WAHM > Stay at Home Mom Work Ideas > Traditional Product > Home School Supplies Business

Start a Home School Teaching Supplies Business

What you will be doing.  Now that homeschooling has become more popular in the mainstream, the choices for materials and curricula have increased.  A parent can’t just decide one day that they want to homeschool their children and start teaching the next.  They have to do their homework and decide what the best approach to use is.  This is usually the biggest part of the job. 

As a homeschool materials supplier, you will take the guesswork out of choosing what to teach and how to teach it.  Homeschooling parents will look to you as a sort of consultant regarding homeschooling materials.  As such, you will need to learn everything about the homeschool products offered on the market today. 

How to start.  You will need to become familiar with the entire homeschool environment.  Contact homeschool websites and teaching materials suppliers to see what they offer.  Purchasing one of each type of curriculum can be costly but a good way to demonstrate what you can offer to potential clients. 

Deciding if you want to specialize can be an idea to narrow the focus of your business.  The curriculum choices can become overwhelming if you try to handle all ages from preschool to high school.  Concentrating on a specific age or grade level can help. 

You will need to join a homeschooling or other educational association to find out how many people are homeschooling in your area and nationwide.  You can learn valuable demographic information and where to concentrate your marketing efforts. 

Starting costs.  The costs to you can range from a few hundred to as much as a thousand dollars depending on what materials you purchase.  A business license will allow you to purchase the teaching materials at wholesale cost and pass the savings on to the homeschooling parent.  Advertising is included in this cost as well.  The cost of a home office to work from complete with computer, telephone, fax machine (optional), and printer is negligible if you already own these items.  If you will work your business locally, a laptop computer may be more practical than a traditional desktop. 

Skills needed.  A grasp of the homeschool educational system would greatly aid your business efforts.  You do not need a teaching certificate or a degree in education unless you will offer additional services as a curriculum developer.  Familiarity with the products will instill confidence in you on the part of your customers. 

A network of teachers or educational professionals that you can seek advice from is a wise resource in this business.  They can answer educational questions that you may not be familiar with.  Setting up an online website with a forum is one way to field questions from customers or others interested in homeschooling. 

Marketing.  Advertising for your business can be done online on educational and homeschooling websites.  These are places where people who seek materials can find resources and you.  Ads in local newspapers, flyers in daycare centers, and contact with the state department of education can yield a wealth of business contacts. 

An online website will advertise what teaching supplies you offer and provide any additional information for homeschoolers.  Expand your supplies into the basics:  pens, notebooks, pencils, desk calendars, calculators, and etcetera.  Your website store can be a one stop shop for parents. 

Homeschooling supplies can be a great business for retired teachers or teachers that want to supplement their income.  Education is as important in a school building as it is in a home setting.  The teaching materials offered should be of the same standard of quality to benefit the student.

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