Sure, there are lots of facets and pieces to working from home or starting your own home business. In the wine country of northern California, where tourism can help any small business thrive, there are a wealth of upstart establishments created by hopeful couples or families trying to earn a living and/or supplement their income. However, there is one thing I have noticed is necessary but often neglected:

Work yourself.

I have worked for small businesses and enterprises before; I have seen what has worked and what hasn't and have learned from those who have succeeded. Too many times the founders themselves fail to work for and at their own business in the beginning. Thus, their business flops.

Doing most of the work yourself helps in a few ways:

1. You save money - potentially a lot of money - by not having to pay employees and spend most of your income on labour costs.
2. You get to learn the ins and outs of the operation yourself so if something goes wrong or if you need to do something quickly, you know more about it and what to do about it.
3. You come to appreciate the money that you make even more and thus spend it better and more efficiently.

One couple I work for had two businesses - one succeeded and one didn't. The first was a delicatessen that seemed to thrive at first; however, the labour costs caught up to them quickly and they were forced to close it down. The deli was in a great location and the sandwiches were great, but the couple hardly worked at the restaurant themselves and paid family friends to work instead.

Their second and present business is a winery; this has proved a very successful venture. Together they work in the vineyards, purchase their own supplies, create and file the invoices, deliver the wine, send out newsletters, and promote it at local restaurants and grocery stores. They took classes on how to run a business and on the finances of it. Their children even help slap labels on the bottles.

Of course there are several things to keep in mind when running a business yourself, including getting the know the customers, protecting investments and assets, keeping on top of records, and so on. However, I believe that working yourself is the key to a successful self-run business.