Guest post by Ericka at Drive Dynamics
Many women think that once they become a Mum, that their chance of a career is over, especially when they have more children.
This is simply not the case, as there are many career options open to you that can be worked around your new lifestyle. Employers are happy to have good part time workers, working 4-6 hours a day around school hours. Another option is that you can become your own boss under the umbrella of a franchise company, or by selling items regularly on an auction site, such as eBay.
Child minding
If you enjoy working with children, then you can complete a course at your local college or through social services, to start your own child minding business. You need to take out insurance cover, and some safety measures to follow in your home, but these are not costly. Your local social services will have all the information to help you and advise you on how many children you are allowed to look after at a time. Once registered and ready, you can advertise in your local paper or shop notice boards and then wait for the phone to ring! It is an ideal career choice with children, as you can fit it in around your own children, and look after as many children as you can handle under the guidelines. Check what other childminders in the area charge for their services, so that you can be competitive, and plan out what you will do each day, weather permitting.
Driving Instructor Franchise
To start your own driving school can be a big project to undertake, especially when you are trying to fit it in around your family needs. There are many franchise business deals to choose from, with major national driving schools, such as Drive Dynamics. A driving instructor/school franchise will give you the freedom to build up your business, and also the support of a brand name company behind you to offer advice. You will have a guaranteed pupils list, who can have their lessons to fit around your lifestyle, and a marketing strategy to build up your business at a rate to suit you. The call centre team will arrange your lessons, leaving you free to instruct your pupils, instead of spending hours being disturbed by calls!
Online Seller
Everyone has items in their home that they no longer want or need, so why not sell them online using an auction website such as eBay. This can be started easily when you register yourself as a seller on the site, and using realistic prices for the items to sell, you could soon be making an extra income. You have to post the items sold, or get your buyers to collect, which can easily be fitted in around your family life. If you have an artistic talent and create your own designs, this could be the perfect outlet for you to sell your wares, and build up a business from home. EBay charge seller fees for the service, but they are explained fully on the website, so that you know in advance, the profit you can make from items. Research on the site before putting items up for sale, so you can see what similar items are selling for; also check the postage costs so that you are not left out of pocket.
Freelance Writer
If you love writing and have a talent for it, why not look into a career as a freelance writer. There are many online agencies who want people to write blogs, articles, and stories for various clients. It is varied work, pays well for what you do, and can easily be fitted in around your hectic lifestyle. If you are asked for payment from anyone employing your services, do not get involved with them. You are the person who should be paid, not the employer, so beware of scams. You can take on as much or as little work as you want, as you build up your reputation and business as a writer. You will need to register as a self employed worker, but there is great advice on this on the Gov.uk website.
Secret Shopper
One thing that women love to do is shop, and what better than being paid to do it as a career choice! There are many retail and food outlets that employ shoppers to use their premises, and give feedback on how they performed. You become their eyes and ears as to their performance as a business, from a shoppers point of view. You can get great rewards from this, such as free meals in restaurants, free accommodation in hotels, and other benefits. You will not earn a monetary fee, but you will be able to make use of your rewards with your family, and enjoy yourself as you are experiencing selected venues.
These are just a few ideas for you to still enjoy a career, after having started a family. Many can be done in the home, and all are able to be fitted in around your children and their routines. Research your chosen field well, then plan your work around your family life, and you can start to enjoy being a Working Mum, and join the thousands who already manage it successfully!
About the Author: Ericka is a business coach who loves to help individuals and businesses learn how to start up and control their own businesses. She suggests taking a look at Drive Dynamics for further information on how to open your own driving school franchise.