Lessons Learned from
Nine Years in Business

by Michelle Winterhalter

Knowing how to avoid home-business pitfalls is an important key to success in a homebased business. Newbies and seasoned business owners alike will benefit from the insight and special tips in this article. 

1. Respect for you and your business is something you earn. Unfortunately, homebased businesses are still somewhat of a "Rodney Dangerfield industry" in that we don't receive the respect other businesses receive unless and until we attain great success. Friends and family will call at all hours, and since we are home, they expect us to be able to chat endlessly. Our schedule is expected to be flexible enough to accommodate running errands, volunteer work, drop-in visitors, doctor appointments, etc.

TIP: One way to bypass this road of frustration is to set and keep a steady work schedule. Include phone time, filing and paperwork time, customer service time, self-training time, and marketing time. What you do with these hours is determined by your business and your desire. But, by consistently communicating that you are "working" and unable to visit, chat, or perform other tasks, you will not only gain respect from others, you'll increase your own confidence in yourself and your business.

2. You can’t rely on friends and family to keep you in business. Let's imagine for a minute that instead of the business you have chosen, you've become a real-estate agent. (Or maybe you have.) Would you expect your friends and family to move to help you get your business started? Of course not. That's almost ridiculous to think of!

TIP: One of the most important tools you will ever acquire for your business will be an ever-changing "contact list" which may or may not start out with friends and family, but should increase constantly with contacts you acquire through referrals. Not everyone is going to be interested in your "whosi-what's-it" or the service you offer. By limiting your contacts, one of two things will happen: either you will find your business growth minimal or non-existent, or the negative opinions of those you trust and admire the most will affect your confidence level and you'll lose the excitement and drive you started with.

3. To benefit from a business, you must run it as a business, not a hobby. A good business plan and tracking system will eliminate months or years of struggle. Don't just "jump in" and learn as you go because there will be painful lessons along the way that will set you back tremendously.

TIP: Create a detailed map to follow. Read every book and article you can get your hands on, attend seminars, watch videos and television shows, and ask a lot of questions.

4. Be creative, have fun, and dare to be different. Try new things, but always stick with the basics first. The fundamental activities of your business are the foundation upon which you can build.

TIP: Contact at least 10 new people a day through print and media, or by phone. Ask for referrals. Keep accurate financial records. Refresh your product knowledge regularly. Treat every customer as if he or she were your only customer.

5. Don't talk about your business more than you do your business. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and slow and steady wins the race. 

Copyright © 2003 by Michelle Winterhalter

Over the past nine years, Michelle Winterhalter has built her business around five small children by taking the sage advice offered above. At present, she does not have a Web site.