Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Home-based Business: Working Where You Live

By Sinclair Sonny

The landscape of the modern workplace continues to change. While the last century saw the rise of large employers, the 21st century is a time of diversification, marked by the growth of small and home-based businesses.

Many entrepreneurs enter the home-based business industry by accident. They see a way to make money and start small, expecting to expand when the business takes off. But when their business does become profitable, they may decide to stay small, at least in part because they like the advantages of basing their business at home.

For some, starting a home-based business is the fulfillment of a dream, an opportunity to gain income from a personal skill or interest. Others enter into a home-based business by necessity, having lost a job or incurred a disability that keeps them out of a conventional work setting.

When you live where you work you have to deal with certain unique business concerns. On the down side, family conflicts can arise when you set up your office in the living room. You want quiet when others want music. The pens disappear and someone MUST get online now! Like in any solo business the startup costs are all yours, there is no initial financial stability, and no one shares the risks. You have no fringe benefits, no time off, no health insurance. Most of all, working at home requires a great deal of self-discipline working when family fun and household chores call to you.

On the other hand, working at home provides tremendous flexibility and the chance to participate more in family life. You can work from most anywhere. There are no coworkers to deal with and no boss to question your work. Overhead and start-up costs are minimal. You can manage your own physical environment, making your office safe and comfortable. The profit is all yours.

Whether the work is supported by computer technology or performed entirely on the computer, the world of the internet is a major force in home-based businesses. As with any busy opportunity it's important to distinguish the reputable businesses from the scams. Check with chambers of commerce and government agencies to see if the company has a good record of compliance and consumer satisfaction. Talk with current owners to see if their earnings match the company's earnings claims. Get a fully audited financial statement from the company. If you don't understand it, get help from an accountant or a lawyer. Then compare different companies to find the best deal.

As with any business startup, you need a business plan that addresses financial, marketing, and legal aspects of the business. Are any licenses or certifications needed to start your business? What are the market opportunities for your product or service? If you intend to ask a bank for financing, you'll need to have all this information on paper.

When you're flying solo don't hesitate to get help from business people who have other skills you need to succeed, like lawyers, accountants, and marketing experts. Whether you buy into an established business opportunity or develop your own concept, remember that the secret to building a successful home-based business is to center it on your own skills. - 16955

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