$ Ka- Ching! Start your own business—for free!

✔ HEALTH- CONSCIOUS HOSTESS? Join Do You Bake!

If you know folks who are into food and love to entertain, you may well have a built-in market for your own Do You Bake? site! DYB offers prepared foods that change with the seasons, from beer bread and flavor infusers, dips and cheese balls to meal mixes, cakes and brownies— all made without any chemicals, additives, fillers or colorings. Simply sign up at Doyoubake. com, and you’ll make 20% commission on all retail sales through your site. Bonus: If you like, they’ll also throw in a free Crave It website (DYB’S sister company), which you can build up, too! Crave It features “health foods”— everything from whey protein chocolate smoothie mixes to paleo-friendly granola. Sign up, and you’ll get access to two brands with one combined commission plan.

✔ INTO FASHION FOOTWEAR? Step out with Fibi & Clo!

Become a Fibi & Clo Fashion Ambassador by signing up at Fibiandclo.com, and you’ll have scant competition— that’s because it’s the only “social selling business” specializing in sandals (averaging about $70 a pair)! You’ll get a free website, discounts and training that gives you tips and tools for turbocharging your sales through social media. You’ll make 15% of all sales, plus the ability to earn your samples. And if you recruit friends to become Fibi & Clo fashion ambassadors, you’ll snag 15% of any sales they make, too!

✔ ENJOY ALL THINGS HOME AND DECO? Be a Linen World consultant!

Spare friends and family a trip to cluttered, crowded brick-and-mortar stores by directing them to your Linen World website, where they can find sheets, towels, bedding and more for less! Get started simply by setting up an account at Linenworld.com. You’ll make 20% commission, plus get a 25% discount on orders you place for yourself, friends and family. Refer five people to become Linen World consultants, and you’ll get a $50 Linen World gift certificate.

Open your own business without spending a penny? It may sound too good to be true, but thanks to a new crop of direct sales companies, it is! How does it work? They guide you through setting up your free online shop, then when anyone buys their goods using your link, you get a cut of the profits! Check out these opportunities:

Organize a salsa contest where guests bring their best homemade versions, and the winner gets a small prize. Or if your gang includes green thumbs, have a contest to see who grew this year’s ugliest tomato! Not afraid of a little mess? Let the kids bob for tomatoes—a silly spin on bobbing for apples!