10 Product-Based Businesses for Stay-at-Home Moms—How to Start and Profit

If you're a stay-at-home mom looking for a way to make money while balancing family life, selling physical or digital products can be a fantastic option. Unlike service-based businesses, where you're trading your time for money, product-based businesses allow you to create something once and sell it over and over again. Whether you want to make handmade crafts, source trendy items to resell, or create digital downloads, there’s a profitable path for you!

Let’s dive into 10 businesses where you can trade goods for money, how to get started, and tips for maximizing profits.

1. Handmade Crafts (Crochet, Sewing, or Jewelry)

How to Start: If you love making things with your hands, consider selling handmade items like crochet plushies, baby blankets, jewelry, or custom embroidered pieces. Open an Etsy shop, sell at craft fairs, or use Instagram to showcase your work.

How to Profit: Price your products to cover materials, time, and shipping. Bundling items (e.g., a set of baby blankets and hats) or offering personalized options can increase sales. Many makers earn $500-$5,000+ per month depending on demand and marketing.

2. Selling Printables or Digital Downloads

How to Start: If you're creative and tech-savvy, design digital products like planners, budgeting sheets, homeschool worksheets, or party invitations. Platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or Creative Market are perfect for selling digital goods.

How to Profit: Since digital products require no inventory, every sale is pure profit after the initial design work. Some sellers make $1,000-$10,000+ per month by creating high-demand templates and marketing them well.

3. Homemade Baked Goods or Cottage Foods

How to Start: If you love baking, consider selling cakes, cookies, sourdough bread, or other baked goods. Check local cottage food laws to ensure compliance, then sell at farmers’ markets, on Facebook Marketplace, or through local word-of-mouth.

How to Profit: Custom cakes and decorated sugar cookies often sell for $50-$200 per order, while bread or pastries can bring in steady weekly income. Offering seasonal treats and holiday specials can boost sales.

4. Reselling Thrifted or Vintage Finds

How to Start: If you enjoy hunting for treasures at thrift stores, estate sales, or flea markets, you can resell vintage clothing, furniture, or collectibles on platforms like eBay, Poshmark, or Depop.

How to Profit: Find items for a few dollars and resell them for $20-$100+. Specializing in high-demand niches like 90s fashion, mid-century furniture, or designer handbags can make this a lucrative business.

5. Dropshipping or Print-on-Demand

How to Start: With dropshipping, you don’t need to handle inventory. Instead, you create an online store and work with suppliers who ship products directly to customers. Print-on-demand works similarly—you design t-shirts, mugs, or tote bags, and a third party prints and ships them when someone orders. Shopify and Printful are great platforms to start with.

How to Profit: Market trending designs or niche products to a targeted audience. Profit margins range from $5-$20 per item, but with good branding and marketing, you can scale to a full-time income.

6. Homemade Skincare or Bath Products

How to Start: If you enjoy making natural products, consider selling handmade soaps, bath bombs, body butters, or lip balms. Sell at farmers’ markets, online through Etsy, or in local boutique shops.

How to Profit: Many sellers make $500-$5,000+ per month. Creating gift sets and holiday collections can significantly increase sales.

7. Selling Tallow-Based Skincare or Candles

How to Start: Tallow has gained popularity as a natural ingredient in skincare and candles. If you’re into homesteading or clean beauty, making and selling tallow balms, body butters, or candles could be a great niche business.

How to Profit: Small tallow-based skincare brands are charging $20-$50 per jar. With a dedicated audience, this can become a high-income business.

8. Selling Farm Fresh Goods or Handmade Food Items

How to Start: If you have a backyard garden, chickens, or access to fresh produce, you can sell eggs, honey, jams, dried herbs, or homemade sauces. Farmers' markets and local Facebook groups are great places to sell.

How to Profit: Farm-fresh eggs can sell for $5-$8 per dozen, while homemade jams and honey can fetch $10-$20 per jar. Partnering with local markets or offering subscription boxes can boost your revenue.

9. Custom Apparel and Embroidery

How to Start: If you own a Cricut or embroidery machine, you can sell personalized clothing, baby onesies, tote bags, and hats. Niche down by offering special designs for birthdays, weddings, or mom life.

How to Profit: Custom apparel sells for $20-$50 per item, depending on the level of personalization. Offering bulk discounts or seasonal collections can increase sales.

10. Selling Handmade Wooden or Leather Goods

How to Start: If woodworking or leather crafting is your passion, consider making custom cutting boards, home decor, wallets, or keychains. Etsy, craft fairs, and social media are great places to sell.

How to Profit: Handmade wooden cutting boards can sell for $50-$200, and leather wallets or belts often go for $30-$100+. Focusing on quality craftsmanship and personalization can set you apart.

Turn Your Passion into Profit!

Starting a product-based business as a stay-at-home mom allows you to create income while doing something you love. Whether you’re crafting, baking, or reselling, the key is to choose a niche, price your products for profit, and market effectively.

Which of these business ideas excites you the most? Let’s chat in the comments!