Franchises for Stay-at-Home Moms

If you're a stay-at-home mom looking to earn income, a home-based franchise may be your ticket to entrepreneurship.

Home-based businesses offer flexibility and strong earning potential

Being a stay-at-home mom doesn't mean you can't have a source of income. Many busy moms used to juggling kids, chores, and other obligations are starting businesses in droves, and home-based franchises are one popular route to entrepreneurship. According to Entrepreneur Magazine, college-educated, Gen X moms are leading the home-based business charge.

Maria Bailey, a Pompano Beach, Florida expert on the mom market and author of Marketing to Moms, tells Entrepreneur, "Our research shows that two out of three stay-at-home moms are generating some kind of income."

Be Your Own Boss with a Safety Net

A franchise can allow you to be your own boss. Nevertheless, you'll have the access to training and support from an established company that you wouldn't get by starting a business on your own. Whatever your goals and lifestyle, you should be able to find a franchise offering a good fit for your skills and talents. Take a look at the following suggestions for franchises for stay-at-home moms.

Services for Kids
The tutoring industry is raking in about $4 billion a year, according to the Wall Street Journal, and is expected to continue booming as parents look for ways to give their children an academic edge. If you already help your kids and their friends with homework, a tutoring business may be a smart choice for a home-based business.

As a SpanishFUN franchisee, you could introduce young children to the basics of Spanish as a second language, as well as work with local childcare centers and preschools. SpanishFUN doesn't require any teaching experience or knowledge of a second language to get started.

Another educational franchise that may appeal to you is Mad Science. This business involves providing a variety of fun and educational science programs to schools, community centers, camps, libraries, and other places that serve children.

Pets Are Big Business
About 63% of U.S. households own pets, and those households will spend an estimated $40.8 billion on their pets in 2007, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. About $2.7 billion of that will go toward pet services such as grooming and boarding, so why not cash in on that need?

Buying a Pets Are Inn franchise will allow you to board pets in your home while their owners are on vacation. This service appeals to people who would prefer to leave their pets in a private residence rather than a kennel. If you enjoy grooming pets, an Aussie Pet Mobile franchise can get you started with taking your services on the road.

Use Your Home Decorating Skills
Not everyone can make a room come together when decorating, so if you're good in this area a home decorating franchise may be a good fit. Décor & You offers training and support to franchisees, and you don't need previous training in the field of interior decorating. Having good organizational skills, attention to detail, and strong communication skills are assets that will serve you well in a home decorating business.

Another home-based decorating franchise is Budget Blinds. As a franchisee you'll help people choose and install custom window coverings.

Moving to the Beat of Entrepreneurship
The $14.1 billion fitness industry continues to grow, according to Club Solutions Magazine. More and more Americans over the age of 55 are joining fitness programs, causing the fitness industry to change to accommodate their health needs. Owning a Jazzercise franchise can allow you to offer dance fitness classes to people of all ages. As a Jazzercise instructor you can offer classes to people at community centers, schools, and other places in your community.

Finding the right franchise will require researching businesses that match your strengths and interests. Choose a home-based franchise that you'll enjoy building into a successful business. Being a business owner requires a huge commitment, so it's also important to consider your specific family obligations when deciding how much time you'll be able to devote to your home-based franchise.

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