Home Based Businesses

Before You Begin

• Small Business Start-Up Assessment
  
  Are you ready to start a business? In less than 5 minutes, this assessment tool will help you understand your readiness for starting a small business.
• Can You Live Where You Work … And Work Where You Live?
  
  Find out what’s like to live and work in the same space, and read about experiences of other home based business owners.
• Home Based Business … Is it For Me?
  
  Learn about several factors to consider when starting a home based business.
• Starting a Business in Your Home: Weighing the Pros and Cons
  
  Consider these factors before you begin a home based business.

Starting a Home-Based Business

• Small and Home Based Business Virtual Resource Library
  
  Get resources to help you start, run and manage a home based business.
• How to Set Up a Home Based Business
  
  Checklist of things to do when starting a home based business.
• Business Plan for Home Based Businesses
  
  Provides a comprehensive approach to developing a business plan for a home based business.
• Zoning Laws for Home Based Businesses
  
  Learn how your local government’s zoning ordinances may affect your home-based business.
• 10 Steps to Starting a Business
  
  Learn common steps required to start a new business.

Buying a Work-at-Home Franchise

Home based franchises are becoming more common, but buyer beware! Some “work at home” franchise opportunities are schemes to get your money.

Visit the Franchises and Business Opportunities Guide for more information about evaluating and buying into franchises and related work-at-home business opportunities.

Financing a Home-Based Business

Federal agencies do not provide grants for
starting a home-based business. However, there are a number of low-interest loan
programs that help individuals obtain startup financing. Visit the Loans and Grants Search Tool to get a full
list of grant, loan, and venture capital programs for which you might
qualify.

Marketing a Home-Based Business

• Home-Based Business – Market Your Product
  
  Learn how to successfully market your home based business.

Green Your Home Office

• Get Energy Saving Tips and Resources
• Learn about Energy Saving Office Equipment
• Calculator Your Energy Savings
• Learn How to Market and Sell Green Products
• Read about Successful Green Businesses

Tax Information

• Small Business Self-Employed One-Stop Resource
  
  Official IRS gateway to tax info for small business owners.
• Business Use of Your Home
  
  Learn about deducting expenses for business use of your home.
• Business Expenses and Tax Deductions
  
  Learn how to deduct business expenses on your income taxes.
• Social Security Guide for the Self-Employed
  
  Information on how to report your earnings.