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Home Based Business Opportunities for Moms

Something for Everyone

Almost everything you see is a business idea. Have you ever attended an event and thought twice about the bathroom facilities? Probably not - but someone did. That person was Eliza Kendall, who, 12 years ago, founded a company called ElizaJ that provides upscale, self-contained restrooms for special events. Recently she added a "Mothers at Home" division to her company, which allows moms to work from home as franchisees with a schedule that is individually customized to the number of hours per week and hours working per day. According to Kendall, "Moms are a valuable resource and a tremendous asset to our business." When Kendall decided to start her own business she was a stay-at-home mom. After falling off a horse and becoming immobilized at home caring for two children, Kendall decided entrepreneurship was her best way to stay mentally active. Armed with a sturdy kitchen table and a computer, she began managing special events for clients. She noticed a continuous need for affordable, clean, upscale self-contained restrooms and the events she organized. She raised funds to advertise for her company by working part-time as a cashier. She got her big break when ESPN needed her services, and the rest is history.

Bette Fetter, another stay-at-home mom success story, founded Young Rembrandts, Inc., which stemmed from Fetter's combined passion for art and motherhood. She began by giving drawing lessons to the neighborhood kids at her own kitchen table. Today, her franchise business provides flexibility to franchisees, allowing the freedom to take family vacations and participate in other activities when their kids are out of school. "Franchisees can be there for their children and still operate a successful business. Young Rembrandts allows for that balance because you're not behind a counter or desk 10 a day" Fetter said. "You have control over your schedule, and your family life."

If starting a business from the ground up is a task you'd rather not tackle, you can buy a business opportunity package or a home-based franchise such as CruiseOne, a cruise only travel sales franchise. Purchasing a franchise or business opportunity package is not the same as paying someone to send you work to complete at home. When you buy a franchise business you are buying a pre-set brand awareness and credibility. In addition, you don't have to establish the corporate infrastructure and many franchisors provide support for your business-from advertising and marketing assistance to administrative support. Business opportunity packages include the template for your business (i.e., the software and tools necessary to launch a medical billing service.)

With so many scoundrels out there, how can you be sure a business opportunity is on the up and up? In their book, "Home Based Businesses You Can Buy," Sarah and Paul Edwards outline three questions you should ask anyone about a home based business opportunity: 1.) Is it a reputable company? Any legitimate business will have, and provide, a valid telephone number answered by a real person and a real street address. 2.) Is the line of work suited to you? If you are not interested in doing the work or lack certain skills, you may not be as successful as others who have excelled in that particular line of work; 3.) Is there a market for your business in your community? Take a realistic inventory of your community's needs; not all business ideas are viable for every region or even neighborhood.

Whichever line of work you pursue, you are not alone in your endeavors. There are countless Web sites, books, professional mentors and coaches, forums and support groups to help you through the beginning and operative stages of your business.

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