How to know what it takes to start a Home-Based Business   Do you have what it takes to start a home-based business? Use the following article to audit your personal and professional attributes. 1. Initiative: You need to be able to work well independently. Much of the support available when you work for someone else won't be found at home. You can't turn to a supervisor or coworker and ask for help. Therefore, it is very important for you to be a self-starter and to be able to critique your own work. 2. Risk taking: Without the ability to take risks, you won't go very far with your home-based venture. There are no guarantees that your business will succeed. If you want the security of a guaranteed income, remain an employee of another company. 3. Creative thinking: Most people associate the entrepreneurial spirit with an ability to innovate. Entrepreneurs are willing to try something new, to look at things differently, to find a niche and fill the void. 4. Motivation: Just because you work for yourself doesn't mean you can work less. Instead, it may mean working longer hours and wearing many more hats than when you worked for someone else. 5. Experience: You're going to need experience in both the field of business you choose to start and in general business principles. A great many entrepreneurs have great ideas and a lot of talent, but don't know the first thing about running a business. Most home-based businesses are run by one or two people. There won't be anyone in your business to turn to for answers, and there won't be anyone looking over your shoulder to make sure that you do the right things, on time. 6. Organization: Plan your time and organize your activities efficiently. Develop a schedule and adhere to it. 7. Ambition: You don't have to be ambitious to the point of greediness, but you should have enough ambition to keep going in the face of adversity. Remember, some people won't take you seriously because you operate from your home, but you can't let that get you down. You have to be persistent enough to get around their prejudice regarding home-based businesses.

Resources The Home Office and Small Business Answer Book - So you, too, want to join the ranks of the self-employed and start your own business at home or in a small office nearby. How do you choose the right field? Get customers? Price services? Protect property? Raise funds? Concise information on hundreds of basic issues that stem from such questions can be found in the updated second edition. Be a Successful Leader - What characteristics do successful leaders share? Check out this article to find out.      Privacy Policy | © 1998-2002, Kolias & Co | Liability Disclaimer