Can you all give me suggestions on what you do to make money at home?

I moved here to do things at home, only to find that everyone else here does the same things..

Ginny

-- Ginny Davis (yehagirl@goin.missouri.org), November 19, 2000

Answers

Here are some things we do,although none in a big way.We don't have time to expand yet.

We like to grow things,so we sell excess produce at farmers mkt and process what"s left.Sell first, If you wait til you have your full of produce,everyone else will already have a glut also.we sold our early tomatoes and canned the later ones.

I grow herbs and everlastings and make products and natural creations out of them that I currently sell at three shops.I did a few festivals and made a good ammt at one, but you also work your hiney off.And don't sell much at some. It's easier on me to sell steadily at shops.

I also grew extra transplants of herbs and heirloom flowers and will add wildflowers this year,which I sold locally.Reach saturation market pretty quickly tho.

And we grow pumpkins and gourds for fall display sales at farmers mkt and the local festival.Currently have crafting gourds dried and ready to go.

Which brings up internet sales.I have not done so yet but will put my gourds on, bc local market isn't there for them. The rest of the stuff I can sell locally at the level I'm producing so I haven't gone on line with them.

None of this brings in big bucks,but gives my some egg money and an outlet for some excess produce.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), November 19, 2000.

Request a copy of THE e-book from Ken S.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 19, 2000.

Where are you located? Lots of states have free marketing programs. You can get ideas and help. Ohio has a great program. We sorta fell into wild gourmet mushrooms. Made $10,000 in three months this summer and it is getting huge for us. We are going to make it a real business in January. We did this while both holding fulltime jobs. What are your interests, experiences and education? Expand on what you know.

-- Terri Perry (stuperry@stargate.net), November 19, 2000.

Ginny, I wanted to add to my previous answer after thinking about how you phrased your question. Get a copy of Kens, e-book (its free), but also,don't be disappointed that others are doing the same. True, if your the only one producing or selling something, you have a monopoly,but competion brings MORE business. I read a book by a gentleman that worked many years in direct marketing and if there was no competition for his products, he would actually market the same product thru two different locations in the same market area. I have also seen farmers at our market, when everyone has tomatoes, drop their prices. All except one old farmer, who says his 'maters are higher quality and better tasting. I have noticed his sales are more frequent than the others that go cheaper. Make your product or offer better, higher quality. If the product is standardized and cannot be quality improved, then reduce the price and make up the difference in quantity of sales. Remember, if there is competion, the market is already there and the best way to get into business is find a market and then supply that market. Being the only one selling something can be a long slow process, many people go broke because they try to sell a product that they love, but customers don't. It can take years to develop a market for a product. It is much easier to find someone already doing business and then lure some of their customers away with better practices and/or product.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 20, 2000.

I agree with growing stuff like herbs etc. and recommend you invest in a small greenhouse so you can produce year round. Also, if you are so inclined, you might try making real nice woodcrafts. I say real nice because that's what will sell, not junk. I do woodturning on a wood lathe and have plans to quit my job and move farther out in the boonies within two years.

-- Shooter (jcole@apha.com), November 20, 2000.

Terri, can you tell more of the mushroom story ? How did you get involved, what sort do you sell, can anyone do it.?????

Carol

-- Carol Koller (ckoller@eznet.net), November 20, 2000.