Starting up a home-based business is a daunting task. No matter how much you think you know when you start, something’s bound to trip you up. For me, it was the level of accounting knowledge I would need. Let me tell you, I’m no accounting genius.

Other potential potholes include procuring health insurance, setting up a home network, marketing your products or services, and understanding the finer points of tax law.

I recommend reading as many books on home-based businesses as you can. I’ve read at least a dozen so far and still feel there are gaps in my knowledge. Granted, much of this is learn-as-you-go, but having an arsenal of expert information makes for a great start.

But start where? There are dozens of books on beginning and managing a home-based business, and plenty of specialty books on starting a beauty shop or a party-planning service.

Start flipping through them and you’ll see many offer the same basics: How to discipline yourself for a home-based life, how to manage the books, how to set up the basic technology, and how to market and sell your wares.

Here’s a sampling of the ones I’ve found most useful so far. A favorite of yours not on the list? Send it along to sgittlen@charter.net and I’ll share it with readers. 

“The Everything Home-Based Business Book ” by Jack Savage

This book handles all the basics well. Savage, who runs a home publishing business, points out that you’ll need myriad types of insurance, covering your business and personal needs, and those of your employees (if you have any). He homes in on developing and implementing marketing and advertising plans, and includes a chapter on problem solving with a list of common mistakes home-based business owners make. He also discusses how to beat a defeatist attitude and improve time management.

“Ultimate Homebased Business Handbook ” by James Stephenson

Rather than common mistakes, Stephenson emphasizes home business musts, including becoming a wise money manager, a known expert in your field and a shameless self promoter. The book reads like Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People,” complete with a chapter highlighting the 25 common characteristics of successful entrepreneurs. Most useful for me was the chapter on legal issues - how to structure your business for tax purposes, procuring and protecting your company name, and local zoning regulations. There are also good tips on protecting your intellectual property. For those still deciding what business to get into, the book offers 99 ideas.