Moms often ask me how they can start earning a regular income from home rather quickly. The common reply is to try providing a service that is sought-after by most people.

Lately, one of our Mom Masterminds members told us how she had been working her candle business for more than a year with modest return and 2 days after initiating her service-based business at home, she was earning a great deal.

Not astonishing at all. She had some associates and was able to locate business owners that wanted her help. She satisfied a need right from her home and was paid for her time.

If you are pressured with the online business thing and have to provide food at home or have added funds to invest in your business, you can also provide a service. Or if you know any mom who wants to work from home, you can suggest to her that she also establish a service-based business.

Some of the more in demand ideas are:

• Virtual Assistant

• Medical Transcriptionist

• Web Design

Should you need to start a service-based business and want to get it going immediately, I'd recommend the following:

1. Settle on something where you’ll likely get into a client base.

This doesn't imply that you can't start from scratch in something that you like better, but recognize that it might take more time to get it up and running.

2. Put up a website at once.

Even if it is just a plain website that explains to people why they need your service and a way to get in touch with you, get that up right away. As the owner of a service-based business, you must have an office where people can visit you. Your website is your office. You can tweak and develop it later.

3. Ask people for referrals.

If you know someone who also works from home and knows your ideal client base, ask for referrals. Also, request your own clients for referrals. Satisfied clients are a great source of new clientele.

4. Do a noble job, but don't work too hard.

Take into account that you are being paid for the time you spend working with your clients, but your service-based business has other tasks as well. You must set aside some time (or hire someone) for administrative tasks, marketing, etc. If you manage your time properly, you’ll be able to perform your household chores as well.

The only thing to consider now is that if you start a service-based business, you've set yourself up with a JOB that you do from home. In part 2 of this article, you’ll learn about guidelines to turn your home job into a full-fledged business.