One of the fastest ways to escape your 9 to 5 job is through starting a service based business. Serviced based businesses can be started fairly cheaply and you don’t need extensive training or massive amounts of equipment. You can run cheap advertising – even using Google My Business for a free listing and get started fairly quickly too.
So if you’re desperate to escape your 9 to 5 job, here’s a few ideas you can implement if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and become self employed.
Escape Your 9 To 5 Job With A Service Based Business – Window Cleaning
Window cleaning is a great service based business and never goes out of style. If you’re ready to get to work on building a “round”, simply go door to door and offer your services. You can even check on local existing businesses near you too with a simply Google search. You’ll probably find a few businesses already doing this. That doesn’t mean it’s saturated, more likely it means there’s a demand. Not everyone is motivated enough to get their hands dirty in the window cleaning business so if you are there’s scope for a business here.
Escape Your 9 To Five Job With A Service Based Business – Jet Washing
Another simple but potentially lucrative business is jet washing. With a mobile jet washing facility you can go door to door and offer all kinds of services. From driveways and gutters to wheelie bins to brickwork and patios, jet washing is a super simple business model which is hugely versatile. You can even wash cars while they sit in people’s driveways. There’s an endless array of problems which can be solved with a jet wash. Again, you can look locally and have a peak at existing businesses near you. Use Google My Business to create a free business listing, get some equipment and advertising and you’re in business!
Escape Your 9 To 5 Job With A Service Based Business – Handyman Business
Anyone with a few DIY skills and some tools can start a handyman business. I did this myself and picked up regular work from only listing my services on Google My Business. You don’t need to be an electrician or plummer to become a handyman. I don’t have the skills for certain jobs but you can simply state that on your advertising.
I found a lot of smaller jobs such as putting up a curtain rail, fixing a gate, or hanging a mirror. One call out was even to fix a door which didn’t close properly. I literally turned a screw and I was done! Offer a minimum call out for these little jobs and you can be started very quickly.
Painting & Decorating
Another simple business you can start is a painting and decorating business. I actually found some decorating work through my listing as a handyman (see above). All you need is the brushes/rollers and your customers can get the paint according to what they need. Get some ground sheets to cover the carpet and furniture and you’re good to go.
Again, get a free business listing using Google My Business. As you pick up customers you can build up your advertising to include:
Business cards, Van/vehicle with decals, Listings in local papers, newsletters etc.
Gardener – Lawn Services
I personally know two gardeners. They have regular clients who give them ongoing work. Like many of these service based businesses, all you need is a small “round” to cover of people who want regular servicing. You can even ask them to set up a standing order for regular visits. Again, have a look on your local Google places (Google My Business) listings. You can do this by typing in your local area and gardening services. You should see a few pop up. If there’s a few in your neighbourhood it’s a good sign that there’s demand for gardeners.
To be a gardener you obviously need some equipment. Lawnmower, hedge trimmers, rake, spade, trowel, leaf blower, grass trimmers and other cutting equipment are the essentials. But you can build on your tool collection as you go. Just start with the basics and start picking up work.
Dog Walker
Dog walkers always seem to be in demand so why not start up your own dog walking business? Set up a free listing on Google My Business and start collecting reviews as you pick up work. Established dog walkers typically build up their reviews and this gets them more work through their listing. If you love dogs, and are keen on walking then this might be the perfect business for you! Again, you need very little training, expertise or equipment for this service based business and there’s plenty of demand for those who are prepared to do the work.
Skills Based Businesses – Language/Musical
Perhaps you’re overlooking a skill you might have such as a musical talent or a language? Have you considered offering language or music classes? These are popular in evenings or on weekends for either school ages children or adults who want to learn a new skill. Don’t underestimate the skills or talents you already have and perhaps don’t think much of. They are potentially marketable skills which people will pay for if you’re prepared to set yourself up and advertise!
Computer Based Skills/IT
If you have some computer based skills and are good with people, consider setting yourself up as a resource to help the elderly or the technophobic with basic computer jobs. Home IT (information technology) support is a little known and often untapped industry. Even small jobs such as helping someone set up an email address, or joining a social media platform, can be super difficult for those who lack the basic skills. There’s a huge niche here if you set yourself up as someone who can help and travel out to people in their homes.
If you are interested in broadening your IT skills and building an online business from scratch, you can get started here.
