Going into home-based business

Q. My wife is looking to go into a home-based business. Could you give her any tips on which home-based businesses are legitimate or any Web sites that could be useful?
A. I've learned that the Web sites and resources for home-based businesses are almost endless, and I can't check them thoroughly enough to feel comfortable endorsing them.
Which leaves you ... where you started. Here's what I can say: When it comes to a home-based business, I advise people to think first about the things they like to do, and about the things they think may be needed in their communities.
I also advise an assumption check: Is your wife choosing a home-based business model because it will be low-key, low-cost and possibly low-stress? While there are always exceptions, she is probably right in believing that a home-based business can fill those ideals.
On the other hand, if she thinks she will grow this business into an empire, with lots of employees and a storefront location, she needs to re-evaluate.
Most of the businesses that work well at home are difficult to expand into Main Street operations. If your wife's real goal is to run something big, she might do better to put her energy into planning something big from the beginning.
Checking out books
Assuming she really wants to run a business from home, have your wife look in the library for books with titles such as "100 best businesses to start at home." I have picked up seven or eight different books with similar titles at garage sales over the years.
They'll suggest businesses like dog-walking and running errands, as well as more "suit-and-tie" options like selling insurance. Your wife should jot down the ones that appeal to her, for any reason, and start doodling around on paper. How many clients would she need, how much would she charge?
Just don't go for any of the "make money at home" schemes. A home-based business is not rocket science and you do not need the so-called startup assistance provided by people who offer you a business-in-a-box -- from a sign posted on a telephone pole, no less! You just need to keep thinking and experimenting until you get something figured out that works for you. When you're ready for advice, seek out someone legitimate and neutral, using referrals from your local office of the Small Business Administration or another source you trust.
Q. After 20 years with a large corporation, I was laid off. I found a position with another large corporation, but after seven months my manager and I both agree that this job is more than I am able to manage. She gave me eight weeks to find another position, either within the company or with another employer. If by then I do not have another job, I will be terminated, or I could resign first.
I've had many discussions with our HR department and my manager and will be leaving on good terms. They realize this position was not a good fit for me.
They will pay me for my vacation and will not contest unemployment benefits.
My questions are: Is it in my best interest to resign or be terminated? How do I communicate to my future employers if I'm terminated? Can I collect unemployment if I resign?
A. It is a coup to come out of a bad-fit job with the amount of goodwill you have generated.
Your basic question is whether to resign ahead of being terminated. My staff made a call to the Minnesota Workforce Center and was told that in Minnesota resigning from a position does not prevent a worker from receiving unemployment compensation, provided your employer does not contest your claim for benefits.
Since your company has assured you the claim will not be contested, you should resign rather than accept a termination. It not only looks better in your personnel file, but it feels better to your psyche.
For now, don't worry about how to explain this situation to future employers. Your first task is to decide what the next job will be, and what skills you will offer employers. Describing the circumstances of your departure will fall into place after you have defined your overall job search strategy. Good luck on this transition.
XAmy Lindgren, the owner of a career-consulting firm in St. Paul, Minn., can be reached at alindgren@pioneerpress.com.