Is a Home Business Right for You?

I love the freedom and flexibility to work when and where I want to. I love spending the afternoons and evenings with my kids and my husband. I love being home when my kids get off the bus, then being able to sit down for a snack and help them with their homework. And I love that I can lighten my husband's load by taking care of some of the household duties and errands while he's at work. The bottom line is I truly love working from home and being able to prioritize my family's needs.

There are many pros to owning a home business. However, like most things, there are also some downsides:

• It can take time, patience and persistence to establish a routine that works for you, your family and your home business.
• It can be hard to juggle being a home based business owner, wife and mother.
• It takes effort and a continual re-evaluation of your work and family situation to determine if your business or children require outside help.
• It's tempting to allow your home business to consume you and your time.
• It takes a proactive approach to make sure you don't neglect yourself, your marriage or your children.

Many women have had to balance these pros and cons. "One of the pros of owning a home based business is that I absolutely love that I'm following my dreams and passions," says Beth Butler, founder and president of Boca Beth LLC, based in Tampa, Florida. "I can't think of anything that would bring me such as great a reward as sharing my bilingual fun products with children,"

She adds, though, that "one of the downsides of owning a home based business is that it's always there. No matter how far I am from the main living part of our home, I can hear my computer calling me regularly." Butler also struggles with making household chores off limits during work hours and staying focused while her children are home.

Jamie Yasko-Mangum, president of Successful Style & Image Inc. in Casselberry, Florida, says, "I love being my own boss; it challenges me to be a success and allows me to explore creativity and decision making." But, she adds, "I have to be careful to not get consumed with my home office. And when my kids are home from school, their interruptions can be taxing." While Yasko-Mangum loves being self-reliant, she also often wishes for staff to help her out.

Owning a home business requires an investment of time and energy and, yes, it has many challenges. As with anything worth having, it takes some effort. As challenges present themselves, look for solutions, turn to others for advice and learn to enjoy the small victories along the way. If you put in the effort, find the right balance and learn to outsource when needed, you'll find the pros of owning a home business far outweigh the cons.