As a first time entrepreneur, there are a variety of franchises, dealerships, distributorships, and licensing opportunities available for purchase. Many of these you can start by working part-time from your home. In doing so, you save thousands of dollars in start up and operating costs, while at the same time reducing your overall risk.

You (and/or your spouse) don't necessarily have to give up your current career(s) or full time job(s) to start a lucrative business. There are many opportunities which exist by working part-time from your home. Most of these businesses can be started with minimal investment. Additionally, you are virtually eliminating many of the initial and ongoing high costs associated with opening and operating a business. You would be eliminating the rent or lease expense of having office or store space. Most, or all, of any payroll expenses would be removed, as well as, the majority of costs associated with purchasing equipment, supplies, and furniture.

You would simply need to designate a small room or location in your home to set up a desk, phone line, and possibly a fax and/or computer. You might also need, depending on the business, a small amount of storage area, either in your basement or garage, to store product, tools, or supplies. You are already saving thousands of dollars and reducing your risk. (There are also some tax benefits to running a business from your home.)

Operating a business from your home provides you with the opportunity to work the business in your extra or spare time, and expand the business only as it grows. By minimizing your start up cost and monthly expenses there exists less pressure for immediate success. Cutting costs and saving money in the beginning provides you with more capital for expansion as well.

Owning and operating a small part-time, in-home, business provides you with insight as to whether or not you have the self-discipline, attitude, determination, and confidence to run your own business. You have don't have to "risk it all" to find out if you have what it takes.

Once your business becomes profitable, then you can decide whether the time is right to expand and convert your part-time business to a full-time business, and give up your career(s) or full-time job(s). Part-time, in-home businesses provide great opportunities for first time entrepreneurs.

(Copyright 2005-ehbvi-www.businessventureinc.com)

Ernie Horning is a Franchise Consultant and owns multiple businesses. He is also a former franchise owner, and writes articles for http://www.businessventureinc.com