How (NOT) to Start a Small Business from Home in 2025
10 Businesses that will leave you Exhausted, Stressed & Broke and What to do Instead.
Starting a small business from home sounds like the dream, right? But so many aspiring entrepreneurs, especially parents wanting more time with their kids, jump into businesses that often turn those dreams into a nightmare sitcom! They end up with LESS time, LESS Money, and MORE Stress than their 9-5.
I’m going to jump into some legitimate business ideas that might look easier from the outside than they are once you dive in (and believe me, I know, I’ve tried several!) So before you convert your living room into an office, shop, storage hub or massage parlour, or invite strangers to have breakfast with you, let's talk about the mistakes other well intentioned parents make, so you don’t have to.
You’ll also see the ‘mumpreneurial’ journey that I embarked on when I left a successful 22 year military career to be there for my girls. This included failing at 3 MLM businesses, failing at online PT coaching and failing at influencing! 🙁
The good news is, I always knew in my heart that I’d find a way and I ultimately found some incredible education and an amazing community to help me build solid foundations, at a fraction of the cost, time & stress of all other business models. This led me to create a successful online business with time and location freedom I craved, so I could finally be the mum I dreamed of being.
Before we dig in, I know you are busy, so if you are tight for time, but still curious about how I got started online, I'm happy to share these free trainings with you...
Still here?
Fab, let's get into it……
10 businesses to avoid if you want to keep your sanity, your time and your savings!
1. MLM - Multi-level Marketing/Network marketing.
Don’t get me started on this! I’ve tried and failed at 3 ‘failproof’ ‘exciting opportunities’! Maybe it’s just me, but please just don’t; your friends, family and wallet will thank you. (more on the pros & cons of MLM HERE ).
2. Online Tutor
Now I homeschooled my daughter (thanks to my online business), and I used some wonderful online tutors, but they worked incredibly hard. They are stuck in a ‘time for money’ cycle with no scalability. Parents are constantly changing time slots and it’s a very crowded market to stand out in.
3. Real Estate Investor
How many of us have this dream - I know I did. The harsh reality is that although it’s potentially lucrative, real estate investing requires significant upfront capital, a strong understanding of the market, a great deal of stress, often having to wait for expensive trades-people to renovate and the ability to weather periods of no income or tenant issues. Not for me thanks!
4. AirBnB your Home
Now you might enjoy strangers in your home, but having to play my A-game with rude and often ignorant visitors is not my bag. And I certainly don’t want them around my girls. Then to clean up after them and depend on them to grade your hospitality after a menopause meltdown, no thanks. Oh, and again - no option for scaling and no income when you are away or want your home back.
5. At Home Daycare or Pet sitter
Other people’s kids or animals = RUN AWAY BRAVELY!
No location freedom, no time freedom, dealing with parents of kids or ‘fur babies’, strict legislation - need I say more!
6. Online Coach
So, this is getting more into my ball park, and something I had some success with for a while. But unless you know how to build some really great systems, understand digital marketing and creating courses (all of which I do since up-skilling myself), you will still find yourself trading time for money. Motivating clients remotely is not easy and it's extremely difficult to be 'seen' - competition is HUGE!
7. Tech support Advisor
If you have tech skills, offering support from home can seem straightforward, but this role can involve erratic hours and complex problem-solving that goes beyond typical IT knowledge. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date certifications can be costly and time-consuming and often dealing with irate customers is not easy. Nope.
8. Influencing
Doesn’t it just scream exhausting & competitive and the need to be constantly ‘shiny’. Now if you like sharing your life on social media all day long, if you can deal with the haters and you love putting yourself up for constant scrutiny, go for your life.
I tried this for a while in the health and fitness space, but it’s not for me or my hot flushes! I choose to jump on my socials now and again, but working online definitely does not mean you have to splash yourself all over social media, thank heavens!
9. Online Store
Starting an online store can be thrilling, but managing inventory, handling customer service, and navigating the complexities of shipping and returns can quickly become a full-time job. Plus, with stiff competition, you'll need a unique selling proposition that truly stands out. Definitely no freedom here (unless you fully understand how to properly set up a Print on Demand or Dropshipping biz - all of which I learned how to do when I invested in the right education!)
10. Absolutely Anything you see Online that Promises 'Cash Now or Easy Money' or Sold by a 16 Year Old GURU Standing infront of a Lambo/Jet/Speedboat/Palm Tree/Penthouse Suite!
Quick Cash = Quick Lack of Cash!!
It’s Time to Get Real About Your Business Dreams
So, let’s talk seriously.
If you're looking to ditch the conventional pitfalls and start a legitimate, fulfilling small business from home (or anywhere with WiFi!) that lets you spend quality time with your kids (or friends or your dog) it's time to explore the options that actually work. After I stumbled on some free training that introduced me to all the different online business models that can fit into your lifestyle, without the gimmicks, I knew I was in the right place.
The free training introduced me to Affiliate Marketing (my fave, you may have already head about this?), amazon KDP (I’ve just bought out my first book) as well as e-commerce (I’ve now got an ETSY store!) and a range of other ideas. You get all that knowledge in one place!
You can find that same free training here.....
Please read this before you go…
Understanding the challenges and the real work involved in these online home-based businesses is crucial to setting realistic expectations and achieving long-term success. This isn’t easy, or everyone would be doing it. If you're ready to learn the ropes and build a business that lasts, you will be introduced to the courses and mentors that I’ve invested in. You’ll learn exactly the right kind of business for your individual personality, passions and needs. Even if right now you literally have no ideas!
You’ll be taken step by step into building the strong foundations that every online business needs to grow from, and then build the skills required for scaling and longevity.
So right now, all you need to think about is taking that first (free) step into discovering what’s possible online. If you are ready for that, you are about to start on the same path that brought me online success and freedom to be the mum to my girls that I always dreamed of when I left my military career.
I look forward to meeting you soon - yes, you will actually get to speak to me if you’d like, I totally stand by this education and am proud to show it off.
One more thing…
I’ve failed often, but I’ve failed fast and failed forward and I’ve turned my life around. Impossible is for the unwilling, but if you are willing to learn new skills and do the work, then anything is possible.
If you're going to try one of these other 10 ideas - good luck, I’ll be waiting when you’re ready to build some solid foundations to freedom.
