If there’s one thing the pandemic of 2020 showed us, it’s that you can make a living from home when the need arises. Now that everything is opening back up for business, many women have decided that they would rather own a home-based business than go back to the grind of 9-to-5 workdays. 

While that’s a smart thing to do, home-based businesses take a lot of work and you need a guide to help you get started and succeed, as with any type of business. You’re also going to need to finance your work-from-home dream as well. Here are a few ways to finance your desire to start a home-based business, and realize your dreams. 

1. Decide on the Type of Home Business

The first thing you need to do is decide on the type of home business you’re going to start. A home business doesn’t have to be done strictly out of the home. For example, if you’ve always wanted to get into real estate and flip houses, start researching ways to do that and then operate the business side of your real estate side hustle out of your home. Either way, you’re going to need financing to get started, and that’s what we’ll go into below. 

2. Bank Loans

A bank loan to finance your home business is a good way to go if you can qualify. If you have very little or no credit, then a credit starter loan might be the best choice for you. You want to know the terms of the loan before you apply, and the requirements of the loan as well. Many banks don’t deal in startup loans, so do your research to determine who does and how best the loan can serve the needs of your business before making a final decision. 

3. Family and Friends

Borrowing your startup money from family and friends can be a little tricky since you don’t want to end up not speaking to one another, and owing a family member or friend money is the quickest way for that to happen. 

With that being said, many of your family members and friends would jump at the chance to help you get your business started. Just make sure to have a legal and binding contract drawn up with monthly payments, and the amount owed before you sign on the dotted line, just to be on the safe side for you both. 

4. Credit Cards

While not recommended, credit cards are used often by people trying to start a home business. The downfall of using your credit cards is that you can quickly find yourself in debt that you can’t get out of. If you’re to the point of wanting to open your own home business, then you probably already know how important good credit is to your business and your personal life. 

If you decide to use your credit card, then only purchase what you absolutely need to get started in your business, and pay the credit card off in full every month for the best results. 

5. Get a Side Gig

A second income can provide the money you need to fund your new home business. While you’re getting your business off the ground, pick up a side gig and make sure that money is only funneled into your business. 

These are just a few tips for financing when you’re trying to start your own home business. Working from home seems to be the wave of the future. If you’re truly serious about it, there’s always a way to get started.