Six easy steps to starting your home-based business

MCG — Most people have likely dreamed of working at home on their own business. What’s not to like? You can say goodbye to the “ol’ 9 to 5,” commuting and office gossip. Not to mention, you can be your own boss — in your slippers. It’s not difficult to make the dream of working from home into a reality. All you need is the proper amount of motivation and a detailed plan to get the ball — and the profits — rolling.

Decide first what you want to do. You can choose to be employed from home as a typist, virtual administrative assistant or transcriber. Such positions typically earn between $5 and $20 an hour, so you may not reach your financial goals with this kind of work. On the other hand, building a home business as a graphic designer, a pet groomer or through a simple mail order business selling books, tapes, videos or other products, not only offers more freedom and flexibility but can bring in an unlimited income. Here are some easy tips to help you get started:

• Schedule time to work on your business. This is especially important if you are a parent. If you have flexible hours and minimal client contact, you may be able to work around your child’s naptimes and playdates and use baby-sitters, friends and family to help out. You may also want to consider investing in professional child care, even if it’s just a few hours a day, so that you can give your work and your customers undivided attention.

• Learn how to use “direct response marketing.” Trackable and inexpensive, this marketing method is useful as you start out and can be expanded as your business grows. For more information, visit your public library or bookstore.

• Do your homework. Beware of businesses that promise “fast money” with little effort. Conduct a thorough investigation before investing your time and money in a home business venture, and contact your local chamber of commerce or Better Business Bureau to make sure the business is not a scam.

• Secure start-up capital. Pay off your high-interest credit cards to make you more financially attractive to prospective lenders. Before you begin your business, you may want to save up for basic expenses like computers, office supplies, incorporation fees and child care, if necessary. Keep complete records of all your income and expenses for income tax purposes.

• Find a mentor or mentors. Find someone who has done or is doing the kind of business you are interested in. His or her advice may prove invaluable. You may also want to look into consulting or continuing-education courses. Don’t forget to check online or page through the phone book to find local organizations that can connect you to people who are just like you.

• Do your homework. The more you research your business, the more likely you are to succeed. Ask the reference librarian at your local library for resources on how to start a home-based business. You can also look to your local chamber of commerce, the Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov) or the National Association for the Self Employed (www.nase.org) to get started.

Call this 24-hour voice mail and leave your address for a free report on how to quickly and easily set up and run a profitable unique home business, call (973) 426-9500. For a directory of 300 work-at-home programs and 167 simple home businesses you can start, covered by a 90-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee, send $19.95 plus $5 shipping and handling to The Leverage Team, LLC, 275 Route 10 East, Suite 220-340A, Succasunna, NJ 07876. Or call, (814) 236-2025.