Several years ago, the United States Federal Trade Commission unveiled "Project False Hopes,” a program targeted at unveiling bogus business opportunities and work-at-home scams. In just four of their first few cases, they alleged that consumers had lost more than $30 million. This is proof that when researching a home-based business it’s important to sort fact from fiction. Because while there are pitfalls to watch out for, there are also many exciting opportunities when it comes to working from home, especially with a home travel business.

Benefits of working from home can include any of the following:

• Lower overhead, including no office to rent, less office furniture and less office equipment 
• Reduced costs for commute and parking
• Set your own hours
• If you need to move due to a spouse being relocated, you can keep your job
• Freedom to attend daytime events, like community meetings, networking events, children’s events, etc.
• Fewer interruptions from co-workers
• Can work even if you’re a bit under the weather
• Working at home works especially well in the travel industry.

An increasingly popular business model is for travel agents to have a home travel business. More client interaction takes place via e-mail, Facebook, and phone than ever before. Successful agents need to be where their clients want them to be. If they need to provide paper documents or tickets for an upcoming trip, it is seen as a value-add that the agent drops the documents off at the client’s home or business anyway, rather than make the client come to them.

Additionally, when it does come time for a larger group meeting with prospects or clients, creative travel agents find third party locations are ideal. For example, planning a cruise for a group that loves food? Host it at an Italian restaurant and invite a chef to speak. Planning a trip for a book club? Host it at the local bookstore or community room at the library. Third party venues add flair and creativity to your meeting and set you apart from the rest.

What Should You Watch Out For?
When researching home-based businesses, check the Department of Justice’s Web site to see if they have cracked down on any of the businesses that interest you. You can also check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed.

Other key words to watch out for include:

• Get rich quick
• No risk
• Little effort
• Big profits

Other ways to protect yourself include looking into travel franchise opportunities with a more established company, studying a franchise disclosure document, interview current franchise owners, investigate claims about potential earnings, and compare opportunities with similar companies.

In the end, starting a business at home involves some risk and a lot of work. If something seems too good to be true, it just might be. But protect yourself as you start your own home travel business and it could be the best business decision you ever make.

Read more articles about working from home or starting a franchise.

Click below to start your Self-Guided Tour or to Request More Information about Cruise Holidays!