HomeBizNotes.comDepending on the products you sell or the services you provide, you may find an additional tax on these items if you live in New Mexico (USA).  According to an article at Levine Breaking News, US State Wants to Tax TVs, Video Games to Fight Fat, Fund Education, a Democratic lawmaker, along with the Sierra Club, proposes that a tax be levied on the sale of televisions and video games. Their reasoning is that use of these items result in lack of exercise which, in turn, leads to obesity in children and poor performance at school.
If this law passes in New …read more

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  This has nothing to do with anything…except to remind us we need to keep our sense of humor in the midst of our daily routine, chaos, and challenges.  Take a few minutes each day to smile, to grin, to laugh.
Sometimes friends send you endless e-mails that seem senseless and a waste of time.  However, I have one friend who doesn’t send too many, but when she does, I take the time to open them.
She always has something that makes me chuckle or lets me know I’m appreciated.  Somehow, too, she often times these when I’m needing them most.
Find a friend, a colleague, …read more

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Home businesses range from small one-person operations to larger ones with employees and equipment.  They may be operated solely online or completely off line in a portion of your home. Also, you might have the office in your home, but your service is performed at your customer/client’s house or business. 
Here are just thirteen possibilities, if you’re thinking of opening your own.  You also can use these as springboards and consider variations of them.

Snow plowing (winter) and yard work (other seasons).
Medical transcription
Accounting and billing
Editing or other writing related projects
Skincare and beauty consultant
Daycare
Tutoring
Housecleaning and home organizing
Giving music lessons
Plant rental or upkeep service
Pet …read more

HomeBizNotes.comIn previous posts, I discussed working with an expert to help you in your home business and facing the fact that You May Be the Expert. You’re still uncertain you’re an expert. How do you become one…in a skill, a hobby, your home business?

Finding that unique skill or talent. Perhaps it’s even a new one.
Learning all you can.
Taking classes and workshops.
Practice, practice, practice.
Realizing you do know more about your topic than many others.

So now you’re ready to speak to small groups, then larger ones. You’ll find others are coming to you because you’re the expert who can inform, entertain, and …read more

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  Are You The Expert?
In a previous post, Do You Enlist the Assistance of Experts in Your Home Business?, I talked about inviting outside experts in your business area to provide programs, workshops, entertainment, etc. at your business. In other words, you’re working together for your mutual benefit.
However….you may be the expert…and can offer your expertise to aid other businesses while getting your name (and your business name) out there.
For instance, I’ve been involved in the blogging world for more than three years…here at b5media (Home Biz Notes, Quilting and Patchwork, Alzheimer’s Notes) and with my author and family history …read more

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A strategy many businesses use involves enlisting the assistance of an expert or well-known figure for your mutual benefit. These experts in your field might make an appearance, give a talk, teach a workshop, do a book signing that, if publicized adequately, will draw customers to your place of business and gain attention for the presenter.
  For instance, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores now has the assistance of well-known quilter M’Liss Rae Hawley. They are carrying a M’Liss’s exclusive line of fabric designs consisting of floral and travel themes. She also will offer classes appealing to quilters of any level…beginners …read more

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My husband and I travel frequently by plane so have to develop ways to get our luggage from place to place efficiently. Also, we’ve had to become adept with our carry-on bags. 
I’d begun to notice that many men and women use fanny packs. I realized if I use one, I don’t have to panic, “Where’s my purse?” Also, my hands are free to grab my roller suitcase and computer bag.
What did we do before the advent of the roller bags? They are so handy as we race through airports trying to catch a plane with tight connections. Jim uses a …read more

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   Odd Couple Project
Bob Turek, at ProjectManagement411, is partnering with me in a b5media Business Channel Odd Couple project. Our assignment is to consider:  At current rates, Social Security payouts will exceed payments made into the system within the next ten years. What should we do about Social Security?
He mentions possible solutions as he considers two extremes advocated by political candidates Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee in his post, Counting on Social Security? Your Next Project Better Be Your Retirement Plan.
Social Security and the Home Business Owner
My object is to consider this topic from the viewpoint of the home …read more

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Valentine’s Day already!
Yes, businesses must be thinking about this occasion.  Actually we must do more than think….we must have the products and promotions in place.
Don’t wait till the week before to start letting people know you’re ready for them to do their Valentine’s Day shopping with you.
What have you been doing for Valentine’s Day with your business?
*Do you make products/gifts that relate to this holiday?
*Do you help businesses promote this holiday?  Then you should have had your act together with their promotion plans before this.
*Do you perform services and make deliveries connected with this day?
Why not share how you’re …read more

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I was thrilled when I saw Home Biz Notes and my name listed as one of the Women Bloggers of 2008 at Virtual Women’s Day Celebrations.  This included a list of 25 women’s blogs and bloggers for January. 
Biz Chicks Rule , another b5media Business Channel blog, also was one of those named.  Congratulations Kristen and Bridget!
According to Heidi,  
Women are blogging in record numbers these days – so may blogs, so much content and so little time to check them all out. Each month during 2008, I will be highlighting dozens of blogs written by women, on a variety of topics, …read more