Starting a new "at home" business?

Question

I've had year's of experience in an office environment. I have been given a fantastic opportunity to freelance and use my knowledge in a home business capacity. I want this to be a successful at home business.

Any suggestions from people who have also done this? I live in Canada, so some rules/regulations may be different from other countries, but I'm willing to hear all the advise I can get.

The advise I need is how to start a business. What steps, things to think about, marketing, essential office equipment. Do's and don'ts.

Thanks.

Ok people...you're not reading this properly. I am NOT looking for a home based company. I AM A HOME BASED company. I want to expand, do work for small companies (bookkeeping, admin. work, etc.) in my area. I do not want to work for someone else - like these "scam" type companies.

At least Jennifer gets it...thanks Jennifer!!!

Here's what's happened so far. I am meeting with an accountant on Friday to go over financial/governmental issues. Taxes and the like.

Got business card quote and sample (gotta have those).

Bought the desk and the chair. Looking at computers and accessories.

Currently contracted to a media business who transcribe video, interviews, etc. I would be a transcriber. From home.

Updating my skills. Planning to obtain a certificate in bookkeeping. Already have info. for online studies.

Brainstorming about marketing ME.

All good answers by the way people. Thanks for your advice.

Answer 1

Some people don't read through the questions before they take the opportunity to spam you with their deal, but I would suggest you do an online search like "starting a business in Canada". When I started my computer business in Florida back in 1989, I went to my public library and they were able to help point me to the area that gave me all the information I needed.

Now that we have the internet and almost EVERYTHING can researched here, internet search is what I would do before heading off to the library.

Ask.com is a good place to ask questions also...

~best wishes... I know you will do well.
~jennifer

Answer 2

I'm not sure what you are looking for, do you need to know how you can add to what they are giving you for business? If so, it can be done. Join business organizations, because the members often do business with each other whenever possible. So that will be a source of customers right away. You can also visit other local companies you would like to work for, and leave fliers and other material for them.

At one company where I worked, they ran a classified ad looking for pattern cutters. Someone called and said he does this from home, and suggested they outsource the job to him. They did it immediately.
.

Answer 3

I did a lot of research on this and lots of it is a scam. The big scams are the places that sell you all kinds of books and CD's trust me these places are only in the business of selling books and CD's and do not care what happens to you after making that sale.

Having said that I did find one such opportunity that did work for me. I have become a loss mitigation specialist and I have been helping people save their homes and I make money doing it.

I am sure you have read the news. Forclosures are going through the roof and although this is bad news in general it is great news for anyone in loss mitigation.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

You may need to get a small business license since you would like to expand. In Georgia you have to apply for them in the county that the business is running out of - I am not sure how that might work in Canada or if you would need one but it might not hurt to double check into that to save you potenetial problems down the road.

Answer 5

You need traffic, use either yahoo search marketing or google adwords, a fax machine, printer and of course a computer with a fast connection. I would use paypal for your transactions. I have a business Ventureowl.com and all what I mentioned above works really really well.

Answer 6

why don't you just go to work.