Getting a Business License
Getting a business license, in many countries, is the first step you’ll have to take if you want to start any kind of small business. For most small businesses and work at home businesses these are a straight forward form-filling exercise. There are also many countries where no business license is required to set up and run a regular or small business and work at home.
If you’re in the United States, then getting a business license is straight forward, but it can be daunting for some. There’s a lot of help along the way and some useful websites that’ll take you step by step through the process of getting a business license.
Whatever you do, don’t think it doesn’t matter – there’s always somebody, somewhere, aware of what you’re doing, who will be more than pleased to phone up the authorities and report you. You don’t need the hassle as it’s more stressful to be getting a business license if you’ve been reported, than sorting it out before you start your business.
Are you a Danger to Society?
If you’re selling handmade bath products, or making and selling wedding cakes, then these type of businesses have the potential to harm a customer. What if a customer has a reaction to one of the creams they put on their leg, what if a customer with a nut allergy eats a slice of your cake? This is why some small businesses need further licensing beyond a simple registration – consumer protection is important so you need to find out which additional licenses or checks you need to go through. Children’s toys will have rules, regulations and laws to protect the buyer.
Checking regulatory requirements can be daunting when you first have your great idea of working at home and starting your own small business, but it’s just a small hurdle along the way – and you’ll feel so proud of yourself once you know you’ve done the right and legal thing.
Also, don’t forget, that in most countries the costs of setting up your business can be claimed as an item which you can offset against your tax – so start keeping your receipts and quickly check out what you can claim for and not, so you can start your accounting system properly from the start of your work at home business.
Business Books
If you’re serious about making a full-time income from your work at home business, then you should read a good cross-section of industry magazines and books on your chosen field and subject. What you gain from books is good solid advice and ideas – and industry magazines alert you to growing trends you can tap into, as well as often offering great advice on how and where to sell your service, goods or skills. The more you know about your product, your service and your industry, the more successful you’ll become.
Become an Expert
It doesn’t take much to become an expert in your industry. Simply read as much as you can about the industry and put into practice a few of the ideas you find – soon you’ll find you’re talking like an expert and being sought out by others for your knowledge and skills. Becoming an expert, by reading, by seeing, by doing, is probably one of the most powerful success factors you can build.
Success Leaves Traces
A world renowned marketer, Armand Morin, uses a phrase which has stuck with me for years: “Success Leaves Traces” – and it’s a simple idea. If you see anybody who is successful in your business, they are leaving clues around as to how they’ve become successful. Start to look around at your competitors, what are they doing that you aren’t? If somebody successful is doing something, then you might benefit from doing that too. Are they running workshops to share their knowledge? Are they advertising locally or nationally? How and where are they selling? Do they use business cards, brochures? They didn’t wake up one morning and become an instant success, they’ve put a lot of effort into it and you can copy some of their ideas and techniques simply by becoming aware. I get my best ideas from industry magazines as that’s where some of the most successful people will share their Tips for Success.
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