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Start Your Own Home Small Business: Guide, Ideas, & Shopping Lists
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items Dreaming of being your own boss? This list is your ultimate guide to launching a successful home-based small business! Discover inspiring ideas, then hit the ground running with curated shopping lists for everything you need to get started. Turn your...
Sections
4
The Basics
VHS (& other tape videos) Digitization
Photo Scanning & Digitization
3D Printing
The Basics
For most of these endeavors, you will 100% need a computer. I highly recommend a desktop with at least 8GB of RAM and a 512GB-1TB SSD.
My own blog post on this topic at my blog, This Thrifty Girl.
My Blog Post: Hello, Side Hustle! 3 Creative Home Businesses You Can Actually Afford to Start
This is one of the cheaper options so you may end up wanting to upgrade eventually. If you have your own computer or laptop (with similar specs) you can just use that.
HP EliteDesk 800 G2 Mini Business Desktop PC
This is my personal small business computer. It's a convenient space-saving micro form factor PC featuring an 8th gen Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD for a great low price.
Dell Optiplex 7060 Micro MFF Desktop PC i7-8700T
You will need a monitor if you decide to go with a desktop computer. The specs don't really matter as long as you can connect it to your PC.
Sansui 24" IPS FHD 1080P 75HZ HDR10 Monitor
For a device that stays relevant longer, a Mac is a great option, but it's a bigger investment potentially better suited for later on in your small business journey.
Mac
Not a big Apple fan? No worries, these laptops by Dell are high quality Windows OS alternatives that works just as well.
Dell XPS Laptop Computers & 2-in-1 PCs
To store the digital files for your clients without bogging down your computer's storage.
Samsung T7 1TB Portable SSD, USB 3.2 Gen 2
VHS (& other tape videos) Digitization
Digitization is the process of taking something analog (ie: VHS tapes, miniDV tapes, cassette tapes, etc) and re-recording it into a manner that is playable by digital devices such as computers and smartphones.
To start, you will need something that connects your VCR or tape player to your computer. I use this one since it comes with its own (basic, but reliable) recording software and works very well. Mine has lasted me several years and is still going.
Corel: Roxio Easy VHS to DVD Converter
There are other options for devices to connect your tape player to computer for conversion, and while I have used some of the cheaper ones they did not last very long.
Amazon.com: Analog to Digital Video Converter
VHS is not the only type of tape you can digitize with your VHS player: with this adapter, you can also convert the VHS-C (or compact VHS) tapes for a wider array of income possibilities.
VHS-C to VHS Adapter
You will need a VHS player to play the VHS tapes for re-recording. The ones here on Amazon are all SUPER expensive; I would highly recommend checking out your local yard sales or marketplace apps to see if you can find a better deal on a used player.
VHS Player
Your VHS player can become dusty and dirty if used without cleaning. Ensure that your conversions are top quality by cleaning your equipment regularly.
Reshow VCR Head Cleaner/VHS Head Cleaner
Photo Scanning & Digitization
Lots of people have boxes of old family photographs in their attic. If you can digitize (meaning: scan to a computer-readable file format) them in a timely manner you are providing a valuable service.
I use this scanner and highly recommend it as it gives high quality scans with up to 6400 x 9600 dpi resolution and comes with the accessories to scan film as well.
Epson Perfection V600 Photo Scanner
I use this software to speed up my scanning process for prints. It allows you to scan multiple photos at once on flatbed scanners and separate/save into separate files.
Easily Scan Your Old Photos
These are what I use for cleaning the film, photos, and scanner glass - which all should be done regularly to avoid dust and other types of image contamination.
MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, 6 Pack - ...
My house is pretty dusty so I have this near my scanning setup to reduce the dust I have to wipe off the photos and scanner.
LV-H128 Desktop True HEPA Air Purifier
Fix those scratched or dusty pictures post-scan with software.
[OFFICIAL] 4DDiG Photo Repair & Restoration Tool with AI Tech
3D Printing
3D printing is a rather new market that has a LOT of potential and endless possibilities. You could 3D print your own products, or scan and recreate repair parts, decoration items, accessories, and much more.
This device scans an object and provides with a 3D scan used for creating 3D printable designs in relation to that item.
Moose 3D Scanner
This is a well known site for buying and selling STL design files to 3D print.
Gambody: The Best Place to Buy STL files for 3D printing
Ender is a highly rated 3D printer line. This particular model is a good low cost, starter printer for beginners as it is under $200.
Ender-3 V2 3D Printer
This is the newer version of the Ender 3D printer with a larger printer bed and better specs.
Ender-5 Plus 3D Printer
Cutting & cleaning accessories for keeping your machine and finished pieces top quality.
82 Pcs 3D Printer Tool Kit with Case & Accessories
You'll need high quality filament compatible with your 3D printer to start creating and selling your work.
Creality Rainbow PLA+ 1.75mm Filament Bundle
Well known, totally free CAD/3D design web app.
Tinkercad - Free CAD Design Software
Autodesk offers a free creator version of their Fusion software.
Autodesk Fusion for Personal Use