For many people, there is nothing more satisfying than being able to work from home, and we are no exception. When my husband and I looked at our family situation and what we truly want out of our lives, the decision was clear. Starting a home based business would be the perfect option.
Background Makes a Difference
I should probably explain the ‘family situation’ that I mentioned, as ours is different from many. I am a disabled and retired service member, now spending my time taking care of a houseful of children and I homeschool my children and take care of my home and farm, therefore, the majority of our time is spent right here…at home. My husband, by trade, is a master craftsman, specializing for years in home remodeling and construction. Kris and I both share a love of carpentry and just building in general. We are also both artists and enjoy design.
So, What’s the Next Step?
I tell you all of that for this reason. Being self employed, for many, is a terrific goal. However, you should acknowledge the importance of a few things. Make sure you have the answers before embarking on starting a home based business of your own.
1. Determine your goals.Determining your goals helps to narrow your focus. Your goals could be just about anything, but your plans need to be shaped to fit within the realm of those goals. Our goals were quite simple. We are not terribly materialistic people, so we weren’t so much looking for tons of cash flow (though, I’m sure we wouldn’t turn it down…). We simply wanted to spend our time together as a family. Therefore starting a business from home certainly fit our goals.
2. Know your skills. This seems like a no-brainer, however there are a lot of failed businesses that began because someone wanted to take advantage of a trending idea or product. They just didn’t necessarily have the skill level with that particular product category. Our business centers around our long standing talents and skills in the fields of carpentry and design, as well as all things homesteading. We know our field and we know our abilities, therefore it is a natural fit. That being said, there is no reason, in this day and age, that a person can’t gain the skill level require.
3. Know what skills that you don’t have. This is a very important point. There are so many details that go along with starting a business. Business paperwork and accounting, taxes, websites and social media, marketing, sales, and the list goes on. You don’t necessarily have to know all of these things, but you do have to prepare accordingly. There are so many different resources out there where a business owner can find assistance in areas of business that they don’t or can’t handle. Just don’t fool yourself into thinking that these things are insignificant, because they aren’t.
A Partnership, with Prayer
After looking at all of these criteria, and certainly with prayer, Kris and I determined that we could move forward with starting a business from home. It has been a wonderful choice for our family. We are looking forward to so many new and exciting adventures along the way. If you are looking at the idea of beginning your own home based business, I wish you lots of luck for future success. Just have a close and honest look at the three points above and get goin’!
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