Leading Ladies of Fashion

One such leading lady is Diane von Furstenberg (DVF), named President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 2006, and well-known fashion designer. DVF began her legacy in 1970 with a thirty thousand dollar investment, and by 1973 was known for her revolutionary design of the "wrap dress," which is on display in the Costume Institute section of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. After several decades of successful businesses, to include a cosmetic line, publishing house, design and marketing studio and home-shopping venture - DVF has created a line of women's high-end apparel, and was also The International Center in New York's Award of Excellence recipient. With such a long and distinguished career DVF is truly a leading lady in the fashion industry.

Wielding the command to make or break designers is an awesome responsibility in the fashion industry, and there are those who are of the opinion that the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, has just such powers. Despite Vogue's status as the top publication in prestige and circulation among fashion magazines, Wintour has chosen to use her powers for the positive and has brought the magazine to a broader audience by giving runway tips and mentoring struggling designers. "I have always believed that it is important to understand Vogue's mission in broad and socially responsible terms," says Wintour, who has spearheaded several functions creating jobs and benefiting charities. To wield such power for the benefit of others is why she has been chosen as one of our leading ladies.

Another leading lady of fashion magazines is Linda Wells, Editor-in-Chief of Allure. While most fashion magazines highlight trend setting runway designs and beauty tips, this powerhouse editor, from Greenwich deals with the hard hitting issues that women face in this day and time. "We were the first women's magazine ever to write about the dangers of breast implants," Wells states. "We did the first story on models who were addicted to heroin." This revolutionary approach for a women's fashion magazine has sky rocketed Allure's circulation to award winning status from the advertising and publishing community. With an impressive career legacy which include (just to name a few) editorial assistant at Vogue, beauty editor for The New York Times Magazine, guest appearances on Oprah and "Entertainment Tonight" - her leading lady status is not at all surprising.

Our next leading lady of fashion has a reputation for being unique and groundbreaking in her knowledge of fashion, and her approach as editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar. The notable Glenda Bailey, who also served as the editor of Marie Claire's U.S. edition in 1996, after serving as the founding editor for eight years for the British Marie Claire in 1988, brought the magazine to such heights as to be awarded the status of Adweek's Top 10 Hottest Magazines four years in a row. Along with three Magazine Editor of the Year Awards, five time winner of Magazine of the Year, and Amnesty International Awards winner twice, Bailey earned a fashion design degree from Kingston University in England. Awards of this magnitude are indicative of the formidable influence that this leading lady of fashion exhibits.

The last, but certainly in no way least of our leading ladies of fashion is Fern Mallis, Senior VP of New York's IMG Fashion, one of the leading fashion event planners. She has earned this position due to her reputation by serving as Executive Director in 1993 on the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and as the organizational genius behind the first "Fashion Week" which was known as 7th on Sixth at that time. With her ability to coordinate eighty temperamental top designers with her pleasant and calm personality along with her ability to handle the paparazzi; such multi-million dollar events such as the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York is in the capable hands of this high-powered fashion trend setter. Fashion Week in New York is a defining event in the fashion world, making this multi-million dollar extravaganza a feather in the cap of our phenomenal leading lady Fern Mallis.

Build A Business Like A Farmer

During the 80's married life with my husband began living on his family's farming property. I enjoyed immersing myself in learning how to do things around the home in an old fashioned farming way.

I had grown up in a home where both my parents had worked full time and never seemed to have a lot of spare time to spend with us as children. This lead to a yearning to provide a nurturing environment within my own home and soon enough I was baking bread in the wood stove, collecting eggs and picking fruit for jams and learning to spin wool.

My only business skills had come from helping in my parents' businesses, but before long there was a need for me to help supplement the meager income from our farm. My home cooking together with bearing three children left me with about 20 excess kilos of weight. I knew I needed help to overcome this problem and when I went looking for it - there was none to be found in our local community. What I did know was that there must be other people in the same situation as me.

So I did what I thought was a natural thing to do and I began a support group based around healthy eating and exercise. It took off like wildfire and in no time at all I had a regular weekly group of 120 women (and some men) paying for me to support, motivate and encourage them to achieve their health goals!

I would prepare weekly discussion topics and exercise routines. It was so gratifying to know that while I was achieving my own weight loss goals, I was also a source of inspiration for others who so desperately needed support. Their progress and change in outlook became a huge encouragement to me!

Quickly I discovered that my clients wanted more of anything I had. Journals, diaries, trackers, exercise tapes. This was great. One client and they kept buying from me over and over and spending more and more money with me through the products.

As my clients got great results, released weight, got happier and changed their lives, word continued to spread. This was the birth of my first business that would lead me on to so many other opportunities!

I was absolutely passionate about imparting the knowledge and skills for every one of my clients to achieve success. It didn't take long for me to realize that if we help others achieve their goals, we can achieve our own so much more easily. My groups grew to several per week and I also opened up new groups in nearby communities. I studied more in the fitness industry and added more fitness opportunities.

Some 21 years later and several successful offline businesses later, I have now been connected to the online business world for several years. Many times I see people struggling to get more clients. It is during these moments that I realize that the good old fashioned ways to do business is what has been key to keeping me profitable (and client filled) all these years no matter what business I have been in.

Here are just a few tips from the farming days that can determine the profits you will make in your business:

1. Your reputation always counts- This might seem really basic, but it's not. If you are trying to make money selling products you don't believe in, or making outrageous statements about false results, your reputation is always at stake. Your reputation preceded you so be sure to honour your obligations and agreements. Not matter how much money is at stake, be sure you can sleep at night with the decisions you make. As farmers, we were only ever as good as our word. Nothing has changed!

2. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - Love, care and respect your clients. When you enter a farm kitchen you expect to smell the free bread, the kettle whistling and the fires burning for warmth. Create a caring and nurturing environment where your clients feel like you really care about them and you will always be profitable. People love to feel like they 'belong' and that they are a welcome guest, rather than a pest. Your clients should feel this way too.

3. Go the opposite direction competitors are headed - you'll stand out and make more money. Be prepared to take calculated risks to stand out and do what others dare not. When everyone else was increasing their sheep numbers we knew that was the time to diversify into cattle or some cropping for a while. You need to have something different to get noticed. If everyone is charging heaps of money for every little piece of information they give you - go ahead and do the opposite - deliver masses of value for no cost. People will respect you for that and stay connected. Then when you have something to sell, they are more likely to be happy to spend money with you because they have already got such great value.

4. Systemize a high level of 'stay in touch' marketing- This is a simple old fashioned business principle that many people nowadays are reluctant to implement. Given that their clients are bombarded with some much marketing materials today, there is hesitation at sending anything more. The secret lies in making your 'touches' in a mixed way. Email, social media and blogging are great ways to 'touch' your audience on a regular basis. If your clients are complaining that you send too many emails, are you writing them like an old friend dropping by that does nothing but talk about themselves non-stop then leaves? If you view your customer as a friend or neighbour, then staying in touch becomes a joy rather than a burden. You take the time to find out what their needs are and how you can best serve them. You give the relationship the attention you know it needs to survive.

5. Do whatever it takes, even if it's uncomfortable- During our farming years I was also running half ironman triathlons. I would be up at 4am in the morning, rain hail or shine to do my training. Swimming in the chilly waters or riding for hours in the rain and wind - it all happened before the sun came up or the children or animals needed tending to. If the training program said it needed to be done - I did it! Does this mean that everyone should be up at 4am in the morning to be successful? Absolutely not, but if you take this attitude, you will do what others are not prepared to do, even if it's uncomfortable. While most people are wishing and hoping their dreams were a reality, you will be out there making it happen.

Basic, solid business principles will never let you down, and have always seen me in profit. While there is massive evidence that Joint Ventures, Affiliate marketing and creating connections can be extremely successful ways to market your business, there is no substitute for the basics. This can be a huge relief for many business owners who don't feel they have what it takes to create these bigger types of deals. At the end of the day you cannot rely on others to build your business. You are your business and these time tested basics will see you create a strong foundation on which you can continue to grow.

Learn from these early lessons and your business will be outstanding!

India Fashion Week - Catch the Glimpse of Latest Fashion

Fashion Week is an event that is organized in countries every year. It lasts for about a week. It offers a great platform to several existing and budding designers to showcase their talent and skill. Many designer houses also display their collections in these fashion week events. In fact, fashion event week is a wonderful way to catch the glimpse of latest in fashion clothes. It enables the industry understand 'what's in' and 'what's out' for the season. Buyers, filmmakers, fashion corporate, professionals, and women love to watch these shows 'live' or on television.

Fashion shows are greatly adored by fashion conscious men and women. Any woman who wants to look beautiful and elegant turns to fashionable dresses and outfits. She gathers information on latest fashion from these events, which are featured on television. The popular fashion capitals are London, Milan, Paris, Rome, Melbourne, Tokyo, Sydney, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, New Delhi, and Mumbai.

Women look gorgeous in beautifully designed clothes and it boosts their power, professionalism, confidence, authority, strength, and prestige in the business as well in academic fields. It is very essential that both men and women should be properly dressed for their work, meetings, businesses and other networking events. It is significant for respect, development, and growth.

In order to let people understand what is acceptable and what is not, fashion week events are organized. Lakme India Fashion Week is one the most popular fashion events organized in India. Emerging designers along with veteran designers from across the country participate in this event. Besides designer clothes for women, these fashion events also focus on men's collection as well as accessories.

Some of the eminent and established fashion designers who participate in these Indian Fashion week events include Abdul Halder, Anamika Khanna, Arjun Saluja, Digvijay Singh, Gayatri Khanna, Gurpreet Pia Fleming (bian), Lina Tipnis, Manish Malhotra, Neeta Lulla, Narendra Kumar & Manish Gupta (Westside), Rahul Mishra, Sabyasachi, Tarun Tahiliani, Vikram Phadnis, Virtues (Ashish, Viral, Vikrant), Wendell Rodricks, to name a just few.

The line of collection presented in these shows is in accord with the approaching season. In fact, designers offer cool coats, skirts, beautiful dresses and a huge collection of Indian saris, which look stunning. Moreover, Indian designers who come from different cultures try to project the diverse tradition in their clothes. Indian fashion week is more than mere showcasing designer collections. It is a unique platform for reaching out a large number of varied audiences.

Fashion Accessories Suppliers on an Interstellar Overdrive

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." - Coco Chanel

Last week while I was watching the Toronto Fashion Week one thing which struck my mind was, if we see the models minus their accessories wouldn't they look drastically different? I also recollected reading a column in The Independent (a UK daily) which proclaimed that fashion accessories are as a matter of fact saving the fashion industry!

All this made me think that there must be something which makes these accessories so important to the fashion fraternity worldwide. Experts say the answer is: They complements one's garment. In addition to adding colors, style or class to an outfit, they also have practical utility and importance.

That bring us to another important aspect as to so what exactly qualifies as a fashion accessory? My in house experts say anything which supplements a dress like jewelry, gloves, handbags, hats, belts, scarves, watches, sunglasses, pins, stockings, bow ties, leg warmers, leggings, neckties, suspenders etc can be considered as a fashion accessory.

Experts agree to the fact that accessories are some times used as visual symbols of religious affiliations like Crucifixes, Jewish stars, Islamic headscarves, skullcaps, turbans etc.

Due to the economic downturn, the garment industry has been struggling to make profits (due to cut throat competition among the manufacturers) but to the surprise of many analysts, fashion accessories have been able to buck this trend much to the market's delight!

Consumers across the globe are spending on fashion accessories like never before. Many research reports have confirmed this trend. The industry insiders vocally agree to the fact that the this industry is on the verge of its renaissance. This change is also visible on the internet auction sites such as eBay etc.

Even though all seems well for the fashion accessories industry, there are still many challenges to address.

These challenges include

* Continuous increase in the raw material prices

* Intense competition

* The ever changing buying preferences of the consumers

* Emergence of new low cost manufacturing locations

* Strict vigilant governments and regulators

Charles Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest holds true for the fashion accessories industry as well. Fashion accessories manufacturers know that their existence and growth will require keeping a constant tab on the industry dynamics and pro-activeness for adjusting as per the market's requirement.

The Asia pacific region being the flavour of this decade is all set to gain more in the times to come. Business in countries like India and China will flourish as they offer the much needed cost advantage to the bigger players. Many branded names are setting up their manufacturing units in India and other low cost destinations thus giving a boost to their domestic market.

If the overall sales projections are anything to go by, these are indeed one of the most exiting times for the fashion accessories industry across the globe!

How to Get an Internship at Fashion Rocks 2007, Or Any Other Award Show For That Matter

The running theme in just about everything I say as it relates to jobs in the music industry, or an entertainment career in general, is that it's not as hard as it looks. The most difficult thing you'll have to tackle if you're going to pursue this trek is your own reticence to move forward and take a gamble - and perhaps equally as important - the necessity of working for free.

So with that in mind, let's take a look at what sort of approach might land you a plum internship gig working for something like Fashion Rocks 2007, which will air on September 7, 2007 on CBS. Now, I'm going to assume for the sake of argument that you've got very little if any experience in the music industry for this experiment. Heck, you might even live in Podunk-nowheres-ville, or even live overseas which would be a real challenge! You'll see, however, that even with these apparent limitations, landing a music industry internship really isn't that difficult. In fact, you might find that living overseas or in the middle of nowhere might even help your chances!

Okay, so this is how I would do it:

Research your butt off!

Finding your first little crumbs

Beginning with the end goal in mind, my first step would be to check out the Fashion Rocks 2007 website. If you go there, you'll notice that, at the moment at least, it's pretty much worthless. Typing "Fashion Rocks 2007" in Google turns up a mere placeholder from the 2006 show. Great. Well, actually, it's not too bad, because I want to show you how the entire process works. So, we've reached dead-end number one. Welcome to the music industry! Now what?

My thoughts at this point are: This isn't the first time they've done this show right? So let's see if there is anything we can learn about last year's show that might help us get an internship at this year's award ceremony. Let's get our search engine fingers ready. . .

Since I'm a researcher and freelance writer by trade, I have a method of sorts for locating the information I need to find. As a result, the first technique I use when conducting research either online is to start with a narrow field. I do this by choosing the most specific terms I can think of related to my question, AND by typing those words IN QUOTES within the Google search box.

Doing so, helps me stay focused on the topic, and helps to produce the most relevant leads. Now, I love Google, and I've used it for this example, but you can use any search engine you find works for you. I'll add that in my experience traveling, I sometimes find that the localized Yahoo, sites for example, sometimes produce a better range of local results, so if you're overseas and looking to intern at a specific event or company in your country, you might wish to keep this in mind.

But we're talking about Fashion Rocks here, right? And this award show is being held in the U.S. so let's take a look at what sort of results we get by typing "Fashion Rocks 2006" in quotes within Google. . .Bingo!

By keeping the search wide and NOT using quotes around our search phrase, Google gives us a whopping 2,380,000 to look through for leads. Narrowing the search down, however, by using quotes yields us a much more manageable, and relevant 841 leads to move forward. This will help tremendously when trying to land this gig in such a short period of time. After all, we're only talking about two months or less 'till Fashion Rocks launch time! Ahhhhh!

Making your own trail

Now that you've got some search results, let's take a look at a few to see where to go from here. What you'll want to do when looking through the return results is look for about five or six sites that you think might give you more information that could lead to some mention of the people and/or companies that make Fashion Rocks hum. Remember, because you used quotes, you now know you have relevant results to look. Reason being is that by using quotes you're finding those specific words together in a sequence, so even though you might not see an angle to what you're searching for when the results first pop up, the words "Fashion Rocks 2006" are in there somewhere! So look with your business hat on!

When I looked through the results, the sites listed below popped out at me immediately as good targets to further narrow my search for this internship. I have detailed below the site name and the reason why I thought it might be a good site to explore further.

The site: Fashion Rocks 2006 Blog

Why: The obvious day to day stuff about what happened

The site: Interactive Media Awards

Why: Hmm...award winners. Nice leads?!

The site: Party Line Rentals

Why: Might be a business with connections to the fest

The site: SAWF News Connect

Why: Lots of news about fashion and entertainment

The site: theswagtimeblog.com/events_music/index.html The Swag Time Blog

Why: Marketing departments targets. A God-send?!

Finding the nuggets

Now that you've got what seem like good sites that might help you narrow down your internship search, start looking on those pages for the names of people and companies associated with the event. And remember, we're looking for folks that work behind-the-scenes. . .while it's great that you know Kanye West was at Fashion Rocks 2006, and he looked dashing and all, you're not concerned about his suit, you want to work with the folks that worked with him, behind the scenes.

So search for the names of managers, representatives, agents, etc. Basically anyone who might work with the talent and who might be interested in having you come on board to help out with the show. Remember, internship opportunities don't purely exist with the show promoters, but with EVERYONE involved as well! You can also stretch this search out to the artist's record label, management company, booking agency, clothing representatives. . .anything really. The potential is limitless.

Think you won't find anything?

Skeptics, pay attention. For those of you leisurely strolling through these pages seemingly finding nothing worthy and ready to throw up your hands in disgust, I would recommend looking again.

Just glancing through these pages myself while writing this post I discovered tons of angles to worth pursuing if I was looking for this type of music internship. A little tip: look for the names of companies or associations that can take you to the next step in your search, and think outside the box. Who is providing services to this event? How about manufacturers, accountants, magazines, consumer products? If you're coming to this event without much experience, what you're really looking for is a leaping off point to get more experience. So if handing out water bottles to models gets you in the tent so you can network with the music industry insiders you're looking to connect with then THAT is exactly what you're looking for with this gig!!

Take for example The Swag Time Blog. Other than listing the cool s.w.a.g (stuff we all get) that award show attendees receive just for showing up, what else is there? What information exists on that page can help you get a job? Well, how about the product names of every dang thing these artists are going to get in that little freebie bag of theirs! Each one of those products is made by a company very interested in spreading their name all over the planet by giving away *for free* (notice that word there. . .you might be working for free as well for the same mission) their fancy product. AND, each one of those products is being pushed by a marketing department somewhere in the bowels of company 'X' that you could be helping out come 'game day'. What you want to do is be one of the people working to help make that happen.

Don't forget to toss away the idea of hob-knobbing with the celebrities, you want to work in music not be an idol worshiper. . .there is a huge difference. So let's get started! On the swag site, the swag is listed. . . .go dig up the company information that will help you accomplish this, and get to work!

I'll also mention that there are also several different web address for the show this year. . .why, I have no idea, but they are out there. For more info try [http://www.fashionrock07.com] and [http://www.fashionrocks2007.tv] Alright. So you've invested some time and energy into locating the names of music business companies affiliated with Fashion Rocks. Maybe your little list contains a few of these types of firms:

record labels, band managers,booking agents, street team companies, brand ambassador firms, lighting companies, rigging companies, modeling agencies, Fortune 500 firms,

First of all, great job! Now let's think of a few ways we might get a hold of the right person at one of these companies who can help you get in the door at the event, and perhaps lead you to your first music business internship experience!

What to do with all these names?

Your next steps

If you have individual contact names: If you're fortunate to have found a direct contact, then quite simply, pick up the phone and give them a ring. Some folks you call will not want to speak with you, and others will be glad to hear from you. People in marketing/promotions tend to be a fairly talkative bunch by nature, so if you catch them at a good time, you'll probably be in good shape. A couple of pointers are worth mentioning here:

1. Have at least a resume ready before you start making your calls, this way, you can send something off after touching base with your contact. Doing so makes this process faster, and also demonstrates your professionalism to the person you're contacting.
2. Don't sweat a cover letter too much, I find they're fast-becoming useless for this sort of thing. If they ask for one, I would be surprised. . .if they do, however, put something short and sweet together in the body of your email to them to facilitate this request.
3. If you're calling record companies don't call on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, these are typically the days the promotion folks are on deadline and/or in meeting and the times when they definitely don't have time to chat. Shore up your calls for later in the week.
4. Be honest, know the label's artist roster and don't sound like too much of a fan. Music industry folks love passionate music-heads, because that is what helps sell artists and records. What they are not looking for are fans that will be too busy hanging out in the green room with the drummer and not out on the street working. Keep that in mind and you'll be in awesome shape!

If you have company names, but no individual contact names: This will be common, so don't let it freak you out. Believe me, this is where all the fun begins! You're going to need to pick up the phone for this to work as well. Please don't waste your precious time writing cover letters and sending them off in vain to the black hole of HR at these firms. If you do, I'll bet one of two things will happen.

Scenario number one: Your beautifully crafted resume will reach the HR department and after reading it Mr./Ms. anonymous HR professional will wonder. . . "hmm. . .what do I do with this?", and promptly put it aside/throw it away and all that effort will be for naught!

Scenario number two: Your beautifully crafted resume will reach the HR department and because those in HR are so insanely overworked/underpaid your resume and cover letter are never even looked at to begin with. Either way, your dead, and again, your efforts are wasted!

So please, don't send anything in until after you have picked up the phone and called to speak with someone. If that someone later suggests you send something in, then by all means rock that baby in there.

Okay, so you've got company names with no immediate contact. . .what do you do? Well, after looking up the companies phone number by either going to their corporate website, or using something like the Fortune 500 list on CNN, give 'em a ring. When you get through to the receptionist tell her that you're a student and you would like to speak with someone in marketing who might deal with interns. If they ask what this is regarding, just tell them the truth. Being a student you have an advantage over 99% of the people that call in asking to speak with someone. Typically the person answering the phone should put you through. These three things are pretty much what you should expect to hear after asking this question:

1. "I'll put you through to marketing"
2. "I can't put you through without a name"
3. "You'll have to call HR/I can put you through to HR"

If you hear number one, you're gold. Make sure you have your spiel together when you get through and then run with it. By the way, I ALWAYS ask for the person's name BEFORE they transfer me to "marketing". This way, I know how to pronounce the person's FULL name when they pick up AND if I happen to get their voice mail, I can call again in a few days to follow up without having to go through the whole introduction again with the receptionist. Getting their full name will also allow you to follow up with an email later in the week as well. So, if you get number one, then you're good to go. But what if you get numbers two and three?

Dealing with objections

If fate draws you the dreaded "no name, no game" response, thank the receptionist and do some quick homework. Unfortunately some companies restrict passing you off to someone unless you know your contact's name. I find this ridiculous, but that's the way it goes. So what can you do at this point? First step? LinkedIn. Do a search for the company along with the title of the person you're looking for and viola! you're in business!

If this doesn't work, then it's back to Google! Start playing around with combinations of words that will get you the contact's name. Things like "marketing director" plus the company name would be one such example. Alternatively, you could type "Internship Coordinator" plus the company name you're ringing up. You're going to have to be creative, to pull this off, but I will say that marketing folks, more than anyone are likely to have their name on the Internet somewhere, you'll just have to track them down. If all else fails, you could call the Public Relations department. . .their contact information is almost always plastered on the website for all to see.

These techniques can be used of course before calling the first time, but I find that a lot of times, it's too damn time consuming to do upfront. Once you've got a name, pick up the phone and call again! If ugly number three rears its head, then go ahead and be put through to HR. If someone picks up (unlikely) give them your spiel. If you get voice mail, leave a message. I ALWAYS leave a message at least once. If HR doesn't call you back, don't worry about following up with another call. You've probably reached a dead-end. But, if someone does call you back, you'll be one step closer than you want to be. If nothing pans out on the HR front, I would visit my advice in response to number two. It will get you far when doing your internship search.

Trust me, this works

When I was trying to get an internship at record labels back in the day, I sent out (literally) over 100 resumes to record labels big and small. Only a few responded back to me. The majority of responses I got were thanks, but no thanks letters from HR departments. The phone calls I received were from the Promotion Directors at the labels responsible for interns. Out of the two or three calls I received, one landed me a gig with Virgin Records. 100+ resumes and 2-3 calls=1 internship. That's a lot of work, and way too much time on paper. The technology you have at your disposal for networking and landing the music industry internship of your dreams is remarkable. Put it to use, pick up the phone and get started. That volunteer or internship experience at Fashion Rocks 2007 awaits!!

If you think I've given a few good tips here, email me me at doc@musicbusinesspage.com for my list of "The 10 best music business articles you cant stand to live without!" It will send your mind a flow with new ideas to get a job in the music industry! In minutes you'll have ideas that you can put in motion tomorrow to get started on your dream of a career in the entertainment industry. I love being a teacher, let me share my insight with you today.

Good luck, I'll see you at the meet and greet! TM

Starting a Home Based Business and What You Need to Get Started

Most people are reluctant about starting a home based business out of fear because they know nothing about how to get started or what it costs. The current Recession has affected everyone and they are all scrambling for a way to survive. First let's talk about the cost of getting started.

According to New York Magazine recently, the cost of starting a traditional business offline range from about forty thousand dollars for starting a bakery and an estimated three hundred dollars for opening a retail store.

Now consider education and the cost of earning an MBA; the cost range from sixty-five thousand dollars up to eighty-two thousand dollars reported in Business Week magazine.

In comparison, the cost of starting a home business on the Internet is much less and you do not need a university degree or years of training in business to start. You get your training on the Internet from free tutorials and from joining a home business opportunity with a legitimate network marketing company. The company provides resources needed such as one or more websites, training on using their sites and help in marketing their product or service for you to be successful. The real cost for you is not monetary but time, energy and effort.

Your home business on the Internet requires hard work, dedication, discipline and motivation. It is not easy and you will not get rich in a few days or weeks as some companies advertise. You have to earn it the old-fashioned way; work for it because there are no free rides.

What you need to get started:

• You will need a state-of-the-art computer and a high-speed Internet connection and at least basic computer and Internet skills.

• You need a separate room in your home for an office where you can work without distractions. Discuss this with your family because you need support and cooperation from them.

• You need to have a business plan and follow it as a guide to reach your goal of financial freedom.

• It is important to prepare to operate your business like a real business and not like a hobby or fun thing to do.

If you still have a job, you can start and operate your business on a part-time basis. You have an advantage because you have income to support your family while building your business.

You can still do it even though you may have been laid off. It will require some creative thinking and may be more difficult, but not impossible. It is being done by each and every day by thousands of individuals.

Now that you have needed information, all you have to do is begin your search for starting a home based business opportunity on the Internet.