YOUR LIFE

1 Is your family supportive of you working for yourself?

(a) Yes (10)

(b) No (5)

(c) You haven't asked them (0)

2 Could your family survive financially if your business failed?

(a) Yes with a bit of cutting back (10)

(b) No (5)

(c) You don't know (0)

3 What will you do with your children while you work?

(a) I will work around them (5)

(b) I'll find a relative to look after them (0)

(c) I have childcare sorted (10)

4 Why do you want to do this?

(a) You're bored (0)

(b) You see this as a viable way to make money (10)

(c) You need a change (5)

YOUR WORKING STYLE

1 In order to work I need:

(a) To be not bothered by anyone (0)

(b) A space of my own (10)

(c) To feel passionate about what I am doing (5)

2 I am motivated when:

(a) Someone spurs me on (0)

(b) A deadline is upon me (5)

(c) I'm allowed to drive a project forward (10)

3 What I'll miss most about the office is:

(a) Being able to work as part of a team (0)

(b) Chats round the coffee machine (5)

(c) The regular money (10)

4 I like my workday to:

(a) Start and stop at the same time every day (10)

(b) Be casual and laid-back (5)

(c) To be as short as possible (0)

YOUR SKILLS

1 With regard to your new business, you have:

(a) All the skills you need (0)

(b) Some skills, but are willing to learn the rest (10)

(c) A variety of skills and, if needed, will look for people to fill in the gaps (5)

2 When it comes to the financial aspects of your business:

(a) You've sought (or will seek) outside help (10)

(b) You'll deal with it when you have to (5)

(c) You'll get by on what you know (0)

3 When it comes to criticism:

(a) You find it hard to take (5)

(b) You don't tolerate it (0)

(c) You listen if it's constructive (10)

4 If you don't know something you:

(a) Ask someone who knows (10)

(b) Find out for yourself (5)

(c) Blag it (0)

YOUR BUSINESS

1 You know your business will work because:

(a) You've brainstormed the idea with others (5)

(b) You've tested it on a small market (10)

(c) You have a gut feeling (0)

2 You want to start this business because:

(a) You feel passionate about it (5)

(b) You know it will work and make money (10)

(c) You're looking for excitement (0)

3 Your idea is:

(a) Good, and you know it works (5)

(b) Unique, but you're not sure what to do next (0)

(c) Viable, because you've worked out the figures (10)

4 Your unique selling point (USP) is:

(a) You're the kind of person who would buy your product/service (10)

(b) Your work background (5)

(c) You have no idea (0)

How did you score?

0-45 Being a Kitchen Table Tycoon may not be right for you. Although you like the idea of setting up from home, the reality is more trying than you think. Write a pros and cons list considering everything - from what you'll miss at work to what you'll gain from being at home - and see whether it's really for you or not.

50-100 Taking into account your scores, you should be able to work out which areas need more work to help you to become a Kitchen Table Tycoon. Although there's no better feeling than running your own business, make sure you are prepared for the ups and downs of business life. A good idea is one thing - a good business is another.

105-160 Potentially, you have it in you to be a Kitchen Table Tycoon: you know where to start when it comes to selling yourself, you have your family's support and you know the areas in which you need to seek help.

©Anita Naik 2008

Kitchen Table Tycoon: How to Make It Work as a Mother and an Entrepreneur, by Anita Naik, is published on March 27 by Piatkus, £9.99. Available for £9.49 from Times Books Direct

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