EnTrends

Stand-up comedian Jimmie Walker (known as "J.J." to "Good

Times" fans) once told a joke that went something like this:

I met a man outside that told me "I only have three dollars to
my name!" So I told him "Well you'd better change your name!"

We all have a set of circumstances that make up our lives.

What you choose to do with yours is completely up to you.

You really can "change your name" -- if you choose. Are you

looking for a better life for yourself and your family? Is a

home-based business in your future?

If so, what's stopping you from getting started now? I know,

you have a laundry list of excuses: no time, no money, no

support, no good ideas, etc. No matter what is "stopping"

you, if you really want to make a change in your life -- a

change for the better -- you CAN do it. No more excuses:

Start that business and start creating the life you desire

for yourself and your family.

You may ask: "Okay then, but how?"

Here are a few steps to get you started on your path:

* Find the right home-based business for you.

This one may take some time, if you haven't already started

thinking about it. There are many aspects that you have to

take into account when deciding on a home-based business.

For instance:

- Will you start a business "from scratch"? If so, you'll want to
try to find something that is related to things you really enjoy
doing. When you're passionate about your business, it can
help sustain you through the rough times. Yes, there will be
rough times, but they are worth it --it's those days when you
feel like giving up that typically propel you to the place you
want to be.

- Will you join a "Business Opportunity"? If you will decide to
get involved in a business opportunity, ask a lot of questions
and get all the background information you can. How, exactly,
will you work this business? For instance, will you have to do
"in-home parties" or "Internet Marketing" and if so, are you up
to the task? (Or learning how to master the necessary
techniques?) We all go through a learning curve when we start
a business, but to be sure you'll enjoy what you do, think about
what it is you actually have to do in order to be successful. If it
sounds like fun, you're on the right track.

Also ask: is the parent company a member of the Chamber of
Commerce? What is their standing with the BBB? How long
have they been around? What are the owners like?

How are commissions paid out? And one of the most important
questions to ask yourself: "Would myself and my friends buy
these products or services if I weren't making money from it?"
In other words, is there a market for the business? Or is it going
to be a "hard sell"?

* Find out what types of licenses you will need.

Local laws will vary, but in most areas you may need one or

more of the following:

- A Fictitious Business Name, also known as a "Doing
Business As" or DBA -- You'll need this if you plan to run your
business under any name other than your own. You usually get
this from your County Clerk's Office.

- A business license -- some cities or states require this. Check
with your local business department.

- Be sure your area is zoned for a home business. If not, you
may need to get something as difficult as a variance, or
something as simple as a PO Box. When in doubt, find

out!

- You may need a sales tax license, depending on the nature
of your business and what state you live in. Check with the
local taxation department.

- Set up a Business Bank Account -- you'll probably need a
copy of your Business License, and if you get a DBA, you'll
need a copy of that, too. You want to keep personal and

business monies separate.

This list may not be all-inclusive -- check with your local

officials to be sure your home office is set up legally. You

can also ask the SBA for answers if you need help.

* Write a Business Plan, or, if you joined a home-based

business opportunity, ask the person who brought you into

the business for help in coming up with a plan.

Writing a business plan is not as scary as it seems. In most

cases, this will just be a plan of action for you -- not to

get funding for your business.

Ask yourself questions like:

- Who is your target market, and how you will build your
business?

- What are your financial goals? Long term goals for the
business?

- What is your businesses mission statement?

- How much can you invest into your business, and how will

that money be spent?

- What additional office supplies, tools, etc. will you

need to get started, and into the future, if any?

- Where do you want your business to be in one year? Three?

Five?

Again, this list may not be all-inclusive, but there are

lots of books and web sites that can help you with a

detailed plan. Try doing a search at your favorite library

or search engine. Once it's complete, you can use it as your

"success guidepost" and you'll know whether or not you're
on

track.

It took me so many years before I finally decided to take

the plunge and start a home-based business... Six to be

exact. I only wish I had done it sooner!

After owning my own home-based business for the last 5+

years, I have to say it's the best choice I ever made for

myself and my family. I decided to "change my name," so to

speak. Really I changed my circumstances! And now I cannot

imagine living any other way. If you're thinking of taking

the plunge, I say "Go For It!"

The steps you take towards reaching your goals today, will

put you that much closer to reaching them tomorrow.

Julie Frost is the Owner of http://www.YourHomeBiz.com --

where you can find, start, grow and succeed in your own

home-based business through articles, advice, a free weekly

newsletter, & more. If you're looking for a home-based

business with low start up, no inventory, that can be done

completely online please visit
http://HomeBizSuccessTeam.com

And finally, if you'd like to learn how to build your biz op

on the Internet that includes: prospecting, automated follow

up, Internet marketing, sifting and sorting, training and

more, for under $20, check out: http://www.yourhomebiz.info