Challenging Choices for Home-Based Businesses
Aside from certain illegal or dangerous practices that are controlled by many states and provinces — manufacturing fireworks, for example — there are few things that you can't do from home. You will, however, be limited by your local zoning regulations: Many municipalities refuse to allow home-based businesses that could create noise, traffic, or odor problems in the neighborhood. And there are some business choices that make it challenging to be successful, even when they're permitted.
Manufacturing
Anything that requires major manufacturing or chemical processes might be an issue. This is a factor of the limited space that many people have in their homes, and the environmental safeguards that are in place to protect communities against hazardous waste or inadvertent chemical leaks. If you have a rural property, however, where space and neighbors aren't issues, and you're able to comply with environmental and safety regulations, you may be able to get around these challenges.
As you research your business idea, you might find ads on the Internet or in newspapers that promise big bucks for people working at home. These claims are at least over-inflated and often completely misleading. As with most other things in life, exercise caution: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Food Services
Although many food companies might have begun over the kitchen stove at home, food preparation services can be challenging as well, unless you have a very well-equipped kitchen. Because it deals with so many health and safety issues, food preparation is highly regulated. You'll have to pass various inspections (both scheduled and surprise), and your appliances will need to be in great shape. If you're happy to follow the regulatory and licensing rules, you can still do well — but you need to be prepared.
