Ten Important Steps to Starting a Home Business

Ten Important Steps to Starting Your Home Business

1. Decide on the kind of business you want to start

This is probably the most important step you will make. Why? If you choose something that you do not have a passion for you will fail or you will be miserable. Ideally, you want to do something that does not feel like a job. Something that you truly enjoy doing every day because you are going to spend many hours working this business, you may as well enjoy it.

2. Check zoning laws in your area

Once you decide on the type of home business, you want to run you will need to check the zoning laws in your area to make sure you CAN run a home business. Yes, sometimes city zones are set up in such a way that you cannot have certain businesses in your home. You should find out about this before you invest too much time into your new business idea. Even if the zoning laws are against you, you can petition to have the zone changed or you can seek to rent an office. In some instances, you can rent an office for as little as $100 a month.


3. Name your business.

Pick a name that can grow with you and that is catchy and easy to remember. You could also use your name. I like names that tell you what the business does in the title. Such as, “Bob’s Handyman Service”, this name gives you an idea of what Bob does. When running a business out of your home this will help cut down on advertising costs. A nice car decal that says Bob’s Handyman Service and a phone number will work wonders. Where as a made up name or word would not be very clear without a lot of marketing.

4. Register your business name and get the appropriate licenses and permits from your city, county and state.

Yes, this is necessary. You can find out information about this by checking with your city offices, local universities, and chamber of commerce.

5. Write a business plan.