In this economy everyone is trying to make some extra money. Having a home based business seems like a perfect solution, extra money without leaving your family. Now, where to start?
Everyone has things they are good at, you just have to think about it. Make a list of all the things you do well, no matter how silly they seem, write them down, you can sort through them later.
One of the first things you need to ask yourself after you have your list is, do I really want to do this? I’m really good at picking up dog poop in the yard, and there are lots of people who pay for that service but it’s not something I want to do day in and day out.
Look at your list with an eye to longevity and not just quick cash. If you start a business from home but can’t sustain it then there is no point in starting it. Working from home is work, no matter how you look at it so make sure you pick something that you will enjoy and that you can see yourself doing for a long time. Once you get used to the extra income it’s hard to give it up and if you hate it then it’s worse than a job.
Lots of people who want to stay home with their children decide to do day care in their home. Many times this is a mistake. Taking care of someone else’s children all day, every day, is draining, and although you are with your children, which was your goal, it’s still impossible to give them the attention you were hoping to.
Make sure you understand the demands of the job you are undertaking. Using childcare as an example, most home day care providers work long hours, much longer than you would work outside the home. The usually open at 6am and are open until 6pm. That’s a long day for everyone, and if you have small children at home that’s a really long day for them.
Remember, just because you are good at something doesn’t automatically make it a perfect business opportunity. Unless you really love it, you will quickly tire of it and be right back where you started. Find something you love and then do lots of research before you even think about starting.