Today, the cottage industry is the new voguish trend!
For those unfamiliar with the concept, a cottage industry is a small manufacturing activity practiced at home with your own equipment.
Due to the Coronavirus plague and its dire financial consequences, many people are jumping at the chance to generate some new income. Their guiding mantra is “Find a need and fill it” and they are looking hard at those needs. So now is the ideal time to start your own business… from your kitchen or your garage. Bill Gates did it, why not you?
From the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a shortage of face masks in America and many homepreneurs? jumped at the chance to fill that demand. Anybody with a sewing machine could manage it and many people (my wife included) did it. The field is now getting crowded with big outfits horning in.
But this is not the only product offering cottage industry opportunities.
I did a little research on that subject and Google presented me with a few possibilities.
In the products area, I found that toilet paper, deodorant, disposable diapers, shampoo, hand sanitizer, feminine hygiene products, t-shirts and socks, were very much in demand. But I don’t see an opportunity there for myself.
Then there is knitting, sewing, baking, soap making, noodles making…
This is Tamara’s line, and she is very good at it… especially the knitting and the baking… I will leave this field to her.
In personal services, I saw on-line tutoring, freelance writing, proofreading, marriage counseling, mental health treatment, masseuse, personal waxing… Occupations more in tune with my experience and capabilities.
I don’t want to brag, but I think that I could do some of those things… especially the massage thing and the mental health gig. We have a good ironing board at home and because of my pétanque experience, I have a solid grip. I guarantee satisfaction… especially if you are beauty contest material.
As far as mental health issues are concerned, I have seen enough movies to adequately deal with this. My patient will lie on a couch… I will sit out of sight, at a social distance of course, and I will listen to him/her, without ever interrupting.
Soon my watch will vibrate indicating the end of the session. I will say as they do in movies “your time is up” and I will collect my fee (below the standard rate). My client will leave satisfied, having unburdened his/herself without being interrupted.
As you can see, there are many opportunities for small cottage industry and since we are not yet out of the woods, I encourage you to find your own niche. It can be very rewarding.
Alain