Home-Based Business Owners Should Be Taken Seriously

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Home-based businesses are starting to be looked at as an important economic driver.  It's not just about those envelope stuffing businesses that you see in the classified section of magazines, or medical transcription moms (MTM's) seeking out a part-time income while their toddlers are running amok around the house.  There are some pretty substantial businesses being operated out of nicely appointed home offices.

Last year around this time, my economy was in a downturn, and I made the decision to move my Chagrin Blvd. office to my house it was a decision that I didn't take lightly, and dicussed it with many folks.  I clearly remember talking with Bruce Hennes of Hennes Paytner Communications about my possible move.  My fear was that I wouldn't be taken as seriously without a Chagrin Blvd. address, he told me that "Folks just want to make sure that they are dealing with a professional.  They don't really care where his or her office is, as long as the person gets the job done."  Thart conversation and others I had with local professionals who were home-based helped me make the decision to move my office to the house.

Did you know that successful home-based business owners now provide at least 50% of their overall household income?

That means that some home-based business owners (Some of them franchise businesses) could be laughing all the way to their banks, while you are sitting in your corporate cubicle.  That's not that funny.

Home-based does not mean you're at home a lot, sometimes.  But, there are some very attractive things about the home-based business model;

    * Low cost of entry
    * Low inventory costs
    * Low number of employees
    * Faster break-even potential
    * Lower rent
    * Possible tax advantages

There are several myths associated with home-based businesses, and in her recent article, Anita Campbell, a home-based business owner herself, dispelled a few.  Here's one of my favorites;

Myth: Home-based businesses are short-lived.

    * Reality: Nearly half of the homepreneurs in the survey had been in business for more than 15 years.  Just 20%  had been in business for less than five years.

You should read the rest of Anita's article over at Small Business Trends.  There are lots of surprising facts.

To all of you home-based business owners; Keep on keepin on!  Remember that COSE has a great resource for Home Based Businesses.