A home-based business is no different from any other business someone may embark on other than the fact that said business, at least at first, will exist within the confines of ones home, probably in one small area of the house. Now, sharing ones abode with a money making enterprise can take on monumental proportions if not properly controlled. For instance, let's say you are into quilting and you want to provide information for others who are so inclined.

Now, you probably will have already allocated space for what is your hobby at this point. Meaning you have a space for your sewing machines, fabrics and tools for all imaginable purposes. You may have even ventured out into embroidery which has a whole world of accouterments required. So, since you want to change your hobbies status from an activity for relaxation to a money generating entity you feel you are entitled to take up even more space in the home for your endeavors so you enlist the use of the dining room table since you rarely use it for anything more profound than the odd holiday dinner.

You acquire a laptop, printer and miscellaneous software and of course books to explain how to use the aforementioned items. Now, you have a room and a portion of another room. Family do tend to get testy when they see their beloved dining room being re-purposed for such a banal activity. However, they decide to be supportive and allow this mild intrusion. So, you start a website, a blog and start writing articles. Since you are into sewing let's say you are focused on the niches of niches in sewing circles, quilting. Now I have first hand experience how this little hobby can take over the largest of homes.

This adventure possibly starts out with a class here and there with a friend, then of course you must have the best sewing machines for the purpose and what is a sewing machine without fabric to sew upon? Since the acquisition of fabric has far outweighed any projects you may have time to complete you share your passion with other friends. You complete a project or 12 and these same friends tell you how talented and wonderful you are so you decide to take the next step.

You get a job in this quilt store and then that one. You see how enjoyable it is to share that passion with like minded people so you beg and cajole the shopkeepers to allow you to teach a class. One class rolls into 6 classes and you develop a following. Good for you, now you get the bright idea that maybe you should be taking the act on the road. So, you find out that your spouse, who never takes a vacation has all of this leave time built up so you persuade them to start going to quilt shows. Oh what a wonderful opportunity this affords because you see now you have carte blanch to do some serious buying of fabric, tools etc. because you will now be embarking on a money making excursion. So, you rent a trailer attach it to the family SUV or such like and your off to the quilt show where you will meet many other like minded people. The astute person will network and learn what everyone else is doing and try to emulate their success.

Of course now you have additional expenses to consider. The quilt shows demand a price for booth space, providing electricity and even Internet access in case you actually plan to take credit cards in the usual manner. If it is out of town and not in a town where you have family or friends then there is the hotel and meals to consider. Your hobby has now blossomed into a full fledged vocation and your house looks more like a warehouse for fabrics than a loving home for your family.

The secret to managing this explosion is to manage expectations and take time to evaluate your success. Money is nice just don't let it distract you from the fact that you started this venture because you actually enjoy the activity, quilting in this instance. It is far too easy to get bogged down in the details of the business and forget why you started this in the first place. Perhaps teaching classes in the local shops will provide you with the sense of satisfaction you need. Once you start purchasing fabric and what not for resale this can literally break the bank. Of course, once you have the idea to resell items you will want to go to market and then you will want to expand your business and before you know it what started as a mom and pop kind of thing has rivaled and exceeded the fabric department at your local megamart. Perspective is key.

This tale can be applied to any home-based business not just those in the arts and crafts faction. Take that hobby to the next level, just know when to stop before it takes over your life.