SEC - S15/W1 - How I Make Money From Home
![](https://steemitimages.com/500x600/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcger5EAYUwyvS4jQ4DyrBX1AzRiP6cufou3EhLwtYwi6/Holidayy.png)
Steemians know by now that I always say that any business can be a successful business! It all depends on the operator.
If this business can happen from home, you will not only have the cake but also the icing that goes with it. You will be renting from yourself.
On the 16th of January, which is only a couple of days ago, we moved into our new home. For those of you who don’t know, we swapped the bright lights of Johannesburg for the blue ocean on the Dolphin Coast (Ballito).
Like all potential homeowners, we had our criteria when we were looking for the perfect property.
It must be close to a beach ✔
It must be a property that is not in a secure complex ✔
It must be close to a shopping center and school ✔
It must be a property where investing in the property will be returned tenfold should we want to sell it ✔
It must have four bedrooms or three bedrooms and a study ✔
It must have space to build, or it must have a unit on the premises ✔
We were so lucky as we found a property that ticked all of the above boxes, and the offer we made was accepted.
I’ve mentioned that there must be space to build, or there must already be a little unit on the premises.
Ballito is a well-known and popular holiday destination, and I had one thing in mind: creating an extra income. Not only is it always welcome, but most importantly, I knew it was a “product” that was in demand.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdbNMz7C78w4QvQhPL9PyXcbStxJyTkxSUv4MvK9Q8DEc/image.png)
The aim: To attract holidaymakers, families of four, and their pets
The mission: To give our guests the best time possible so that they will return. To go that extra mile.
A bonus was that the people we bought the property from were already doing some sort of holiday letting. I thought I could just capitalize on what they were already doing.
The homework |
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After investigating what they were doing previously; the name, the bookings, the turnaround, returning guests, etc. I decided to start all over again. It was not good to continue with what they had.
- There was no guest list
- The name was not the right name
- The unit was not practical
- They were not well-known
- There were bad reviews on the internet
- They could not provide me with an income statement
- The advertising was not what it should be
- I asked for the transfer of the domain, which just didn’t happen
The planning |
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It was clear that more homework had to be done.
This time around, I had to look at who my competitors were and what they were offering, what the holidaymakers were looking for, and what the news was as far as the hospitality industry. Once I had all the information, it was time to start with the planning.
We then also slept in the unit one evening so that we could experience what our guests would be going through.
And that is how 8Ocean Drive was born.
- A fully equipped self-catering one-bedroom unit
- Perfect for a family of four
- Catering for pets as flying with cats and dogs domestically, is now allowed
- Unlimited Wi-Fi
- All DSTV channels, Netflix, and Showmax
- Purified water
- Equipped with an air conditioner
- Courtyard/entertainment area with braai (barbeque)
- Alarm system
- Safe parking
- Assistance with washing
- 200 m walking distance from the beach
- Lookout point overlooking the ocean
- Fridge shopping before arrival
- Free pick-up from the airport
Of utmost importance to me was that our family must still obtain our privacy as we are living on the premises.
The action |
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It was time to put everything in place. We first changed the sliding door of the unit so that it opened from the other side, right to left, so that I could fit two chairs. These chairs can be pushed together to form a couch. It is now much easier and more relaxed to view television.
I fitted the kitchen with an air fryer, as that is now the latest way of cooking. I also replaced all the bedding with new ones and changed the décor.
Lastly, I did what was necessary to make the unit pet-friendly. My husband and stepson helped to close the gate and palisades so that the yard was also safe for smaller dogs. We don’t want the dogs of the guests wandering the streets. We also made sure that our dogs had a special place so that they didn’t interfere with the dogs of the guests.
Subsequently, we have also installed a swimming pool and will soon start building laundry that guests can also use.
The marketing |
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The only thing left was to market the unit.
🗣 I designed a website and registered a domain
🗣 I listed the unit with travel agencies (international and local)
🗣 I created a Facebook page, which, by the way, got hacked
🗣I joined local and national referral WhatsApp groups
🗣I advertised the unit on various Facebook holiday letting pages
🗣I launched a contest and gave a 4-day mid-week stay as a prize
🗣I ran smaller ads in church brochures in areas like Johannesburg
🗣I asked my friends and family to spread the word
🗣I created a video that I could send to potential guests
![image.png](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRYctT78YBZ7xL3n6eHczwXcNKfGfv56s9kPsobmq9gD7/image.png)
Lastly, I make sure that the prices I advertise are just under the prices of my competitors.
Once guests have booked, I constantly keep in touch with them. This is either to tell them that the holiday is getting closer or that they must travel safely. I will also send them a location pin with the password for the internet.
The finance |
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You will not succeed in your business if you don’t keep control over your finances.
I always make sure that I get at least three different quotes, and as far as possible, I try to keep what must be done “close to home.”
As for cleaning, I now charge the guest a cleaning fee that covers the fee of a cleaner deep cleaning the unit after their departure.
I keep a record of the income and the expenditure. I know exactly when guests are arriving and departing, if they have paid all the fees, and what my profit is on each booking.
I am sure you are dying to know if the business has been a success.
Well, it has not even been a year yet, and I can honestly say that business has been good. For example, from the 15th of November until the 17th of January, we were fully booked. We had 23 sets of guests in less than a year, and we have guests who have already booked for December 2025.
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this outcome.
To keep on going! |
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I can say that I have the cake with the icing. What is important is to keep it there. No matter what the business is, you cannot afford not to keep an eye on it.
My Steemian friends, you can make a success of running a business from home, provided that
- You do your homework
- You plan carefully
- You take action
- You invest your time in marketing
- You control your finance
- You keep on going!
For those who have businesses, I gladly share my business lessons on “How to Start Your Own Business”
Good luck!
I invite: @heriadi @max-pro @khursheedanwar
Thank you to all the Steemians who invited me to this contest:
@shabbir86 @saintkelvin17 @uzma4882 @kidi40
Account summary:
Club100
Transfer to vesting: 1,795.000 STEEM
Normal transfer: 49 STEEM (Competition and charity)
![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmP4o5nhYwt3fDCupJwWhXCChU1tXEE4VmqVizhUtYjhWw/pennsif.witness.gif)
Thank you for submitting your entry in the contest : How I Make Money From Home for Steemit Engagement Challenge - Season 15 Week 1. We have checked/assessed your entry and the results are presented below :
MODs Comment/Recommendation
I sometimes add articles on the website ma'am. However, live domain has not been launched. I get inspiration from reading your post. Best of luck to you in the competition ma'am.
Kind regards,
Steem Entrepreneurs Team
Thank you! I appreciate the verification and good wishes. ☕
Just one thing, I am club 100. Kindly see the account summary at the bottom of my post.
My bad ma,am.
Not too worry. It happens to all of us. (•ิ‿•ิ)
Your comments will help guide me on the right way ma'am
Your post has been rewarded by the Seven Team.
Support partner witnesses
We are the hope!
Thank you!
Greetings dear Mam 👏
Truly whenever I read your article it hits differently as you articulate the whole topic very interesting and when I read it is seems like I'm reading a very beautiful story. Now I'm very glad to read your publication and get some useful tips about business. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us 💗. Stay blessed 😇
If I can be of help I am grateful!
This is what Steemit is all about, sharing our knowledge with each other. No matter how old we are, there is always something new to be learned and if we can put it to good usage it is a HUGE bonus.
Thank you, I appreciate your visit and comment. ☕
Yeah bro, her contents are always unique and wonderful, I admire her alot. I wish you good luck.
Very creative idea, conditions the place to be in a tourist spot. If I were a visitor I would look for a safe place such as a room, food that is suitable for the family, of course good facilities and equipped with an internet connection. to going to the beach to look for fun. you create the right business there, welcoming tourist guests who arrive. Maybe this will require many employees to help your work be successful in the eyes of people. Indeed, the cake you are planning will be very delicious with icing. attract interested visitors.😍
Awh thank you! Not only for the visit, but for your kind words.
They always say that there is one thing that is a must for a business, and that is location. Well, we've hit the jackpot, as our location is perfect!
It now all depends on the operator to continue with the success and pray that something like COVID doesn't hit us again.
Thank you for the visit and the engagement! ☕
I have read this post over and over again because of the texture of this post. You've said everything and have showed us how you came up with the Ocean drive. You're indeed an industrious woman who's passionate about having multiple streams of income. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. Just a suggestion though. Placing burnsteem25 tag as 1-3 makes it visible if you click on the tag to check your posts. Anyways, you did a great job coming up with such informative post. I wish I could write this way.
Her posts are always very unique and amazing, she never has one pattern of posting and that's something I haven't learnt from her yet as one of her halfway successful students.
She's industrious and makes alot of morning by herself, she doesn't withdraw from steemit at all and that's one habit I need to have 🤣
@patjewell
You might think you are halfway but believe me when I tell you that you have the winning post in sight. You ARE a successful student.
Thank you for you kind words! ☕
You seem to be right ma, because is only the teacher that knows the students best. Yeah from hencefoth I will keep on admitting that am not halfway but already there.
Seems my reputation will get to71 before February, OMG 😍 and so excited ma.
Oh wow! Well, that is excellent!!!!! 🤛
Thank you 🤜
Awh, thank you for not only the visit but also the great response!
I can just add that I have the age. I have paid my school fees, and I have learned over the years. (•ิ‿•ิ)
You are still very young, and I can tell now already that you have a bright future ahead of you. Never ever ever change!
As for the burnsteem25 tag, I keep to what the contests say. Call me silly, but just now they get all technical when it comes to choosing a winner, and if the tags are not listed in the order they stipulate, my entry might just get eliminated.
PS: There is nothing wrong with your writing! You are a great author.
I've learnt something today. Experience is the best teacher I must say. Everytime I read you posts, I learn something new because you're a very dynamic personnel. If only there's a better way to appreciate you but I think commenting on all your posts will do.
Commenting is what makes me happy, and that puts the tiger in my tank!
I am more than happy with a comment here and there, my friend.. more than happy! (•ิ‿•ิ)
I can teach you something else about experience.
Experience and knowledge are brother and sister. They need each other.
Good luck!
Noted ma
Hello friend
The article leaves up a breathe of fresh air, moving into a new home comes with lots of joy and peace, you have your dream home now! I always enjoy seeing you write such interesting articles, I had my eyes glued to the article from start to finish. May you gain more success on the platform too, I love your club status and how you work on the platform. Success in the challenge my dear friend
Hello bro happy Sunday, how are you doing today? She's a very wonderful woman whose so industrious and hardworking and I love her posts alot.
It is for me to say thank you! Thank you not only for visiting my post but also for the engagement and kind words. It warms my heart when I read that someone enjoys a post of mine.
It is often just that "adrenaline" I need to keep going.
Thank you!! 🤛
Pleasures are all mine my dear friend.
Hello dear friend, it's always a pleasure to read your posts and take your advice to be successful in business. Thanks for sharing your impressions and experiences with us. Happy day my friend. Receive a big hug from me.
Hello! How nice to receive a comment from you. Thank you!
A big hug right back at you! (づ๑•ᴗ•๑)づꕤ
Saludos amigo
Realmente tener un negocio en casa requiere de creatividad, y además adquirir habilidadades.
Tener una casa cerca de ls playa es una buena opción para generar ingresos, atraer a los turistas que disfruten del lugar.
Gracias por esos buenos consejos para tener éxito en los negocios
It is for me to say thank you for the engagement with my post.🎕
We are indeed lucky that we got such a nice opportunity for running a business right here at our home.
Now I just keep on thinking what is next. (•ิ‿•ิ)
Wow I so want to go on holiday there and feel the comfort facilities
As always your articles are always "filled" with education and inspiration for us.
Have a great day dear...
Hello, my friend!
Like I have said before, I will welcome you with open arms!
And.. I will be putting you to work. You will have to help me redecorate the place.
So, pack your bags and come!! I've already put the kettle on for tea.
Thank you for the visit! It is appreciated. 🎕
What awesome.. hopefully someday we will meet..
And I will be happy to decorate your room
Have a good day my friend
Some day.... (•ิ‿•ิ)
Thank you! A wonderful day to you also
Hello ma good morning, is good you found a property that ticked all of the above boxes you talked about, you people must be very lucky ma.
8Ocean really sounds nice, I love the nature of the business and I admire the way you gave a 4-day mid-week stay as a prize and also designed a website, sorry that the Facebook account was hacked, hackers are really ungrateful.
I love the fact that you also made few adds on church brochures. I don't have enough money and time if not I would have paid for the advertisement of steemit once a year in my church brochure. I wish you good luck.
Yes, we were indeed lucky, although it is still going to cost us a few rands to get it to where we want it to be.
In the meantime, I love my home, and I love what I am doing.
Having this holiday unit is challenging, but it is something I enjoyed.
My daughter now wants to take over the marketing so that she can learn and I am looking forward to it. It will give me a break.
Thank you for the visit and the awesome comment!
Is good your daughter wants to learn the business, that's very much encouraging, alot of people don't like learning what their parents are doing and this is very bad.
Once again I wish you good luck in this engagement challenge, I hope you enjoyed your weekend.
Thank you, I had a good weekend.