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10 Great At-Home Careers

June 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

How many times have you thought about starting a business, expanding your current business or starting a second business? The question isn’t whether you’re ready to work for yourself, but what type of business you should start.

Whether you have an eye for fashion, a knack for organizing, or enjoy shopping (with other people’s money), there’s a business out there for you. These ten businesses should spark your creative juices and help you discover skills you may not realize you have. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Working at home, Working with clients

It’s Not What You Say…It’s How You Say It

June 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I’m trying to settle a disagreement between two of my friends. One is remodeling her home and the other is an architect. I convinced my remodeling friend to hire the architect to help her create the perfect plans.

I thought they’d work well together.

I was wrong.

Relationships aren’t always as they seem

Last week I sent my remodeling friend an e-mail to ask her how things were going with the architect. She sent me a one-page e-mail describing everything that had gone wrong with the project. She couldn’t understand why I would have a friend as nasty and unprofessional as my architect friend. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Working with clients Tagged With: , , ,

The Benefits of Bringing Kids Into Your Business

May 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When my sons were little and we were bored one rainy Saturday, I decided to give them a small business lesson.

We went into their bedrooms and they each picked out a few toys they no longer used and were willing to sell. Then we clicked on eBay, researched similar toys, set the price and listed their items. Within a few days, they each earned around $25.

A few things happened:

1. My sons learned a bit about researching competitors

2. They gave their old toys new life

3. We spent quality time together

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Making money from home, Working at home, Working with clients Tagged With: , ,

How to Keep Clients From Taking Over Your Business

May 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Yesterday I went to my favorite stylist to get a haircut.  While she cut my hair, she mentioned how frustrated she is with her business.

She has too many clients.

In my book, that’s a good problem. Not so, in hers.

Instead of running her business the way she wants, she’s letting her clients take over.

Her main complaint is that a client will call her and expect to get an appointment within the next few days. (I learned the hard way and now book my next appointment before I leave her salon.) She feels bad about turning away clients, so she stays late or comes in early. She’s finally reached the point of burnout and isn’t sure what to do. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Working at home, Working with clients Tagged With: ,

Get Up, Get Dressed, and Get Out There

April 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Internet makes it easy to connect with people around the world, but you can’t tell what someone’s thinking or know their true personality through e-mail. You can tell whether or not they can spell and how often they check their e-mail, but that’s about it.

Sure, you can use Skype to work with clients and to network, but you’re still not shaking hands, hugging (I’m a big hugger), or getting the opportunity to read someone’s body language.

When I first started working from home several years ago, I couldn’t wait for the FedEx or UPS delivery person to drop by. That was my first clue that I needed to get out more.

I know it’s easy to sit in your home office in your comfy clothes and connect with other business owners online. Not many people who work from home miss having to dress in business suits, skirts or heels for work every day.  I don’t.

Sometimes, though, you need to leave your home office.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Making money from home, Time mgmt./Productivity, Working at home, Working with clients Tagged With: , ,

Need to Move Your Business Forward? Take a Look Back

April 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When I drive with my sons and sing along to the radio, it really annoys them. It’s not only because they think I’m a bad singer (although I am). The reason is that I know the words to some of the new songs.

No, I don’t spend all day driving or listening to the radio. I know the words because so many of the songs are remakes or they include samples from old songs. I think that falls under the category of “everything old is new again.”

The same applies to your business. There really aren’t any new ideas out there…just new ways to put ideas into action.

Your business may be growing faster than you thought it would and if so, there’s probably no reason to change what you’re doing.  On the other hand, you may have reached a point in your business where you have fewer clients than you did a year ago and you want to kick your business up a few notches. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Making money from home, Working at home, Working with clients Tagged With: ,

Don’t Believe Everything You Hear About Entrepreneurship

April 12, 2011 By 2 Comments

Before I started my first home-based business, I put in my time at three different corporate jobs. By my second year in my last job, I was ready to go out on my own.

At first, my co-workers were skeptical and figured I’d be back within a year, begging for my old job. Many years later, I’m still working for myself and some of those same employees are still working for the company I left. I’ve never looked back.

Now whenever I run into anyone from my old job, they usually tell me that they wish they could work for themselves too. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Making money from home, Time mgmt./Productivity, Working with clients Tagged With: , , ,

It’s All in How You Communicate

March 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Guest post by Karen Cortell Reisman, MS

To build your confidence as a communicator, use a method I’ve dubbed “C – O – D”.  Usually, those letters stand for “Cash on Delivery.”  That is exactly what happens when you communicate clearly because you will sell yourself.

The “C” stands for Content — substantive information; “O” means Organization — speaking by design; and, “D” is for Delivery — pizzazz without angst.

Content – Say Something Worth Saying
Having evaluated over 6,000 presentations, the best communicators are those that contain the K, A, and C Factors.

  • “K” stands for Knowledge. You speak more comfortably, with greater vocal variety, and with heightened enthusiasm when you talk about what you know. In other words, stick to your area of expertise. [Read more...]
Filed Under: Making money from home, Working with clients Tagged With: , ,

The Naked Truth…Everyone Has a Story

March 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Last week, my business coach and I talked about building online relationships. He told me that I was full of tips — I’m pretty sure the word he used was tips — but that no one really knows my back-story.

He has a good point.

Everyone has a story about how they are the way they are, how they started their business and even how they met their friends or spouse. Some people share that information on their blogs, and some don’t.

I guess I fall into the don’t category. Instead, I share articles to help you improve the way you work from home.

So today, rather than share how-to tips about home office life, I’m starting a new feature called “The Naked Truth.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balancing home/office Life, Working at home, Working with clients Tagged With: ,

Find Other Ways to Serve Your Clients

February 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Melinda, a designer friend of mine, has worked with the same clients for over ten years. Every time she finishes a project with one client, another client calls her to transform a different room.

I’ll take clients like that anytime.

She knows that at some point a few of her clients won’t need her services, so now she offers a service called “Design Plan.” It’s for the do-it-yourself client who wants design help, but isn’t willing to pay for an interior designer. This new service is keeping her busy.

Are there any services or products you can add to your business? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Working at home, Working with clients Tagged With: , , , ,
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