For today’s mompreneur, finding quality childcare is extremely important. No matter how many hours a week you plan to put into your business, you need to make time to focus on your business and your business alone at some point every week to make it work. Hiring a nanny can be a great option for mompreneurs that need flexible childcare, but selecting the right nanny can be a challenge. In this post, Candi Wingate, nanny expert and President of Nannies4hire.com, highlights some of the most important things you should consider when selecting a new nanny for your children.
1. The nanny should be able to relate easily and bond well with your children while also maintaining a clear distinction from them. Nannies must be able to play with and enjoy your children (which can often be construed by the child as peer-level interaction) while also maintaining discipline. It is easy for a nanny (and a parent) to feel more comfortable in one role or the other: to be most comfortable being friends with the children, or to be most comfortable supervising the children and redirecting their errant behaviors. Parents and nannies must have a shared understanding of how to navigate both roles successfully and strike a balance between peer-level interaction and parent-level interaction with the children.
2. The nanny must be able to relate with your family and administer discipline to your children in a manner that is appropriate and consistent with your family’s boundaries. You and your nanny should discuss, prior to hiring, the discipline style that your family would like the nanny to use.
3. The nanny should have years of experience, solid references from prior employer-families, a clean background (pursuant to background checks), and completed training on nanny basics (CPR, first aid, the Heimlich maneuver, basic nutrition and food preparation, and general personal and home hygiene). Background checks may be obtained through Nannies4hire.com. If you need your nanny to drive, then your nanny should have a valid driver’s license and a clean (or as close to clean as possible) driving record.
4. The nanny should be able to develop and carry out fun, creative, and educational experiences for your child.
5. The nanny should be capable of handling small “crises” on his/her own. You and your nanny should come to an agreement about what issues may warrant a call to you and what issues the nanny is authorized to handle on his/her own. Your nanny should be able to act comfortably within the boundaries you have provided.
6. The nanny should be able to commit to your family for an extended period of time (unless your needs require less). Children often become attached to their nannies. When nannies leave, children often experience grief associated with that separation. Therefore, it is advantageous to hire a nanny who will be able to stay with your children for an extended amount of time.
7. The nanny’s expectations regarding terms and conditions of employment should be close to the terms and conditions of employment that you are offering. If you are seeking a live-in nanny, a prospective nanny that seeks a live-out arrangement may not be a good fit for your family. If you wish to hire a nanny in a smoking home, a non-smoking prospective nanny may not be a good fit for your family. Pay rates for nannies should be discussed up front to ensure that the prospective nannies are willing to work for the income you offer.
8. The nanny should not have fears or concerns about the non-negotiable aspects of the job with your family. If you have a cat, and your prospective nanny is severely allergic to cats, the prospective nanny may not be a good fit for your family. (Side note: some allergic reactions can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications or other accommodations that may be used by the allergic nanny.)
9. The nanny should be a positive, loving influence in your household.
Candi Wingate owns and operates Nannies4hire.com, Care4hire,com, Babysitters4hire.com and A Nanny Placement Agency. Candi herself is also a former nanny and a mother who currently employs a nanny to help out with her children. In sum, Candi knows nannies! To reach her, visit: Nannies4hire.com.
Contributed by: Jenny Finke, U.S. founder of HandleYourOwnPR.com
As a woman entrepreneur just starting out, your to-do list can be endless. Promoting your company is definitely on your list, but where do you start? There’s traditional media, social media, advertising, blogs, TV, magazines, etc. The possibilities go on and on. Resources are tight, so you need to know where to begin.
To help strengthen and simplify your PR to-do list, here are six key things to keep top of mind:
1) Get Your House in Order. It’s important to be sure you have your key items lined up such as a professional website, press materials (bios, company backgrounder, fact sheets), key messages, and images. Be sure to have all of these materials on hand, and post these documents online in an “About Us” or “Press” section of your site. That way they are easily accessible to media and you have a place to direct people for more information.
2. Prepare Your Pitch. Everyone has a story to tell…what’s yours? It’s crucial to find your unique story beyond just a press release. Reporters want to know why your company is different and what you have to offer that is worthy of writing about. The best way to tell your story is to think about how you help others. People often think their story is about them, but the real story may be about the people your company helps. Or it could be about the struggles you went through to found this business. Get to the heart of your story and stay away from being overly promotional.
3. Target Your Outreach. Once your pitch/story is prepared, you need a targeted media list. This can be done in a few ways:
- Through a subscription database such as Cision or Vocus (this can be pricey, but useful if you’re building a lot of media lists)
- Conducting your own research. Decide your top targets and visit their sites and/or read their publications to find out the best person to contact for you and your story. Finding the right journalist to pitch is one of the most important factors in getting press.
- Enlists a service such as HandleYourOwnPR.com that offers affordable media lists available for immediate download. You can also hire them to create a custom list for you.
4. Start Local. A great way to get regional or national attention is to first start local. Begin your media outreach on a local level with newspapers, TV, local websites, etc. Most cities have someone who covers local news – companies, profiles, interesting stories, etc. Once you have hit it on the local level it’s time to expand your circle.
5. Gain Momentum & Stay Committed. PR can take a while so it’s essential to not give up. PR is a commitment, a long-term, ongoing to-do, so if you don’t see results after a month or two – keep going. It takes some time to gain momentum and get noticed. Also, if you get rejected, put it behind you and move forward. There is plenty of PR for everyone out there. Be assertive, but not aggressive.
6. Use What You Got – PR isn’t just about getting press to write about or feature you. It’s also about engaging consumers and creating a community online through sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Another great way to reach your customers regularly is through an e-newsletter or blog. Write about your company and what is new. Offer them inside scoop, deals/discounts, etc. to make them feel a part of things.
Being an entrepreneur can be scary at times as there is never enough time in the day, but just remember hard works pays off in the end. PR takes time and is something you earn. Stay focused and in the end you’ll be rewarded handsomely.
Jenny Finke is the U.S. founder of HandleYourOwnPR.com, a website that provides DIY PR advice and tools, including media lists. She also is the founder of a full service PR agency, Red Jeweled Media. Please find her at www.HandleYourOwnPR.com and www.RedJeweledMedia.com.
Today’s Superwoman: The Special Mompreneur
An Interview with Marla Murasko
For most moms, balancing a family and a business is tough stuff. When you add managing the needs of a special needs child to the mix, it’s hard to imagine it could all be possible! That’s why I was so glad to meet special mompreneur, Marla Murasko, who is successfully managing a business, a family and the needs of her special needs son while also building a network for others in her same situation.
Read on to learn more. I have no doubt you’ll be inspired by her ingenuity and resourcefulness!
Noelle:
What were you doing before you became a mompreneur?
Marla:
Before I became a mompreneur I worked for Johnson & Johnson in the sales and marketing department for almost 11 years. When my family relocated, I left Johnson & Johnson to become an administrative assistant at a preschool which I absolutely loved! However, I realized that my husband’s job was going to force us to relocate every three to four years and I wasn’t keen on looking for a new job every time we moved, so I began to look for ways I could do what I was doing from a home office.
Noelle:
How did your previous roles impact the businesses you run today?
Marla:
I carried over a lot skills from my former jobs to my current businesses. I learned a lot about marketing and sales being in the those departments. I also learned how to work with people and to address their needs effectively and efficiently. I also like to be creative and to plan things – like events and I enjoy coordinating projects.
Noelle:
What steps did you take in transitioning into a full time freelance virtual assistant?
Marla:
Well, I definitely took my time with the transition. Any big jump like this is scary – and it takes time. I did lots of research on the Internet and before I launched my own business, I actually found a job as a regional administrative assistance for a company based out of California that allowed me to work from home. This was great as I really got the chance to learn what it was like to work from home before actually launching my own business. I realized I could do it and so I did some more online research and stumbled upon the wonderful world of virtual assistants (VA). Then I started ExecuEssential Administrative Services.
Noelle:
Wow, it sounds like you have really spent your time researching the field and that you have a lot of experience in the area now. Are there some resources you can recommend for others interested in learning more about being a VA?
Marla:
Yes, I definitely did my research. Six years ago when I began looking into work from home opportunities, the VA field wasn’t nearly as established as it is now. I really had to look for information. Today there’s a lot more information on the field out there, but I recommend two sites. One is www.vanetworking.com. This is something I am a member of and find value in. The other site is www.vaclassroom.com. This is where I go to keep up with the competition. It offers plenty of great training opportunities. There are many great networking groups that you can join, and social media today makes it very easy to find the information and the training needed to become a small business entrepreneur.
Noelle:
Great! Let’s circle back to a few things you said earlier. You mentioned that your husband’s job requires you to move a lot. Have you been able to keep your clients as you’ve relocated?
Marla:
Well, yes and no. I have some long term clients that I’ve kept for years, but I have found that VA work is very project-oriented – which means clients come and go. I like this about the field because it means that you are always meeting new people and always working on new projects. In a traditional administrative role, that wouldn’t be the case. You’d work with the same people from 9 to 5 everyday and many of your tasks would be repetitive.
Noelle:
What were the biggest challenges you faced in adjusting to owning your own business?
Marla:
Owning your own business is fun and exciting, but it’s a lot of hard work. You basically have to wear all the hats from marketing and sales to being your own IT department (computer person). It takes a lot of hard work, time and dedication, and it doesn’t come easy. It can take some people a long time to become “comfortable” working from home. And the whole concept of social media can either hurt you or help you. You have to invest and stay fresh with your skills and new technology to stay competitive.
Noelle:
Yes, I agree – it’s really important to stay current in your field, but this can be hard to do when you have limited time and resources. Has the investment been worth it?
Marla:
Definitely. As I stated before you have to have dedication and be really savvy in the “social media” world. This takes time and money, but in the end, if done correctly, this can offer a real return on your investment.
Noelle:
That’s great. I too have had to invest time and money in understanding social media. It wasn’t out there 10 to 15 years ago when I started my marketing career! How has mompreneurship impacted your role as a mother?
Marla:
It’s been wonderful. Being a mompreneur allows me to remain creative and driven. It provides me a real sense of accomplishment. Plus, as a mom of a special needs child, it really gives me the flexibility I need to take my son to therapy, doctor appointments, school, etc. It would be very hard in a 9 to 5 environment to get the time off needed for all the therapy required. It’s very rewarding.
However, there are whole new set of needs that come up when you run your own business, and I don’t think people are aware of this when they decide to start a business from home! You have to be extremely disciplined to succeed.
Noelle:
Oh, I couldn’t agree more. I think people think they are going to have a lot more free time when they start working from home, but in reality you take on so much more when you have your own business – I think you can easily wind up with less free time! What in your opinion is the biggest time sucker?
Marla:
I’d say it’s promoting yourself. I can easily get the work done for my clients, but effectively promoting my business can be tough! When you have your own business, you have to be constantly promoting yourself which is a pressure you don’t have in a 9 to 5 job.
Noelle:
Yes, it can be extremely draining, and personally I think its one reason many small businesses fail. Sales and marketing are a lot harder than people think they are! What words of advice do you have for other aspiring mompreneurs?
Marla:
Be realistic with yourself. Be clear on how much time and money you are willing to commit to your venture and be honest about the level of passion you have for the venture. You need to be true to yourself – if you’re just starting a business so you can work from home and your heart really isn’t in it – you will fail. There has to be a real passion and a real commitment.
Noelle:
Speaking of passion, tell me a little about your new venture, Special MompreneursTM.
Marla:
Sure! Being a small business entrepreneur and a mother of special needs child, I have a real passion to empower other moms that are looking to start a business. I have learned that getting advice and support from people who “wear the same shoes as you”, makes it is easier for you to be honest and more receptive, as you know they can relate to your everyday struggles. So, as an advocate for special needs children, I have also become an advocate for the mothers who love and care for these children. I want them to realize that they too can become a small business entrepreneur if that is a dream they want to pursue.
Noelle:
Why did you start the group?
Marla:
I started the group because I found that although there were a lot of great networking groups for mompreneurs, these sites didn’t have what I needed from a ‘special mom’s perspective’. I wanted advice on how to manage my time and my clients while also dealing with the needs of my special needs child. And, when I went to sites focused on the special needs themselves, such as sites covering downs syndrome or autism, I wasn’t finding the information I needed from a business perspective. When I didn’t find what I was looking for, I started my own site!
Noelle:
That’s great. What can members expect to find on the site?
Marla:
Special MompreneursTM is is a “one-stop shop” online community of Mompreneurs, who have started their own businesses while staying home to care for a special needs child. We provide inspiration, support and share our experiences both personally and professionally. We respect and value each other. Being a member of Special Mompreneurs brings real benefits. You can come to one place, find information about special needs, network with other moms, and learn ways to run a business. We provide an e-commerce shop of products, an e-learning campus and a panel of advisors that you can reach out to for advice.
Noelle:
I think it’s wonderful and I think you have stumbled upon an important niche. I am so glad to be working with you and the moms in your group! How can other interested mompreneurs get involved?
Marla:
Go to my site at http://marlamurasko.com/special-mompreneurs/ and become a member. We offer a 30 day free trial membership so that you can experience what being a member of Special Mompreneurs is all about before you join.
Noelle:
In addition to your site, what other resources do you recommend for mompreneurs?
Marla:
I have two that are my favorites. One is the www.themomentrepreneur.com and the other is www.twittermoms.com.
Noelle:
Thanks so much for your time today Marla! I think you are a huge inspiration for other aspiring mompreneurs!
If you have children and you’re thinking of launching your own business, you need to start thinking about—and planning for—childcare options. In my opinion, childcare can be one of the biggest obstacles a mompreneur faces!
I understand that many moms choose to launch their own businesses so that they can physically spend more time with their kids. A lot of the moms I interviewed for my book, The Smart Mompreneur, felt this way and several commented that putting their kids in a traditional daycare setting of any sort would completely undermine this goal. I respect this viewpoint, but I also strongly feel that whether you’re looking to run a part-time or a full-time business, you can’t be successful if you constantly have kids screaming in the background, wreaking havoc and running into your office every five minutes!
The reality is that small children are not going to keep quiet during business calls or take naps when you want to get work done. So if small children are a factor in your life, you should start thinking about childcare options as early as possible. You should also be sure to factor any potential childcare costs into your projected monthly income and expense projections. But, the good news is that when you work for yourself and have lots of flexibility, you can often get very creative and arrange childcare for a minimal cost or no cost at all!
When my first daughter was a newborn, I shared a nanny with another freelancer. This option afforded me an extreme level of care at a fraction of the traditional cost. Now that she is older, I’ve enrolled her in daycare three days a week. I found a great retiree that watches my younger daughter at her home while my older daughter is in school. She charges me less than a traditional nanny would since I bring my daughter to her home AND I now have my home office to myself three days a week!
This type of arrangement may or may not work for you, but I will say that these arrangements have consistently provided me with three days per week of quiet, uninterrupted time to focus on my business. On the days that my kids are home with me, I often check e-mail, schedule calls and complete urgent tasks during their naps, but for the most part, I try to limit my work to the days when I have reliable childcare.
Again, what works for me may or may not work for you, so I’m also providing you with a few other creative childcare options to consider:
Create a childcare co-op. A childcare co-op is basically a group of work-at-home parents that swap child-care duties. If you chose this option, keep track of the hours that you watch each child and make sure that everybody gets their fair amount of time. The benefit of this option is that you get free childcare. The downside is that you can’t work while you are watching other people’s children.
Organize a mom-swap. Instead of many people working together within a co-op, a mom-swap is basically you and a friend trading off childcare days. If you chose this option, make sure you set clear boundaries, so neither of you takes advantage of the other. It would also help if your kids get along well. If they don’t, this could be a nightmare.
Share a sitter with a friend. Have a sitter watch both of your children at the same time and split the costs. Here again, make sure that you communicate with your friend to avoid complications.
Barter services in exchange for child care. Pay the person caring for child with your services, rather then your money!
Locate an affordable mother’s morning out program. Many churches offer these programs, and you can enroll in more than one!
Regardless of the option(s) you choose, the bottom line is its important to be sure your children are cared for during the time you plan to work. Spread the word that you are looking for childcare and survey all your options. It may take some time and energy, but your investment will pay off when you find the best and most affordable childcare.
Do you have a creative childcare strategy to share? Post your comments here! I’ll also collate the information into a future post and send the mom with the most creative solution a $20 Starbucks card!
Traci Bisson is somewhat of an ‘an accidental entrepreneur’. She started her own business in August 2000 after the company she worked at for five years suddenly went out of business. When times got tight eight years later, Traci turned to social networking for support.
Lucky for us! When Traci couldn’t find just the right online networking group for her, she started her own site, The Mom Entrepreneur. Today this site is where mompreneurs in the know go for tips, advice and resources on balancing motherhood and running a business.
Read on to learn more…
Moms Helping Moms
An Interview with Traci Bisson
Noelle:
What initially led you to become an entrepreneur?
Traci:
I didn’t purposely set out to be an entrepreneur. In August 2000, the company I had been employed by for 5 years suddenly went out of business. This happened just 8 weeks after I returned from maternity leave – so the timing really could not have been worse. I was broke and unsure what to do but I had always loved to write and so I decided to try to make a go of being a freelance writer.
Noelle:
Wow, sometimes losing your job is the push you need to convince yourself its time to pursue a passion. How were your first months in business?
Traci:
It was tough at first. I spent my meager savings, a total of $18.49, on nice stationary from Staples and launched Bisson Barcelona, a freelance writing and marketing/public relations agency. I found a good niche to service – writers and authors – and ventured very deep into this industry.
Things were pretty stable until 2008, when I began to experience a lot of financial difficulties. It was a scary time and I began looking for ways to network with other mompreneurs who might be experiencing similar challenges. But, since I had small children and really didn’t have the ability to get out of my house, I decided to focus on online networking opportunities.
Noelle:
What type of opportunities did you find back in 2008?
Traci:
Back then I found bits and pieces, of what I was looking for, but not the entire package, so I started trying to put together my own group of mompreneurs. I tried organizing a small local group, but that failed. I don’t think mompreneurs have the time to physically get together and that’s why networking online makes so much sense.
Noelle:
I agree. I was reading recently that mompreneurs are really unique in the way they network and support one another. I am not sure people fully realized this a few years back though, so I think you were a real crusader!
Traci:
Yes, I guess you could say that. In the last couple of years, more communities for mompreneurs have popped up, but I think we are one of the only groups doing things the way we do it.
Noelle:
Have you always been into networking?
Traci:
Yes! Before I had kids I was a networking queen, I would go anywhere, at anytime, and meet with anyone and everyone! But after kids, it just wasn’t possible. Networking events always conflicted with a feeding schedule or a bus schedule or something. Online networking worked for me, and I guess I knew it would work for other mothers as well.
Noelle:
What can mompreneurs find on your site today?
Traci:
It’s really grown. It started out as a blog, but now there is a networking group and a co-op shop as well as tons of other resources.
Noelle:
It’s a really great site and I have personally found it really useful. What has been your biggest challenge in starting your own business?
Traci:
Oh, there have been so many! Balancing motherhood and a business is probably the biggest, but I’ve also had to deal with breaking up with a business partner and incurring great debt, yet I’m still here! The most important thing is that you learn from your mistakes and that you get wiser about where you go in business.
One important thing I learned as I went through some recent challenges is that marketing and public relations isn’t my passion. What I am doing with the mompreneurs is.
Noelle:
That’s great. I think every entrepreneur has an easier time when they are truly passionate about what they are doing. How has mompreneurship impacted your role as a mother? I think that there’s a myth that when you have your own business or you work from home, you will have a lot more free time. What do you think?
Traci:
Well, I don’t think I have more time with my kids on the whole, but I definitely have more quality time with them. I also have a lot of flexibility, and that is great.
Noelle:
How do you balance motherhood and a business?
Traci:
I try to train my clients and pick the right ones to begin with! It’s really important to have some structure. I have a message on my phone listing my office hours and indicating how long it will take me to return a call. That way my clients know what to expect.
I’m also really clear with my family – as to when they get me and when I need to be working. And, I am really lucky to have a great support group. My husband, my brother and my mother all really help out.
Noelle:
Yes, support is so key. And if you don’t have immediate family nearby, like me, you really need to get creative in building out a support network. What’s been your biggest surprise about mompreneurship?
Traci:
I am not sure there have been any big surprises, but I guess I’d say I was surprised by the overwhelming sense of freedom I felt when I left the corporate world behind. It felt like a huge sigh of relief to stop “working for the “man”.
Noelle:
Oh, I agree. Some days I really can’t believe how lucky I am to be able to make a living and enjoy such great freedom and flexibility. Do you have any advice for aspiring mompreneurs?
Traci:
I say if you are interested in being a mompreneur, go ahead and take the leap of faith! It’s kind of like what you hear when you are thinking about having a child. You can’t really read all you need to know in a book and you can’t fully prepare for it financially. You just need to go for it. Street knowledge really comes in handy.
I’d also say be sure to find some local support groups and get some business counseling. It’s really important to have an external team of people you can check in with.
Noelle:
Again, support really is key, especially when you are just getting started. I remember being full of self doubt when I was starting my business. I had some friends and colleagues that were real naysayers, but once I surrounded myself with the right group of women, women who had been there and done that, I began to believe I could succeed, and I did!
Are you seeing any trends in the market? If I am a mom looking to become self employed, where should I look?
Traci:
I’m seeing a lot of moms migrate to the virtual assistant industry. If you are a good multi-tasker, which many moms are, it’s an easy business to get started. And, based on your experience and knowledge, there is very likely a large target market for services.
I’m also seeing a great uptick in women getting into what I call “hobby businesses”. These are businesses you can start from home, like selling candles, Avon, or Send Out Cards. There is a whole system there and you are given great support and guidance. With all that structure its easy to be successful.
Noelle:
That’s a great idea. I so often think about service businesses being the easiest to start, I hadn’t really thought about hobby businesses. They really are great for moms!
In closing, tell me about some resources besides The Mom Entrepreneur, that you recommend for mompreneurs.
Traci:
Well, www.themomentrepreneur.com, is my favorite of course, but I also like Laura Galloway’s site, www.mombizcoach.com. She is a great business coach. She also has a radio show and a bunch of great videos on her site. And, I like Heather Allard’s site, www.themogulemom.com. She interviews a lot of great guests and features good business advice. Finally, when it comes to navigating the social networking scene in general, I love Chris Brogan too, www.chrisbrogan.com. I love social media and he is a real thought leader in this area.
Noelle:
Thanks so much for your time today Traci and thanks for all you do for the mompreneurs of the world!
Marketing is the life blood of any business – without it you simply won’t generate the revenue you need to STAY in business. However, marketing can be a scary process for some mompreneurs. It requires time and money, something we are often short of!
Lately, I’ve been collecting ideas on how to build and market my own business, and I thought I’d start sharing tips on free marketing and educational opportunities on this site. Here are a few I noticed over the past week. Check back soon for more!
Have A Story You Want to Share With Other Moms In Business?
Maybe you learned something you think others should know, or maybe you are an expert in a specific area and want to share your advice with other mom business owners. Write for Marketmommies.com! We are looking for moms to contribute to Marketmommies.com. We already have a great group of moms already at work – but would love to hear your story. Email: info@marketmommies.com, if you are interested in contributing!
Is your company Buzz Worthy?
Do you have a product/service that you feel is filling a niche in the market? How is your product different from your competition? For my Daily Buzz free PR newsletter, I write a post every Tuesday called Buzz Worthy. I’m looking for companies to showcase so let me know if your company has the right stuff to be featured on Buzz Worthy. And it helps if you are a Daily Buzz member. Sign up at here and shoot me an email once you receive your first Daily Buzz by simply replying to it. And spread the word about Build-A-Buzz.
Win a Trip to the Super Mom Entrepreneur Conference & Expo
The Super Mom Entrepreneur Conference & Expo will be held on 10/30/10 in NYC at The New Yorker Hotel. Whether you are an experienced mom entrepreneur, one who is just starting out, or a mom entrepreneur to be, this conference has got you covered.
In an effort to give more mothers an opportunity to experience the inspirational and transforming event, conference speakers and mom entrepreneurs Mindee Doney and Julie Pickens, the co-inventors of Boogie Wipes, are offering an all expenses paid trip to one lucky mom entrepreneur. All interested moms, whether they have a successful business, are a new start-up, or are thinking of starting a business down the road, are eligible to enter.
To be considered, visit the Boogie Moms’ blog between July 1st and September 1st, fill out the form and tell them a bit about your business or business idea, your goals, and how the Super Mom Entrepreneur conference would benefit you. The winner will be chosen by The Boogie Moms and will receive an all expenses paid trip, including airfare to the conference (from anywhere in the Continental US or Canada), lodging for two nights, conference registration fees, and two hours of business consulting time with Mindee and Julie, The Boogie Moms.
I love lists. I’m always creating them, often losing them, and hardly accomplishing them in their entirety – but I love them. That’s why I was really excited to come across a list of 200 great businesses you can start and run from home. I found it really inspiring, so I though I would share it with you. The list was featured in the book: The 200 Best Home Businesses by Katina Z. Jones.
Accountant
Adoption Agency
Advertising Agency
Advertising Sales Representative
Animal Breeder
Antiques Dealer
Apartment Preparation Service
Artists’/Photographers’ Agent
Arts Festival Promoter
Association Management Service
Auctioneer
Auditor
Automotive Detailing
Automotive Loan Broker
Automotive Maintenance
Automotive Paint Touch-Up Professional
Band Manager
Bankruptcy Service
Bartending Service
Bartering Service
Bed & Breakfast
Bicycle Rental
Boat Maintenance/Cleaning Service
Book Indexer
Book Packager
Bookkeeper
Bridal Consultant
Bridal Show Promoter
Building Maintenance Service
Business Broker
Business Form Production and Sales
Business Networking Service
Business Plan Writer
Cake Decorator
Calligrapher
Career Counselor
Carpet/Upholstery Cleaning
Catalog Retailer
Caterer
Childbirth Instructor
Child-Care Referral Service
Collectibles Broker
Collection Agency
College Application Consultant
College Internship Placement Service
Color Consultant
Commercial Cleaning Service
Commercial Photographer
Commercial Plant Watering Service
Computer Consultant
Computer Maintenance Service
Computer Programmer/Database Consultant
Computer Trainer
Concert Promoter
Consulting Engineer
Cooking Instructor
Corporate Art Consultant
Counselor/Psychologist
Courier Service
Credit Consultant
Damage Restoration Service
Dating Service
Day-Care Service (Child or Adult)
Desktop Publisher
Digital Imaging Service
Disability Consultant
Disc Jockey
Dog Trainer
Doll Repair Service
Draftsperson
e-Book Publisher
Efficiency Expert
Electrical Contractor
Employee Benefits Consultant
Employee Leasing
Engraving Service
Envelope Stuffing Service
Etiquette Advisor
Event Planner
Executive Search Firm
Fan Club Management
Fax-on-Demand Service
Feng Shui Consultant
Financial Aid Consultant
Financial Planner
First Aid/CPR Instructor
Food Item Manufacturer
Framing Service
Freelance Writer/Copyeditor/Illustrator
Gardening Consultant/Landscaper
Genealogical Service
Gerontology Consultant
Gift Basket Business
Government Contract Consulting
Grant Writer
Graphic Designer
Hairstylist
Handbill Distribution
Handyman Network
Home Business Consultant
Home Entertainment System Service
Home Health Care Service
Home Inspector
Home Preparation Service
Homeschooling Consultant
Image Consultant
Incorporation Service for Businesses
Insurance Agent
Interior Designer
Jewelry Designer
Knitting/Crocheting Instructor
Lactation Consultant
Laundry Service
Lawn Care Service
Lawyer
Licensing Agent
Literary Agent
Litigation Management Service
Magician
Mailing List Service
Makeup Artist
Management Consultant
Manicurist
Manufacturer’s Representative
Marketing Consultant
Massage Therapist
Meal to Go
Mediator
Medical Claims Processing
Medical Transcriptionist
Meeting Planner
Message Retrieval Serivce
Messenger Service
Mobile Paper-Shredding Service
Modeling Agency
Monogramming Service
Mortgage Loan Broker
Mover
Multilevel Marketing
Music Instructor/Professional Musician
Mystery Shopper
Nanny Service
Newspaper Delivery Service
Notary Public
Online Auction Consignment Service
Online Marketing Specialist
Online Message Board Manager
Online Retailer
Online Service Consultant
Outdoor Adventures
Outplacement Serivce
Paging Service
Party Planner
Personal Assistant
Personal Development Coach
Personal Instructor/Fitness Trainer
Personal Shopper
Pet Grooming
Political Campaign Manager
Pool Maintenance
Printing Broker
Private Tutor
Product Designer
Professional Organizer
Property Management Service
Public Pay Phone Service
Public Relations Consultant
Publisher of Personalized Children’s Books
Rare Book Dealer
Real Estate Broker
Relocation Consultant
Repair Service
Resume Service
Retirement Planner
Reunion Organizer
Roommate Referral Service
Rubber Stamp Business
Sales of Novelty and Promotional Products
Sales Representative
Sales Trainer
Seamstress
Secretarial Service
Seminar Service
Silk Flower Arranger
Small Business Consultant
Standardized Test Preparatory Services
Stock Photography Service
Systems Integrator
Tax Preparation Service
Telemarketing Service
Temporary Employment Agency
Ticket Broker
Time-Management Specialist
Trademark Agent
Translation Services
Travel Agent
Upholsterer
Used Computer Sales
Vacation Rentals Broker
Vacuum Cleaner Repair
Vending Machine Service
Videographer
Web Site Developer
Window Treatment Specialist
Word-Processing Service
Workers’ Compensation Consultant
Holly Reisem Hanna and is the founder of ‘The Work at Home Woman’, a website dedicated to helping women and moms fulfill their dreams of working at home and/or becoming self employed, while providing inspiration, motivation and support.
Holly is a true inspiration for moms struggling to translate their traditional career skills into a creative service-based business. She has successfully taken the important research skills she gained during her years as a nurse and converted them into a business that helps other women start their own businesses.
Read on to learn more.
From Nursing to Networking
An Interview with Holly Reisem Hanna
Noelle:
How did you decide to start The Work at Home Woman? What were you doing beforehand that led you to this idea?
Holly:
I didn’t initially start out wanting to be an entrepreneur. Before my first daughter was born in 2007, I had a full time job as an RN Clinical Research Coordinator. But, from the minute my daughter was placed in my arms, I knew that I would not be able to return to my full-time job. I decided at that point to become a full-time stay a home mom.
However, after 9 months as a stay at home mom I got motivated to find a way to make some extra money from home. I started asking past employers and friends if there was any work that I could do for them while caring for my daughter at home. My networking efforts paid off and in December 2007, I started working from home by completing marketing research, establishing joint ventures and working as a social network liaison for a small publishing company that a friend was working for.
Noelle:
Wow. So ‘The Work at Home Woman’ website wasn’t actually your first business!
Holly:
Not actually! During the time I spent looking for work at home opportunities I learned a lot of valuable marketing skills and became very familiar with the work at home market. This knowledge motivated me to find a way to help other women and mothers find work at home opportunities, so I decided to create the ‘The Work at Home Woman’ website. Today, I still do some work as a social network liaison in addition to running the site.
Noelle:
What a great idea you had! The site is truly a great resource for women looking for work at home opportunities. How long did it take you to put together ‘The Work at Home Woman’ website?
Holly:
It took me 16 months to launch the site. I launched it on March 19, 2009 and I have been growing the business ever since.
Noelle:
Super! You mentioned however that you still working part time as a social networking liaison. I think it’s important that people realize you are essentially working two jobs at once while the site is in its start-up phase. Sometimes that is what you need to do!
Holly:
For sure, but I’m passionate about building a career from this site and it’s worth the extra work.
Noelle:
How will you generate income from the site?
Holly:
I did a lot of research on how to make money with a website, and I think advertising and affiliate marketing are the best way to generate income from a website.
Noelle:
Well, that’s awesome. Have you replaced your former income with your new businesses?
Holly:
I haven’t yet replaced my former salary, but I am also not working as much as I used to. I have income coming in, and although it may not be as much as I want it to be, I think the most important thing is that I enjoy what I do!
Noelle:
So true! What has been your biggest challenge as a mompreneur?
Holly:
The biggest challenge is certainly having enough time! I have a busy two year old to keep up with!
Noelle:
How do you manage childcare? I know that’s a great concern to the aspiring mompreneurs I work with.
Holly:
I build my work schedule around my daughter’s schedule. I always try to spend some time working before she wakes up. I also do additional work while she naps. However, as she gets older, her schedule continues to change, and I am currently evaluating a Mother’s Morning Out program that would give me set number of hours to work two days per week.
Mompreneurs with young children need to know that their children’s routines will constantly change. It’s important to remain flexible and modify your work habits as you go.
Noelle:
I agree. What’s been your biggest surprise about mompreneurship?
Holly:
I’ve been really surprised that I don’t miss the social interaction I had during my former career as much as I thought I would. My current business gives me the opportunity to interact with so many moms both online and in person. I also really enjoy working from home. I can get so much done in a short period of time without the interruptions!
One thing that isn’t is a surprise, is that I got rid of a major commute and I don’t miss that at all!
Noelle:
Ha! I’m so glad to hear you don’t feel you are lacking social interaction as a work from home mom. One of the things we mention in our book is that working at home can get lonely, but it’s great to see that you have been able to avoid that through aggressive networking. Do you have any final advice for aspiring mompreneurs?
Holly:
Sure. Now is a great time to start a work from home business. There are plenty of great opportunities out there. Some hot industries include virtual assistants, copy writers and social network marketing consultants. If it’s your goal to launch a work from home business, do one thing to move that goal ahead today!
Noelle:
Thanks Holly! I encourage all readers interested in starting a work at home business to visit your website today.
Are you feeling stuck? Have you wanted to launch your own business for some time, but find that something or someone keeps getting in the way? Well, a new book from Jennifer and Joe Remling might provide just the inspiration you need to get started. Add Carve Your Own Road to your summer reading list and you’ll be ready to change your career or strike out on your own before the fall arrives!
I recently spoke to Jennifer about her own journey into solopreneurship and the advice she collected while interviewing dozens of entrepreneurs for her book. Read on to learn more…
An Interview with Jennifer Remling
Noelle:
Thanks so much for making time to speak with me today. I’m really excited to chat with you about how you found the strength to strike out on your own to begin with – as I know you had several fabulous, well-paying jobs before you became a solopreneur.
Jennifer:
Well, that’s somewhat true. Out of college, I had three goals: I wanted to be a vice president, I wanted to do international work, and I wanted to make six figures within five years! (Laughing) I went into executive search and from there I transitioned into corporate recruiting. Looking back now, I see that my goals were very superficial, but at the time they were meaningful to me and I therefore managed to hit all of those goals within my timeframe.
Noelle:
Wow! And then what?
Jennifer:
Well, there I was – the vice president of global recruiting for a big global commerce company – I was doing international work – I had actually even moved to London! I hit all my goals, but I still felt unfulfilled. I found myself wondering, “Wow, is this all there is?” I was successful by all traditional standards and by the standards I had set for myself, but I was still very unhappy and unfulfilled. And then… I got laid off!
Noelle:
Ha! Talk about divine intervention!
Jennifer:
Yeah, but it took me some time to see the positive side of this situation. It happened a few months before September 11th and I wound up unemployed for about five months. On the day September 11th happened, I was laying in bed feeling miserable about my unemployment. I realized that I had defined my entire life around my career and so when I lost my job, I felt like I lost my identity. My dog had just died and I was in a really bad mental funk… and then real tragedy struck and I knew it was time to make some major changes in my life.
I started a journey of self exploration. I found myself asking why I was here on this planet and how I could make an impact on it. The journey lasted quite a few years and I read over 300 books during the process!
Noelle:
So did you start your business right after September 11th?
Jennifer:
No. Like I said, my journey lasted quite a few years. I went back to corporate America first. I had known for a long time that I wanted to start my own company, but that’s a really scary thing for a lot of us who’ve had a corporate job and a solid pay check coming in. I wasn’t sure how I was going to start my business, but I did start doing some things on the side which is something I talk about a lot in the book – I call it “Building a Bridge”.
Noelle:
And what do you mean by that?
Jennifer:
Well, what I did was start to do some recruitment consulting on the side with people that I knew well. I started to build some income that way and I gained confidence that I could actually drive revenue from consulting. Then one day I was meeting with a client, actually a potential client who was also a good personal friend whom I had known for a long time. I was trying to sell the services of the company I was working for at the time to him, and he said to me, “Jennifer you just don’t look happy. I have known you for a long time and I can see it.” Then he said, “I have an idea. How about I tear up this contract and I sign a one year contract with Jennifer Remling, Inc.” (Laughing)
This was a total gift and just what I needed because I was really ready to quit my job, but until that point I didn’t feel like I had the net I needed. That contract was my net. We signed it on a Friday and I quit my job on a Monday!
Noelle:
Super!
Jennifer:
Yeah, the contract didn’t equal my current compensation but it covered a good portion of it and with that contract in my pocket, I had the confidence to go out and get additional business which is what I did!
Noelle:
Well Jennifer, that’s a great story. In The Freelance Mom we talk a lot about how building a successful transition plan can make or break a business, so I’m glad to hear how building a bridge between your corporate career and solopreneurship was so helpful.
What are some other lessons you picked up during the many interviews you did for Carve Your Own Road?
Jennifer:
Well, the idea for the book was to go out and interview people who had either quit a corporate job to pursue an entrepreneurial dream or passion or figured out how to stay in a corporate environment and do something really cool and innovative that was really meaningful to them. So needless to say, we gathered a lot of great information and ideas; however one of the key things that stuck with me and one of the things that I cover in the book is the importance of having some clarity about where you want to head.
Noelle:
And what do you mean by that?
Jennifer:
It’s really important to take some time to sit down and ask yourself some important questions like what you want your life and your business to look like and how you want these things to feel. I recommend putting a two year plan in place. I don’t think you need a five year plan – I think a two year plan detailing how you want things to look and feel is key.
I also think it’s really important to let go and look at all the possibilities. Don’t limit yourself! When you start to think about these questions you may find that your left brain will go “Oh that’s not possible!” or “How are you going to fund that?” You need to ask your left brain to take the back seat so you can go all the way out there and create something cool. You can always come back to those left brain questions down the road.
Then, once you’ve established a vision, you should test it. Tap into your network and test your idea. Get some people behind you and get some feedback from those folks – then start building that bridge!
Be clear about what you want and find peace with it because if you are full of fear, you can’t make good decisions!
Noelle:
So true! Thanks for the great story and advice! Where can my audience get a copy of Carve Your Own Road?
Jennifer:
It’s available at Amazon.com and at Barnes & Nobles Bookstores.
Noelle:
Great! I also really enjoyed your recent interview on CNN – so I’m including a link to that interview and a link to your great website.
And finally, I’m including a link to Jennifer’s new retreats for women. These are a great opportunity for busy moms to get away and spend some determining how they can start working and living on their own terms! I’m definitley planning on signing up for one in the near future!
I recently connected with Kristen I. Sabol, communications specialist at Guru.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for freelance talent. With more than 1 million registered members (a combination of employers and freelancers) and 125,000 plus active freelancer profiles, no resource, in my opinion, is better equipped to offer advice to aspiring freelancers.
Below are the highlights of my exchange with Kristen.
Hot Industries for Freelancers
An Interview with Kristen I. Sabol, Communications Specialist at Guru.com
Noelle:
What specializations present the greatest opportunities for freelancers today?
Kristen:
Site-wide, Guru.com offers opportunities in more than 160 different skill categories. The site has traditionally witnessed the greatest amount of activity in the following categories:
- Website Design
- Website Marketing
- Programming/Software/Database Development
After these fields, we also see a high demand for:
- Writing/Editing
- Translation
- Graphic Design
- Presentations/Multimedia
- Illustration/Cartooning
- Painting
- Sculpting
Noelle:
How competitive are these categories?
Kristen:
That’s a good question! While it is true that these areas see the most activity on the site, the ratio of available freelance talent to available project listings needs to be considered as this balance has great impact on how competitive a category may be.
These ratios are in constant flux as new projects are posted and awarded out to talent on a rolling basis, but if we look at a particular day in early February 2009, we can see that 16,678 Website Design / Website Marketing freelancers were listed as active; while a total of 1,537 Website Design / Website Marketing projects were listed as open for bidding. And, 23,217 Programming /Software/ Database Development freelancers were listed as active; while a total of 1,144 Programming /Software / Database Development projects were open for bidding. So it’s safe to say that today the Website Design / Website Marketing category offers greater opportunity and less competition!
In the most competitive categories, aspiring freelance moms need to take the competitive landscape to heart. Succeeding as a freelancer in these fields will require working very hard to market your skills and expertise. In order to beat the competition and win work, you cannot have a passive mindset. Getting started in these categories will take lots of dedication and attention.
Noelle:
What general trends are you seeing in the freelance industry?
Kristen:
Overall, we currently have about 125,000 active freelancers and approximately 5,200 project listings. However, as the economy continues to weaken, we are seeing both numbers rise quickly. From 2007 to 2008, we had a 25 percent increase in new freelancer registrations and a 27 percent increase in transactions completed on the site.
Noelle:
What advice can you offer to new freelancers?
Kristen:
Freelancing in many ways is about taking complete responsibility for your own fate. Freelancers should not expect any online marketplace to instantly bring success. You have to create your own success, and that only happens if you really want to be successful. Guru.com presents opportunities, but a freelancer’s success is dependent on what they choose to do to capture and build upon these opportunities individually.
The Resource Center on Guru.com houses a large body of documents including how-to guides that orient users to the site; brief tips and reminders to keep them sharp and on their toes; and general documents that provide lots of information about how to approach freelancing in an online marketplace setting like ours. All new freelancers should peruse this information before getting started.
In terms of some of the most important steps a freelancer can take when conducting business on Guru.com, I’d say new freelancers should start by creating a detailed profile as well as a resume that highlights their skills. Then, they should be sure to upload work samples that showcase their skills and work.
Once a freelancer begins to propose solutions to employers, they should be sure to personalize each proposal to the employer’s needs. Employers are not only looking for someone with the skill set they asked for, they are looking for someone who is in sync with their thoughts about the project. If you send a canned response that does not speak about their project or organization, you are sending the message that you don’t care or have the time to communicate with them.
Focus on the quality of proposals submitted over the quantity of proposals submitted. Make sure all your documents are free of spelling and grammatical errors. Though the work you may be bidding on does not require you to be an expert in grammar, the person reviewing your proposal will likely perceive you as a poor communicator if your proposal and profile are lacking in the proper grammatical structures.
And don’t let rejections deter you. Securing work of any kind is a tough business. For every twenty or more proposals you send out, you may receive one response. Dealing with that type of rejection takes resilience, and the more you have of it, the better off you will be in the independent contractor world.
Finally, make sure you complete all projects assigned to you in the most professional and time-conscious manner. Good credentials and a well-developed track-record go a long way to securing future projects. Research has shown that 60 to 75 percent of the jobs filled today are filled through referrals. So be sure you produce referral-worthy work!
Every time you successfully complete a project remember to ask the Employer to endorse you, so others in his or her Guru.com Network will see you as a recommended freelancer.
Noelle:
Why should aspiring freelance moms participate in an online marketplace for freelance talent like Guru.com?
Kristen:
Using a site like Guru.com offers aspiring freelance moms great benefits in terms flexibility, structure and protection.
When it comes to flexibility, the range of opportunities on the site allows moms to choose the kind of work that suits them best, whether that is short-term projects with flexible deadlines or longer term initiatives that require intense focus for a period of time. All opportunities posted also allow freelancers to work remotely. And how much work or stress one takes on at any given point is really under one’s own control and at the discretion of each individual according to their personal business-development goals.
In terms of structure, Guru.com includes tools that can help a mom manage her freelance business from start to finish-from searching for opportunities, placing bids on the ones she wants and detailing a project agreement-to managing work completion, payment and feedback. Each freelancer account also includes a Project Tracker that can help a freelancer oversee multiple projects at once.
Finally, Guru.com is extremely devoted to the security and protection of our users. When work is contracted through our site, transactions take place through our patented SafePay system which includes an escrow service for guaranteed payment upon work completion. This service is extremely valuable as it also includes access to our team of mediation and arbitration experts should a disagreement or other problem ever arises between a freelancer and an employer.
