How Couples Run a Home Business Without Running Each Other Down

Combining marriage and business is not an endeavor to be taken lightly. It requires serious consideration and answers to some tough questions. Here are 10 tips for running a successful home-based business with your spouse:

-- Determine if you can work side by side. Ask yourself honestly if you can work patiently alongside your spouse day in and day out, and then go from business partner to life partner after work. If you can't picture yourself making this transition, then you probably should not run a business together.

-- Discuss your goals. Are your visions for the business the same as those of your spouse? Even the strongest marriage will be tested if you are working at cross-purposes.

-- Write a business plan and solicit feedback. Once you detail your vision, show it to a consultant for an objective opinion. There is tremendous value in feedback from an unbiased source.

-- Define each person's role. The roles can be flexible (and will likely have to change over time) but must at least address the basics: who will keep the books, who will do the shipping, etc.

-- Keep the lines of communication open. Don't be critical of one another -- and don't be dismissive or contemptuous of your partner. Confront the challenges of the business, not one another.

-- Be circumspect when talking with clients. Your customers don't need to know that your partner in business is also your partner in life. Confiding in a client about your relationship with your partner can poison your relationship with your customer as well as your marriage.

-- Form a united front. Do not allow employees or customers to pit one of you against the other. Never put a sale or a customer ahead of your spouse.

-- Set firm boundaries and honor them. Set up your office in a space that doesn't disrupt the entire family.

-- Hope for the best, but plan for the worst. Draw up legal agreements detailing how the business will be divided if you split up or if one of you decides to opt out of the business. Also, have a contingency plan in place in the event that your spouse falls short of his or her business obligations.

-- Don't deal with family matters during business hours. Running a small business and being a good partner and parent are each difficult on their own. To do both concurrently will almost ensure that you fail at both. Set specific times outside of business hours for discussing family business.

Article By Allbusiness

Russell Simmons And His New Book 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success

Living legend Russell Simmons shares his experiences and beliefs on how to be successful. Blending business insight, universal spiritual truths and an inspired sense of purpose DO YOU crosses the lines of age, race and background with wisdom that will lift you up and motivate you to pursue your vision. Russell Simmons, the original and eternal Hip-Hop Mogul, is one of the most innovative and influential figures in modern American business and culture.

How Do You Look Online?

Today on the Web, there are literally thousands of reviews on small businesses that range from restaurants to health spas, retail stores, and real estate agents. More and more consumers are searching for positive referrals before they use a product or service. To take advantage of this growing trend, you need to get the word out about what your business does and utilize your existing customers.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Make sure you're listed. Get your business listed in major search engines and the online directories, such as maps.google.com, local.yahoo.com, city.ask.com, local.live.com, cityguide.aol.com, and citysearch.com. In most cases, getting your business listed is as simple as filling out a free online form.

• Understand your buzz. Determine what others are saying about your business. Start by going online to a search engine and searching on your business name.

• Spread the word. Create your own buzz by encouraging your customers to go online and write positive reviews about your business and service. Depending on the business, consumers can post reviews on sites like InsiderPages, Yahoo Local, and CitySearch. Don't sit back waiting for others to do it for you. Market yourself through your satisfied customers.

The Entrepreneur: Mentors Are A Must-Have

Article By The Bulletin
One of the biggest influences on my business career has been my mentors, and I have had a handful of them. I can say without question that I wouldn't have achieved a quarter of what I have accomplished without their guidance and support.There are plenty of quality mentors available, and people are usually honored that someone would respect them enough to ask. Mentors are people who:
* Share their experiences
* Listen to problems without solving them, but help their protégés think through problems so they can solve them on their own
* Ask the tough questions
* Point out mistakes
* Rebuke their charges when they are out of line
* Provide guidance on how to methodically nurture a career
* Make introductions to people who bring different skill sets that will improve the protégé
* Rebuild broken psyches

If you are launching a new business, a division of a company, entering the management ranks or aspire to be a leader, a mentor is invaluable. A good mentor can be an incredible boost to your career, and you are never too old to seek out people more experienced than yourself who can teach you the ropes, provide constructive feedback and encouragement.