Turning a bright idea into a viable business isn't impossible, and to prove it the June issue of Country Living profiled women who turned their passions into profits. The Today Show spoke with the magazine's editor in chief, Sarah Gray Miller, about some of the steps women should take before jumping into self-employment head-first. She says this economy might actually be the best time to think about starting a business; even though layoffs are problematic, it could give women the opportunity to pause and ask themselves if they could make a living doing what they love.

Miller says the first and most important step is to educate yourself about what it takes to run a small business and develop a business plan. The website sba.gov is a user-friendly resource and will answer most of your questions. She recommends finding a mentor who has already started their own business; locate one at score.org. Her final tip is to start small and be prepared to work hard — there will be many late nights, but you're doing what you love. Get inspired by three self-employed women in the video below.

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