Here's why. The vast majority of internet businesses are extremely inexpensive to start, so your risk is small. Think about what it would cost to start your own hobby shop, for example. You'd have to take out a small business loan (which are getting tougher and tougher to get), find a storefront, hire at employees, set up a payroll, buy inventory and all the equipment you'd need to operate your business.

During the first year, most businesses are lucky to break even. Chances are, you'll be tied to that store for ten-plus hours a day, six or seven days a week. While you might applaud someone for taking such a chance to realize their dreams of operating a business, it is simply too big a risk for many to take.

That's why so many people are turning to the internet to get their feet wet in entrepreneurship. Most on-line businesses require less than a $500 commitment and break even far before the year is up.

Another advantage of an internet-based business rather than a typical brick and mortar business is that you can choose your own work hours. This can be especially important to parents with children who don't want to sacrifice family time.

The benefits of operating a home business far outweigh the negatives, but you must be realistic about your expectations---especially in the beginning.

Many on-line businesses involve affiliate marketing and multi-level marketing programs, both which require hard work and patience. Money is not going to roll in faster than you can count it, no matter what you've read on-line. But the potential for great financial reward is there with these types of businesses if you do work hard at them and do everything you can to build your business.

Some advantages of setting up a home enterprise include:

---Flexible work hours. Especially if you are a stay-at-home mom or dad, you decide when to work.

---A good source of extra income during the tough economic situation. Even if you still have a job, it certainly won't hurt to start a small business to help earn even more money. And if you do lose your job your business can give you a bit of cushion when you fall.

---Be your own boss. You decide how, when, and even where you work. You decide how much money and time to devote to your business. Many people discover they have untapped talents when they go off on their own.

---It's better than a part-time job. Many people have day jobs and also work nights and weekends at a poorly paying part-time job. But even those jobs are getting harder to find. Starting your own part-time online business to help ends meets beats working at a fast food chain any time.