First, it must be recognized that business success is not dependent just on the commu-nity. Successful businesses require the diligent effort of the individual entrepreneur. Success-ful businesses have clearly identified their product or service, their market, and the competition. A person considering a home-based business needs to gather a variety of information about starting a business. Own-ers may need help to carefully evaluate the business potential of their ideas.
Many people have good ideas for a business but fail because of poor planning.
Planning involves making in-formed, thoughtful decisions. Such careful development of a business can enhance the chance of suc-cess. By writing down ideas, fuzzy thinking can be clarified and needs or gaps in knowledge can be identified. Many home-based businesses are financed by family, relatives, and friends. Few entrepreneurs successfully obtain outside venture capital.