Page 208 - The $100 Startup_ Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love

merely maintains the business. Think forward motion … What can you do to
keep things moving ahead? Consider these areas:

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. This is work that grows the business. What new
products or services are in the works? Are there any partnerships or joint
ventures you’re pursuing?

OFFER DEVELOPMENT. This kind of work involves using existing resources in
a new way. Can you create a sale, launch event, or new offer to generate
attention and income?

FIXING LONG-STANDING PROBLEMS. In every business, there are problems that
creep up that you learn to work around instead of addressing directly. Instead of
perpetually ignoring these issues, use your non-firefighting time to deal with the
root of the problem.

Health Insurance
In the United States, it’s the big question facing many prospective entrepreneurs:
“How can I insure my family when I’m self-employed?” (Canadians and others
can skip this section and breathe easy.) Unfortunately, universal health care is
still a long way off before we catch up with the rest of the developed world.

To get some options, I surveyed our group of case studies (those from the
U.S.) and also conducted several online conversations with large groups on
Twitter and Facebook. The answers varied considerably. Someone wrote, “Get
screwed and pay a lot of money for coverage that doesn’t help you.” Alas, in
some cases, that statement may not be much of a stretch. But in other cases you
have choices. Here are some of the most common ones.

Buy a high-deductible policy and pay cash for visits to the doctor. Perhaps
the most common solution among the self-employed is to shop around and
purchase a high-deductible policy to cover serious illness or accident. Then set
aside a savings fund—either self-managed or with a health savings account
(HSA)—to cover doctor’s visits and preventive care. It’s best to compare quotes
from an independent broker, and in some cases a local or national group may
offer a discounted policy. Several people mentioned the Freelancers Union, for