21 STEPS TO HOME BUSINESS SUCCESS

All around the country, people who want more control over their lives are starting home businesses.  In New Orleans, Rick Hart's home based cajun Cargo ships seafood nation wide. In Palatine, Illinois, Stephaine Heavey works from home designing and selling original patterns for fabric dolls. And in Dallas, Lisa McElya published the Dallas Party & Event Planners Guidebook from the entire first floor of her two-story home.

These three people are living the new American dream of owning a business, but avoiding the high overhead and start-up costs of a commercial location. If the idea of working from home is appealing, but you don't know where to begin, here is a step-by-step guide.

STEP #1 DECIDE WHAT PART OF THE HOUSE TO USE

STEP #2 DETERMINE HOW MUCH TIME YOU CAN SPEND ON THE BUSINESS

STEP #3 DECIDE ON THE TYPE OF BUSINESS

STEP #4 CHOOSE A LEGAL FORM

STEP #5 DETERMINE WHERE THE MONEY WILL COME FROM

STEP #6 GATHER INFORMATION

STEP #7 CHECK ON ZONING RESTRICTIONS

STEP #8 PICK A BUSINESS NAME AND REGISTER IT

STEP #9 WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN

STEP #10 GET AN IDENTIFYING NUMBER

STEP #11 OBTAIN A SALES TAX PERMIT

STEP #12 OBTAIN LICENSES & PERMITS

STEP #13 SELECT BUSINESS CARDS, STATIONERY, BROCHURES

STEP #14 OPEN A BUSINESS CHECKING ACCOUNT

STEP #15 SET UP RECORD-KEEPING SYSTEMS

STEP #16 CHECK IRS REQUIREMENTS

STEP #17 OUTFIT THE BUSINESS

STEP #18 DECIDE ON TELEPHONE REQUIREMENTS

STEP #19 CHECK OUT THE POST OFFICE & UPS

STEP #20 PURCHASE THE NECESSARY INSURANCE

STEP #21 ORGANIZE THE HOUSE & YOURSELF