Home-based business

The hook is groceries and gas.

They are two staples millions of Americans buy often. A relatively new network marketing company - MPB Today - realized that and has created a program to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for groceries and gas.

The way it works with MPB Today is a person prepays groceries, one time, for $200. That person shares the concept with two other people. If they participate, the first person receives a $200 gift card. That person is also paid $100.

Vickie Boling represents the company. Boling said the opportunity is great now due to the anticipated increase in the cost of food and gas.

She believes there is another reason why the home grocery delivery industry is going to take off.

"The top of the baby boomers are now 65," Boling said. "They are to the point now they do not want to buy groceries; they do not want to shop. They want to do other things."

MPB Today was featured last month in the Network Marketing Business Journal under the heading "Successful Home Businesses." The story said the company, which started in June of last year, has attracted more than 47,000 customers. It went on to say the home grocery delivery industry is expected to reach $85 billion within the next five to 10 years.

"I love it," she said. "I enjoy making a difference with people."

The tax deductions are good, according to Boling. She said she can write off 80 percent of her telephone bill and all of the room at home that is used for the business.

Boling, who has been involved in a couple of home-based businesses, urges people to do research before getting into that type of business.

"It is basically like going to school," she said. "Do you stay in first grade? No, what you learn in first grade you grow on... You become smarter. The people that survive become smarter."

Boling said it is important to be motivated and willing to work in order to be successful.

"There are no franchises, there are no borders to a home-based business," Boling said.

Jim and Ginger Horak are also promoting MPB Today.

Raised in Minnesota, Jim has worked in other jobs, but has primarily been in the car business. He said he was a mechanic, built stock cars and owned a couple of used car lots selling muscle cars.

He noted he has some 30 years in marketing and that has proven to be beneficial.

MPB Today is a word-of-mouth business, and Horak said he has primarily told friends and family about it. Horak added there are different ways to make contacts including the Internet and handing out fliers.

With the economy the way it is and families struggling, Horak said he and others like the aspect that they can help a lot of people with MPB Today.

"I like people; I like dealing with people and helping them succeed," he said.

"The part I like, for one thing, is getting a check," Ginger Horak said. "And the Walmart card, that is awesome. I can go and get things that are not on my list."

The Horaks spend several months during the winter at Henderson's Fish Camp on Lake Istokpoga.

They enjoy that there are no set hours. Jim said one afternoon he wanted to go fishing and that's what they did.

"We take off anytime we want and do anything we want," he said. "It's got all the freedom we ever asked for and still be able to make some money."

Jim Horak said MLM Rankings.com has ranked MPB Today No. 1 in performance percentage based on percentage increase in the last six months among home-based companies.

Jim Horak has been impressed with the company.

""I haven't seen them make one mistake or do anything wrong to anybody," he said. "They want everybody to succeed."

Andrea VanderKlok was involved with ItWorks! for four months, selling supplements, body wraps and skin care products.

Although she has another job, she said she was interested in health and wellness and wanted to do "my own thing."

VanderKlok said she liked to tell people about the products, but she wasn't "a recruiter."

Spending the time, especially in the beginning, is important to set up the business. VanderKlok said it is helpful to have a network to get started, noting that she moved to Sebring in 2009.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are now over 18.3 million home-based businesses in the United States.

According to the Small Business Administration more than half of all the small businesses in the U.S. are home-based.