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 [1] 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 [2] 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 [3]. 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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