Every business requires an investment.  Be it time, money or a combination of both, finding the right business that can provide you with the independence, flexibility and the financial payoff you need can be a daunting task.  Here are some questions that you should consider before you take the plunge.

Start with the product

    *  Do I really like the product or service?

If you don’t, chances are that you will grow bored of it and stop promoting it.

    *  Is this something that my friends and family will like, or are they going to start screening my calls when they find out what I’m starting?

Starting with friends and family is natural for anyone going into their own business. If friends and family shy away, you may want to give the business a second thought.

    *  Is it a product that requires a lot of explaining?

If you are a professional salesperson at heart and love describing the intimate details of how and why the product is right for your customer make sure there is ample training to support you. If you are not, find something with a message that you’ll find easy to convey. There really are products that sell themselves.

    *  Is there a proven market for the product I’m evaluating?

Look around. If you've "never seen anything like this before" you may be required to spend more time and money than you had anticipated educating your potential customers as to why they need your products, long before they are ready to buy your products.

 The Business

    *  Is the business based on a tried and tested model?

Pioneering new theories can be very difficult and expensive. Unless you have a propensity to seek knowledge at all costs you might want to rethink the program.

    *  Can it be a part-time or full-time endeavor?

Your new business should have the systems in place to keep up with you should you decide to grow at an accelerated rate.

    *  Does the company provide the tools I need to help me grow my business?

Support starts with the personnel and a methodical process that leads to a finished sale.  It includes ongoing training, sales materials and forms, as well as well defined policies to help you address every potential circumstance. Make sure you have someone to go to for answers.

    * Does the business pay enough? 

You are about to make a commitment to a business and want to make sure that there is enough money coming from your sales to justify your time, whether from a large one time payment or an ongoing residual income.

    * Does this business fit my budget? 

Determine if and when the business can repay you for your investment, so that you can start thinking about growing your profits.