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I asked this in another post, but thought it would be better as a poll.

I`m wondering just how many people are successful independant work-at-homers?

Employees of a larger company don`t count, you must be an independant business person.

Right Here, Rich!

If you`ve got the space, got the disipline and got the right frame of mind—your home makes a great office. I launched my graphic and web design firm from my house in 2002 and took it full-time this June. While it takes some thought as to scheduling (tough to have meetings around the Jamp-A-Roo and high chair in the kitchen), the lack of overhead is excellent.

Time management and mental health are key points. It takes a hell of a lot of focus not to slip into the "work when I want" or the "design-in-your-boxers" mindset. Once to twice a day I go upstairs (my office is in the basement- avoid that if you can) and look out the window and/or sit on the deck for a good five to ten minnutes.

Of course, not every industry is like that and not many situations are like my own.

I`ve made a whole $300 bucks but I am trying to hold down a full time job that I couldn`t quit, no savings and eveything in the house is broken and needs to be replaced, and a baby on the way (already have two kids)....I need to get my business going it is just very hard to do from work, then home is CHAOS after school and work hours.

I have done mailings and interneted (??), blogged, but I see that it is extremely difficult to make a buck, I need to quit my job....and here`s the catch, I am a temp and this job ends on Oct 31st after an entire year at the company.

I have no offers for any jobs that I have interviewed for so for now, I have 8 more corporate working days before I am unemployed...where I may have more time to make more money from home. The truth is, is that I am scared.....what if I make no money and suck really bad at handling a business?

I`ve been working at home for a long time now, as a second job for 8 years while I built up income enough to be able to be completely self-employed. With no other income to support myself and my daughter, it was necessary to work both jobs just to have enough to live on--wages tend to be low in the area where I live. I am now self-employed full-time, but it took a lot of devotion to the task to get here. I consider it a big success to have gotten this far, I am now at the point where I need to think about hiring a part-time employee to move things along even farther. :-)

TonerDesign, it is folk like you that make me believe that it can in fact happen. I know what I need to do and it involves lots of late nights and sleepy work days. I need to fit the home business in but I also need to maintain the job so here goes nothing........

April 1, 2007 I will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the incorporation of my home business, reVisions Plus, Inc. Woo hoo!! I have truly loved every minute of it (even the scary times when I`d walk out to my mailbox praying that a check was there so I could pay the mortgage!). reVisions Plus offers publishing services--writing, editing, development, design, layout, indexing, proofreading, and complete packaging--to publishers all over the U.S. From time to time through the years, I have hired contractors for various projects, but mostly it`s just been me.

The biggest challenge for me in working at home was finding a balance--I tended to work myself half to death and take on a lot more work than was probably realistic. But as a single, self-employed mom, I felt I needed to keep at least three projects going at once in order to keep us financial stable. So, not much sleep for 15 of those 20 years, and a bit more insecurity than a lot of people would probably want to deal with, but the pay-off has been a career I love and the freedom and flexibility to live according to my priorities.

Working at home liberated me from the idea that I ever need to work in an office again. Three years ago I thought maybe I was missing something and took on the role of publisher in a small publishing company. During my six weeks there  I was able to do some significant things--including writing and publishing the catalog, running inventory, smoothing ruffled author feathers, etc. But the most important thing I learned was that I start to wilt in somebody else`s office. I cared about that company, but it wasn`t my company. And they didn`t understand that I had meant what I said when I told them I literally had to be home at 3:30 when the bus dropped my son off after school. When I resigned, I said, "At the end of my life, I`m not going to regret quitting this job. But if I stay here, I`ll regret the time I missed with my kids."

So yes, it`s possible to make a good living working at home as an entrepreneur. It`s a lot of work, and not a little worry. But if you find something you love and stick with it, things begin to grow. Make a list of people who might need your services. And get started growing those relationships...in the long run, there`s nothing like it. :)

Very inspirational Katherine.  I have been in the workforce for going on 24 years and it has taken having 2 kids and a huge mortgage to realize that this is not the place for me to be if I am to truely support my family.  Kudos to you and yours!!!

Hello.  I started a "work at home" business several years ago and made some good monies initially, however, the program I signed up for, and after advancing several levels, I had to maintain a $2500 order/sales cost.  Needles to say my home started filling up with Herbal products so I decided to move on before I went deeper into debt. 

I found a great company, signed on for $1 (normally $29), and "switched stores" to use Environmentally safe household cleaning products (I`m still involved with this company, now 3 years) - over 350 products, and we (my family and myself) no longer suffer from allergies, skin rashes etc., as these products are natural and have a citris scent - I LOVE THE PRODUCTS!

I also got involved with another Home Based Business and a single product of health juice with over 40 known Xanthones and over 138 proven health benefits, that`s changed my life and helped me fight cancer and I no longer suffer from migraines (the original reason for signing on).  This company has been really good to me and my family as I have been able to have a new home built (see profile) and relocate to Oregon with my family.

I`m also involved with a Franchise (free) that`s also making money for me and the Success Guide teaches one exactly what and how to succeed!  Interested?

RSchlieper (Ron)

I started my home based business about a month or so ago. This time I`m actually getting results I like. Holy cow I have a downline! I`m actually starting to make money from it! Thought it was impossible to do after all the other stuff I tried. I`m a laid off constuction worker. Maybe I won`t be going back next summer. Eat my shorts boss man!

Way To Go EPeters!  Welcome to PIF4P and, much like myself, I`m glad you`re starting to make money!

Good Luck and Keep At It, You`ll NOT fail if you`re consistant as PIF4P is duplicateable!

RSchlieper (Ron)

Yeah, I find that the people who discredit MLM/Network Marketing can be my best prospects a lot of the time.

Katherine, I couldn`t agree more! Best of luck with your business. It sounds like you are doing great!

I started my home based business in 2004. I run a web design and hosting company. I like the options i now have. My husband owns a landscape design firm and i have helped him run it since 2001. It was difficult trying to go to a job and then come home and help him market his. Now i am able to work at mine and help him at a drop of a hat. The only downside is the meeting of clients or prospective clients. I would rather them not show up at my doorstep so i have to arrange to meet at various places conveniant to them that have wireless access. So my goal for this year is to get wireless access for myself for anywhere and to think about getting a small office with some road frontage to help build my brand awareness. I have also found that when people ask where you are located that some may take you less serious if working out of a home office. Why?? who knows. Soon, a home office may be the norm. I like the convenience and the ability to see my daughter more. I do have to say that it takes a lot of disipline to keep yourself focused.The biggest challange for me is to leave my work alone, i seem like i am always working late, whereas  at a regualr place of work i was able to leave most of it at the office.

I run several businesses from my home. 

Online Music Distribution
Web hosting - Applications Development
Amateur Poker League.

I am having the most fun with the Amateur Poker League.  I started it by applying for a credit card with a $1500 limit which I used to buy equipment and ensure that I could fund the end of season tournament prize.

Within one week I had signed up one tavern... at the end of two weeks i had 2 and by the end of the month I had 5 bars on board.

It is now nearly a year later and I have 10 people working in the organization all as independent contractors.  When I needed new tournament hosts, I helped interested individuals to set up their own businesses and then contracted through them for hosting services.  Of course there was the neccessary non-compete clause that they all had to sign.

I now offer to help others do what I`ve done by selling Amateur Poker League fanchises for $1500 (non-exclusive territory).  I supply all the equipment, website, instruction... everything they need to make a reasonable monthly income working 4 or 5 nights a week hosting tournaments.  I currently have over 2,000 members in my area amateur poker league.  http://www.nofeetexasholdem.com

If anyone thinks this is something that would work for them.  I`d be more than happy to provide details. 

That`s awesome! I enjoy a little Texas Hold `Em myself. What an ingenious business! Good for you!

I worked at home for 2 years and made enough money to support myself, my wife and 3 children. After that I had to get some office space because our business outgrew our garage and closet space.

We`re now in our third and biggest office space. 

I personally know over 30 people who work from home and make $30k-$250k+ a year.

I have been able to retire early, have a new home built to my specs., relocate from CA to OR to live in my new home, buy/pay for 3 new vehicles (mine, my son`s and my grandsons) and able to travel to places I NEVER thought I would get to visit/see.

What to do?  STICK WITH IT!  BE CONSISTANT!  GET HELP FROM YOUR UPLINE!

RSchlieper (Ron)

I`m no millionaire yet, I`ve only had my home based business for about 6 weeks, but I have over 60 in my downline. All thanks to the big dogs of Pay It Forward 4 Profits who are there to help me over the phone, and in person. And I don`t mean Joel and Paul. I got in with Legere and Gaghagen. They are super smart. PIF4P tells you the basics, but now I`ve learned how to expand on those. That`s a huge thing about business. Don`t just keep doing whatever works-ADD TO IT!