So, you’ve finally found a home-based business idea that you would like to put into action. Fantastic –  but with that excitement and energy, would it be wise to just take the plunge and start the business ad take everything as it comes? Well yes, and no…

When starting a new, home-based business you need to plan ahead. Yes, spontaneity is good, but you need to have a plan of action in terms of how you’ll run the business, how you will market your business, how you will pay the bills – your running costs and how you will pay your bills.

Planning for your home-based business is important because it helps you reach a goal for the future, it also helps if you are trying to get financing for your home-based business.

Mumpreneur and CEO of Babeecard Gemma Johnson of launched her prepaid Mastercard business in 2007 to help families save money on their shopping.

In today’s competitive job market employers are more inclined to find people who can contribute to the growth of the company and not just boost its productivity.

Whether it's at work, at a job interview, when speaking to potential clients or customers, how you communicate can have a huge impact on your success.

When thinking about a career change, or changing jobs, there are a few things that you need to think about before you start making job applications.

As well as practical things like location, salary and the job market, when considering a career change, don’t forget to look into updating your skills and experience — especially if you are returning to work after taking a break.

Julie Sherwood is one of our two business mums who won a BlackBerry Curve and were taken to task on a challenge to see if she could run her business exclusively from the mobile phone. Did she suceed...?

If you listen to what’s in the media these days, you’ll no doubt feel that the job market is very competitive and you may even have convinced yourself that there are no jobs out there at all. But this is far from the case – you only need to look in the recruitment sections of newspapers and look online to see that there are jobs to be had!

Yes – it is true that there is now a lot of competition to get a job, but it is not impossible. What you need to do is make sure that your application stands out from the crowd.

Here are a few tips to help you get the edge in searching for a job and landing the job of your dreams.

Cari Parker blogs about her fourth day working purely from her BlackBerry Curve mobile phone.

This has certainly been a challenge and I really didn't think I would be able…

There's been much in the media about mums lacking confidence when it comes to dressing for work. But it doesn;t have to be a chore, or break the bank - here are some top tips from Carol Rawson of Suit the City www.suitthecity.com.

Cari Parker blogs about her second day working purely from her BlackBerry Curve mobile phone.

Whether you choose to trade full-time, or part-time around the busy school runs, learning to trade can help you make an additional income. Knowledge to Action is offering free seminars across the UK.

Julie Sherwood is one of our two BlackBerry Challenge winners - find out how she's coping with the challenge of running her business purely on her BlackBerry Curve for a whole week!

Cari Parker is one of our two BlackBerry Challenge winners - find out how she's coping with the challenge of running her business purely on her BlackBerry Curve for a whole week!

Our hearts went out to Lily Allen this week, after she announced that her and her partner Sam had lost their baby around six months into her pregnancy; the second miscarriage the 25-year-old has suffered. This sad news has prompted lots of people to ask me this week about mothers’ rights and maternity leave entitlement after a miscarriage.

Last month, we called all business mums to enter our BlackBerry Challenge to see if they could run their business on a BlackBerry mobile phone for a week - no laptop, PC, landline, fax etc! BlackBerry kindly offered to give away two BlackBerry Curve 3G phones to two lucky winners, who would then blog about their challenge right here on www.motherswhowork.co.uk.

With the clocks turning back an hour, we seem to go to work in the dark an return in the dark. If this makes you get the winter blues, find out how you can overcome it.

For many mums, the thought of going back to work after maternity leave brings more than sorrow. What are your rights - do you have to go back to work? Find out from employment law expert Sarah Calderwood.

Mum of four Maria Law, 48, runs Sweetling (www.sweetling.co.uk) with her business partner and sister-in-law Sophie, and between them they have eight children.

Find out how they juggle motherhood with an innovative business that aims to make underwear for young girls as innocent and fun as possible.

What work did you do before you set up your company?
I have been a jam maker at Chivers, a turkey plucker at Tubby Turkeys, an ice-lolly maker at Country boy ice cream, a seasonal potato, apple and strawberry picker, a press officer at the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food; and a receptionist at Cambridge Evening Newspapers.