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Contributing Authors

	Tom Severance Author of Business Start-Up Guide
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	Steven D. Strauss Author of The Small Business Bible
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	Stephanie Chandler Author of The Business Startup Checklist & Planning Guide
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	Joe Kennedy Author of The Small Business Owner's Manual
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Taking the Plunge

If you decide that a home-based business is right for you, it is vital

that you do it right. First, do not make the mistake of thinking that

you can get by cordoning off some space in the living room. You can,

but it will not work. You need a separate room, both because your

work will require it and because you will need it psychologically to

reinforce that you are at work. Also, if you want to claim the home

office deduction on your income taxes, you need to have a room devoted

solely to the business.

Start by picking the right room. Maybe there is no choice to make;

you have but one room available. If, however, you do have a choice, try

to pick a room that:

You need room for a desk, chair, computer, phone, file cabinet, storage,

bookshelves, and workspace for assembling materials, stuffing envelopes,

that sort of thing. If you will be meeting customers, you will

need enough room for chairs or a couch, and a table. Depending upon

your business, you may also need space for employees, a waiting area

for clients, or production facilities.

Once the office is ready to go, so are you. After that, starting your

home-based business is not much different from starting any other

business (review Part I). Get a business license, decide on an image and

brand, begin to market yourself, and so on. The one difference has to

do with having the right insurance.

Here is what you will need when equipping your home office:

Electrical. If possible, install extra outlets at desk level. If your office will

use a lot of equipment, consider installing a separate circuit breaker.

Telephone. You need at least two phone lines, one for the phone and one

for the fax machine, in addition to your regular home phone line.

Internet. You will need DSL or cable Internet connections. You may also

want to install a wireless connection, which costs only about $100 and

can be purchased at your local office superstore. Handling e-mail next to

the pool is pretty nice.