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Ask Jane Applegate
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January 28, 2000: 3:13 a.m. ET
Home-based consulting may be the answer for computer expert and CPA
By Jane Applegate
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Dear Jane: I am a computer professional and CPA. I have extensive business background as well as technical expertise. I want to start something at home so that I can spend more time with my son. I've thought of many businesses, but I can't make up my mind. Please advise.
With your credentials, you should consider setting up a home-based consulting firm that helps other businesses manage their finances and operations. So many entrepreneurs are great inventors, marketers or sales people, but they hate dealing with the money and paperwork.
You could sell your services to startup businesses with the aim of getting them established properly and then move on to new clients. Even though there are easy-to-use accounting programs, like QuickBooks Pro 2000, many novice businesspeople are intimidated and need help setting things up right from the start.
If you have writing skills, you could also help people draft and polish business plans. While there are great fill-in-the-blanks software programs, people are still unsure about how to do it right.
I would suggest contacting your local chamber of commerce to find out how you can market your services to local business owners. For a small fee, some chambers will insert flyers in monthly newsletters that are mailed to its members.
However, before you open your business, be sure you are allowed to work from home. Some neighborhoods have restrictions on home-based companies.
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