Re: Want to work from home. But don't know how to cut through the garbadge.

> So, I am looking for a legitimate work from home solution until I am able
> to get my hot sauce business off the ground through selling initially in
> the private sector to farmers markets in the local area, and then
> eventually turn it into an e-business and travel, with my children and my
> best friend (my wife) to various trade shows around the country. The plan
> for a successful business is there, but I just need to have working
> capital to pay for a living first, then gradually build the business on
> the side.

To be bluntly honest, you're FAR better focusing on that than on trying to find a "home business" in something you know nothing about. Many of us took that "gulp-and-leap" option, and started the business part-time while doing something else.

Businesses are very very seldom a "start it up and make $30,000 within one year" proposition. Most take years to start -- and if you look at the internet "business package" sites that feature successful people making bazillions of dollars, you're going to find somewhere (in almost invisible print) "results not typical."

Translation: Out of 100 people who start this, only 1 makes more than a few hundred dollars, and if you collect 100 of those making more than $400/year, probably only 5 of those make a "living wage" of $30k/more per year. I know folks who have done it, and it takes years.

You can spend 5 years focusing on YOUR dream or you can spend 5 years "chasing the perfect package" (as so many do.)

> But with the amount of time this job is taking up, and the very little pay
> I am getting, I have no time to focus on this business. I have no choice
> but to work overtime when available to make ends meet and prepare for the
> baby. I have no choice but to work to live to work, and I hate to think
> that is going to be the rest of my life. What a waste.

Can you get training/certification that will help you get another job/better job/job with someone else? Not necessarily a degree, but some kind of professional license? Like your CNE?

> Is there anything that really exists that I can do to make at least
> $32,000/year and not have to work ridiculous hours commuting and working?
> I have a lot of computer IT background, and am a professionally trained
> culinary arts chef (to back up my sauce business later).

You could probably do it with your training if you went into catering. However, to do that you'd have to take a risky leap, and I honestly don't advocate that with kids relying on you.

But you could do a CNE or something similar and get into a better IT job. They aren't commuting jobs, and they can be a real hassle at times (I retired from IT 2 years ago) -- but you'd have a stable salary AND health insurance for you and the family while you got your other business off the ground working weekends and part-time.

Can you get your sauce placed in tourist places or sell it at (say) an upcoming 4th of July festival?

Here's a guy that I know (personally) who did what you want to do -- started a small business out of a tiny kitchen on a shoestring, built it up to a good business, and now retired and makes his living telling stories!