When starting most home businesses, especially where you’ll have walk-in customers, hire employees or require numerous deliveries, make sure you’re checking out the local ordinances of your town or city.  There’s not one standard for the entire country in the US.  This probably holds true for most countries.  So you’ll need to see what is involved in your area.
What made me mention this topic?  I read an article in The Examiner, Commission questions home-based day care. about an Independence, Missouri woman who desires to open a home-day care business.
The commission has delayed granting her permission because she eventually may hire employees …read more

Depending on the type, a home business can be very simple to operate, such as an outgrowth from a crafting hobby.  However, some businesses operated in the home or from the home encounter numerous regulations…ones that are necessary simply because of the nature of the business.
Recently a friend was hired to work at a children’s day care located within a couple’s home.  Some people think it would be simply a matter of find a person with good references who likes children and working with them.  That’s necessary.  However, there are other matters that require expense on the part of the …read more

Currently there’s considerable discussion of legislation being introduced in Congress to increase the minimum wage. How will this affect the home business owner?
There are two areas to consider.
*If you have employees (and some home businesses do), you likely would have to pay out more in wages, social security, unemployment tax, and related payroll expenses. (In some states employers also pay an additional fee/tax based on payroll.)
How will you cover higher payroll? Charging higher prices on goods and services is one way. Letting one or more employees go and doing more yourself is another.
*If you don’t have …read more

In a previous post, I discussed the fact that changes, often beyond your control, can affect your home business, even putting you out of business in extreme cases. At least, the changes (in regulations, materials, location, taxes, zoning, your health, etc.) may cause you to rethink how you’re producing and conducting business.
That other post mentioned the ruling in New York City about banning trans fats in foods. Apparently some took this to mean I was objecting to this ruling. I was simply reporting it as one example that could cause a change, and referred to a news …read more

Changes in regulations governing our home businesses can change the nature of our businesses…and even put us out of business. This may involve the materials we use, the way we sell, the place where we conduct business, the taxes we pay, etc.
Take the new regulation in New York City whereby the Board of Health has initiated banning trans fat in foods sold in restaurants, delicatessans, bakeries, etc….some of which may be operated or prepared at a home or establishment associated with a home business.
Whether this regulation will be challenged in court before it goes into effect in the summer …read more