How about we dedicate this thread to ideas for starting a home based business? Just post an idea you may have, it may not be the right idea for you, but it may be great for someone else!
Here are the points:
1. Find a local manufacturer of products that ship well through couriers, and start and ecommerce website.
2. Define your hobby. Start a content website that you keep updated daily, or at least weekly. If you have a niche market, you may do well with ads!
3. Provide a service to local businesses. For example you can do some accounting from home.
Looking forward to more of your ideas!