Home Sweet Home, with the Australian Home-Based Business Awards

To all those who have had the courage to step out on their own and run a business from home: congratulations. Many people talk about it, many dream of doing it, but not many actually take those steps to get it happening.

As the nine to five becomes the exception rather than the rule, where drive times and fuel costs are getting exorbitant, and families spend less time together, the home-based business steps in to reinvent the way we live.

More than two-thirds of Australian small business owners are home-based. Everything from accountants to wedding planners, adventure tours to web design is shifting out of the CBDs and into the spare room. Technology provides a convenient platform to advertise and conduct business, and entrepreneurs are heading home in droves to rearrange their lives. It’s a tough gig; sometimes lonely, sometimes frightening, but those with determination and drive make it.

In acknowledgment of this brave step in a fast-growing business sector, the Australian Home-Based Business Awards (AHBBA) will be presented during the Australian Business & IT Expo (ABITE) on Saturday August 16, 2008, at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Southbank, Melbourne. The Australian Business & IT Expo (August 16—18), is a three day event encompassing the entire gamut of both small and large business, IT and communications.

The Awards highlight the quality of Australia's home-based businesses by rewarding the best performers in each of the categories for their commitment to business success. By entering there is potential to not only receive recognition for your achievement but to also:

• Network with other home-based business owners
• Showcase your business strategies and practices
• Locate new agents and distributors for your products
• Obtain increased sales and marketing opportunities through exposure of your business.

Last years AHBBA national winner was ChinaDirect’s Lindy Chen, who also took the award for Business Services.

ChinaDirect Sourcing is a Brisbane-based company that makes it possible for Western companies to deal direct with the factories in China, while reducing the risk involved. Chen’s unique connection with China has provided her with a solid foundation for what is a very successful business.

Home-based business operators are eligible to enter one of five categories for the AHBBA: business services; personal services; trade; merchandising; food, hospitality, farming.

But be quick; AHBBA entries close on August 1, 2008. Entry forms are available from www.homebasedbusinessawards.com.au.