The Shoestring Entrepreneur's Guide to the Best Home-Based Businesses

Spiegel can be counted on to reveal truths about starting a home business. He sold his Chile Pepper magazine 10 years after he began it, netting more than one million dollars. He lists here 200 "hot" work ideas, which he divides into four categories: professional, nonprofessional, opportunities (defined as a business start-up package to buy), and franchises. At times the separations are curious, even questionable. Why is a children's party clown classified as professional, and event catering nonprofessional? Each "launch it yourself" entry features a description, start-up needs, customers, typical charges, earnings potential, and tips for getting started; other category entries simply list the vitals and fees needed--though the author claims these have the best track records. To be used in tandem with more detailed home-business information. Barbara Jacobs