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Articles
Helpful Resources for Starting Your Own Business From Home
Do you want to work from home too? Good for you! Not a week goes by it seems that I don't get an email from a mom that says something like this: "I would just love to be able to work from home like you do. Can you give me any advice or tips on how to get started?" On one hand it feels great that other moms see me as a trustworthy resource for information, but I am also overwhelmed by the amount of information that I would need to give them in order to really help them start reaching their goal. The good news is that I am always keeping my eyes open to valuable resources that I think will prove very useful for moms like this (and maybe a mom like you). I pray that as you consider if this would be a path that you should follow, your direction would be made clear and your efforts would be rewarded. I would love for you to send me an email and keep me updated on your progress!
Resources that you might find valuable: I am a big fan of learning from the success of others. I have found that there are some great written resources out there on the topic of business and, thankfully, many cater to women in business which makes them of extra interest to me. Below are some of the books that are currently on my bed stand or in my bookshelf and some of the websites that are saved in my favorites:
- Sarah Shaw is the founder of Entreprenette.com, a consulting company that guides entrepreneurs through all the steps to developing and launching their fashion, accessory or lifestyle product idea using all the secrets she has learned over the past 13 years. Sarah grew her own million dollar company with her famous "Pinked" handbag and has applied her expertise and knowledge to her consulting practice. Sarah has been featured in the LA Times, WWD, Oprah Magazine, as well as on Access Hollywood and regularly speaks to inventors and entrepreneurs nationally.
- Info that will help you find direction and useful "how-to's" in starting your business: http://www.momstown.com
- Startup Princess profiles women entrepreneurs to tell their inspirational stories while also serving as a hub for women to post comments and connect with one another. It is a great place to network and find great resources! http://www.startupprincess.com
- The Mogul Mom is directed right at moms in business and offers great tips and advice. Heather Allard has experience in manufacturing a product and later selling it to a larger company: http://www.themogulmom.com/
- Another wonderful resource for business ideas and information:. http://www.emomsathome.com/blog/
- This online lifestyle magazine for entrepreneur moms was started by a savvy business mom and has a wealth of great information including a forum, blog, podcasts, printable articles and more! http://www.mommyscompany.com
- I found the book MothersWork by Rebecca Matthis to be a very helpful, honest and inspiring look at the woman who started out with a mail-order business selling professional maternity clothes, that later turned into 620 retail outlets like Mimi Maternity, Motherhood, and A Pea in the Pod, as a multimillion-dollar maternity clothing empire. "In this book, Matthias offers advice to other entrepreneurs about the process of building and growing a company. She explains how to research an idea, how to test market and raise money, and how to handle employees, taxes, bankers, and franchising. This "three-dimensional blueprint" for how to build a company and eventually take it public is inspirational reading for students, entrepreneurs, and small business managers." A Susan C. Awe, Univ. of New Mexico Lib., Albuquerque Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- I found the book The Martha Rules by Martha Stewart to be a good overview on the basic essentials to achieving success as you start, build or manage a business.
- Bags to Riches by Linda Hollander (7 Success Secrets for Women in Business). This book has some great information as well as ideas for business women.
- The Mom Inventors Handbook by Tamara Monosoff. I am not an inventor (at least yet anyway), but the information in this book was very interesting to me. It provides direction, advice and tips that I am sure would be invaluable to someone who does have an idea they want to market.
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Weekend Entrepreneur by Michelle Anton and Jennifer Basye Sander. This book offers "101 Great Ways to Earn Extra Cash". It is filled with ideas proven to be successful that could be duplicated by you to earn some extra money on a full or part time basis. I have emailed with Michelle Anton on a few occasions and she has a heart of gold and truly desires to see people find success in business. Michelle also has a wonderful on-line resource. Her website, http://weekend.entrepreneur.com/ is one you will want to visit again and again.
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The Toilet Paper Entreprenur by Mike Michalowicz gets "down and dirty" in explaining how to build a business when you are at the end of your roll.
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Click on the links below for info on how to set up a retail business:
Becoming A Retailer
Information on getting your business name, business license, website, domain name and more:
Home Based Business Requirements
Info if you want to set up a cloth diapering business:
Starting A Cloth Diapering Business
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Want to buy a website? This site has an ongoing list of Cloth Diapering websites for sale www.diaperdecisions.com/pages/businessesforsale.php
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Career Jobs offers 3 methods guaranteed to save you time and money in finding a legitimate work at home job.
Perhaps you would like to become involved in one of the many established, successful business opportunities that are often perfect for moms. I will begin a list here of options and contacts. If you are involved with a similar company and are interested in being added to this list as a contact, please email me your contact info as well as a brief description of the company you represent. Please note, I have chosen to only list one contact per company at this time.
- Arbonne International provides families with only the highest quality Health and Wellness products. Formulated in Switzerland, our products are botanically based and formulated without toxic ingredients. Arbonne's PURE, SAFE and BENEFICIAL standards are the highest! Contact me to find out how you can try these products or how you can build a home-based business that will create a legacy for your children. Arbonne ~ Good for your family, good for the environment, good for the economy.
Christa Weathers
Independent Consultant, Arbonne International
(406) 207-3964
christaweathers@yahoo.com
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AmeriPlan® Corporation is the nation's largest discounted fee-for-services, supplemental health, dental, vision, chiropractic and prescription benefits provider. Our discount benefits can save people up to 80% on dental, vision, Rx and chiropractic and they're really affordable ($11.95-$19.95 a month). 70% of Americans don't have any insurance or are underinsured. I'm helping families get the medical coverage they need and I also am helping moms work from home. Click here for more info on our medical coverage or click here for more info on how you can make money doing what I do or contact me directly!
Amy Sun
Avondale, AZ
(623) 262-3886
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Steel my Heart® has a mission to promote the success of their Consultants and co-workers with tools and support while offering unique, personalized products designed for individual expression. This company offers unique personalized and customizable gifts such as stainless steel wrist huggers, neck tags, picture frames, pictures and more. Steel my Heart® offers the opportunity for stay at home parents to earn extra money.
Stephanie Spainhower
Indianapolis, Indiana
(317)782-4190 or (317)460-3906
spankyandme9@yahoo.com
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Southern Living came to life in the early '60s and embraced the warmth of friendship in a gracious home environment. In recent years, thousands of readers have called in to ask how they can find many of the beautiful products they see in the pages of Southern Living. In response to those inquiries, a party plan company, Southern Living At HOME, was created in January 2001. The company also serves as a way for Southern Living to invite valued readers to share in its success. It stands committed to help entrepreneurs realize the dream of owning their own business and achieving personal and financial freedom.
Dolores Odom
(512) 300-9204
doloresodom@yahoo.com
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Work from home: Want to spend more time with your family? Sell .925 Sterling Silver jewelry as an Independent Representative and do just that! Set your own schedule. Make time for your children, your family, and friends while earning 30% on your sales, free jewelry, and reward trips. Call Deanna and ask me how.
Deanna Privette
(336) 456-3427
Maybe you have a great product idea, where do you go with it?
The following Mom-preneur tips is the copyrighted material of Babe Ease, LLC, and www.cleanshopper.com and is shared with Mom 4 Life with all rights reserved by Babe Ease, LLC
Do you have any advice for individuals thinking of starting their own home-based business?
I think it’s important to understand that starting a company takes a great deal of time and at least some money. If you are a mother, you’ve probably assumed responsibility not only for child care, but also housework, volunteer work and numerous other activities – from making meals to making up the family’s social schedule – that fill your days. If you have looked carefully at home-business feasibility, thoroughly analyzed the particular pros and cons that apply to your own situation, have secured day care for your children and are ready to begin growing a business, I would suggest the following:
- Establish a room in your house exclusively for your business. Invest in a phone line, phone, computer, desk, chair and file cabinet. Make your office comfortable and functional. If your house won’t accommodate a spare room, look for office suites in your community and consider renting one on a monthly or quarterly basis.
- Contact your local Small Business Administration (SBA) office and inquire about the services of a Service Corps of Retired Executives (S.C.O.R.E.) counselor. This FREE program is comprised of retired CEOs who volunteer to help start-up companies. In addition to the wealth of information your SCORE counselor can provide, the SBA offers an equally valuable array of services and information. Visit Small Business Administration for additional information.
One of the most important aspects of starting a business is to surround yourself with competent, reputable business consultants. By this I mean interview and agree to work with only the best individuals you can find. Please keep in mind that qualified professionals cost money. But these individuals will be vital to the success of your business and spending money for professional expertise up front may save you much more ahead, when you avoid common pitfalls that can sometimes make or break a company. You will want to find the following types of consultants:
- A reputable certified CPA. Discuss with your CPA what business structure (corporation, partnership, LLC, etc.) may be best for you and your company. You’ll want to discuss the tax implications of each structure and your overall goal for the business.
- A reputable business attorney. Good legal advice is essential to help you with contracts/agreements and any legal questions that arise regarding all aspects of your business.
- And most importantly, if you are building your business around an invention or simply want to patent a product, hire the best possible, reputable patent/ intellectual property law attorney you can find. The key here is "reputable." No institutes or agencies claiming to help inventors.
I have an idea for a product but don’t know how to go about making a prototype?
There are a number of ways to develop a prototype. Some are very inexpensive and easy to implement. Others may require more time, effort and money. For example, a simple method might be to take your idea to a friend who sews or a seamstress and work with that individual to construct your product. A more complex idea might be to have your patent attorney draft a non-disclosure agreement* while you make a list of the sewing contractors (or plastics companies, metal fabricators, etc.) within driving distance (you can consult the Thomas Register – link below for more info). Next, make appointments with a representative from each factory, bringing with you the disclosure documents for your ideas as well as your non-disclosure agreement. Ask the rep to sign the agreement prior to showing your product or discussing it with him or her. After meeting with a number of factories, determine which one best suits your needs.
*A non-disclosure agreement is important because you are taking your idea to an outside entity for consideration. It is very important for you to discuss the potential limitations and benefits of a non-disclosure agreement with your patent attorney.
Always remember to document every step of your process as you go along.
Should I hire a patent attorney, do it myself or bypass obtaining a patent?
My recommendation is to hire a registered patent attorney and obtain as broad a patent as possible for your idea. Owning a patent protects your product and your company.
The meter is always ticking when you talk with an attorney or e-mail one. Before meeting with your attorney, make sure all of your documents are in order (i.e., initial idea drawings, samples, correspondence where you may have mentioned your idea in writing, photographs, etc) and a list of your questions is handy. The goal is to keep your attorney conversations as succinct as possible.
Your overall goal is to create a patent that best protects your product or idea. There are different types of patents (design vs. utility) for different types of products and uses. You will want to know the merits of each and how they pertain to your specific product. You will want your patent to encompass the concept of your product, how it works, what it’s used for, how it is constructed and why it is useful. The key necessity is protecting your product from others who may want to copy it and create a product around your patent. Where are the potential loop holes? Did you specify only one type of fastening system? Are there multiple uses for your product? Multiple methods of construction? Multiple types of material? Make sure to cover all bases.
Why do I need to conduct a patent search?
A patentability search is invaluable. It provides you with references related to products in your specific area of interest. You may believe you have THE original idea for a product because you have not seen anything like it in the marketplace. However, until you receive the results of a comprehensive patentability search, you cannot be sure.
If your search pulls up a product that is similar to yours, your attorney will be able to conduct a comprehensive review of your product and the patented product to determine if your product would possibly infringe. If so, you may need to revise your product. You may also opt to license the idea from the original inventor. Either way, you need to know what product patents in your specific category may be infringed upon by your product. Your attorney will reference these patented products in your patent application for the purpose of indicating how and why your product is new and different from its patented competition. Naturally, if nothing in your category exists, it may be possible for your patent to be broad and encompassing across different categories.
How long should the patent process take and how much should it cost?
The process of patenting a product can take as little as one year (to obtain a design patent for a very non-complex product) or as much as 18 – 24 months for a simple, non-complex utility patent. For a more complex patent in a tight/crowded field, it can take up to three or more years. Your patent attorney will be able to provide a much more detailed explanation for your particular situation.
A patent search will likely cost between $500 - $750. The patent process for a design patent is far less expensive than a utility patent, running closer to $1,500 - $3,000. A utility patent has a rather wide price range – starting somewhere around $3,500 and climbing - depending upon complexity and other related factors. These fees typically include the patent drawings, the filing fee and the attorney’s fees.
Additional fees: Will you be branching out into foreign markets? If so, discuss foreign patents with your attorney. You may want to take advantage of those markets as well. You may have filed a design patent and wish, at the same time, to file a non-provisional patent application. There are also patent renewal fees to maintain. Again, an attorney will be able to advise you on your specific needs.
A note about patents: Please note that in order for an invention to be patentable, it must be new as defined by patent law. An invention cannot be patented if the invention was known or used by others in this country, or patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country, or in public use or on sale in this country more than one year prior to the application for patent in the United States. The patent process is strictly for new and useful products. It is best not to announce your product, show pictures of your product or sell your product until you have begun the patent process and are patent-pending. If you have described the product in a printed publication or have used the invention publicly, or have placed it on sale, you must apply for a patent before one year has elapsed; otherwise any right to a patent will be lost. An inventor must file on the date of public use or disclosure in order to preserve patent rights in many foreign countries. It is highly recommended that you discuss potential novelty and obviousness issues with your patent attorney.
If my product is "patent-pending," am I protected?
Yes, once your product is patent-pending, you are protected.
What is a trademark and why do I need one for my product?
In my opinion, branding your product is essential to its success. When you name your product, you will want to take steps to protect that name. That is what a trademark can do. The name of your product may incorporate a design, or logo, as well. You may want to trademark the specific font or style of lettering. The goal is to create a name for your product that is exclusively your's. The trademark process is relatively simple and inexpensive, and your patent attorney will be able to file all paperwork for you.
One note, you will want to provide documentation of the first time your product’s name was used in intrastate commerce and/or interstate commerce.
How do I find a U.S. manufacturer to make my product?
There are a number of places you can go for more information on this topic. First, did you work with a factory to develop the prototype? Would they be a manufacturing source for you? Speak with your S.C.O.R.E. counselor. Can he or she recommend someone and/or a factory? Consult the Thomas Register (www.thomasnet.com) and scan thousands of potential manufacturers for the ones that fit your category. You can also contact the Department of Commerce in your state or search www.usgovernment.gov for additional sources.
How do I find a foreign manufacturer to make my product?
In my experience, the best source for finding a foreign manufacturer for my products has been through my industry’s annual trade show. I belong to the Juvenile Products Manufacturer’s Association (JPMA). You can find them at www.jpma.org. There is an annual association trade show held in the USA, each year. During one of these shows, I was fortunate to meet representatives from the factory I currently use. There is an association for nearly every industry. Find your's and become a member.
Additionally, in my state, New Hampshire, The International Trade and Resource Center offers information and guidance in the area of import/export. Check with your state agencies to see what services they offer.
Do you have to hire someone to pitch your product to retailers?
In my industry, I have had success pitching my products directly to retailers and also using industry representatives to pitch my products.
If you are planning to sell your products to retail stores, you will need to pay close attention to your pricing structure and develop a wholesale price list. Typically, wholesale prices are half of retail prices, but the mark-up range is wide, and your industry may work with smaller or larger margins. You will also want to factor in your overhead costs, labor costs and shipping/packaging costs, to name but a few.
You can test the waters by approaching local boutiques that carry complementary products to your line. The store owner or buyer may initially purchase a hand-full of units and see how they sell. You can also hire sales reps to sell your products. Please be certain that your reps have contacts in your industry and already call on a number of stores. You can pay a rep on a commission basis, anywhere from 5 to 10%.
I opted to form a Web site and sell my products directly to consumers. As demand grew, I started receiving calls from retail stores. Now, I have two divisions, a retail division where I sell directly to consumers, and a wholesale division where I sell to retail stores directly and through sales reps. I also provide a separate system for selling Babe Ease products on our sister site in Australia and New Zealand. Back to Articles |
