Home-Based Business Kit
Description
Launch a money-making venture from the comfort of your own home.
Starting a home-based business has special challenges. From preparing the right business plan to your first successful sale, The Home-Based Business Kit gives you the tools you need to succeed and make a profit. Experienced home-based business owners give you actionable steps to:
- Write Your Business Plan
- Analyze Market Data
- Prepare a Budget
- Manage Your Time
- Handle Work-Life Balance
- Set Up Your Home Workspace
- Negotiate with Vendors
- Hire Employees
- Find Customers
- Raise Start-Up Money
Additional features include:
- Case Studies
- Checklists
- Sample Business, Marketing and Financial Plans
Now is the time to turn your skills, hobby or big idea into real money.
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Diana Brodman Summers received her JD from DePaul University College of Law in 1993 and passed the Bar Exam in Illinois. She has an undergraduate degree majoring in Business Administration and Computer Science from Roosevelt University. Currently, Ms. Summers maintains a law office concentrating on Employment Law for the employees in Lisle, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
Ms. Summers is an arbitrator for both the Cook and DuPage County mandatory arbitration programs. She is an active member of the DuPage County Bar Association, the DuPage Bar Association of Women Lawyers, and the Illinois State Bar Association. Ms. Summers has written articles and lectured on computerizing small law firms for the Illinois State Bar Association.
Ms. Summers can be reached at www.lawyer4employees.com
Content
Introduction-
10 Steps to Making Your Home-Based Business a Success -
Section I: Evaluate Your Home for Business
CHAPTER 1: Why Start a Home-Based Business? -
¿ The Desire for Financial Independence
¿ The Dream of Working for Yourself
¿ The Need to be Creative
¿ Your Personal Reasons for Starting a Home-Based Business
¿ Don't Quit Your Day Job
CHAPTER 2: Kinds of Home-Based Businesses -
¿ Providing Services to Others
¿ Professional Businesses
¿ Craft Businesses
¿ Child-Oriented Businesses
¿ Foods and Edibles
¿ eBay
¿ Portable Businesses
¿ Franchises
¿ Getting Ideas for a Home Business
CHAPTER 3: Is Your Home the Right Place for a Business? -
¿ Zoning and Other Local Laws
¿ Business Address
¿ Image
¿ Home Office Furniture
¿ Home Office Equipment
¿ Phone Lines
¿ Parking
CHAPTER 4: A Home-Based Business and Your Family -
¿ Family Support and Distractions
¿ Naysayers
¿ Friends and Neighbors
¿ Security
Section II: Start Getting Organized
CHAPTER 5: Prioritize Your Ideas -
¿ Your Time is Valuable
¿ Choose a Business You Can Grow to Love
¿ Identify Your Goals
¿ Create a Daily Activity List
¿ Analyze Your Activity List
¿ Focus Your Initiative
¿ Identify Your Business Skills
¿ Know Your Personal Limitations
¿ Develop Balance in Your Life
CHAPTER 6: Use Your Time, Wisely -
¿ Prioritize Your Tasks
¿ Plan Your Time
¿ Too Much Work and Not Enough Time
¿ Control Your Interruptions
¿ Project Scheduling Challenges
¿ Inventory Scheduling Challenges
Section III: Develop Your Plans
CHAPTER 7: Make a Business Plan -
¿ Start-Up Action Plan
¿ The Importance of a Business Plan
¿ Developing a Business Plan
¿ Writing a Business Plan
¿ Presenting Your Business Plan
¿ Putting Your Business Plan to Work
¿ Sample Business Plan
CHAPTER 8: Make a Marketing Plan -
¿ Determine the Marketability
¿ Learn About the Competition
¿ Spot Trends
¿ Think Outside the Box
¿ Write a Marketing Plan
¿ Home-Based Business Marketing Plan
¿ Truth in Advertising
¿ Implementing Your Marketing Plan
¿ Networking
¿ Set Your Pricing Policy
¿ Discounts
¿ Legal Issues for Pricing
¿ Tracking Your Prices
CHAPTER 9: Make a Financial Plan -
¿ Personal Savings
¿ Inheritance or a Gift
¿ Credit Cards
¿ Debit Cards and ATM Cards
¿ Equity in Your Home
¿ Loan from Family or Friends
¿ Promissory Note
¿ Buying on Time
¿ Renting or Leasing Equipment
¿ Line of Credit
¿ Retirement Funds
¿ Banks and Credit Unions
¿ The Small Business Administration
¿ Assistance for Veterans
¿ Budget
Section IV: Put Your Plan into Action
CHAPTER 10: Legal Considerations -
¿ State Registration
¿ Business Structure
¿ Employer Identification Number
¿ Licenses, Permits, and the Collection of Taxes
¿ Zoning Regulations
CHAPTER 11: Basic Business Setup -
¿ Naming Your Company
¿ Bank Account
¿ Credit Cards
¿ Telephone Systems
¿ Computer Hardware
¿ Computer Software
¿ Office Equipment
¿ Tips on Acquiring Equipment and Furniture
¿ Business Cards, Letterhead, and Envelopes
CHAPTER 12: Use Business Experts to Your Advantage -
¿ The Attorney
¿ The Accountant
¿ The Insurance Agent
¿ Business Records
Section V: Manage Your Business Relationships
CHAPTER 13: Working with Customers -
¿ Developing Solid Customer Relations
¿ Customer Service Principles
¿ Customer Satisfaction Policy
¿ Customer Payment Policies
¿ Preparing Invoices
¿ Extending Credit
¿ Payment Problems
¿ Refund Policies
¿ Disputes
¿ Conflict Management Policy
¿ Contracts and Customer Relationships
CHAPTER 14: Working with Vendors -
¿ Negotiation Guidelines
¿ Negotiating Contracts with Vendors
CHAPTER 15: Working with Employees -
¿ Choose the Correct Employment Category
¿ Write a Job Description
¿ Interview Process
¿ Check References
¿ The Decision Process
¿ Employment Compensation
¿ Employer Tax Responsibilities
CONCLUSION -
GLOSSARY
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APPENDIX: Secretary of State Contact Information-
INDEX -
