What do Apple Computer, Hershey's, Mary Kay Cosmetics, and the Ford Motor Company have in common? These well-known corporations all started out as home-based businesses. In fact, more than half of all U.S. businesses are based out of an owner's home.
Starting a home-based business has many rewards as well as challenges. But before starting a home-based business you might consider asking yourself a few questions:
1. Are you ready to start a business? You can click on this link provided by the Small Business Administration http://web.sba.gov/sbtn/sbat/index.cfm?Tool=4. This will help you understand your readiness for starting a small business. Your responses will be scored automatically and an assessment profile will be provided after you click the Submit button. This is an automated
self-assessment tool. SBA is not collecting information, tabulating or utilizing
individual visitors’ results.
2. Can you live and work in the same area? Find the answer by asking yourself the following questions: Where in the home will the business be located? What
adjustments to living arrangements will be required? What will be the cost of
changes? How will your family react? What will the neighbors think?
3. Is working from home right for you? Consider all the factors involved with working from home. What will your working hours be? Does it conflict with your family life? Should you use your home address for business? Are there distractions at home? There are many factors to consider.
4. What are the Pros and Cons of working from home? Some of the benefits of working from home are flexibility, low overhead, saving money. Some of the cons include you may be missing out on more foot traffic, you are more anonymous, and it can be harder to separate your home life from your work life. Also is the consideration of exposing your private home address to the public.
With the popularity of virtual offices and proper planning a home-based business may be a serious consideration for anyone seeking to work for themselves or start a new business with much lower overhead.
Vicky Acevedo is Sales Manager of Intelligent Office San Diego
Intelligent Office
4275 Executive Square
Suite 200
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-964-2300
