Even though my site is fairly new, I have been getting letters from crafters looking for advice on how to get started selling their wares. I thought that this letter and my answer would be of interest to anyone beginning a new home business.

This is an example:

I would like to get started selling crafts to make some extra money, but I don’t have a lot of it to spend. I can sew a little. What is best way I can make some money quickly?

Betsy by e-mail

Dear Betsy,

I have a little bit of bad news for you. Getting started in any business, crafting or otherwise, is not something that can be done quickly or cheaply.

First let’s look at product you want to make. You say you know how to sew, but that really does not give me enough information. But assuming you have good sewing skills, what is it that you plan to make? Is it a hand appliquéd vest or a hand made hot pad.

The truth is that market for each is vastly different and that some things are worth much more than others. If you are serious about getting a business going, you must start with a quality product that people will pay a nice markup for. Among other things, this means using good quality materials and unique or original ideas.

However, there is also a dark side to a home-based business, especially one that is failing miserably. Part of being successful within a work-at-home dream also means knowing "when" to quit, or "fold". A home-based business can be like a game of cards, when "losses" exceed "wins", it may be time to give up on business and either start another one, or look into other forms of outside employment.

It has been said, "that most entrepreneurs fail three to five times" before they actually start a business that succeeds. Although it is imperative that entrepreneurs be persistent, not being able to accept failure, when it is obvious that failure has occurred, can be extremely detrimental.

So, how does an entrepreneur "know" when it is time to give up or when they should continue? Simple, amount of actual "suffering" needs to be measured. The following "suffering measurement" should take into account:

1. What type of debt entrepreneur is accruing, and how many bills and necessary needs are being neglected. No one should live without food, clothing, shelter or necessary medical care needed for a gratifying life. If a home-based business is constantly leaving business owner without funds with which to sustain life, then it is probably time to quit.

2. What type of emotional pain is entrepreneur facing? If business has become so stressful because of mounting debt, or entrepreneur's family is turning against them because of business, then it is probably time to quit.

3. If there is a chance of losing a home or other holdings and property because of bills engendered during business, then it is probably time to quit.