Title: Learn The Facts About Running A Home Based Business Word Count: 608 Summary: A home based business can be almost anything you want it to be. You can work as a freelance writer or design and sell your own jewelry or you can make scarves or jam or run an accounting service. The possibilities are many when it comes to starting a home based enterprise but for many people there is not a great deal of financial security in starting their own business from home. A home based business is fraught with added financial responsibilities and worries and the sad... Keywords: Article Body: A home based business can be almost anything you want it to be. You can work as a freelance writer or design and sell your own jewelry or you can make scarves or jam or run an accounting service. The possibilities are many when it comes to starting a home based enterprise but for many people there is not a great deal of financial security in starting their own business from home. A home based business is fraught with added financial responsibilities and worries and the sad fact of the matter is that approximately 70 percent or more of all new home based businesses fail in less than two years. In order not to become a statistic it is important to have all of your facts straight about becoming a business owner before you set up shop. One of the first things you should do is adequately assess what skills you have that would be useful in starting a home based business. It is not until you actively and honestly ascertain what your skills and strengths are that you will be able to say with confidence that you are ready to move forward with your idea for a home based business. Are your organizational skills excellent and are you an exceptional planner? These two elements are very important when it comes to starting a home based business. It is important to be able to formulate a series of goals for your business and then to see all of your goals through to completion. It is also essential to create a work schedule that you will commit to and that helps to maximize the benefits to your developing business. If your money management skills leave much to be desired then you will need to shape up before embarking on a home based business. Running your own business requires such things as getting a loan, proper budgeting, keeping excellent financial records and making sure that tax forms contain all of the necessary information. Marketing your business and selling your products or services is important but you must first learn to sell yourself. As a home business owner you must be able to promote yourself in a manner that elicits interest from prospective customers. Not only that but you have to believe that what you are doing is providing a valuable service to others. Promoting yourself is also very valuable when it comes to applying for a bank loan or looking for investors. Once you start your own business you are the "everything" of the business which means you are management and must make all decisions such as what to spend money on, what goals must be met on a weekly and/or monthly basis and all other important decisions that must be addressed. Be aware too that your "people skills" must be top notch in order to work for yourself. Just as you came across individuals with differing views in your regular nine to five job you will do so in your home business but remember that your income is now completely dependent on your customers. Conflicting personalities and conflicting goals are things you will encounter no matter what business you decide to start. An ability to be efficient is vital to the success of a home based business as is the ability to be self-disciplined. You need to be assertive and learn how to take the initiative when you take on the responsibility of a home based business. As well you need to understand the delicate balance of taking a calculated risk and you have to know when an opportunity presents itself if you should grab onto it or not.