Even though the number of self-employed people is on the rise, there is still some of us that shy away from taking that leap from employee to being your “own boss”. This is likely because most of us might think that starting a business means spending excessive amounts of money. There’s no guarantee of success or even not knowing what to do or how to start.

Remember, though, that not every business idea out there requires a lot of money. How successful you are is determined by how committed you are, and the product/service you’re offering. Best of all nobody can take that success and its benefits away from you! It will also feel good to never again have to have the dreaded “I think I deserve more because” conversation.

As for what to do: well that depends on what skills or talents you might have (tip: current or previous jobs you’ve excelled at might be a good starting point)! If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are some ideas of businesses you can start.

Blogging

Could I really get away with not having this one at the top of the list? If you are super passionate about a specific topic and love to write, this might be the option for you. Granted, starting your own blog requires time, patience and perseverance (and a laptop!) but there are many revenue opportunities such as product partnerships and advertising. And there is nothing more rewarding than talking about something you love and making a career out of it.

Catering

If cuisine is your thing, then why not catering? This choice will require researching into local laws and the niche market you might want to target. You’ll increase your chances of success if you specialise in a specific cuisine, something unique but also with demand in your area. You may also want to research into the top equipment and solution providers – JLA recommends investing not only on the equipment but “round-the-clock support” meaning in cases of emergencies you’re covered! Catering will require more initial capital than blogging, but when done right, it is a very lucrative and rewarding experience.

Translation Services

Nowadays speaking several languages is more than an asset – it’s a gold mine! The global market place is continuing to grow, and companies are venturing into other countries. Translation work is often needed and outsourced, so offering your services as a translator is a great business opportunity. Do make sure you know all the requirements for a translator and get started.

These are just a few ideas to get your mind going, the key is to find the one that best fits your skillset!