Comments on: Lost Your Job? Start a Business

By: Donna L. Johnson

Donna L. Johnson — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:18:24 +0000

Thank you so much for listing my blog as a resource here on your site. I appreciate the support.

If more people were empowered to create their own opportunities we would see a shift in the nation’s economy. Job creation isn’t the only answer.

I love your attitude and mindset. Keep going and remember I’m always here if you need me!

Hugs & Handshakes,

Donna J
The Unemployed Entrepreneur®

By: Margot

Margot — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:31:04 +0000

It is very feasible to start a business from nothing, and it’s sometimes even more desirable to do it from “nothing” because they you avoid debt. Every time I’ve been between jobs or in need of extra income while in school, I’ve re-started my junior high and high school job of babysitting. For example, when I was 28 years old, I was in a position where I needed additional income. I put up some babysitting fliers (total cost = printing 10 sheets of paper) at a high-end school (private schools, schools for wealthy foreigners’ kids, nice public schools, etc.) and within a week I had more people calling than I could handle. I was also amazed by how much people paid! I made $10-15 per hour, and in some neighborhoods, people pay even more these days.

My mother did something similar with housekeeping when she needed income once. She distributed fliers throughout some nice neighborhood. She got a few calls. She charged more per hour than she would have earned in many other jobs, and she controlled her schedule. Once she did a good job, word spread like wildfire. She got more business than she could handle from friends of her clients.

The same can be done with all sorts of services: lawn mowing, yard care, tutoring, dog walking, etc.

By: L

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:53:17 +0000

I recommend a new eBay strategy. I know several women who shop at thrift stores for unopened and tags-on items, then resell them on eBay. They make great money – one of them pulls in $1K a week!

You can get started at very low cost, since thrift shops are super-cheap.

By: Elissa

Elissa — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:07:27 +0000

If you have a car, a phone, and presentable clothes, you can tutor. To make much money at it you need pretty good math skills and free time in the evenings, but any money is better than none.

By: Catherine N.

Catherine N. — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:30:34 +0000

You write very well. Have you tried to get some kind of online editing job? Or even see if your local paper would pay you for writing an online column, maybe on being homeless, and all that entails. There has to be something you can do, you obviously have good online research skills.

(Also, at least in CT, a lot of local farms are taking food stamps at the Farmers Markets, which might save you some money on produce at the grocery store)