How to Select a Home-Based Business.

First and foremost...we're not men.
Okay, that's obvious, but this is the first thing that we need to
remember when we either want to start our own business or start a
home-based business opportunity.

I must admit that I was in the
working world, and unfortunately, men had dominated the companies I was
working for. I had enough, and I knew I had escape! But when I left, I
took that male-business-mind-set with me. Needless to say, it didn't
work out once I was on my own. It took years and private coaching for
me to figure out why I wasn't successful, happy and living the dream. I
knew I had what it takes to be a successful women, but I didn't know
how to find my groove. Here is what I learned...

Women Naturally Nurture

While
men think about profits first, women aspire to help and nurture people.
When considering a business, remember this. Do you want to sell a
product or a service that can help people? Great. Then, make sure it is
a product or service that you truly believe in. You may be able to sell
something you don't believe in at first, but chances are, over time, it
will defeat you. It won't feel right, and the energy will be sucked
right out of you. You'll end up dropping it and winding up right back
where you started. Don't make that mistake like I did.

When men
seem to focus on the sale, women seek relationships. Use this strength
with business partners and customers. When you form a relationship with
someone, you are building trust. When you build trust, the future
possibilities are limitless. This relationship will have customers
coming back. This relationship may spark new partnerships, new
products, new adventures.

Command Creativity

Women also demand creativity in business more so than men. Don't forget to be creative in life, and please don't forget to be creative in business.
Being creative is fun, and business should be fun. You spend a majority
of your time working. You're darn right it should be fun. Also, when
you are being creative, you get in a zone. When you get into a zone,
your best self comes alive.

Remember this also when looking at
multi-level marketing-type businesses. Most claim to have a system that
you can easity duplicate to find success. Well, I don't know about you,
but what works for me isn't what will work for you. So, explore this.
Make sure if you start a business, you are free to market it your way.
Of course, try their way, but never feel that you have to follow it
exactly. That is a recipe for disaster.

Start with Yourself

So,
where do you start? Do you create a new business from scratch? Do you
start a franchise? Do you start a work-from-home opportunity? These are
all viable choices with the right research. Start your research but not
on the business just yet. Start the research on yourself.

1. What are your top 4 strengths?
2. What are two weaknesses?
3. What inspires you? What do you love?
4. What do others say about you? What do they compliment you on?

Don't
forget your strengths and the things in life that invigorate you. Once
you understand what makes you tick, you can start researching a
business.

A Business From Scratch

So...to
start your own business or to start a work-from-home opportunity? That
can be a very personal question. Is there something that keeps popping
up in your mind - that party planning business that you lie awake at
night thinking about? That might be a sign. Are you excited about it?
Do you have the skills to get it off the ground and sustain it? Great.
If you don't have all the skills, do you want a partner? Who
compliments you the most? Then google "party planners" and similar
phrases. Who else is doing it? Are they in your area or outside? How
would your service be different...better?

This is a great
start. Keep going. Chances are you'll know if this is what you should
do. You will feel it. You may even get other signs from outside
sources. Someone will ask you when your having your next party out of
the blue. You might overhear a woman panicking over her upcoming soirée
in the napkin aisle at the store. Pay attention to what happens in your
life when you are in this research period.

Women should
never underestimate their intuition. Often times the universe is
telling us what we so desperately want to know. Listen!

What about a Franchise?

Franchises
are more expensive to start, but they do have a duplicatable system in
placed that has proved to work. Of course, that doesn't guarantee your
success. However, most companies offer you decent support for a set
amount of time. If there is a company that you love, and they offer a
franchise, look into it. However, you love the company, but do you want
that to be the business you get out of bed for every day. Because of
the initial investment required to start a franchise, I say you have to
be 100% sure this is what you want to do because you can't just quit
tomorrow and move on. There are great opportunities available as
franchises, and in most cases, you can get assistance from the Samll
Business Association for loans and guideance.

Research starts
with a prospectus. After you sign a confidentiality agreement, the
compnay will send you a thick packet that outlines all the rules that
you would need to follow, all of the approximate costs involved, the
support and training they will offer you, and their profit and loss and
business history. This is something you should study carefully or even
have an attorny review it for you.

I haven't personally started
a franchise, but I have investigated a few. However, please seek out
more advice on this subject if you are leaning towards a franchise.

A Work-from-Home Opportunity

If
you just don't have any ideas or your own, and a franchise is out of
the question, don't worry. That is perfectly normal. You are still
thinking of branching out on your own, and that is, in-itself,
something to be proud of! You will want to research some home business
opportunities carefully. Oh boy, here we go. This can be overwhelming.
There are so many businesses out there. You won't know the scams from
the legitimates...at first.

MLM Doesn't Have to be a Dirty Word

A
lot of the work from home opportunites are multi-level-marketing
businesses. Now, "mlm" doesn't have to be a dirty word. In fact, this
can be a great thing for a women. We naturally build relationships,
remember? We like to tell our girlfriends when we finally find a good
mascara that doesn't clump. This is what we do, ladies. Don't be too
quick to discount the mlm. You may miss an opportunity that is right
for you.

Start looking at some website for moms and women
entrepreneurs. Read their forums. What are other women doing? When you
find some businesses that seem interesting to you, look at the company
websites. Do you see a way to contact a real person? If you do, call
them. If you don't...keep looking. I don't know about you, but I hate
those sites that want you to sign up first and then talk to someone
later. Half the time you don't even know what the company is about.
This is a red flag.

Talk to People!

Okay,
back to contacting a real person. Call them! You don't have to be
nervous. They're in the hot seat, not you. First, ask them what the
product or service is. Ask them what the company is all about, the
structure, how do you get paid? Does any of this sound good to you?
Second, what kind of vibe do you get from tem? Do you instantly connect
with this person? Chances are this person will be your mentor...at
least until you get the hang of the business. If you connect, be honest
with them. Tell them what is holding you back from joining? Is there a
hefty fee, is the pay-plan confusing... Give them the opportunity to
clear things up for you. Then, I would wait. Thank them for their time,
and tell them you will be in touch. I would say it is even okay to let
them follow up with you.

Conduct Thorough Research

During
this time, do more research. Google the company! Do you see a lot of
negative feedback from angry posters? You may find negative notes on
every business though. I have found that people often times like to
blame their own failures on the company and not themselves. So, take
into consideration if its a few people complaining or twenty. I also
like to use RipOffReport.com. This site will allow you to search for a
company name, person, or a product to see who is complaining, when and
why.

Take Advice with a Grain of Salt

Do
any other research you find necessary. You are also probably wondering
, should I talk it over with my husband, my best friend, my mom... This
can be a tough one. I find that not everyone is receptive or
understands our desires. Sometimes those close to us want to protect
us. Since they haven't done the research, they may assume it isn't safe
for you. They don't mean any harm but be cautious. Listen to them, but
you also have to trust your findings.

We you the one trying to
explain this new business to them. Wait a minute! Are you an expert in
this business yet? Not yet so you may not even explain it to your
friends well at all. If the company has a thorough video presentation
or phone call, you can have a loved-one listen in. That is probably
better than explaining it yourself. Other friends and family members
will be supportive. Again, they only know what you are telling them.
Take it all in, but remember to trust your instincts.

If you
feel confident that the company is legitimate, the start up costs (if
any) is reasonable for your budget, you connect with the mentor...call
them back. Ask them any remaining questions.

Try Two or Three on for Size

Do this for all the companies that attract you! I say two or three. You will probably find one that stands out.

I hope you find this useful. I wish you the best in becoming a successful entrepreneur!

About Me

I
am a successful home-business owner, designer and real estate investor
in Santa Monica, CA. I enjoy decorating, architecture, gardening and
traveling. I love spending time with my "little family". I love them so
much. I enjoy writing, movies and shopping. I still try to work on
myself everyday so that I can always evolve and reach all of my goals
while making a difference in this world.

Kudos

I
have to thank my life/business coach, Wanda Ropa. Wanda reminded me to
use my creativity and strengths in everything I do. She taught me to
listen to my intuition, and showed me how stay in the zone! If it
weren't for her guidance and support, I could never have started my
businesses nor could I be writing you today.

Contact Info

If you have any questions for me.

Christina

powermallstar@yahoo.com

http://www.freeworkfromhomebiz.com