Another in the Beginning a Home Business Series!

I sure hope that I can encourage each one of you to be the entrepreneur that you are feeling led to be.  This is the backbone of this great Country that we live in.  If you are being led, and find that each time you pray, you are more excited to start an enterprise...your next step may be to seek out a expert in the field of Web Design. 

    I was so blessed by a Web Designer that knew each aspect of my business.  Her speciality of creating a home business helped me so very much, but besides this, she encouraged me to step forward in Faith.  She offered a hand in each area, and if she didn't know answers she would help me to find them.  She really was a Godsend!  You can view her designs and her talent here http://www.victoriasshabbycottage.com/ 

     Each one of the steps I took brought me closer to a launch date, but there were many glitches that came along the way.  I am happy to say that each one I would meet in prayer.  As I prayed I was given relief.  I would still face the problems, but I had a faith that I was being directed to begin a business.  I was walking in faith and needed the growth.  This helped me to keep things in a perspective that each trial was given to me to increase my faith.

   Maybe you are not being called to make soaps...or maybe you are not sure what you would do.  I would encourage you to do what you enjoy.  Do what needs to be done.  And do what you have experience doing. 

     We have spent many years growing organic produce and marketing at local farmers markets.  I would encourage you to seek this market out.  This is a Great way to market without much expense.  Most markets are easy to get into and you will be able to make friends and get to know your customers. 

    Baked items are highly sought after.  Cookies and Candies can be sold in our State without a license.  Find out what your local laws are BEFORE starting a business.  Look for items that can lead people to them.  If you are thinking of cookies, make sure your cookies are freshly made with plenty of delicious scents filling the air.  Do you ever walk by a candy or cookie store?  Do you smell the scents?  Mmnn is what you think!  This is what bring people to buy.  And this will be what leads people back to you.  Scent has an enormous benefit, it lingers in our brains and reminds us of what goodness is!  When you are deciding what your business may be, remember to use this to your benefit.

    I also want to encourage on diversity.  Working to diversify your business will bring you more income.  A plus is that if there isn't a need in one area it may spark an interest in another area.  Also we have experienced how beneficial it is to our family to provide as much for customers as possible.  Yes, it includes more work, but also increases more pleasure for your business.

    I have included a list of each step that you may need to take

1. Pray for Guidance

2. Wait and be patient

3. Pray again

4. Wait some more!

5. Choose out a business Name

6. Seek professional Advice

7. Find out Business Laws in your Area

8. Find your market. And look for a niche that others may not have thought of

9. Remember to find a way to increase your sales, by increasing your products

10. Make your business as professional as you can

  

      I might include here that we have started all of our businesses on a NO DEBT policy.  This has been a blessing to our family.  We haven't had to lose money to make a payment and pay an interest loan at the same time.  Our business strength has been increased by less stress in our hearts and lives.  This may be possible from ways that you might not expect.  I urge you to be as practical as possible.  When we began a cookie business, we started with a large mixer that was paid for by making cookies.  This mixer is professional quality with a professional price tag but that was cut in thirds by a business that had closed down.  Each new item you purchase must be able to be paid for by the business to lower your stress.  Keeping your business stress free is one of the biggest gains you can make!

     Praying that I can bless you today!  Remember to feel free to message me or to write to me if you have personal questions.  God bless you,  Love, Karen

Beginning a Home Business

    I would love to share a little of how I started our Goat's Milk Soap Business for other Homeschooling Mothers that need a way to help their families.

     When I first got the Vision from the Lord to begin a Soap Business, I was very uncertain of how to begin.   This uncertainty made me hesitant in stepping out in Faith. 

 

    The First Step if you are seeing a Vision, or hearing a call from the Lord is to

Pray!

Step Two; Wait!

Step Three; Pray again,

And Step Four; Wait!

  

     Now I write some of this in fun....but honestly that waiting was the hardest part for me.  I would rather jump into most things and worry later if I do things correctly.  When beginning the Soap Business, I had to wait and research. 

     Researching is very important.  I found that researching began to take away the fear I had of starting a business of my own.  Once I was able to put things into a list, I was able to accomplish SMALL tasks, that led up to bigger ones.

    My first action, was to procure a business license!  I needed a business name to do this, so I began praying for a Name that was lovely as well as "catching!".

    Victorian Rose Soap Company is our registered Name.  We registered it with the State of Oregon as well as registering our Website Name.

    Next we began assembling recipes, supplies, and needs, as well as oodles of information!  This took hours of research.  Even though I had been a soap maker for many years, I had to have far more information to sell soaps than to produce soaps for our family's use.  This research allowed me to adjust recipes with ingredients that I have studied and used in our own home for our family's health and body care.  I have a strong love for natural products, so this blends well with our Soap Business.  I did face a challenge deciding if I wanted to make "UN-natural products available"  I met this with prayer and with a lot of questions to others asking them if they preferred all natural or Beautifully scented? I felt strongly that offering each would help others to learn and use all natural products. 

    When gathering supplies, you will be faced with many questions.  I found this to be one of the many trials of starting a business.  How many soaps do you want to produce?  How many items do we really "need" to start a business?  Just how much do we spend to begin a business?  All of these questions were really answered by my husband and the Lord's leading and providing.

     Steps forward were beginning to shape our business, I will continue on the following this list on my next postings.  I am super excited to be able to share with you ways to help your family.  And if I can answer any questions for you please feel free to leave me a comment in my comment box.  I am also able to personally answer questions if they are of a personal nature. 

Titus 2:4,5 then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.  Love, Karen