| After buying their first home, Debra Cohen and her | | | | earnings in the first year were almost $30,000. |
| husband faced the unenviable chore of finding reliable | | | | Today, Home Remedies is a contractor referral |
| home improvement contractors. Fed up with blindly | | | | service that matches home-owners with reliable |
| picking names from the Yellow Pages and waiting for | | | | home-repair workers. The appeal to customers is |
| contractors who didn't show up, it occurred to Cohen | | | | that the company takes on the time-consuming task |
| that if she and her husband were having trouble | | | | of locating and screening qualified contractors, |
| finding contractors, other homeowners in their | | | | checking to make sure they're adequately insured |
| community must be facing a similar predicament. This | | | | and licensed, and serving as a liaison between the |
| bleak reality sparked the creation of a unique service | | | | contractor and the homeowner throughout the |
| that has since expanded into a profitable cottage | | | | course of a job. Home Remedies provides a win-win |
| industry across the U.S. and internationally. | | | | situation for both parties: Services are provided free |
| After extensive conversations with lawyers, business | | | | of charge to the homeowner, and contractors |
| consultants, contractors and insurance agents, Cohen, | | | | represented by Home Remedies only pay a |
| 38, started Hewlett, New York-based Home | | | | commission for any work they secure. |
| Remedies of NY Inc. from her home in February | | | | At first, Cohen worked approximately 15 hours to 20 |
| 1997. This stay-at-home mom used a $5,000 loan, a | | | | hours per week; she now works about 30 hours per |
| computer and a refurbished fax machine to launch | | | | week. Last year, sales for Home Remedies exceeded |
| her part-time business. Right away, the response | | | | $100,000. Cohen earns additional income by selling |
| from homeowners was tremendous, and after three | | | | manuals and packages on how to get started in the |
| months in business, she repaid her loan. Her gross | | | | referral business. |