Home-based business and pets

Pets and business often don't mix, though it depends on the pet - and the business. If you want to present a professional image, the pet noise must be under control.

When you call a traditional, "Main Street" business, how often do you hear pets in the background? Not very. And your customers won't expect to deal with your pet issues when they do business with your home-based company.

This is not to say that the animals must go. But they must not compromise your professionalism. For dogs prone to barking, move them to a location where they can't be heard, like a bedroom or another room in the home - if only during calls or meetings.

Cats and bird should also be "seen and not heard" during a business call or visit. Turtles and fish make excellent home-based business pets, by the way.