Start Your Own Home Business... in No Time

I really liked this book. On its cover are the words: "fast, simple and easy." I'm not sure starting a business can be done that way, but if someone reads this book they'll probably start a small business (or home business) quicker than if they did not read it. The 16-point checklist on the inside of the front cover is the same list of questions I typically cover when I meet with SCORE.org clients as a counselor. The book goes on to provide the information I provide my SCORE.org clients. If you don't want to spend lots of time with SCORE.org counselors, then you can read this book and only get counseled by counselors regarding the questions you have after reading the book. You are sure to have some because the book is only 249 pages. Although the business plan material in the book is cursory, it is still complete. You'll be best advised to consult other books and Web pages to find sample plans and templates, and to seek out counsel from SCORE.org volunteers to edit and proof your final plan for reasonableness. I think the book is wonderful. However, in my humble opinion the cover design and page layouts were a little more childish than they should have been. The book loses a little credibility because of its appearance. I also think the title should have emphasized "small business" rather than "home business." Since home businesses typically will use a Web site or Web sites in a big way (and maybe eBay, too?), I think the book was deficient in not including sufficient material on Web sites and how they help in marketing efforts. All in all, great book and a must-read for someone considering starting a business.

As someone who started their own home-based business many years ago and has never regretted it, there are two reasons why I read books like this. The first is to be reminded of the things that I know, but circumstances have caused a drift away from them. Basics such as always be actively marketing your business, have a business plan, keep everything organized, and where to search for basic advice. The second is to hopefully encounter the one new idea that more than justifies the cost of the book and the time to read it. In terms of the first reason, I was generally satisfied with the advice in the book. Most of the basics of starting and succeeding with a home-based business are covered and I was prompted to reconsider some of the areas where I have grown lax. The only significant point of weakness, and in the modern world this could be major, is the lack of emphasis on the Internet. Hard data is difficult to acquire, but it is clear that a large number of new home-based businesses have a heavy, sometimes even exclusively Internet presence. I could not find E-bay even listed in the index. Whether you sell on E-bay or not, the advice to shop there first for any major purchases should have been included. Some other minor points, such as having a credit card reserved solely for your business, were also not included. While the Internet and the World Wide Web are mentioned, there is little more than a statement that you should have a web presence. My second reason for reading the book was not satisfied. I did not encounter any new ideas in the book that were significantly helpful. The closest was the listing of the National Association for the Self Employed web site. I went to it and investigated some of what they offer in the area of group health and dental plans. While I am still in the process of evaluating their programs, it appears that joining the organization will be money well spent. Since I was a manager many years ago and have had my own home-based business for nearly a decade, I have experienced most of what is in this book. Therefore, on that basis, I can recommend it for anyone who is considering starting one. However, if the business is one that depends on the Internet, then this book will not help you in the specifics of starting an Internet-based business.