Are you looking to turn your love of pets into some extra income? Here are some business ideas that can work for you on a part-time basis… and maybe develop into a full-time career!
Pooper-Scooper Service
It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s gotta do it. Starting up a pooper-scooper business is pretty easy — if you have some garbage bags, a shovel, and some gloves, you’re just about ready to go. Nose plugs wouldn’t hurt, either. There are lots of people out there who are willing to pay $30-$60 a month for a weekly yard clean-up. That doesn’t sound like much… but think of it this way: you only spend ten or fifteen minutes on each yard. So let’s say you charge ten dollars per week and have ten clients. That’s an extra four hundred dollars per month for very little work — let’s say fifteen minutes for driving time and fifteen minutes for clean-up. Five hours of work total? That could be done on a Saturday morning, easily, leaving you the rest of the weekend to enjoy the cash in your pocket.
Some things to think about:
- Can you stand the smell?
- The cost of gas vs. the amount of money you’d be making.
- Advertise through dog-related businesses and clubs in your area.
- Older kids may be willing to help out and earn extra spending money.
Pet Photography
This one requires a little more skill and creativity. If you have some talent with a camera, the flexibility to travel to people’s homes in the evenings and over the weekends, you could be a mobile pet photographer! It also helps to have a lot of patience and a love of pets. Offer a half-hour photo shoot, then give the owners a stack of picture proofs to choose from. You may want to offer a flat rate for the shoot, and price picture packages separately — kind of like school pictures.
Some things to think about:
- Print pictures at home (keep in mind the cost of ink and photo paper) vs. having them developed professionally.
- Online stores like Cafepress.com will put pictures on t-shirts, calendars, mugs, etc. Offer these extras to boost profits!
- Word of mouth is a great way to advertise! Practice on friends and family and have them spread the word.
Crafts for Pets
Like working with your hands? Why not design doggy clothes and accessories, create fun pet toys, or make healthy gourmet treats? Start off at local craft fairs and farmers markets, and/or set up a website for repeat customers. Your little weekend business can quickly grow into a full-time job.
Some things to consider:
- Costs for supplies and time spent creating should determine your sale prices.
- Craft fairs often charge entry fees; you’ll need to provide a table and chair to display your wares. You may also want some protection from the sun.
- Start small — make a few different things and see how they sell. Don’t start off with 20 or 50 different products; you’ll quickly be overwhelmed trying to have enough of everything for a craft fair.
Look for more great jobs at the Families.com Employment Blog!