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© Andrew MacKinnon

Craig Wolfe founded a work from home business called CelebriDucks that creates rubber duck characterizations of the greatest icons of film, music, history, and athletics. His ducks have become so popular that Entertainment Weekly recently voted them in their list of top 100 gifts. When asked what he enjoys most about his business, he said that he always enjoys seeing hundreds of ducks.

He tries to work a 9 to 5 day, but usually can't get all the work done in that schedule, so he uses evenings and weekends to catch up. The extra hours do not bother Wolfe, though, as he enjoys what he's doing and his office is in his home anyway. Wolfe said that after he graduated from college with a degree in business, he felt that he had no direction. It was important for him to do something he felt passionate about, and that eventually led him to the rubber duck idea.

© nikcname

According to the Small Business Administration, work from home business is on the rise. Over half of small businesses in the US are now home-based, with an average income of $63000 a year. The American Writers & Artists Inc (AWAI) is presenting a free virtual event for people who want to learn more about working from home. Eight proven work-from-home opportunities will be presented by professionals who have been successful at each one.

For example, Roy Furr, who won an award from AWAI for successfully switching from a full-time job to working from home as a copywriter, will be a presenter. Nick Usborne, who is a prominent web writer and social media expert for more then thirty years, will also be presenting. Other experts who will be featured include a professional graphic designer, a resume writer, a grant writer, and a desktop marketer.

© FHKE

Most large businesses run automatic backup of their computers on to mainframes. For small business and those with a home office, the story is often quite different, yet, their office software is at greater risk. Home burglaries happen much more frequently than burglaries at large business premises. Computer theft is a distinct possibility.

Backing up all of your files on a regular basis is a must. The mechanism used for backing up is an important decision to make. If your data is irreplaceable then you need to consider the best backup system you can get and that might well be an off site web based system. All of your data is backed up on a predefined schedule and kept secure by a third party.

Another backup method includes the use of an external hard drive. This is a truly cost effective way to backup. The external drives are extremely affordable, and, the portability allows you to fit the drive in your pocket if necessary. Unfortunately, though, most home based businesses do not protect the portable hard drive from theft, or fire; leaving it on the desk next to your computer is not adequate safety. If you must keep your backups in your home office, put them in a fire proof safe suitable for electronic data.