101 Best Home-Business Success Secrets for Women: Proven Ideas and Strategies to Help You Start, Manage, and Profit from Whatever Business You Choose

by HUFF, PRISCILLA

• ISBN13: 9780761519744
• ISBN10: 0761519742
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1999-08-01
• Publisher: Prima Lifestyles

Summary

Imagine building a successful home-based enterprise that generates more income than you ever thought possible. Sound far-fetched? Not for the thousands of women who are doing just that. Inside, bestselling author and women's business expertPriscilla Huffshows you how to fulfill your dreams of building a vibrant business from the comfort of your home. You'll learn such savvy business secrets as: Choosing the business that's best for you and your family Writing the perfect business plan Using the Internet as a profit center Getting the financing you needand on your own terms And many more! "If you're a woman working at home, buy this book. It's like having a private consultant at your fingertips." Rosalie Marcus, president of Lasting Impressions Promotional Products "This book is the imaginative key that unlocks the unlimited potential ofanyoneaudacious enough to become an entrepreneur." Joyce Chambers, owner of Paper Art Originals "A valuable tool. This book has a wealth of information on opening and operating a successful home-based businessboth for the beginner and the veteran of the industry." V. Denise Clark, president and CEO of the National Merchandising and Food Service Association How to Contact the Author If you have any comments, questions, business ideas you want to share, or would like a free copy ofPriscilla Huff'snewsletter101 Best & More Home-Based & Small Businesses for Women Updates: The Latest Facts, News, & Tips for Self-Employed Women,please send a LSASE toPriscilla Y. Huff,Box 286, Sellersville, PA 18960. Send e-mail to [e-mail] or visit her Web site at /www.selfemployedwoman.com.

Author Biography

<br>////Priscilla Huff</b> is the author of <i>101 Best Small Businesses for Women</i> and <i>More 101 Best Home-Based Businesses for Women</I> (both from Prima). She writes frequently for <i>Income Opportunities,</i> <I>Small Business Opportunities,</I> and <i>Spare Time</i> magazine.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	x
An Introduction to Home-Business Success	1	(21)
Understand the growth and future of women-owned home-based and small businesses.	1	(6)
Weigh the pros and cons of home-business ownership before you start a home-based venture.	7	(4)
Be aware of and know how to overcome common obstacles to women's entrepreneurship.	11	(5)
Take advantage of the traits that you as a woman have that can help you succeed in business.	16	(2)
Have dreams but also have realistic expectations in achieving them.	18	(2)
Establish your business's ethics.	20	(2)
Starting-Out Steps	22	(49)
See if you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur	22	(2)
Learn how to choose your business idea(s).	24	(4)
Understand fully how home-based, self-employment options operate.	28	(11)
Do not limit yourself to just one product, service, or business.	39	(2)
Learn how to avoid home business scams.	41	(3)
Prepare yourself mentally for the rigors of entrepreneurship.	44	(3)
Learn how to do market research to determine whether there are potential customers for your home-business idea.	47	(3)
Know the tasks you must do before you quit your day job.	50	(4)
Fully consider your family's involvement and their concerns when you contemplate entrepreneurship.	54	(7)
Know the legal requirements of your home business.	61	(6)
Get the training and education you need for your home business.	67	(1)
Know how to prepare yourself for a home business.	68	(1)
Learn to tell the truth in business.	69	(2)
Home-Office Essentials	71	(28)
Thoroughly analyze all your home-office options before you set up your workspace.	72	(9)
Get the best technology to operate your business.	81	(10)
Obtain the best software suited for your business.	91	(4)
Equip your office with the best telecommunications for your business.	95	(3)
Explore the option of leasing your office equipment.	98	(1)
Insurance for You and Your Business	99	(16)
Protect your business with the proper insurance plans.	100	(5)
Have a business disaster restoration plan.	105	(3)
Avoid risks and make your home business secure.	108	(1)
Get the best health insurance plan for you and your family.	109	(3)
Know the benefits of life insurance.	112	(3)
Your First Business Plan: A Blueprint for Success	115	(21)
Know how to do the preliminary research for a business plan.	115	(5)
Know how to write a complete business plan that you can ``take to the bank.''	120	(12)
Plan to set business goals and develop the methods to achieve them.	132	(4)
Financing Your Venture	136	(32)
Start your business economically.	136	(3)
Determine how much money you will need for your home business start-up.	139	(3)
Explore all your financial options.	142	(14)
Know how to be a successful bank borrower.	156	(6)
Use financial-solution software for your home business.	162	(1)
Learn how to avoid the biggest financial mistakes.	163	(2)
Use bartering basics to help sustain and grow your business.	165	(2)
Take advantage of the financial resources available online.	167	(1)
Marketing Plan	168	(21)
Know how to do preliminary market research to find the best customers for your business.	168	(8)
Determine the best marketing strategies for your business.	176	(3)
Practice frugal marketing methods.	179	(2)
Learn what government contracts (local, state, and federal) may be available for your business.	181	(3)
Explore the possibilities of local, state, and nationwide markets for your home business.	184	(2)
Explore the possibilities of going global with your home business.	186	(3)
Advertising	189	(40)
Take advantage of low-cost and easy methods to grow your home business.	192	(15)
Know the most effective promotions for your business.	207	(13)
Know how to make the most of trade shows and conventions.	220	(3)
Make the most of publicity opportunities.	223	(3)
Promote your business through public speaking engagements or seminars.	226	(3)
Resources for All Entrepreneurs	229	(23)
Choose the best experts to help you with your business concerns.	229	(8)
Take advantage of additional resources available to help entrepreneurs.	237	(8)
Be aware of the entrepreneurial sources for the differently abled.	245	(4)
Know the resources to help foster entrepreneurship for teens and children.	249	(3)
Pricing and Profits	252	(26)
Learn how to cope with problems of cash flow.	252	(3)
Learn how to do a break-even analysis.	255	(2)
Put your business on a budget.	257	(1)
Use a pricing worksheet to assist you.	258	(2)
Determine the price of your product or services to cover all costs and return a profit.	260	(7)
Know some tactics for getting the prices you want and need.	267	(5)
Know how to determine an estimate and/or quote for your business's services or products.	272	(1)
Know how to obtain merchant status for your home business.	273	(4)
Learn other cost-saving tips for your business.	277	(1)
Open for Business	278	(39)
Learn the principles of time management to improve the efficiency of your business.	278	(6)
Improve your organizational techniques with software.	284	(2)
Set up a record-keeping and bookkeeping system that works for your business.	286	(4)
Know how to attract, treat, and keep business customers.	290	(8)
Make networking and bartering work to help foster your business.	298	(2)
Be a business professional.	300	(2)
Know when and how to hire the best help for your business.	302	(7)
Know how to stay fit when you work from home.	309	(1)
Learn some techniques to reduce stress.	310	(2)
Know how to make the most of your vacations.	312	(2)
Be a ``green'' entrepreneur.	314	(3)
Managing and Maintaining a Profitable Business	317	(18)
Learn to avoid mistakes that can ``kill'' a new business.	318	(5)
Learn strategies that ensure business success.	323	(2)
Take advantage of licensing, or getting a trademark or patent for your business.	325	(3)
Know how to prevent your business from being sued.	328	(3)
Learn how to manage your business inventory.	331	(2)
Know how to repair bad business credit.	333	(1)
Know what to include when signing business contracts.	333	(2)
Going Online	335	(14)
Know how the Internet can help your home business.	336	(6)
Know what should (and should not) be included on your Web site.	342	(2)
Understand how to market and maintain your Web site.	344	(2)
Apply basic tips for your Web site's survival.	346	(1)
Promote your business's Web site using e-zines.	347	(2)
Planning for Your Business's Future	349	(13)
Know how to safely grow your business.	349	(4)
Consider how to explore additional business avenues.	353	(2)
Have a succession plan for your heirs.	355	(1)
Know how to sell your business profitably.	356	(1)
Know what to consider in buying a business.	357	(1)
Know how to survive a business bankruptcy.	358	(1)
Know how to plan for your retirement.	359	(1)
Take the opportunity to use your business to help others.	360	(2)
Miscellaneous Business Ventures & Preparing for the 21st Century	362	(51)
Know how to use mail order to increase business sales or how to start your own mail-order venture.	362	(5)
Know how to turn your ideas into inventions.	367	(2)
Know how to find distributors for your products.	369	(1)
Know the best home-business trends for the new century to keep your business progressive.	370	(2)
Prepare your business to better serve the needs of the 21st century customer.	372	(2)
Know how to help continue the growth of women-owned businesses for future generations.	374	(2)
Appendices
Glossary of Commonly Used Business Terms	376	(9)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Home Businesses	385	(13)
Resources	398	(11)
Business Ideas	409	(4)
Index	413