Choosing the right business to start-up whether it is a home base business or outside of the home should draw from your passion and knowledge for that business interest. For instance, someone who has worked in the field of plumbing for twenty years plus would not choose to start-up an investment banking firm without the passion or background knowledge of investing. Having the passion and knowledge for what you are doing is like a cup of Colombian bold coffee in the morning to start your day. Having the knowledge and experience in what you are doing or having a fast learning curve to acquire this business knowledge will increase the potential for success as a start-up.

In deciding on your start-up business interest, the first step is to take out a sheet of paper and write down all the start-up businesses that you might have an interest. Second step, on another sheet of paper begin to write all that you know about each business listed in step one. Third step, write three columns on your third sheet of paper to include the name of businesses, pros and cons. Fourth step, by starting with each business interest, begin to write what you think each of the pros and cons are drawing only from your personal knowledge and experience of that business interest. Fifth step, on step three sheet of paper, write what you think the monetary start-up cost amount would be beside each potential business interest, training, financing, office space, equipment and whatever else come to mind are included in this dollar amount. Sixth step, choose a close friend or confidant to sit down with unrelated to starting this business to present all that you have written.

Present each of your start-ups, preferably choose your top three, and have listener to give their unbiased opinion of what they think. Make sure the rules and guidelines are in place for corresponding comments. Present one business start-up at a time and then ask for corresponding comments. To avoid unnecessary dialogue, have the corresponding commentator to limit their comments on each start-up to fifteen minutes. This will help the focus to stay on the most important items of concern or hot points. Also, all corresponding comments on information being presented are not to include personal information or knowledge about presenter. Write down the correspondent's hot points and concerns about each start-up.

After presenting all three start-ups, try to avoid side conversations on the presentations because this tendency is more of a hindrance by side tracking and it normally leads to one second guessing them self. If you are in a social setting, change the subject and begin to talk about some of the other commentator's interest and enjoy the setting. Last step to deciding on your business start-up interest to set aside time for an uninterrupted hour or two alone to review all the information you collected. Repeat these steps as often as needed and substitute different people to present to until you are comfortable with your results for any start-up. Relationships with business consultants and other professionals are encouraged to have as valuable resources and references.