Are you tired of your drab 9-5 job? Do you have what it takes to run your own company and be an entrepreneurial success? Here are some tips on how to go about starting your own home business.

1. You need to know what you’re getting into. Research the industry and environment that you’re planning on entering and be 100 percent certain that you can carry through with a workable plan.

2. Draw up a business plan and consult an expert who will help you smoothen out any flaws or problem areas in your plan. A business plan will also help you to identify opportunities and threats, as well as possibly help to secure loans or persuade investors and potential partners to hop on board.

3. It’s important to know where you want to go with your business, including hiring employees or being able to carry the business on your own. This will also help with expansion plans and sourcing equipment.

4. Don’t mix business with pleasure. If you’re running your company from home, separate your office workspace from your living space. This makes it easier to concentrate, as well as being more professional for when clients come for meetings – who wants to ask someone for business while there are squeaky kids’ toys on the floor?

5. Look the part of a professional. Not everyone has a constant supply of finance when first starting out, but it’s a good idea to spend money on making your company at least look professional. Business cards, a website, and other stationary should be your first port of call.

6. Insurance, insurance, insurance. It might not sound like the best thing to be spending money on right at the start of business, but what happens if you fall ill for a month and can’t work? Who will be bringing in the customers, making the money, keeping the business running? At least by having insurance you will cover yourself for any unforeseen problems like this.

Starting a home business can be tricky and confusing. You can’t just decide to open a business venture and hope to be successful straight off the bat, but what you can do is take steps to ensure that you have structure and a platform to build on during your climb to the top of the entrepreneurial world.

By Craig Falck for Africa Report