Are you looking for a profitable way to spend your time off?  Maybe you have special talents or abilities going to waste.  Put those skills to work by establishing a side gig or small business this year!  You can carry it throughout the school year by choosing opportunities that are both lucrative and flexible, and by managing your money wisely. Christian Women’s Job Corps offers some great ideas for you to consider!

Top Gigs

Curriculum writer.  Someone needs to develop, write, and adapt curriculum, and who would know better where needs are than those delivering the final product?  As Business Insider explains, educational professionals can offer special insights as curriculum writers.  If you’re a team player and a master of meeting deadlines, this could be a great gig for you.

Proofreader or editor.  Are you grammar savvy?  If words are your playground and penchant, consider freelance editing.  Polishing up others’ written products is a flexible niche and work is abundant, with everyone from college students to companies needing assistance.  Some experts say you can simply check social media posts and online job boards for people needing editors, or look into independent author forums for opportunities.

Sell your craft.  Do you create handmade soap, infuse honey, or upcycle found items?  Selling online is a terrific way to make those projects profitable.  If you fear your side biz will get away from you once school starts, enlist some handy tech tools to keep things under control.  For instance, you can use a free invoice app to manage your business finances.

Put your car to work.  There are several ways to make your car earn its keep.  One idea is to drive people around or make deliveries, which can be a fun opportunity if you love interacting with a variety of folks.  Another suggestion is to advertise on your car, simply driving around with a sign on the side of your vehicle.  Check for platforms that specialize in this gig.  Some experts note, be on guard for scammers; you shouldn’t have to pay anything upfront, just put a sign on your car and go.

Flip websites.  If you like to tinker with website development, this can be a fun way to make extra money.  Buy domains, develop them and plugin quality content, then sell your wares on the web.

Virtual assistant.  Are your office skills top-notch?  Many professionals don’t have a need for full-time office help, or simply need help on the fly.  If you’re a terrific organizer, great with a schedule, enjoy writing letters or punching numbers, this could be the perfect fit for you.

Caregiver or nanny.  Do you love feeling like you’re making a difference?  One suggestion is to become a caregiver to disabled or elderly people or to be a nanny for youngsters.  You can help adults with tasks that are physically difficult, such as eating, dressing, and driving, or tend little ones when their parents can’t.

Alterations and sewing.  Those who know their way around a sewing machine are becoming few and far between.  If you’re savvy with a needle, pedal and thread, put those skills to work fitting dresses, hemming pants, or stitching up goods for people’s homes.

Making Your New Business Venture Legal

For many entrepreneurs, starting a business is a logical next step after doing a little side work, growing that into steady part-time work that then blossoms into the promise of something more lucrative than their full-time job. So if starting a business seems like a good fit, then it’s time to take the step of creating a legal business entity.

While there are plenty of options available, for those planning on working solo or building a small team, the most attractive entity type is often an LLC. Alternatives such as partnerships or corporations may make sense too, but an LLC offers flexibility and protection compared to a traditional corporation, for example. Once you know the entity type, it’s time to register your business with the state and take the necessary steps to be recognized as a legal business entity. Setting up an LLC can usually be done in about five steps.

Managing Your Money

As you manage your small business, keep in mind how critical it is to manage your money. There are countless factors within “managing your money,” including setting up necessary financial accounts, implementing a business insurance policy, determining equipment costs, establishing needed financing, and client invoicing.

Teachers: There are so many opportunities out there to boost your income and secure your financial future. Best of all, if your side gig grows, you’ve got the makings of a business venture that can open new doors and even change your career trajectory.

This article was written by Naomi Johnson

Naomi Johnson is a professional writer and works at Lifebasedbusiness.net. You can email her at naomi@lifebasedbusiness.net

Image courtesy of Pixabay

To find local job openings, look to the Christian Women’s Job Corps Job Listings page!