Business Opportunities Weblog

September 8, 2008 by Rich Whittle | 3 Comments

St. George Magazine:

You may be enticed by the idea of being your own boss or spending more time with the family. Maybe the flexibility is attractive. Be honest, the real allure of starting a home business is wearing your pajamas all day.

Perhaps you have an idea you think could lead to a business, something you’ve been pondering for a while. Alice Hiatt had 40-plus years of sewing experience, and when her employer went out of business she knew she was ready to work for herself. Nine years ago she started getting her name out and is now more successful with Alice’s Tailoring & Services in her St. George home than she ever was working for someone else.

Or maybe the business presented itself. That’s what happened with Michelle Malie, who created hair bows for her daughter when she wasn’t satisfied with what she found in stores. She never planned on a business blossoming from her project, but when she got a positive response from her gifts, she figured it would be a good way to earn a little extra cash. Now, a year later, she makes a variety of hair accessories called Binga Bows in her Cedar City home.

The starting point for any home business is research, and a lot of it. Jill Elliss, director of the Dixie Business Alliance, advises starting with feasibility research. Examine whether the idea has the capability of succeeding, evaluate competitors and customers, and determine if necessary resources are available.

Photo by St. George Magazine.

In Advice, Small Biz, Work at Home | 3 Comments