Discussion Any ideas?

[puppy9]

Anybody here got any small business ideas, so that I can get out of my home. I tried working and failed due to extreme anxiety. I'm bipolar so I need to have my own schedule.

Thanks guys.

 

[Sensei]

Excellent initiative! A couple of questions come to mind: What are you interested in? What are you good at? Your answers could serve as a guide to which kind of business you should start up.

 

[puppy9]

Excellent initiative! A couple of questions come to mind: What are you interested in? What are you good at? Your answers could serve as a guide to which kind of business you should start up.

I'm interested in art and gifts. I'm kinda good with art, maybe an eye for art.

 

[Jean4]

What country are you in?

 

[Sensei]

I'm interested in art and gifts. I'm kinda good with art, maybe an eye for art.

That's very fortunate! Art and gifts are well suited for small businesses and can be managed in many different ways. You can work from home, you can frequent fairs, you can open a shop, and so on and so forth. What are you interested in? Painting, etching, handicraft, decoration, or something completely different?

(And what a surprise that you are bipolar and also happen to be creative. :P)

 

[puppy9]

That's very fortunate! Art and gifts are well suited for small businesses and can be managed in many different ways. You can work from home, you can frequent fairs, you can open a shop, and so on and so forth. What are you interested in? Painting, etching, handicraft, decoration, or something completely different?

(And what a surprise that you are bipolar and also happen to be creative. :P)

All of it I guess.

https://en.pinkoi.com/browse?category=5&page=2&subcategory=517

I'm inspired by this link. But it's all expensive, probably a high barrier of entry.

 

[Sensei]

All of it I guess.

https://en.pinkoi.com/browse?category=5&page=2&subcategory=517

I'm inspired by this link. But it's all expensive, probably a high barrier of entry.

The higher the costs, the higher the risks, obviously. If you have the money and really feel inspired, it might be worth a shot. Don't forget that you can create very beautiful items with very simple materials, though. For instance, I think people would be prepared to pay good money for this and it's just made of a piece of paper, literally:

​

I'm not saying that you should try to become an origami expert, just that you don't necessarily need to use costly methods or materials to succeed.

 

[BPD Barbie]

There is all sorts of arts and crafty things, diamond paintings, jewellery making, making cards and other paper crafts. People like to buy these things as well becuase handmade items are pretty popular lately. You can sell online as well on sites like Etsy.

 

[Sensei]

There is all sorts of arts and crafty things, diamond paintings, jewellery making, making cards and other paper crafts. People like to buy these things as well becuase handmade items are pretty popular lately. You can sell online as well on sites like Etsy.

Excellent suggestions! puppy9, I think you sould listen to BPD Barbie. I've made some purchases at Etsy myself and it's a perfect marketplace for what you have in mind.

 

[BPD Barbie]

Excellent suggestions! puppy9, I think you sould listen to BPD Barbie. I've made some purchases at Etsy myself and it's a perfect marketplace for what you have in mind.

I've purchased and sold on there before, used to make jewellery a long time ago. Its so easy to navigate and really well known. You can get supplies on there also, make a cute little shop, protection for buyers and sellers

 

[EmptyArms]

There's a ridiculous profit margin on hand made greetings cards. It's quite hard to find good quality, beautiful outside/ blank inside greetings cards . Quick to make. Easy to sell to friends and family if they are supportive, quite easy to sell to small gift outlets. Maybe suggest a sale or return basis. Providing a gift stand would be cheaper than renting premises.

 

[LegaliseIt!]

Have you had any previous jobs that you have enjoyed?
I am thinking that knowing that might help us to make more focused suggestions.

 

[puppy9]

What country are you in?

Malaysia
Great ideas @BPD Barbie @Sensei
I'll guess I need to search what can I do with this. Thanks

Have you had any previous jobs that you have enjoyed?
I am thinking that knowing that might help us to make more focused suggestions.

Sadly no. I always quit my job after a few days.

There's a ridiculous profit margin on hand made greetings cards. It's quite hard to find good quality, beautiful outside/ blank inside greetings cards . Quick to make. Easy to sell to friends and family if they are supportive, quite easy to sell to small gift outlets. Maybe suggest a sale or return basis. Providing a gift stand would be cheaper than renting premises.

Really! thanks for the tips @EmptyArms

 

[Science Is Scary]

If you don't mind me asking, what makes you quit after a few days, @puppy9?

 

[puppy9]

If you don't mind me asking, what makes you quit after a few days, @puppy9?

My anxiety is off the charts. Socially I'm awkward. Probably because of my anxiety. Now, I feel that I wasted all my youth on being a loser. .

Thanks for asking Sir/Madam

 

[LegaliseIt!]

The word "loser" is a construct of an artificial world of prep school boys that rely on a narrrow subset of equally wealthy preppy lads to lurch ahead.
If society was a meritocracy, do you actually believe that BoJo would be at the helm of "Brexit"? Good Lord, he can't even negotiate a decent haircut!

 

[k75]

I make and sell a few kinds of art. I used to have a shop on Etsy, but I've pretty much shut it down. To be successful in there requires an extraordinary amount of energy and persistence that I just don't have. The market is supersaturated, and it's hard to get noticed.

I started selling on Facebook instead through a group, and that's been very good to me. The bonus is you can make friends with your customer base and don't have to pay fees to list items. Etsy fees are not a lot, but they add up annoyingly quickly. Especially when you're struggling to sell.

Any kind of business is going to take a lot of marketing, though. Just be aware of that. Success is not usually a quick thing. But if you have the motivation, I say definitely go for it. The whole endeavor could even give you a reason to stick around. Art in itself is very therapeutic.

 

[mediocre]

POD (Print on demand) is a low risk option and doesn't really involve any upfront costs. I've made a little bit of money doing this. But you really have to have some design skills and know how to use programs like Photoshop. It's kind of hard for me to explain it properly. I'd post a link to a youtube video that explains it better but I don't know if I'm allowed to post that here.

 

[Sensei]

POD (Print on demand) is a low risk option and doesn't really involve any upfront costs. I've made a little bit of money doing this. But you really have to have some design skills and know how to use programs like Photoshop. It's kind of hard for me to explain it properly. I'd post a link to a youtube video that explains it better but I don't know if I'm allowed to post that here.

I'm quite sure you can post it here. Or is it a commercial of some kind? Then I assume it could be classified as spam.

 

[mediocre]

I'm quite sure you can post it here. Or is it a commercial of some kind? Then I assume it could be classified as spam.

It's not a commercial it's like a tutorial type video. Not sure but I'll link it. I follow this lady on YT and she explains it.

 

[puppy9]

It's not a commercial it's like a tutorial type video. Not sure but I'll link it. I follow this lady on YT and she explains it.

Thanks this video really helps to get the gist of everything. Awesome. You're smart.

 

[mediocre]

Thanks this video really helps to get the gist of everything. Awesome. You're smart.

that's the first time I've ever been called smart in my life

 

[Jean4]

I know many who make a living selling Tupperware or other things like that.

 

[Science Is Scary]

No problem, @puppy9. Have you had any luck trying to treat anxiety?

 

[Boochky]

@puppy9 Thanks for starting this thread! As you well know, we are in a similar boat.

I just had the idea today of doing text tarot readings. I could also make greeting cards. Most of my anxiety is about running out of money so every little bit counts.

 

[puppy9]

No problem, @puppy9. Have you had any luck trying to treat anxiety?

Sadly no, been struggling since I graduated high school. I guess 10 years is more than enough of giving life a shot.

Everybody that I met only said I'll pray for you. I know they're sincere, but it's no different from me saying; I will sprinkle pixie dust on you.

 

[Science Is Scary]

Yeah it's not very practical help heh.

Are you going to be okay financially if you try to start a business? You may not have a suitable income for many months.

 

[puppy9]

Yeah it's not very practical help heh.

Are you going to be okay financially if you try to start a business? You may not have a suitable income for many months.

That's my biggest fear, I don't know whether I can commit to my endeavor. If my bipolar hits a certain cycle; I'm a whole different person. I do not know how to mold my cycle with the environment. I guess giving up probably the best idea.

 

[Boochky]

That's my biggest fear, I don't know whether I can commit to my endeavor. If my bipolar hits a certain cycle; I'm a whole different person. I do not know how to mold my cycle with the environment. I guess giving up probably the best idea.

How dire is your financial situation? Can you afford to start slowly and just see how it goes?

I totally feel you on the whole different person issue. It's literally maddening. :( Hang in there, pup!

 

[Sensei]

That's my biggest fear, I don't know whether I can commit to my endeavor. If my bipolar hits a certain cycle; I'm a whole different person. I do not know how to mold my cycle with the environment. I guess giving up probably the best idea.

Don't you have medication which prevents or alleviates your episodes? It's essential.