The Emergence Of The Home Based Business

By Kari Leggett

In the past few decades, we as Americans have been taught to become educated or trained in a skill or range of skills so when the time comes we can get a job. Due to many factors such as the economy, our circumstances and just life happening around us, we may not be at the right place at the right time to get that perfect job we have been working towards for so many years. So what happens then? Well, we make due. We settle for whatever we can get, if we are lucky enough to find something available-a challenge especially true in the recent years since the economic crisis in 2008.

After the industrial revolution, the "job" became a common way for a person (usually a man in those times) to make a living. Up to that time, most people farmed, ranched, were store owners or had very specialized occupations. In the 1950's after the second world war, the economy was booming with many types of enterprises that created job opportunities that had not been so abundant in prior years. Going to work 5 days a week became commonplace and has continues to be the norm today.

With the introduction of the internet in the 1990s a new way of doing business was introduced. Market places were created online, opening up a world of opportunity for business startups with a fraction of the capital normally required when starting a "brick and mortar" store. It wasn't long after that, when telecommuting became an option for some employees who could log into the company computer using an internet phone line and have the ability to work from home. In heavily populated cities, the amount of time saved from commuting in heavy traffic was enough to give some employees the choice and still have good productivity.

Then the technology got better. By the mid1990s, computer networks became commonplace in most company offices. Using the internet, you could access those networks, allowing even more employees to telecommute with the intention of increasing employee productivity and job satisfaction. Families were thereby given more flexibility in balancing their personal and work lives by working both at home and at the office.

A natural progression at this point was the emergence of the home based business. A enterprising individual could start a small business working out of their home and avoid the cost of office rent, maintenance, utilities and even commuting expense. Once high speed internet became available in later years, the floodgates opened and today it is one of the most common ways a small business gets its start.

The home based business is a viable option as we are faced with the finding a solution to a changing economy and increasing demands on the family. What is important is to start a business that will remain stable in spite of these changes and once established, provide a steady income that can ride through intermittent storms.

There are pros and cons to owning your own business and working from home. Some benefits include making your own decisions, having control of your schedule, determining your pay and having the ability to coordinate your working life with your personal life. One glaring disadvantage is that you may not have a regular paycheck. You must be disciplined and focused, avoiding the distractions that naturally happen in a home environment. For parents working at home, the distraction of family is welcomed since the reason they are working at home is to be with their families. Overall, the financial and personal benefits usually outweigh the drawbacks for a person who is able to stay focused and is determined to make it work.

The HOME BASED BUSINESS has become the easy solution for those who want to make a better life for themselves and escape the confines of a pre-determined structure of how to earn a living. Rather than following the directions of an employer, determined individuals are starting their own businesses in creative ways. All it takes is finding a solution to problem or a need in the local community or even globally.
Entrepreneurship is on the rise and jobs are on the decline. This is a good time to think differently about how to thrive financially in today's economy. If you do it right, not only will your business succeed, but your self esteem will grow at the same time. The key is to find something you are interested in, or even better, that you are passionate about. It's almost guaranteed that if you start out with an interest, and your business is profitable, then you naturally become more passionate about what you are doing.

It's also important to keep this in mind: "The More You Know, The More You Grow." Seek out ways to improve yourself and your business. There are an abundance of methods for this-books. CDs, videos, MP3... and more. You will need to know your market, keep up with technology, and even more importantly, challenge yourself in ways that keep your mindset focused on your goals. Personal development as you grow your business is priceless.

Starting a home business is not tedious. In fact, there are many advantages in starting a home based business. You can enjoy the fun of working in a home atmosphere and can work at your convenient schedule. But running an own business requires lot of dedication and effort. You must know how to manage time for work and family. However, your hard work and effort would be rewarded well.

Before starting work at home business, consider the following:

1. Will you have the freedom to choose when and where to work?
2. Will the business allow you continue your current job and work at home?
3. Will the business require advertising or brochures?
4. Will the home business require heavy investment?
5. Are there any risks in starting this home business? (financial and relational risks)
6. Do you have complete training and support to improve the home business?
7. Do you have access to successful mentor?
8. Is the business one that feeds your passion?

If your answer is positive to most of the above questions, you can start a work at home business.

If you have a home computer, with an internet connection, your home business opportunities are vast. You can start a work at home internet business if you have adequate knowledge and reasonable communication skills.

Most businesses require some form of investment. Be prepared to accept this, as it is normal. The investment might be to buy some inventory or office supplies. In addition, there will likely be a need for advertising expenses to get things rolling. Advertising can take many forms-anything from distributing flyers to purchasing online marketing methods.

You can start a work at home business if you want to enjoy the fun and freedom of working at home. However take the time to get an organized plan for your business. This helps you speed up and improve your home business.

You can allot a room in your home for business purposes. Gather essentials such as an office chair, computer, supply or inventory cabinet, etc. A comfortable yet ergonomic chair is very important if you have to work for hours at the computer. Come up with a system of organization to start things out. This will be modified as you progress.

If you need to spend more time on your home business, then schedule your household routines accordingly. Time management is very important to start a home based business. You need to have the ability to prioritize your work so that you can achieve success.

Although the home based business model may not be for everyone, it is certainly on the rise. In fact, you don't really have to stay at home. With access to the internet, it is possible to work anywhere you want. One particular business model that is growing fast is network marketing. It's a great solution for those who can't afford the costs associated with starting their own businesses. Often, the parent company will offer packages that provide the software, internet tools and training for a fraction of the cost of starting a business on your own. Network marketing has the added advantage of income potential through their pay structures. Many are using social media and the power of referrals. The potential is huge for MLMs and other companies to do their network marketing online.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the existing workforce and the options for generating income. Could it be that the nine to five job and the standard work week takes a back seat as we find better ways to earn a living on this earth? Will the entrepreneur become the driving force that improves our outlook as we learn it's even possible to achieve financial independence and move on to other ways to spend our time while we are here? Only time will tell.

The window of opportunity is open. Now is a great time to start a business from home or anywhere you have an internet connection. If you can learn a few small disciplines, make a commitment, and follow the guidance of a mentor, then making a decision to start your own business could be a life changing event for you. I am here to help. For information on a business I am building right now, please give me a call at (509) 539-5360, or email me at abundanthealth4you@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kari_Leggett