You've finally decided to start your home based business... congratulations! You're on the road to financial and personal freedom and living life by your rules.

But you want to do it right, so you're going to need a few tools.

Research

When starting anything new, you're going to need to focus on learning as much you can to get up to speed with everyone else that's running their own businesses. You need to look into the markets that you are considering starting a business in. You need to talk to other home business owners to see what they can tell you about starting your up.

In short, you need to do a little leg work in order to know exactly what you're getting yourself into.

But don't spend too long in this area. That's called procrastination, not research. If you're stumped at where to begin, talking with the chamber of commerce in your area might lead you in the right direction for all the information you'll need.

Can you work on your own?

While many of us want to believe that working from home is easier than working for a boss, it's just not true. You will need to make every decision, field every call, and take every loss as your own.

Are you ready to do this?

Think about the time that you will need to spend recruiting clients and making plans to be successful. It will take long hours and weekends to get there... are you ready for that?

As a side not, if you truly love what you do, it won't feel like work.

Getting real with your self

Along the same lines, are you being realistic with yourself about what you will need to do. Few people can start up a successful home business overnight, or even in a few months. You will need to acknowledge that running a business takes time. Finding customers takes time.

What's in the bank?

You will also need to consider whether or not you have a big enough cushion to begin your home business. If you're not starting out with a little something in the bank, you may be setting yourself up for failure.

You need a little 'wiggle' room, some savings to get your business started. Profits don't always come quickly, so you need some room to be able to grow without starving your family.

Doing it all at the same time

Are you truly going to be able to handle your taxes as well as your advertising? Since you're a work force of one, you need to be versatile in your job duties, and finish all of the tasks that a normal business would need to accomplish.

Can you do it all or might you need someone to help?

With these questions, you're certain to launch yourself into 2006 with a great home based business; one that makes money and gives you the freedom of being your own boss.

Doug Dillard has started and run many home-based businesses over the past 25 years. He has created a great site for those of you looking to start your own home-based business, but don't know how to get started. Visit his website: HomeIncomeOpportunities.com for more information.