Barbara Weltman’s Books
- The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Starting an eBay® Business
- Bottom Line’s Very Shrewd Money Book
- The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business Second Edition
- J.K. Lasser’s 1001 Deductions & Tax Breaks
- J.K. Lasser’s Small Business Taxes
- The Rational Guide to Building Small Business Credit
- Small Business Survival Book
Other books by Barbara Weltman:
- J.K. Lasser’s Online Taxes
- J.K. Lasser’s Finance and Tax for Your Family Business
- The Big Idea Book for New Business Owners
- J.K. Lasser’s New Tax Law Simplified 2004
- Your Parent’s Financial Security
- The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raising Money-Smart Kids
- The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Making Money After You Retire
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business Second Edition
"The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business will answer questions you probably haven’t even thought about...open the door to opportunity right now by reading and frequently referring to the information in this book" -- Beverly Williams President and Founder of the American Association of Home-Based Businesses
If you’re sitting on a great idea for a new business, or you’re concerned about getting laid off from your job, or you have some extra time you’d like to use to earn some extra money, then starting a home-based business may be just the ticket for you. More than 27 million Americans already work from home and it’s expected that the number of home-based businesses will explode in the coming years. Here’s what a home-based business can offer you:
Cost savings.
Since you’re already paying rent (or the mortgage), you can use your home as a nest to hatch a new business. The money you don’t have to spend on renting office space means less start-up capital you’ll need to raise.
Short commute.
The time and money you don’t spend on commuting you can put into your new business.
Flexibility.
Maybe you have child (or parent) care responsibilities or you’re involved with community activities or you have a time-consuming passion (like long-distance running). By working from home, you have the utmost flexibility to conduct your business and have time for other things.
Testing ground.
If you’re not completely sure that you’ll succeed, you can keep your day job and begin your business from home as a sideline. Once your new venture is a money-maker, you can then turn to it full-time.
Take your personal inventory.
Take the following inventory of your personal traits and abilities. Be honest with yourself, the more statements you agree with, the better your shot at entrepreneurial success:
| I want to be my own boss | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I can readily make decisions | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I can take responsibility | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I can plan ahead | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I’m a leader | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I like competition | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I’m organized | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I’m a hard worker | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I’m phsyically able to work long hours | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I can handle stress | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I’m prepared to make financial sacrifices | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I have the know-how to run a business | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I’m a fast learner | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I have the education to run a business | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I know how to sell my product or service | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I’m a good communicator | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |
| I work well with people | Agree | Disagree | Not Sure |