If you're like most people, you like the idea of not having a boss but the idea of working for yourself is just a bit overwhelming. What kind of business would it be? How expensive would it be to start? How would you find customers? What skills would you need to start that business? How much money would it take to get started? Where would I start? These are all excellent questions. I know because I asked myself all of them. For many years, I was comfortable with my job income and for that reason alone, I just stayed put even though the job was not rewarding, the boss was less then appreciative, and the hours were very hard on the family situation.

Let's begin to answer these questions by doing a little research first. What kind of home business? You can begin by asking friends things like, 'Do you know anyone with a home business'? 'What do they do'? 'Is it profitable'? 'What would you do if you could'? At this point, what you are doing is testing the waters to see just where people's interests are? Also start paying attention to all those flyers that are you are receiving in your inbox and your postal box. Pay attention to what services are being advertised. Someone else has done enough research to think it is a good financial decision to advertise such and such, so add that to your list. Hopefully you are writing this list of these opportunities on paper. If it's just in your head, it doesn't count. Don't worry too much about what is on the list, just keep adding to it. You are creating a list of possibilities, that's all.

Now you have a huge list of home based jobs. You may not want any one of these but what you have done is begin to see a bigger picture. There are all kinds of people creating all kinds of different job opportunities and the opportunities are as varied as the people involved. So where do you fit into this picture?

Let's see where your interests are? Make a list of your qualities and skills (good with people, good with detail, good with numbers, excellent cook, etc) and don't forget to include special interest and hobbies (little league, soccer, gardening, natural medicine, etc). Where do personal talents come into play? Well let's say you are the best accountant the office has ever had. That's great, but if you don't enjoy it, forget it. Have you ever heard the saying, 'Do what you love and the money will follow.' How many times have you seen someone who was the absolute best at what he/she did but they had no deep interest? You want to find something that brings you joy. Yes, JOY, that is a totally new concept to the idea of work, isn't it? Where do you go from here?

So we want to match our interests and talents with what is available in the marketplace. If it is not available, a market must be created for itand that is another entire newsletter.

Let's stay within existing markets for the time being. The basic rules in business marketing are 1) satisfy a need, 2) it needs to have longevity (avoid the latest fads), 3) it should be unique (even if it is only one aspect that is different, that may be the one your customer was looking for), 4) avoid an over saturated market. They say competition is good, but that is generally geared toward the consumer, not the marketer. If you have a lot of competition, either your product must be very unique or your price must be very competitive.

To summarize then, compile an extensive list of current opportunities, then list all your skills and talents, and try to find a match. Finding your home based business niche is a process. Focus first on the outcome. You want to be able to work from home so that you can be available for family, have flexibility with your time, and freedom to take time off as necessary. Keep this focus and things just fall into place much easier.