By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

In the last two months, the numbers have staggered the metro Atlanta region: Coca Cola laying off 6,000 workers, BellSouth laying off more than 2,000.

With job uncertainty growing more prevalent, more workers are taking their future in their own hands and striking out on their own with a home-based business.

Last year in Fayette County, there were 900 home businesses, according to the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce. But Darrel Hall, who is co-chair of the Chamber's Home Based Business Council, said he's heard that there are now more than 1,200 in the county.

The reasons are numerous. Many companies are letting employees work at home to cut down on traffic congestion and air pollution, but many people are just deciding take their future into their own hands.

Hall worked in the hospital industry for 15 years and was dumped in a corporate cutback. He vowed that would never happen again and started a Web site design company, which is growing by leaps and bounds.

Nationally, he said there are 37 million home businesses and the number is expected to jump to 50 million by 2002.

Home businesses come in all shapes and sizes. In Fayette County, businesses range from photographers to realtors and insurance companies.

The key factor in many people striking out on their own is the technology available today. With the Internet playing a bigger role in today's business community, the world is growing smaller and it's far easier to manage a home business.

If you want to start a business in the comfy confines of your home, make sure to check the regulations in your town or county first. The county's municipalities all have different regulations, but all try and maintain the residential character of the neighborhood.

If you're successful, Hall said, there's no better feeling.

“I'm like that woman in Gone With the Wind. I'll never be hungry again.”

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