In my previous post, I discussed some of the benefits of running your own business that were beyond making money. In this post, and in the following posts, we'll start to focus on each of those benefits in more detail.
Author Barbara J. Winter tells us that business ideas come from our passions. The best small businesses reflect who you are in all respects. Sometimes your passion expresses itself as a service that you enjoy and want to share with others, and sometimes it is a skill, or creative talent that you have to share. Other times it is an activity that you love to do, or who your clients are. If you already have some skills that you can use to launch a business based on your passion then great! If you are looking at a complete change, then find the training through courses or by learning them on the job by working for some one else for a while.
Here are some examples of passion-based businesses that might inspire you:
Improving our natural environment - Develop or sell environmentally friendly or natural products or services. These can range from food and beauty products to low carbon transport and recycling. I've encountered some great examples in my research including Seaflora owned by Diane Bernard, and the Cooperative Auto Network founded by Tracey Axelsson.
Supporting other small or local businesses - Take your business skill and provide services to local start ups and improve their success. One of my mentors is a bookkeeper who provides affordable services to small businesses and not-for-profits. She treats each business is like her very own, and loves every minute of it!
Improving our health - Healthy foods, activities, emotional health are all about making people feel better about themselves. I recently met a woman who took yoga instructor courses for many years before quitting her first career to start her own yoga studio. Being a mother herself, she also offers yoga class for moms and newborns, thus filling a great niche market that isn't offered anywhere else in her local area.
Creating beauty - Landscaping, interior design, fashion, crafts and many other products and services can really tap into your creative side. I have a friend who turned a talent for making jewelry into a part-time business and now sells high value pieces made of natural stone from her house.
What is your passion? Are you thinking about making it into a business? Have you already started?
Melanie K is a writer, researcher, educator and consultant living in Canada. Her interests include free-lance writing, lifestyle entrepreneurship, the environment, indigenous cultures, travel and outdoor fitness.
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