This real life work at home mom tells about the most frequent advice she gives people who want to work from home too. Most notably, the first solution is NOT to purchase a pre packaged business opportunity. Instead, look to what you’re already doing. Plus note how she turns out of town job offers into freelance opportunities.
Great article. Be sure to click through and read the whole thing!
From the Poughkeepsie Journal
Whether it’s an ex-full-time marketer who wants to start her own consulting business, or one of my existing clients who happens to own the company but wants to run it remotely, the bottom line is the same. Most moms want the flexibility and freedom to work from home.
The tricky part about this is that there’s no one right way to start a home business and/or figure out how to successfully work from home. Each person’s situation is different and not every job lends itself well to working remotely. If the latter is the case, learning a new skill may be the only way to realize your dream of working from home.
Here are some of the most frequent suggestions I find myself giving people.
Work with what you’ve got. Are you already working full time or part time? Is there any component of your job that lends itself to working remotely? For example, are you on the phone frequently, or online a lot? Do you create spreadsheets, plan projects, edit or write copy, program code or do any number of things that could qualify as a “behind the scenes” position that you could do just as easily from a home office? If so, then pitch the idea to your boss that you’d like to work from home full or part time. Explain the benefits to the company - often this includes higher productivity (due to less interruptions), and possibly less investment for the company (e.g., in office equipment, software and even desk space).
Expand your job search beyond your own town. In last week’s article I mentioned that one tactic I used to use when I was starting out was to review job positions in industry newsletters and job sites and send an introductory letter offering myself as a freelancer. I would often express interest in the job, but explain that I wasn’t interested in relocating at the moment. I would then point them to my Web site, and attach my resumé. I often got a great response from using this tactic. By reviewing job boards and industry Web sites, you can expand your job search way beyond the town where you live.
Think about what you know how to do and how it can earn you money. Do you like to make jewelry? You can make money from selling it and teaching others how to make it. Do you play an instrument or sing? You can teach lessons from within your home, or get involved in one of the many home-based music courses such as Kindermusik. Love dogs? Learn about dog grooming and how you can get started doing it. Love writing? Copywriters are in high demand, particularly for Web projects. The list is endless.
John McDougall on February 25th, 2007 at 8:55 am
Great article, GREAT advice.
But…
there is a common thread with new entrepreneurs – if they are going to make the jump into self employment, they usually want to do something completely different.
Chances are that they are also ready to make a move NOW.
For those folks, one of the strengths of purchasing a GOOD pre packaged business opportunity is that their risk can be minimized. Product development is complete; vendors are in line, fulfillment and systems in place, procedures and training have been tested, and an expansion and continuity programs exist.
Passion about a new product or service can become the fuel for the implementation of a process that can bring fantastic results. Modifying the process to suit one’s needs makes it all the better, and personalizes it.
Either way it takes a lot of work, time and a willingness to learn. The upside to a pre packaged business may be the ability to hit the ground running, without having to go through the trial and error of going it alone.
Chuck on February 25th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
In my experience there is a difference between the people who WANT to work at home and do something “completely different” and the people who ARE working at home because they were able to transition from their current work into something in home.
Usually the desire to do something “completely different” - in my experience - means “it’s not going to happen”. This isn’t true all the time, but a bunch of the time!
Joe C on February 25th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Make sure you purchase Home business information after doing your research.
Eve Sheridan on February 26th, 2007 at 1:54 am
For any project such as starting a business, planning is of the utmost importance. Successful business people understand the importance of project management methodology. When you are ready to launch into a new business, have the right planning tools such as software by MPMM and you will be more likely to be successful.
Ebay Tools MD on March 2nd, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I completely agree, if someone else is selling the prepackaged opportunity, millions are doing the same thing. Get a competitive advantage….