Home Business Advice . .?

Question

I am looking at starting a home based business. I need to make some extra money (there is too much month left at the end of the money). I have started up a home based secretarial business, built the website, it is up and out there, printed off the business cards but as yet still waiting for work to come in. Not to sure how to get my name to potential clients.

Thinking of doing something like Mary Kay on the side, but I only have a small circle of friends and acquaintances, so worry about the scope of customers.

Can you please give me your feedback on Virtual Assistant companies, and how best to get my name "out there" and how you feel on the whole Mary Kay/home based selling to friends process.

Answer 1

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Virtual Assistant, The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA by Diana Ennen, Kelly Poelker
* Start Your Own Business Support Service (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Entrepreneur Press
* The 2-Second Commute: Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants by Christine Durst
* The Virtual Office Survival Handbook: What Telecommuters and Entrepreneurs Need to Succeed in Today's Nontraditional Workplace by Alice Bredin

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

When looking for a home business, you must be careful in which product you choose. Mary Kay has an excellent product, I was a top rep with that company, but...Mary Kay has already experienced hyper-growth, meaning that the really big incomes have already been made. You are constantly having to ask people for bookings and I know from experience, that is difficult.
You want to find something that is a product in demand by the baby boomers which gives you an 18 year window of opportunity. In the 50's, Gerber baby food found that window, in the 60's it was Fisher Price and Mattel, the 70's was Real Estate, etc.
The products in demand now are health and anti-aging. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that is just getting started.
I have found a product that is proving itself over and over again, therefore selling itself. With this company you get 4 free websites and all the free leads you need. You also get personal mentoring and coaching from a variety of leaders, all interested in helping your business grow. With dedication and hard work, a salary of $10,000/mo within your first year is highly achievable.
You don't need to do parties, no going to meetings, these are all handled on the telephone and internet. I can also IM someone for help sometimes as late as 1 in the morning, depending on who is online!
You meet a lot of great people and have a lot of fun.
Let me know if this is of interest to you and I would be happy to get you started with a very small start up cost.
Thank you

Answer 3

try local network marketing. go out in your local business parks - specifically industrial. The guys that open and work these businesses are hard working but need a Secretary with business knowledge. Pass out your cards in person or attend the parks monthly meeting. Do you have accounting skills that you could bundle with the secretarial part?
Good Luck!!!!!!!

Answer 4

well out of all the "Party" Business, I liked Home and Garden Party best. no inventory, 40% commision and christian values. Plus if you find a sponsor nearby you can start for free.