Make consumer items and sell them at flea markets and fairs. I am researching DIY web pages on how to make:
Jewlery, Candles, Soap, and Clay items (I used to be great at ceramics, and I found that some clay can be baked in an oven! Useful to make jewlery beads, candle holders, and other stuff.)
It's actually hard to make any significant money doing that, but it's a good way to make some side/starting money if you enjoy doing it. I wouldn't try to mix food with anything else, health regulations are can be very complex.
Out of my home, offer tech support and troubleshooting services for home and small business clients.
Earn enough to get at least $20,000USD to open up a small store front, estimate $2000USD for rent and ultities a month. $2400USD for the salary of two employees at $6USD/hr. $4400USD a month, enough for 4 months of no-profit. Hope we get a profit to keep the store open.
Not a bad idea, but you really have to plan on making no money for a longer period of time. I've read books on opening your own buisness, and they say to plan on 2 years before making a profit.
Also, you need to plan on more then $24,000 if you want two employees. I would say that if you plan to pay them $6/hr then you should plan your expenses for having them at $9/hr. Remember you have to pay salary taxes on top of what you pay them.
If you really want to head that way, hit a book store and buy some books on opening a buisness. My personal recomendation would be to get your out of the house buisness going and see how much of client base you can build.
Jay