Entrepreneur's StartUps: February 2005

What's Love Got to Do With it?
Is a passion for your idea enough to base a business on--or is a hot market opportunity a better guarantee of a sure thing?

Cheap Sheet
Stumped by the task of finding the perfect budget-friendly franchise? We've got all the answers you need to do your homework right--and spend your money wisely.

Starting Small
With discipline and determination, these four entrepreneurs launched businesses with less than $1,000 each. See how they've grown from those budget beginnings to today's successful companies.

Trading Up
No cash? No problem. Here's how smart entrepreneurs use barter to help save money, create connections and grow their businesses.



Back Page
Spring Cleaning
Take a day to dust off your old business ideas and see if they still shine.

Biz 101
It's in the Mail
How to land your product on the pages of a catalog

Thread of Life
Sewing is more than just a hobby for this artistic entrepreneur.

Try Before You Buy
It is possible to test-drive your dream business.

House Calls
Making Home Work
What's the best way to balance your homebased business and your family life? Start by figuring out your style.

Babies on Board
Can you take care of baby and business at the same time?

Innovations
Come Together
Two heads are better than one, so why not use a joint venture to get your invention off the ground?

Marketing Makeover
Stop the Presses!
Want to get noticed? Take your marketing to the next level with these 9 tips for writing a powerful press release.

Opportunities
The Candy Man Can
After years of dreaming, this candy lover worked up the nerve to buy a franchise.

Good as Sold
A former stay-at-home mom takes her love for eBay to the next level.

Power Tools
A Movable Feast
We've set up an impressive spread of budget-friendly gadgets to get your mobile office on the road.

Second Act
The New Golden Age
It's not your father's retirement. Today's baby boomers see life after 50 as a new opportunity to start businesses they love.