Guide to Owning Your Own Business for Work at Home Moms

Choosing to be a work at home parent or grandparent can be a huge decision. Leaving behind the relative safety of the outside world and taking on more responsibility in your life can be a huge step, but it can also leave many moms wondering how to survive in the work at home world.
Being a stay at home mom means you can spend more time with your family, take better care of your children, and take care of your home while working to provide an income at the same time. While this is a wonderful benefit, it can also become overwhelming very quickly to any mom or grandparent. Here are a few guidelines to help you as a parent or grandparent who has decided to work from home.
First, choose your business wisely. Be sure to choose a business that is interesting to you. If you want to sell diapers, for example, that is wonderful, but is that something you will enjoy doing 6 or 12 months from now as well? Will it get old later on or is it something you can be enthusiastic about indefinitely? Make sure your business fits your schedule. If you are constantly on the go, dropping off kids for school, taking them to recitals, filling in as soccer coach, etc., you need a business that doesn't require you to be there all the time. However if you have only one small child and can be around more often for your business, you can choose a business that might take up more of your time.
Secondly, make sure that the business you choose to be in fits your current financial situation. The old saying goes, "It takes money to make money", and that is certainly true for work at home parents and moms. Expect to invest some money in your new vocation. It is the goal that the business will begin to bring you a lot of income but there will be start-up costs incurred. And some businesses are more expensive than others to get into. Think about the costs of starting your business, marketing costs, supplies costs, and other necessary expenses.
Also decide whether you want a business entirely of your own or if you want to be a consultant or affiliate of another company. If you are starting up a business of your own, then you will need to plan it out strategically and make sure you have all bases covered for when you start. There are usually more costs involved for starting a business of your own versus working for another company. If you choose to be a consultant for a company, whether it be beauty products or vacuum cleaners, find out what the exact start up costs will be, how flexible your schedule can be, and how much support you will receive for your endeavors.
Many people will tell you that their business opportunity is the very best, however if you choose to be a consultant or representative of another company, it is extremely important for you to look at all of your options before taking the plunge. Ask these questions before making a commitment:
* Are there any other similar companies out there? If so, how to they compare?
* Do I like this company's products? Would I be willing to stand by them?
* Does this company cater to a specific audience?
* What start-up costs are involved and what costs are involved in maintaining my business?
* Do I have a sponsor or a mentor with the company that can help me get started?
* How flexible will my schedule be?
* Will this business allow me to take time with my family? Does it focus on family?
There are many business opportunities available for work at home moms, work at home grandparents, and Christian moms. Choose the one that best fits your goals, lifestyle and personality!
Alternatively you may consider starting up a business of your own. Some specialized areas are better suited to this alternative, such as being a virtual assistant, ghostwriter, web designer, printer or marketing assistant. Think of which resources you have available to you, and what skills and talents you already have. If you have a high-quality printer and a knack for design, you might consider creating business cards or marketing materials for other work at home parents. Or if you have the gift of being organized, you may want to consider starting your own virtual assistant business. Work with the gifts and talent you already have and do what you enjoy doing, and you will never regret starting your own business.
Finally, make sure that your work and family life both get plenty of attention. As a stay at home mom, the lines between work and family can easily become blurred. Set aside time each day as "work time" and stick to that schedule. Make sure that your family gets their own time with you as well, and that you don't bring work into "family time".
With these guidelines in mind, you can create a successful stay at home business that will enable you to spend more time with your children and yet work in a fulfilling business that helps to support your family.

Marcia Chumbley is a work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She is the owner of a Christian Work at home Moms and Grandparents web site at http://www.faithfulgrannies.com. A place for Christian Work From Home Grandparents. We are the true pioneers bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents and Families together while providing you with resources, inspiration and affordable advertising to make a positive difference while balancing the work at home experience. We are nurturing the youth who will change the world