SITUATION
Entrepreneur Karen Moore wants to start a catering and decorating business to bring in money to help support her two young children. Moore is a single parent; she works in the banking industry but has always had the desire to start a business. She enjoys decorating for friends' parties and is frequently told, "You should do this professionally. You have such good taste, and you are so nice to people." Moore has decided to take this advice but is unsure whether she should locate in a commercial site or in her home, which is in rural central Texas.
She is leaning toward locating at home because she wants more time with her children. However, she is concerned that the home-based location is too far away from the city, where most of her potential customers live. Initially, her services would include planning wedding receptions and other special events, designing flower arrangements, decorating the sites, and even cooking and serving meals.
Question 1 What do you see as potential problems with locating Moore's new business at home?
Question 2 What do you see as the major benefits for Moore of a home-based business?
Question 3 How could Moore use technology to help her operate a home-based business?