Guest post from Holly of The Work at Home Woman
It’s no secret that Americans are foodies! In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spent an average of $6,602 a year on groceries and eating out alone (source).
If you’ve been looking to launch your own home-based business and you love to create culinary delights here are 5 different food careers to consider:
1. Teach Cooking Classes
Do people always rave about your cooking? Then perhaps you should launch a home-based cooking class business. Gather individuals or small groups of people in your home and teach them how to cook or bake like a pro.
Don’t want to mess with a business plan and all the logistics of setting up a business? Consider joining Healthy Hands Cooking. It’s a home-based franchise that certifies instructors to teach kids how to cook healthy meals and snacks. Start-up fees are minimal and include training, certification, marketing tools, business materials, as well as ongoing support.
2. Create Gourmet Goodies
Are you a whiz in the kitchen? Then consider starting your own gourmet food business. Foodies not only love to consume delicious goodies, they also make make great gifts! From fancy gourmet sauces and treats, to healthy and specialty snack items.
Set up your own website or use an e-commerce platform like Foodoro and you’re ready to start selling your custom treats.
3. Become a Direct Sales Consultant
Would you love to own your own cafe or bistro but don’t have the funds to invest in a brick and mortar storefront? No problem. The direct sales industry has made it easier than ever to have your very own home-based business within the food industry.
Companies like the Traveling Vineyard, Tastefully Simple, and Dove Chocolate Discoveries offer home-based business opportunities selling products like wine, gourmet mixes, spices, desserts, chocolates, and gift sets.
As a direct sales consultant you will be paid a commission on each product that you sell. Most direct sales companies will also pay you a small bonus commission from consultants who you refer into the program.
4. Start a Food Blog
Do you enjoy writing? Do you love to test out new recipes? Then join the ranks of Julie Powell, who set out to cook all the recipes in Julia Child’s cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
Not only did Julie’s blog quickly generate a huge following, but she went on to the write the bestselling book Julie & Julia, which was later turned into a movie. While you can make money through book sales, bloggers can also make money through direct ad sales, affiliate marketing, as well as working with brands.
Tip: Read more on how to make money blogging here.
5. Food Stylist
Do you have an eye for detail? Then working as a food stylist may be your calling. Food Stylists prep and prepare food items for displays, cookbooks, photo shoots, advertisements, and menus. Becoming a Food Stylist requires knowledge of the culinary industry as well as additional training or apprenticeship.
Denise Vivaldo, a seasoned food professional with over 27 years of experience has created workshops and classes for those who are interested in this field. You can also check out her book on Amazon, The Food Stylist’s Handbook.
For more information on ways to make money, visit The Work at Home Woman, where you can read about topics like how to make money completing short tasks, selling your used stuff online, and businesses you can start with no money.
Amanda says
I think starting a food blog is an extremely good idea to make money from home. But doesn’t it require expensive camera equipment? Also, the initial set up costs like buying ingredients and setting up a site will be high. It will take a lot of time, I guess.
Allie says
I am a foodie but I prefer someone else make it for me, lol. But these are great ideas to get someone started at home with their own businesses.
Who knows, they may end up on Shark Tank. 🙂
~Allie
Danielle says
I have the weirdest feeling that I saw this post here few days ago.
Crystal Paine says
It accidentally went up for a short time yesterday… I had the date scheduled wrong on it. 🙂
Maggie says
Glad it wasn’t just me! I even refreshed the page because I thought for some reason I was on an earlier post!
Danielle says
lol me too!
Leah says
A word of caution re #2-Many states have restrictions on selling homemade foods, including needing to use a commercial kitchen, etc. It does depend on the state, and sometimes how much you plan to sell, etc., but I would definitely encourage people to look into their state’s laws before they start selling stuff like this. 🙂