7 Successful Strategies for Starting a Small Business from Home

Many people want to start a home-based business but don’t know where to start, so they keep putting it off. If you’re thinking about starting a business from home, here are 7 steps to get you started.

Make a List of Home-based Business Ideas

Start by making a list of home-based business ideas that you might like. One option is to leverage your existing skills to offer a service-based business. When starting a service-based business, you don’t need to keep track of inventory or manufacture products. You can offer your customers the following services:

• Freelance writing
• Marketing
• Graphic design
• Accounting or other financial services
• Legal consulting

You could also start a dropshipping business, sell homemade products on Etsy, open a home-based bakery, or create digital products. The possibilities are endless, so make a list of ideas and choose the ones you think are most appropriate.

Write a business plan

Once you’ve identified a business idea that interests you, it’s time to write a business plan.

A business plan serves as a road map for your business, providing you with clarity. A strategic business plan is also important if you want to attract investors or apply for small business financing.

Your business plan will include an overview of your target market, what you want to sell, and how you will attract and keep customers. If you get stuck, the SBA offers a free business planning template.

Choose a business structure

The business structure you choose will affect many different aspects of your business, from how much tax you pay to whether you can hire employees. There are four major types of business structures to choose from:

• Sole Proprietorship: A sole proprietorship is the easiest way to get started, but there’s no legal separation between you and the business. This means that if you are sued, your personal assets are at risk.
• LLC: LLCs are easy to set up and provide legal separation between you and the company, so in most cases, your personal assets are protected.
• Partnership: Partnerships are formed by two or more people and can be a good option for businesses with multiple owners.
• Corporations: Corporations are separate legal entities owned by their shareholders. If you’re thinking about starting a business, we recommend consulting with a business lawyer.

Get your finances in order.

Once you’ve decided on your business structure, you’ll need to open a business bank account. A business bank account separates your personal and business finances, making things much easier during tax season.

Before you can open a business bank account, you’ll need to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Your EIN is a federal tax identification number for your business. You can apply for one for free on the IRS website and receive your EIN within minutes.

Taxes are one of the most confusing aspects for many small business owners, so we recommend hiring an accountant. Your accountant will help you manage your quarterly and annual taxes and help you determine which expenses you can deduct.

Start selling your products or services

Once you have your plan and a legal structure in place, it’s time to test out your business idea and start selling your products or services. Business success is measured by profitability, so you need to make sure there’s demand for what you offer.

You’ll probably fail at first, and it may take some time for you to find your footing. Be prepared to learn from your failures and adapt your strategy. The key is to create the right solution that meets your customer’s needs.

Check on local licensing and zoning requirements for home-based businesses

Depending on where you live, your state or county may have specific requirements for home businesses. Most residential zoning laws allow home-based businesses, provided the home is used primarily as a residence and the business does not cause a nuisance to neighbors. However, it’s a good idea to check with your city or county clerk’s office to see if there are any restrictions on home-based businesses.

The most common requirement a small business may encounter is a licensing requirement. You’ll probably need to apply for a general business license that allows you to operate in business activities within that jurisdiction. You may also need to obtain a professional license from your state if you run a home care business or provide financial or legal services.

Balancing your home and professional life

One of the biggest challenges for business owners is learning how to balance their home and professional lives. Combining the two can be easy, especially if your home is also your office. No one can achieve the perfect work-life balance, but there are many ways to achieve it successfully.

First, set up a designated area in your office where you can focus solely on work. We also recommend setting a schedule based on your optimal work hours and creating a daily to-do list to ensure you always get your top priorities done.

But most importantly, don’t jump right back into work after your workday is over. It’s common to check email at night or catch up on things on the weekend, but working too much can lead to burnout.

And most importantly, don’t jump right back into work after your workday is over. Checking emails at night and taking weekends off is common, but working too much can lead to burnout.