Working for an employer is never to be confused with doing work for someone. If the question suggests that a work at home business owner, also have a 'day job' that happens to offer telecommuting privileges, I'd have a hard time with that arrangement.

Many of my colleagues offer a variety of services to other individuals or companies not directly related to their primary work at home business. I use the term primary because any service, or work we perform, also constitutes a business. They simply create multiple income streams by developing their talents into different businesses.

One of the benefits of developing a work at home business from scratch is that the skills involved can be applied to a variety of different situations. In most cases those skills are only developed enough to launch their business.

In the network marketing arena we often find ourselves sharing the talents that we've developed in the process of building our business with people in our network, or other associates. Whether we go on to actually establish separate businesses, or develop products or services related to our expertise in certain areas, depends largely upon the feedback from what we've already shared.

I've never heard from a successful entrepreneur who decided to take a job with a company doing what they do for their own business every day. In some instances that might constitute a conflict of interest. It's also highly unlikely they'd ever earn what they could on their own.

The other possible angle for this question might be from the individual who already has a work at home job and wants to develop a work at home business. While on the surface there is nothing wrong with this situation, it would be wise to set a few guidelines up front.

1. Will there be any conflict of interest?
2. Are they prepared to endure a longer startup phase?
3. Do they still plan an exit strategy that allows them to fire their boss?

Someone who designs web sites for Conglomerate Web Designs, for instance, and intends to start a work at home business designing web sites, may have some legal issues. Very often employees aren't aware of the fine print lawyers write to protect large corporations. That web designer's work may legally belong to the company. It's always best to verify what constitutes a conflict of interest with your employer before starting a business.

I witnessed employers arresting people for using company equipment for private business purposes. This happened inside a corporate office but a work at home job can also involve the use of company equipment.

All of the people I know with a work at home job put in the same number of hours except for those saved in travel time. Sometimes that isn't even the case because of late business calls and appointments.

Without outsourcing some of the work, the time it will take to get a work at home business up and running while performing a work at home job will be substantial. After working a job all day, their energy level and creativity will diminish. It takes a great deal of motivation to focus for another three to four hours.

Setting up and running a work at home business can be accomplished even without putting in the full day. Setting up and complying to a strict schedule is essential. Ensure that enough time is allotted for sleep and down time. Make goals that are realistic, based upon the hours the schedule allows.

The most important goal for a business minded individual is eliminating the need for an employer. That could be the day that the profits from the work at home business surpass that old paycheck. Even if the salary is great, the primary purpose of creating a new lifestyle always includes an increase in personal time.

So you don't need a work at home job, but if you have one, and you seriously want a work at home business, make the commitment that it will only be temporary. Napoleon Hill taught me that any source for retreat competes with my mind's ability to maintain a burning desire to win.