What's the best way to start a work from home business?
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Begin by paying attention to your skills and aptitudes.  Is there a market for what are naturally good at? Can you identify a need or a problem in your area or within a group that your skills solve?\n\nThen you need to take a few business courses.  Look for adult education courses.  I took an Entrepreneurial Assistance Course through a local continuing education program.\n\nYou need to learn about marketing, basic forms of business - sole proprietorship, LLC, Corporation - you need to know something about basic accounting and record keeping, you need to know that no matter how marvelous your idea is and no matter how many people are lined up at your door for your service or product - it will take you a minimum of 3 years to make a profit.\n\nYou will have many start-up costs - equipment, phone, advertising, letterhead, website, transportation, classes, trade magazines.  You may need the services of an accountant.  If you decide to incorporate, you may need legal services.\n\nVisit your local Chamber of Commerce.  Many chambers are affiliated with SCORE - which is a group a retired business executives who give advice for cheap or free. Many chambers also offer cheap or free seminars to members to educate them about local business practices.\n\nYou may also need to register your business with your town or county.  If you are planning to put a sign out advertising your home business, you need to check with your town about the laws regarding business signs in residential areas.\n\nYou may also want to contact the Small Business Association.  In many areas, they have micro loan programs to encourage minority and women-owned businesses to get off the ground.\n\nBeyond that, working from home has several challenges.  You need to be able to work alone, you need a dedicated work space and a separate phone line. You'll need a place to keep your inventory and your business records.  If you have children or pets, you need to be where their sounds or noises do not interfere with your business.\n\nIf you are working at something that involves customers coming to your home office, you need to learn about having the appropriate insurance coverage.\n\nSole proprietor businesses are at particular risk, because your personal assets are fair game if someone files a lawsuit against you.\n\nThe best way to start a work from home business is to educate yourself.  Do not be in a rush.  If you need to make money sooner than later, work at a wage job, and start your home business part time, so you have cash flow while building your business.
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The best home business will depend on what you want, how you define to be interesting. A person may consider a pet sitting business to be the most exciting work in the world, while another person would rather watch TV than take care of dogs. Or I might say that online publishing is great, but you think you are not cut out for it.\n\nThe key is to determine what your interests are, what you want to do, what is suitable for your lifestyle and your overall goals, and what can fit with your resources.\n\nDan Ramsey in his book "101 Best Home Businesses" has a chapter on how to find YOUR best home business. He suggests these 10 steps:\n\n1. List 5 things you do best\n2. List how others would benefit from what you do best\n3. Find out how to give people what they want\n4. Learn the value of your services to others\n5. Find out who else offers similar services\n6. Learn from the successes of others\n7. Learn from the failures of others\n8. Plan your own success\n9. Make low cost mistakes\n10. Enjoy what you do and how you do it\n\nHe then made suggestions on the best home businesses according to type. Here are a few of them:\n\nBest Businesses Using Craft or Physical Skills\n- antique restoration\n- auto detail service\n- carpet cleaning business\n- errand/delivery service\n- housecleaning business\n\nBest Service Businesses \n- bed and breakfast operator\n- caregiver\n- catering service\n- senior day care center\n- tutoring service\n\nBest Professional Businesses\n- desktop publisher\n- magazine writer\n- import/export service\n- income tax preparation service\n- event planner\n\nSome other home business ideas:\n\nTop 10 Home Businesses with Rapid Break-Even Time http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol33/breakeven.htm\n10 Profitable “Go-Out" Home Businesses http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol31/goout.htm\nLow Cost Startup Businesses http://www.entrepreneur.com/lowcostbusinesses/0,6617,,00.html\n\nYou can also check out the following books:\n\nTurn Your Talents into Profits: 100+ Terrific Ideas for Starting Your Own Home-Based Microbusiness \n The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century \n 121 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home \n The Best Internet Businesses You Can Start \n 101 Ways to Make Money at Home
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Entrepreneur Magazine has made a very good list of Low Cost Startup Businesses that you can do on a small budget \n\nhttp://www.entrepreneur.com/lowcostbusinesses/0,6617,,00.html\n\nYou can also find some other home business ideas:\n\nTop 10 Home Businesses with Rapid Break-Even Time http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol33/breakeven.htm\n10 Profitable “Go-Out" Home Businesses http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol31/goout.htm\n\nBut the best business will depend on what you want, how you define to be interesting. A person may consider a pet sitting business to be the most exciting work in the world, while you would rather watch TV than take care of dogs. Or one might think that cleaning houses is a good business idea, but you simply don't think so; or one may gush about selling on eBay but if you have nothing to sell on eBay, then it is not for you.\n\nThe key is to determine what your interests are, what you want to do, what is suitable for your lifestyle and your overall goals, and what can fit with your resources.\n\nDan Ramsey in his book "101 Best Home Businesses" has a chapter on how to find YOUR best home business. He suggests these 10 steps:\n\n1. List 5 things you do best\n2. List how others would benefit from what you do best\n3. Find out how to give people what they want\n4. Learn the value of your services to others\n5. Find out who else offers similar services\n6. Learn from the successes of others\n7. Learn from the failures of others\n8. Plan your own success\n9. Make low cost mistakes\n10. Enjoy what you do and how you do it\n\nHe then made suggestions on the best home businesses according to type. Here are a few of them:\n\nBest Businesses Using Craft or Physical Skills\n- antique restoration\n- auto detail service\n- carpet cleaning business\n- errand/delivery service\n- housecleaning business\n\nBest Service Businesses \n- bed and breakfast operator\n- caregiver\n- catering service\n- senior day care center\n- tutoring service\n\nBest Professional Businesses\n- desktop publisher\n- magazine writer\n- import/export service\n- income tax preparation service\n- event planner
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Start An Internet Business | Work from Home \n... you're currently holding down a job and have no idea how to ... Start here with this data entry from home resource. Work at Home. Small Business Start-Ups ...\nhttp://www.goodbyecitylife.com/country-life/online-business.htm - \n\n\n\nWork From Home, Data Entry Work, Internet Jobs, Astrology, Forex, Software...Many More \nOffline Data Entry Job. Global Forex Enterprises. Internet Jobs. Global Vedic Astrology. GMODA ... logon to the music website we provide, Start Replay ...\nhttp://www.ongoingprofit.com
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The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Pocket Guide to Home Health Care by Karen McGough Monks\n* Handbook of Home Health Standards and Documentation -- Guidelines for Reimbursement by T. M. Marrelli\n* Handbook of Home Health Orientation by T. M. Marrelli\n* Manual of Home Health Nursing Procedures by Robyn Rice\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
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That depends entirely on you. The best home based business should be built on something that interest you. It can be built on a hobby or some other skill you have. The main thing is to sit down and make out a goals list. What do you want to get out of the business? How much time are you willing to commit to the business? How much you are willing to invest to get started? How much are you willing to invest in advertising and promotion? How long do you expect it to take to start making serious money out of it, and what plan of action will it take to achieve these goals. There are a lot of great business out there, the best for one person may not be the best for another.
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Look at the area where you live and identify a problem that lots of people have a complaint about and figure out what solution you can provide to that problem working from home and start a business providing that solution.  Being your own boss is the best way to earn money at home I have found.
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The best home business will depend on what you want, how you define to be interesting. A person may consider a pet sitting business to be the most exciting work in the world, while another person would rather watch TV than take care of dogs. \n\nThe key is to determine what your interests are, what you want to do, what is suitable for your lifestyle and your overall goals, and what can fit with your resources.\n\nDan Ramsey in his book "101 Best Home Businesses" has a chapter on how to find YOUR best home business. He suggests these 10 steps:\n\n1. List 5 things you do best\n2. List how others would benefit from what you do best\n3. Find out how to give people what they want\n4. Learn the value of your services to others\n5. Find out who else offers similar services\n6. Learn from the successes of others\n7. Learn from the failures of others\n8. Plan your own success\n9. Make low cost mistakes\n10. Enjoy what you do and how you do it\n\nHe then made suggestions on the best home businesses according to type. Here are a few of them:\n\nBest Businesses Using Craft or Physical Skills\n- antique restoration\n- auto detail service\n- carpet cleaning business\n- errand/delivery service\n- housecleaning business\n\nBest Service Businesses \n- bed and breakfast operator\n- caregiver\n- catering service\n- senior day care center\n- tutoring service\n\nBest Professional Businesses\n- desktop publisher\n- magazine writer\n- import/export service\n- income tax preparation service\n- event planner\n\nSome other home business ideas:\n\nTop 10 Home Businesses with Rapid Break-Even Time http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol33/breakeven.htm\n10 Profitable “Go-Out" Home Businesses http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol31/goout.htm\nLow Cost Startup Businesses http://www.entrepreneur.com/lowcostbusinesses/0,6617,,00.html\n\nYou may want to check the following books to give you more business ideas:\n\n- Turn Your Talents into Profits: 100+ Terrific Ideas for Starting Your Own Home-Based Microbusiness \n- The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century \n- 121 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home \n- The Best Internet Businesses You Can Start \n- 101 Ways to Make Money at Home
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From the article "The Top 10 Ways to Earn Money at Home" here are some good businesses to start at home:\n\n1. Antique dealership (include ebay selling of antiques and collectibles) \n2. Home-based catering/baking (include personal chef)\n3. Bed and breakfast\n4. Childcare/Daycare\n5. Computer specialist (whether computer repair, website design or virus cleaner)\n6. Gardening (especially the growing market for organic food)\n7. Home based importing and distribution\n8. Interior decorating\n9. Photography business (whether converting your basement into a portrait studio or selling stock photography)\n10. Home-Based sewing and alterations\n\nI suggest you also check out the books:\n\n- Turn Your Talents into Profits: 100+ Terrific Ideas for Starting Your Own Home-Based Microbusiness \n- The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century \n- 121 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home \n- The Best Internet Businesses You Can Start \n- 101 Ways to Make Money at Home
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The best home business depend on what you want, how you define to be interesting. A person may consider a pet sitting business to be the most exciting work in the world, while another person would rather watch TV than take care of dogs. Or some may find fulfillment as a daycare operator while you would rather not take care of other kids.\n\nThe key is to determine what your interests are, what you want to do, what is suitable for your lifestyle and your overall goals, and what can fit with your resources.\n\nDan Ramsey in his book "101 Best Home Businesses" has a chapter on how to find YOUR best home business. He suggests these 10 steps:\n\n1. List 5 things you do best\n2. List how others would benefit from what you do best\n3. Find out how to give people what they want\n4. Learn the value of your services to others\n5. Find out who else offers similar services\n6. Learn from the successes of others\n7. Learn from the failures of others\n8. Plan your own success\n9. Make low cost mistakes\n10. Enjoy what you do and how you do it\n\nHe then made suggestions on the best home businesses according to type. Here are a few of them:\n\nBest Businesses Using Craft or Physical Skills\n- antique restoration\n- auto detail service\n- carpet cleaning business\n- errand/delivery service\n- housecleaning business\n\nBest Service Businesses \n- bed and breakfast operator\n- caregiver\n- catering service\n- senior day care center\n- tutoring service\n\nBest Professional Businesses\n- desktop publisher\n- magazine writer\n- import/export service\n- income tax preparation service\n- event planner\n\nSome other home business ideas:\n\nTop 10 Home Businesses with Rapid Break-Even Time http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol33/breakeven.htm\n10 Profitable “Go-Out" Home Businesses http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol31/goout.htm\nLow Cost Startup Businesses http://www.entrepreneur.com/lowcostbusinesses/0,6617,,00.html\n\nI suggest you check out these other books to give you ideas on what business to start:\n\n- Turn Your Talents into Profits: 100+ Terrific Ideas for Starting Your Own Home-Based Microbusiness \n- The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century \n- 121 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home \n- The Best Internet Businesses You Can Start \n- 101 Ways to Make Money at Home
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The best work-at-home option is starting your own business. If you are looking at one of the endless "opportunities" out there be careful - most are scams. Here are a few questions you should ask to help figure out if the one you are looking at is for real or not.\n\nLegitimate work-at-home program should tell you - in writing - what's involved in the program they are selling. Here are some questions you might ask:\n\n* What tasks will I have to perform? (Ask the program to list every step of the job.)\n* Will I be paid a salary or will my pay be based on commission?\n* Who will pay me?\n* When will I get my first paycheck?\n* What is the total cost of the work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment and membership fees?\n* What will I get for my money?
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odd job man, bin cleaning, driveway cleaning, rubbish removal, decorating, joinery/DIY type jobs for people,  plumbing, life coaching!, home tutoring, carpet fitting, gutter cleaner/painter.. just some ideas.\nIf you are serious about doing something as a business venture, have you considered a business planning course? check out the website below for one you can do from home around your other commitments...
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There is nothing simple or easy about starting a home-based business.\n\nThere is nothing simple about doing business on the Internet.\n\nYour best chance for success is to make a list of all the skills you have - what you like to do, what you are good at doing and then match that with a perceived need.  \n\nIf there is an existing market for what you can do, it's much easier.  Otherwise you will be spending large amounts of time building up a clientele for your product or service.\n\nA good place to start is with SCORE - link below - for free business advice from retired executives.\n\nEven if you don't spend cash starting up - be prepared to invest lots of time - most of it without bringing in cash - to establish and build your business.  \n\nEven when you do get clients, expect to put in long hours - most successful businesses don't begin to see a profit for 3-5 years.
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The best home business for you will depend on what you want, how you define to be interesting. A person may consider a pet sitting business to be the most exciting work in the world, while another person would rather watch TV than take care of dogs. \n\nThe key is to determine what your interests are, what you want to do, what is suitable for your lifestyle and your overall goals, and what can fit with your resources.\n\nDan Ramsey in his book "101 Best Home Businesses" has a chapter on how to find YOUR best home business. He suggests these 10 steps:\n\n1. List 5 things you do best\n2. List how others would benefit from what you do best\n3. Find out how to give people what they want\n4. Learn the value of your services to others\n5. Find out who else offers similar services\n6. Learn from the successes of others\n7. Learn from the failures of others\n8. Plan your own success\n9. Make low cost mistakes\n10. Enjoy what you do and how you do it\n\nHe then made suggestions on the best home businesses according to type. Here are a few of them:\n\nBest Businesses Using Craft or Physical Skills\n- antique restoration\n- auto detail service\n- carpet cleaning business\n- errand/delivery service\n- housecleaning business\n\nBest Service Businesses \n- bed and breakfast operator\n- caregiver\n- catering service\n- senior day care center\n- tutoring service\n\nBest Professional Businesses\n- desktop publisher\n- magazine writer\n- import/export service\n- income tax preparation service\n- event planner\n\nSome other home business ideas:\n\nTop 10 Home Businesses with Rapid Break-Even Time http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol33/breakeven.htm\n10 Profitable “Go-Out" Home Businesses http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol31/goout.htm\nLow Cost Startup Businesses http://www.entrepreneur.com/lowcostbusinesses/0,6617,,00.html\n\nSome other books you may want to read include:\n\n- Turn Your Talents into Profits: 100+ Terrific Ideas for Starting Your Own Home-Based Microbusiness \n- The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century \n- 121 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home \n- The Best Internet Businesses You Can Start \n- 101 Ways to Make Money at Home
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From the article "Top 10 Businesses for Work-at-Home Moms" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol30/topten.htm here are some ideas:\n\nCandle Making\nAntiques and Collectibles Dealer\nCut Flower Business\nTranscription Services\nHandicrafts   \nNiche Newsletter\nHome Sewing \nHerb Farming\nParty Planner\nBookkeeping Business  \n\nSome other home business ideas:\n\nTop 10 Home Businesses with Rapid Break-Even Time http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol33/breakeven.htm\n10 Profitable “Go-Out" Home Businesses http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol31/goout.htm\nLow Cost Startup Businesses http://www.entrepreneur.com/lowcostbusinesses/0,6617,,00.html\n\nYou may also want to check out the following books to give you some more business ideas:\n\n- Turn Your Talents into Profits: 100+ Terrific Ideas for Starting Your Own Home-Based Microbusiness \n- The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century \n- 121 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home \n- The Best Internet Businesses You Can Start \n- 101 Ways to Make Money at Home
1000555
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Commercial and Residential Cleaning Services: A Resource Guide to Developing and Maintaining Your Own Janitorial or Home Cleaning Business by Walter Fenix\n* Start and Run a Home Cleaning Business by Susan Bewsey\n* Start Your Own Cleaning Service (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Ups) by Jacquelyn Lynn\n* How to Start a Home-Based Housecleaning Business, 2nd (Home-Based Business Series) by Laura Jorstad\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
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You're going to do what you've always wanted to do: work from home. How I wish I had your computer savy, knowledge and expertise! I have to settle for encouraging people into giving me their old computers when they upgrade so I can clean them out and give them to needy people. One mother who had had a hip operation was able to work from home all winter last year, here in Maine, thanks to someone's generosity. Work from your home! You are your own boss. You can call the shots. You can either be affordable or impossible. You can be the guy people hire because his rates are sensible. That would be a daily cash flow... and the possiblilties are endless, because you have your home office from which you can work. You can hook up a second computer in your home to keep your business records so they are not accessible online (to anyone but you). Money, money , money! Start thinking money instead of being too old! Job one is: establishing a really great cash flow for YOU and your family. They are job one. When you work from home, suddenly, you are no longer at the beck and call of company offers in just New York City. Your office is the United States, period. When you get richer and can allow a sense of humour about all this stuff, you can extend your business to outside the states. Sound too good to be true? I told Matt he should work for himself. He is now in San Marcos, Texas, binding little copy books which he sells from his home. Self-employed; well off; happy. So - work for yourself. Be the boss. Be all those people who won't even look at you or treat you nice. I am sending this message with tons of positive, vibrant success energies! Give what I tell you some serious thought. Sit down, put your feet up and think about being the boss. The worker. The bookkeeper. The candlestick maker - and of course, the Bill Gates II, who retired early! (You think I'm kidding, but how can you know you will not be a real success???)  Best to you from G., South Portland, Maine, U.S.A.