Starting A Home Based Business With Celebrating Home

Starting a home based business with a direct sales company is touted by many women to be a great way to make money while building a business you essentially run from home. Celebrating Home is one such direct sales company that is established and has maintained a positive reputation over many years. Founded on  Christian principles, the company has a commitment to helping women take control of their lives, both spiritually and financially.

There are a few different start up kits to choose from, ranging from $99-$149.  Celebrating Home offers products for the home such as pottery, artwork, home decor, candles, food items, and fundraising items. Consultants use a variety of selling methods, including home shows, internet, catalog sales, fundraisers, booths, etc.

Celebrating Home offers a 30-45% commission to consultants, as well as generous discounts on purchases. There are no quotas, which makes it easier to run your business on your own time, in your own way and on your own schedule

Visit Celebrating Home at www.celebratinghome.com

Good Luck!

3 Home Based Business Ideas That Became Success Stories

A little inspiration for those of  you thinking of businesses you can start in your pajamas!


Online Wedding Resources


Emily Newman got her business idea when she realized there was a niche for brides-to-be who were looking for wedding dresses but could not afford the high price tags that cam with them. Together with her husband, Emily started Once Wed, an online wedding resource that started out only offering used dresses and has grown into a site offering brides a complete resource for planning their wedding. Once Wed also offers a free listing service for anyone with a wedding dress to sell. No fees are taken when the item is listed or when it sells. [oncewed.com]

Specialized Children's Gear


Jenny Ford says she used to draw designs on her daughter's shoes for fun, and the cute results of her artwork is what inspired her to start Monkey Toes, a line of animal and insect-themed footwear for children. Ford launched her company  in 2002 from home, and today has her designs in stores everywhere as well as online. Jenny recently signed a new distribution deal that will take the product into the hands of 100 representatives around the country. [monkey-toes.com]

Womens Sports News


WomenTalkSports, an online network devoted to covering women's sports, was born when Ann Gaffigan realized that there needed to be much more coverage of women in sports.  Gaffigan, who launched her site with two other women,  says she wants "the next generation to see positive female role models.” There are over 100 websites that link to WomenTalkSports.com, and about 70 bloggers on the site today. [womentalksports.com]

Mom Entrepreneur : Natural Wonders Soap N' More

I think it is a fair assumption to make that most stay at home moms would love to start their own home-based business. And of course, so many women are doing just that. If you are in this category, but need some ideas on what business to start, take a peek at this mom's story. She was able to take a need in her family, and from that, start her own business to fill that need.

Jenny Reynolds young daughter developed eczema, and in finding a soap that would help her daughter's skin,  a new business idea was born.

After first trying the non- steroid cream her daughter's doctor prescribed, Jenny researched the ingredients and found that some of them may not actually be safe. So the Lafayette mom decided to try natural soaps that she found on a site for natural mother. And she was hooked.

Reynolds continued to research natural soaps and found hat she could make these at home with ingredients she chose.. Chamomile tea, tea tree oil, organic avocado oil, and cosmetic grade olive oil were the ingredients used in making the first soaps, and Reynolds credits her natural soaps for curing  problem skin for the entire family.

Reynolds has now turned her hobby into a business called Natural Wonders Soaps 'N More. It takes her about an hour to make 100 bars.

After  her two kids go to bed, Reynolds and her husband get to work, mixing and pouring.

"We had a lot of laundry soap to start out with because it didn't work so well the first time. When we first started it took us hours and hours, but we've got it down pretty good now," she said.

"You just take water and lye together, and then you take your mixture of oils and blend them together," explains the mom entrepreneur. After pouring them into molds, next comes the waiting game. The bars take up to six weeks to firm up completely.

And  Reynolds has found a market for the products. She is a regular at the Lafayette Farmers' Market where her bars of soap, foot scrub, lip balm, and lotions sell quickly.

"We have the essential oils for the people who like people who like things that are more natural. We do a lot of tea tree oil, peppermint and we have our fragrance oils that are more highly scented but they aren't as natural," she said.

Reynolds says lemon and almond are very popular. People also like the coffee soap that can be used in the kitchen to get rid of strong odors like garlic. She said she enjoys helping other families go green and more natural.

Read more about Jenny and her business, and get inspired to create your own home business!

Check out: Women-Owned Businesses - Changing the Face of the Workplace
and also: 12 ways to make money from home

Source: 18 WLFI.com

Seven Risky Businesses To Start?

Interesting article on yahoo today about risky businesses to start these days. While there are some valid points made, I still think if a person has a strong enough desire, passion and well thought out business plan, why not give your business idea a try. Especially if you can do so while still maintaining your current form of income.
So take a look at the article and see what you think.

Happy Monday...hope all are safe from the fires!! We have a fire nearby us.....hopefully will not make its' way any closer!

Weekend Business Idea --Starting an Aquarium Installation and Maintenance Business

Starting your own fish tank installation and maintenance service--something to brainstorm this weekend! Setting up and maintaining fish aquariums for people that want an aquarium but not the upkeep of one could be a business to start from home. And imagine all the fish tanks needing attention when people go on vacations!

You would first need to research and read everything you can about fish and aquariums. Decide if your business will focus on salt water tanks, freshwater tanks, or both. You will need to acquire as much knowledge as possible about all the specific things to test and clean before trying to market yourself as an expert at fish tank and aquarium keeping. Talk to experts, visit pet stores, read,research, set up and maintain your own aquarium, and get as much knowledge and hands on experience as you can before launching your business.

Think about the potential clients you would want to reach: Aside from residential clients, you have the professional clients to advertise to such as: doctor's offices, dentists,beauty salons, bookstores, daycare businesses, small cafes, etc. There is truly many businesses out there that could be interested in having a tropical fish tank installed and serviced weekly.

You will need to have a rate sheet available for different maintenance costs for your fish and aquarium business. These charges may vary based on difficulty of the task or size of the fish tank. For example, a simple weekly vacuuming and topping up the treated water can be one price, while entire thorough cleaning can be another. Smaller fish tanks will earn you less than larger ones.

Think about having release forms and contracts for exactly what your responsibilities are. Look into some general business insurance and professional liability cover to protect yourself against any possible damage claims or performance issues.

Think about the potential clients you would want to reach: Aside from residential clients, you have the professional clients to advertise to such as: doctor's offices, dentists,beauty salons, bookstores, daycare businesses, small cafes, etc. There is truly many businesses out there that could be interested in having a tropical fish tank installed and serviced weekly.You could also offer pet stores a small referral fee for each client they send your way. You might also consider displaying your cards at veterinary offices and local zoos in your area. Have a website website describing your services and fees. Drive traffic to your website by writing articles about caring for aquariums. If you can start your business by having friends and family as clients, have them write referrals and recommendations that you can post on your website as well to help provide credibility to your expertise.


Have fun brainstorming about Starting a Fish Tank Business if this sounds interesting, and don't forget to check out this week's TGIF WAHM drink recipe!

Home Based Business Idea --Candle Business

The candle business--not a new idea for a home business by any means, but if you have ever thought about starting your own candle business, here are some resources that you might want to check.

A basic list of supplies you will need:

• Wax
• Wicks
• Fragrance
• Dyes
• Molds
• Containers

Some very helpful articles and recipes to bookmark and read:

http://www.cajuncandles.com/beginners-guide-to-candle-making.html

Recipe For Homemade Soy Candles

12 interesting facts about candles

The Business of Candle and Soap Making


And a video to check out:


Recipe for Making a Soy Candle -- powered by eHow.com

Also, if you start a business...don't forget the business cards!

Happy Weekend! Check out this week's TGIF Drink Recipe!!

Thinking Outside The Box When Starting a Business

Ready for some weekend reading? If you are thinking of starting your own business, there is a great article to read through that discusses thinking outside the box when growing your business.

As important as it is to deal with the everyday tasks associated with running your business smoothly, it is vital that you are also looking forward to the future and keeping an eye on ways to help your business grow and succeed. Which is why I so enjoyed reading this article-- not only does it offer creative ideas for growing your business, but it encouraged me to think outside the box as well and come up with some of my own ideas.

Plus, there are links to additional resources that will keep you busy reading and coming up with "ah" moments all weekend! So take a look, and have a notebook handy and get inspired this weekend.

Oh yea. One more thing. I'll be posting a yummy delicious TGIF drink recipe to enjoy while you plan out your next successful business venture--so check back in a bit!

Home Based Business Idea??

Have you seen, or maybe already use, those cute wine stoppers for bottles instead of puting just the corks back in? Well, I read an article that shows you how to make your own wine bottle stoppers...and so of course, I started thinking that this could possibly be a way to start a business right from home!

If you are creative, resourceful and artistic, it could be a fun thing to try. I have not checked out Etsy or other online sources for selling home made crafts, but perhaps I will. Even if there are others already in the "home made one-of -a-kind wine stoppers" business--there is always room for more competition, right?

Anyhoo-- if you are the slightest bit interested, hehe, check out the DIY article on making wine stoppers--and see if it inspires you!!

Cheers!

Business Idea / Franchise Possibility?

In my daily cruising around the Internet, I came across "Grins To Go," a mobile photography business that also offers franchise opportunities. The Franchise King blog has picked this company as the number one franchise for May 2009.

The idea is simple -- photographers go to you--to your events, parties, home, sporting events, etc... And we love our pictures. Everyone does. After our kids and pets, pictures are right up there on the list when trying to grab things to take with you if there is a fire, right?

So I thought it was worth passing on this business franchise here....if for no other reason than to perhaps give inspiration/motivation to enthusiastic picture takers who make photography a passionate hobby. Maybe think about turning the hobby into a business. Start your own mobile photography business. Maybe make it more specialized at first to keep things simple. Like mobile pet photography. Or focus on children's birthday parties.

And if you are in the market for a franchise, you might really want to look into this one as well.

Got camera? Get a business. Check out the Grins2Go...and maybe find inspiration for starting your own home business!

Need Some Ideas For Starting Your Own Business?

Starting a small business of your own is something so many of us dream of doing, and something that most definitely requires passion, hard work, dedication and time. But it can all be so worth it--even if your business may not make it, you will always have the satisfaction of knowing you tried. And if you are successful, what a great way to make money: doing what you love, being your own boss, and sharing your passion with others.

If you are thinking of starting your own business, the most important thing I can suggest is to RESEARCH, RESEARCH, and then RESEARCH some more! Know everything you can about the business you are thinking of starting, and ask questions of anyone in that business that is successful. Be prepared to work long hard hours, be prepared to NOT make a lot of money, if any, in the beginning, and if you can start a business based on something you love, that will make everything come so much more easily to you.

Need some ideas for starting a business? There is a great list of 50 ideas for starting your own business over on The Simple Dollar. Take a look and see if you get inspired ... and if you have any ideas not mentioned on that list, maybe you could share here??

Happy Small Business Hunting!