Are you a budding entrepreneur with a great business idea, or simply looking for a more effective way to combine motherhood and work? Here's how you could be a kitchen table tycoon, writes Anita Naik.

Starting a new business from home is a scary prospect, especially in this economic climate, but the good news is that 'kitchen table tycoons' are one of the fastest growing areas in the small business sector.

Research shows that:

• 74 per cent of women who started a business did so after they gave birth or when their child was under two years old.
• More a third (38 per cent) pursued their 'big idea' as it allowed them to juggle a career and motherhood.
• Three quarters (73 per cent) feel 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with working for themselves.

However, it's not all coffee mornings and daytime TV. Here are some of the challenges you'll face and the main questions to ask yourself.

1. Can you do it?

Are you a self-starter suited to working on your own? To find out ask yourself:

• Can you handle the insecurity of not always being paid on time?
• Are you able to work and not be distracted by your home life and kids?
• Can you cope with the isolation of working alone with no one for support?
• Are you resilient and able to bounce back when things go wrong?

Two 'Yes's' or more and this could be for you.

2. Do you have an idea?

A good business idea could come from any of the following:

• A continuation of the job you already do
• A solution to a 'mum' problem.
• Turning a skill into a service.
• Gaps in the market
• Problem solving in your local area

The trick is not to wait for a light-bulb moment but to brainstorm, research and ask friends and family for their thoughts.

3. What will you do about childcare?

If you intend to work around your kids, make sure you are being realistic:

• Are you able to run your business out of office hours?
• What will you do if an important meeting/phone call comes up?
• Is your partner supportive of your out of hours plans?

If your business can't be run out of office hours you have to have some sort of childcare. If you can't afford it consider:

• Swapping favours with friends - day care for babysitting.
• Roping in family members to help out.
• Waiting until your child is at least in pre-school.

4. Can you handle the business side of things?

Being clueless about the financial aspects of running a business isn't a sign that you should give up. There are people who can help you get to grips with it such as the government agency Business Link. However, before you jump in make sure that:

• Your family can financially handle your company potentially failing (400,000 new businesses start up each year in the UK. Yet 20,000 of these cease trading within their first 12 months).
• Your household can survive at least six months without your income.

If the numbers don't add up consider running your business in tandem with your job for the next six months. It may leave you time starved, but will enable you to see if your business has legs, as well as give you money to stay afloat.

5. Is there a market for your service/product?

It's essential to know if there a market for your service/product. Meaning you need to road test your idea. Do it right and it will help you to:

• Estimate potential sales
• Tell you who your customer is and how to find them.
• Work out how to sell to your customers.
• Your business strengths and weaknesses.

Who can help you?

Don't despair if you have little to nothing business know-how. There are plenty of experts who can help you in a variety of ways. For more advice, and information go to:

Business Link - www.businesslink.gov.uk

A fantastic government site designed to help small businesses and new start-ups.

Small Business - www.smallbusiness.co.uk

Help on starting up, funding and legal services.