Looking to Start a Home Based Business? Don't Wait Until It's Too Late!
By Julie Frost   ©2004 All Rights Reserved

The trends toward starting a home based business are amazing. Statistics show that in 1992 there were about 9 million home based businesses in the United States. Now that number has jumped to over 30 million. Obviously the timing is right for YOU to start your own home business... Right? Well, maybe. I get email from people all the time, from all over the world, who want to join the rest of us who work at home. Unfortunately, many of these emails start with some- thing like this: "Please help me! I need to work at home / start a home based business right away because ..." And you can fill in the blanks here. Many times it's due to the need to take care of a sickly child or an elderly parent. Sometimes the person writing is disAbled. What I've found most common is that the person writing has a family, and a spouse that works outside of the home, but they can no longer survive on one income. So a home based business, or working from home, being so popular, seems like the perfect answer to their dilemma. And it certainly can be! With a home business, start-up costs can be kept to a minimum and ongoing costs can be low, so profits can occur much more quickly. But I would urge you: if you're tossing around the idea of starting your own business, follow the old phrase: "Dig your well before you're thirsty." Too many people wait until they are in some dire financial situation to start a home based business. Not exactly the right time to start a business... Although, for a select few, this can be exactly what they needed to take immediate, massive action. In fact, I know of one woman who was 8 months into a high risk pregnancy, with no money to pay her doctor, and $250,000.00 in debt. Then she was introduced to an opportunity, and she just went all out with it -- making nearly $7000.00 her first month. (I had the privilege of seeing this woman speak at a women's conference. Her name is Sandy Elsberg, and she is the author of a wonderful book; "Bread Winner, Bread Baker". She an inspirational woman!) But, unfortunately, stories like Sandy's are more the exception than the norm. For most of us, it takes time, effort, and yes, start-up money that will help make our businesses successful and profitable. Am I trying to discourage you from starting a home based business? On the contrary! It can be one of the most richly rewarding -- financially and personally -- experiences you ever have. It can, and should be, in my opinion, something that brings you joy and growth. But finding the home based business that is right for you may take you longer then you'd hope. Getting to a point where it is profitable may take even longer. So if you've been thinking about starting your own home based business -- start digging your well, today! Look at what brings you happiness, what you love to do, and what you CAN do, and turn those things into a thriving business! Or find a home based opportunity that "fits" you. With thousands of them out there, I'm sure there is one that could be a good match. Either way -- get started and don't quit! It can be the best thing you ever do for yourself, and your family.