lot happier in state and with an additional little boy in the family,
I am thankful that I endured the pain of being separated from my son during the
first year. That decision has made me an independent, self-sufficient and an empowered woman.
Because I embraced my working-mom-status, I didn’t just limit
myself to an 8-5pm job. I searched for
means to earn more, on the side, to provide for the growing needs of my family. I’ve dabbled into a number of “rakets,” and
as I write this, I still continue doing so.
Here are some ideas of a doable, none-work-intruding, and modestly
profitable sidelines for working moms:
1. Traditional Buy and Sell.
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| My yearly Christmas Cookie Gift Box business |
I must have sold a lot of different kinds of merchandise from imported chocolate drinks, to pastries, to bags, to gadgets, to colognes, to clothes and a lot more. I get my merchandise from friends who have relatives shipping them goods from overseas or those who have tyangge stalls or if I find anything fancy and useful from the wonderful land of Divisoria or from friends who are direct suppliers. I also take advantage of the Christmas Season to sell pastries to office mates. You can actually sell almost anything and make a modest profit out of it.
- Capital: Zero - if consignment or depending on your budget
- Earning Potential - unlimited depending on the amount of merchandise (10% mark-up) and amount of time you invest
2. Start A Band.
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| The Euphony Band, 3-piece acoustic band |
if you happen to be a talented musician - a singer or can play any musical instrument - then gather your friends and start jamming. Fuel your passion for music by sharing it to others. Make sure you pack your repertoire with a variety of genre and you're ready to go. I started in 2006, with my then best friend now hubby, as an acoustic duo until we evolved to a 3-piece band. We performed at least twice a week at bars and hotel lounges, got invitations to perform in corporate and private functions. We even have our own Facebook PAGE. Currently, we still do gigs at least twice a month.
- Capital: Talent and your own instrument.
- Earning Potential: as low as P2,000 (bars/lounges) to P15,000 (corporate events/private functions) for an acoustic band
3. Be TV Commercial Talent.
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| Tide/Ariel/Mr.Clean Scrubber TVC, 2009 |
WHAT?!!! "Me? on TV?!" YES YOU! I used to think it's only a business for those with pretty faces and flawless fair skin. If you have a background in theater or carry an unfailing confidence, then you could be the next lead star in a dish washing or laundry soap or diaper TV Commercial! There are a number of Talent Agencies looking for fresh talents. Companies now recognize the power of mothers' approval of a brand so they employ mommy talents (regardless of complexion, size and height) who fit the required characteristics in their story board. I was referred by a daddy friend of mine to his talent agent, Discovery (office located at 2/F Makati Cinema Square). I went to their office for a VTR and after they profiled me as a young Pinay-looking mom, I was asked to audition for a dish washing commercial with Michael V! Since then I already did four TV commercials.
- Capital Needed: Acting talent and transportation fee going to VTRs.
- Earning Potential: P2,500 (extra); P15,000 - P80,000 (support role); P100,000 to P300,000 or more (lead role) depending on production/agency/client's budget.
4. Try Direct Selling.
In me previous post about Human Nature I mentioned that I signed up as a dealer. The top reason why I signed up is, I LOVE their products. Second, I may enjoy 15% - 25% discount on personal purchases and earning potential. Third, ordering is so easy and gets delivered same day! Other Direct Selling companies you could sign up for are: AVON (I also use Avon,) Fuller Life, Natasha, BoardWalk, MSExchange and more. Be careful with companies offering you "Too good to be true" deals, because more or less it must be. Also, make sure you get products in exchange of fees you pay for. If it's purely based on recruitment of downlines with no products in return, it's called Pyramiding, and this is illegal.
- Capital Needed: Registration Fee (depending on the Direct Selling company) as low as P799 with Human Nature plus transportation fee or delivery fee
- Earning Potential: minimum of 15% of the products' SRP. Check company's minimum order price
5. Start an Online Shop.
The popularity of Multiply then later followed by Facebook Pages, as sites for online sellers, has also increased consumers' trust in online purchasing. There are also oxli, sulit.com.ph and of course eBay. Setting up an online shop is more friendly to working moms who are not inclined to bringing heavy bags of merchandise to her office and to those who have no secure storage of inventories in their post. This allows the working mom to manage her time more efficiently for she could easily schedule her ordering cut offs and delivery or meet ups on days she is available. Since the merchandise being sold online are not seen in actual by potential buyers, business integrity, trustworthiness and transparency should be doubled to earn the trust of your online customers. It's a must to post clear photos of what's sold with complete specifications, reply to your customers' queries immediately, share positive feedback of happy customers, flag sold items, post photos of proof of shipment or arrival of goods, publish your contact details and for your protection, post your terms and conditions.
- Capital Needed: Online shop set up is FREE! Try Facebook Page or Multiply. You will also spend for the cost of merchandise you want to sell
- Earning Potential: limitless, depending on your time and effort.
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| Flickr Creative Commons by vancouverfilmschool |
- Capital Needed: CDs for your recording and transportation fees
- Earning Potential: minimum of P5,000 per page (double spaced, English, 12pt font size)
- Capital Needed: Adobe Photoshop software (free download via toggle.com or en.softonic.com)
- Earning Potential: minimum of P500 per project
When you're already a mom, you don't think only of yourself anymore. The hard-earned money goes straight to the needs of the kids, schooling, groceries and other food, utility bills and of course your savings. If you're a working mom and your and husband's salary aren't enough, there's no harm in trying sideline jobs as long as it doesn't interfere with your main bread-and-butter. Who knows, maybe someday, when you've succeeded in your sideline, it could be your mainline and your key to quit your regular job on your way to financial freedom! Good luck!
Are you a working mom and have other sidelines you wish to share? Please share your ideas by commenting below. Thanks!
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36 comments
I'm not a Mom but I used to have an online shop. Perfect for years of no income. haha a fresh out of college grad is suddenly bombarded by bills & the responsibility to feed oneself *lol*
ReplyDeleteHi Lady Spring! That's true, it takes focus lang and dedication talaga in updating it, replying to customers, serving with glee! Good thing about it is you stay at the comforts of your home while doing it noh? So you can do other things! :) Thank you for visiting my site! :)
DeleteI'm not yet a mom but I enjoyed reading this post. I think everyone needs to make a sideline especially now when all the prices are soaring :)
ReplyDeleteHi Farida, true! Soaring HIGH prices, we need a sideline, mom or not. :) Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteNot yet a mom but this sidelines could also be applied to us like college students. I really like to try voice over jobs but I have no idea where to apply :( I don't even know any agency. Please let me know where, I would really appreciate it email me at (chel.luvu@yahoo.com) Thanks for sharing this is really helpful!
ReplyDeleteHi Rochelle! Start young, that's good! There's a recording studio/agencies along Amorsolo St. in Makati near Makati Cinema Square. :)Thanks for visiting dear! I'm glad I was of help. :)
Deletei'm not yet a mom but i was interested to know your sideline ideas
ReplyDeletethose are awesome, goodluck
Thanks Reese! These are all sharing of what I did or have been doing as sidelines. Glad to be of help! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteYou can do blogggin to make money easily. So long as you got a high pagerank, you're good to go. Advertisers will contact you or you can fish for them on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteHi Itin! That's what I want to do next. But I don't know yet how! Hope you can share a tip or two! Thanks for the visit!
DeleteHi! I am a working mom too and am so multitasking. I have an online shop and I do crafts too. I am thinking of signing up with Human Nature because I have read many good feedback about it. Hmm so maybe soon I will sign up as a dealer since I have an online shop naman. I agree with you, when you become a mom you will not think of yourself rather than your family specifically your children.
ReplyDeleteHi Mommy Maye! Nice to see you here! Try Human Nature! It's a really good opportunity plus you'd feel a sense of pride because you know that you're doing it because you believe in the company's principles: Pro-Pinoy Pro-Poor and Pro-Environment. :)
Deletethanks for sharing this tips, for a single mom like me, sideline job is a big help..
ReplyDeleteHi Rosemarie! Thanks for visiting! Yes that is so true! :)
DeleteHi Rosemarie! Thanks for visiting! Yes that is so true! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Mommy Maye! Nice to see you here! Try Human Nature! It's a really good opportunity plus you'd feel a sense of pride because you know that you're doing it because you believe in the company's principles: Pro-Pinoy Pro-Poor and Pro-Environment. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Itin! That's what I want to do next. But I don't know yet how! Hope you can share a tip or two! Thanks for the visit!
ReplyDeleteThanks Reese! These are all sharing of what I did or have been doing as sidelines. Glad to be of help! Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteHi Rochelle! Start young, that's good! There's a recording studio/agencies along Amorsolo St. in Makati near Makati Cinema Square. :)Thanks for visiting dear! I'm glad I was of help. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Farida, true! Soaring HIGH prices, we need a sideline, mom or not. :) Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteHi Lady Spring! That's true, it takes focus lang and dedication talaga in updating it, replying to customers, serving with glee! Good thing about it is you stay at the comforts of your home while doing it noh? So you can do other things! :) Thank you for visiting my site! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas, some of which I've already tried, and some of which I don't think I could do.. LoL! :D
ReplyDeleteHi Mariellle! Look within what you really love to do and think of ways to earn from it. You will fly! :) Thanks for visiting, hope you come back :)
ReplyDeleteThese are indeed very good ideas. I have my multiply site and it has helped me a lot. :-)
ReplyDeletekeep the ideas coming sis! i'm trying to learn how to bake so hopefully after a couple of months i can start getting orders and have a sideline while i stay home to take care of the kids :)
ReplyDeleteYes that's great! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! Us moms will really do anything possible for our families! :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting ideas... never thought of these but quite practical
ReplyDeleteWow. Your blog is very interesting and helpful. :) I am looking forward to reading more of your entries.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'd like to add up ONLINE teaching as another source of income for
ReplyDeleteworking moms like us. If you have the passion for teaching English language and has a stable internet connection at home, you may also add this to your raket list :) Try to check www.ontue.com or RareJobs. These companies hire ONLINE English teachers. :)
Those are great tips. Thanks for sharing. Im wondering if i can i bring my kids for a vtr without referals?
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for the tips. Im wondering if i can go for a vtr. But i dont know how to apply and do i need someone to refer me first? Thanks in advance
ReplyDeleteAnyone can. No need for referral. Go to Discovery in Makati Cinema Square or Star Horizons in Bagtikan St. also Abracadabra in Bagtikan St. as well. No fees to be paid. Just say you want to have a VTR. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteOh these are great! I am thinking about the VTR! Thank God I found this blog. All in one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pia! :) Good luck to us hardworking moms! :)
ReplyDeleteOops! Not a Mom yet, but, praying to be one in the near future! :) You are very much welcome. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog and leaving your wonderful comment!