Home-based entrepreneurs

Most entrepreneurs are confident in their ability, tend to be risk takers, and appear to have the vision that others fail to see. A growing number of these entrepreneurs are setting up and operating their enterprise business from their home premises. Who are these individuals, what motivated them to start up a home based business, and what challenges and problems do they face is the focus of this New Zealand study on home based entrepreneurs. For those who have a work ethic, are self-disciplined, and can separate work life from family life, being a home-based entrepreneur (HBE) can be an attractive alternative. A desire to be your own boss and the belief that 'I can do it' as well as those who are 'necessity entrepreneurs' are just a few of the factors that influence New Zealanders to establish themselves as home-based entrepreneurs. The signs are encouraging for New Zealand HBEs as a majority are satisfied with both business performance and profits. But the reality is that operating a business venture from home is not easy and poses a variety of challenges as well as considerable discipline to keep the work-life balance on track.