How to Make Money from Home: Turn Your Idea Into A Million Dollars — No Experience Needed
Spoiler alert: These women did and became millionaires!
Have you ever thought of a way to make an everyday task easier, or discovered a solution to a common problem? You may be sitting on a potential goldmine! There’s no degree needed to turn your idea into a lucrative product or business. The key, says Diane Pierson, an instructor at Pragmatic Institute, is to serve a market — not yourself. “If your dream is to help some group of people make their lives better, you have a shot,” she says. Read on to find out how 3 savvy women turned their ideas into a money-making reality, plus how to make money from home with your own ideas.
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How to make money from home: 3 women who made over a million dollars on their ideas
“My easy egg peeler invention made me a millionaire!”
A few years ago, while making deviled eggs for a party, Bonnie Tyler of Southport, Connecticut was frustrated at the time it took to remove the shells. There has to be a way to make this tedious task easier, she thought. Even though she had no experience inventing, she was determined to find it.
“My concept was sparked by watching commercial egg peelers. A ride on a conveyor belt shakes the eggs back and forth, and then they get sprayed with water. My business partner, Sheila, knew enough about 3D printing to put a smaller-scale concept into the computer, and the local library had a ‘Makers’ Space’ with the equipment we needed to print our prototype! After two years of trial and error, the Negg was born!”
“All you do is open the handheld gadget, add water and a hard-boiled egg. Then you close it, gently shake the Negg four to 12 times, and the shell slides right off. People, like fitness advocates who love this quicker way to get their protein, and older folks who suffer from arthritis, have become so passionate about it. It’s amazing to see the pleasure folks get from being able to peel a hard-boiled egg. Plus, I love showing other women that it’s never too late to develop a big idea! In just 13 months, my part-time hobby turned into a million-dollar company — money that goes toward my retirement.”
How to make money from home: “My simple shower cleaning invention brings in over $1 million a year!”
Lisa Lane of Clarksburg, New Jersey has a large family and four dogs — which means her showers are in frequent need of a good cleaning! A few years ago, while filling a bucket over and over to clean her shower, she thought, there has to be a way to make shower and tub cleaning and rinsing easier.
“I started researching how to get a patent, develop and source a product, create a working prototype, and find a manufacturer. One of my best friends is a patent attorney, and she really encouraged me to pursue my idea. I found an engineer who was able to help me develop the Rinseroo — it’s basically a connector made of thermoplastic that slips on shower heads and faucets to make cleaning and rinsing easy. The lightweight hose is super stretchy so it can reach every corner of the shower. My engineer connected me to my manufacturer, and in 2019, we officially launched on Rinseroo.com and Amazon after four years of development.”
“What started as a side business is now my full-time job. Today, the Rinseroo sells for $25 and is a top-selling product on Amazon; it made over $1 million in sales in its first year! Even better, I was able to hire my son as my e-commerce manager handling logistics and shipping, while I do the sales and marketing. I love having him by my side every day. I’ve been continually surprised by how many ways the Rinseroo is being put to use. Beyond cleaning the shower, customers use it to bathe pets and babies, fill portable washing machines and fill fish tanks. It’s amazing to hear how much the Rinseroo is helping people!”
Related: How to Make Money Selling Your Stuff Online: Expert Tricks Get You Top Dollar
How to make money from home: “I earn more than $1 million a year with my cold remedy invention!”
In 2009, Joyce Dales of Nottingham, New Hampshire welcomed her adopted daughter from Vietnam. She was recovering from open heart surgery and was considered immunocompromised. Determined to protect her, Joyce learned through research that most illnesses start in the nose.
“That’s when my mad scientist phase began. I would like to say it was super-cool and interesting, but it was more like a Lucille Ball episode with a toddler, a cat and the ruination of three carpets. However, I eventually came up with a Manuka honey remedy, which I swabbed in my kids’ noses to help them fight cold and flu symptoms, while also enhancing their overall nasal biome and immune function.”
“Once my daughters were a little older and more independent, I decided to try and sell my product. As a teacher with no entrepreneurial experience, I reached out to my local Small Business Development Center. They assigned me a mentor, who helped me get my company, Buzzagogo, off the ground. I rented a commercial kitchen, launched a website (ColdBeeGone.com) and began selling my Cold Bee Gone remedy.”
“For a few years, my side hustle brought in $30,000 annually. But when the pandemic hit, demand for nasal immune protection skyrocketed. Retailers like CVS, T.J.Maxx, and Marshalls started selling my products, which brought in over a million dollars that year. I was even able to quit teaching to focus full-time on Buzzagogo. It’s a privilege to offer homeopathic immune protection that really works during stressful times!”
How to make money from home with your idea
Have an idea? Follow these easy steps to implement it!
1. Embrace the learning curve ahead
There’s a definite learning curve when it comes to starting a new business or launching a product. First things first: Be comfortable in the uncomfortable.
“Operating a business or putting something new into the world never stops feeling scary. You will often feel in over your head,” says Taylor Shanklin, CEO and founder of Barlele, a brand strategy, content marketing and website design and development service, and Creative Shizzle, an in-house graphic design brand. “When I am uncomfortable, I remind myself that it probably means it is because I am doing hard things that will likely turn into great things! That keeps the fire burning and the wheels turning.”
More motivating news: You’re not alone! Even if you have zero experience, there’s more online resources available than ever to help you — many are totally free.
“I wish I’d known earlier about the wealth of classes, courses and programs available to help create a solid business plan,” says Paden Sickles, a military veteran who launched her business, SickFit. “There are so many resources out there, from incubators to accelerators, just waiting to support entrepreneurs. They provide invaluable guidance and can really help you get your business off the ground.”
Kara Mac, who created the world’s first instantly convertible shoe from heel to toe, says the SCORE program was a huge help in providing mentorship and education. She also recommends the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as a great resource for small business owners.
Related: 3 Easy Steps to Make Upwards of $4,000 a Month By Selling Baked Goods From Home
2. How to make money from home: Get clear on your vision
Getting hyper-clear on your value proposition is key from the very beginning, says Shanklin. Your value proposition is simply what you do and why someone should care about it.
Once you’re clear on the benefits, it’s easier to define your target audience. If you’re creating a product, this means you’ll want to prepare samples that you can show people to get honest feedback. Whether it’s through roundtables, surveys or in-person interviews, it’s important to understand how people are actually interacting with your product or service so you can refine it and work out unforeseen issues.
3. Find a strong name for your product or business
Got a great idea for the name of your product or business? Make sure to check it on the USPTO TESS system first, says Pierson. This resource lets you know if the name has already been trademarked by someone else, and also gives you a heads-up about the likelihood of confusion with other similar trademarks. It’s essential for making sure any branding associated with your business is legally protected.
And if you need help figuring out the name of your product or business, remember that less is more. “Stick to a four-syllable maximum. If you use any more, you’ll be tempted to use an acronym in marketing materials,” says Pierson. “Alliterative names are best for a young company or product. Your name helps if it calls to mind what the product does: think Netflix, Lyft or DoorDash. The name itself markets the offering!”
4. How to make money from home: Find your people
Even if you feel like a one-woman army some days, remember that it takes a village to succeed. For Rosie Mangiarottti, founder and CEO of Perkies, the mantra “Your network is your net worth” rings true. She encourages women to tap into their communities, whether it’s their alma mater network or LinkedIn connections.
“Get involved in groups such as Dreamers & Doers and surround yourself with others who are also building with that entrepreneurial mindset,” she says. “Speak to anyone and everyone willing to get on a call with you and get connected to the people who can help you.” Mangiarotti also says it’s crucial to vet your team — whether it’s a manufacturer, engineer, co-founder, etc.
Kim Optiz, who launched her freelance marketing gig 15 years ago, agrees. “I found a really good business attorney who specialized in small businesses. Don’t underestimate the value of a good business attorney who understands and appreciates what you want to accomplish,” she says. “Knowing you’ve got someone in your corner can make all the difference.”
Related: Enjoy Crocheting or Knitting? Here Are 5 Easy Ways to Make Money Doing It From Home
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