In times of economic downturn, more and more people are thinking about how to increase their income. Some of them have neither the desire nor the ability to open a large production, but there is a favorite thing, a hobby, which can also bring money. What areas of small business are relevant today? What can be produced at home and then sold? Where to look for a buyer for your products? It is necessary to answer these questions so that the business that was started does not bring disappointment, but real benefits.
Soap business
Widespread popularity among needlewomen in the last five to ten years has received the manufacture of soap. At the same time, someone creates it “from scratch” - from alkalis and oils, others use the finished base, giving it additional properties: color, smell, shape. Both the first and second options are in good demand.
Soap is something that can be produced at home and successfully sold. Typically, sales are conducted through the Internet, social networks, handicraft exhibitions or chain stores of cosmetics and perfumes, where the manufacturer rents a shelf. Soap from the base can create even a novice. This does not require any special knowledge. Only the forms and additional ingredients that are added to the composition are required. Of course, their acquisition requires an initial investment. The more beautiful and original the appearance of the soap, the faster and more expensive it will be bought. But the prices for complex high-quality molds are higher than for simple ones. The same is with fragrances, dyes, oils. Natural components, as a rule, are more expensive than synthetic ones, but they have a caring effect and cause allergic reactions much less often.

To make soap “from scratch”, one should be patient: he has a ripening period, which lasts up to several months. This entails the need for storage areas for the product until the time when it will be possible to begin its implementation. Soap workers need a separate set of utensils for work and protective equipment (respirators, gloves). As well as a room with a good range hood and an initial set of equipment: a pharmacy scale, a blender that will not be used for cooking. As for the form, the organic “zero” soap is most often cast into one large container, and then cut into portioned pieces. This better matches the general concept of its natural origin. It is worth noting that the alkalis and oils that are used in production are quite inexpensive, and the price of the final product per gram is higher than its souvenir counterpart from the base.
Candle factory
Souvenir candles are also what can be produced at home for sale. They are often bought for a gift or interior decoration. Candles can be either wax or gel - and they both look very impressive if they are created by a master who is passionate about his work.
The technological process is simple enough so that it can be carried out literally in the kitchen, and does not pose a danger to those living in the house. It is convenient to sell finished products through shops of hand-made goods, gifts, souvenirs, wedding salons. If the volume is small, then direct sales help out , it is enough to show samples of work in the circle of your friends or put them on your page on social networks.
Textile toys
What can be produced at home for someone who loves and knows how to sew? Toys! And not all in a row, but those that have some zest, have their own style. Pillow toys, felt modules for cots, tildes, Waldorf dolls are very popular. In other words, everything that is not found in stores.
You can sew personalized toys or create dolls that will be small copies of their hostesses.
Dog clothes
Many people sew clothes for people, much less often you will meet a master who can create an outfit for our four-legged friends. Jackets, overalls and even dresses for dogs are in high demand among pet owners, and the cost of an animal wardrobe is sometimes higher than the price of a similar human.
Warm and comfortable clothing for dogs is something that can be produced at home, having at least the initial skills of cutting and sewing. There are ready-made standard patterns of various models, depending on the breed. Costumes can be turned over for sale to pet stores or sold to animal lovers familiar to them.
What can be produced at home from wood?
In our age of plastic and polyethylene, products made from natural materials are valued quite highly. Those who have the skills in wood processing can offer several options for goods that will be profitable to produce for sale:
- for children: rattles, pyramids, cubes, educational games;
- household items: cutting boards, lattices in the bathroom, dishes;
- souvenirs;
- blanks for creativity: caskets, key holders, tea houses, which are so loved by needlewomen;
- furniture.
And this is not all that can be produced at home. How the business will develop in the future depends only on the efforts put forward and the desire of the master. It can eventually turn into a large production or remain just a hobby, bringing a modest
additional income.