Up until recently, going to work meant traveling from home to a plant or office. Today many people do some or all of their work at home. A private market-research firm estimates that as many as 13 million people squeeze extra hours into their work week by taking work home from their full-time jobs, while some 9 million people work exclusively at home.
Many people find that working at home is an ideal arrangement and decide to formally set up businesses there. The SBA estimates that more than 3 million of these home-based businesses are now operating throughout the country.
Every day, people are striking out and achieving economic and creative independence by turning their skills into dollars.  Garages, basements and attics are being transformed into the corporate headquarters of the newest entrepreneurs - home-based business people. And with recent technological advances and a rising demand for "service-oriented" businesses, the opportunities seem to be endless.

Is a Home-Based Business Right for You?

Before you dive head first into a home-based business, it's essential that you know why you are doing it and how you will do it. To succeed, your business must be based on something greater than a desire to be your own boss: an honest assessment of your own personality, an understanding of what's involved, and a lot of hard work. You have to be willing to plan ahead, then make improvements and adjustments along the road. While there are no "best" or "right" reasons for starting a home-based business, it is vital to have a very clear idea of what you are getting into and why.
Ask yourself these questions:

• Are you a self-starter?


• Can you stick to business if you're working at home?


• Do you have the necessary self-discipline to maintain schedules?


• Can you deal with the isolation of working from home?

Legal Requirements

A home-based business is subject to many of the same laws and regulations affecting other businesses - and you will be responsible for complying with them. There are some general areas to watch out for, but be sure to consult an attorney and your state department of labor to find out which laws and regulations will affect your business.
Zoning: Be aware of your city's zoning regulations. If your business operates in violation of them, you could be fined or closed down.
Restrictions on certain goods: Certain products may not be produced in the home. Most states outlaw home production of fireworks, drugs, poisons, explosives, sanitary or medical products, and toys. Some states also prohibit home-based businesses from making food, drink or clothing.

Registration and accounting requirements: You may need a -

• work certificate or a license from the state (your business's name also may need to be registered with the state),


• sales tax number,


• separate business telephone, and


• separate business bank account.

If your business has employees, you are responsible for -

• withholding income and social security taxes, and


• complying with minimum wage and employee health and safety laws.

Finding Your Niche

Choosing a home business is like choosing a spouse or partner - your decision must be approached with a great deal of care. You need to learn as much about the market for any product or service as you can. Before you invest your time, effort and money, take a few moments to answer the following questions. They'll help separate sound ideas from those with a high potential for failure.

• Can you identify and describe the business you plan on establishing?


• What will be your product or service?


• Is there a demand for your product or service?


• What advantages do you have over your competitors?


• Do you have the talent and expertise needed to compete successfully?

Developing A Business Plan

If you've researched your market, thought over the pros and cons of a home-based business, and decided to go ahead, it's time to put together a business plan.
Developing a business plan forces you to take an objective and critical look at your business idea. Even more, the finished product is a tool that will help move your business toward success.
A business plan should be neat, written clearly, and should include several things. The cover page should list the business name, address, mailing address, telephone number and the names of the owner(s). Identify your primary goals and objectives.
Next, give an accurate and concise description of the business:

• What is the principal activity? Be specific. Give product or service descriptions.


• How will the business be started?


• Why will it succeed? Promote your idea. Use your market research.


• What skills and experience do you bring to the business?

The Financial Plan

Money fuels all businesses. With a little planning, you'll find that you can avoid most financial difficulties.
When drawing up a financial plan, don't worry about using estimates. The process of thinking through these questions helps develop your business skills and leads to solid financial planning.
Start-up costs: To estimate your start-up costs, include all initial expenses such as fees, licenses, permits, telephone deposit, tools, office equipment and promotional expenses.  Business experts say you should not expect a profit for the first eight to 10 months, so be sure to give yourself enough cushion.
Projecting operating expenses: Include salaries, utilities, office supplies, loan payments, taxes, legal services and insurance premiums. Don't forget to include your normal living expenses.
Projecting income: It is essential that you know how to estimate your sales on a daily and monthly basis. From the sales estimates, you can develop projected income statements, break-even points and cash-flow statements. Use your marketing research to estimate initial sales volume.
Cash flow: Working capital - not profits - pays your bills. Even though your assets may look great on the balance sheet, if your cash is tied up in receivables or equipment, your business is technically insolvent - in other words, you're broke.
Make a list of all anticipated expenses and projected income for each week and month. If you see a cash-flow crisis developing, cut back on everything but the necessities.

Learn From Others

Remember, preparation is the foundation of success. Talk to home-based business people. Join a home-based-business professional association or "moonlight" at a similar business.
Learn how to use business resources to strengthen your home-based business. Success doesn't just happen - you have to make it happen.

3307-3322 BUSINESS MANUALS, 10 pages or more.  $5.00 each.

3307 How To Start Your Own Business Consulting Service.
3308 How To Make Money With A Business Financing Service.
3309 How And Where To Get Money For Any Franchise Idea.
3310 How To Start And Operate Your Own Bartering Club.
3311 How To Start and Operate Videotape Rental Store.
3312 How To Start A Profitable Resume Writing Service.
3313 How To Start And Operate Firewood Supply Business.
3314 How To Start And Operate Your Own Auto Tune-UP Store.
3315 How To Start And Operate Your Own Day-Care Center.
3316 How To Start And Operate A Paper Recycling Service.
3317 How To Start And Operate A Temporary Help Service.
3318 How To Start Your Own Mobile Locksmithing Service.
3319 How To Start And Operate A Carpet Cleaning Service.
3320 Start Your Own House And Apartment Cleaning Service.
3321 Start Your Own Credit And Debt Counseling Service.
3322 How To Make $5,000 A Month or More With Garage Sales.

3401 - 3425 BUSINESS REPORTS, 2 to 5 pages. $2.00 each.

3401 Reorganize Your Time To Have Home-Based Business.
3402 How To Raise Money For Starting Your Own Business.
3403 The Legalities And Tax Advantages In a Home Business.
3404 Start and Operate A Profitable Home-Based Business.
3405 Survival Tips For All Kinds of Small Business.
3406 How To Get Free Radio Advertising For Your Company.
3407 The Lazy Person's Secrets To Overnight Wealth And Fame.
3408 How To Achieve Excellence In Sales And Salesmanship.
3409 Secrets Of Getting Free Advertising For Your Product.
3410 How To Set Up Your Own Tax-Saving Bookkeeping System.
3411 Questions To Answer Before You Buy a Franchise.
3412 How To Find An Authoritative Background On Any Subject.
3415 Garage Sale Promoting For Quick And Easy Money.
3416 Paper Recycling For An Easy Source Of Extra Income.
3417 Party Plan Sales Programs: How To Develop Your Own.
3418 Bed And Breakfast: The Easiest Home-Business.
3419 How To Start And Operate A sports Memorabilia Shop.
3420 How To Start And Operate A Roommate Finding Service.
3421 How To Start And Operate A Dating And Escort Service.
3422 How To Make A Fortune With Self-Improvemant Seminars.
3423 How To Start a Bulletin Board Advertising Service.
3424 How To Make Big Dollars With Bumper Stickers.
3425 Camera Profits: Using Your Camera For Extra Money.

3501 - 3511 BUSINESS REPORTS, 6 to 9 pages. $3.00 each.

3501 Secrets To Your Million Dollar Multi-Level Empire.
3502 Secrets To Successfully Starting Your Own Business.
3503 How To Prepare A Business Plan That Guarantees Profits.
3504 The Secrets Of Free Publicity For Your Business.
3505 How To Make It Big With Your Own Used Book Store.
3506 How To Start Your Own Video Taping Service.
3507 How To Start Your Own Profitable Catering Service.
3508 How To Start Your Successful Window Washing Service.
3509 How To Start A Highly Profitable Mailing Service.
3510 How To Start A Profitable Shopping Center Paper.
3511 How To Start Your Own Home-Based Secretarial Service.

3601 - 3621 MAIL ORDER BUSINESS REPORTS 2 to 5 pages, $2.00 each.

3601 The Beginner's Opportunity Guide To Mail Order.
3602 The Easiest, Most Profitable Mail Order Business.
3603 How To Get Big Dollars In Your Mailbox ___ Everyday.
3604 Profitable New Techniques For Selling Books By Mail.
3605 The Secrets Of Making Really Big Money With Folios.
3606 How To Start A Successful Co_Op Mailing Service.
3607 How To Write And Sell Money-Making How To Reports.
3608 Big Mails: An Easy Beginning To A Mail Order Future.
3609 The Secrets To Renting Profitable Mailing Lists.
3610 How To Develop A Profitable Worldwide Distributor Network.
3611 How To Write Profitable Classified Ads For Your Business.
3612 The Dos and Don'ts Of Profitable Mail Order Ads.
3613 How To Make Big Money Fast, Renting Mailing Lists.
3614 The Money-Maker's Guide To Easy Mail Order Riches.
3615 How To Recruit Dealers/Distributors To Sell For You.
3616 How To Be Successful With A Money-Making Newsletter.
3617 How To Succeed With Your Own Money Making Ad Sheet.
3618 Secrets Of Chain And Multi-Level Letters.
3619 How To And Operate Your Very Own Pen Pal Club.
3620 The Selling Secrets Of Million Dollar Sales Letters.
3621 How To Start And Operate Your Own Correspondence Club.

3701 - 3709 MAIL ORDER BUSINESS REPORTS, 6 to 9 pages. $ 3.00 each.

3701 How To Make Big Profits In Mail Order, Form Scratch.
3702 Make Any Multi-Level Program Into A Million Dollars.
3703 How And Where To Advertise Any Product Or Business.
3704 How To Get Big Dollars From Your Mail Order Ad Sheet.
3705 How To Have A Successful Circular Mailer Business.
3706 How To Write A Folio From Information That You Know.
3707 How To Start And Operate Your Own Big Mail Service.
3708 How To Write Order Pulling Ads For Your Own Business.
3709 The Premier Directory Of Mail Order Publishers.