What are home based business ideas?

Top 10 Home Business Ideas

Are you one of the many people searching for a hot home business opportunity? Then this list of the best home business opportunities based on current and future trends may be just what you’re looking for.

I say “may be” because these home business opportunities are not suitable for people who are looking for “a money-making machine” or who “want to make money in their sleep” or any of those other phony promises.

Nor are these home business opportunities for people who expect to just make an initial

investment and then just watch the money roll in. Successful home businesses are real businesses. Toturn a home business opportunity into a success, you need to be prepared to work at it and have the appropriate knowledge and skills that you need to run any business.

But those caveats aside, here are what I think are the best home business opportunities – best because of their potential right now and because there’s going to be a even greater demand for these products and/or services over the next few years.

1) Home Renovation Services
Home renovation services are hot, hot, hot – and there’s no sign of this trend slowing down. On the contrary, as the population ages, even more people are going to want to make their homes more livable by investing in the home renovations they need to stay where there are. The best home renovation to focus on for the long-term? Bathroom renovations.

2) Pet-Based Products
Is there anything that indulgent pet owners won’t buy for their pets? If you can come up with a product for dogs or cats that you can produce in your home, you’ll have a real winner of a home business opportunity on your hands. From designer collars to “organic” pet foods, the sky’s the limit. See 18 Pet Business Ideas for more home business idea inspiration.

3) Catering Services
Think dinner for eight. Not just delivered, but served. Catering services aren’t just for big parties any more. Career couples are having almost every social occasion catered, and busy families who are tired of living on take-out are spending more on having food brought in. If you have a knack for planning and preparing nourishing, appealing food and can deliver it hot, this is the home business opportunity for you.

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Advertising your Business

Do Home Based Businesses need a business license?

Licensing Requirements for Home Based Businesses

Starting a home-based business is a rewarding and flexible option for thousands of small business owners. However, starting up is not as simple as hanging an “Open for Business” sign on the front door. Understanding the required permits you’ll need to legally operate your business can save you from big head-aches (and big fines) down the road. Regulations vary based on industry and location, and while there is no one-size-fits-all permit checklist for home-based businesses, there are general guidelines home-based business owners should be aware of:

1. General Business Licenses
Most home-based businesses owners will be required to file an application for a general business permit from their city or county to legally operate in that area. County registrations may apply to you if your home-based business is outside the jurisdiction of a town/city.

2. Professional and Trade Licenses
Some industries may have to obtain professional/occupational licenses, such as a nursing certificate or a real estate license, at the state government level. You can contact your state’s business license office for a complete list of the occupations that require licensing in your area.

3. Home Occupation Permit
Many city and county zoning and planning agencies require all home-based businesses to get a Home Occupation Permit. If a permit is not required in your city, the zoning office should tell if your neighborhood is zoned for the business activity you plan to conduct from your home. If your area is not zoned for your type of business, you may need to file for an additional variance or conditional-use permit. Visit the Zoning Laws for Home Based Businesses page for more information about zoning laws for home-based businesses.

4. Sales Tax Permit

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Can you have a Business in your Home?

SBA – Home-Based Businesses

What do Apple Computer, Hershey’s, Mary Kay Cosmetics, and the Ford Motor Company have in common? These well-known corporations all started out as home-based businesses. In fact, more than half of all U.S. businesses are based out of an owner’s home.

Starting a home-based business has many rewards as well as challenges. This guide provides resources that will help you learn more about working out of your house, starting a home-based business and managing your business within the law.

Before You Begin

• Are you ready to start a business? In less than five minutes, the Small Business Start Up Assessment Tool will help you understand your readiness for starting a small business. Your responses will be scored automatically and an assessment profile will be provided after you click the Submit button. This is an automated self-assessment tool. SBA is not collecting information, tabulating or utilizing individual visitors’ results.

• Can you live and work in the same area? Find the answer by asking yourself the following questions: Where in the home will the business be located? What adjustments to living arrangements will be required? What will be the cost of changes? How will your family react? What will the neighbors think?

• Home-Based Business….Is it For Me? Is working from home right for you? Learn about several factors you should consider when starting a home-based business.

• Starting a Business in Your Home: Weighing the Pros and Cons. Have you thought about the characteristics and challenges that are most commonly involved in launching home-based businesses? View the pros and cons before you begin a home-based business.

Start a Home-Based Business

If you have decided you are ready to start a home-based business, then you might already have an idea and/or the products you want to market. If not, think about your background, what you are good at, and what experience you have. This exploration can get you on your way to coming up with a sound idea. For additional guidance on how to start your business, use the resources listed below.

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