Develop a well-thought-out contingency plan to keep your business running with a minimum of lost time, effort, or profits.

=== 6. Learn From Your Mistakes, and Build On Your Successes.

Just as you will experience success in some of things you do, you will also make some mistakes. In both cases you'll have an opportunity to improve your business. Ask yourself what you did right (or wrong), why it worked (or didn't work), and what you could do differently.

Ask yourself questions. What kind of startup capital do you need? What are your estimated monthly expenses? Is your business making profits you expected? If so, what are you doing right and how can you improve upon it? If not, what can you do differently? What are your competitors doing and how can you convince customers to switch (or stay) with you?

These types of questions will help you to make smart, educated business decisions -- decisions that will help your business to grow and flourish.

=== 7. Be Customer-Focused.

It's much easier to sell to a happy customer, than to try convince a new prospect to buy from you. Be professional, courteous, and always deliver a quality product or service. Your customers will be thrilled and much more inclined to come back.

=== 8. Target Your Marketing.

This goes back to research you did before you started your business. Know who to target in your marketing efforts. You want to attract people who are interested in what you have to offer -- not just curious 'passers-by'.

You can see great examples of targeted marketing by looking in your mailbox. If you've ever ordered from a mail-order gardening club, you've probably received additional catalogs from them *and* from other gardening clubs who purchase customer lists. They know that you have an interest in their products, so chances of you ordering something are much higher than if they were to send a mailing out to a random bunch of addresses.

=== 9. Take Your Business Seriously.

There are lots of images floating around that show relaxed 'home business owners' reading a book, playing with their kids, lounging in a comfortable chair, etc. There's a tendency to think of a 'home business' as 'not real work', or not as serious as a 'real' (corporate) job.

To start and build a successful business, it needs to be treated like a business - not a hobby. Take it seriously and work hard to achieve your goals.

=== 10. Do Something You Love!

This is what it all boils down to. Find something that you're passionate about, and will enjoy doing. Business doesn't have to a daily grind; it can be a true pleasure!

Of course she will want to have her hair and nails done to maintain her professional appearance. Costing a grand total of $2,000 per year. Reducing her profit margin to 6,600.

Oh, and don't forget little expenses that add up like, lunches, snacks, office parties, magazines to read on train, and other expenditures that accumulate with working outside home. This can add up to an additional $3,000 easily. Sandy is now at a $3,300 profit margin.

All right, now there's transportation. Sandy commutes by rail 5 times per week. This totals close to $1200 dollars per year. Our profit margin is now $2,200!

Think about it! That breaks down to approximately an extra $183 per month after expenses. Sandy soon realized she could start an in home business that would have a higher profit margin than her once highly coveted 9 to 5 second income.

Sandy decided to start a day care center. Sandy cares for two other children along with her son. Her expenses are less, since she doesn't have to commute. She doesnt have to spend money on a business wardrobe or latest hairstyle. Plus, she gets to spend all time in world with her son during most important formative stages of his life!

Think about it! Are you in similar situation like Sandy. Maybe, that secondary income working outside home is not answer to your financial woes, but starting an in home business is!