Dec 13 2008
Should You Have a Work at Home Job or a Home-based Business: Part 2
In part one of this series, I talked about at-home jobs. Now let’s discuss the other side of the question: should you have a work at home job or a home-based business? People have had home-based businesses for centuries. You see through history from Biblical times until present of businesses being run from homes and family farms. More recently, however, home-based business has the opportunity to be global with the popularity of the internet.
Let me say, you don’t need to be afraid of starting your own business. Don’t let fear keep you from doing it. Before you decide if a home business is for you, explore and research the possibilities. There are businesses that can be started on a small budget or a larger one. Home-based businesses can be about selling a product. Many start as a hobby or passion. Do you craft? Write? Like gardening?
Home-based business can also be a service type of business such as day care, teaching piano, or pet sitting. Service businesses have an advantage because they fill a need, they are often low cost to start, and they make use of the owner’s talents. If you are great at organizing, for example, you can be a professional organizer.
To get started, make a list of what you like or passionate about, your hobbies, and any skills you have. Take some time to read books, browse the web, and grow a list of possible business ideas based on your list of talent, likes, and skills. Consider online business ideas too: online retail store and/or auctions, affiliate marketing, writing e-books, or virtual assisting. Then you hone down the list to a few possible businesses.
With that small list of ideas, you can consider which fits into your the long term goals, amount available for investing, work space, and greatest potential demand. Write a business plan and you are on your way to being self-employed.
It’s vital you keep your “why” and your dream to keep fears, disappointment, or discouragement from hindering your business growth. Keep focused on your vision of how you see your business could be in 5 years from now! Your purse designs could make it into beautiful stores and boutiques. Your business may help you save for that new home.
The plus side of a home business is that it belongs to you. You are in control of the business, its goals, and your schedule. That can also be the down side. You must be committed to your business not letting daily stuff at home distract from getting projects completed. It’s also up to you to market your business which can be fun, exciting or sometimes frustrating.
Be looking for part 3 when I will talk about home business opportunities, network marketing, and direct sales.
