Can your children help you grow your business?

We all know how hard it can be at times to run a business by ourselves. It is even more difficult to run a business with a family.

You know why you started your business. We all have our “why” answer. We must keep that fresh in our mind when we are working our business each day.

One way to stay focused while working and having your children around is to hire them. Know I know you must think I’m nuts, but check this out. There are many jobs your children can help you do. The big advantage to hiring your children is it helps with your business taxes. Make sure you consult with your tax advisor on this as I am not a tax advisor, councilor, or accountant.

The things your children can do for you, of course, depend on their age and the type of business you own. Here is a list of things that your children may be able to help you with in your business.

• Fold flyers
• Address envelopes or cards
• Add customer addresses to your database
• Go door-to-door in your neighborhood and put flyers on the door knobs
• Hand out your business cards to their friends
• Put your orders together
• Share your business with others

The list goes on and on. Take a look at the different things you do in your business and see if there is anything they can do to help you.

Now as far as pay goes, that is up to you and what your business can afford to pay. One thing you want to do is make sure you keep track of what they do and how much you paid them to do the job. You may need this for your taxes or when this child is to old to do this and your next child is interested.

As you can see, there are many benefits to having your children with you. Not only are you taking some of the weight off of you, but you are giving them responsibility, you are paying them to work, so you are showing them how to earn money, and you are showing them how to run a business. All of these things are wonderful things to teach children.

So the next time you are working your business and your children are bored and need something to do, remember this article and see how they can help you. Sure beats having them watch TV or play video games.

Corrie Petersen runs a successful Virtual Assistant and Advertising business. She also has a free advertising tips newsletter that she creates to help others. Check out her website at http://www.virtualfreedom4you.com.