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Last updated: October 19, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Start With
Strengths : Focus on products and services you know well. Define offering, audience, and differentiation before spending; clarity reduces risk and speeds early traction. - Online Discount Blogger: Competitive yet viable with disciplined research, ethical affiliate relationships, and niche focus. Grow via SEO,
email , partnerships, and consistently useful, trustworthy content. - Manufacturing Business: Design efficient end-to-end processes, track expenses, and control material costs. Start lean renting equipment, model cash burn, and secure credit lines before launch.
- Planning & Consulting: Build fluency in finance, accounting, law, and
project management . Market yourself, join associations, build a credible site, and package fixed-scope, outcome-based offers. - Personal Trainer: Earn a recognized certification and plan client acquisition. Communicate clearly, track measurable results, and collect testimonials to accelerate retention and referrals.
Career Alternatives
Are you tired of the 9-to-5 grind? Maybe your industry or your company is headed for trouble. Or perhaps you’re ready to stop working for others and manage your own destiny. Whatever your reason for a significant shift, there are numerous career alternatives to explore—including launching a business. Start by focusing on products and services you understand deeply. Clarify what you’ll offer, who you’ll serve, and how you’ll differentiate before investing time or money.
Create stunning timelines and Gantt charts in minutes with Office Timeline—perfect for project managers, executives, and teams who need to present plans visually. Whether you're using PowerPoint or working online, Office Timeline turns complex data into clear, professional visuals that impress.
Online Discount Blogger
This path centers on aggregating discounts, promo codes, and coupons to help consumers save on travel, products, and services while reviewing sites responsibly. It is competitive but viable with disciplined research, ethical affiliate practices, and consistent audience building.
What You Need
Strong Internet research
Education and Training Requirements
While no degree is required, experience in software engineering, programming, or web design helps.
Data Scientists often work with engineering teams. Learn the software engineering skills you need to bridge the gap between data science and
Includes Git & Github, Python, Bash, Command Line, Unit Testing, Logging, Object-Oriented Programming, and more.
How to Get Started
Excellent sales and marketing
Required Reading: How to Be a Blogger and Vlogger in 10 Easy Lessons: Learn to create and distribute a blog, vlog, or podcast effectively (Super
Manufacturing Business
Manufacturing can be rewarding if you bring a strong concept to market and operate efficiently. Success depends on process design, quality control, and cost discipline. Use software to monitor systems, flag defects, and correct issues quickly; treat metrics as your operating dashboard.
Learn how to create your own blog, vlog, or podcast and get it out in the blogosphere! (Super Skills)
What You Need
Plan end-to-end for maximum efficiency and track all
Education and Training Requirements
No specific degree is required, though engineers have a head start. Deep product knowledge and the right manufacturing
How to Get Started
Choose a location (even a garage, if legal), list equipment and materials, and rent before buying when possible. Build a detailed “cash burn” plan until cash-flow positive, and arrange lines of credit where feasible.
Required Reading How to Start a Manufacturing Business — A step-by-step guide for new small manufacturers.
A Step by Step Guide to Starting a New Small Manufacturing Company
Business Planning Service
Business planning is a focused form of
What You Need
Fluency in finance, accounting, law, project management, and budgeting.
Education and Training Requirements
No specific degree is required to start a practice, but domain degrees (HR, finance, tech) or a general business degree help with credibility and pricing.
How to Get Started
Market yourself and leverage networks. Join professional associations for frameworks and leads. Build a credible website and brand (try a free logo maker), then partner with complementary providers.
Required Reading: How to Work for Yourself: 100 ways to marshal time, energy, and priorities for a business, book, or blog.
One of the fastest paths to success is starting a new project like a business, blog, book or some other creative endeavor. Side projects can result in extra income, greater fulfillment, and a more enjoyable career. You aren't reaching your full potential if you aren't creating something in your spare time.
Consulting
Consultants sell expertise to solve specific problems, augment teams, or lead restructuring and strategy. Credibility comes from visible accomplishments, clear case studies, and strong references. Scope work precisely, set expectations, and communicate outcomes in executive-friendly language.
What You Need
Excellent interpersonal
Education and Training Requirements
Most consultants hold a bachelor’s in a focused area (tech, accounting, finance). Experience and
How to Get Started
Success depends on marketing and networks. Join relevant associations, build a credible site, and package offerings clearly. For additional perspective, see Tools For Career Success.
Required Reading: Getting Started in Consulting
The book offers key information on how to finance a consulting practice, how to write proposals, how to set up billing and bookkeeping, and more.
Personal Trainer
Personal trainers design tailored fitness and
What You Need
Genuine interest in health and fitness, excellent interpersonal
Education and Training Requirements
Formal degrees are optional, but reputable certifications matter. Choose a recognized program with practical assessment and continuing education to maintain credibility.
How to Get Started
After certification, build a client acquisition plan: tap personal networks, speak with club members (respecting gym policies), and consider starting within a fitness club to learn operations before going independent. Track outcomes and collect testimonials to accelerate growth.
The beginning trainer's guide to becoming a qualified personal trainer.
Next Steps
- Clarify Direction: Shortlist two or three career alternatives that match your
strengths , interests, and market demand; write a one-page plan describing audience, offer, pricing, and success metrics. - Validate Demand: Test interest quickly using
job boards , competitor scans, and five customer interviews; capture problems, buying triggers,budget ranges, and must-have features before committing resources. - Close Skill Gaps: Map required certifications, tools, and workflows for each path; schedule weekly study blocks and build small deliverables proving competence, like case studies, prototypes, or client samples.
- Model Finances: Build a twelve-month cash runway and break-even estimate; include startup costs, recurring
expenses , conservative revenue assumptions, and contingency plans for slower sales cycles. - Launch Systematically: Form a basic legal structure, open business accounts, create a simple website, define a weekly outreach quota, and track leads, proposals, wins, and lessons learned.
Final Words
Career pivots succeed when strategy meets evidence. Prioritize options where your
Aswath Damodaran guides readers through the fundamentals and step-by-step process of picking winning companies to invest in.
Additional Resources
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$9.99Learn MoreIn this book, you will discover:
- The top digital business trends to watch – these will completely change the world of online marketing within the next decade
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Get started for freeAdd to your bottom line, not your to-do list.
Email, social media, and more to help your business get the attention it deserves.
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Join the millions who launched their businesses with LegalZoom.
LLC plans start at $0 + filing fees.
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This book shows you EXACTLY what you need to know to stand out from the crowd!
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Mark Fiebert is a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
