To read the business trade magazines or business books, it can seem like there are only a few models for successful businesses. A small home business, however, might be rather unorthodox and some of us build businesses that are also nontraditional. It can be tough to find other businesses like ours, or to even find the support and advice we might need along the way…
The other morning, as I was on my way to take care of some errands, I passed by an early morning chamber of commerce breakfast meeting. The parking lot was full and there were plenty of local business people in there mixing and mingling and promoting their businesses in a very traditional way. It dawned on me that my own work and business are rather non-traditional in that sense. I do not need to attend those meetings, print and distribute business cards, or even put on heels and brush my hair when I am doing the bulk of my work. Does that make me any “less” of a viable business? Or does that just make me a bit of a nontraditional one?
I know another woman who has built up a business on an international level. Most people in her home town have no idea that she even operates a small business—her clients, contacts, sales, etc. are all on an international level. Internationally, she does have a presence in her field, but she also has no need for those local networking meetings and service clubs. Her networking comes in the form of trips, e-mail and phone conversations. She probably has more in common with huge multi-national conglomerations than she does with other local small businesses.
With the advent of the internet and small home-based micro-businesses, many of us find our colleagues and mentors are coming from a very different location than just down the street. I think in order to find support for a small, non-traditional business—we have to be open to possibilities and be on the lookout for similarities and not just all those differences.
Also: Buying and Existing Business
Should You Turn Your Hobby Into a Business?