Q1: Are you handy with a needle and thread?
Q2: Do you enjoy sewing clothes for yourself or your children?
Q3: Are friends and relatives always asking you to make sewing repairs?

If your answer is “YES” for the above questions, then you have the perfect beginnings for a work at home sewing business.

Sewing is a skill that is coming back into fashion as more people seek to reduce their clothing costs and make the clothes that they have last longer. Many WAHMs find profitable businesses in offering their sewing skills to people who do not have the time or the skill to make repairs or alterations on their clothes. There are even several profitable sewing niches, like cloth diapers and slings, which have found interest online.

Getting started with your sewing business starts with deciding what you want to do. You can specialize in one type of sewing (bridal party gowns) or you can take a wide variety of jobs. Since it is your business, it is totally up to you how to run it. Some people specialize in children clothing, alterations/repairs, women clothing or formal wear. Although sewing clothing is the most profitable field, many WAHMs enjoy offering home decor services and make curtains, slipcovers and other home accents.

Before you start advertising, make sure that you have the supplies that you will need. If you have an older sewing machine that has bad days, you might want to consider getting a new machine so you can work more efficiently. The cost of a new machine is worth it compared to the time that you will save. Plus, the new sewing machine is a tax write-off. You probably already have the sewing notions that you will need to get started. If you need something for a specific project, you will just buy it at the time.

You will also need to decide on set prices before you begin advertising your services. If you are doing repairs, you can charge a certain price per task. If you are custom sewing clothing, you can either charge a flat fee or charge by the hour. For larger projects, like wedding dresses, charging by the hour can work out to be a better deal for both you and the client.

Start your business off on the right foot by getting a business license. You will want to make sure that everything is legal and that you keep accurate records of your expenses and income. There are also several tax deductions that you can take as a business owner, and you will have access to wholesale sewing supplies.

Make some business cards to distribute to people you know. Also, leave them at certain places around town depending on what type of sewing you are specializing in. For example, if you sew children clothing, you can arrange to have your cards available at local daycare centers. One of the most powerful ways to advertise your business is through word of mouth. Your friends, family and acquaintances will surely send clients to you once they know you have hung your shingle up for business.

Having a sewing business is a great way to do something that you love, help other people and make some money all at the same time. There are many WAHM jobs to choose from, but having a sewing business definitely offers the best deal for those who love to sew.

Making gift baskets to sell is rewarding and fun. If you are creative and like to make gifts for others, then a work at home gift basket business might be right for you. Many people like the idea of giving personalized baskets for holidays, birthdays and special events but do not have the time to put them together. When you start a gift basket business, you will be supplying them with something they need and getting the opportunity to put your talents to work.

Before you start your life as a gift basket WAHM, make sure that this business is something that you really want to do. If you have never made gift baskets, but like the idea, try making one or several for your next gift-giving event. This will also be an opportunity to show off your gift basket making skills to your friends and family. While you are planning and making your gift baskets, ask yourself if this is something you can see yourself doing on a regular basis.

Making some sample gift baskets will also give you an idea of how much your supplies will cost and how much time it will take you to complete each basket. This will help you evaluate the cost when you start your business. However, keep in mind that when you get a business license you will be able to buy craft supplies for wholesale price.

Getting a business license is an important step in making yourself into an official WAHM. The process is simple and there are many tax benefits to becoming a legal businessperson. You will also get your supplies at wholesale price and be able to get discounts on other business related expenses.

Once you have decided that making gift baskets is right for you, it is time to develop your catalog of basket options and prices. Think up a few prototypes for different situations. Although gift baskets are popular during the holiday season, you can also create them for graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day and other events. Create a few different gift basket ideas and then ask your friends and family for their opinions. Make sure your choices of design and gift basket items are popular with many people before you make them part of your catalog.

Have your prices ready for both standard baskets and custom baskets, and then make your business cards and start advertising. By now, your friends and family will know about your business and you can tell them to spread the word on your new venture. Network with other local businesses, like nail salons and florist shops, to get your name in front of more people. Targeting businesses that are frequented by women is a good tactic because women are more likely to purchase your baskets.

Around the holidays, corporate companies are looking for gifts for their clients and suppliers. This can lead to a lucrative seasonal business for you. You should start marketing your corporate gift business in October at the latest. Network with your husband’s employers and the employers of your friends and family.

Being a gift basket WAHM is a great way to show of your creativity and provide a valuable service at the same time. The rewards are many and with planning and initiative, it can be a very profitable business venture for you.

When you have decided to become an online auction WAHM, you might be curious about where to get items to sell on eBay or one of the other popular online auction sites. Actually, there are a wide variety of choices for your online auction inventory. Each has different benefits and disadvantages. However, with so many options it is easy to find a method that works well for you and that can help you start a successful WAHM online auction business.

The first, and most simple, method of finding things to sell is searching the garage sales in your local area. Many people are not comfortable with selling online, or they do not want to take the time to do it. You may find a lot of interesting and valuable treasures that can be sold for a nice profit. The benefit of this method is that your inventory can usually be purchased at very low cost. Try going to yard sales as they are ending and see if you can get a bulk deal to buy whatever the person has left for a flat fee. Sometimes there will be items that will double or even triple your initial investment. You also have the benefit of being able to shop locally. You will not have to travel far to get the items that you need. Another similar option is to look for estate sales and auctions in your area.

On the downside, when you purchase inventory from yard sales, you really have to know what you are looking for. Sometimes this method works better if you are focusing on selling a specific category of items, like pottery or children toys. If you have a category of items that you are familiar with, you will know how much you can afford to spend. You will also be able to spot deals when you see them. The other downside is that when you purchase items, you need somewhere in your home to store them before you sell them. If you buy a lot of items and have to sort through them, your garage and spare room will fill up in no time.

Some people prefer to keep the inventory out of their homes and work with a drop shipper. Drop shipping companies have items that you can sell on auctions. You list the items on the auction site, and then once the auction is complete, you arrange shipment with the drop shipping company. You never have to have the product in your home, and do not have to worry about going to the post office a few times a week. As a WAHM, the convenience of working with a drop shipping company can be a huge benefit. However, the profit margins of having the company do the shipping can be very small when compared to some of your other options.

When you obtain a business license you can order wholesale products from a company. Light bulk wholesale is the best option for most WAHMs. These wholesale packages include from several hundred to a thousand dollars worth of product. Light bulk wholesale can be delivered to your home and will not require excessive amounts of storage space. Selling from a wholesale lot means that you are in charge of setting your prices and can have more profit than you would by drop shipping. You are also not at the mercy of a drop shipping company, who may deliver your items late and put your customer service at risk.

On the other hand, stocking your own inventories can be a bit overwhelming unless you are organized. You can easily get bogged down in getting the right items to the right buyers. You will also be responsible for going to the post office several times a week, and packaging the items yourself.

However, with a bit of preparation, the most successful online auction site which WAHMs find buying items in wholesale lots gives them the most control over their business and the best profit margins. If you are just getting started, try one of the other methods first and then work up to buying wholesale lots.