If you've ever dreamed about starting a business, being your own boss, and making money doing what you love to do, that's great. Some people do actually do that. But, ultimately, being in business is not about doing what you love to do; it's about finding a product or service that is in demand and making a profit selling that product or service. If it coincides with something you love to do, all the better, but that should not be your criteria in any business endeavor.

There's no question that the economy is in rough shape and not getting better. Millions of people have lost their jobs since the recession began in October 2007. According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment has increased in all 50 states over the last 12 months. It's hard to predict the future but most analysts predict this trend will continue certainly for the rest of 2009.