I have been considering starting up my own business for a long time, the biggest obstacle I seem to face is figuring out what the right niche or business is for me. I am currently working in a job that has me floundering paycheck to paycheck and I am looking for an opportunity that allows me to get a head of the game, unfortunately with financial family obligations I have little or no extra income to contribute to a start up in addition to living in a small rural community I feel like my options are limited. I want to be sure I am pursuing the right opportunity for myself and my family.

I have worked in a variety of different office settings and I do believe an environment outside of my home would be the best given I have 3 small children at home. I have tossed around the idea of coffee/tea sales and or parties, a specialty shoppe, wedding or event planner, and medical billing (perhaps specializing in one or two target markets). I have experience with some medical billing a coding and I have worked with the public for as long as I can remember. Ideally I would love to have some type of retail store or shoppe, but finacially that is not feasible at the moment. I would love to have some additional ideas or suggestions for the "small town country girl in rural michigan". Please any suggestions would be welcome, I am ready to do something but I want to ensure the choice I make is the best one and if any one can offer me an idea I have not considered I would be very appreciative.
Thank you

I would say start out small, perhaps a lawn mowing service that undercuts the other guy's cost. You'll need a truck and something attached to the back to carry it, and have to market yourself which would be putting flyers in people's mailboxes and advertising in the local newspapers, like the free ones people get coming to their homes.

Other than that, all I can think of is a dog walking service.

I really like your idea of starting a gym type business. Why not open a gym/fitness/activity center specifically for children? Now that school is out, and it is soooo hot in Michigan right now (I live near Lansing...93 degrees today), and children bore of the same-ol, same-ol I would think a fitness center that is focussed on fun fitness would be a great idea. I imagine there are some strict state and federal guidelines is you intend on operating similar to a daycare, but a fitness center is not a daycare. I would think there are a different set of rules and regulations.

Please keep us posted on what you come up with.

Kathleen
http://www.ewomanweb.com
Providing women with the tools and resources to work at home an start a home business.

May be this article on finding the right business (http://bizbrokerforum.com/blogs/deciding_the_right_business_for_you/archive/2007/06/11/136.aspx)
can give you a direction on finding a niche biz.

Good Luck!

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I would agree that your idea of a gym isn't all that bad, however, where would you get the funding the build the gym? I would agree with the above poster in that it would be best to start off small while you consider your options.

Take the time to sit down and think about the things you are most passionate about, travel, giving advice/helping others/etc. What do you love to do most? You may surprised as to how you could actually make money with some of those things.

I recently helped write some marketing copy for a woman who has started a parenting coaching program where she holds weekly tele-seminars and has a website with a forum for questions, answers and a community for parents to talk to each other about problems they be experiencing.

This is just a small example of what is possible. You don't necessarily need a big brick and mortar store to be successful. If you sit down and think about your passions and the idea of the gym still excites you, then you can come back and we can give you more advice on ideas for funding, marketing the business, etc. But for now, I would just take some time to think about what you love and how you could possibly sell a product or service around that passion.

Good luck in your ventures,
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Best wishes.

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There are a lot of business opportunities out there and I think you should take your time and do what you enjoy! The best business, in my opinion, should be something you love to do or are very interested in. I also think think you are more likely to be successful in your business too. I say try everything, because thats what I did. I've tried many things and found something that I can be successful in. So, good luck in whatever you choose to do.

Best Wishes
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