Home Business Ideas

Over the years I've worked with many adults who had been laid off or "downsized" from their jobs and as a result wanted to start a business.

The first challenge that many adults face is where to begin.

If the adult learner does not know exactly what he or she wants to do, I often recommend "The Entrepreneurial Parent: How to Earn Your Living and Still Enjoy Your Family, Your Work and Your Life" by Paul and Sarah Edwards.

Whether the adult who wants to start a business is a parent or not, this book has a lot of great ideas for people who want to start their own businesses.

Real life business stories (with web addresses if the business is online) make this book much more approachable and relevant to adult learners than many other home business books. The Edwards' do not profile Harvard Business Graduates but rather ordinary folks who have overcome various challenges to start successful businesses.

Browsing through back issues of Entrepreneur Magazine can also provide some ideas for starting one's own business.

SCORE is a fantastic (and free resource) for people who are just starting out in business.

SCORE is staffed by retired executives (who have of course been there, done that, ate the burger, wore the t-shirt, bought the original cast album, etc) who are available to counsel start up business owners.

Just knowing that a resource like that is available in the area seems to make the adult learner feel more assured.

Finally (as a home business starting point anyway), I recommend that the adult learner read "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. This is one of the best self-help books out there. The motivational and inspirational stories and messages contained in this book extend far beyond being a financial success.

If the adult learner does not have any computer skills, I highly recommend that they get some --- now!

The adult learner can investigate:

• Their local library (public libraries often offer free basic computer classes)
• Their local community college (low cost adult education classes)
• PCs and Macs for Dummies books (far from being for "dummies" these books provide a great starting point for becoming computer savvy)
• How to Type Books (if the adult learner can't type they should check out a "How to Type" book from their library can practice the typing exercises in that book on a computer keyboard)