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Starting Your Own Home Business

Starting your home based business is a common dream for everyone. There are many pros and cons to starting the business. After being in business for 6 years here are some notes on what I have learned.

• Having More Freedom - Sounds great. You will need to make decisions on hours and approach to having that freedom. Being in business for yourself, especially early on, you will need to consider:
  • Be prepared to have hours despite the concern that you may lose business. Family time is important as is time for you to re-charge your creative juices and energy level.
  • Have the discipline to know when it is time to work and when it is time to relax. Successful home based businesses never lose site of the fact that they are a business and as such they need to be available to work. Maintain some regimented hours and routines to avoid drifting from the business focus.
    
    
• Keeping good records. Visit www.artsprague.com for an excellent article on record keeping. Many of their customer are small companies with web site needs.
  
  
• Set aside a place in the house for the business. There are tax advantages and it will help you become more organized. Good organization is vital for maximizing your time and improving your efficiency.
  
  
• Communication - You are a business. When communicating with customers keep it professional, keep the TV turned down, and try to keep the kids quiet.
  
  
• Professional Web site: Your neighbor or cousin can build a web site However, companies like Art Sprague Consulting have built many web sites and are experienced in making your web site user friendly and functional.
  
• Invest in the right technology - If you rely on your home computer make it a business machine and by the kids their own toy. You are relying on your computer for your income and you do not want to be without it. I personally have 18 machines in my business and I recommend HP. Use this link for a 15% exclusive, web-only coupon when you customize ANY HP Pavilion Notebook PC configured at $1299 or greater (before mail-in-rebates).
  
  
• Good Presentation - Make the investment in printers and printing. Your communication should be consistent and professional. For brochures and mass printing check out. I am a strong believer in Hewlett-Packard printers for my printing needs. These printers are durable and well supported by software manufactures.