| If you're thinking about starting a home business, than | | | | pick-up truck or two, and various pieces of equipment |
| this article is a must read for you. Working from home | | | | and supplies. If you're constantly going back and forth |
| can be an excellent way to earn a living. You become | | | | between jobs, changing loads and tying up local traffic |
| your own boss and gain a sense of independence, | | | | -- it's likely that sooner or later, somebody is going to |
| although that independence comes with a greater | | | | register a complaint. The less noisy and visible you are |
| degree of responsibility. When you set up shop at | | | | with your home business, the better it is for you and |
| home, you avoid the daily commute, rush hour traffic, | | | | everyone nearby. |
| office politics, and working with people you don't | | | | 4. Set aside a specific room (or more) inside your |
| particularly care for. | | | | home and designate that room for exclusive business |
| But before you launch your new home business, you | | | | use only. |
| need to be aware of the realities. Here are 4 things | | | | There are two reasons for having a separate office. |
| you need to know before you start a home business | | | | The first reason is to keep you on track. When you |
| of any kind: | | | | step into your office, get in the habit of being "all |
| 1. Setting up a business of any kind requires registration | | | | business". Forget that you happen to be at home and |
| and perhaps licensing for the purpose of collecting and | | | | make the distinction whenever you set foot into your |
| remitting sales tax on any goods sold. Even if you're | | | | office or workshop. You'll be far more productive this |
| opening a tiny part-time micro-business, do so with the | | | | way. |
| intent to grow it into a thriving enterprise and get | | | | Secondly, a separate work space allows you to claim |
| started on a solid legal foothold from day one. | | | | that space (and usually many of the associated costs) |
| 2. Check with your local municipality about bylaws that | | | | as a business expense for income tax purposes. If |
| could affect you. Having a crafts workshop in your | | | | you operate from your kitchen table and toss your |
| basement and selling your wares at travelling craft | | | | receipts in a spare drawer, you'd be hard-pressed to |
| shows and fairs might be perfectly acceptable. But | | | | claim your work areas as a legitimate business |
| setting up your front room as a retail store probably | | | | expense. |
| isn't, without the appropriate zoning in place. | | | | When you start a home business, do so with the |
| 3. Respect your neighbours and neighbourhood. The | | | | same intensity and focus as you would if you spend |
| last thing you want is to draw the wrong kind of | | | | several hundred thousand dollars on a fast food |
| attention to your business. If you're starting a home | | | | franchise. |
| business in the landscaping field, you' likely have a | | | | |