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. This guide provides resources that will help you learn more
about working out of your house, starting a home-based business and managing
your business within the law.
Before You Begin
- 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?
- Home-Based Business....Is it
For Me? Is
working from home right for you? Learn about several factors you should
consider when starting a home-based business.
- Starting a Business in Your
Home: Weighing the Pros and Cons. Have you
thought about the characteristics and challenges that are most commonly
involved in launching home-based businesses? View the pros and cons before
you begin a home-based business.
Start
a Home-Based Business
If you have decided you are ready to start a
home-based business, then you might already have an idea and/or the products
you want to market. If not, think about your background, what you are good at,
and what experience you have. This exploration can get you on your way to
coming up with a sound idea. For additional guidance on how to start your
business, use the resources listed below.
·
Get
planning ideas by reading an article that provides a comprehensive approach to developing a business
plan for
a home-based business
·
Learn how
your local government's zoning ordinances may affect your business. Not knowing the
potential legal and community problems associated with having a business at
home, and the rules, can have devastating consequences.
Buying
a Work-at-Home Franchise
Home based franchises are becoming more common, but
buyer beware! Some "work at home" franchise opportunities are schemes
to get your money.
Visit the Consumer Guide to
Buying a Franchise for
more information about evaluating and buying into franchises and related
work-at-home business opportunities.
Financing a
Home-Based Business
Federal agencies do not provide grants for starting a
home-based business. However, there are a number of low-interest loan programs
that help individuals obtain startup financing. Visit the Loans and Grants Search Tool to get a full list of grant, loan and venture capital
programs for which you might qualify.
Marketing a
Home-Based Business
There are several ways to market your business and get
in touch with your customers. Customers are a key component to businesses success.
Learn how to successfully market your home-based business:Home-Based Business -
Market Your Product.
Filing Taxes for a
Home-Based Business
Doing your personal taxes can be a pain, but now you
have to do the taxes for your home-based business as well. Use the resources
below to learn how to correctly file your small business taxes and get the
proper deductions.
- Provides access to the official IRS gateway for
tax information for small business owners.
- Explains how to deduct business expenses on your
income taxes.
- Covers how to report your earnings since you are
self-employed.
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