Work At Home Moms
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION................. 4
IS WORKING AT
HOME YOUR CUP OF TEA?.... 5
Exploring The
Financial Side Of Things..... 5
The Self
Personality Test.............. 6
THE OBSTACLES AND
HOW TO OVERCOME THEM...... 10
Telecommuting For
Your Existing Employer.... 15
Consulting In
Your Field... 16
Writing Your
Future........ 17
Data Entry And
Other Similar Options...... 17
Going Back To
College....... 19
LANDING THE RIGHT
JOBS....... 22
Advertising Pays........... 22
Employment
Services Can Help........... 23
Web Sites Can Be
The Ticket.................. 23
ESTABLISHING A
HOME OFFICE.... 27
Why You Need One............ 28
WHAT ABOUT
BENEFITS?............... 31
Covering Medical
Needs.................. 31
Other Savings.................. 33
HOW TO JUGGLE
HOME AND WORK LIFE SUCCESSFULLY............... 34
INTRODUCTION
You went to school and got your degree.
You’ve spent years honing your skills and building a career. Now, you’re a
mother and your priorities are shifting in a very big way. Still, thanks to
today’s economic climate, your need to earn money remains.
Can you have it all? Can you be a
full-time mother and still have a lucrative, rewarding career?
The answer is yes, if you learn how to
bring balance into your life. One of the easier ways to have it all and enjoy a
sense of balance is to strike out on your own and become a work-at-home mom.
With your professional background, years of experience and determination, you
can make it happen.
Shifting from working in the field or at
an office to working at home is a big step, however. Before diving in to the
prospect, it’s a very good idea to take stock in your chances to flourish at
home. For some people, shining as a mom and excelling in the workplace requires
a little separation. For others, the work-at-home gig suits them perfectly.
Once you decide if working at home is
right for you, there will be much more to do. The next step you’ll need to take
is to determine just what your prospects are and how to overcome some of the
obstacles that will invariably stand in your way. Don’t worry; you can jump the
hurdles with relative ease if you truly want to.
There are a variety of career
opportunities for work-at-home mothers. If you don’t want to pursue your
present field, you can transition some of your skills to another area of
expertise. There are even some incredible places to turn for training or
retraining, even from home, if something entirely new is desired.
Should contract work appeal to you,
finding jobs won’t be a huge problem. The world is changing. Thanks to this, a
lot of employers are offering parttime, short-term and even long-term jobs via
the Internet. These are perfect for at-home workers.
Once you get started finding jobs, you’ll
probably need to put a few other things into place. Questions about home
offices, benefits and other technicalities are likely to arise. As you explore
your opportunities, prepare your home office and set up a life that doesn’t
involve being away from your child, this e-book is your guide.
Together we can make your dreams of
working at home and still having time for your family reality!
IS WORKING AT HOME YOUR CUP OF
TEA?
As you look into your child’s eyes,
chances are the thought of donning a suit and returning to the office is a
little staggering. Staying at home and working at home can prove to be an
incredible experience for you and your little one. It can, however, also be a
nightmare in the making. It all depends on how well you and your family can
handle the transition. Some women and their families thrive better when work
stays at work. Others shine in the home business setting. No matter what path
you choose, as long as it works for you, it is perfect!
So, how can you go about determining if
working at home really is your cup of tea?
First off, you’ll want to examine your
financial situation. To successfully launch a career from a home office, it can
help to have a little bit of breathing room financially. Keep in mind; however,
by staying at home, you will also save yourself a little bit of money.
Beyond the dollar issues, there are
questions you will need to ask of yourself and also your spouse and family
members. To make a real go of a home business or moving your full-time career
into your home, you are going to need to have the right personality to pull it
off. Plus, you will likely need some serious support from family, as well.
Let’s take a look at a few of the things
you’ll want to consider to help you decide if working at home is for you.
EXPLORING THE FINANCIAL SIDE
OF THINGS
Working at home can prove to be very
lucrative for many mothers. It might, however, require a little time to get a
steady cash flow going. With this in mind, there are a number of things you’ll
want to examine before deciding to dive in with both feet. Should you discover
the timing isn’t quite right, don’t worry too much. You can still work on a
home-based business on weekends or at night and try to build it up quickly so
you can stay at home full-time in no time at all.
The basics to consider with finances
include:
•
Your Monthly Budget
Take a good hard look at your monthly bills
and just how much of a contribution you make. Do remove things from the budget
that won’t be in place any more, such as childcare and commuting expenses. Now,
keep in mind it can take a little time to build up a business enough to cover
bills and other expenses. If your contribution is imperative for your family’s
bottom line, check your savings. Do you have enough to cover your contribution
for at least three months? Six or 12 would be even better. Is this base
covered? If it’s not, consider transitioning into full-time, at-home work as
you build up a nest egg to cover yourself. Getting on a slow and steady path in
the right direction beats not getting on the path at all! With a little time
and dedication, you can make the dream happen.
•
Your Anticipated Additional Expenses
Starting a business at home can cost you
in upfront capital. In addition to making certain your family is covered
financially during the transition, you will need cash for setting up an office,
buying equipment, advertising, getting licensing and perhaps insurance and so
on. It is possible to obtain a small business loan for these things and also to
help cover you during the startup months. Keep in mind, however, that this will
start your business out in the red. Sometimes it’s just better to save up and
open the books in the black.
•
The “Red Zone” Estimation
Although you won’t be able to plan out
exactly when your business will start making money to the day, you can put
together a fairly sound estimate. Be realistic here and do anticipate at least
a threemonth period for a good build up. This will help you determine how much
padding you need in your bank account to remain comfortable as you build your business.
The financial side of things can be a very
big consideration when you choose to stop working in an office and transition
into your own business. Do make sure you have your bases covered. Some of the
options that can help you include loans, grants, savings or even just starting
out as parttime with the business in order to build it up. Money, however,
isn’t your only concern to deal with.
THE SELF PERSONALITY TEST
Working at home is perfect for some
people, but just not right for others. Either way, it’s perfectly okay as long
as you know where you stand. You can be an excellent mother and work outside
the home. For some people, working in the home and trying to parent full-time
just doesn’t work out for the benefit of all involved. It all comes down to
personality.
So, do you have what it takes to make a go
of a home-based career? Ask yourself these questions and do answer honestly:
•
Am I Self-Disciplined?
Working at home is still working. Add in a
baby, a toddler or a small child and the job becomes two-in-one for certain. To
pull off a business or even to take your full-time job into a telecommuting
setting, you’ll have to have discipline. If you’re the type that tends to stray
when a boss isn’t looking over your shoulder, leaving the workaday world behind
might not be for you. There are ways to overcome this obstacle, but a little
self-discipline will be needed first.
•
Can I Stand Not Having The “Adult” Interaction? Working at home does mean
spending a lot of time with little people. Some mothers thrive in both jobs
when they keep them separate. The truth is work-at-home moms often lack in
communication time with adults. For some, this is no problem to overcome.
Others, however, discover that dealing with clients on the phone or via e-mail
just isn’t enough adult interaction.
•
Am I Motivated Enough To Pull This Off?
Working in an office setting tends to be
motivating all on its own. Even procrastinators can thrive in an environment
where deadlines are set by others, work is overlooked and a paycheck is riding
on performance. Working at home is truly a different ballgame. If you are
motivated and have a track record for being a self-starter, you are likely to
do well.
•
Can I Set Hours And Stick With Them?
Working at home does present the danger of
setting yourself up for working too much. It is often best to set “office”
hours and stick with them. Of course, you’ll want to take time off occasionally
to visit a park, see a school play and so on. That’s okay! The question is, can
you stick with a schedule without a boss on a fairly regular basis?
Working at home sounds fun and rewarding.
For many, it is. Others just find they do not thrive in this setting. Be honest
with yourself and you will choose the right path to take.
FAMILY FIRST
When you choose to work out of your home,
you are not the only one who will be impacted by the decision. Your husband,
older children and anyone else living in the home will also feel the effects.
For the most part, having Mom at home is a great thing. Families, however, will
need to kick in and help. If they don’t support your decision, your business
venture could be dead in the water before it even gets started.
So, what do you need from your family to
make your home-based venture succeed? Make sure your family is willing to:
•
Help Out Around The House
It can be very tempting for family members
to leave everything for you to do just because you’re home. While they might
have pitched in to cook, shop, do laundry and so on when you worked outside the
house, this might stop if you don’t get proactive with establishing boundaries
now. It is all too easy for spouses and older children to think that just
because Mom is working at home, she’s always more available to handle other
tasks. While it’s likely you’ll be able to do more if you can multitask well,
you just won’t be able to do it all every day.
•
Stay Onboard
Make sure you and your partner fully
discuss the idea of working at home before you dive in. If you don’t have 100
percent support from your partner, you will likely fight an uphill battle. Make
sure to discuss the situation with an open mind. If there is resistance, share
your business plan, your budgeting and other backup materials. Chances are your
partner will love the idea of your child not being raised outside the home.
Just do make sure your partner is onboard and will stay that way.
•
Help Out In A Pinch
Juggling home and office life is hard no
matter what. If you’re running your own business, there are times when you will
have to drop the proverbial ball on home duties, childcare or something. With
this in mind, it can be imperative to your business and its chances for success
that you have contingency plans in place for emergencies. Is your spouse
willing to take a day off to watch a sick child if you have a big sale that
needs to be made? Will older children or grandparents pick up a younger child
when you just can’t be there? Make sure you have a good support system in place
and half your battle will be won.
Working at home can sound glamorous and
exciting. This is just not always the case. It can present a number of
obstacles that must be overcome to ensure success. Before diving into this
venture, you owe it to yourself and your family to really explore whether this
idea is right for you. If it is, you can go full steam ahead into enjoying
yourself as you earn money and soak up time with your kids, too.
The benefits of becoming a work at home
mom can be rather amazing. If you desperately need more time with your children
and want to be there for them, but you still have financial obligations to your
family, this can be the best solution. Just do take the time to examine the
situation closely.
THE
OBSTACLES AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM
No matter what kind of business you hope
to start or even if you intend upon becoming a telecommuter for your existing
company, there will be obstacles you’ll have to face. From finances to your own
fears of isolation, working at home all the time is not necessarily rainbows
and sunshine every day. You’ll have good days and bad days. You’ll even face
roadblocks that stand in your way of even getting started. Fortunately, there
are things you can do to tackle just about any obstacle that stands in your
way.
FINANCIAL ROADBLOCKS
Perhaps the biggest obstacle that will
stand in the way of opening a home-based business is the money issue. This
might not apply if you’re going to become a telecommuter for your existing
company or another one. Should you be starting from scratch, however, it can be
a huge roadblock to overcome.
To give yourself the best footing to start
on, do look at that budget closely as suggested before. If you find you fall
short, these tips can help you come up with the seed cash you need to make a
serious go at your dream:
•
The Savings Plan
This can take longer than other options
for overcoming cash flow problems, but it can put you on better financial
footing over the long haul. Rather than borrow money, this obstacle buster
simply requires that you start building your business nest egg on your own. You
can do this by remaining in your regular job and saving money from your checks.
You can also consider launching your business part-time at night to build up
cash, contacts and income. The latter option keeps your day job money coming in
and can add to it with the part-time venture. Overall, this is a pretty prudent
way to overcome money issues.
•
Loans
Small business loans, mortgage refinances,
second mortgages and other lending options might be available to you to seed
your business. This route can jumpstart your dream and give you cash in the
bank to live off for a time, too. The danger here is that you will have to make
repayments. Essentially, funding a business with loans involves starting out
with the books in the red. Still, if your business idea is good enough and your
skills are high enough, it can be a great way to go.
•
Grants
It is sometimes possible to obtain grants
to open a small business. This will depend a lot on what you plan on doing. If
you are eligible for grants, they are well worth applying for. The fact is
grants can give you money you need without involving repayments. Government and
foundation grants may both be available. Do look into the option, but plan on a
big application process. If you are successful in getting grants, make sure the
money goes exactly where you said it would, too. Doing otherwise can get you
into a lot of hot water!
•
Investors
Family, friends or other acquaintances
might want to get in on your business on the ground floor. While this is
probably the least recommended option, it can fuel your business dreams rather
quickly. Do count on having to pay back these loans or offering up a piece of
your business to these “partners.”
Money issues can always be overcome if you
have the determination to make it so. Consider your options and move forward
with the choice or choices that work best in your case.
FAMILY RESISTANCE
Family resistance can also be an issue
when you’re considering the idea of becoming a work at home mom. If you don’t
have their full support, you could be in trouble.
Here are some tips for overcoming the
issues that may arise:
•
Highlight The Benefits
Make sure your partner fully understands
what you working at home can mean for your family. While you will have duties
to tend with, you will, ultimately, be more available to your family.
•
Talk Up The Potential Savings
Point out how much you will be saving in
gas, lunches out, fast-food dinners and childcare. These expenses can add up
very fast and even may offset any losses you’d face from leaving your present
job if that’s your intent. Many moms
discover they spend just about as much as they make at work on these expenses
that can be eliminated from a budget sheet if you work at home.
•
Highlight The Possible Earnings
Make sure your family knows you’ve done
your homework on your business idea. Show them the earnings protections, the
potential clients and so on. If you have clients signed on already, this can be
a quick mind-changer for certain.
•
Give It A Trial Run
If your partner just isn’t sure you can
pull it off, prove it. Start your business on a part-time basis and grow it
with care. Once it’s off the ground, transitioning and not jeopardizing the
family’s income will be possible. Keep in mind, your partner likely supports
your decision 100 percent, but might fear the “what ifs.” This is okay. Just
prove to your partner and yourself that it can be done.
Family resistance is generally very easy
to overcome. If you’ve done your homework, you should be able to sell your plan
pretty well. If you’re like most people,
however, the hardest sell job will be with yourself. You have to believe you
can do it to make a successful go at being a work at home mom. One of the
biggest obstacles you’ll face on this front is deal with isolation.
FEARS OF ISOLATION
Working at home can lead to a sense of
isolation. Make no mistake about it; you will have to be proactive on this
front. Unless you are perfectly happy to deal with people only over the phone
and e-mail, you’ll want to make some provisions for a social life in advance.
Keep in mind that some business ideas will have you outside the home more than
others, but you will still likely want to come up with a plan to conquer and
overcome fears of isolation.
So, how can you make sure your needs for
adult conversation, networking and interaction are met? These things can be
lifesavers for work at home moms:
•
Join A Moms’ Group
This is a great way to get out of the
house and spend some time with your little one away from your new “office.”
When your join a mothers’ group, you’ll be able to meet new people and feed
your need for conversation. At the same time, you’ll give your child
much-needed interaction. Many mothers groups offer a full schedule of
activities that you can pick and choose from. Some even offer nighttime events
to get you out of the house with just the girls.
•
Set Client Meetings Out Of The House
If you’ll be selling, working as a
consultant or doing anything that can get you out of the house, take advantage
of the time at least once in a while. Although the plan is to work at home as
much as possible, going out several times a week isn’t a bad thing. In fact,
can be good for you and your child both. A little chance of scenery and faces
never hurt anyone!
•
Join Networking Groups
Take the time to join networking groups,
your local chamber of commerce or other business organizations. Do this and you
can kill two birds with one stone. Not only will you enjoy some adult
interaction, but you can also boost your business at the same time.
•
Go To Meetings
If you will be telecommuting or even
working as a consultant, make a point of attending meetings in person once in a
while. This will get you out and about and give you some time to recharge your
batteries among other working adults.
•
Keep In Touch With Friends
Rely on the same old support network
you’ve had for ages to keep you going when you work at home. Call on your
friends for girls’ nights out, fun lunches or movies on the weekends. Just
because you now work at home, doesn’t mean you can’t get out of the house!
•
Plan Date Nights
Make the time to get out with your spouse
or partner. One night a week or even one night a month staked out for working
on couple time can be a much-needed change of pace. Plus, this can help keep
your relationship fresh and strong.
•
Enjoy A Hobby
Get out of the house on your own by
pursuing a hobby you’ve always wanted to do. Take a class, learn to play
tennis, just do something that sounds interesting to you on a personal level.
Volunteering can also be an excellent way to get out and do something
enjoyable. Even an hour a week driving meals to the elderly can have a big
impact on your psyche. Keep in mind that doing nothing but working and taking
care of your family will burn you out fast. You have to have something that’s
all your own, too. Even if it’s one hour a month doing something you love, do
it!
Don’t worry that working at home will turn
you into an isolationist. You can overcome this obstacle fairly easy.
EXPLORING YOUR OPTIONS
We’ve already established you’ve been
working in a professional career for some time. This gives you a bit of an
advantage when it comes to exploring your options. You have skills in place
that very likely could translate into a telecommuting career or a whole new
business venture that’s all your own. Now is the time to really explore your
options and decide how you can make working at home work for you.
If you don’t want to take your current
skill set into a new business venture, don’t sweat it. There are options out
there that will require only very little retraining time. Some business ideas
are rather intuitive, too, so don’t think you have to be pigeon-holed into
doing what you do now. Unless, of course, you want to!
Let’s take a look at a few of the options
that you can open the door on.
TELECOMMUTING FOR YOUR
EXISTING EMPLOYER
If you’ve been working for your existing
employer for a time and love the job, but want to stay at home, telecommuting
just might work for you. Should your employer already use telecommuters, you’ll
have a leg up. If not, take the time to discuss this with your supervisor and
his or her superiors.
Telecommuting is becoming more accepted in
major workplaces. There are even a number of Fortune 500 companies that allow
their employees to work from home all the time or part of the time. The
benefits of taking your work home and staying with your existing company can be
extensive. They include:
•
No Learning Curve
If you do at home what you already do in
the office, the learning curve will be non existent. This is a great way to
have your cake and eat it, too.
•
Extension Of Benefits
If you do stay employed with your present
company, you won’t lose out on any benefits offered. This can be a very big
deal for some families, so don’t discount the value.
•
Guaranteed Income
Your family won’t lose a dime if you
telecommute. In fact, it could end up making more thanks to the cost savings of
working at home we’ve already discussed. This can be a huge perk for you and
your family. It can also work well as a tool to use in convincing your family
that working at home is right for you.
Telecommuting does have its pros, but
there are a few cons to consider, too. If you do choose to stay with your
existing employer, you will be restricted to a set salary. Chances are your
hours will also be monitored. This can take away from some of the freedoms you
hoped to enjoy by working at home. Carefully consider the ups and downs of this
choice before proceeding. There are other options out there.
CONSULTING IN YOUR FIELD
Okay, so maybe you don’t want to work for
your current employer any longer. Or, maybe you have discovered your company
just won’t allow telecommuting for whatever reason. Don’t take this as a
roadblock you can’t get past. If you have built up your skills in a particular
field, you might be able to transition yourself into a consultant position.
Should you decide to strike out as a
consultant, you might be able to “work” for your company on your terms. Keep in
mind, however, that you will lose on-staff status. This also means, however,
that you can consult for other firms that can benefit from your knowledge,
experience and skills.
Consultants are in high demand in a
variety of fields. From legal and operational consultants to design, management
and beyond, many companies call on an outside set of “eyes” on a regular basis.
Many are also willing to pay a very pretty penny for professional consultants.
If you do want to transition into a consultant position, consider these things
to jumpstart your effort:
•
Approach Your Existing Company
Depending on your skills, this can be the
fastest way to enjoy a solid consulting contract. Your company may delight in
the idea of taking you off the payroll and saving on the benefits, but still
having your skills available.
•
Join Trade Organizations
To find other opportunities, make sure you
join trade organizations and keep up with meetings, publications and even
online want ads these groups put out. This can be a great way to find jobs in
your field on a consulting basis.
•
Get On Government Bid Lists
Make sure to get yourself listed as a
vendor with city, county, state and federal agencies that might benefit from
your skills.
Government consulting contracts can
supercharge careers and offer steady income.
There are ways to stay in your existing
field and use the skills you’ve honed over time to earn you money from home. If
you want a complete change, however, there are ways to make it happen with
little to no retraining. Of course, you can always retrain and launch anew if
you want to enter a new field all together.
WRITING YOUR FUTURE
One of the more steady and lucrative
options out there for work at home moms with professional backgrounds involves
writing for a living. Freelance writers are in high demand in just about every
field imaginable. As more companies take their businesses online, they need
people to write their content, update their blogs, craft special reports and so
on. This option can enable you to work in your existing field, parse, and it
can allow you to branch out to other interests, as well.
If you want to get into writing as your
new business venture, you will need to have some basic skills. Beyond being
able to string a sentence together, it will be necessary that you have a decent
writing style, understand grammar and be able to handle the pressures of
deadlines.
Some of the options available to freelance
writers include:
•
Blogging;
•
Report writing;
•
Public relations writing;
•
Search Engine Optimization
content creation;
•
Technical writing.
Writing for a living can be an exciting
and rewarding career choice. For work at home moms who can write, the
possibilities are almost limitless.
DATA ENTRY AND OTHER SIMILAR
OPTIONS
Writing might not be your thing, but that
doesn’t mean you can’t put keyboarding skills to work for you. Data entry
positions and other related jobs are always in high demand in freelancers and
telecommuters. Having a professional background can be a big boost for breaking
into these fields, too.
Some of the related fields to consider
beyond data entry include:
•
Medical billing;
•
Medical transcription;
•
Transcription;
•
Working as an online personal
assistant;
Billing agent.
SALES AND BEYOND
If your skills lie in the area of sales,
you will find a world of possibilities open to you. The reality is that selling
is one of the easiest ways to get into a business, but it can be one of the
hardest to succeed at. Still, if you’re good at it, the sky will be the limit.
Should sales sound good to you, related
options include:
•
Working As A Representative
Big, established companies that sell house
wares, cosmetics and other similar products recruit salespeople all the time.
In these cases, salespeople are independent contractors that set their own
hours, work their own territories and so on. This can be a great way to enjoy
“owning” a business without having to reinvent the wheel.
•
Franchise Possibilities
This is another great way to go if you do
want to own your own business and reap all the rewards. Franchises can give
your business instant recognition and the support you need to get off on the
right footing.
•
Other Possibilities
It’s possible to turn a hobby into a
business, create a product to produce and sell, launch a Web site and so on.
These options can rely on the skills you already have or enable you to develop
new ones to go on a different path entirely. Don’t leave any stone unturned on
this front if you want to do something entirely different.
The possibilities for working at home
really are limited only by your imagination. Whether you want to stay in your
existing field or branch off in a new direction entirely, there are ways to
make your work at home dreams become reality. Just take the time to truly
explore your options, do your homework and see what road works best for you and
your family. If retraining or new skills are needed, relax. You can pick up
training a little easier than you might think.
THE LEARNING CURVE
You’ve made up your mind, explored your
options and have discovered that some training will be necessary to make your
dreams come true. Don’t fret too much. There are a lot of options open to you
to make sure you get the training you need. In many cases, you can continue
working at your day job and study online or go to school at night. In some
instances, it may even be possible to launch your new at-home career while
receiving extra training to bolster your business.
So, what are your options for getting the
training you need? There are three main choices to consider: college, technical
schools or certification programs.
GOING BACK TO COLLEGE
If you want to make a dramatic change in
fields, college might be the best option open to you. Thanks to online degree
programs, however, this doesn’t have to be quite as daunting as it sounds. It
is possible to work during the day and attend classes as night, too.
To help make going back to school easier,
consider these tips:
•
Get As Much Funding Help As Possible
There are tons of scholarship programs and
grants out there for women. Explore every option and leave no stone unturned.
Many of these grants and scholarships are now available for online degree
courses, too. Pay close attention to scholarships for working mothers, too.
There are organizations that will foot the entire bill for moms in search of
new careers.
•
Keep Your Eyes On The Prize
If you already have a degree, you might
only need a few courses to obtain the training you need. Keep this in mind.
Should you require a full program of study, focus on the future to keep
yourself going.
•
Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
Of course you want to be in business right
now! If this isn’t possible, don’t rush it too much. Working, going to school
and taking care of a family can be a lot of work. Try to take on only what is
reasonable and just work steadily toward the ultimate goal.
Going back to college and getting a new
degree can be a great way to get retraining for a new career. It can take a
little more time than other options, but it’s a great way to completely start
over.
TECHNICAL SCHOOLS
Technical schools can provide the training
needed for a variety of careers. From Web site design and sales to computer
repair and beyond, this option can prove excellent for a number of reasons.
They include:
•
The Costs
Technical schools, especially if they are
state or county run, tend to be a whole lot more affordable than college.
•
The Scheduling
Tech schools tend to have very flexible
scheduling. In many cases, the courses of study can even be rather short, but
still provide the skills necessary to launch a new career.
•
The Targeted Learning
Technical programs don’t involve a lot of
“extra” courses that standard college degrees tend to require. This can enable
you to cut right to the chase rather than having to spin your wheels in Basket
Weaving 101.
CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Short-term, targeted certification
programs can be the perfect solution for certain career fields. Medical
transcription, billing and even Web design, for example, can often be learned
during “crash course” certification programs. This is an excellent way to go
for a number of reasons, including:
•
The Time Involved
Certification programs are quite often
very short in duration, but do provide the training needed to succeed in
certain career fields. When certifications combine with an existing degree, an
overall resume can become very attractive.
•
The Costs Involved
While the pricing on certification
programs will vary, of course, they are generally much more affordable than
full degree programs.
•
The Targeted Learning
Like technical schools, certification
programs also provide a very targeted course of learning. This is excellent for
those who don’t want to spend a lot of time on courses that have nothing to do
with the ultimate career goal.
If your business of choice will demand
some retraining to enjoy a success, don’t panic. There are options available to
you that can fast track the learning effort. It is even possible to keep costs
low in many cases thanks to grants and scholarships. Don’t let training stand
in the way of your dreams.
LANDING THE RIGHT JOBS
You’ve selected your field, laid out your
plans and you’re ready to go. The question now is how to do you start making
money? Unless you’re telecommuting for an existing employer, you’re going to
need a game plan for drumming up some business. At first, landing the right
jobs will likely take up much of your work. There are methods that can help you
out, however. What will work the best will depend on your exact pursuit.
ADVERTISING PAYS
It won’t matter whether you intend to sell
a product or a service, advertising will be vital to your venture. Your actual
field can, however, impact the best places for putting your advertising
dollars. To start getting clients, consider these potential advertising
vehicles:
•
Local Sources
Community newspapers, television stations
and radio stations can be a great place to start if you don’t want to branch
your business out beyond your region. Depending on the type of career you
intend to pursue at home, these vehicles can provide an incredible jumpstart
for a business.
•
Trade Publications
If your intent is to consult, trade
publications can provide the key to opening the door on success. Advertising in
these publications will put your business name in the spotlight with people in
the fields that could use your help.
•
Web Sites Make A Difference
No matter what field you enter, it can be
extremely useful to advertise your venture online. If you’re selling, you can
sell directly online. If you provide a service, you can drum up business by
using a Web site to promote it. Companies that have Web sites used to be a
rarity. Today, this is considered a hallmark of a professional venture. Even
consultants have their own sites and sometimes blogs to explain what they do,
how they do it and why they should land the job.
•
Creative Advertising
Should you plan on selling a product or
providing a service that the general population can use, like bookkeeping,
accounting or so on, creative advertising might help you get started.
Billboards, bench advertisements, fliers and other similar options can help you
get business coming your way.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES CAN HELP
Going into consulting or even offering
freelance skills can be a great way to go. To land jobs in this arena, it can
sometimes help to work directly with employment agencies. Since employers are
generally the ones who pay for these services, you have nothing to lose by
going this route and everything to gain.
Some of the benefits of working with
employment services include:
•
Having Access To Their Contacts
Employment agencies that are established
tend to have a long list of clients. This means they can potentially get you in
the door with contracts you may have never even dreamed of getting.
•
The Advocate Factor
Employment services don’t make money
unless they find the right professionals for a job. To this end, they work hard
to match freelancers, consultants and private contractors directly with
companies that can use their services. It never hurts to have advocates on your
side as you’re trying to start an at-home venture!
•
The Specialty Factor
There are employment agencies out there
that specialize in dealing with contractors and consultants. There are even
those who work exclusively in a particular field. Getting hooked up with the
right agency can really open doors and serve as an incredible springboard for
your at-home business.
WEB SITES CAN BE THE TICKET
If your plan is to work in the online
arena more or less, going online not only with your own site, but also through
employment Web sites can really pay off. A large number of employment-related
Web sites have sprung up to connect freelancers and small business owners with
potential contract employers. The advantages of using services of this type
include:
•
Low Costs
The better online employment matching
services do charge a membership fee, but all in all, the pricing tends to be
low. For a few dollars a quarter, you can find yourself matched up with more
jobs than you can handle.
•
The Bidding Processes
For this reason alone, going through
online employment services can be quite useful. If you intend to work as a
contractor or consultant, going through the bidding processes online can help
you see where you might need to make improvements. If, for example, you’re not being
aggressive enough, you’ll learn this quite quickly. Also, some bidding
environments are open. This means you’ll be able to see what your competition
is charging. This can help you remain competitive and land jobs in the future.
•
The Exposure
Online employment sites tend to pull in a
huge variety of potential employers. In many cases, employers can come from all
over the world. The exposure you and your business can gain from using these
sites is incredible.
•
The Training
In addition to learning how to handle
competition, the entire process of going online to garner business can serve as
great training for other ventures. Once you master putting together bid
packages, for example, you might be better poised for getting through a
government bidding process.
FRANCHISES OPEN DOORS
Franchisees tend to have a leg up on
getting started. If you have opted to go this route, you’ll benefit from a few
things right away when it comes to landing business to get yourself started. These
things include:
•
Training
Most major franchises and even some of the
smaller ones offer training not only in the business model, but also in
advertising and marketing.
•
Instant Recognition
Franchises do have the advantage of having
a recognized name. This in and of itself can bring in business right away. If
you choose a franchise that is lesser known, make sure it has a good business
model and a quality product or service attached. It is okay to get in on the
ground floor as recognition is being built. Just make sure the venture is
really one that you can get behind. If you’re not sold on a venture, chances
are no one else will be.
•
Group Advertising
Many franchises run national campaigns for
advertising. They do
this by using some of the franchise fees
that come in. In some cases, franchisees in a local area may also choose to do
“group buys” to leverage more advertising. Each franchisee in a region, for
example, will kick in X amount of dollars for a big campaign. This gets
increased exposure without costing any one business owner too much money.
NETWORKING MATTERS
No matter what field you decided to
pursue, if you intend to own your own work at home venture, networking will
matter. All in all, this is another form of advertising. This, however, doesn’t
have to cost too much and it can pay off with a ton of rewards.
There are a number of options on the
networking front. The best choice or choices for you will depend on the kind of
business you plan on getting into. Some of your options for networking include:
•
Chambers Of Commerce
No matter what field you intend on
entering, this can be an excellent choice for reaching out to your local
market. When you join a chamber, you will not only get the word out about your
business, but you can also benefit from the chance to get away from the “home
office.” Plus, many chambers offer valuable business training sessions at very
lost costs for members.
•
Online Networking
There are networking groups online that
help business owners who operate on the web get to know each other. This is a
great way for reaching out to other entrepreneurs. If your intent is to work as
a contractor or consultant, these groups can pay off with some serious
business, too.
•
Networking Groups
Like local chambers of commerce, these
groups can be quite beneficial for getting your name out in your community.
Networking groups also provide a rather beneficial social and educational
function. It never hurts to have other people in your situation to speak with
and learn from.
•
Sponsorships
This is a different way of getting your
business name out to the local community, but it can pay off. Sponsor a local
event, a sporting team, a classroom. Get your name out to people who will
recognize you for your loyalty to the community and they will repay you with
their support.
Landing the right jobs can take a
concerted effort. You will need to know where to look, how to get the word out
about yourself and how to properly network. Don’t worry if you’ve never done
this before. It will come to you over time. Advertising is the easy part, but
it will cost money. Networking can be a bit of a challenge for the shy, but
this can prove to be just as important as any type of paid ad you can find.
ESTABLISHING A HOME OFFICE
You’ve made up your mind and you do plan
to work at home. Good for you! Even if you have your field picked out, money in
place and a business plan all ready to go, there’s still more work to do.
Perhaps one of the biggest and most important steps has yet to be addressed. To
work at home and succeed, you do need a place to call your own.
Yes, of course, you want to be with your
family and in the thick of it all. Still, if you don’t have an office to call
your own when you need it, you could be very sorry. The fact is making phone
calls to clients with a screaming toddler in the background can be
embarrassing. Writing reports on deadline as your family watches television can
be distracting. To overcome and conquer these issues, you’re going to need a
home office. Besides, having one will give you a built in tax deduction!
To make a home office really work for you,
it does pay to explore what you truly require. It’s also a good idea to remind
yourself why having a space of your own is important.
WHAT YOU NEED
A home office doesn’t need to be elaborate
to be effective. How much or how little space will be required will depend on
your own personal tastes and the space you have available. In general, as long
as there are utility hookups – phone, cable and so on – and a door, you should
be set. You can even “workaround” the utility issues with wireless networking
and extension cords.
Beyond the space, you’ll likely need these
things to set up a home office right:
•
A Desk
Elaborate isn’t important here. You can go
as basic as using a piece of wood laid on top of two filing cabinets. Just as
long as you have a workspace for your papers and important files and you should
be okay on this front.
•
Computer And Other Equipment
Just about any field you go into will demand
a computer these days. If you intend to telecommute for your current employer,
this will likely be a must. Even if you mean to start a whole new career,
having a computer to work on can still be very wise. Invest in a good machine
and make sure you have a backup in place, too. Nothing can sideline a business
faster than computer problems! It might also be a good idea to consider online
hard drive backup services to make sure your bases are covered in a crash.
Beyond a basic computer set up, you will need to consider such things as a
phone, copier and fax. If your field requires special equipment, you’ll have to
plan for that, too.
•
A Door
Again, you don’t have to work in the home
office all the time. If you want to be in the kitchen with a laptop while you
make dinner, you’re the boss! Still, having a door to close when you need to
can be imperative for concentration. It can also help remind you that you’re
“on the clock.” In addition, having a door can also remind family members that
you’re “on the clock.” Remember, your family might have a pretty big adjustment
period to you working at home. The private space can serve as a great reminder
that just because mommy is home doesn’t mean she can handle every single
problem that crops up!
WHY YOU NEED ONE
Even if your house is tiny and
finding a space to carve out of your own is a challenge, make it happen.
Whether you stake out a corner of the garage, use a closet or claim a spare
bedroom, just claim a space! The reasons why this is so important include:
•
Privacy;
•
Professionalism;
•
The tax deduction, which can be
a very big deal indeed;
•
Your sanity!
A home office can be a bit of a
complication to create, but it can pay off with giving you the space you need
to work. It won’t matter what your work at home job is, the privacy will be
appreciated. You can count on it!
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
While the path for success can actually
vary a great deal depending on the business you plan on pursuing, there are
some generalized tips that can help you no matter what. Some of the best pieces
of advice for work at home moms include:
•
Have Patience
Working at home can be terribly rewarding.
It can also be terribly frustrating. When your 8-year-old tells you the same
story for the fifth time while you’re on a deadline, your patience might just
run thin. Take a deep breath, count to 10 and explain to her you’d love to hear
it in a little while.
•
Believe In Yourself
Since you’re no stranger to the workaday
world thanks to your original career, you should have a leg up on this one.
Still, it can be very daunting to have your own business and not have a
“company” to fall back on. Believe in yourself, take stock in your skills and
move full steam ahead. If you were able to enjoy a successful career working
for someone else, there’s no reason why you can’t do it all for yourself!
•
Set Working Hours
This just can’t be stressed enough. You
have to establish a routine for most days to pull off working at home. If you
would rather spend all day with your kids, go for it. Just make sure to “clock
in” when they go to bed. You have to stick with it to make a go of an at-home
venture.
•
Promote Yourself
Do take the time to get the word out about
your venture. If you don’t, no one else will. Your ultimate success will lie
not only in your abilities, but also in how well you do at pulling in clients
and contracts.
•
Be Persistent
Launching any type of business takes time
and dedication. If you’re working at home, you’ll still face the same obstacles
any business faces. You’ll have to be diligent and persistent to overcome them.
•
Keep Your Contacts Open
You’re leaving a career with a company to
stay at home with your family and launch your own venture. Make sure you keep
your contacts you’ve established through the years open. They can be valuable
sources of business for you down the road. This won’t matter whether you are
staying in your field or planning to pursue a slightly different track. The
reality is your existing reputation can help you out very much no matter the
field you enter. Do let your old contacts know what you’re up to and keep
yourself and your venture in the forefront of their minds.
•
Be Realistic
Don’t expect to build a Fortune 500
company from your garage in 10 days or less. While this is a fantastic goal to
shoot for, expecting such success right out of the gate is unwise. You could
discourage yourself and harm your chances for enjoying your goal. Just make
sure your expectations are realistic.
•
Learn To Multitask
You have decided to stay at home for a
reason – your family. Make sure you do save some time for them. As you work on
your business, this could mean needing to multitask. Learn to start dinner
while you’re on the phone. Make calls while you’re sitting in the car line at
your child’s school. Put together mass mailings while you watch television with
the family at night.
•
Don’t Forget Yourself
It can be so very tempting to put
everything you have into your family and your business venture. While this
might seem like a great idea, it could burn you out fast. Make sure to carve
out a little time for yourself. This will help you relax, unwind and recharge.
Even 20 minutes a day reading a favorite book series, meditating or jogging can
give you the time you need to just be you. Overlook this and your family, your
business and you are all likely to suffer.
WHAT ABOUT BENEFITS?
Unless you’ve decided to telecommute for
your current employer, it’s very likely this is a question that is keeping you
up at night. Even when you have your homework done and your business ready to
go, the issue of benefits can burn unanswered.
So, how can you fill in the gaps that will
arise by leaving full-time employment for an at home position of your making?
Fortunately, you do have some options.
Most work at home moms can cover their bases in regard to medical insurance,
retirement and even savings. Don’t let this particular obstacle serve as your
stumbling block.
COVERING MEDICAL NEEDS
Medical, dental and vision coverage are
generally among the biggest concerns for career women who plan on moving into
an at-home venture. There are options available. What will work the best for
you will depend on your family’s unique situation. Some of options you might
want to explore include:
•
Putting The Family On Your Significant Other’s Insurance If your partner has
insurance through his place of employment, your fix is fairly easy. You can
have yourself and the children added to his policy. Most companies will allow
for mid-year changes like this if a big event has occurred in a family. In the
worst-case scenario, you’ll have to wait until open enrollment.
•
Private Policy Options
It is possible to purchase private
insurance to cover yourself and your family. Keep in mind that many private buy
policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions, however. Some medical conditions,
in fact, will make it impossible to buy private policies for individuals.
•
Group options
This is a workaround for those with
pre-existing conditions. It is possible to put a home-based business in a group
pool. The end result will be a policy very much like a regular employer will offer.
This means coverage cannot be denied to someone with a medical condition. The
downside here is the fact the costs can run quite high. Still, the option can
be a good solution for those who need it.
Covering your medical needs might not be
as difficult or as costly as you think. Explore all the options closely and go
with the one that best suits your family.
RETIREMENT AND BEYOND
Medical insurance is the first and biggest
concern that career women have when they decide to transition into at-home
work. It’s not the last, however. Making sure retirement benefits or savings
are in place can be just as important. Keep in mind, you will be your own boss
in most scenarios we’ve discussed. This means if you don’t save for retirement,
no one else is likely to on your behalf.
So, how can you make sure you have a nest
egg for your Golden Years? These options are available to you:
•
Individual Retirement Accounts
IRAs can be very beneficial for saving for
the future. Not only do they tend to offer nice interest rate earnings, but
they can also offset your earnings when it’s tax time. Due to contribution
limitations, however, you may want to have more than this card up your sleeve.
•
401ks
This retirement savings vehicle can put
another vehicle in your plan for retirement savings. You’ll have to check with
a retirement investment company on how to get one started. If you incorporate
your business, however, this option should be open to you.
•
Stocks And Bonds
These can prove to be a little high risk,
but they can pay off with big rewards. Tread carefully here, however, and don’t
put all your eggs into a single basket.
•
Other Options
There are plenty of other investment
vehicles out there that can help your replace a company-backed retirement
account. Consider investing in gold, real estate and other similar tangible
investments. If your business is one that could be eventually sold, this, too,
could count as a retirement investment.
Just because your former employer won’t be
funding a retirement policy doesn’t mean you can’t save for your future. With a
good plan in place and some discipline, you can make sure you have a nest egg
to make your Golden Years more comfortable.
OTHER SAVINGS
Retirement won’t be or shouldn’t be the
only savings you consider as you launch a new at-home venture. You’re probably
also going to want a rainy day fund established. This can be used to cover your
business in periods of slow times. You might also want it for general savings
for vacations, home improvements and emergencies.
Options to make your money work better in
regard to general savings include:
•
Money Market Accounts
This type of savings vehicle won’t earn
you a small fortune, but it can ensure that your saved money does earn
something. Most banking institutions offer these and they do offer interest so
you can let your money work for you.
•
Short Term Bonds
U.S. Savings Bonds and other short-term
ventures can provide a nice way to earn a little extra off your savings.
•
Easy To Liquidate Investments
Some investments like gold, collectors
coins or stamps can also work well for rainy day savings. These can also
provide a sound way to earn some money without taking a big risk in the
process. It’s not wise to use these as the only form of savings, but they can
factor in to an overall plan.
Replacing benefits is not as difficult as
it might sound. There are vehicles available to most work at home moms to make
covering the bases possible.
HOW TO JUGGLE HOME AND WORK
LIFE SUCCESSFULLY
If you’re used to working in an office and
having a clear demarcation between work and home life, juggling it all can be a
huge challenge. The reality is if you are making the conscious decision to be a
work at home mom – even if you telecommute – you will be blurring the lines
that create the boundaries. To balance it all, you’ll need a plan.
These tips can help you out:
•
Learn To Prioritize
Since you’ll be the one at home, chance
are you’ll have a lot more on your plate. You’ll feel compelled to not only
take care of your child and your business, but also your home. You cannot do it
all. Learning to prioritize what must be done and what can wait will be
essential. So, too, will be learning to delegate some duties to other family
members where possible.
•
Learn To Let Some Things Go
If you have a sick child and a huge
contract on the line, your priorities are clear. Those two things will demand
your attention. If your laundry piles up and your dishes don’t get washed, just
let it go. They’ll wait until tomorrow. Your child and your client won’t!
•
Learn To Ask For Help
You’re amazing, but you’re only human. You
will need help sometimes. Don’t be afraid to ask for it.
•
Have A Backup Plan
There will be some days when you cannot
keep up with your child and your work, too. Make sure you have a backup plan in
place. Get a relative to watch the child or even have a drop-in situation with
a local daycare. It’s okay to not always be the one in charge of child care. In
fact, sometimes little ones do better with socialization if they are allowed to
be in group settings once in a while.
•
Make The Most Of Downtime
Take advantage of any downtime you have to
tackle projects that must be done. While your baby sleeps, for example, make
your calls. As your child eats breakfast, get dinner started in a slow cooker.
Do remember to carve out some time for yourself, too.
Going from an office working career woman
to a work at home mom can be a huge transition. Be kind to yourself and learn
to keep things in perspective. You can juggle quite a few balls at once. You
can’t, however, do everything all the time by yourself.
CLOSING
Leaving the rat race for a career that’s
based out of the home can be an excellent decision for you, your family and
even your long-term moneymaking prospects. This decision, however, is a huge
one. Don’t trudge forward without carefully examining your options.
Working at home just isn’t for everyone.
Make sure you really explore the options and consider your motivations. If you
know you live and breathe by working in an office setting with a lot of people
surrounding you, you might not be happy at home. While it sounds nice to be
able to spend time with your child, if you truly want to be in an office with
people, you could make everyone miserable by doing otherwise. If your
personality doesn’t fit the work at home profile, don’t panic. You can have an
outside the home career and still be an excellent mother. Recognizing you need
something different can actually be good for your child.
Now, if you’ve decided the move is truly
good for you, the chances of you enjoying success should go up. To truly make a
serious go at any at-home career, you will need to have a plan in place. This
will need to include startup funding, a business plan and even some prospects
for advertising, marketing and a client base. Do your homework and move ahead
with caution. In a little time, your business venture should be up and running.
Remember as you work at home, your playing field has changed dramatically.
You’ll need to be able to juggle, exercise patience and keep a sense of humor
about yourself. Work will be important, but so will your other job – being a
mommy.
Set your goals and try to stick with them.
Do, however, exercise a little flexibility. There will be days you can’t get
into the “office” until midnight and others where everything flows smoothly
from morning routine straight through to bedtime. The beauty of being a work at
home mom is you should have the ability to adapt to the needs of the day. This
particular benefit can be worth every bit of effort that goes into launch an at
home venture.
Becoming a work at home mom is a very big
deal for a career woman. Stick to your guns and be patient. If you do this, you
can make your dreams reality.
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