Finding The Right Home-Based
Business.
By Julie Frost
Over the years, many people have said to me "I'd love to start a
home-based business, but which kind would be the right one for me?" The
answer is difficult, as it is different for just about everyone. I looked
for five years before finding the right home-based business, only to find
out two years later, that it really wasn't the right business after all! I
searched high and low, read just about every book on the subject, and
still found myself struggling to find the 'right' biz! Luckily time and
experience finally led me to that home-based business that really was "the
right one". But I'm sure YOU don't want to wait that long.
So, what can you do? First, there are some questions you have to answer
before you can decide on a business. It's important to remember, when you
work for yourself, you are your only employee--you have to do everything
from marketing, to accounting, to taking out the trash--and everything
else in between (unless you outsource). You will probably work harder for
yourself then for any "Employer" you've ever had!
With that having been said, I believe it's extremely important to find
something you love, something you are passionate about, and then you can
turn it into your business (or find a home-based business opportunity that
is a good fit). It's much easier to get up in the morning and start doing
something you love than it is to get up and force yourself to work. There
will be no boss to poke you along--just you.
So, what questions should you ask yourself? First and foremost, what do I
love doing? When answering this question, be open minded! Don't hold
yourself back by saying things like "I could never make money doing that!"
That is not what this exercise is about. Just jot down some things that
you really enjoy doing, and try to be as honest as possible. Try to
remember times when you felt happiest, your most vibrant and alive. Write
those things down, even if they don't seem 'work' related (yet!).
Once you have finished writing down the things you are most passionate
about, try brainstorming about how to turn those ideas into a business.
The next question you must answer is "Where do I have experience?" This
can be a very important question, or, believe it or not, a completely
irrelevant one. Many people start their own businesses without an ounce of
experience in their business field. You may need to take classes, attend
seminars, or just practice, practice, practice before you learn your
trade.
But the question still needs to be answered. This 'experience' need not
come only from prior jobs, but also from volunteer positions, hobbies,
school, etc. Once you have finished writing this down, try to see how your
experience could help you turn your passions into a business.
Another question you should ask yourself "What contacts do I have from my
prior experience that could boost my business?" But don't discount your
former employers, teachers, and/or friends and family as possible sources
for business and/or networking.
So, taking your passions, experience and contacts into consideration, your
answers might look something like this: You have a passion for Art, went
to school and received a degree and know many gallery owners. If it's that
cut and dry, you have a link, and a very feasible place to start your
brainstorming. Many times these links will not be so obvious.
Finally, "what resources or assets do you have?" This is important. If you
want to raise Emu, but live in a condo in the city, you will have to find
a way to obtain land and care for the animals. On the other hand, if you
have a great computer, and you want to start a desktop publishing
business, you may only need some software. The more assets you have
related to the business you want to start, the better. Because if start up
costs are low, you chances for success should be much higher.
Whatever business you start, you must prioritize. Can you work "from" home
(when the actual "work" is done somewhere other then home, like in the
cases of the following businesses: landscaping, handyman, direct sales via
home parties, etc.) as opposed "at" home (graphic design, newsletter
publishing, web design, etc.)? Will your business be full or part time?
Will you need to schedule your work around nap times and soccer practice,
or a part time job? Will your business fit well with the lifestyle you
want? City dwellers probably wouldn't enjoy ranching, and folks who live
in rural areas probably would want to start a personal shopper business.
If you answer these questions, and still don't have any ideas, give
yourself some time . . . do some research. Don't get sucked into a scam,
just because you want to work from home. And don't get into the latest
'hot' home business just because everyone else is doing it, because you
will probably end up quitting because it was never something you were
passionate about.
On a final note: If you think you must start a home business, because you
need money as soon as possible, remember that most businesses don't
actually make money for many months, if not years. Building a business
takes time, effort, persistence, and a passion for what you do!
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Julie Frost is a Home Business Success Coach and works with her husband,
and with her two daughters by her side from her 31 acre N. California
ranch. She runs http://www.YourHomeBiz.com, a website for anyone who wants
to find, start, grow, and succeed in their own home based business. Sign
up for her free weekly email news-letter, YourHomeBizWeekly when you visit
http://www.YourHomeBiz.com.
