Weary of Looking for Work, Some Create Their Own

Two reactions to the strange economic environment: Some talk about “making my own work…” Others seek something more secure.

1. Making my own work (great NM prospects)…

SAN FRANCISCO — Alex Andon, 24, a graduate of Duke University in biology, was laid off from a biotech company last May. For months he sought new work. Then, frustrated with the hunt, he turned to jellyfish.

In an apartment he shares here with six roommates, Mr. Andon started a business in September building jellyfish aquariums, capitalizing on new technology that helps the fragile creatures survive in captivity. He has sold three tanks, one for $25,000 to a restaurant, and is starting a Web site to sell desktop versions for $350.

“I keep getting stung,” he said. And his crowded home office is filled with beakers and test tubes of jellyfish food. “But it beats looking for work. I hate looking for work.” More intriguing stories in NYTimes here. (PDF here in case.)

Persons who are sick of looking for steady work, or who know the old jobs will never come back, are looking to “make their own work,” like Monica here says (see PDF above).

Those are excellent prospects for your NM business aren’t they?

NOTE. It’s not about “firing your boss”. It’s about making your own work. A do-it-yourself income maker doing something they love. It’s not about making giant income. Just genuine income that pays the bills. Today, when jobs are not easy to find because the industries are disappearing. “Make your own work” is kind of a neat ad for entrepreneurs, think?

2. On the other hand, some folks have been scrapping to make income with their own businesses for a few years, and now they’re tired of it. Now they’re looking for some certainty – even for a few months.

What’s a non-risky way to make money online?

Truly no risk means non-glamorous. But steady income traded for time or by the piece. Like copy-editing, or audio transcriptions, or taking online surveys (for major companies like Coke etc). Look past the big red type here. Yes, there’s a money-back guarantee from a grade A company, so a person is totally protected. Don’t spend more than $100 on how-to’s like this (this one is under $50).

A big advantage to the survey type option is that you don’t have to advertise your skills and hope someone hires you and pays you. You sign up and just go do it. Not thrilling, agreed, but steady.

P.S. One career that is taking off, with no recession affects in sight, is, well, in the funeral business. Not for the faint of heart, and not an at-home situation. See here.