Home Business Resources

Home-based businesses can take advantage of a wide variety of resources.

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Home businesses obviously do not have access to the significant resources available to major corporations--or even the mid-sized businesses that populate most communities. Still, there are some useful resources that even the smallest of home businesses can draw upon, particularly in today's technology-based environment, where a wide range of online applications are available at low or no cost, and free information abounds.

SCORE, a partner with the Small Business Administration, was formed in 1964 and continues to be a useful source of resources for home-based and other small businesses across the country. From online resources to community-based training programs, events and volunteer business consultants, SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business. Assistance is available at every stage of business development--from idea generation to funding, to operations management and growth. SCORE has assisted more than 8.5 million Americans with online and face-to-face small-business counseling.

Home-based businesses can gain access to clerical and other types of administrative assistance without having to invite employees to set up shop in their homes. Virtual assistants (VAs) often operate in home-based environments themselves and offer administrative, technical and even creative (e.g. writing/design/computer) services to small and home-based businesses. They are contractors, not employees, so home-based business owners can take advantage of the benefits of having staff to assist them without some of the legal and administrative issues involved.

The Internet offers home businesses a wealth of information--much of it available at no cost--in the form of blogs, webinars and social media content available on virtually any subject under the sun. A quick search will turn up literally thousands of sources--business owners can also find access to these sources through organizations such as SCORE or the Small Business Administration.

The term SOHO emerged in the 20th century as an acronym for "small office, home office" as the proliferation of these businesses became more and more prevalent. SOHO-based groups exist on a national and local level and provide not only information resources for home-based businesses, but also opportunities to connect with other home-based businesspeople.

Leigh Richards has been a writer since 1980. Her work has been published in "Entrepreneur," "Complete Woman" and "Toastmaster," among many other trade and professional publications. She has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Wisconsin and a Master of Arts in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.