HOME BUSINESS

Many people wish they could start a home business, but believe the costs are too prohibitive. However, as you will read in this feature, there are numerous home ventures that are relatively inexpensive to set up. Generally, businesses with the lowest start-up costs are those that provide services to individuals and/or other enterprises as opposed to those that produce products; but any business’ start-up costs can be minimized using economical strategies and creative financing.

If you love the outdoors and have a concern for the future of our planet, here are environmentally-friendly business ideas to consider for your own “green” venture. Strategic Planning has made a comeback worldwide. Companies, governmental agencies, and nonprofits are all adopting it. It’s important for home-based businesses too.

With today’s fledgling economy, many small businesses are waiting to make costly network and equipment upgrades. Creative from the start, rearranging furniture has always been a passion for Lynn Paterson.The mechanically inclined will find plenty of opportunities in a home based appliance repair business. Appliance repair persons can earn as much as $75 for the first hour. You'll be resuscitating stoves, dryers, microwaves, fridges, washing machines, and just about anything else that keeps a household humming.

Experts recommend offering round-the-clock emergency service and money-back guarantees to boost your appliance repair prospects. No formal training or licensing is needed, except when working with refrigerants, which requires you to pass an Environmental Protection Agency test. Letting your reputation spread through word of mouth will get business bubbling, but you'll need basic print and online advertising, too.