Business Ideas for aspiring women

Business Ideas - Series 1

This article was published in the Muslimahs Business Network by Fathimath Afiya, 07 July 2017, Maldives

The seed of starting a business is planted in our minds. It could be due to various reasons. The reasons could be that as women we want to be independent, earn a little money or just become successful in our lives. We may be with a family, single, divorced, widowed or in any type of marital status, but it doesn't matter. 

For whatever reasons we want to start a business, we need to take action to make it happen. We need to push ourselves to trigger the idea in reality to start our business and to continue on the road to success.

Researchers have suggested that it is challenging for women to start a business more than men. The challenges are the added burden of taking care of the children, the responsibility to do the household chores among other things. Some women are lucky to have the back of their men to support their business like me. While others are lucky because they are self- sufficient to start and build their businesses. This is where we want to understand that no woman would fail without some learning and gain experience to better prepare us for the next business venture. We need to understand to put aside the feeling of fears, fears of failure and other negative thoughts. Focus on the positives and make a realistic plan. First, begin by searching business ideas;

1.  Home repair contract work

As a woman, you have had to deal with home repair work. You may have to call various contractors whether be it the TV repair, the leakage in your bathroom or the refrigerator breaking down or other services. You know how important it is to fix these problems immediately. Look into how you can turn this is into a business in your neighbourhood. Begin with friends and neighbours and expand. 

                                

2. Shopping for others

You know shopping can be burdensome, especially doing grocery shopping. There are plenty of people who may need an extra helping hand due their sickness or people who are too busy and has no time to do shopping or simply those who can't be bothered to do shopping as they would rather someone did it for them. 

This where you could start looking and asking around if anyone wanted their shopping done for a small charge. Once you start, you will start knowing where you can get the cheapest or quality products and the price range. You could start slowly within your neighbourhood and expand. There are lots of online places to do shopping but they lack the personal touch, the trust and the guarantee that you can give to your customers. You can expand this business portfolio to include other errands as well.

3. Home baker

I know a majority of my friends have a sweet tooth. They love baked pastries and local delicacies. I don't claim to be a Chef nor am I into cooking but I know I love to go to bakeries to enjoy a pastry or a piece of cake as many of you would do. I love cupcakes and anything to do with chocolate. I know a few people who have made a business by being a home baker. This means they bake cakes, make parties and other such delicacies at home and sell it to shops in their area, supermarkets or take orders for events. You can beat this competitive market by being the best home baker in your neighbourhood. If you love cooking and want to start a business, start from home and build the business and expand. 

4. Mobile hairdresser/beautician  

Time has changed, both men and women love to dress up for parties, events or occasions. If you are into beauty than you can think of starting a mobile hairdressing or beauty business. There are lots of places where you can get training, the first step is to invest in a professional hairdressing or beauty training program. Once you have acquired the required qualification, start as a mobile business owner. My sister was a hairdresser/beautician for 13 years before she was forced to close down her business when she had two kids and due demolition of the building where she had her salon. She had a very thriving business, she had the personal touch and the listening ear to the many high-end people who came to get her services.  It seemed they liked coming to her because she was gentle,  supportive and took care to build long-term relationships. Till today she proudly says she has served top most societal women in her salon. As a mobile hairdresser/beautician, you can take orders from people whom you know, people from your neighbourhood or recommended references. Take orders only from these sources as you want to build up your business.

5. Event Planner

As a mother or a woman, we are Event Planners. We daily plan our lives daily around those loved ones in our lives. We plan their birthday parties, plan a get-together, inviting families for a meal or something. Women we love planning and being the family event planner. So why not turn these skills into a business. You can enhance your event management planning skills by watching youtube videos and participating in many of those free online training programs. Build your profile among your close friends and extended family and then spread to your neighbourhood. People tend to likely hire and recruit services from people whom they know or have been recommended. 

I hope to continue by giving you more ideas soon. If you like my article, give a comment or your suggestion. I wish you all the best in your dreams to be an entrepreneur. 

Fathimath Afiya

07 July 2017, Maldives