Although it doesn't happen all the time, it seems that when it starts, it happens a lot.  

"What is a simple business I can operate from home?"  

I suppose that as more people decide to focus on family or get downsized, they look for ways to earn a living in their own business.  In many cases, older workers have become disillusioned about their prospect for advancement in the workplace, or even the chance that their job can ever make them happy.  So they seek options in self employment.

So my aim is to throw out some really good options for self employment.

1. The Consultant.  

There are so many consultants out there doing different things.  Business, fashion, wedding, recreation, travel, home decor, etc, and within each of those are several subcategories that offer opportunities to consult.  

Over the past few years, I have worked with several different types, but all were self employed, and all were paid at rates I wouldn't dream of paying a full-time employee.

2.  The Virtual Assistant

The VA provides vital services to business people who are looking  for efficient and cost effective delivery.  Traditionally, VA's provide everything from bookkeeping and word processing to reception and appointment management.  

However recently, VA's respond to a variety of requests.  Customers can buy a certain number of monthly requests and the VA will act upon request.  An example is "I need to find a place that will service my 1971 Vovlo S80 in Lethbridge, Alberta."  The VA will find the place and provide the contact information including contact name.

3.  Network Marketing.  

This one is wide open.  There are several.  But this has the potential of real earnings without huge upfront cost.  There is often a lot of activity associated with MLM or Network Marketing systems.  Just recently I heard of Invado, or BodyByVi, Send Out Cards, Avon, ACN and many others.  These seem to provide a great work at home opportunity without a huge start-up cost.  The downside can often be whether you have the drive to hustle to success.