As with everything in life there are pro’s and con’s to working from home. It’s not as easy as it sounds. It requires a lot of discipline, organization, time and effort just to name a few things. Below is a list of pro’s and con’s to consider before you venture out into a world of working from home.

Pro’s

• You are your own boss. There’s no one there to tell you how to run your business. You are your own backbone. You’re on your own.
• Schedule. You can set your own hours. You decide when you are going to sit down and actually work. There is no “schedule” unless you create one and abide by it.
• Investment. There’s little or no investment in owning your own home business. Most advertising online is free and you can gain a wealth of clients merely by networking.
• Pay day. You pay yourself! Hey, you don’t have to wait until Friday to get that pay check. You can pay yourself any day you want.

Con’s

• Discipline. Without the proper discipline you are setting yourself up for failure. You have to understand that a business, no matter how small, will never run itself. You can’t get up and run out for milk or stop to watch your favorite show, or decide to go have coffee with friends in the middle of your work day. Just because you are not “in a working office environment” doesn’t mean you are free to do as you please. It’s your business, and it will only succeed if you make it.
• Time. Timing is everything. Your new business is going to take up an enormous amount of time at first. Set boundaries! Create a working schedule that will allow you to work during working hours, and create separate schedule for personal projects (laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc) Pretend you are “going to work” every day.
• Laziness. I have to admit, this was one of my major downfalls. I got LAZY! At first I started out fine, I had a schedule. I woke up, got dressed like I was going to work but casual, dropped the kids at school, then hit my home office (which is in my living room) and started my day on the computer. As time passed I started getting lazy. My house was sloppy, I stopped getting “dressed for work” and was sitting here in my pj’s with a scrunchie holding my hair up, no make up and feeling super crummy, totally unproductive, and depressed. It’s all in the presentation they say. Get lazy, you will lack motivation. Lack of motivation leads to depression. Don’t fall into that slump.
• Socialization. Schedule your social life around your work life, the same as if you worked a 9-5. Don’t be swayed by friends who say “Oh, but you work from home so you have all the free time you want”. Kindly explain that if the work doesn’t get done, you don’t get paid. They will understand.

“Ten Steps to Work at Home Success”

1. Find your Niche- What type of business do you want to start? There are many different avenues to take here so really think about it before you begin. Here are a few ideas to start: Arts and crafts, business consulting, child care, child proofing services, personal assistant, professional letter writer, event planner, pc repair, home decorator, home staging, personal shopper, financial planner. 25 Businesses You Can Start and Run From Home.

2. 2.Create a Business Plan- You will need some type of business plan to help guide you through the proper steps when forming your business. If you don’t know how to create one SBA.gov offers a step by step business plan guide and business plan workshops along with a complete guide to owning and operating your own business.

3. 3.Find a Mentor- This could be a major link to your success. Find someone who has accomplished and succeeded with the type of business you are interested in. Spend a lot of time with them. Learn as much as you can. If you have any reservations this is the person you can rely on for honest answers to your questions.

4. 4.Business Name/Domain Name- Your business name has to stand out from the rest. Think of something catchy, fun, exciting, and different from the rest. For instance, implement your name into your business; Rachel’s Rib’s (bbq rib joint), Crystal’s Cut’s (hairdresser). Your business name has to be memorable. Also remember your business name should match your domain name. Before you register a business name make sure it is available as a domain name. Dotster.com , Network Solutions , and www.GoDaddy.com are trusted domain and web hosting companies.

5. 5.Get licenses and permits where required- Yes you need a business license to conduct business. Decide what structure your business will be, and then obtain ALL required licenses and permits that your state requires. Different types of ownerships include sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, and limited liability companies. Only you can decide which structure fits your needs.

6. 6.Location- You want to set up your home office in a comfortable place in your home, where there is little distraction, bright colors, and good lighting. Since this is a work from home job you don’t need to find a physical location unless you are planning to hire employees and need an actual office space.

7. 7.Build a Website- You will need a creative website with a strong web presence to market your business. DreamTemplate - Offers 1000's of web templates. Pay once, unlimited downloads! Have a passion for something, try SiteSell.com.

8. 8.Market and Sell- Once you’ve completed all the steps above you are ready to launch. This is the best part of becoming and internet entrepreneur. The sky is the limit. Create HTML emails, newsletters. This is inexpensive and highly effective - Free Trial

9. 9.Taxes- The structure of your business will determine what taxes you must pay and how you pay them. A good accountant to make sure you are paying your fair share and your deductibles are applied fairly. Visit the IRS Official Website for more information regarding taxes.

10. 10.Grow Your Business- There’s no rule that says your internet business has to stay on the internet. Branch out, network, meet other business owners, offer your products and services and watch your business GROW!

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