At social events, accountants and lawyers had it easy. "I am an accountant," says it all.

I was not so fortunate.

"I am a consumer advocate," I would say.

"So what do you do?"

"Well, I talk to media and to government and to industry," I would explain.

"Ahaaa... and I talk to tooth fairy. So what do you do?"

Now, I have an even harder time when somebody asks what I do. Most people have no clue what search engine optimization is, which is my main "career". Few people really understand what freelance writing is, except if they read a freelance writer's article in a magazine . I don't even try to mention that I run three websites and do affiliate marketing. But people do understand what it means to be an author.

"Wow, you wrote a book on happiness? Congratulations. So when's your next book coming out?"

Which is when I have to explain how a book really doesn't feed a family, and if I took time to write a second book, it would take time away from search engine optimization and affiliate marketing...

"Huh, what's that?"

"Never mind," I answer. "I'm a stay-at-home dad." Which also is true. People might look at me weird, but at least they understand me. Or, so they think.

All of which brings me back to that question I never answered when I was young: what do I want to be when I grow up? I guess I'll just have to wait a little longer to find out. Like when I grow up.

There typically isn’t much in way of legal paperwork to be done for an online business but before you start working at home, you should check with a lawyer or a friend who has an online business to make sure you’re not flouting any rules.

Do it

I must say that this has to be most trying steps of all. Getting your online business off ground. Deciding on and registering domain name, hosting company, designing website, setting up merchant accounts, shopping carts, uploading all pages and images, checking links….etc. Time consuming but at end of day, when everything works out, there is a tremendous level of satisfaction….knowing that doing all that enables you to work at home.

Sell it

Now that business is all set to receive orders and you’re all geared up about your new work at home business, it’s time to start selling products and services. Find ways to advertise online and offline, tie-up with partners and affiliates, get others to help you promote your business, use autoresponders, set up your newsletters, write articles, exchange links with other websites, join forums, participate in message boards and groups related to your business….etc. All in name of selling.

With lots of patience and persistence, starting your online business could be as easy and smooth as you want it to be. Just keep your focus and direction. And remember, nothing happens overnight, so, be patient and persist, and never give up.