99 Perfect Businesses for Retirees
A collection of businesses selected especially for retirees who
are interested in augmenting their income through the American
free enterprise system.
These businesses can be started with minimum training and
investment and are all capable of producing extra income. Most
can easily be operated by one person or couple and eventually be
sold for an additional profit.
For best results browse through the enclosed business
suggestions and note those that sound interesting. Jot down
alternative products and services that come to mind. These ideas
are intended to stimulate your imagination. Only you can
possibly know your personal qualifications and interests or the
current market in your community. As you compile your list of
possibilities, take a critical look around your market area.
Note what is and isn’t available, what is overpriced or
inadequate that people in your community will pay for. When you
find just the right combination for your particular situation,
start preparing for a successful business!
The recommended method to prepare for a successful business is
to write out a business plan. This is simply an outline of what
you plan to do and how you intend to do it. Writing your
business plan will force you to organize your business both on
paper and in your own mind and help insure your ultimate
business success.
Check with city hall or the county courthouse on state and local
license, tax or permit requirements before making your final
selection and investing your available funds. Sometimes a minor
adjustment can prevent future headaches!
99 PRACTICAL BUSINESSES FOR RETIREES
01 - SHUTTLE SERVICE. Use your van to pick up and deliver
commuters in cities. Save your customers the cost of a second
car or risk of leaving their vehicles untended in parking lots.
02 - COIN SEARCHING. Buy rolls of coins from banks (whatever
denomination you can afford). Search for coins worth over face
value. Keep these, replace with “regular” coins and trade in.
03 - SEED PACKETS. Collect and label packets of selected wild
flowers native to your area. Include picture, instructions and
folklore on each package. Advertise in garden magazines.
04 - CROSSWORD PUZZLES. Construct crossword puzzles for local
(then larger) markets; Offer variety of subjects, themes and
sizes and subjects in different degrees of difficulty.
05 - GENEALOGY. Trace and document family archives. Provide full
records to descendants. Offer a package service based on routine
checks of information provided by clients.
06 - FLEA MARKET. Set up and manage a flea market at your (own
or rented) location. Charge for spaces and booths, sell drinks
and snacks. Advertise, provide parking and protection.
07 - GRAPHOANALYSIS. Upon completion of training, offer your
services as a handwriting analyst to individuals, law
enforcement agencies and attorneys from your office or by mail.
08 - LEATHER HARNESS REPAIR. Specialize in the repair of leather
harness and tack (in areas with horses). Go to shows and list
with tack stores and advertise in horse publications.
09 - SLIDE SHOWS. With your slides and equipment, offer a
selection of narrated presentations to interested groups (PTA,
church groups, clubs). Mail ads to prospective customer groups.
10 - MUSIC BOXES. Assemble, finish and install music works in
standard models and your own unique music box creations. Sell
through ads and displays and to local and catalog stores.
11 - SEMINAR PROMOTION. Conduct business or learning seminars in
your area of expertise or hire experts to cover virtually any
subject. Lease the hall, promote, sell tickets and snacks.
12 - UMPIRING. Work as an umpire for little league, company or
institution teams (any non-professional sports). If necessary,
start as a volunteer for experience. Move up when qualified.
13 - ARROWHEADS. Collect and make (with deer horn and leather
glove) Indian arrowheads for hobbyists, displays and
demonstrations. Give lectures, presentations, hold classes.
14 - PET PHOTOGRAPHY. Specialize in pet portraits: in their
home, your studio or in a “natural” setting. Go to dog shows and
take pictures of all willing subjects (the losers too!).
15 - NATURE’S PRODUCTS. When in an area with wild products
(hickory nuts, maple syrup) that you can harvest, do so! Make
sure to clear with health regulations in your area first.
16 - FLEA MARKET BOOTH. Buy one or more categories of
merchandise from close-out suppliers and operate a flea market
booth. Keep stock safe in a van and drive to and from the
business.
17 - REAL PEOPLE DOLLS. Make and dress doll representations of
real people (heroes, historical, client/client’s kids). Include
info card; present in attractive glass display boxes.
18 - GAZEBOS. Build, sell, deliver and install standard and
custom gazebos. Design some to sell as do-it-yourself kits,
which can either be picked up or delivered to the customer.
19 - ADULT DAY CARE CENTER. Operate a center to look after
elderly and/or handicapped people. Offer TLC, refreshments,
games activities and assistance, but not “health care”.
20 - NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS. Compile, publish and distribute a
neighborhood newspaper with local news and opinions. Include
lots of names (balance required), sell copies and ads.
21 - DRIVING SERVICE. Drive other people’s cars for them: drive
second car to their new home, be their vacation driver, deliver
car/truck/RV to them at the station and take the bus home.
22 - OPINION SAMPLING. Contract to conduct opinion polls in your
area - by phone, door-to-door, or on the street. Work with
businesses, media, list with an ad agency, or just place ads.
23 - BOOKBINDING. Set up a bookbinding and book repair service
in your shop. Advertise and list your service with libraries,
bookstores, printers, schools, literary clubs, collectors.
24 - WOOD NOVELTIES. In your wood shop, make whirl-i-birds,
small cabinets, and novelties to sell at flea markets, wholesale
to local stores and sales through mail order catalogs.
25 - GREETING CARD MAKING. Design and print (have printed)
standard and custom greeting and all occasion cards. Include
personalized, area, school and “company” oriented versions.
26 - CRAFTS INSTRUCTION. In your own craft shop (or the public
library), conduct do-it-yourself craft courses and projects for
pupils. Don’t overlook special projects just for children.
27 - ELDERLY TRANSPORT. Provide scheduled “taxi” service for
elderly and/or handicapped. Run regular daily routes with side
trips and shopping “sprees” in between scheduled runs.
28 - PASTE CRAFT. Glue unusual fabrics onto hard surfaces
(trays, dishes) to sell in craft shops. Sell finished items and
also the materials. Teach the art and sell do-it-yourself kits.
29 - FIREWORKS. Put up a lockable stand and big sign in a
prominent (legal) area. Sell fireworks in season and lease the
booth and BACK of the sign between fireworks seasons.
30-APPRAISALS, HOME. Make official residential appraisals for
home owners who want to sell, insurance companies, lending
institutions and prospective buyers. Give written certificates.
31 - BALLOON STAND. Set up your booth or table with an air tank
(helium) and supply of balloons and accessories. Display and
sell them at parades, fairs, flea markets, wherever kids are!
32 - HOME HANDYMAN. Perform handyman services for those who
can’t or don’t have time. Make it clear what you do and get paid
for your time, not fixing things. Save customers money!
33- REPORTING, LOCAL. Gather information and write items about
your neighborhood, club or town for your home town paper. Make
your articles interesting to potential readers in the area.
34 - JEWELRY BOXES. Make fine jewelry boxes (lined, lacquered,
inlaid, shell covered). Sell them to gift stores, catalog sales
and retail. Offer music box works as optional extras.
35 - LAPIDARY (GEM MAKING). Operate a “rock shop” in your
garage. Buy rough semi-precious material and fashion them into
beautiful stones. Sell mounted, unmounted gems and jewelry.
36 - HOME SITTING. Agree to stay in OR look after houses,
apartments while owners are away (water flowers, remove papers,
turn on lights). Call the owners in the event of emergency.
37 - RAG DOLLS. Make and sell rag, sock and similar stuffed
dolls in your own unique fashion. Attach your own label and
offer on consignment to stores in your area and nationwide.
38 - STAMP DEALING. Buy, sell and/or trade postage stamps of
the USA and/or world. Buy in bulk, sell packets, mixture sets
and singles to beginning or intermediate collectors.
39 - CANDLE MAKING. Turn a hobby into a profitable business.
Design your own line, offer custom styling, scents and special
effects. Between orders, make a variety of items to display.
40 - PICTURE FRAMING. Make or assemble unique picture frames
for stores, artists and clients from driftwood, scraps and
unusual fabrics. Set up jigs in your shop for standard sizes.
41 - KITCHENWARE RENEWAL. Specialize in the renewal of fine
cutlery, pans and wood kitchen utensils. Refinish, install new
handles, reshape, make pieces to match missing parts of sets.
42 - OWNER’S AGENT. Check on and report condition of absentee
owner’s property (whether rented or vacant). Recommend (and
arrange for, when authorized) necessary repairs or maintenance.
43 - DRIFTWOOD ART. With sandblaster or wire brush, form and
finish pieces into lamps, candle holders, plant mounts to sell.
Spend deductible “vacations” collecting your driftwood.
44 - COLLECTIONS. Accumulate collectibles (glass, matchbooks,
baseball cards, comic books). Sell starter collections of lower
priced items and higher priced items as individual pieces.
45 - HOMEOPATHY. Specialize in natural remedy products and
related folklore. Provide information on “reputed” remedial
properties, but be very careful not to represent as “cures”.
46 - WOODEN TOYS. Set up an assembly line to mass produce native
wood toys from your shop for large markets. Rent booths at shows
to help locate big buyers; contact mail order houses.
47 - WILDFLOWER SEEDS. In your travels, gather wildflower seeds.
Seal and label, then take home and cultivate to produce seeds
for your wild flower packets “from around the nation”.
48 - BRONZING. Bronze (or pearlize) baby shoes, etc. Make
mementos, awards and trophies. Design plaques and unique bases.
Arrange for engraved plates on your plaques.
49- FURNITURE RESALE. Select promising articles of furniture
cheap at garage sales and auctions. Clean up, do minor repairs
and sell from your home (as your own) for a nice profit.
50 - AUTO SECOND OPINION. For a fee, check customer’s car to
determine repairs needed and probable cost. Provide your expert
and UNBIASED opinion. Offer list of several repair shops.
51 - RESIDENTIAL POSTCARDS. Take pictures of picturesque or
well-kept homes and make into postcards. Mail to homeowners with
offer of additional copies at a “special, reduced” price.
52 - SEWING CLASSES. When qualified, hold sewing classes in
your home. Offer full courses and special “how-to” seminars for
specific techniques. Sell material and supplies to students.
53 - BUSINESS EQUIPMENT. Buy equipment and supplies from
bankruptcy sales and auctions. Store until qualified buyers are
found, then sell at double or triple your investment.
54 - HANGING PLANTS. Specialize in hanging plants of all sizes
and descriptions. Display only when in peak condition in various
types of attractive pots, holders and hangers.
55 - MERCHANDISE APPRAISAL. When qualified, offer a “certified”
appraisal service to prospective buyers, sellers, insurance
companies and market surveyors in your field of expertise.
56 - QUILTING. Make and sell beautiful homemade quilts from
“scraps” in your “spare time”. Take color photographs of each
quilt, attach your label and make up a “catalog” to show them.
57 - EQUIPMENT RENTAL. Rent out your tools and equipment (after
retirement?). Expand your rental inventory by looking for
bargains at sales and buying large items for rental contracts.
58 - CHILD PICK-UP SERVICE. Pick up and deliver client’s kids
after school, theater, games. Pick-up, deliver to parties, but
charge if you have to stay with them until the parents return.
59 - CANE MAKING. Gather promising green hardwood pieces (like
hickory) and bend and shape into interesting canes. Look for
unusual shapes. Add tips, special effects and a nice finish.
60 - UNDERCOVER CRITIC. Evaluate restaurants, hotels as a
patron. Report findings to owners, head office, or compile info
for your own column or dining and accommodation guide.
61- ANTIQUE DEALING. When qualified, buy and sell bona fide
antiques from your home showroom or gallery. Visit antique
auctions regularly. Keep ads in paper to buy and sell.
62 - HERBAL AND SPICE TEA. Blend and sell different blends of
herbal teas. Include leaflets with history and folklore in each
package. Use uniquely decorated, preferably tin containers.
63 - REAL ESTATE ADVISOR. For a one-time fee, represent and
advise either the real estate buyer or the seller (real estate
agents represent neither really, they just want the sale).
64 - RENTAL AGENCY. Represent homeowners or real estate agents.
Place ads, show properties, collect rents, have repairs made,
check on renters; have units readied for new tenants.
65 - COLLECTION AGENCY. Work with one or more professional
collection agencies; solicit delinquent accounts from local
businesses. Earn a percentage of monies they collect.
66 - COOKBOOK PUBLISHING. Publish a cookbook of your own
favorite recipes (usually a catchy, interesting subject
collection). Promote and sell through appearances, ads and
stores.
67 - HOME LIBRARY SERVICE. Go to homes (businesses) with large
book collections Set up system for clients to maintain, or
provide librarian services on a periodic basis. Sell kits!
68 - HERB HOUSE. Grow, process and sell herbs that grow well in
your area (or greenhouse). Package products separately and in
blends (pickling preparations, sausage or chili seasoning).
69 - NEEDLECRAFT. Make and sell homemade items (pot holders,
bonnets, towel rings). Attach your label and sell on
consignment, to mail order catalog companies, or through parties.
70 - CHAIR CANING. Use cane, plastic or other interesting
materials to weave chair (etc.) seats and backs for clients. Buy
old chairs; re-glue, refinish, re-stain, re-cane and sell.
71 - HOUSEHOLD INVENTORIES. Conduct official independent
inventories and evaluations of personal collections, valuable
furniture and family assets for insurance or probate needs.
72 - TOUR ORGANIZER. Arrange for a bus, refreshments and agenda;
sell tickets (cancel when not profitable). Offer guides,
musicians, box lunches; package rates for out-of-town events.
73 - TOWN HISTORY. If none exists, “publish” a booklet about
your town. Sell direct or offer to merchants to sell or give
away as goodwill (consider including paid advertisements).
74 - PET TOMBSTONES. Mold concrete markers for pet graves.
Place reverse “epitaph” letters into the mold, pour in your
mixture, remove and polish into an “engraved stone”.
75 - CONSUMER ADVISOR. Advertise your free advice by phone of
what and where to buy products for best values. Select from a
list suppliers who pay you a fee to be recommended.
76 - RESIDENCE RECIPROCAL. Arrange for home/farm/condo owners
to swap homes for vacations. Charge membership plus a small
amount for matches. Advertise for members in travel magazines.
77 - BRIDGE LESSONS. Give Bridge, etc., lessons in your home
when you are qualified. Charge by the lesson, or course. Hold
tournaments, award prizes. Publicize your student’s achievements!
78 - VENDING MACHINE. Buy, fill and place coin operated candy,
gum, cigarette, drink or postage machines in strategic
locations. Maintain, refill and collect coins on regular route.
79 - BASKET WEAVING. Design, make and sell a variety of your
basket creations: plain and decorated (or with arrangements).
Sell various fibers, plans and do-it-yourself instruction kits.
80 - CAT FURNITURE. Specialize in furniture and accessories for
cats: toys, scratch poles, inside and outside sleeping boxes,
leashes. Grow, dry and package your own catnip for toys.
81 - ALTERATIONS. Replace buttons, let out cuffs, shorten
sleeves, turn collars, repair tears for clothing stores,
laundries and cleaners who don’t already offer this service.
82 - HOME SECURITY. Provide clients with thorough check of
their homes/businesses. Recommend specific security measures
and procedures to eliminate or minimize risks and exposure.
83 - BUILDER’S CLEAN-UP. Work with contractors to clean up
after construction jobs. Sweep out building, pick up and haul
away all debris and salvage leftovers as bonus.
84 - APPRAISAL SERVICE. Make certified appraisals of assets in
your area of expertise and provide written evaluations.
Schooling or state licensing required in some situations.
85 - VIDEO WILLS. After determining legal requirements in your
state, use teleprompter and script to record client’s official
will. Offer update services. Combine with inventory service?
86 - BROMELIADS. Specialize in culture of these beautiful
pineapple relatives with their hauntingly beautiful bloom. Sell
growing on driftwood arrangements for highest prices.
87 - POMANDERS. Revive this old Egyptian art: process oranges
into hardened, long-lasting sachets. Use spice and perfume
mixtures and penetrating cloves. Package attractively and sell!
88 - BULLET CASTING. Cast and sell custom made ammunition for
unusual or special purpose weapons. Build an inventory of
popular sizes in spare time; sell kits and supplies.
89 - WINDOW BOXES. Build cedar or waterproofed wood flower
boxes for windows and to hang over railings. Use rustproof
screws or nails. Offer various sizes and tin lined models.
90 - BOTTLE STRETCHING. Make unusual vases and figures by
heating, stretching and sometimes cutting various bottles in
your ceramic kiln. Do custom “stretching” of client pieces.
91- ARTIFICIAL PLANTS. Make (or buy) your specialty artificial
flowers and plants. Sell a selection of arrangements, baskets
and special occasion creations; take custom orders.
92 - ART GALLERY. Display selected art items tastefully in your
gallery. Offer your own creations plus those you buy to resell.
Accept consignment products to round out your assortment.
93 - WELCOME WAGON. Visit and personally welcome new arrivals on
behalf of stores, professionals, organizations and officials in
your community. Deliver coupons and complimentary offers.
94 - CACTUS CULTURE. Propagate, grow, groom and arrange native
and exotic cacti for retail and wholesale markets. Prepare
information cards about the species to include with each plant.
95 - FUND-RAISING. Help local organizations raise money. Plan,
promote, organize and manage their efforts. Receive commissions
from suppliers plus a percentage for your expert management.
96 - CERAMIC FINISHING. Apply your expert finishes, designs
and/or details to ceramic ware for retail or wholesale clients.
Make items to retail, display or wholesale between jobs.
97 - AFRICAN VIOLETS. Specialize in the propagation and care of
this popular indoor plant. Nurture, hybridize, put in attractive
pots and sell when in full bloom. Sell accessories.
98 - CEMETERY CARE. Contract with cemetery associations,
authorities or families for small plots to provide care for
grounds, or specific services for individual graves.
99 - GOVERNMENT AUCTIONS. Go to major auctions and bid on items
for subsequent resale. Take the time to learn both the value of
the merchandise and auction procedures to get the best bargains.
AND, A FEW EXTRAS…
100 - DOLL CLOTHES. Difficult work for expert seamstress, but
pays well. Work with doll makers, collectors, sell at fairs and
through advertisements in doll related publications.
101 - DISTRESS SALES. Buy household items cheap at auctions,
garage and bankruptcy sales. Clean them up and sell as your own
from your home because you need the money. Keep other out of
sight.
102 - DECOY FINISHING. Buy “carved” bird decoys and hand-finish
to resell or custom finish for particular clients. Specialize
in one specie or offer a variety of birds. Make some into lamps!
103 - FISHING GEAR REPAIR. Repair fishing rods, reels and nets.
Sell replacement parts. List at boat basins and lakes;
advertise in fishing guides, store bulletins and a large sign by
the lake.
104 - SHUT-IN SERVICE. Call and/or visit temporary or permanent
shut-ins on behalf of absentee relatives. Take magazines, play
games, read to them. Learn something about them: be a friend.
105 - BUSINESS TUTORING. Teach your skills to others, either in
classes or individually. Help others get jobs, land accounts and
get promotions. Good for retired managers, executives.
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