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Want to Start a Business and Work From Home?

Want to Start a Business and Work From Home?

Own a business and work from home? Lots of questions to consider!

Ann M. Evanston | WomenCo.

May 15, 2008

Any business is going to require money upfront to be successful – whether you have a concept and develop it yourself as a brand and a business, or whether you buy into someone else’s brand. Believing that you can start a business without any money is a bad decision! Interestingly, this is the biggest difference between men and women who start businesses.

Men raise the capital, even if it’s $1,000 to start. Women try to start a business with no capital, struggle, get frustrated, and quit. Some say that men are in business to make money and women are in business to make a living – maybe this is why men thrive and women oftentimes just survive!

If you want to start a business, you will need money, period. So choosing to buy into someone else’s brand requires that you are smart and ask the right questions to make sure the business is not a scam. Some of those questions need to be asked of yourself!

I have two businesses. One is my own brand and one is someone else’s. Neither are scams, and both have been profitable, even in the recession that characterizes 2008! In addition, I know several women who have invested in multi-level marketing brands and are very successful. Becoming self-employed requires that you are willing to do whatever it takes to grow your business!

Consider the following questions:

1. How comfortable am I with sales? Do I understand the sales process and how to close a sale? If you are not comfortable doing this, you will struggle. Let’s face it. In big companies, someone else does the sales, but as a solo-preneur, you close the sales.

2. Do I believe in the product? When you use, love, and believe in a product, it is easier to sell. Do not decide to start a business because of the idea that you will get rich quickly. Start because you believe in your business, and the money will follow.


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    TLoiselle

    about 1 month ago

    3 comments

    I am a business owner and found this article to be an eye-opener for anyone who chooses to become self-employed. The questions proposed are so important to think about- especially when it comes to the difference between making your business a true business, or just a hobby. It takes work, dedication and investment, no matter how small it is, if its going to survive.
  • Marlabeach_max50

    marlahecht

    about 1 month ago

    1 comment

    I am a manager in a direct marketing company and found this article very helpful. I encourage women to get the facts ablout the company they are partnering with and look for organizations that offer a great training and development program. Avon offers tool and field support superior to that of other network marking organizations, national advertising for new product launches and online traing courses at no additional cost to the new business owner.
  • Photo_user_blank_big

    leroone

    about 1 month ago

    1 comment

    Insightful article with excellent advice for the new entrepeneur.
  • Photo_user_blank_big

    Global_Affiliate

    about 1 month ago

    1 comment

    Every one of these viewpoints are important and useful. Look at the different perspectives and experiences. My experience with both corporate and network marketing have been difficult but useful. With corporate, I've been downsized twice, another company shut its doors permanently, and advancement was all but impossible. With network marketing, I had to deal with monthly quotas, frontloading, bosses, (yes, there are boss types), chargebacks, selling, convincing, here today, gone tomorrow type customers). The common denominator in both cases was me. I need to be much more discriminating in choosing a company or home-based business to belong to. Corporate - are we compatible or am I simply looking for $40k a year salary, health benefits and a 401k? Network Marketing - am I hoping to get lucky, build a quick residual income, find the right people in 24 hours, become a legend? Why is network marketing such a siren's song to me? Answer, I want overrides and especially residual income - doing something once and getting paid over and over and over. I want to punch my on clock. I want to manage my own time. I want to be able to give myself a raise, (much more than 3%). I've been a traditional business owner, worked in several corporate businesses and industries, and tried my hand at network marketing opportunities. Network marketing wins at this point in my life. My goal is to make $5,000,000 dollars in the next 5 years. I can't do that in corporate America. Caveat - It's still very important to have a job until you reach that threshold in network marketing that makes maintaing a job rather foolish. After years of not finding and choosing the right opportunity, a network marketing opportunity chose me. It's eBay related with an eBay certified patent pending online FREE software that connects buyers to eBay sellers. The San Francisco Bay area is known for highly educated populace and not for network marketing. I know. I lived in San Francisco. But eBay is one of your 'favorite sons' and located in San Jose. We, (MyNet Universe - an eBay Affiliate Partner), have a global opportunity that may make the most sense for you. Take a look at http://www.mymarketinggenie.com/smoothsailing. It won't hurt at all to 'look.' Fill in your contact info if you want to learn more, i.e. Pay Plan, conference call, etc.
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    ndahse

    about 1 month ago

    1 comment

    Very insightful and informative. I have tried to work from home starting out with no money and though I made a 'few bucks' I didn't stay with that company. I am now working something that doesnot have the MLM aspect to it. So far so good. There are a multitude of products and the factoring house will finance so you can offer credit ... a big plus.
  • Yo_max50

    LauraMedinaRivera

    about 1 month ago

    2 comments

    This is what I have learned from online businesses. Systems Works... People Fail!!! as soon as I read these words I knew that I had to change something in my life. Like any business that ou want to start, if you want to own a bakery you will have to get up before 4:00am to start working. Online businesses are the same with the only difference that you don't have to get up until you want. You just have to give to your business some QUALITY TIME. I advice you to Take a Chance at Life just like the very few we say are the lucky ones. They are not lucky they said to themselves I Am Better Than This and usd an idea to make loads of Money. So can you!!!!
  • Ann_010_4x62_max50

    AnnEvanston

    2 months ago

    74 comments

    You are SO right on BigMomma - people think it will "just happen". It takes hard work and discipline to get up and makret and sell it to make it profitable! Over time you work less, intially, you work more! And Barb1352 - if you cannot talk to a real person, don't do it!
  • 693633726_m_max50

    BigMomma

    2 months ago

    27 comments

    I think the message that needs to be conveyed, regardless of what company or brand you go to is this: It will take work and you will get out of it what you put in. Period...
  • Little-girl-at-estancion-mucunu-nr--merida-photo--_smgpx10001x15374x16b0e06d6_max50

    LilaK

    2 months ago

    53 comments

    I think the most essential advice in this article is that you have to really truly believe in the product you are selling. I worked at a company where I didn't really believe in the product and it definitely adversely affected my job. When you believe in your product, your consumers will, too.
  • Lynn-bobbie-marina_max50

    Barb1352

    2 months ago

    1 comment

    I would love to work at home, but I've heard alot of offer's you receive online are not all that they appear to be.
  • Ann_010_4x62_max50

    AnnEvanston

    2 months ago

    74 comments

    Thanks Peggy and Nanikj! I agree Peggy - there are many great companies out there - and many choices, which I agree with Nanikj on! Choices are a good thing. Even with the mall there is an investment: you must purchase one thing a month from your mall which should be considered as a loss on your P&L. Commission on your own purshase is really not revenue! And if you really want to grow it to be profitable you need to invest in driving traffic to the site to make the money from the commission of others purchases not your own. That's an upfront expense of running the site.
  • 005_5_max50

    Peggy98

    2 months ago

    3 comments

    Great article, Ann!! I think that is the misconception with others is that if I have to pay for a business then it must be a scam. If you are choosing to use another company's brand and resources to make a profit and at the same time use it as your own you simply will have money invested. You must believe in business and have vision in order for it to all fall into place. I think remembering that business in not a sprint but it is a marathon.
  • Dcp_0013_max50

    Nanikj

    2 months ago

    10 comments

    Hi Ann, I agree with most of what you have said, but because of Ginny Dye in New York, there is another concept. She has created a work at home opportunity and a way to give to others. She and her business partners put up the front money for My Power Mall, and all we do is give malls away, for free, and shop from them at home. The rebates and commissions are decided by her team together with the stores on the mall. Some of the stores offer S/H free as well as tax free. I love my mall. There are so many stores to choose from, and more are being added daily. You don't have to settle for a small selection. If you would like to check it out, you can find it at www.mypowermall.com/Biz/Home/51426. If you don't like to shop online, then this isn't for you. It isn't an MLM either. Nanikj

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