You’ve asked yourself this question for the thousandth time. You’ve heard all the hype and skeptically turned your head away from the opportunity, only to find yourself attracted to it once again. You’ve seen the advertisements and laughed at the idea, but somewhere deep inside you wonder if it’s really possible.The question keeps coming back…Is it crazy starting a home-based business?With all the negative misconceptions surrounding home-based businesses, I feel it is important for you to understand the main reasons people start a home-based business in the first place. The purpose of this post is not to sell you on any one business opportunity or to convince you to even start your own business.The purpose is to help understand the mind-set of individuals who seek to create a different future for them self and/or their family. Perhaps you landed on this article, because you are looking for a better way to secure your future.Maybe you have already convinced yourself to start a home-based business, but are skeptical that you even have what it takes to succeed in your own business. Whatever your purpose may have been that found you reading this post, I hope you take away a fuller understanding of what led you to the world of entrepreneurship.It is well known that a home-based business is not everyone’s cup of tea. So, why do so many even venture into this career path?1. Dissatisfied With Current EmploymentHow many of you have walked into your place of employment bright and early on Monday morning and said to yourself, “I can’t wait for Friday afternoon to come!”? I can safely assume that the majority of you right now are raising your hand in your mind.There is no shame in feeling this way. Most of us live for our weekends, when we can relax with our families and get tasks completed from our to-do lists. We can sleep in past 6:00am and go to bed later than 9:00pm.Weekends = Freedom.Now, many are perfectly content with staying in their current 9:00-5:00 job. This is okay, because this equates to familiarity and stability for so many.For others, however, they are dissatisfied with their job and with the restrictiveness of its expectations. They are tired of missing birthdays and holidays, vacations with the family. We spend more time with our co-workers during the day than we do with our own family and friends.Activities and events are all planned around our work schedules and, many times, it is easier to just cancel the event than to try to request the time off from work.Now, there are two types of individuals who are dissatisfied with their current employment: those that are hungry to do something about it and those that will continue punching that time card. Again, it is respectable to stay in one’s current job, because they are taking care of their responsibilities and, possibly, working hard for that next promotion.However, for those that are hungry to make a change, starting a home-based business has proven to be the answer to their problem.As a home-based business owner, you make your own schedule and you dictate the amount of time you are able to spend with your family and friends. You are afforded the luxury of time, because there is no boss to report to but yourself.2. The EconomyIt is no secret that the state of today’s economy is one of uncertainty. Property values have fallen and unemployment rates have risen. Recent college graduates struggle to find employment, after racking up thousands of dollars in student loans. More and more families have to apply for government assistance just to meet their most basic needs.We are currently in the middle of a presidential election year and what has been a significant focus of both campaigns? The economy.With the current state of the economy, more and more people are looking for ways to secure their financial future, because they are not confident in placing this in the hands of their employers and of their government.With a home-based business, many have been able to start building a financial cushion for them self and for their family and all from the comfort of their own home. This is especially suitable for those currently employed and/or have families, as they are able to grow their business part time if need be.3. Financial Freedom & SecurityWith a home-based business, the potential to earn a significant amount of money is so much greater than with a traditional job. In a regular private or government job, the only way to increase your income is to obtain a promotion or get hired in a higher paying job.With a home-based business, your efforts and commitment truly does predict the amount of money you can earn. There is no interview, there is no politics. There is simply your ability to reach the maximum amount of your target audience (your ideal consumer) and be able to attract them to your product or opportunity.The dream of financial freedom and security is realistically attainable, and more individuals are recognizing this potential within the home-based business industry. Financial freedom and security is important to many in various ways, but there is one common benefit to all: the opportunity to live the lifestyle one has always dreamed of.