5 Ideas For Your Home Business

Many people have lost their jobs and are finding it extremely difficult to find new jobs.  The recession has affected many businesses that have had no alternative but to close their doors.  This environment of joblessness has prompted many to look for opportunities to start a home business.  The one problem that people face is what type of home business to start.  The best option if you are undecided is to make use of your qualifications, skills and experience gained during your career.  However, this is not your only option and you may well want to venture into something new.

Accounting and Tax Consulting

If you have experience in the accounting or bookkeeping field, you could offer prospective clients a bookkeeping service.  If you are a qualified accountant with the necessary certification to undertake audits and sign financial statements, you can open an accounting practice.  Many small and medium-sized companies look for bookkeepers to do the full bookkeeping function for them.  A good idea is to offer a package service where you do absolutely everything from books of prime entry through to financial statements and tax returns.  Arrange to do all this for a monthly fee.  For companies where they do not require a full service, you could charge on a consulting basis.  

To do this from home, you may have to invest in office and computer equipment, if you do not already have it.

Telephone Answering Service

Many sole traders have realized that because their telephone is not answered promptly, they are losing trade to more efficient businesses.  Most clients who call a business service expect the telephone to be answered by a live person, not an answering machine.  It annoys customers when they go to voice-mail and many of them simply hang up and go elsewhere.  Offering these business people an answering service is a low overhead, easy to setup home business.

You will have to make a decision regarding the level of answering service you wish to offer.  The service could be offered on an ad-hoc basis, full time, 24-hours, or business hours only.  A decision must be made as to whether you will be available on public holidays and over the weekend.

Playgroup

If you are a parent who wishes to spend time with your small children, you could start a home playgroup scheme.  This could be set up as a half-day venture to allow other mothers time for their own home-based businesses.  You could offer the service as a full day option as this will suit parents who work full-time.  If you offer a full-day service, you will require assistance if you have several children to care for. 

Online Opportunities

There are many online opportunities for home businesses.  There are several online job sites where there are transcription, writing and other types of jobs available.  Your online options are endless.

Before you start a home business, you must check if your local council has any special regulations regarding the requirements for a home business.  You need to register as a self-employed person with the Inland Revenue Service if you do not intend to form a company.

How to Start Your Own Profitable ebay Home Business

Many individuals have successful work-at-home businesses selling products on ebay. If that sounds interesting to you, why not try it yourself? Once you have made the decision to start your own ebay home business, here are some suggestions to help you get started. 

Make sure you have a good digital camera. Every product you put up for sale should include several clear photographs from different angles. Use outdoor lighting when possible and make sure the photos are close ups.

Set aside a designated amount of time each week to work at your business. Don't become distracted. Remember this is a business and not a hobby. It is important to treat it just as seriously as any other owner treats their brick and mortar business. 

Good feedback is essential on ebay. To start off,  list just a few insignificant things and sell them at a low price. Make sure your customer is happy and is willing to give you positive feedback. Once you have 20 separate positive feed backs you are entitled to additional privileges as an ebay seller.

Find a way to accept debit and credit cards. The easiest way to do this is to sign up for a PayPal account. You can also use snail mail and accept money orders or cashiers checks. Don't take regular checks and be cautious before you accept buyers from third world countries. There was an outbreak of buyers in Nigeria using stolen credit cards. When accepting payment from overseas it is best to accept only PayPal.

Watch your listings closely. When people ask questions answer them immediately. This will keep your customers happy and will earn you positive feedback. Always know when each auction is due to close and then act immediately once it closes. Always keep a professional attitude and treat every transaction seriously. 

Ship sold items immediately upon receipt of payment. This is vital because nothing will earn you negative feedback faster than slow shipments. Make sure that you fully disclose how your items will be shipped and what you will be charging for shipping and handling.  Don't overcharge for shipping and handling, but don't cheat yourself either. 

Learn how to package and ship your items safely and efficiently. You don't want items to arrive broken or crushed. You can actually use PayPal now to print shipping labels for the post office. Take the time to learn about all the different shipping options available to you.  

Learn all the ways you can save money on ebay. For instance, you don't have to pay an additional charge for each photo you post. You can join a photo hosting site, upload your photos onto this site, and then post them on ebay at no cost.  Learn about the different ebay stores and programs. Start off with as little expense as possible and more add features (if you need them) as you start making money. 

Many individuals just like you have started their own home businesses selling products on ebay and have been very successful.  There is no reason why you can't be successful, too. Once you make the decision to get started, work hard at it and follow these helpful suggestions.

How to Started Your Own Business From Home

When I was younger, I told myself that I wanted to be a teacher. School was so thrilling to me and I wanted to give that same excitement to others. By the time I finished school, I was on a different path. I started working in medical administration and I really liked it. Working in an office all day seems boring to most people, but I liked the idea of eight hour shifts and simple to follow instructions.

In 2005 I made a huge mistake that would affect my career tremendously. I went out on New Year's Day and ended up having too much to drink. I got into a bar fight and I hurt someone pretty badly. I regretted my mistake immediately, but that wasn't enough to stop me from getting a criminal record. I lost my job once they found out about this and I had a very hard time looking for something else.

I started working for temporary agencies, but it was a pain to be fired every time my past transgressions came to light. I decided then that it was up to me to start my own business. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I was capable of creating my own opportunities. I have always been a pretty decent cook, so I decided to try my hand at catering.

I went online and checked out all of the zoning laws in my area. I wanted to find out if I was required to have any special licenses to run a food service business from my own. Luckily for me, my state is pretty lax about things like this. I went out and purchased one of those stoves that have six burners. It was pretty expensive, but I knew if I became a success it would more than pay for itself.

The next thing I did was run a few surveys online for people in my area. I tried to get a good idea of what types of dishes I should offer. I wasn't sure if I should go the traditional route and make canapes and finger sandwiches, or if i should go out of the box and make some foods that are not readily available where I live. I decided on the latter since there are so many caterers around here that offer a lot of the same thing.

I went online and created a great website, well I thought it was good until my friends told me it wasn't. This prompted me to hire a web design firm to build my site. After they were done, I realized that my business picked up right away. I am swamped every weekend with orders from people all over the area. I never thought I would be this popular, and I am thankful for this opportunity to show everyone that I can do for myself. My story is proof that a bad situation doesn't have to be the end of your life.

Roof Repair and Maintenance Tips

The easiest way to handle roof-related problems is to use the services of a professional roofing contracting company to perform an inspection of the roof at least one time every year. With the proper examination, the professional can inspect the roof covering (metal, tile, shingles, etc.) to make sure of its structural integrity.

Part of the inspection by the professional roofer will include evaluating the flashing to ensure it is working properly and preventing seepage of water into the roof. The overall roof is designed to maximize water drainage to ensure it carries it effectively away from the home. Inspection will also include looking in the attic to see if there are any noticeable signs of warped rafters, significant water damage, or any other indications of water problems.

Gutters & Downspouts

The easiest way to maintain the roof is to clean it two times every year. This means removing small branches, leaves, and any other debris out of the gutters and down spouts, along with the downspout extensions. This will ensure that the water can properly move away from the home. If there is any sign of a sagging gutter, or any component of the gutter system is clogged, it may need to be repaired or replaced to ensure it properly functions.

Missing Shingles and Tiles

If there are any noticeable signs of missing shingles and tiles, this may indicate that there is significant damage to the roof. Even one or two missing shingles can cause water to leak into the roof, then into the attic, and finally through the ceiling of the home. Any sign of missing shingles and tiles should make the homeowner call a professional to have it repaired as quickly as possible.

Repair or Replacement

Like every component in the home, the roof will have its own specified lifespan. As a roof ages, many of the components become worn out and ineffective, making the roof susceptible to leaking. A reputable roofing company can complete an inspection to determine if any of the damage or aging to the roof can be fixed with repair, or if a complete replacement of the roof system is required.

It is imperative to take the time and get at least two quotes from reputable companies to ensure a good price with quality products. Have each roofing estimator make a notation on the quote as to the materials that will be used along with its grading and rating. In addition, the quote should indicate the length and substance of the warranty on both the materials used, and the workmanship involved.

With proper ventilation and quality insulation in the attic system, the roof can last far longer than its design. However, improper ventilation can cause significant damage to the sheathing and rafters, making it highly susceptible to rot. Additionally, the shingles can buckle and eventually make the insulation much less effective.

These few essential tips can help maximize the longevity of the roofing system. It is one of the most important home improvement projects around the home.

How To Start Home Bussines With Limited Money

If you want to be self-employed and become your own boss, you know that starting your own home based business is the root of your success. You don't have to have a lot of money to start your own home business, in fact, you can start today with limited funds. Consider some of the savvy home business ideas below to get you started.

If you live in a larger city, it may make sense to you to start your own delivery business. The price of gas seems to be evening out a bit, and it can be a smart business decision. All you need to do is print some flyers, charge less than competitors and prepare to start working.

eBay offers you the chance to start your own online business selling used items. If you enjoy checking out thrift shops or yard sales, all you need to do is acquire items that others are sure to want. Almost anything sells on eBay, all you need are good pictures and keywords that appeal to the masses.

House cleaning is a business that is tried and true and can earn significant income. If you get lucky, you may be even offered commercial contracts. All you need are a few cleaning supplies and flyers to get you started.

Simple services such as cleaning the yard, mowing the lawn or snow removal are still needed. The Internet may be booming, but simple physical work still needs to get done. The way to beat the competition is to offer competitive pricing.

Pet-sitting is a fun business to start earning some extra income in. It may not make you self-sufficient, but it can certainly put some money in your pocket. The more dogs you sit at the same time, the more money that comes rolling in.

If you love working in a garden, you can offer your gardening services. It can range from tending to plants as well as leaf removal in the early fall months. Keep in mind that this type of work can become seasonal and you may not be able to do this all year round.

Removing junk for people can become a lucrative business too. All you need is a good pick-up truck and a couple of ads displayed to help you start this home business.

Consider becoming an independent sales rep for reputable companies such as Avon or Stampin' Up. This type of work pays best if you know a lot of people you can promote to through word-of-mouth and you sell different types of products from a myriad of companies. The more products you promote, the better your chances of selling them.

In this world, it is hard to find a good job that you not only love doing, but initially pays well for your efforts. Most people who want to become self-employed just don't really know where to start. Consider some of the great and lucrative business ideas from this article to help you get started!

Home Businesses For The Single Mom

Being a single mom can present many challenges to parenting. Not only are you mom, you also may have to fill the shoes of dad. Working can be a challenge and you'll have to cover child care costs unless you're working during school hours. Finding jobs you can do from home may be the easiest way to stay afloat while your child is too young for school.

Day Care

You could run a day care from your home and take care of other children. Your child would have playmates and you'd be making some money. Some states require licensing for this but it's not a difficult process. 

Virtual Assistant

If you've had office experience you may want to work as a virtual assistant. You won't need a lot of clients and you can sometimes pick up a former employer as a client in this situation. They already know you and your work so many times they are more than willing to hire you as a virtual assistant. You'll be responsible for a variety of tasks mostly using the computer. You can plan to work at your leisure as long as your little one allows you to work. Many moms choose to work during nap times, get up earlier and stay up after their little one gets to bed to make up their hours. 

Social Media Expert

This job is ideal for the work from home mom. You will set up pages for businesses on social media sites. You will then update these sites daily, every other day, weekly or however the business wishes for you to do it. They will communicate with you via phone or email. 

Build Websites

You can build websites for businesses. Many businesses pay big money to have someone build them a website. You can easily learn to do this in your spare time and make some money.

Seamstress

If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can work as a seamstress. You can charge something like $2 per pair to hem pants or $2 per skirt etc. Call or stop into local thrift stores and offer your services for clients or offer to mend clothing at a reasonable fee and then bring it back. You may find you have a lot of work available to you. 

Mentor

Mentor teen moms. Teach them how to be a good mom. There are many programs looking for good mom role models to do this sort of thing.

Tutoring

If you're good in a specific subject you might be a great tutor. Leave your card with local home schooling associations, school districts, colleges, libraries and the like. You may find you have more business than you know what to do with.

Teach a Musical Instrument

If you play piano, guitar, violin etc. You could teach music lessons. Many parents pay up to $50 per hour for these lessons. Most areas vary from $15 to $25 but more advanced lessons cost more.

Working from home takes determination and energy but if you're determined to not pay child care costs for your own child these ideas may just keep you afloat.

Home Business Ideas: A Sure Way to Generate Money in the House

At some point, nearly everyone has dreamt of leaving their current position at work, and finding some way to generate income at home. Developing a home business that is successful at generating income can be challenging for many individuals. However, it is not impossible to start a home business.

Usually, the number one reason that most people cannot get a home business up and running is the lack of capital. However, not every business run out of the house requires an extensive amount of cash. Many service industries including babysitting, dog walking, carpet cleaning and other businesses have started out of the back office, or in the garage at home.

With nothing more than a quality marketing plan, a good business plan, and determination, nearly anyone can start a home business. By looking around the home, it is easy to determine exactly what types of tools and equipment you already have.

Looking in the garage, and out in the backyard, you might see that you have everything necessary to begin a lawn and garden service business, and run it out of the house. You can offer commercial and residential lawn care service. You probably already have the tools that can help with trimming, lawn cutting, edging, and clipping removal.

Many home-style baking companies that offer their goods online, or at the local grocery store, have often started in someone’s kitchen. You likely already have the tools to make pies, bake cakes, or create delicious baked goods that can be sold to local grocers and retailers.

If you or your spouse is good with computers, consider starting up a computer consulting business that can be run out of the home. As a home business, you can provide quick reliable technical assistance for computers, laptops and other electronic equipment.

Finding Capital

Some businesses simply require capital to start, even those that are run out of the house. However, you can significantly reduce the amount of risk that is generated by a start up home business. Without money, you might be able to use any type of collateral including equity in the home as a way to take out a small loan to begin the home business.

While you might not have the funds necessary to hire employees, consider a start up company that does not require additional help. A successful entrepreneur that creates their own home business is one that is resourceful, and understands exactly what is required, which is usually blood, sweat and motivation.

A Business Plan

Just like a road map to get to any destination, a quality business plan that has been well-developed will help you along your journey in creating a successful at-home business. There are many places online that offer free advice on exactly how to develop a quality business plan to use as a guideline in starting your home business.

There are many opportunities available to create a home business and generate income so you can leave your day job. With enough motivation, the right skills and a few tools, you can quickly become successful at home.