Small Business, Big Problems

If you are a small business owner, you know how worrisome it can be. You find yourself in the position of trying to be all things to all people. That is a heavy burden. Everyone wants an answer from you - employees, clients, contractors, vendors, customers, and your family.

Small business owners report that high employee turnover and finding reliable workers is a major challenge. There seems to always be problem employees, complainers who make "the company" out to be unfair and greedy, and of course you are the main villain in this picture.

Although you are painted as the bad guy or girl, you are worrying about how much of a raise you can afford to give employees while complying with all the regulations of the Occupational Safely and Health Administration and other government bureaucracies. Then you have discrimination codes and health insurance to deal with.

The list goes on: workers compensation, unemployment compensation, liability insurance, payroll tax reports, W-2s, 1099s, performance reports, etc. You may delegate a good deal of these responsibilities onto others, but you make the final call and take the hit if something goes wrong.

Meanwhile, you have to consider the economic aspects of your business. Are you using the correct strategies to target the right market? Are you keeping up with the demanding market conditions? Are your prices too high? Are your prices too low? How can you compete with big-box stores? You still have to read the reports that track your sales, measure your profit margins, detail your inventory, explain your net profit, and list your expenses. Now what about the cash flow problems? Are you going to be able to make payroll and pay yourself this week?

If you have a company vehicle or other equipment, you've got maintenance, safety, and insurance to deal with. Office equipment is just one more source of frustration. It's great that everything is done by computers these days - but think of the mess it can be if someone forgets to back up crucial files. Speaking of computers, has your web site been updated recently? Is your virus protection up to date?

The list of troubles to be faced daily goes on and on. Everyone wants to be paid. Dissatisfied customers want refunds. Contractors didn't meet their deadline. The computer crashes.

Small business owners have a lot to worry about. Spreading themselves too thin leads to stress, and in return stress can lead to depression, anxiety, heart problems, and difficulty in personal relationships. Family may begin to complain and feel that they have taken second priority. Vacations? Forget it. A small business owner is always "on call" even if a short vacation is manageable.

The truth is, a lot of small business owners wished they had never gone into business at all. Being your own boss is supposed to be a dream-come-true, not a daily hassle.

It's time to reevaluate.

If you are a frustrated small business owner and feel trapped, you may be looking for a new enterprise that will not be so strenuous - a way to create a stable income that still leaves you time for yourself and your family. You have already proven that you can succeed, you can only imagine how much more successful you would be.

Is there an alternative? According to a September, 2006, report by the U.S. Census Bureau, about 49% of small businesses to day are home-based, and the number is expected to continue rising. Why is a home-based business so appealing? No more storefront aggravations. Feelings of peace and freedom are present in a relaxed home office environment. There is more time to spend with your family.

Business Sarts in a Recession - Go Home If tYou Are Laid Off and Not Ready to Retire!

The news is dire for the U.S. economy. Social security is facing a shortfall this year because many people are being forced to take early retirement.

Shuttered out of their jobs in their early '60's, these folks want to work. They can't find jobs.

More people filed for social security--2.74 million-- in 2009 than ever before. They are being forced to accept reduced benefits because they filed before full retirement age.

An additional problem is also arising. Many folks who had planned for retirement are pushing back their retirement to work longer. This sector is operating on fear that their retirement savings won't last.

If you do not want to retire early or if you do not want to delay regular retirement, the picture is not as black as you might think.

The Solution:

According to USA Today, " a recession may be the best time to start a business. " Disney and Microsoft began during recessions.

Shake things up. Use your experience in a different way.

The 'different way' could be lucrative. It could provide lifestyle changes you've been wanting.

Here's what you do:

1. Your Homework. Google and Yahoo! are friends. You may be in your '60's but you can do online research.

2. Make a Choice. Use your homework as a platform, check references and study the competition. Make an educated decision.

3. Write a Business Plan. Make sure this plan identifies the business focus, marketing targets, revenue objectives and other details. Numerous online resources can help as before.

4. Get On With It. Do not allow yourself to suffer 'analysis paralysis.' Nothing will happen if you do not take action.

It is fine to make mistakes. Remember you are adjusting your thought processes to make this change with a positive attitude. Mistakes are part of the process. Learn from them.

5. Market. The internet is your best friend, yet again.

• Online home business opportunities abound and are considered by most M.B.A. types as the new business frontier, teeming with potential.
• Connect with a good coach and learn the skills to penetrate the market. While it won't happen over night, with reasonable time and effort, you will see results.

6. Build personal connections. Service your clientele with a quick response time and solutions.

While you may have to follow a budget when launching your business, there are benefits:

• You can work from your home office so long as you have a computer available.
• No more commuting expenses.
• Your home office and related expenses may qualify for an income tax deduction.
• Start up costs for home internet businesses are nominal.

You can start a business in this recession and win. You have the tools you need. Start using the tools in a different way.

You can build a recession proof business from home and build the lifestyle of your dreams! Don't be defeated by a lay-off or take early retirement if you don't want to.

You don't have to.

Start your business in a recession! Go Home [http://www.maestrocasa.com], If You Are Not Ready To Retire! Click on the link, fill in the box and get immediate, free access to training videos, especially #2 and #3, to get started now.

Internet Home Based Business

There are a number of websites on the Internet which promise to teach you how to start an internet home business but most will extract money from you before you find any useful information. The fact is that stating an internet home business is easy and you do not need to pay to acquire the information.

To start up a business on the internet you will need to

Build a Website

Choose a Business Model

Implement the Model

That is all there is to getting started. You could start a business without a website but that would not be a reliable option. Hence, building a website is the best way to start.

Build Website

In the past if you wanted to start a business online you would have to hire a professional developer to code your website. Professional web designers charge anywhere between $100-$1000. Today, however, you can build a website for free. How? By using Content Management Systems. For the uninformed, a Content Management System is a program which takes care of the infrastructure of your website. All you need to worry about is adding content to your website.

There are a number of free Content Management Systems you can use to create a website for your online business. The easiest to use is CMsimple.

Choose Model

Before you can start a business you need to decide on business model. Here are the options you have

Sell Advertisement Space

Sell Products

Sell Affiliate Products

Sell Membership

Sell Ebooks

Once you have decided which business you would like to start you would like to implement, you can then mould your website around that model.

Implementation

If you have chosen "selling advertisement space" as your business model then you will create a content rich website. Your goal is to build a large readership and then join advertising networks which will provide you with advertisements. You will place these advertisements on your website to generate revenue.

If you decide that you want to sell affiliate products, you will first create your website using a free content management system and then register with companies willing to pay you when you help them sell their product. All you need to do is place advertisements of their products on your website to refer visitors to your affiliate's website. If you used a product you can write a positive review and then recommend the product. Your affiliate will track visitors from your website and then pay you if a visitor purchases their product.

Selling Ebooks is another popular buisness model which can generate hefty cash. An ebook, also known as an electronic book, is a book which can be read on the computer. By writing practical ebooks which solve people's problems you can become filthy rich. To implement model you need to choose a subject, write an ebook, compile the ebook, set a price, and then promote the ebook.

All in all, starting your own Internet Home Business is not difficult. As a matter of fact it is very easy and the benefits are numerous. The best benefit being that you are your own boss. You can work at times which suit you. However, remember that with freedom comes responsibility.