Have you always worked for someone else, but secretly dreamed of being your own boss? Have you fantasized about working from the comfort of your own home? With the discouraging job market, perhaps you’ve thought about creating your own job. Utilize the resources available at your local Manatee County Public Library if you’re considering starting your own home-based business.
“How to Start and Operate Your Own Home-Based Business” is a lecture-format DVD presented by Helene Liatsos, the owner and founder of “Home Office Management Experts” (www.thehome-office.com). Liatsos goes through the process from selecting the right business for you, obtaining permits and licenses, sales and marketing strategies, networking, creating a business plan, to balancing home and business.
Published by Entrepreneur Magazine, “Ultimate Homebased Business Handbook” by James Stephenson, is a comprehensive book that covers the advantages and disadvantages of a home business, home business options (full-time, part-time, seasonal, etc.), financial and legal issues, insurance, preparing a business plan, establishing a workspace, finding customers, marketing, advertising and public relations, sales, e-commerce, 125 startup ideas, 101 home-based franchise opportunities, and much more.
“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Home-Based Business” by Barbara Weltman also discusses what type of home business to choose (franchises, buying an existing business, or an online business), financial considerations, setting up a home office (including creating a website), and running the business (including marketing, insurance, taxes, etc.). It also includes 100 home-based business ideas.
Aimed at stay-at-home moms, “The Work at Home Success Bible: a Complete Guide for Women” by Leslie Truex shares how to live and work at home, telecommuting, home and online businesses, the home office and getting organized, “growing” your business, and how to avoid distractions (like food, television, and, gulp!, the kids)!
Another great information source may be found through business electronic databases available on the Library’s website. These may be accessed from any Internet-connected computer -- though you’ll need your library card barcode and PIN. The “Small Business Resource Center” (found within the Infotrac database) is especially useful. Click on the “Business Topics” tab and find the link to “Home-based businesses” (as well as other business topics). You will find links to full text articles from such periodicals as Entrepreneur and Black Enterprise, sections from regular texts as well as reference books, directories and links to websites. Also in the Infotrac database you can find the “Gale Virtual Reference Library.” Scroll down to the business reference book titles and click on the “Encyclopedia of Small Business” to find the sections on “Home Offices” and “Home-Based Business.”
To find books and other materials, access the online Library catalog at www.mymanatee.org/library and perform a subject search using the phrase, “home-based businesses.”
Speaking Volumes, written by Manatee County Public Library System staff members, is published each Sunday. Access the library online at www.mymanatee.org/library.html.
