99 Businesses For RetireesPage 4 of 4If you have a tip, idea or article to share, please email us. Some of the links listed below will take you to our message forums where you can post your questions. Remember to check back frequently! 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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