Why start a home business?

Things are tough all over- not only are factory's closing their doors, but so are other sectors of the business world. Today I heard Starbucks and Circuit City are closing stores. People fear for their jobs. Many are considering alternatives.

Are you thinking of starting a home based business? What are you afraid of? It can't be any worse than working for someone else, unsure everyday if it will be your last day.

Working from home can be one of the best decisions a person can make. You can save a ton of money on gas, babysitters and other costs associated with working outside of the home. The everyday stress of waking up to an alarm clock, rushing the kids to day care, going to work for 8- 10 hours, and then rushing home to eat, do housework and prepare for the next day is enough to drive anyone to insanity. No wonder we are such an unhealthy society!


Fortunately, there are many home business opportunities to choose from. Selling vitamins and weight loss products, make-up and shampoo, jewelry, food, kitchenware, gifts, legal services, healthcare, credit cards, financial services, electric and telephone service and more! The great news is, most home business start up costs are minimul, usually less than dinner and a movie for two. You are your own boss, an Independent Business owner – you run your business how and when you want to. The money you make is your money - you are making your dreams come true, not someone else’s!

The money that can be made is phenomenal. Do an Internet search and you will find tons of statistics stating that there are more millionaires in Network Marketing than any other industry. Add to that great home office deduction’s and you can see why having a home business is desirable to so many.

But it is so much more than money. It is the pride you feel when you work hard, and those around you (many who may have formerly frowned upon your business) sit up and take notice. It’s about taking our lives and our families back. No more babysitters raising our children, no more missed school plays! It’s about showing our kids a different way. That they can work toward their dreams. That hard work and patience pays off.

So if owning a home business is so good, why don’t more people start one?

I really think the number one reason is fear. Most often, fear of failure. We have been conditioned since we were quite young that you go to school, and then you grow up and work for someone so that you can survive day to day. No one teaches us that we can be successful on our own. In fact, the people that love us the most are quite often our dream stealers. They are trying to look out for us. They want us to “play it safe.”

But consider this: Both Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki both have said that if they were to lose everything and have to start over, they would start a Network Marketing Business. These guys know what they are talking about!

Most people are also deathly afraid of the word “sales” and Network Marketing” . But if you think about it, you are already a Network Marketer. When you hear a great new CD, you tell your friends. They run out and buy it. Imagine if you got paid for every time you told your friend to buy that CD and they did? That’s all you are doing with your home business.

“ But, I have no money, no time, and besides, I don’t know how ……”

I heard a great saying on the radio the other day – “Inch by inch, anything’s a cinch!” That goes for funding, building and maintaining your business. If you do not have the money to start and you are deadly serious about changing your life, you will find the money. You may have to sacrifice pizza and a movie for a few weeks, or even buy one less video game for J.R. But by putting that money into your own home business, you are creating a legacy that you can leave to your loved ones. And they can help you with the business,too. What a great hands on education into the world of business. Many children of Network Marketers wanted to own a home business themselves.

Once you have the money to start, you need to eek out the time. Wake up ½ hr earlier or go to bed ½ later. Forget the Seinfeld repeats (my favorite!) Take that time to do any training. But don’t get so wrapped up in learning EVERYTHING that you never get started. I have had people call me after 3 weeks and say they are quitting because they haven’t made any money. I want to say, “You haven’t worked yet!” People need to understand that they can be making a better income than a brain surgeon in 2-4 years- but the fact of the matter is, just like a brain surgeon it doesn’t happen overnight. A surgeon goes through years of school, which they have to pay for. Network Marketers are also learning a new trade, or “going to school”. It just doesn’t take as long, and they can“earn while they learn”.

As mentioned earlier, there is usually a start up fee associated with a home business. If you were starting a Mc Donald's franchise, you would have to pay for that franchise. You cannot expect a company to send you a marketing kit, set up your websites, and even sometimes offer benefits for nothing. This is your business.

There are usually monthly fees or dues as well. These cover many services. When compared to paying for each service separately, it is usually a steal. A drop in the bucket when you see the big picture. I know. I started a business doing something else a few years ago and had to pay for and design my own websites, do my own accounting, answer customer questions, the whole 9 yards. This left me no money or time to market the danged business! Pay a small monthly fee? Ok!

The important thing to remember is to find something you can love. If you have a flair for fashion, perhaps a home business with jewelry and other accessories is where your success would lie. If you love make up and perfume, there are plenty of home business that offer those products. If you like helping others save money, there are home business that offer utilities, telephone, health benefits and more. Sometimes, it takes trying a few home businesses on before you find a good fit.

If a company says you will make $3,000 in 2 hours, put up the red flags! $3,000 a month after a couple of years, yes. Look at the people in the company. Do they have many successful people, or only a handful? Is their training duplicatable? You want to walk in, get trained and get to work. You don't want to have to create brochures, flyers, webpages and such. Learn the system and earn. Continue to learn as you earn and watch your paycheck grow.

And that is the beauty of a home business- you can do what you love, when you want and how you want. The question is- how bad do you want it?

Where will you be this time next year?

Carolee Sperry

Regional Sales Director

AmeriPlan

Yahoo IM: carolee_sperry

1-800-918-5154