Can't find a job? Work for yourself!

• Penny was a secretary. She was a genius at organising small spaces. She learned how to focus her energies on helping people in small living spaces (units, apartments, lofts, etc.) build storage space. Within a few months almost everyone in her 36 unit building had become a paying client.
  

• Jody was a hospital admitting clerk. Because of her love for animals it was a natural progression for her to become a pet sitter for everyone in her development. She walks dogs, bathes them, takes them to vet appointments, feeds them, and organises "play dates" for groups at a time. Not only does she care for kitties and dogs, but she also cares for birds, two snakes, a host of lizards, tropical fish, and one adorable Vietnamese Potbellied Pig.
  

• Cindy was an account executive for an insurance company. She loved to cook and she was very good, yet it never occurred to her that people would actually pay her to do this! She started bringing meals to a neighbor who had had surgery and the food was so impressive, the neighbor started inviting friends over for lunch and dinner to share the experience. Very quickly Cindy was getting phone calls from other neighbors asking if she could make a few meals for them as well.
  

• Bob worked in customer service for a mobile phone company. He had always been a techno-junky and everyone he knew had always leaned on him for all sorts of technical help with everything from setting up a new mobile phone to installing a new plasma TV. Once he got sacked, he realised there was some serious money to be made just by doing what he had always been doing – helping people in their own homes solve their technical problems for a tiny fraction of what major stores would charge for the same service.

If you can't cook, are allergic to animals, or still can't even program a VCR – don't worry! Almost everyone can do something special! Could you

• Type, design spread sheets, answer emails, build a web site?

• Arrange flowers? Make gift baskets?

• Knit, crochet, sew? Tailor clothes? Take up hems?

• Design and make any type of baby product such as baby clothes, baby furniture, decorations, wall stencils, etc.?

• Do any type of gardening – plant, weed, seed, design?

• Shop?

• Plan social events?

• Refinish furniture or even decks?

• Perform some heavy duty detail work around the house such as cleaning crystal chandeliers or glazing marble floors?

• Drive people to appointments?

• Babysit? Care for elders?

• Type? Use a computer? Compile spreadsheets?

• Draw?

• Work on car problems? (Change the oil, or detail a car – hand wash and wax, etc.)

• Help friends and neighbors with errands, shopping, carpooling the kids to games and appointments?

Granted, performing any of these services won't make you rich, but it could make the difference between paying bills and losing your credit rating.

The next step is to figure out what to charge for your services. Depending on the product or service you offer you can charge a flat rate, an hourly rate, or do an estimate for an entire project.

Some quick research in your local newspaper will provide you with good ideas on what others in your area would charge for similar work. Then, try to beat their price and service!

Once you have everything in place, now you need customers! Where do they come from?

• Tell everyone you know to tell everyone they know.

• Have some simple business cards printed up. You can even do this by yourself at home.

• Have your spouse spread the word at work.

• Hand out some simple fliers to every home in your neighborhood or building.

• Post your availability for free at places like Craigslist and Gumtree.

• You can put a window or door decal on your car (you can make these at home, too!).

• Ultimately, you’ll be getting referrals!