May you have a joyous Christmas Day and much health, happiness and success in 2010.  May your business prosper in the coming year.
From Home Biz Notes!

But for the brave actions of men and women who fought for our freedom after the bombing at Pearl Harbor, we might not have the opportunity to operate home businesses so many years after.  The bombing of Pearl Habor brought the United States into World War II, a time of fear and courage, horror and bravery, and a realization that our country could be subjugated if we all didn’t pull together.Soldiers, like my Uncle Al, who served as an aircraft mechanic in the Army Air Corps were proud to have defended their country.  He kept his dress uniform for many years …read more

Happy Thanksgiving to my Home Biz Notes readers…from my home to yours. Even though you might celebrate at a different time, in a different country, take time to count your blessings and find thankfulness in your life and business.  As author, Debbie Macomber does, keep a gratitude journal and write in it every day…or even every week. 
This even could become part of your business in which your customers write down blessings they’re appreciative of. 

Should home business owners give holiday gifts to their customers/clients?  If so, what should they give and how much should they spend?
This all depends on your business, the number of customers, and how much you have to spend.
Receiving gifts pleases most customers and serves as a good public relations technique.  However, most businesses can’t spend too much on gifts and must be careful they don’t favor one customer over the other.
Some ideas:

Calendars
Planners
Cheese and crackers gift box
Something you’ve made
A hand written thank you note
Grab bag
Include something extra with a holiday purchase
Open house party

What do you give as gifts…to your walk-in customers …read more

Today is Veterans Day in the U.S.  Without their service to our country, from the Revolutionary War forward, we might not be able to enjoy the freedom to conduct our home businesses.
So many thanks to all those, including my husband, who have served and are serving so that we might have our freedom and that others around the world might experience some of what we have.
Some home business owners may be participating in parades today (a lovely warm sunny one in NH), may be watching parades, may have flags flying in the breeze, and may be sharing with their families their military heritage.  …read more

If you have a home business with walk-in customers, promote online sales but do some demonstrations of your products, or conduct home parties, why not organize an Open House?  Invite customers to see your displays, receive updates on your products,  enjoy refreshments, and have fun.
One of my friends is doing this with her business and planning an Open House this weekend.  A number of her friends and acquaintances have said they will attend.  This gives her an opportunity to share with them the gift giving ideas she has available.
Ideas for a Holiday Open House:

Set a specific time and plan it …read more

“It’s too early!  It’s too early to promote Christmas shopping and gift giving!” many exclaim as we approach the middle of October.
Then when we woke up to snow on the ground and more falling, we knew it wasn’t too early to begin thinking about the holiday season.
You’ll also see many stores with some preliminary holiday decorations and gift items on display, along with the fall and Halloween decorations and sales.  So…what have you been doing in your business?
Consumers begin thinking holiday gift giving mid summer (as per “Christmas in July” sales), but definitely by September.  If you make items for …read more

How do you decide whether to close your home business for a holiday.  Columbus Day is considered a holiday by many in the United States. 
 Nowadays it’s generally a 3-day weekend for many people.  This year, the Monday holiday does fall on October 12, the actual Columbus Day.
Consider:

Is your business an online business where you can do your work any time of day or night, any day of the week?  So you can “close” your business and plan activities with the family or by yourself.
If you have a shop with walk-in customers, you’ll have to decide whether you’ll have enough business …read more

Do the seasons affect your home business, either your productiveness.  your customers’ rate of purchase or use of services?  Perhaps yours is a business that follows the same routine year round.  Or it may be a seasonal business, one that’s affected by events and holidays.
If it is affected, you need to plan accordingly.

Do you need more items in stock for a particular season, event or holiday? 
Is there a “dead” time in your business, when the income isn’t so great, but you have an opportunity to get your production up?
Do you organize your budget, both home and business, to get through the …read more

JULY 4th
 
This is a day, or even weekend, for gala events, family get-togethers, and enjoyable times all around as we celebrate the Independence Day of country, when those brave forefathers put their lives on the line for the freedom we all enjoy. 
 It’s a time for making memories, too, or reminiscing about what this day really means to us and to our country.
How do you celebrate this time in your family and your business?

Sometimes we’re involved in community events and parades
We may close our business and enjoy a quiet family time
We might visit friends and family in another town
We have been involved …read more