URL: http://www.entrepreneur.com/homebasedbiz/worklifebalance/advicefrompaulandsarahedwards/article65800.html

A new year is a popular time to think about starting your own business or to actually take the first steps toward getting started. Some people naturally gravitate to what they've been doing as an employee, whether it's accounting or landscaping. They like it enough to keep doing it, but want to start doing it as their own boss.

Other people want to try something new. Sometimes they know just what type of business they want to start because it's based on a skill or interest they remember from childhood, like sewing or making soap. Still others are looking to do something with growth potential they can grow into. If you've been thinking lately that you want to strike out on your own, here are six of the most promising businesses for 2004.

1. eBay sales keep growing, and as they do, new opportunities emerge. For example, people who want to resell items but don't want to take the time to post them on eBay or deal with the hassles of shipping are opening consignment stores. If you don't want to start from scratch, there are consignment store franchises to look into-but you don't need one to launch a successful business. Keep up with new online auction developments online with resources like those on www.auction-sellers-resource.com and get a free newsletter there, too.

2. Eldercare and geriatric care services are growing and will continue to do so as the number of aging baby boomers continues to mushroom. Because 85 percent of seniors want to continue living in their own homes, they need a variety of services to maintain their independence-from help in paying bills to meal delivery to medication management. Learn more about these opportunities at the National Family Caregivers Association's site.

3. Fitness training was already growing before Dr. Phil's initiated his war on obesity. As a trainer, you can work with clients in gyms, at their homes or have them come to you. If this sounds like something that's right up your alley, investigate getting certified by organizations such as the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.

4. One of the offshoots of 24/7 lifestyles is busy people who love to have meals fixed for them in their own homes. So ranks of personal chefs are growing wildly. Specialty menus-from organic to low carb-are developing to suit people's dietary needs and tastes. Learn more at the United States Personal Chef Association site.

5. We continue to be nuts about our pets. Based on the sheer numbers, pets are apparently even more popular than children, and pampering them opens lots of business opportunities. You can pet sit, groom them, train them, and counsel their grieving owners when they'e gone. To learn more about pet sitting, check out Pet Sitters International.

6. Like never before, security is top of mind in the business world. Thus there are opportunities for private investigators or security consultants to provide technical surveillance, combat economic and industrial espionage, ferret out counterfeit goods, and lots more. Don't be put off if you lack a law enforcement background-Dakota Michaels of the Spy Academy finds that cops don't always make the best PI's.

---

Paul and Sarah Edwards are the authors of a new edition of Finding Your Perfect Workand coach on the subject.