Working for yourself, being your own boss, choosing when to work, being successful in your chosen field. The American dream? Maybe, but do you know what it takes?

I'm a very small business owner. I own and operate a salon where I am the only worker. I have hired in the past, but got burned, so now I prefer to work alone. I'm quite picky about my work. I'm not expecting perfection, but pretty darn close. I expect the same form anyone I hire and I did not get that, to say the least.

So, as owner and operator of my own business, I have to be there to make money, obviously. If I'm not there putting in my hours, I'm not making any money. I have no paid vacation days, no paid sick time and no health insurance. That's the bad news. The good news is, I set my own hours, I have no commute, I work at home, I'm the boss.

Of course this is a very small business. There are more benefits with a larger business, but there are also more headaches. Franchising is a great way to go. You purchase a business that already has a reputation, systems in place and all you have to do is hire a few people to help you run it, right?

Well, yes and no.

Yes, you get an entire system all set up and a franchise with a reputation that will have people flocking in. You do have to hire a few people to help run it, yes. You also have to have insurance, probably a lawyer, you pay everyone before you get paid. You pay the Franchise fee's before you get paid. The overhead is enormous. Just to get started with a small franchise is about 150K and that is just the beginning.

With starting a business such a daunting proposition, most people know it's not managable. It's not manageble for the average person. Not too many of us average people have that kind of money to invest in this kind of thing.

Not only that, but just think about it, after you spend all that money to get started, you now have tons of monthly expences to keep it going. Talk about daunting.

This is why some people try to start their own small business, like I have. Start small, maybe at home, part time. Then as time goes by and you build up a customer base, expand out from there.

This is a lot of people's dream. This is more managable for the average worker who doesn't have a lot of upfront capital to invest in a Franchise. Possibly, too, this person knows that there is a ton of commitment required and the combination is just too much.

I know, for myself, I don't want to headaches involved with expanding. I make enough money to get by and I don't have all the overhead, expences and headaches. This is enough.

Or, is it? 

OK, so maybe I do want something more. Maybe I do want to expand, but I don't want to work for someone else, I don't want to hire anyone and I don't want to work away from home. What does that leave me?

Network marketing is an option. Affiliate marketing is an option. I'm sure there are more options than I possible know about. These are the two I've picked.

Network marketing has created a way for the average person to make an above average income. With hard work, persistance, some skill, a budget and the right marketing system, network marketing can work for the average person. Unlike a Franchise, there is very little upfront capital, very little overhead. You work at home, part time or full time, you choose. Like a Franchise, there are systems set up to help you get started.

There are no employees, no insurance, no workers compensation insurance, no overhead, because of working right out of your house. You expand by telling others about what you are doing and they in turn decide that they too want more income, so they start their own business. Every time this happens as a result of you telling them, you own income increases because each and every sale they have pays you as well.

Network Marketing is about creating a organization of people who are all dedicated to helping each other become successful in business by working together to expand distribution of goods and/or services. Each sale done within that organization helps produce income for each member. When we all work together, we all succeed.

It's the only system out there that by helping someone elase become successful, you and your group all become successful as well. Unlike in "the real world" where everyone has to claw and climb over others to get to the top, at any cost.

Depending where you are now and where you want to be in your job, what would it take for you to get there? Really think about it.

Well, in network marketing the only way you get to be successful is by helping others become successful. In order to get what you want, you have to help them get what they want. This is an awesome vehicle to financial freedom.

So, now comes the hard part. Which network marketing company do you pick? There are thousands of them.

Well, I think it depends on what interests you. Are you into flowers? Find a network marketing company that offers a business based on your love of flowers. How about natural health? (a big one right now) Find a company that has a great reputation for their health and wellness. Do your research.

Another thing to keep in mind is, make sure you do research about this industry itself. There is a ton of information all over the net about this subject right now. Read and research before making your move.

One more thing to keep in mind when researching a company. Find one that offers something that everyone is already buying somewhere else. That way when you are telling people about your business, they can relate to the products because they are already buying them somewhere else.

I'm involved with a network marketing company that has an affiliate program with 2000 other stores, so I'm in an affiliate program as well as network marketing. It's the best combination because I can earn commissions from my network marketing business and at the same time from my affiliate companies, which are some big name companies, like Nordstroms, Target, Disney, Sears, Home Depot, etc.

This is why I picked this company. I can earn money from several different avenues all through the same business. I'm not putting all my energies into one thing, because if that fails for some reason, I'd have to stat over. This way, because I'm affiliated with so many different avenue's of income, I'm not effected if one goes out of business. I still have all the others.

If you want to research my chosen company, visit my blog.

OK, so you've done your research and found the right business for you. How do you let others know about it? You advertise, just like any other business. You've got to get the word out. Doing so online take a bit of learning.

I would recommend starting with The Renegade University. This is free to get started and will be helpful information to get you started on the right foot.

Learn how to get your message out there the right way, no spamming.

If you are in the process of researching for a business, have found one or you are even learning about attraction marketing, please contact Michelle if you are looking for a guide or coach along your marketing journey.