Are you thinking about creating a home based business, working from home, 
or looking for a  2nd part-time job to supplement your current income?
This page lists some resources and suggestions for reaching your goals.
You may want to develop an "internet based business" or service, 
or a home based service - perhaps "secretarial" or "consultant" based. 
You may also want to start your own Information business,
or become a Seller of Items or Books via eBay or other Online Auctions.
For those who dream of being their own boss,  and who think they have an idea for aproduct or service that would be good for a home based business - 
I have listed some links for resources that you may find useful.*
*Please note this page & my website has NOT been updated in the past few years 2005-2008 - so some links may no longer be available and/or information may NOT be Current.

• Resource Links & Articles 
• Create a Business Plan 
• Ideas to use your skills 
• Selling via Online Auctions 
• Create Your Online Business Site - Resource links/tips 
• For Women Only sites 
• "Craft" Your Own Business 
• Free Business Forms 
• Books to consider 
• Online  Classes 
• Buying a Franchise

YOU are responsible for doing your homework and research on any business opportunity!
and for knowing what talents, experience, and finances you have in place "before" considering opening any type business. Do NOT risk money you can't afford to lose, or pay back even if the business fails.

And Remember - when visiting or reading online resources:
If It Sounds too Good to Be True...

Home Business Start-Up Center
http://www.at-homeworks.com/home_business_center.htm

Excerpt quoted from website:
 Home Business Readiness Checklist : 
Stop! Before you start your home based business, there are a few questions
you should ask yourself in order to determine how prepared you are, 
or what areas you may need to work on.
http://www.at-homeworks.com/checklist.htm

Read from IVillage.com
Excerpt quoted from website
Find the Hot Home Business for You
"I want to work from home, but I don't know where to start!"
Sound familiar? Creating a plan for working from home is easier than you think. Here, you'll find work-from-home ideas for all types of skills. 
read complete information
www.ivillage.com/work/wfh/features/articles/0,,187811_258692,00.html
**Note**: for some of the home business ideas mentioned, I also have links listed on this page to some of the same or additional resource links.

Articles of interest: *excerpts quoted directly from websites
In-House 
By Sara Wilson   |   November 14, 2007
Thinking of starting your own homebased business? Take a peek behind the shutters and
find out what it's like to make the dough right at home. 
http://www.entrepreneur.com/homebasedbiz/homebasedbasics/article186854.html

40 Best Business Tips for the Home-Based Entrepreneurs 
By Compiled by PowerHomeBiz.com
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/
Work at Home index:
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/Index/workathome.htm

Home Based Business Directory
http://www.bizymoms.com/hbmd.html

DON'T WORK AT SOMETHING YOU DON'T ENJOY OR ARE ATTEMPTING WITH NO  EXPERIENCE DOING THE JOB OR THAT YOU ARE DOING FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME - UNLESS YOU CAN LEARN QUICKLY AND BE ABLE TO ADJUST AND WEATHER THE  UPS AND DOWNS OF  A BEGINNER IN THE HOME BASED BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

UNDERSTAND YOUR LOCAL MARKET - IS THERE A REAL MARKET FOR YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICES. IS YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY ABLE TO SUPPORT YOUR PRICES AND SERVICES.
Ask questions of others who own their own home based business, subscribe to magazines, or trade publications related to your own business. Stay educated in the latest trends in your particular business. Take classes online or at local schools or outlets to  update your skills if needed. 

IF YOUR BUSINESS WILL BE  INTERNET BASED, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE BACKUPS OF ALL MATERIAL/DOCUMENTS/SOFTWARE/PRODUCT SHOTS ETC. NEEDED, AND PROPER SECURITY SOFTWARE ETC. INSTALLED. YOUR COMPUTER SHOULD BE UP TO DATE, AND YOU SHOULD HAVE A BROADBAND, CABLE OR HIGHSPEED INTERNET CONNECTIONS.
IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN WEBSITE, KEEP IT CURRENT AND MAKE SURE IT IS VIEWED AND WORKS CORRECTLY ON ALL WEB BROWSERS AND BE MINDFUL OF VISITORS WHO MAY BE ON DIAL-UP CONNECTIONS. EVEN IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE ELSE DESIGN OR MANAGE A WEBSITE, YOU SHOULD EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE BASICS OF HTML, WEBPAGE BASICS, ETC. SO THAT YOU CAN BE PREPARED  IN THE EVENT YOU NEED TO ADD/OR/EDIT THE SITE YOURSELF.

TRY TO HAVE ONE COMPUTER DESIGNATED JUST FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES, AND KEEP A EXTERNAL DRIVE FOR BACKUPS ETC. AND/OR HAVE AN ONLINE SERVICE BACKUP YOUR MATERIAL NEEDED FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

Keep accurate & organized records/copies of business related Expenses and Transactions,Contracts, Invoices, Letters, Emails and Business related material. Keep Printed copies organized and filed in a place of their own.
Do NOT Keep sensitive or private information on the computer, make sure you have printed or backups of everything important or needed for proper business operation off the computer.

Remember HOPE for the Best but PLAN for the Worst!

HOME BASED BUSINESSES REQUIRE PROFESSIONALISM, HONESTY, DEDICATION. ORGANIZATION AND EXCELLENT WORK ETHICS AS MUCH OR MORE THAN TRADITIONAL JOBS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND SKILLED TRADES.

US Small Business Administration has most of the resources 
you'll need to get started (for United States based businesses)
http://www.sba.gov/

Visit also: The SBA's Online Women's Business Center
http://www.onlinewbc.gov

Related US Government sites ~ see:
Federal Consumer Information Center
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/

Life Advice about Starting a Small Business
 This Life Advice pamphlet about Starting A Business was produced by
the MetLife Consumer Education Center and co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/smbuss/start-business/strtbiz.htm

Publication of the week (June 17, 2002)
The Facts About Starting a Small Business
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/smbuss/start-smbusiness/smbus.html

Small Business Links - Starting and Managing a Business
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/links/sm69links.htm

A Guide to Business Credit for Women, Minorities, & Small Businesses
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/buscredit/default3.htm

Small Business - Publications or CDs availalbe free or for small fees at FCIC
(Federal Citizen Information Center)

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
http://www.cfda.gov/

Consumer.gov
http://www.consumer.gov/

Related:
Starting a Food Business? - see the Food  biz links below

More - Small Business Resources Links
www.abusinessresource.com/Business_Resources/Additional_Resources/

From Entreprenuer.com
Home Based Business
http://www.entrepreneur.com/homebasedbiz/index.html

Excerpt Quoted from website
How to Start Your Own Business
The number of tasks you need to complete and the information you need to track down before you begin a business can feel beyond overwhelming. To help you cross this hurdle, we've compiled the basic information you need to begin your own business. From marketing and hiring employees to legal concerns and financing, you've got access to the best that we have. You'll be on your way to business ownership in no time!
http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/howtoguides/index115868.html

See more  How-to guides from http://www.entrepreneur.com/
excerpt quoted
Whether you need help writing a business plan or marketing plan, finding a franchise or business opportunity, starting a homebased business or building a better business, our extensive how-tos will lead you through the process. Free, thorough, and easy to use, these learning tools are essential to starting and growing your business.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/howtoguides/index115868.html

Business Owners Toolkit 
http://www.toolkit.cch.com/

Learn that:
Creating a Business Plan - How to Prepare a Proper Business Plan
http://www.learnthat.com/courses/business/businessplan/index.shtml

Business town
Creating a Business Plan
http://www.businesstown.com/planning/creating-plan.asp

Business Plan Archive
Excerpt quoted from website:
To help us learn from history, we are creating the Business Plan Archive (BPA) to collect business plans and related documents from the dot com era. These plans – the “blueprints” that lay out the assumptions and strategies of Internet entrepreneurs – will enable entrepreneurs and researchers to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research.
http://www.businessplanarchive.org/

Read this article (**it is a PDF file - you'll need Adobe acrobat reader to open)
Home Based Business: the Hidden Economy
http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs194.pdf

HOW TO START A HOME-BASED BUSINESS
Judy Vorfeld [http://www.ossweb.com] wrote this series of articles to help business support services owners, but many of the principles apply to other small and home-based businesses.
How to Start a Home Based - Office Support Business

HOW TO START A HOME BASED BUSINESS
http://www.empowermentzone.com/home_biz.txt

Home Based Business Guides & tips
http://www.bizmove.com/home_based_business/HomeBasedBusiness.htm

PowerHomeBiz.com Articles:
Working at Home: What Should I Do? 
For many of us, deciding to start a home business raises a lot of questions, foremost of which is: what should I do? Know how a work-at-home mom was able to decide what she really wants in order to push through with her goal of running a business from her home.
by Tammy Harrison
Contributing Author
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol46/what.htm

Are You Geared for a Home-Based Business? 
Millions around the world are beginning to see the benefits of working at home. More and more people are working their way back home by putting their talents to work. Here are 10 questions to help you evaluate whether you are suited for a home business.
by Steve Ma. Reyna
PowerHomeBiz Staff Writer 
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol15/candidate.htm

Be Ready to Pay the Price for Working at Home 
The home-based entrepreneur is rapidly becoming the boom industry of this new millennium. More and more people are changing their lifestyles and shattering the long-held dictum of corporate employment. However, working from home has its price.
by Lyve Alexis Pleshette
PowerHomeBiz Staff Writer 
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol19/price.htm

Work-at-Home Scams 
How various scams operate. 
Beware of companies promising you big money to compile names. 
by Isabel M. Isidro
Managing Editor
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/Index/scams.htm

Find more articles and resources on:
http://www.powerhomebiz.com

Home Based Business Opportunities
http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com/
Home Based Business Opportunities (HBBO) Library
This library has over 300 pages of valuable information to help you 
make money from home.
http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com/library/index.shtml

Why I Started My Home Business
by LaDonna Vick
http://momslife.com/zine/home_business.shtml

How to start a Home Based Office Support Business / by Judy Vorfeld
http://www.ossweb.com/start-business.html

Related:
Work At Home Ideas
http://www.work-at-home-ideas.com/

From Entreprenuer.com
Excerpt Quoted from website
How to Start Your Own Business
The number of tasks you need to complete and the information you need to track down before you begin a business can feel beyond overwhelming. To help you cross this hurdle, we've compiled the basic information you need to begin your own business. From marketing and hiring employees to legal concerns and financing, you've got access to the best that we have. You'll be on your way to business ownership in no time!
http://www.entrepreneur.com/howto/startyourbiz/0,5969,,00.html

Homebased Startup Checklist 
 Excerpt quoted from website article
The devil is in the details--we've created this checklist so you don't forget anything crucial when starting your new business.
HomeOfficeMag.com - November 2002
By Laura Tiffany
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,304303,00.html
**PDF** Checklist to print
http://www.entrepreneur.com/misc/checklist.pdf

Home Office - helpful resources & articles
http://www.entrepreneur.com/homeoffice/0,6289,,00.html
Home Based Business - helpful resources/articles
http://www.entrepreneur.com/Your_Business/YB_Node/0,4507,129,00.html
Sales & Marketing for Your Homebased Business
http://www.entrepreneur.com/Your_Business/YB_Node/0,4507,343,00.html

BIZ 101
All Biz 101 Articles

Business Owners Toolkit (not just for *home* business owners)
http://www.toolkit.cch.com/

Barbara Brabek
 for home business owners who are striving for financial success and happiness in both their professional and personal lives.
http://www.barbarabrabec.com/
Related see some of the Books that Barbara Brabec has written

Light Keeper.com
Excerpt quoted from website:
This site is dedicated to all those who keep the light in their homes - stay-at-home moms and dads, work at home moms and dads, and parents who want to stay at home and are looking for resources, support and ideas.
http://www.thelightkeeper.com/
Articles for Work at Home Parents
http://www.thelightkeeper.com/wah/articles.htm

Register at Careers from Home.com
and find jobs that are already out there, needing to utilize your "skills"!
www.careersfromhome.com
Excerpt quoted from website:
CareersFromHome.com Members receive:
The ability to POST YOUR RESUME to be viewed by Fortune 1000 companies seeking telecommuters.
Access to HUNDREDS of TELECOMMUTING OPPORTUNITIES.
CAREER SUPPORT to help make you more attractive to employers.
A monthly E-NEWSLETTER to inform you of the latest telecommuting trends.

July 2004 upcoming publication
Ultimate Homebased Business Handbook: How to Start,Run and Grow Your Own Profitable Business
Entrepreneur Press | ISBN: 1932531025
From the Publisher
  Here's the proven road map to move from start-up to profitability fast, regardless of prior business experience or education. Comprehensive, detailed information for every stage, combined with step-by-step how to, plus tips, ideas, tools, and resources make this the required one-stop guide. 

Find other suggested  titles with the keywords home based business
 Related Books to consider for purchase: 
See 20 titles from Home-Based Business Series

Read from these online resources
Business Ideas for Your Small & Home Business 
Have you ever dreamed of starting your own small or home business? Read some advice on choosing a business, and ideas of businesses you can start and grow.
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/BizIdeas/bizideas.htm

25 Part-Time Businesses to Start Today! 
Looking to earn some extra cash in your spare time? We've got 25 great ways to get started!
September 30, 2003 |  Carla Goodman
http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/businessideas/article64720.html

Online Support & Articles, Resources
http://www.homeworkers.org/sitemap.shtml

4hb.com - Home Office Articles
http://www.4hb.com/06index.html
Be Organized - Articles
http://www.4hb.com/03index.html

Home & Home Office tools, products and articles from Hewlett Packard
http://www.hp.com/country/us/eng/solutions/home_homeoffice.html
work at home : getting down to business
http://www.homeandoffice.hp.com/hho/us/eng/work_at_home.html

Small Business Startup Information & Resources
http://www.businessnation.com/library/bizstartup.html

Hidden Costs for New Business Owners

Check out all the wonderful resources at:

Victoria's Entrepreneur's Business Resources
magazines.ivillage.com/victoria/workshop/resources/articles/0,13011,284725_367629,00.html
**Note these links may contain duplicative info already linked on this page**

About.com's
Small Business Information Sites & Resources

Small Business / Self Employed - U.S. Tax Information
Related visit this page on the IRS site:
Excerpt quoted from site~
Online Classroom
The Small Business/Self-Employed online classroom has a series of self-directed workshops on a variety of topics for small business owners.
www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=97726,00.html

Example: Lesson One **PDF document***
Excerpt quoted from site:
Lesson 1, Introduction
This presentation covers the following topics: Employer Identification Number, Recordkeeping, Income Statement and Balance Sheet - Accounting Methods, Types of Business Organizations, Business Returns, Net Profit or Loss, and Business Deductions and Credits.
www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/2003_pub_1066_module1.pdf

Also of interest - excerpt quoted from website:
The 2004 Tax Calendar for Small Businesses and Self-Employed (Publication 1518) is now available to view online.
This online version of the tax calendar is filled with useful information on general business taxes, IRS and SSA customer assistance, electronic filing and paying options, business publications and forms, common tax filing dates, and Federal legal holidays.
www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=104682,00.html

Records to Keep 

Small Business - Records - What to Keep and for How Long. 
See more related information on paper & document management
on this page : papermngt.html

See the Free resources library & business information links
for Small Business owners and Home Entrepreneurs
http://novaplaza.com/library.shtml

Tips & Advice 

eBay Basics of Selling
http://pages.ebay.com/education/howtosell/index.html

eBay 101 - Beginner's Guide to eBay selling and buying
http://netforbeginners.about.com/cs/buyingselling/a/eBay101.htm

Auction Insights
Sane Advice & Unique Tools for eBay Auction Users! 
http://auctioninsights.com

eBay Tools
http://auctioninsights.com/ebay-tools.html

Auction Sellers links:<
http://auctioninsights.com/auction-sellers.html

Tutorials
http://auctioninsights.com/tutorials.html

Auction Insights - FREE Website
Excerpt quoted from website:
Free Web Sites from Auction Insights. You get Free: 
12 MB of Web space 
Online Web page building tools (no HTML experience needed!) 
Subdomain name (http://username.auctioninsights.com) 
Web-based e-mail 
A "My Member Area" to manage your Web pages 
Technical support from our friendly technical support team 
http://auctioninsights.com/hosting/index.html

Auction Artist.com
Auction editing & formatting Tool  - $10
http://www.jswe.com/AuctionArtist/Index.htm
Excerpt quoted from website:
Formatting your auctions is a proven way to build trust and attract bids.
You can avoid monthly fees and prepare your auctions professionally with an editor
The Utility Every Auctioneer Should Have
Auction Artist is a stand-alone editor that combines word processing and
HTML formatting in one easy-to-use program so you can prepare
and preview your auctions offline, before posting.
http://www.jswe.com/AuctionArtist/Index.htm

Other articles are listed to the left of each of the following:

How To Maximize Your Profits And Sell More With Online Auctions!
http://jswe.com/AuctionArtist/howtosell.htm

Following The eBay Rules
http://jswe.com/AuctionArtist/howtosell15.htm

Pictures Are Worth A Thousand Words - Or At Least Higher Bids
http://jswe.com/AuctionArtist/howtosell12.htm

Credit Cards Mean Higher Bids 
http://jswe.com/AuctionArtist/howtosell7.htm

Online auctions -- information for sellers
Articles by Richard Seltzer, http://www.samizdat.com
http://www.samizdat.com/auc.html

AuctionEssentials4U
http://www.auctionessentials4u.com

SoYouWanna Use eBay
http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/ebay/ebay2.html

Auction Guide.com
The Internets Guide to Auctions and Auctioneers WorldWide.
http://www.auctionguide.com/index.htm

More links from Google Directory listing
Auctions
  Home > Consumer Information > Auctions 

If you don't have a website or place to store your images of items to sell
consider using sites such as:
Image Hosting.com - 25cents per image to host your photo for 30 days
http://www.imagehosting.com/
also: *excerpt quoted from website~
Auction Image Hosting:
Do you wish you had an easy way to upload pictures to the
Internet so you could increase the selling price of your items?
If so, then you've come to the right place!
http://myphotodrive.com

Have Books? - Sell Books
Sell Books at half.com
http://half.ebay.com/
Excerpt quoted from website:
Selling - How does it work? 
Half.com is the place for you to turn your unwanted stuff into cash. 
Here, you can sell all sorts of stuff, like books, CDs, movies, video games, home electronics, computer equipment, trading cards, sporting goods, etc. Listing your stuff for sale is easy on Half.com. In many cases, Half.com's catalog already contains all the information that buyers are looking for on the product you're listing for sale. 
However, if you are listing an item that is not a book, CD, movie or video game and the item is not in our catalog we'll provide you with the tools needed to get it listed.
Read more:
http://half.ebay.com/help/tour/how-sell.cfm

Ebook Compilers - be sure to check out their listing of 
"Free Software downloads"
http://www.ebookcompilers.com/

eLECTRONIC Book Shell 1.0
Quoted from site:
http://www.primasoft.com/iebook/freebook2.htm
Do you want free advertising for your service?
Do you want to send organized information to your customers? 
Do you want to create electronic books? 
Do you want to send news letters in a notebook format?
eLECTRONIC Book Shell features: 
100% Free. 
Notebook-like interface. 
Easy-to-use.
Very fast and small. 
Fast search. 
Flexible filters. 
Print reports. 
Unlimited number of entries and ebooks. 
http://www.primasoft.com/iebook/freebook2.htm

Remember if you are building a Business website, or planning to sell items from a website:

• You must plan for "bandwidth" loads - make sure your site can handle the visitor traffic that you hope to build. 
• Make Sure you are able to process payments from credit cards or via a system such as paypal. 
• If Have your site "created" by a business professional, Learn how to maintain and update it yourself! *Never depend on someone else to know what goes into or onto your very own "business" website. You should learn all you can about website design and management. If you "employ" someone else to maintain, design or manage your website - remember they are your employee - treat them with respect and professionalism, but understand what they do(don't sign contracts or service agreements without knowing all that is involved with their services), and be prepared to interview, hire, and/or fire them as you would any employee who works for you.
• If you design your own site - Keep It Simple. "Less" is Better! 
• Make sure you understand all about Copyright and the Web. 
• Be Sure to have your site "backed up" - ALL images, text, web pages, etc. on a CD, External Drive disk or on your harddrive. Keep Printed Copies of Important and/or Irreplaceable information or documents in a safe secure place.
• Be prepared for Computer glitches, outages, etc. - when orders don't come through. 
• State clearly on your site - your Contact information, and  Response times to customer inquiries the customer can expect, etc.
• Use Internet Hosting Services that provide good Customer Service & Support for your Business Website.

Setting Up Shop in Cyberspace 
http://www.inc.com/resources/ecommerce/

http://www.inc.com/guides/ecom/index.html

and also see
E-Commerce Starter Kit
http://www.inc.com/guides/ecom/20696.html
and
http://www.inc.com/resources/startup/

Pointers on how to create business websites that work
http://www.viacorp.com/pointers.html

Building Your Business Web Site
http://www.at-homeworks.com/your_business_web_site.htmE-Business Building

Planning the Design of Your Web Site
Erum Zehra | Biz Talk 4U
You are all set to give your business global exposure through the internet.
http://www.smallbizcommunity.com/articles/index.htm?article=22

How to go about building websites for the average small business http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum10/1066.htm

Do's and Don'ts of Web Design
Small Biz Community, LLC
http://www.smallbizcommunity.com/articles/index.htm?article=24

Site Design
http://www.wilsonweb.com/art/design/index.htm

Promote YOUR Site Every Day!
Irena Whitfield | The Cassiopeia
http://www.smallbizcommunity.com/articles/index.htm?article=21

Free Hosting Sites for Business's - Remember you get what you "pay" for.
And - Read ALL the Details. 
Related: Read this article
Are Free Sites Worth the Cost? | Small Biz Community, LLC
http://www.smallbizcommunity.com/articles/index.htm?article=29

Online Website Builder Software
http://www.ebizwebpages.com/main/home

Site Build It!
http://buildit.sitesell.com/main/home.html

Free Site Stuff
http://www.smallbizcommunity.com/resources/index.htm?resource=4

Sign up for:
Published since November 1995, Web Marketing Today is the largest circulation Internet marketing e-mail newsletter in continuous publication.

Learn how to create Online/EZines / Mailing Lists or Print NewsLetters
http://librarysupportstaff.com/4createnewsletr.html

Learn how to create your own Online Discussion Group / Bulletin Board
http://librarysupportstaff.com/4creategroup.html

Please NOTE: I am not affiliated nor can I vouch for services provided by the above links. They are provided as informational only. Please be sure to do your own research and learn as much as you can, before proceeding to invest time and money in creating an online business site.

Can You Afford To Stay At Home?
By Sharon Davis
http://www.momslife.com/zine/afford_stayathome.shtml

How To Articles for Business Women 
Everything from how to write a mission statement to how to design a business card, to how to sponsor an online contest, how to get a grant for women and even more how to's. 
How to Start A Home Based Business
http://www.digital-women.com/howto04f.htm

Where can I find funding to start a business?
http://fdncenter.org/onlib/faqs/faq18.html

Bizy Moms.com
http://www.bizymoms.com/startup.html
Articles
http://www.bizymoms.com/artstart.html
Making Money From Home - FAQs
http://www.bizymoms.com/faq.html
Avoid The Scams!
http://www.bizymoms.com/scams.html
EBooks available *PDF*
http://www.bizymoms.com/main/?10000!header

Center for Women’s Business Research, founded as the
National Foundation for Women Business Owners, 
is the premier source of knowledge about 
women business owners and their enterprises worldwide.
http://www.nfwbo.org/

National Association of Women Business Owners
http://www.nawbo.org

National Women's Business Council
http://www.nwbc.gov/

Online Women's Business Center
http://www.onlinewbc.gov/

Resources and Financial Tools for Women in Business
www.digital-women.com/resources/
Free Daily Planners to print out
www.digital-women.com/daily-planner/

Sipping Tea & Business
Excerpt quoted from website:
Sipping Tea & Doing Business is designed for You -- The Woman in Business.
We know that women are multi-faceted, therefore we address the physical,
emotional, and spiritual needs of being a woman entrepreneur.
We hope that you will find the things you need most -- 
information, support and business development assistance,
right here in one place. 
Sheronde Glover
http://www.sippingteaonline.com/

Women's Work
http://www.wwork.com/

Women Entrepreneur Resources
http://www.businessjeeves.com/MoneyWomen.html

Working Solo
http://www.workingsolo.com/

How to start a Home Based Office Support Business / by Judy Vorfeld
http://www.ossweb.com/start-business.html

Related Books to consider for purchase: 
See 20 titles from Home-Based Business Series

• Professional Organizer 
• Virtual Assistant 
• Independant Information Professional 
• Indexer 
• Food Based / Catering  Services 
• Use your Computer Skills 
• Crafting a Business with your Craft Skills with a Computer or by Hand

Also factor in  the costs of a DSL or Cable line, 
Access to Databases, Faxing, and Scanning
Services into your pricing for your Services.

And make sure that you are trying to do something that you "enjoy".
It is important that if you are going into a business of "your own",
that it be doing something that you can put your heart into, and
something that you are willing to work very hard at to make it successful.

• http://becomeaprofessionalorganizer.com/ 
• http://www.onlineorganizing.com/Organizer_Training_Program.htm 
• http://www.miracleorganizing.com/organizing_opportunities.htm

Related - Organize a Small Library or Collections
using some of the inexpensive software  available
http://librarysupportstaff.com/4automate.html

Also related - if you are good at organizing - consider the career of "Event Planner and/or Organizer"
Find out about the career at : www.ivillage.com/work/wfh/features/articles/0,,187811_232937,00.html

Read this online information article
Hot Home Business: Wedding Planner | by Ellen Parlapiano and Pat Cobe
www.ivillage.com/work/print/0,,224135,00.html

• International Virtual Assistants Association 
• International Association of Virtual Office Assistants  
• Specialist Virtual Assistants Club  
• VirtualAssistant Certification.com 
• Virtual Assistant Resource Center 
• AssistU 
• Article 
  How do I become a Virtual Assistant? 
• Article: 
  Being a Virtual Assistant 
• Article: 
  Virtual Assistant Provides Business Assistance On Demand!
• Article: 
  Hiring a virtual assistant can help you grow your biz and get your life back
  By Alexandria Brown

University of Kansas
Virtual Communication Assistants Site.
This site links a series of tutorials designed to assist individuals in various interpersonal tasks.
www.ku.edu/cwis/units/coms2/virtualassistants.html

Wordprocessing & Bookeeping services are always needed by individuals
and small businesses. 
Become a Virtual Assistant
http://www.virtualassistants.com/
For book keeping:
Find jobs or advertise your business at:
http://www.allbookkeepingresource.com/

Remember if you need to learn new skills, or brush up on Office applications, software programs, etc.
See the many Free or Inexpensive Learning Opportunities available online.

Start your own Information Business | Information Brokering

Note: Not all Information Professionals have MLS degrees, 
find out more about the career
at:
The Association Independent Informaton Professionals
The Independent Information Professional
Excerpt quoted from website:
Information Brokering as a profession probably has its roots in the 1960's, when a few individuals and library organizations realized that the computer and the photocopier, harbingers of the significant role to be played by technology in the information revolution, would have a major impact on the organization and retrieval of information. The ability to deliver documents, copies of published articles, and similar material to the academic, business and professional communities, on-demand, presented an opportunity to those with enough foresight and entrepreneurial spirit to turn the need into a service business. 
Read remainder of article at:
http://www.aiip.org/Resources/IIPWhitePaper.html

Getting Started as an Independent Information Professional
http://www.aiip.org/Resources/getstarted.html

What is an Information Broker? | What do You Want to Know Today?
By Keith Londrie
http://www.4hb.com/marketing/0111infobroker.html

Burwell Inc.
http://www.burwellinc.com
Information for Information Brokers
Find out about a Career as a  Information Broker
read Hot Bytes
http://www.burwellinc.com/hotbytes.html

Visit:  Mary Ellen Bates  Information Services website - 
http://www.batesinfo.com
Excerpts quoted from website
The Independent Info Pro Business (a.k.a "Information Brokering")
http://www.batesinfo.com/info-brokering.html
FAQs About the Independent Info Pro Business 
http://www.batesinfo.com/faq.html
For a description of a fairly typical day in my business, see my  Day In The Life article
**PDF document
http://www.batesinfo.com/day-in-the-life.pdf
Tip of the Month
http://www.batesinfo.com/tip.html

Marketing Base.com  |  Amelia Kassel
Excerpt quoted from website
Amelia Kassel is President and owner of MarketingBase, a firm specializing in industry, company and competitive and market intelligence research since 1984.

...Her successful email-based training program for independent information professionals and business researchers, The Mentor Program began in 1994 and is tailored to each student. Other training venues include telephone training and personalized retreats.

Information Broker Mentor Program
http://www.marketingbase.com/mentor.html

Frequently Asked Questions about Information Brokering
http://www.marketingbase.com/faqs.html

Related Links for "Informational folks":

2004 GUIDE TO EMPLOYMENT SOURCES
in the LIBRARY AND INFORMATION PROFESSIONS
http://www.ala.org/ala/hrdr/libraryempresources/2004employmentguide.htm

The Information Professional's Career Page
http://www.brint.com/jobs.htm

Information Resources for Information Professionals
http://web.syr.edu/~jryan/infopro/

CILIP is the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals,
a new professional body formed following the unification of the
Institute of Information Scientists (IIS)
and the Library Association (LA). (**A United Kingdom organization**)
http://www.cilip.org.uk/

Books to read - find at your local Library or purchase online
Building and Running a Successful Research Business
By Mary Ellen Bates; Edited by Reva Basch
CyberAge Books • 2003
Excerpt quoted from website:
This is the handbook every aspiring independent information 
professional needs to launch, manage, and build a research business. 
Organized into four sections, “Getting Started,”“Running the Business,”
“Marketing,” and “Researching,” the book walks you through every step of the process.
http://store.yahoo.com/infotoday//builandrunsu.html

Information Broker's Handbook by Sue Rugge, Alfred Glossbrenner
ISBN: 0070578702 | Pub. Date: January 1997
Publisher: McGraw-Hill 

Think about working for Conference and/or Event planners in your city or town,
doing research and creating information packets customized about your city or town
for event attendees, or geared with topical (conference or event topic)information geared for attendees, etc.

You might also be a trip planner, obtaining maps, ideas for things to do
on the trip, find the best deals, etc.

Do research for people who are moving to a new town, or who have 
just relocated to your town. For instance you could be a "virtual"
welcome wagon. Produce packets of information all about the community,
the neighborhood, where things are, (many online mapping places,
will show how far from a certain address -things like bakeries, florists,
the movie theater is.) You could create individualized reference 
packets, baskets with coupons, books on the area..etc and partner with
a local real estate agent, who would buy the baskets from you for 
presenting to new home owners, etc.
You could also present informational packets & basket combos,
for people to buy for putting in guest rooms, summer cottages,
or for visiting friends or relatives coming, from out of town for family celebrations,
such as weddings - they could be placed in hotel guest rooms.

PLEASE NOTE** if you'll need to subscribe to databases,
or obtain articles online that charge a fee,  or if you'll need 
a highspeed access line, all of those expenses each month will have to be 
taken into consideration when you are deciding on fees to charge clients.

Records & Paper Management - how long to keep documents,
how to organize, and how to preserve
papermngt.html

Excerpt Quoted from website:
Career Profile:  Indexer 
Interview by Janet Scarborough with Carolyn G. Weaver, M.A., M.P.A., Indexer,
Weaver Indexing Service 

What is indexing?
Indexing is the process of providing organized access to information in any form -- books, journals, technical documentation, or Web sites.  An indexer assigns subject headings or coding that will allow information to be retrieved in a systematic fashion.
Read remainder of interview:
http://www.bridgewaycareer.com/profile-indexer.htm

Preparing for an Indexing Career--Part 1
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/1019/49938

The American Society of Indexers
Publications
Includes:
Starting an Indexing Business, Third Edition, edited by Enid L. Zafran, 1998. 
Topics covered include an overview of what indexers do, setting up a business, finding clients and setting fees, indexing while holding a full-time job, the ASI Recommended Indexing Agreement, the 1997 salary survey and much more. 
http://www.asindexing.org/site/asipub.shtml

Society of Indexers
Indexing as a career
http://www.socind.demon.co.uk/indexing/career.htm

Books for Reference:

Indexing from A to Z
Hans H. Wellisch
 ISBN: 082420882X
Format: Hardcover, 569pp
Pub. Date: April 1996

Introduction to Indexing and Abstracting
Donald B. Cleveland, Ana D. Cleveland
ISBN: 1563086417
Format: Hardcover, 283pp
Pub. Date: November 2000

Create Tutorials, Presentations, Photo Albums, etc.:
If you are going to be using your computer in any home business,
it should have a cd rewriteable drive.
Learn how to create presentations or tutorials for using online,
for local businesses and schools. 
Put completed presentations on cd roms.
Find further  info on the presentations.html page
and onlineteach.html page.

If you feel you are ready to provide services,  sign up as a 
service provider at Elance, and start finding projects 
that need being done today.
http://www.elance.com/c/cats/main/sellers.pl?
Other sites to consider:
http://www.allfreelancework.com/

If you have a digital camera, you could offer services of
taking pictures of home interiors, and organizing on cds for
insurance purposes. 
You can also use a scanner to offer services of scanning
family photos and making digital scrapbooks.
There are inexpensive software programs like Microsoft Picture It
that allow you to create albums and put them up the internet
You could offer services along those lines.
Put together albums on CDs or make websites for new parents, etc.
If you need to know or learn about digital cameras etc.
Learn from Ulead.com tutorials
Digital Photography tips
http://www.ulead.com/learning/photography.htm
and also from Internet Brother
Photo tips using your digital camera
http://internetbrothers.com/phototips.htm
 I also have links for learning about photography on
the ed4you4.html page
and the photopg.html

Learn how to design website sets.
In addition to the many "website design, learning html tutorials, etc."
links that I offer on the webpubhelp.html page
Visit also:
Website Tips.com
Quoted from the site:
WebsiteTips.com provides over 2 dozen articles, tutorials, 
and tips, color charts, HTML charts and over 2,400 categorized, 
annotated links to resources to help with your 
Web site presence, whether educator, site owner, designer, or developer.

*Libraries may be looking for custom designed,
logos and complete webpage sets.
Many current  website designers use Paint Shop Pro.
Here are a few  sites with Free tutorials:
Paint Shop Pro  tutorials

• PSPTips.com 
  Creating Web Graphics with Paint Shop Pro 
• Lori's Web Graphics: How-To 
• Web Graphics on a Budget 
• Robin's Paint Shop Pro resources 

Starting a Food Business? - 
Excerpt quoted from website
FDA Industry Assistance: 301-436-2600
FDA's primary focus as a regulatory agency is food safety. FDA does not offer financing or business tips for starting up and maintaining a business. FDA offers information on food safety guidelines and regulations it has established that are required for informative labeling and the safe preparation, manufacture, and distribution of food products.
Visit:  http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/foodbiz.html

See more  Food Entrepreneur resources from this Penn State University website
http://foodsafety.cas.psu.edu/processor/resources.htm

Starting a Homebased Food Business on a Sweet Note 
Make sure to follow state regulations when selling
Entrepreneur magazine - May 2004
By Paul and Sarah Edwards
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,315230,00.html

Example of publication available online - check your own states resources to see if there is something similar from your Cooperative Extension offices,  in your own state:
Starting a Food Processing Business in Virginia
Publication Number 348-963, Posted June 2001 
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/foods/348-963/348-963.html

And here is a PDF document avalable to open and read:
Starting a Food  Business in Minnesota
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/dairyfood/startingfoodbiz.pdf

Here is a resource page for those in New England area
http://www.umass.edu/nefe/starting_a_food_business/

See this page with some links to US States resources:
in this article:
Resources for Starting Your Own Preserved Foods Business:
Can I sell my home preserved food?
National Center for Home Food Preservation | March 2005
http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/business/starting_business.html

Canadian - About.com Small business guide
Excerpt quoted from website
Starting A Food Business
Have you ever thought of starting a business producing a food product? Then you won't want to miss this discussion, which includes links to food processing manuals in various provinces and insights into the problem of needing a commercial kitchen. 
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/a/2004_01_14.htm

If you're a good baker - consider making items to sell to libraries for celebrations, or events,  or conferences - you might offer catering services.
Remember Kate & Allie....:- )
If you're good at cookies, offer cookie trays, design  "book shaped" cakes and or cookies. Use your skills and imagination to come up with unique services and items that may not 
have been  sold or offered in your area before.

Article:
Starting a Catering Business
http://www.4www.us/catering/catering-business.htm

Books to consider for purchase:
How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business
by Denise Vivaldo , 4th ed. c. 2002
 ISBN: 0762724803 Publisher: Globe Pequot Press
From the Publisher 
  Are you passionate about parties? Do you live to cook? Now you can realize your dream of working from home at something you enjoy -- a home-based catering business. Author Denise Vivaldo shares her experiences and advice on every aspect of setting up and running a thriving home-based catering business, from estimating your start-up costs and finding clients to outfitting your kitchen and staying profitable. She even offers tips on the latest high-tech help, including CD-ROM recipe books, culinary Web sites, and computer software designed especially for chefs and caterers. 

How to Run a Catering Business from Home
Christopher Egerton-Thomas
ISBN: 0471141062
Format: Paperback, 208pp
Pub. Date: November 1996  Publisher: Wiley, John & Sons,

Idea to Consider:
Offer complete organizing & setups for Library events, small parties, etc.
Library Lovers Promotional Calendar of Ideas
Use this calendar for planning library events and newsletters (*learn how to create newsletters on the 4subscribe.html page)
http://www.calibraries.org/librarylovers/calend

Related: Read this article 
Starting a Gift Basket Businss
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol100/giftbasket.htm

Crafty ideas
Computer Crafting  or  Starting your own Home Craft Business

Using your computer, a scanner, and/or a digital camera, 
you  can produce all kinds of ideas and products. 
You could design t-shirt iron on transfers, scrapbooks, logos, business cards, etc.
Here is a freelance site for those looking for graphics jobs to work on.
http://www.deezin.com/indexf.html

Use your PC for Crafts/Crafting projects - Use your imagination, and creativity
See:

• Senior Net Computer Crafts Center 
• www.pccrafter.com/ 
• www.pccrafts.com/ 
• www.allcrafts.net/computer.htm 
• ths.gardenweb.com/forums/compcrafts/ 
• desktoppub.about.com/cs/crafts/ 
• www.pccreateit.com/index.xml

More ideas for the "handy types"
If you are a builder or do-it-yourselfer
Find some ideas, patterns, and how-tos for projects
(as well as other handy learning tutorials) on the ed4you4.html page.
Learn how to build something really well, and mass produce to sell at craft fairs.

Visit
http://artsandcrafts.about.com
Starting a Craft Business
Excerpts quoted from individual web pages:

Starting a Craft Business 101
Part 1: First Steps
Having a plan is important! Decide exactly what you want to do and how you are going to do it before starting. Here are some basic things crafters should know when planning a strategy
Read complete details/article
http://artsandcrafts.about.com/bl101.htm
Starting a Craft Business 101
Part 2: Marketing a Craft Business 
Marketing is the key ingredient to any successful business! You must have ways to get the word out about your products. Whether you will be attending craft shows, placing mail order ads, or selling your crafts online.
Read complete article:
http://artsandcrafts.about.com/bl101b.htm
Starting a Craft Business 101
Part 3: Finding Craft Suppliers 
Running a craft business requires finding reliable suppliers with reasonable prices.
Read complete article:
http://artsandcrafts.about.com/bl101c.htm

Also:
The Crafts Report 
http://www.craftsreport.com/
Industry FAQs
http://www.craftsreport.com/commonfiles/faq-industry.html

• Six Personal Things to Consider Before Starting a Crafts Business 
• Legal and Financial Tips for New Crafts Business Owners by Barbara Brabec 
  Read all of Barbara Brabec's Crafts Marketing - Success Secrets
  *see more on Barbara Brabec and her Craft Business Books

6 Important Things To Know About Setting Up Your Craft Business
By Susan West - 02/01/01
http://www.sunshineglassworks.com/articles/settingupbiz.shtml
and
33 Bookkeeping Necessities for the Craft Business
By Susan West - 02/07/01
Ever wonder just what you need to know when setting up your financial records or when tax time comes? Take a look at our easy checklist to get organized!
http://www.sunshineglassworks.com/articles/bookkeeping.shtml

Article to read
How to Sell at Craft Fairs and Shows
Interested in turning your artistic hobby into a business? Find out how you can make money by selling your handicrafts at art shows and craft fairs.
April 04, 2005 | By Rosalind Resnick 
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,320667,00.html

Articles & Tips for Craftsmen, Artists, Food Vendors & Resellers
http://www.smartfrogs.com/articles.html

Crafts Report.com
Related article to read:
from Crafts Report.com
Payroll tax withholding & Your Craft Business
Excerpt quoted from website page:
http://www.craftsreport.com/february03/feature.html
Payroll tax withholdings … three words that strike fear in the hearts 
of most small-business owners. And craft artisans and retailers are no exception.
What comes to mind are complicated calculation tables, myriad forms,
frequent deposits and reporting to the IRS, exemptions that 
vary widely from employee to employee and laws and tax codes that differ between the Federal government, states and even local municipalities.

Read select articles online from the CraftsReport Magazine
http://www.craftsreport.com/commonfiles/backissues04.html
Example article excerpt of interest: from March 2004 issue
Make Your Business “Official”
Many reasons to tell the world about your venture.
Despite the necessary research and paperwork, becoming an “official” home business may not be as difficult as most artists think — and it can bring definite advantages. 
and
Can You Succeed as an Artist and a Licensed Designerat the Same Time?
by Bernadette Finnerty
From the April 2004 issue
Financing Your Craft Business
Find morearticles online from the CraftsReport Magazine
http://www.craftsreport.com/commonfiles/backissues04.html
Find Useful Links from The Crafts Report
NATIONAL CRAFT ORGANIZATIONS AND AID FOR CRAFTSPEOPLE

The 12 Secrets to starting a home based craft business***
http://www.getcreativeshow.com
***Excerpts from "Crafting the American Dream" by Karen Booy.
http://www.getcreativeshow.com/crafting_american_dream.htm
and CraftLink Newsletter

HGTV online
Home Business Set-Up
Carol Duvall Show : Episode CDS-127 
Continuing the discussion from an earlier show, professional crafter and author Jean Kievlan supplies further guidance for setting up a home crafting business
Home Business Set-Up

Home Based Craft Business Survival Tips by James Dillehay
http://www.craftmarketer.com/home_based_craft_business.htm

Setting Up Your Own Craft Consignment Shop
http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com/library/craftshop.shtml

Setting up a Jewelry Making business 
http://jewelrymaking.tqn.com/hobbies/jewelrymaking/library/blsell.htm

Article:
The Essential Survival Guide to Getting started with craft fairs
http://www.candlemaking.org.uk/fairs.html
Related: find where/when the craft fairs are being held

Visit and Join (for free) CraftBits.com - lots of good articles and resources for crafters
http://www.craftbits.com/html/articles.htm

Online article:
Using professional sales techniques at craft shows
http://allsands.com/Money/craftshowssal_ruy_gn.htm

Online Craft "pricing" calculator
http://home.iximd.com/~carousel/CraftCalc1pt6.htm

PDF Document
Craft Business - Business sourcing guide
http://www.smallbusinessbc.ca/pdf/crafts.pdf

Excerpt quoted on 2003 efforts:
CERF LOOKS BACK ON 2003
http://www.craftemergency.org/pressrel.htm#2003
In 2003, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) provided over $62,000 in emergency and disaster relief assistance to 32 professional craft artists from 15states across the country. CERF awarded $37,300 in no-and low-interest recovery loans, $10,000 in grants,
and $15,540 in wholesale/retail booth fee waivers and donated equipment and materials.
Read complete article
http://www.craftemergency.org/pressrel.htm#2003
Also
Example of articles available on the site

A River Worth Crossing:
Learning Basic Business Practices to Help Sustain Your
Career
http://www.craftemergency.org/issue8.htm#ariver

Refreshing Your Perspective:
Ways that Craft Artists Can Create New Opportunities
by Doug Wilhelm 
How can craft artists take a fresh new look — at the work they can produce, 
at the business and marketing opportunities they can find, or at both? 
http://www.craftemergency.org/issue9.htm#refresh

What Would I Do Differently?
Insurance Advice from the Trenches
Many craftspeople who are in the process of recovering from a natural disaster or devastating fire will tell us they’re finding out a lot about insurance that they
wished they had known beforehand.
http://www.craftemergency.org/issue5.htm#trenches

See all available articles
http://www.craftemergency.org/archives.htm

Arts & Crafts Business - Four Keys to Success Online
Tips for your Online Venture
So, you've made the decision to try your hand at selling crafts online. What now?
In order for you to make the most of your online storefront,
there are a few guidelines to follow.
http://artsandcrafts.about.com/cs/sellyourcrafts/a/050803.htm
Also see, one of the many options available to have an online presence:
Sell Your Crafts on the Web!
http://www.kinfolkcrafts.com/sellcrafts.htm
Craft Site Medic
Sell More of your Arts & Crafts Online!
Craft Site Medic is the only service of its kind on the Internet. Our goal is to help you sell more arts and crafts online and improve your website traffic and profits. Here you will find a wealth of information, tools, and services for creating and promoting your online craft business.  Find out complete details at:
http://www.thecountrygallery.net/craftmed/
CraftFinder.com - Marketing Services
http://www.craftfinder.com/html/mktservices.html

Marketplace Gallery™ is a virtual marketplace, offering a wide assortment of Arts, Crafts, and Collectibles from selected artisans.  We offer affordable e-commerce solutions catering to the small business community, and offer a unique venue for arts & crafts aficionados.
http://www.marketplacegallery.com/index.html

Visit too: http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/
Sales & Marketing Resources for Crafters
http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/resources/index.html

CRAFTS FAIR ONLINE
The Oldest And Largest Craft Directory On The Web 
http://www.craftsfaironline.com/

Examples of: Website& Graphics Design Studio - geared for Crafters
The Old Drawing Board
http://www.theolddrawinboard.com/index3.htm
Gone Country Graphics
Original country graphics and affordable craft website design with a country touch
Free graphics, free pagesets, country graphics, sig tags, custom graphics, banners, logos, linkware, country clip art and more 
http://www.gonecountrygraphics.com/
Prim Mart
http://www.primmart.com/services.html
 

Find crafts fairs, festivals, etc. going on in the US
Selling Offline - at Craft Fairs - find out where they are
**Excerpts quoted from websites**

About.com Guide 
Craft shows from A to Z. Listings of craft shows, fairs, events, festivals and more!
http://artsandcrafts.about.com/library/showabc/bla.htm
*note: some listings are not current**

The ABC Art & Craft Event Directory
This site is now a "Subscription Only" site
ABCraftEvents.com is dedicated to serving the artists, crafters, food vendors, entertainers, and others who exhibit, sell, and perform at art & craft events.
We provide current, detailed, and accurate information on art & craft events across the entire United States. You’ll also find great sources for wholesale art & craft supplies, professional resources and lots more. 

THE CRAFTS FAIR ONLINE
The Oldest And Largest Craft Directory On The Web
CraftsFairOnline

GROUP SHOWS, CRAFT MALLS & ORGANIZATIONS
http://www.craftsfaironline.com/Malls.html

Craft show listings online
http://www.craftsitedirectory.com/craftshows/

Festival Network Online
'Nationwide craft show, art fair, music, festival & event guide'
http://festivalnet.com/events2.html?fn01003

Find Local Craft Shows
A simple how to on finding local craft shows. ... Shows Versus SitesFuture of Online MarketingCraft Shows in Louisiana. How To Find Local Craft Shows ...
http://artsandcrafts.about.com/cs/retailcraftshows/ht/How_Find_Local.htm
And
http://artsandcrafts.about.com/od/articles/a/0719a04.htm

Craftlister.com
http://www.craftlister.com/

Craft Shows, Craft fairs, Festivals
Craft shows, craft fairs, festivals, juried shows,- more!
Detailed show listings for Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,  Vermont, Virginia & West Virginia craft shows, craft fairs, and festivals- and events from other states, too!  ... 
http://www.smartfrogs.com/

Best New England Craft Fairs, Shows, and more
http://www.newenglandcraftfairs.com/

Sugar Loaf craft festivals
http://www.sugarloafcrafts.com/

Ontario Canada
"SHOWSOURCE 2005" ONTARIO CRAFT SHOW DIRECTORY
http://www.showsource.ca/

More sites of interest:

ArtsCraftsShowBusiness.com 
Arts and crafts events in  Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Caroline, South Caroline and Tennessee.

CraftMasternews.com 
 Our magazine lists thousands of upcoming events throughout the Western States.

CraftShowYellowPages.com 
Art & Craft Show Yellow Pages is a regional show guide / directory for craftsmen artists, food vendors and resellers in Connecticut, Delaware,  Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, W. Virginia, Vermont.

Directory Resources
Craft Site Directory: Show Listings

Google Directory Listing of sites
http://directory.google.com/Top/Arts/Crafts/Events/

BizArt Cafe.com
http://www.bizartcafe.com/index.html

PCCrafter.com
http://www.pccrafter.com

DAISIE Company
http://www.daisiecompany.com

Graphics for Business use / for your websites, business cards, etc.

Excerpt quoted:
Sheryl's Originals Country & Primitive Graphics.
Here you will find "mouse-made" country and primitive graphics for all of your small business needs from logos to labels, business cards, stationery, address labels and so much more! 
http://www.sherylsgraphics.com/

**note there are many online artists, that design business websites, or sell packages of"webpage" sets, etc. - and artists that sell graphics for business use** my links are just some of the many examples.

Related see:
Also see, one of the many options available to have an online presence:
Craft Site Medic
Sell More of your Arts & Crafts Online!
Craft Site Medic is the only service of its kind on the Internet. Our goal is to help you sell more arts and crafts online and improve your website traffic and profits. Here you will find a wealth of information, tools, and services for creating and promoting your online craft business.  Find out complete details at:
http://www.thecountrygallery.net/craftmed/
Examples of: Website& Graphics Design Studio - geared for Crafters
The Old Drawing Board
http://www.theolddrawinboard.com/index3.htm
Gone Country Graphics
Original country graphics and affordable craft website design with a country touch
Free graphics, free pagesets, country graphics, sig tags, custom graphics, banners, logos, linkware, country clip art and more 
http://www.gonecountrygraphics.com/
Prim Mart
http://www.primmart.com/services.html

The Crafts Business Answer Book & Resource Guide: Answers to Hundreds of Troublesome Questions About Starting, Marketing, and Managing a Homebased Business Efficiently, Legally, and Profitably
by Barbara Brabec

Professional Crafter's Business Management and Marketing Guide
Barbara Brabec

Start Your Own Crafts Business: Your Step-by-step Guide to Success
Entrepreneur Press, Jacquelyn Lynn

How to Start a Home-Based Craft Business
Kenn Oberrecht
Synopsis 
Comprehensive yet practical step-by-step explanations give readers the tools to launch and grow a home-based craft business. Worksheets, quizzes, and checklists help to turn dreams into reality.

Homemade Money, Starting Smart!: How to Turn Your Talents, Experience, and Know-How into a Profitable Homebased Business That's Perfect for You!
Barbara Brabec
**NOTE**
Visit Barbara Brabec online
 for home business owners who are striving for financial success and happiness in both their professional and personal lives.
http://www.barbarabrabec.com/
Crafts Marketing
http://www.barbarabrabec.com/crafts_marketing.htm

Handmade for Profit: Hundreds of Secrets to Success in Selling Arts & Crafts
by Barbara Brabec 

Creative Cash : How to Profit From Your Special Artistry, Creativity, Hand Skills, and Related Know-How
by BARBARA BRABEC (Author) 

Creating a Successful Crafts Business
Rogene A. Robbins, Robert Robbins
Synopsis
  Sharing their decade of experience starting and running art and craft businesses, the Robbins' explain the basic principles of business, focusing specifically on the needs of artists and crafts people. They suggest that their treatment might also be suitable as a textbook for a craft business class. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR 

The Basic Guide to Selling Crafts on the Internet
by James Dillehay 

Crafters' Internet Handbook: Research,Connect and Sell Your Crafts Online
Genevieve Crabe

The Basic Guide to Pricing Your Craftwork
by James Dillehay 
Related - see this online "Craft pricing" calculator
http://home.iximd.com/~carousel/CraftCalc1pt6.htm

Crafts and Craft Shows: How to Make Money
Philip Kadubec

Selling Your Crafts
Susan Joy Sager

Make It Profitable!
by Barbara Brabec 
 Book Info
Emphasizes how creative people are using computers and the internet to save time, cut costs, and increase profits. Presents the best ideas and information on the present and future of the craft business from eighty professionals in various fields of the craft industry. Softcover. DLC: Home-based businesses--U.S.--Management. 

Related books:
Homemade Money, Bringing in the Bucks!: A Business Management and Marketing Bible for Home-Business Owners, Self-Employed Individuals, and Web Entrepreneurs Working From Home Base
Barbara Brabec

Start Your Own Gift Basket Service (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start up Series)
Jacquelyn Lynn
This guide tells you everything you need to know to start a successful gift basket business. With Entrepreneur magazine's Start Your Own Gift Basket Service, you'll learn how to design the business the way you want it, whether it's part time or full time, homebased or in a commercial location, with employees or without

Related: See 20 titles from Home-Based Business Series

See  the FREE Printables available to crafters and much more online
http://teas2dine4.com/4printable.html

More Free Stuff to check out
www.nvnet.org/nvhs/edresource/hubpages/Free.html
See the resources of:
DeskTopPublishing.com

Attend Classes Online at - Crafty College..Improve your skills,
Find the latest trends, & How-To's,
or You may want to teach a class yourself,
It is a great way to put your NAME out there. 

From Perfect Entertaining.com
Learn flower arranging tips
and from Save on Crafts
Introduction to Flower arranging

Read the FUN Newsletter "Seed Pod"
The Primitive Pals Newsletter - for Folk Art Crafters
Good for Networking with other Crafters!! 

More ideas for the "handy types"
If you are a builder or do-it-yourselfer
Find some ideas, patterns, and how-tos for projects
(as well as other handy learning tutorials) on the ed4you4.html page.
Learn how to build something really well, and mass produce to sell. 

Business Forms
these documents are free to download and customize for your own professional use.
http://www.officedepot.com/BusinessTools/forms/default.asp

Business Forms, Letters, Contracts, and more
http://www.businessnation.com/library/forms/

FreeBusinessForms.com
http://www.freebusinessforms.com/

SBA Shareware Library
All-In-One Page
Files for Starting Your Business
Files for Financing Your Business
Files for Managing and Expanding Your Business
Files for Marketing Your Business
Files for Running Your Business
http://www.sba.gov/shareware/indexalt.html

FormNet
Download ready made business forms
http://www.entrepreneur.com/Home/HM_Static/1,4472,formnet_index,00.html

MORE FREE PRINTABLES - FORMS,  DOCUMENTS,  Tax Forms, etc.

HP (Hewlett Packard) office templates - 
create a professional image with free, easy office templates 
http://www.hp.com/sbso/productivity/office/index.html 

Internal Revenue Service - [United States]
Search for Free Federal Tax Forms & Publications
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html
Small Business / Self Employed forms & information
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
Related: Find links to "State" tax forms & info at:
The LSU Libraries page
http://www.lib.lsu.edu/govdocs/taxes.html 

MochaBay Design - Free Printables 
Excerpt quoted from website: 
We've put together a few printables to use both 
for business related tasks and also several to use for personal situations. 
Such as: Death in the Family Checklist  | Auto Service & Maintenance 
Bill of Sale Personal Property | Daily Mileage Worksheet | 
Auction Inventory Worksheet 
If you sell items on eBay or at other auctions,  + Many more 
http://www.mochabaydesign.com/printables/index.shtml 

Find other FREE Business productivity tools:
http://librarysupportstaff.com/freetools.html
and
On my Teas2Dine4.com site - Resources for  FREE Printables of every type

See other Free Tools that may be useful for your home business
on the freetools.html page

Gymnast supports hyperlinks, annotations, and automatic generation of bookmarks from headings.  You can even include links to Web sites and other PDF files!   Use it to publish electronic newsletters, brochures or price lists.  Use it to compile database or spreadsheet reports for distribution to clients or staff.  Use it to distribute readme files with your software.  Produce professional-looking documents for the Web. 
http://www.oakworth.demon.co.uk/gymnast.htm

Related: see other Free tools available online for help with
office procedures, etc.
on the freetools.html page

Working from Home : Everything You Need to Know About Living and Working Under the Same Roof 
by Paul Edwards, Sarah Edwards 
ISBN: 0874779766
Publisher: Putnam Publishing Group
Pub. Date: May  1999

The Stay-at-Home Mom's Guide to Making Money from Home, 
How to Choose the Business That's Right for You Using the Skills
and Interests You Already Have
Revised 2nd Edition
by Liz Folger (Author) 

The Work-at-Home Mom's Guide to Home Business: 
Stay at Home and Make Money with WAHM.Com
Cheryl Demas
ISBN: 1891506498
Publisher: Hazen Publishing, Incorporated
Pub. Date: April  2000

101 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home: 
How to Choose and Build Your Own Successful E-Business
Susan Sweeney
ISBN: 188506859X
Publisher: Maximum Press
Pub. Date: July  2001

101 Ways to Promote Your Web Site: Filled with Proven Internet Marketing Tips, Tools, Techniques, and Resources to Increase Your Web Site Traffic
Susan Sweeney
ISBN: 1885068573
Publisher: Maximum Press
Pub. Date: July  2001

Making Money With Your Computer at Home
by Paul Edwards, Sarah Edwards
ISBN: 0874778980
Publisher: Putnam Publishing Group
Pub. Date: October  1997

Related Books to consider for purchase: 
See 20 titles from Home-Based Business Series

See the Crafting as a Business |  suggested book titles

**FREE** Online Course
My Own Business:
A Free Internet Course On How To Start A Business
www.myownbusiness.org/index.html

 How To Find The Perfect Home Business For You
Instructor: Liz Folger
4 Week Online Class via Email
http://www.bizymoms.com/main/?10533

Find interesting Learning Online
at hplearningcenter.com (Hewlett Packard)
and
Vitrual University
http://vu.org

Related Informational sites:

Free Training (by email) to Help You Sell More
http://www.practicalselling.com/train/

Building an Online Store - software and services
http://www.howtoweb.com/corner/stores.htm

Setting Up Shop in Cyberspace 
http://www.inc.com/resources/ecommerce/

http://www.inc.com/guides/ecom/index.html

and also see
E-Commerce Starter Kit
http://www.inc.com/guides/ecom/20696.html
and
http://www.inc.com/resources/startup/

And check out the many online learning opportunities **note this page not updated 2005-2008**
on the ed4you pages

Quoted from website:
WHAT IS FRANCHISING?
Franchising is a method of doing business, of selling goods or services where one party (a franchisor) allows another (a franchisee) to use its trademark and its business system in exchange for a fee. The term "franchise" can refer to the relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee, or is sometimes used to refer to the business itself which the franchisee buys.

The legal definition of a franchise under federal law is a written contract (regardless of what it's called) where three elements exist:

         1. the use of another's trademark, tradename, etc.;
         2. the payment of $500 or more during the first six months of operations (excluding wholesale purchases of inventory); and
         3. significant assistance and/or significant control of the operations.

If these three elements exist, it's a franchise under federal law.

Franchising comes in various forms. One is the franchise of an entire retail business operation, such as a fast food restaurant or real estate sales office (a "business format" franchise). Another is a product distribution system, where a franchisee distributes the franchisor's products, such as automobiles, gasoline, or soft drinks under the manufacturer's name (a "product" franchise).
Read complete page from Florida Bar Association

From the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Articles/Resources
 Franchise & Business Opportunities
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-fran.htm

Consumer Guide to Buying a Franchise
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/invest/buyfran.htm

Franchise and Business Opportunity FAQS
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/franchise/faq1.htm

American Franchisee Association
Thinking of buying a Franchise?  What you should know before you sign an Agreement.
http://www.franchisee.org/Buying%20a%20Franchise.htm

From PowerHomeBiz.com
A Checklist of Questions to Answer Before You Buy A Franchise 
 Franchising is booming. Here are the right questions to ask when evaluating franchise opportunities.
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol2/franchisechecklist.htm

Knowing the Do's and Don'ts
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol13/buyingfranchise.htm

Raising Money for Your Franchise
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol3/franchisemoney.htm

From Inc.com
Buying a Franchise
Excerpt quoted from website
Established name recognition. Cooperative marketing. Bulk purchasing power. Training and management expertise. They are some early advantages of buying a franchise rather than building your own business. They're the types of advantages solo entrepreneurs might reap -- if they're lucky -- after years of hard work in the trenches.
http://www.inc.com/guides/buy_biz/20674.html

From Bplans.com
Buying a Business
http://www.bplans.com/bb/
To Franchise or not to Franchise | by Tim Berry | April 27, 2004
http://www.bplans.com/bb/article.cfm/32

THANK YOU!!