How to make a living from your own front room
Recession or not, more people are starting off businesses from home, writes Lisa Jewell
Mum-of-three Jill Fitzgerald makes clay figures which feature on the top of cakes for special occasions such as a wedding.
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It's heartening to discover that even in these recessionary times, people throughout the country are deciding to set up new enterprises. And the easiest and quickest way to do this is to have a business you can control from the comfort of your home. But are home businesses just a hobby and a source of pin money?
Or can you break through the barriers and have a business that actually pays you a decent living wage (€25,000 to €30,000)?
"It's absolutely possible," says Darina Loakman, founder of website www.iamawahm.com, which supports women (and men) who have home businesses.
"That's one of the things that I love about home businesses -- it's your choice whether you're going to earn some extra money to pay the bills or whether you want to have a full-time income as a result of it.
"Sometimes, though, people forget that they're running a real business and that they can't just sit back and hope it becomes a success.
"It still needs marketing and getting out and selling the business to others, if you want it to grow."
We spoke to three people who have set up home businesses and are now financially able to enjoy the fruits of their labours.
- Lisa Jewell
Irish Independent
