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Five ?s to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Home Based Business BY PAM MOLNAR A s mothers, we can contribute to our family income and still be home with our children. Instead of making a choice that is black and white — work or stay home — some women have chosen to try out a world that is more colorful — entrepreneurship. According to National Association of Women Business Owners, 10.1 million firms were owned by women in 2008. Sadly, for almost every new business that opens, another is closing. The reasons vary, but for many, it just wasn't a good fit for them. How can you decide if a home based business is right for you? 1 DO YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT OF YOUR FAMILY? A new business may sound like a good idea, but you may not realize how much time it will take away from your family. Even if your business hours are scheduled around your family, there will be conflicts. Phone calls come at inopportune times. Computer problems cause delays. Deadlines get shortened and shipments arrive late. Your business will impact the family financially, too. When unexpected expenses come up, the business owner has to dip into her own pocket. On slow weeks, there is no paycheck. Without the support of your spouse and children you may not succeed. 20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • August 2013 2 WHAT ARE YOUR DAYCARE PLANS? Have you made arrange- ments for someone to watch your children while you are working? The TV and electronics will only entertain them for so long. A successful working mom has a well thought out daycare plan. Try trading daycare with another mom. Enlist the help of teenage babysitters after school. Rely on your spouse a couple of evenings during the week or on a Saturday. If you know your children are in good hands while you are working you will be able to concentrate on your job instead of worrying about your children. 3 ARE YOU SELF-MOTIVATED? Without a boss or co-workers to hold you accountable, are you able to get the task done in a timely manner? Business owners need to be able to work despite interruptions. When things don't go as planned, you need to be persistent enough to keep going. While working out of your home, try not to be tempted to throw in a load of laundry or empty your dishwasher. When you set aside time to work, do not do any household tasks or take non-work phone calls. It is challenging to set up boundaries between work and home, but in order to succeed it must be done.