Perhaps you’re stuck in a nine-to-five job you hate, or are a homemaker bored at home, but you’ve probably thought of turning a beloved hobby into a business which will make some money. Many people have done it before, and have done it successfully, though there are those that fail as well. If you’re thinking of going into business for yourself, here are some things you should think about before taking the plunge:

If it becomes work, will you still love it?

If you enjoy knitting sweaters for your loved ones, will you enjoy doing it for money? Sometimes when something becomes actual work, you may find yourself not wanting to do it anymore. But if you’re enthusiastic about something, then you may find yourself loving it even more, despite the long hours of hard work.

Is it worthy of being a business?

You may love your hobby, have a passion for it, but that doesn’t mean you can make money from it. You may be good at making animals from pipe cleaners, but that doesn’t mean you should go out and open up a pipe cleaner shop. You must be practical as well, and do the necessary legwork to find out if your idea is feasible.

Remember, it is a business!

Being an employee has its pros – you just show up at the office, do your work and you get a paycheck two weeks later. Being a business owner or being self-employed is different. You have to deal with day to day operations, payroll, taxes, clients, receivables and payables – things which are not fun and can be boring. Hopefully, you’ll be able to handle such challenges.

What will happen in the long run?

You’ll be investing a large amount of your time and resources into starting your own business – so you have to think of what will happen in 5, 10 or even 20 years. Although no one wants to think of failure, many new businesses shut down within the first year (restaurants, for example, experience a failure rate of about 59%.) Your goals and plans should include future strategies, as well as back-up plans.

Consider alternatives

Okay, so you tell yourself, if you spend another day at your desk, you might do something drastic, but you don’t have the resources or time to pursue your hobby. There can be other alternatives – perhaps all you need is to change career paths into an industry that’s closer to what you love. So you really love to cook, but can’t leave your accounting job to open up your restaurant. Perhaps you should work for a food company. Also, you may be able to teach what you love. You may never sell your landscape paintings, but perhaps you can apply for teaching positions or give art lessons – at least you’ll still spend your time doing what you love.  And of course, you can teach through online teleseminar, webinars, blogging, video streaming – the sky’s the limit!

Whatever you decide to do, just remember: If you follow your heart and passion, and you are truly on the path that was designed for you -  the money will follow. This is the simplest of all concepts, and really where everything should begin. If you’re passionate about baking, then you should consider doing it full-time. If you’re not sure what your passion is, make an list of all the things you love to do and what you’re good at. Then start to narrow it down until you get a couple that just excites you and you have a burning desire to do.  Then do your research and see if there is a market for your business or services.  If there is, the rest is up to you.

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Is your response to this is …ahhhh….that sounds so great! It’s a powerful concept and one that tugs at your heart.  You want to use your talents and skills to earn a living.  You know people that have already done that.

Why not you?

Why not now?

What would an ad for your ideal job read as? What’s your hot button?  What kind of an ad would you respond to quickly, as soon as you saw it?  Write one out for yourself right now…dream big.

Click the Image to Order Your Copy

If you think that that‘s just a dream, then you’re right.  That’s exactly what it is. Understand this first, the future has been and always will be designed by dreams.  All successful people use them, believe in them and stake their future on them.  Your future is waiting for your dream to be designed.  First, in your mind, then on paper; make it real by writing it down.  And lastly  – Make it Happen!

There’s a sense of satisfaction, personal pride and accomplishment that comes with being able to showcase your strengths and abilities.  And where you’re at now may best be described in the book, The Dream Giver, by Bruce Wilkinson, when one of the characters states, “This isn’t what I was made to do…I just know it!”  Does that speak to you?  Good. Then you’re ready.

There are a few things you’ll need to bring to the table, such as passion, the right attitude and tenacity, to name a few.  Passion gives your dream oxygen.  It keeps it burning.  It keeps it alive.   Attitude, well attitude can make or break your dream.  Tenacity makes you keep at it.

With this in mind, are you ready to make a commitment?  Say, “Yes that’s what I really, really want!” But do you know how to get there?  Do you know what to do next?   Do you want some practical guidance, some strategy, some help?

Lorin Beller Blake

Where do I go to get the next step? ……. I’m glad you asked.  I’m hosting the queen of doing what you love and getting paid for it, Lorin Beller Blake, Founder of Big Fish Nation on April 22^nd in my Social Media “T” Room.  You’ll want to be on this call so you can take yourself to that next step.  For more information and to register visit Social Media “T” Room.

Ahhh. …what a delightfully refreshing concept, to get paid for doing something you really want to do!

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Whether you have an Internet-based or a brick and mortar business, we all want more traffic or customers coming through our doors, right?   There is an online tool that can make a major impact on your marketing effort to bring those customers in.  It’s called Google Local Business.  It’s quick, easy and best of all – Free!

Here is a short video that explains everything about Google Local Business.

Isn’t that great?  Get your business set up on Google Local Business now and get ahead of your competitors!

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If you have been online for any length of time you’ve been exposed to a blog in one way or another. In fact you’re probably using one yourself and understand the importance of a small business utilizing a blog for several reasons such as increasing traffic, building a relationship with your readers, etc.

Not all people are as fortunate as those of us that know the importance of blogging. Speaking on a local level if you’ve ever had a conversation with a small business owner who has a brick and mortar business you have probably come to the conclusion that some of them don’t even know what a blog is!

That’s where a anyone who loves WordPress, has a creative side and doesn’t mind working mostly behind the scenes can utilize their services by becoming a blog consultant. Then you can start evangelizing to small business owners in your local community not only the importance of blogging but the truth – blogging is smart for business.

So exactly what is a blog consultant?

It’s someone passionate about blogging. They love blogging in general but more importantly they understand the importance of blogging for small business owners and want to share that understanding with small business owners especially on the local level.

So if you’re that person mentioned above and are passionate about blogging and want to share that passion with others then be sure to check out Become A Blog Consultant. If you’re not that’s ok too, this course was created for anyone who has a passion for blogging and wants to share it with local small business owners.

Be sure to visit our site where you can watch a quick two minute video and see a real life client example and sign up for a 16 minute audio that will help you decide if this is for you. Become A Blog Consultant

How do you run your business?  Do you have a business plan?  What about a budget?  Do you rely on a board of directors to help you with big decisions?  I rely on God for my business.  Because without Him I wouldn’t have a business at all.

My friend, Laurie Neumann with Christian Home Business Connections, has just released her new book, Run Your Business God’s Way (affiliate link) and I wanted to share the link for those who are interested in getting a copy.

She’s offering it for a limited time for only $9.95.  This eBook is filled with Scripture verses and insight so that you can get busy running your business God’s way. 

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More people are looking for ways to quickly and effectively start an online business. Some have lost their jobs due to downsizing and just can’t find a comparable position. So they are hoping to “cash in” on their expertise and take advantage of sites like Facebook and Twitter to help build a business online. But there is so much more to developing an online business than just throwing up a website and posting on social media sites.

My friend, Jason Spurlock, knows how these people feel and he has developed a new approach to starting an online business. It’s called OBE Pro and it is the “last” place you will need to go to gather the tools to become successful online!   Jason says, “we make online business owners, and those that desire to own a lucrative online business, more profitable…producing a great amount of change in a short amount of time.”

OBE Pro has an incredible product suite that focuses on the three critical aspects of owning a successful online business.  

 
1. personal development   
2. business development
3. results-based marketing strategies 

And the best part about OBE Pro for those skeptics is that it is completely free for 30 days.  You can establish an account, take advantage of all the reports and pdfs in your own private “back office,” and learn from some of the leading online business marketers through webinars, teleconferences and mastermind gatherings. OBE Pro is convinced that by following this system you will be a 6-figure online business owner!

Why not give it try?  You have nothing to lose and lots of valuable information for starting and building a successful online business to gain. OBE Pro is the future of home business…for smart people!  Sign up for your free 30 Days Now!

If you’re stuck on reaching a goal in your business and procrastination sets in, you’re not alone. It is one of the top reasons why we don’t flourish in our businesses.

If it were so easy everyone would be doing it right?

In my friends Sue Painter and Amy Franko’s 4 Ways to Flourish Telesummit, Million Dollar Income Acceleration Coach David Neagle provided a great formula for becoming unstuck.

David Neagle shared a specific tool for reaching any goal in your business or personal life.

First, define your need, being as specific as possible. This is different than the big picture for your business; instead, it’s getting to the very goal you’re trying to reach in this moment. What David reminds us is that whatever we need is already here. This can be hard to accept or believe, but it’s true. When you put the need out there, the answer is there – waiting for you to find it.

Second, take a blank sheet of paper and draw a vertical line down the center so you have two columns. Title the left column “Why I Can’t.” Title the right column “How I Can.” Beginning on the right side, list all of the ideas that come to your mind about how you can achieve the goal. But here’s the thing – simultaneously, your subconscious is going to tell you all the reasons why it can’t be done. Pay zero attention to that subconscious mind and continue writing the ideas down, no matter what.

Third, take action on each of your ideas. Don’t skip one, no matter how tempting! The answer is in your action. David says:

“The universe is trying to get you the thing that you need, more than you think you need it. But if you talk yourself out of doing one of those things, or you are afraid to do it, or it’s calling up some kind of fear for you, or you procrastinate – then you are not going to get the thing that you want. But if you [take action on each idea] you will take care of whatever your [need] is immediately.”

Your success is about reaching one goal at a time, and this simple tool can help you reach your next goal. This was just one of the great ideas that David shared, along with 3 other amazing entrepreneurs, during the 4 Ways to Flourish Telesummit.

Your call to action? Decide now to order the Four Ways to Flourish Telesummit Package.

For only $47, you’ll receive the audio files and professional transcripts from David and the other entrepreneurial leaders.

When you compare just one hour of these experts’ time with the price point of this series, I know you’ll see the value in taking action! And the truth is, you really can’t buy an hour of time with a few of these folks at any price!

I get many offers through email for business tools to enhance and grow my online business. This week I responded to an opportunity to be interviewed for a Christian Home Based Business Connection. The owner Laurie Neumann, contacted me and we completed the interview very quickly. On Wednesday, September 2, 2009 Laurie posted my comments on her blog, which I was very thankful for.

During my visit to her blog, I noticed all of the great resources and tools she has to offer at her site. So I wanted to return the favor and share some of the resources she has and a link to her site, for anyone interested in starting a home-based business.

Her website is Christian Home Business Connection and these are some of the resources she offers:

Home Business Resource Guide

Top Six Ways Report

And Laurie has many other resources and connections for new home business owners and potential owners, based on Christian values. Check out her site, and tell her I sent you!

I have just returned from an incredible trip to San Diego with a business associate of mine, Sue Painter of The Confident Marketer and some other friends where we learned some amazing Internet Marketing secrets to really explode our businesses. (and yours!)

We were at the Paid For Life conference in San Diego with Mike Koenigs and Brenden Bouchard and a host of other speakers such as Russell Brunson, James Malinchak, Paul Colligan, John Carlton and others. These thought leaders shared massive amounts of information with the participants on ways to grow your online business and the one recurring theme was Video.

With Google’s recent purchase of YouTube, it stands to reason that video is a SEO booster. We came away from the conference with a passion for making videos of just about everything we do. Trainings, speaking opportunities, how-to videos, video testimonials from clients and more.

If you haven’t started using video for your online marketing – now is the time! You can easily get started for less than $100 with a Flip Camera. Carry it with you everywhere. You never know when a marketing opportunity will present itself for you and your business. Point – Click – Record!

I just spent the weekend with about 3000 girlfriends! Man, what a slumber party!

Here are some of my Knoxville girlfriends in OUR limo on our way to dinner.

It was the 9th Annual eWomenNetwork International Conference in Dallas and to say I had a great time is quite an understatement. This event was loaded with incredible speakers, trainers and thought leaders who freely shared their expertise and their road to success with us.

From sessions on finance to personal growth, social media and publishing to how to change your Brain to succeed; these breakout sessions were worth thousands of dollars if attended separately. However, it was a girlfriend’s weekend and it was all given freely. New friendships were made and existing ones were made stronger.

Not to brag (too much!) but one of the highlights of my weekend was the unveiling of the eWomenNetwork Facebook Fan Page that I developed and will be managing for eWomenNetwork! Yea! How exciting! The intention is to have this Fan Page as an outlet for eWomenNetwork members, as well as potential members, to have a voice directly to Founder, Sandra Yancey and President, Kym Yancey. They will both be commenting on the site and will answer questions as they come up.

As with most conferences there was an exhibit area where vendors gave away samples and promotional items. They were all great. I stopped by the Best Buy/Geek Squad booth looking to charge my cell phone because I had left my charger at home. Unfortunately, they didn’t have a charger to fit my phone (which is one reason I’m getting a new one), but they asked me to drop my card in for the 42″ Plasma TV they were giving away. So I said, OK, but I never win anything.

After I got off the plane and was driving home, I checked my voice mail and heard a message from the Geek Squad that I had WON the TV! Now that was too cool!

So overall my weekend was Great! I gained many new friends, some awesome ideas on maximizing my business and a new TV. Can’t get any better than that!