More working Americans than ever are victims, or about-to-be victims, of downsizing; also known as "reduction in force", "made redundant" or "your job just went overseas." Scary questions begin to arise: Where do I go from here? How am I going to make my mortgage payment?

For a laid-off worker who doesn't have bright prospects of replacing his or her job, there is a possibility not to be overlooked: why not go into business for yourself? For those still in jobs but fearful of losing them (the signs are usually evident) there is the possibility of starting a moonlight business now, while still working. As Harvey McKay has said, "Find something you love to do and you'll never have to work a day in you life."

Here is a list of top ten do's and don'ts for people in transition, provided by www.myownbusiness.org, a 14-session on-line course conducted as a public service to point out the basic do-s and don'ts for start-up businesses.