Can you really run a business part-time? Can you run a business if you have a full-time job? Yes to both! It’s actually easier than ever to run a part-time business, but it is certainly not a new idea. Many women have supplemented their regular incomes by selling home party goods like Tupperware or cosmetics like Avon or Mary Kay. And, men, too have done part-time businesses, perhaps by fixing cars or painting houses during their days off.

With the internet, it is easier to sell goods, find clients, and build a business today. Many millions of people run part-time businesses by selling things on eBay. Some people start on eBay and then grow their business to offline sales or business websites.

No matter what your business idea or goal, here are some helpful tips to manage your business part-time.

1—Be careful not to overload yourself at first. Maybe open an eBay store with just a few auctions at first. If you have twenty things ending at the same time, you might get a little frazzled with shipping everything, keeping up with payments and posting new items. If you also make the items, take that into account as well. Keep it manageable. If you are starting a home-party business, limit your bookings for the first few months.

2—Keep careful records and allow time for record-keeping. You might want to invest in a program like Quicken Deluxe 2007 to help keep everything accounted for.

3—Schedule time for your business. Perhaps you work on your business one hour a day, or three hours each week. Whatever you choose, write it in your planner or on your calendar and stick with it so you don’t get behind.

4—Get the family on board.. Explain to your partner and children, even your friends what you are doing and how they can help. Perhaps you need your spouse to watch the children while you work on your business. Maybe your friend can help you with networking. Explain to everyone what your goals are and if possible, let them help. Children especially like to be a part of what you are doing, and they can learn quite a bit “working” for you.

5—Take time to learn about your business. Thirty minutes a week might be all you have available, but set aside time to educate yourself so that you can get better and make more money faster. You can also explore books on tape that you can listen to in your car or on your mp3 Player. You can also explore this site for articles on business ideas and helpful information on business basics.

Many successful businesses are started basements or closets or on kitchen tables in amongst the other stuff of life. Squeeze out some time and space for yours and see how you like working for yourself.