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Main Page Site Index Getting Pregnant Pregnancy Parenting Pregnancy and Parenting Journals Fertility Nutrition Pregnant Moms Morning Sickness Women's Health Child Health	Leaping the Hurdles By Mia Cronan Anyone who has ever started his own home-based business knows how precarious the future can look, considering all the obstacles and potential pitfalls. ------------------------------------------------- It's a risk, and there is no way around that. Heck, getting into your car to drive to work everyday is a life-threatening risk some days. It's all in how you look at it. Ask yourself a variety of questions before spending that first dollar or designing that first business card: Are you willing to stick your neck out and have a few setbacks before success rolls in? If the setbacks out-number the victories for a while, would you say: I wasn't meant to work for myself, or I just haven't hit my stride yet; I need to try another approach? If you operate in the black for three months straight would you: assume you are on the road to riches and relax your efforts or standards, or build on what you've done, knowing more of the market share can be yours? If you find that your work is taking up too much time, would you scrap it, figuring that it's just too much for you, or reassess your time management, seek outside help, or eliminate a less profitable piece of your venture? You can see where this is going. The "big picture" question would be, "Are you a self-starter, or are you comfortable working in an already established business environment for which someone else is ultimately responsible and liable? There is certainly nothing wrong with the latter stance; the economy and work force need people in these positions. But you wouldn't be reading this newsletter if you fell in that category. Even the most ambitious of us naturally envision obstacles. There is a way to regard these obstacles so that they are simply turned into "challenges," to use a 90's expression. In doing so, we find it easier to jump in and take them. Here are a few thoughts on that: Is a portion of your venture looming too large for your comfort? Break it down. Let's say your forte is not paperwork; you're more of an "idea" person. You might perceive record-keeping as an obstacle. By breaking it down, you can see what needs to happen. Given the assumption that you are not in a financial position to contract this out, you will simply need to form a plan for yourself that corresponds with your work style, then stick to it. Contact your local SCORE office. They have loads of materials and software recommendations for this purpose. They can clue you in to what types of documents you will need for tax purposes. And plan to invest in some of the software. Ask the advice of an entrepreneur that you know. Draw up a schedule for yourself and post it conspicuously so you will always know what paperwork needs to go where and when, (i.e. sending out invoices, paying invoices, writing "thank you" letters, completing inventory order forms, etc.) Are you worried about financing your venture? Plan from the start to NOT draw a paycheck for yourself for quite some time. Likewise, don't stress out (unless your bills are mounting) if it goes on a year before you see the fruits of your labor. Again, your SCORE office can provide information on financing your venture with minimal interest paid. Are you worried about not being able to find enough customers? The answer here is to do your homework! Do not be a stranger to research. If you know your market, you will be in a much stronger position to succeed. Find out a few things before you jump in. How many other companies are out there that provide the service or product you do? Do any of them offer anything unique to the service or product? (Likewise, how can you do something that none of your competitors do?) What is the future of what your customers will need? Will you be providing a service or product that will be needed for many more years? Can your service or product adapt accordingly to the changing needs of your customers? What is the profile of the customers who will patronize you the most and maybe give you large volume business? Are you unsure how to set up your office or workspace? There are loads of books on this very topic. Important note here: Do not start up your venture until you have a workspace identified and set up. Find a place in your home so that: it is quiet, can be wired for a phone, fax, computer, and printer it is away or sectioned off from your family's living spaces, but close enough that you can still be an effective spouse and/or parent it is clear to others in your home that when you are in this space, you're "on the clock" and need to focus on your work you can plan plenty of time away from this workspace, and then try to put it out of your mind so that your family knows that your full attention is with them you can establish some very important rules with your children before they see you in your new routine. When you are on the phone, you are off limits unless it's an emergency. If you have a separate phone line, make sure your children know to never pick it up when it rings. (Voice mail or an answering machine would be a wise investment here. But check it often, and get right back to your callers.) Your workspace is off limits when unattended by you. Before you start, take some time to think through every barrier you may find. Don't let them discourage you; instead, look at them as opportunities to reach out and network with other like-minded folks. Ask questions, go to the library, depend on your local SCORE office, and regard your setbacks as chances to learn how to improve your methods. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mia Cronan is a married full-time mother of three girls, ages 5, 3, and 1, living in Pennsylvania. She owns and edits www.MainStreetMom.com, the magazine for modern mothers with traditional values. Mia can be reached at cronan@a1usa.net.