Starting Another Business?

For years I’ve been country living with a city paycheck, while working at home in a variety of capacities.

It began with freelancing, then consultation only for a select group of clients (most of them a spillover from my freelancing assignments), then business registration and creating my own mini-empire on the farm.

Yes, there was a spell in there (and secretly it always drove me a little nuts) when I’d work one-on-one with friends helping them to create hobby websites that they had no motivation to turn into a little income generator for themselves.

It’s sad really to see the knowledge inside of them that could have been put online to benefit others or to give them a second income - only to be lost to lack of motivation and discipline. Available time has nothing to do with it either since I know full well how many hours they spent in front of the idiot box every night or fretting about being late for their scrapbook meetings while their husbands slaved in the bush all day!

The relationships I didn’t mind developing website for were the ones built for friends who ‘got it’. They understood what an online presence could do for their offline business, that it was practically free advertising, that, if done correctly, could bring multiple repeat buyers into their stores every week.

I love those who have drive and determination to make a success out of themselves. It’s not that I loathe the non-driven person - in fact it is more that I grieve for them. They hate (or at best, tolerate) their jobs, their personal and meaningless ruts (like the ranting mother-in-law fretting over missing the most important appointment of her week - the scrapbook meeting!).

They hate or loathe the commute, leaving their children with baby sitters, and so on - but they can’t see that there’s a better way. Their way works for their friends, worked for their parents, works for their neighbors - but does it really? Does it really work if every one is simply tolerating or loathing their 40 hour a week existance?

Having my own online business for the past 9 years I’m well aware of the opportunities and growth potential, and the freedom that an online, semi-automated, business represents. I’m also well aware of the sacrifices in getting it going, keeping it going and sticking with it.

But lately, I’ve had an itch for a new type of business. One that’s not so secluded, one that involves a team where the entire lot doesn’t all fall on my shoulders anymore. Perhaps I’m getting tired but I think I’m just learning to work smarter as the years pass.

Oh, this business will still be internet related. And it will still focus on helping the business-minded (they’re my passion) and the ones who may not have the experience but definately have the drive. I’ve just got to find the time to get it off the ground.

I’ll also have to consider, before I begin, a smart exit plan that still supports the team even though I won’t physically be here - since one of my goals is to move 3 provinces away in the next year.

Women and Home Based Business

As mentioned in an earlier article, not everyone can work at home successfully.

• Not because they don’t have the skills.
• Not because they don’t have the contacts.
• Not because they don’t know enough about home business.

None of those reasons actually.

The reasons most often cited by people who simply can’t work at home are highly personal issues. Here are a few I’m used to hearing from friends who say they’d love to work at home, except for…

• the seclusion
• the distractions
• their lack of motivation
• and, for work at home women, the ‘classification’ of being thought of as a ‘housewife’

It’s my opinion that if you want something bad enough, any of these excuses can be challenged and overcome.

Apparently they are being overcome by thousands of women every year! Running a home based business is now one of the fastest growing employment trends in the US and Canada. People just like you and I start out by freelancing and over time turn those freelance assignments into a home-based business with all the benefits (tax deductions, freedom to work from anywhere in the world, etc.)

The biggest obstacle for most to overcome is deciding what field to freelance in. Not all existing careers can be re-purposed into freelance assignments, but most can. Of course you may feel burnt out from your existing career, so this might not even be a consideration…

Any sales positions, administrative positions, or consulting careers all transfer to the freelance field easily. Careers with a leg in creativity also far well (think interior design, graphic design and writing).

Work at Home Moms and Money

Although most of us consider the money we’ll make (and save) by freelancing, there are added costs to working from home that aren’t always factored in from the start.

New mothers often get caught here. They start a home based business to save on childcare, but find that they still need to hire babysitters to perform some of their business activities anyway. Health insurance (for those living in the US) is another major consideration. Where once this was covered or partially covered by an employer, it now has to come out of your pocket and factored in as a necessary expense.

Working at home with children is not always as easy as it seems and it doesn’t matter if you have one child or more, although it does help if your children get along well or if one is older and responsible enough to understand and help look after their younger siblings.

If you do have a young child that isn’t in school yet, it may be difficult to work when they are awake. This can mean lots of busy naptimes and late nights to get your projects done when they are sleeping. This was my personal experience anyway. As a single mom of a bright and energetic baby I had to stay up and work nights to keep the money coming in. In the first five years of her life I think I shaved 10 off my own - but it was what I had to do and the benefits today speak for themselves.

If you have a supportive family (I didn’t) they might be willing to help out from time to time by day trips, sleepovers, or by simply running your errands for you. As your child grows and learns to amuse themselves for longer periods of time the trouble of time diminishes - just be sure to never prop them up in front of the television all day or you’ll end up feeling guilty and a child who can’t ever amuse themselves without outside stimulus.

Conclusion of Home Based Business for Women

Is a home based business (beginning with freelance assignments) right for you? I can’t say and perhaps neither can you until you try it. It was hard, and exhausting, and there were days when I thought I couldn’t go on one more day this way - but in the end it was all worth it, every single aspect.

A Reader Writes About Freelancing

I’ve just picked up an email from one of my loyal readers…

She thinks she might like to freelance from home - with repeat clients (that’s how I did it and it makes working so much nicer), but doesn’t know what steps to take to get started.

I suppose there are many people who have similar thoughts so I’ve decided to write more about freelancing for a few days. It sure takes my mind off the garage anyway!

First off, apart from shelling out a whopping $7 for a great ebook on the subject (see: Freelancing Online, which will take you to the knowledge and inside information that gets you making money quicker, I’ll write a few tips about my own journey.

Freelancing is a lot like any other legitimate home based business. Right through to tax season where you are able to write off a portion of your rent or mortgage, a portion of your internet connection fee, a portion of your travel (when it’s business related, etc.) and much more.

I won’t go into all the tax savings and why doing business from home is just sound economic sense because I don’t want to make myself liable for other people’s lack of knowledge on taxes - please consult an accountant or grab a great book on saving on taxes with a home based business.

Let’s get back on track…

One of the first things you want to do once you’ve decided what freelance jobs to take is to create a resume. I know, I know, we all hate doing them and when you’re in business for yourself you shouldn’t have to create a resume, but it is the quickest route to landing the freelance job you’ve set your sights on. It’s your introduction, so to speak, to the client.

Clients who Hire Freelancers Want A Resume

Your freelancing resume might include samples of your work, past experience, and any special training you’ve had - relevant to the job. And never forget testimonials or letters of reference if you have them! Nothing beats that form of ’social proof’.

Again, there are pages in the ebook on crafting the best freelance job resume - a resume created to impress your potential online clients. Without the book though, I’m sure you can put yourself in the client’s shoes and create a resume that you’d want to read if you were in their situation.

A Few Tips for a Professional Online Resume

Keep your resume looking nice, easy to read, and your introductions personable. Especially so if you’re hoping to keep that client as a repeat customer of your services.

You should appear trustworthy, efficienct and dedicated to your work. You should always submit your query or resume well before the deadline. Deadlines online are of the utmost importance! If you can’t apply on time, chances are good you won’t have their assignment done on time.

That’s all for today, stop back in again tomorrow and we’ll talk about how to land that freelance job you saw online.

Paying for Renos with Freelance Jobs

If you’ve been following along you know that we’re currently financing the renovation of our garage. You’ll also know that I’ve managed to keep it all under budget - somehow.

But when I was surfing online for ideas and inspiration there were a few ‘extras’ I’d hoped to pick up to make that garage even better. It’s probably no surprise to you then that I enjoy shopping in the country store - for the cheapest deals.

Sally - my expert on garage renos and excellent friend - asked me how I was paying for it all, since she’s never seen me actually work. Which brought me to an hour long discussion on what I actually do for a living - since there’s little chance farming is bringing in the extra money!

Making Money from Home

I started, hmmm, over 10 years ago now, freelancing online. Back when the internet was still a relative infant and before a person could pick up a lot of jobs here and there, just by surfing for them. By the way there’s an excellent guide to freelancing selling for just $7 here.

The truth is I seldom freelance anymore. Mostly I manage my websites and collect residuals from a business opportunity I’m involved in. I’ll tell you all about that some other day, but for the person who is interested in freelancing online for cash, I’ll continue the lesson…

Freelancing, at the time, allowed me the freedom to raise my daughter. As a single mom in a strange town I knew that finding a job, finding a babysitter and driving the wintry country roads here were not an option to a joyful life. I wanted to be my own boss, but I didn’t know what kind of business to start. I needed my own hours, but I didn’t know what to fill those hours with - that would pay.

For years I loved freelancing. I worked in my sweats and pyjamas, I could stop working and attend to my daughter when necessary, and after a few months at it, I started to set my own rates.

Is Freelancing from Home right for You?

Let’s be clear about one trap of freelancing that most people fall into. Being able to make your own hours does not mean loafing in front of the television all day - then trying to cram a few hours in at night when you’re too tired to think straight. It takes a lot of motivation and discipline to ensure you get hours of work done each day, or at least meet your deadline. Can you be your own boss? You bet you can, but you have to be tough on yourself. Don’t work, don’t get paid.

It all started when I decided I didn’t want to live and raise my daughter in downtown Toronto. Freelancing gave me the freedom to take off with her and live wherever. We came to rural Ontario, but in reality we could have gone anywhere. All that was needed was a phone, a computer, and an internet connection.

If you think this lifestyle might work for you, if you think you’d like to freelance from home, and if you think you can motivate yourself to complete the tasks assigned on time, at your own rate, you should consider it. However, do not quit your day job immediately and hope to make $10,000 next month. Better yet to start slow, work your way through to replacing your current salary and then make the decision to freelance full time. If you work hard for a few weeks at this it all happens rather quickly, so don’t be discouraged. Jobs online abound. The potential for great money is real. (Just please don’t get sucked into those envelope stuffing, survey-answering, jewelry-making, scams while you research this! Better if you just invest the $7 in yourself and pick up that freelancing ebook.)

The market for freelancers is growing in leaps and bounds.

Paying for the Renovations with Freelance Income

Do I need a little extra cash to buy the extras I want for my garage? Yes I do and I’ll earn it with a freelance assignment and have the money in hand next week. It’s freedom beyond imagination. It is, in my opinion, the only ‘fun’ way to ‘work’.