The Official Home-Based Business Blog for Small and Home-Based Businesses with expert Helene Liatsos!
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Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
Top 5 Skills to Operating a Home-Based Business
You have a great idea for a home-based business, but do you have the skills to start a business and run it successfully? So many people come to me for help in getting their business off the ground; some really listen and take the steps needed to put it all together while others determine that its too much work so they don't pursue it. A successful entrepreneur has the skills that propels them forward to achieve their goals. Here are the top 5 skills that you should have:
1. Motivation: the desire to achieve. What are your goals? How strongly are you dedicated to your goals? How much time, energy and money are you willing to spend to get to where you want to be? Lots of people say they want to have a home-based business thinking it would be easier than having a job. They like the idea of no traffic, a flexible schedule and doing what they love to do. But once they discover that it takes a lot of hard work to run a business, they opt out. The motivation is not there - they just see the perks. Staying focused on the end result is the key to success; it is after all, a journey.
2, Independence: ability to function without supervision. Not having a boss is ideal for all of us! The flip side to this is not getting any direction at all. And that is crucial to how you operate your business. I know a woman who tried to work at home; she set up her office, got all the equipment ready, sought out clients and then, found she could not get the work done. She felt paralyzed and depressed. She didn't know where to begin. She needed to have co-workers to discuss and exchange ideas with; she wanted a more social stimulation throughout the day. Sadly, after much money and time being spent, she went back to getting a job.
3. Discipline: the ability to stick to it! There are many distractions when you work at home. Can you resist taking a nap in the middle of the afternoon? Does the television seduce you to waste away the hours watching your favorite shows? Is Social Media preventing you from getting work done? Well, you need to stop this type of activity. Each day should have a plan - what do I want to achieve today? I make that list the day before, so when I get to my desk in the morning my plan is already laid out. Of course, there are often interruptions with client demands or new opportunities to pursue. But I can tell you, as I go through my tasks and cross them off my list, that bowl of ice cream that I set up as a reward gets closer and closer!
4. Communication: the ability to convey your message so others understand it. This includes speaking and writing skills. It's one thing to have great brain activity burning with great concepts and ideas; but if you can't put them down on paper or speak them articulately then they are lost. It would be a great investment of your time to learn how to write and speak clearly; these type of classes are available everywhere and a well worth it.
5. Expertise in their field: are you GREAT at what you do? I am often asked "my neighbor sells vitamins online and does really well...do you think I should do this too?". Well, yes and no. If you know the vitamin industry well, if you understand the competition, if you want to spend your time sitting at the computer all day long...then yes. But if you don't know anything about the vitamin industry and would prefer working out of doors for most of your day, then this is not for you. The successful entrepreneurs pick what they know best and make it a business. They don't waste time trying to learn a business. Sometimes people they are going to start two businesses at once because they can't decide which one they like the best. Well I say: Don't do it! You must focus and concentrate on one business to be really good at....people don't want to use a plumber who also runs a catering company. I want to hire the best plumber around - not some one works at it part time. Be the EXPERT in your field so people are confident that you are the best around!
Take the time to understand you weaknesses and strengths as a home-based business owner. Educate yourself on things you don't know how to do such as accounting or marketing. By single-minded with your goals and don't lose heart over obstacles or problems. We all have them. The winners are those that get up one more time, dust themselves off and go at it again.
Be well....Helene
www.thehome-office.com
1. Motivation: the desire to achieve. What are your goals? How strongly are you dedicated to your goals? How much time, energy and money are you willing to spend to get to where you want to be? Lots of people say they want to have a home-based business thinking it would be easier than having a job. They like the idea of no traffic, a flexible schedule and doing what they love to do. But once they discover that it takes a lot of hard work to run a business, they opt out. The motivation is not there - they just see the perks. Staying focused on the end result is the key to success; it is after all, a journey.
2, Independence: ability to function without supervision. Not having a boss is ideal for all of us! The flip side to this is not getting any direction at all. And that is crucial to how you operate your business. I know a woman who tried to work at home; she set up her office, got all the equipment ready, sought out clients and then, found she could not get the work done. She felt paralyzed and depressed. She didn't know where to begin. She needed to have co-workers to discuss and exchange ideas with; she wanted a more social stimulation throughout the day. Sadly, after much money and time being spent, she went back to getting a job.
3. Discipline: the ability to stick to it! There are many distractions when you work at home. Can you resist taking a nap in the middle of the afternoon? Does the television seduce you to waste away the hours watching your favorite shows? Is Social Media preventing you from getting work done? Well, you need to stop this type of activity. Each day should have a plan - what do I want to achieve today? I make that list the day before, so when I get to my desk in the morning my plan is already laid out. Of course, there are often interruptions with client demands or new opportunities to pursue. But I can tell you, as I go through my tasks and cross them off my list, that bowl of ice cream that I set up as a reward gets closer and closer!
4. Communication: the ability to convey your message so others understand it. This includes speaking and writing skills. It's one thing to have great brain activity burning with great concepts and ideas; but if you can't put them down on paper or speak them articulately then they are lost. It would be a great investment of your time to learn how to write and speak clearly; these type of classes are available everywhere and a well worth it.
5. Expertise in their field: are you GREAT at what you do? I am often asked "my neighbor sells vitamins online and does really well...do you think I should do this too?". Well, yes and no. If you know the vitamin industry well, if you understand the competition, if you want to spend your time sitting at the computer all day long...then yes. But if you don't know anything about the vitamin industry and would prefer working out of doors for most of your day, then this is not for you. The successful entrepreneurs pick what they know best and make it a business. They don't waste time trying to learn a business. Sometimes people they are going to start two businesses at once because they can't decide which one they like the best. Well I say: Don't do it! You must focus and concentrate on one business to be really good at....people don't want to use a plumber who also runs a catering company. I want to hire the best plumber around - not some one works at it part time. Be the EXPERT in your field so people are confident that you are the best around!
Take the time to understand you weaknesses and strengths as a home-based business owner. Educate yourself on things you don't know how to do such as accounting or marketing. By single-minded with your goals and don't lose heart over obstacles or problems. We all have them. The winners are those that get up one more time, dust themselves off and go at it again.
Be well....Helene
www.thehome-office.com
Friday, July 15, 2011
Home-Based Business Insurance
Home-Based Business Insurance
Home Office Management Experts
www.thehome-office.com
SUMMER SALE: 1/2 Price on DVD: How to Start and Operate Your Own Home-Based Business
One area that most start-up home-based business owners ignore or just plain don’t think of is Insurance. And yet, it is so vital to the way we live and the way we conduct our business. Types of insurance vary so it is important that you take the time to consider what the requirements are for your home-based business and for your family. Here is a checklist of what you should be reviewing:
1. Health – everyone needs this; so if you don’t have a spouse or other family member that can include you, you must obtain a policy that will cover you and your dependents. Additional coverage will be needed for dental, vision, etc.
2. Life – this will ensure that your dependents will be taken care of in the event of your demise.
3. General Liability – clients, delivery people, etc. will be coming to your home; you need to be covered in the event they get hurt while they are in your home or on your property. You will also need coverage for your visits to your client’s home or business in case you break something or lose their files or products. Also, take a look at your automobile policy. If you are carrying things that belong to your clients and they get damaged or stolen, you will need to be covered.
4. Business Property – you might want to consider insurance that will protect inventory, equipment, etc. from fire, flood and theft.
5. Business Interruption – if and when a natural catastrophe occurs and you cannot work right away, this type of coverage will provide funds you will need to live on until you can resume your business activities.
6. Disability - if you are injured or ill, this insurance will supply financial assistance until you are back on your feet.
Every business owner should take the time to consult with an insurance broker. He or she will explain what each type of insurance covers and what the cost would be. For peace of mind, it is worth every penny you spend. Every home-based business owner should be smart enough to know that!
Helene K. Liatsos
The Home-Based Business Expert!Home Office Management Experts
www.thehome-office.com
SUMMER SALE: 1/2 Price on DVD: How to Start and Operate Your Own Home-Based Business
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Home-Based Businesses Today
Did you know that according to the US Census Bureau, 51.6% of all US Business are operated from home! That’s more than half! Here are more statistics: Most home-based businesses are small:
1. 93.1% have annual revenues of less than $250,000
2. 57.1% have revenues of less than $25,000
3. 62.9% have no employees
Love what you do and live the life you love!
Helene
1. 93.1% have annual revenues of less than $250,000
2. 57.1% have revenues of less than $25,000
3. 62.9% have no employees
The reports point to the rise of technology and the Internet which have made it possible to run a business in your home. And, even though, some city, state and/or homeowner association rules limit the type and scope of your home-based business, the fact reminds that more and more people are taking control of how they earn their living by starting their own business in their own homes. Home-based businesses are no longer a trend; they are a bona-fide business sector of the economy…hurrah for us!
The driving force for all home-based business, however, is still rooted in individual inspiration, motivation and determination. The home-based business owner has decided to create something of their own. They have the idea and the fortitude to forge ahead and design a new way to live and work for themselves and for their family. They work long hours, they do exhaustive research and planning and then they take the risk. Without this strength and courage, all the technology in the world would not be of value to anyone. Much like any other tool you have in your home, the value is when you pick it up and use it…that is the key. Many people come to my classes or take my online course - they are eager to learn more about starting a home-based business; but, alas, less than one-half actually do so. They see that it requires much more than they anticipated. Someone told me that they wanted to start a home-based business because it would be less stressful. Really, I hadn’t noticed. It took me over twenty years to establish myself as The Home-Based Business Expert and I vividly remember all the obstacles I had to overcome and the challenges I faced to get to this point in my career – and I am still growing and learning as I move into the next phase of my business. Technology certainly made it easier, but what it really took was true grit!
Love what you do and live the life you love!
Helene
Monday, May 16, 2011
Oh Lonesome Me...Home-Based Business Perception?
The other day I sat around the table with a group of people I didn’t know all that well; some I had met before, but never really got to know or bond with; we chatted about this and that and then one of the women stated that she called home and it was pouring rain…she was happy she wasn’t there, but then she said she often works at home so it would have been a day she stayed home. With a bit of prompting, she went on to say that she worked in a call center environment and although she was allowed to work at home, she found that she didn’t really like it. Others chimed in and said that they thought that working at home was too lonely; they need the companionship of co-workers to get the work done. There were approximately 6 people having this conversation and they were all in agreement that working from home was not something they could do. I sat quietly (at first!) and listened to their comments: “can’t separate home from work”, “like the idea of getting dressed and having somewhere to go to”, “can’t get motivated”, “feel too far away from the other workers”, etc. It was disheartening to see how they could not understand the benefits of working from home.
I finally joined in and told them about my work and how I’ve helped hundreds of people start their own home-based business. I explained that it does take a particular mindset to work at home. To begin with you must set up your home office so you have a place “to go to” every morning and that is the place where you run your business…your computer is there, your files are there, your supplies are there. Some people just work off their laptop on the kitchen or dining room table, so yes I see how they can feel disconnected. I am lucky enough to have an entire room dedicated as a home-office so I get “to go somewhere” every morning….and when I’m done for the day, I simply close the door and pursue activities that fulfill the other side of life – home and hobbies. I also make it a point to get dressed every morning – I know, silly me! On cold, rainy days it is very seductive to work in my jammies and robe, but experience has shown me that I never get anything done when I feel like I just woke up all day long! Motivation for me is the freedom I buy myself time and time again. Freedom to do things I love to do and want to do. For the past two weekends, my husband and I went out of town to relax and kick back; so I work diligently while I am in town, use my laptop to travel and viola! I am free to travel about the country. And even if we don’t travel, if the holidays are here or if other events are requesting our presence, I plan ahead. The good times I enjoy are paid for by getting my work done efficiently, effectively and on time!
I did join the conversation at one point and told them about my work and how I’ve helped hundreds of people start their own home-based business. www.thehome-office.com. One person said that it was different for me because I have my own business and I replied that it doesn’t make a difference. It is the desire to do something that matters; if they truly wanted to work at home then they need to spend the time and energy to set it all up. Just like my neighbor Ed did; he works for a major computer company. He never goes into the office; he is totally electronically connected…he knows what is going on because he communicates with people in his division often…he is not lonely because he plans his days to include doing things with his kids and meeting up with neighbors, friends, co-workers at the local coffee place or just to walk the dog. Ed gets it…his mind-set is totally geared towards creating a balance between his work and his home life. A lifestyle choice he created and he maintains…he’s organized; he’s disciplined; he loves what he does and lives the life he loves!
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
SWITCH ON YOUR HOME-BASES BUSINESS
Very often I get so caught up in taking care of my clients needs, I forget to water my own seeds. If you are like me, then you are busy producing the services and selling the products of your business so you can generate an income. That is indeed a fact of life and a priority for so many of us, to ensure that we keep a roof over our heads, food on the table and sneakers on our feet. And since I already mentioned that you might be like me, you probably thoroughly enjoy working from home because you are doing what you love to do, when you want to do it and how you want to do it…how great is that!
But, at the end of the day, when it gets really quite and I can reflect on what I did that day, I get a little bit annoyed that I spent my time and effort in helping my clients manage and grow their business and neglecting my own. Yes, I selected this business and this is what I do for a living and yes, I feel good about my accomplishments in getting their office more organized or balancing their bank statement or helping them decide the best marketing approach for their business; but at the same time, shouldn’t I be working on taking my business to the next step? Shouldn’t I be looking for more ways to promote the DVD I produced or increase enrollments for the class I teach online? Shouldn’t I try to reach more people with my internet radio show? Yes, I should but time is finite even for super organized management experts like me! I’m like the old shoemaker who made beautiful shoes for his customers, but his children were barefoot. Why is that I wonder?
Don’t want to spend precious time thinking about the why; I’d rather think up how I can overcome this and move my business forward. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I should not just be working In my business, I need to be working On my business. And so should you! Here are the steps on how I’m going to do it: 1st I have made a commitment to this rule. 2nd I have put together three action items that I do weekly to grow my business: a/ blog, b/twitter, and c/ send an e-mail to potential clients that might be ready to sign on with me. 3rd I put a big note on my desk (taped it down so it doesn’t mistakenly get thrown away) that reminds me to do these things. 4th I have trained my husband to remind me of the three action items I need to do and to remind me over and over again until I get them done. 5th I allow myself to take half an hour off and enjoy doing nothing but perhaps have some ice-cream after I complete all three things.
Probably the most important way I motivate myself to do what I need to do to grow my business is to remind me of how good it feels to know that I have helped as many people as I can…and the only way I can achieve this is to reach out to as many business owners as I can….short of cloning myself, the five steps I listed above are the best I can do!
Helene – Love What You Do and Live The Life You Love!
www.thehome-office.com Follow me on twitter: homeofficemgmt
But, at the end of the day, when it gets really quite and I can reflect on what I did that day, I get a little bit annoyed that I spent my time and effort in helping my clients manage and grow their business and neglecting my own. Yes, I selected this business and this is what I do for a living and yes, I feel good about my accomplishments in getting their office more organized or balancing their bank statement or helping them decide the best marketing approach for their business; but at the same time, shouldn’t I be working on taking my business to the next step? Shouldn’t I be looking for more ways to promote the DVD I produced or increase enrollments for the class I teach online? Shouldn’t I try to reach more people with my internet radio show? Yes, I should but time is finite even for super organized management experts like me! I’m like the old shoemaker who made beautiful shoes for his customers, but his children were barefoot. Why is that I wonder?
Don’t want to spend precious time thinking about the why; I’d rather think up how I can overcome this and move my business forward. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I should not just be working In my business, I need to be working On my business. And so should you! Here are the steps on how I’m going to do it: 1st I have made a commitment to this rule. 2nd I have put together three action items that I do weekly to grow my business: a/ blog, b/twitter, and c/ send an e-mail to potential clients that might be ready to sign on with me. 3rd I put a big note on my desk (taped it down so it doesn’t mistakenly get thrown away) that reminds me to do these things. 4th I have trained my husband to remind me of the three action items I need to do and to remind me over and over again until I get them done. 5th I allow myself to take half an hour off and enjoy doing nothing but perhaps have some ice-cream after I complete all three things.
Probably the most important way I motivate myself to do what I need to do to grow my business is to remind me of how good it feels to know that I have helped as many people as I can…and the only way I can achieve this is to reach out to as many business owners as I can….short of cloning myself, the five steps I listed above are the best I can do!
Helene – Love What You Do and Live The Life You Love!
www.thehome-office.com Follow me on twitter: homeofficemgmt
Saturday, March 05, 2011
A Day in the Life of a Home-Based Business Owner
We talk about balancing our professional life with our personal life and we certainly mean well, but sometimes it just becomes a flurry of activity trying to get everything done and you don't have time to measure if you are spending more time in one area than another....so I share with you a typical day - or should I say what yesterday was like for me...awake at 5:30am...mad at myself for waking up so early for no reason...go to desk and check e-mails...make coffee...back to desk to answer e-mails....shower, dress and tidy up bedroom...quick breakfast...check e-mails once again...make two calls back East to secure speakers for my radio show...kiss husband goodbye and out the door I go. See one client about the financial report I'm doing that he needs for his client; stop at office supply store to get toner; two calls in the car from speakers about radio show date availalability; stop at mail box center to pick up mail; lunch at my nephew's restaurant - had to go there anyway since I manage the finances for him; meeting with another client about past due taxes and how best to contact the authorities; meeting with a potenial new client to start-up her cleaning services businesses; stop at grocery store for needed items; back to home-office; changed toner and printed materials needed for next day's client; wrote out outline for next week's radio show; answered e-mails and threw chicken in the pot for dinner. Talked with my husband for a few minutes to go over some future travel plans - as I cooked dinner and he did laundry, After dinner, had phone call from website people re changes I need made and then Josh, my intern came over to show me what progress he made on the projects I gave him to do for extra college credit. Fell asleep on couch. Hard to determine where I worked the hardest - it kinda all flows together after awhile. All I know is I love what I do....each day is different, cause I plan it that way. I look at the things I need to do and outline the driving route I need to take to get everything done....of course, I can't predict traffic problems nor client forgetting our meeting or running late which makes me late, but I can predict that I would never go back to a nine to five routine for all the money in the world! I would rather work 5:30am to 9:00pm for myself! I love what I do and live the life I love! I can show you how to do it! Contact me: helene@thehome-office.com Helene http://www.thehome-office.com/ http://www.voiceamerica.com/ The Home-Based Business Show
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