Real Business Ideas for Work at Home Moms

For stay-at-home moms, finding a way to create extra income can be challenging. There are hundreds of work-at-home-moms web sites with thousands of different money making ideas. Sorting through them all, you will discover that some work-at-home schemes are just that -- a scheme. Most of the truly legitimate home based business ideas will fall into one of three categories: Direct Sales, Network Marketing/MLM and Service businesses.

Direct sales will work best for people who are outgoing and comfortable with meeting new people. Examples of this type of business would be scrapbooking, costume jewelry sales, kitchen gadgets, cookware, specialty candles and designer handbags. Sales are sometimes generated using print catalogs and showcasing limited quantities of product samples. Other opportunities have you sell your products by hosting in-home parties for friends and family. Personal referrals are an important part of this type of business. Start-up costs for this type of business usually range from $100-$300.

Network Marketing and multi-level marketing opportunities enroll independent distributors, sometimes referred to as sales consultants, to sell products on which they earn a commission. Additionally, they receive commissions based on the sales efforts of people enrolled in their downline. If you are successful in creating a large downline, the monthly residual income can grow into a full-time income. Compensation plan details are different with each business opportunity. As with direct sales, you need to have a comfort level with personal selling and networking. Though some MLM businesses have suffered in the past from image problems, the business model itself is legitimate. Network marketing business opportunities are available in several industries: health & wellness, beauty products & skin care, travel and utilities, such as electric service and telephone service. Some businesses will recruit using advanced internet marketing systems; others will grow by word of mouth to friends, family members and co-workers. As with direct sales, little to no inventory is required. The amount of money needed to start this type of business will range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Capitalizing on your own talents, skills or ideas, you can create just about any type of service business. Charge clients by the hour or by the job for such things as dog walking, personal shopping, home decorating, bookkeeping, closet organization, in-home child care, music lessons, math tutoring, landscaping and more. You may be able to start up a personal services business strictly by word of mouth. Start-up expenses may be minimal--perhaps just the cost of a box of business cards.

Whatever you choose, keep in mind the scheduling flexibility and the amount of your time required each week. After all, you are a busy mom!