WFAA-TV

Many people dream of owning their own business or working from home.

There are real opportunities - if you're serious.

Consider an at-home call center.

Individuals work for companies that route customer calls to their homes.

You can set your own hours - all you need is a phone, a pleasant voice, a quiet place to take calls and high-speed internet access.

We're all familiar with eBay and Yahoo.

If you've never sold anything before - both websites have a "getting started" place to click on.

Start small by getting rid of items in your home you don't want anymore.

A tip?

Sell items you'd be interested in yourself and go from there.

Serious sellers look for deep discount sales at stores, then turn a profit in online auctions.

Mystery shoppers - the position is real if you know who to talk to.

Secret shoppers are typically paid from $5 to $100 dollars to pose as average customers then critique a store or business.

The range for filling out surveys or participating in focus groups can be even wider, from a few dollars to a few hundred bucks a shot.

Companies look for reliable, detail-oriented people and tend to reward those who consistently perform well.

And finally, consider other home-based businesses, like house-sitting, dog-walking or an errand service.

You may only need to look as far as your busy next door neighbor who is ready to pay for your help.

Home-based workers say the best thing to keep in mind is self-discipline.

Work in a room that has a door so you can shut yourself off from distractions.

Remember - the job will only pay off if you're dedicated.