1. Make sure that your family is 100% solidly behind your decision to start a home-based business.

It is important to have your family's support when you start a home business. The family must believe in your vision for them to allow you to use the family's savings and assets for this business. Or it may be that you will need your spouse to continue employment to ensure that the family still has health insurance and benefits.

You need your family’s blessing and cooperation in the event that you will need to tighten the household purse strings as you jumpstart the business. You also need to prepare them for the possibility that money will be tight initially; especially if you left your job (and a steady pay check) and the family will have to live on one steady income source.

Even the creation of the space for the home-based business may require consensus for the family. Your business may require storage space for inventory or supplies that a simple nook in the corner cannot provide, that the business will now encroach on living spaces.

2. Make sure that this home business is what you really want to do.

Starting a home business is never easy. For your home business to succeed, you need to invest significant amounts of time, effort and resources.

It is imperative that this business is something you'd like to be doing, and can see yourself doing even in the long term. Only by making sure that this business is what you really want to do can you have the stamina and courage to persist – especially when the going gets tough. Don't get carried away with the initial rush of excitement of this new home business. It is important to prepare yourself for the rollercoaster ride of self-employment and starting a business.

3. Know what you are REALLY getting into.

Your home business stands a greater chance at success if you understand what this business requires, how best to run this business, who the customers will be, and how you can reach these customers. One of the common errors of home-based entrepreneurs is to jump into the business, with nary a no clue as to what they are getting into.

Read books about the specific business. Visit forums to find what others are saying or experiencing with the business you want to start. The Web has also made it very easy to research competitors and how the strategies they are using. Be a sponge willing to absorb anything and everything about your business. Remember, research is your best friend!

Explore PowerHomeBiz.com’s Guide to Starting a Home Business  channel for more information and tips on how to successfully start a home-based business.