With the threat of the coronavirus still present, people from all over the world have been encouraged to stay home. Our daily routines have been disrupted, especially our ability to report to and from our offices. This is a great challenge that businesses weren’t able to foresee. It also poses a problem for individuals who have lost a source of income due to their companies halting operations. In fact, over 30 million employees in the U.S. have lost their jobs due to the impact of the coronavirus.
Because of this “new normal,” aka having to live amid the COVID-19 pandemic, people have to start adapting. Businesses need to find ways to turn their operations digital. More and more are beginning to access web-based recruitment software to outsource their workforce and hire remote employees they can work with online.
The people who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic are finding other sources of income as well. There has been an influx of demand for home-based jobs. Others are beginning their own business ventures from the comfort of their homes, hence the prevalence of what they call the “quarantine entrepreneurs.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has indeed changed our lives. But with every challenge comes doors of opportunities. As we start living in the new normal where staying home is the safest option, we need to start adapting to the change. Here are some businesses you can start at home.
E-Commerce
E-commerce is a growing industry, with an anticipated growth rate of 265%. Especially during these trying times, many have begun purchasing their goods and necessities online. There has been a surge in e-commerce transactions during the pandemic. And this is a viable opportunity that employees can look into.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can sell on e-commerce sites such as eBay or Amazon. All you have to do is to set up your seller’s account, post your product listings, arrange your shipping procedures, and you’re good to go. But this job would also require you to give excellent customer service and of course, products that people actually want and need to purchase.
Pastry shop
Among the most common quarantine businesses that have surfaced are pastry shops. During the first few weeks of staying home, many have tapped into baking as a hobby. And to gain a new source of income, a lot of bakers have started selling their pastries online.
If you’re a fan of baking, this is a good business opportunity for you. You can start by selling your products to your friends, putting up Facebook and Instagram pages for your pastry shop, and go from there. Just make sure to have a good baking schedule and delivery method. Remember, you’re dealing with the food industry, which is a tough niche to manage.
Digital marketing
Another idea for a home-based business is selling your skills instead of tangible products. The fields of digital marketing, writing, and social media management have been very in-demand these days. That’s because the most viable and effective platform is now the online realm. Offering your personal services online, much like a freelancing set up, is an easy business to start. You don’t need to worry about storing your supplies or managing transactions since you already have everything you need — a computer, time, and your expertise.
Indeed, we are living in a challenging time. Right now, there are no concrete predictions on when the coronavirus will boil over. So the least we could do is to adapt to the new normal.
