Making Work At Home Work

Why are you working?

2010-10-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

October's Making Work at Home Work blog ring post.

Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who don't know why they are working. Most assume that they are working for money. But when I talk to people about the topic, I hear a lot of different reasons for work. Some work for the mental stimulation. Some to keep their skills up to date. Other work to support their scrapbooking habit or to be able to purchase cosmetics at a discount.

There's a big difference between working to put food on the table vs.working for the "extras" such as summer camp or a vacation. Both are legitimate but it's essential to be honest about your motivation. Knowing what drives you will help you keep your priorities in order. When my children were young, I worked for the extras. However, instead of stopping when I earned enough to help with vacation costs I kept right on going, becoming a workaholic in the process. It didn't serve me or my family. When I recognized my error, I was able to cut back on work in order to create a healthier balance. Now that my children are school-age and I'm working to help cover orthodontia, tuition and retirement, I've increased my hours accordingly.

Understanding why you are working makes it easier to make tough work-related decisions. Will you work on the weekends? Stay up late to get it all done? If you're working to put food on the table, the answer will more likely be yes. But if you're working for the fun of it, you may choose not to compromise family time by late night or weekend work. When you know why you are working, it gets easier to decide what kind of boundaries you'll adhere to.

Summer Survival

2010-07-13T05:27:00.000-07:00

One of the toughest things about working from home is...well, working from home. Especially during the summer. I'm here because I want to be the one that drives my kids to and from their activities and plans fun events with them. But I'm torn because in the midst of all the summer fun, I still have deadlines and work requirements. Here are a few survival tips that are helping me stay sane this summer:

Lighten the load whenever you can. I have a couple of smaller projects that I'm deliberately putting off until my children are back in school. Giving myself permission to do so has made me feel less guilty about the fact that they are not done yet.
Ask for help. Little things make a big difference in keeping things running smoothly. My kids are now helping by folding laundry, sweeping the floors and emptying the dishwasher. Though none of these tasks takes much time, they produce valuable work time for me during the day if I don't have to do them all myself.
Communicate regularly. I often have phone interviews lined up--and that means I'm not available to my kids. I let them know what the day is going to look like ahead of time when possible so that they know when I'm available to them and when I'm not. It's less frustrating for all of us if I don't have to interpret sign language when I'm on a call!
Hire help. When work and family compete for my attention during the day, I've hired friends' high school or college age children to help. They've picked up my kids and brought them home after day camps and one is even taking my son golfing (since neither my husband or I golf). This has eased my stress on several occasions and enabled me to help a young person earn a little extra cash.
Be kind to yourself. I know that I'm living this summer imperfectly. But I also know I'm doing my best to juggle competing demands. Instead of feeling guilty or critical regarding what each individual day looks like, I choose instead to take an overall look at the summer. And so far, it's been a good one!

What strategies are you using to make it through this summer?

http://www.makingworkathomework.com/

Three Reasons You Can't Afford that High Maintenance Client

2010-06-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, the following is a "must read" for everyone who is self-employed. I'm reposting it with permission:

Several years ago, when I was in business for myself, I had a client who was really “high maintenance.” By that, I mean he was someone who had unreasonable expectations of me and my company. Unfortunately, I didn’t see that on the front end; I was too focused on “the opportunity.”

Within the first thirty days, however, t became obvious we had a problem. I sat down with the client and a few of his staff members to review where we were. I had worked hard—more than the size of the account warranted—in an effort to super-please him. I was confident I had “hit it out of the park.”

Not so much.

The client was very unhappy. Not only did he not praise me for what I had accomplished, he didn’t even acknowledge it. He focused exclusively on what I had’t done. Talk about the-glass-is-half-empty. I was stunned.

Not surprisingly, the client fired me a few months later. It was very painful. But as difficult as that experience was, it did lead to some positive outcomes, starting with me beginning to understand the need to clarify expectations from the get-go.

But here’s where it gets interesting. A few years later that same client came back to me and practically begged me to take him back. Stupid me. I did. (I’m not proud of it.)
I naively thought this second time would be different.

He’s changed, I told myself. I even assured my staff—and my wife—that he had changed. Besides, I reasoned, I have also changed. I’m a better manager this time around.
I was wrong on both counts.

The client had not changed. He was still the unreasonable, demanding tyrant he had always been. Yes, he could still turn on the charm when he needed to, but fundamentally, he was a narcissist. Nothing I could do—or could ever do—would change him. It was all about him.
But I hadn’t changed that much either. I am pretty good at creativity and execution, but I am not super human. I had not suddenly acquired super powers. In fact, in some relational experiences like this, I am admittedly a slow learner.

But, regardless, here’s what I distilled from that second experience:

1. Some people are just high maintenance. They operate out of their “woundedness,” to borrow a phrase from John Eldredge. I am never going to please them. I will only deplete myself trying.

2. High maintenance people are a distraction. They suck up more than their fair share of resources. In fact, if I let them, they will suck up everything I and my team have to offer. They are a bottomless pit.

3. They keep me from serving others. I am better off to say “no” and spend the time searching for low maintenance clients—or at least reasonable ones. It’s really not fair to my other clients or my teammates to keep these “Me Monsters” around.

I don’t mean to sound unkind, but there are just some people you are not called to serve. You can spend all your time caught up in the drama of their demands and accusations, or you can move on. The sooner you cut the cord and fire them, the more productive—and happy—you’ll be.

No matter how big the opportunity appears to be, it’s just not worth the maintenance involved.

Toughest Challenge?

2010-05-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

Recently I asked the Making Work at Home Work blog ring bloggers this question:

What has been the toughest challenge you faced over the past year as a work-at-home mom and how did you solve it?

Over the next few posts I'll be sharing their responses! Scroll down for another response.

Teresa Huff had this to say ...

One of the biggest challenges I’ve had to overcome as a work at home mom is fear. Fear of failure, fear of making a wrong decision, fear of making a fool of myself, fear of making a client mad…whatever the reason, it rears its ugly head and tries to convince me that I can’t. I used to believe it a lot. But the last few years I’ve learned that fear doesn’t need to dictate my decisions. Fear doesn’t provide opportunities and open doors I never thought possible. Fear doesn’t lead me to find the perfect career fit for me. Fear doesn’t get me anywhere or make me any better at what I do. I’ve learned to develop confidence in my skills and abilities. I’ve learned to ask God for guidance and then listen when He gives it (although that is still a constant challenge!) I’ve learned to build a support network of other professionals in my field, seek opportunities to continue learning, and help others along the way.

It didn’t happen overnight…and building confidence is a process I’m still working on. But experience, successes, and even some failures have made me more confident in my abilities. It’s not the end of the world to fail and it doesn’t mean I’m bad at my job. I have learned that it’s ok to stand up for myself. I’ve learned to weigh the pros and cons, calculate the risks, and make a confident decision based on what is best for me and my family. I’ve learned that it is a good thing to keep my family a priority and expect my clients to respect that. I’ve learned that I can be a professional and still work from home in my sweats with a sick child home from school on the couch and a toddler digging through the pantry for a snack. Sometimes I have to swallow fear and jump in. I have adopted the mindset of, “If I don’t try, I know it won’t happen. If I try, at least I stand a chance.” I have learned to TRY.

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

Teresa Huff is an independent consultant who specializes in grants & strategic planning.

Thanks Teresa! What about you - what has been your biggest challenge?

Toughest Challenges?

2010-05-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Toughest Challenges?

2010-05-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

Recently I asked the Making Work at Home Work blog ring bloggers this question:

What has been the toughest challenge you faced over the past year as a work-at-home mom and how did you solve it?

Over the next few posts I'll be sharing their responses!
Julie Arduini had this to say ...

Balance was my challenge as I transitioned to full time writer.

I assumed with both kids in school I could take my writing goals for the year and crank them out in two months. My plan also included daily trips to the YMCA, weekly meetings, and keeping up with the house work. By the end of September I was frustrated. I didn’t meet any major writing goals.

During that season we installed carpets and replaced furniture, a process that took longer than I wanted. Kids got sick. School and church groups called, knowing I was “free” all day with children in school. By Christmas I let myself stress trying to do it all and please everyone. I was impatient because I blocked my own goals with lack of balance.

I needed to break free from my perpetual hamster wheel.

Our senior pastor announced he was going to take a book that revolutionized his own life and use it for sermons, Sunday school classes and home group scenarios. I didn’t pay much attention because it seemed like more to do, and I was looking for a way to control what I already had going. The pastor went on to ask if I would lead the home group for women. The book was Peter Scazzero’s Emotional Healthy Spirituality.

I agreed to the group. My husband and I prepared the lessons for my group sessions. As we listened to the sermons and tackled the workbook, I learned essential principles to put my writing and my life back on track.

I’m still working through the book. I learned just because it’s for a good cause doesn’t mean I’m personally called to do it all. I’m reaching deadlines and creating additional projects. I’m experiencing Emotional Healthy Spirituality and am enjoying balance.

I’m a writer and public speaker encouraging audiences with the surrender platform. My website is http://www.juliearduini.com.

Thanks Julie! What about you - what has been your biggest challenge?

Find the Right Coach

2010-03-17T05:55:00.000-07:00

In my last post I talked about working with a coach. This time, we'll address how to find the right coach for you. I suggest the following:

Referrals. Ask friends and colleagues if they can recommend anyone to you. Listen to conversations. If you hear someone mention that they work with a coach, ask if they'd be willing to share the name and contact information. Referrals are by far the best way to find a coach.

Identify specifically what you need help with. Do you need help increasing your income? Decreasing your expenses? Someone to brainstorm marketing ideas with? Or, do you have plenty of ideas but lack the follow through to do them? In this latter case, you'll want someone who can use a little tough love to hold you accountable for getting things done. The more specific you are regarding where you need help, the more likely you'll be to find a coach that's a good fit for you.

Search online. Do a search for coaches online. You'll find plenty! Pick a few sites to go to, read about each coach and his or her philosophy, and watch the videos. You'll get a sense of who you might feel comfortable working with. Narrow the list to these possibilities.

Request a complimentary introductory session. This is THE most important step. I "met" by phone with several coaches before finding mine. One coach spent the whole conversation talking about herself. Another spent the entire time saying, "If you decide to work with me, then..." And a third was not at all focused during our conversation, which led me to believe our coaching sessions would be the same way--frustrating for me.

Make the decision. Know that your coaching relationship won't last forever. This makes it easier to decide who you will work with. Pick the coach you are most interested in. Then, ask if you can sign up for a limited number of sessions (a minimum of three). You'll have a good sense of how the relationship is working after several sessions.

Be willing to do the work. When you enter a coaching relationship, you're making a commitment to help your coach help you. And you're making a commitment to doing homework between sessions as well as to do the heavy thinking required to help take your business to the next level. Coaches see lots of people who are willing to pay for help, but fewer who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Your work with a coach only pays off if you're invested and willing to sweat along with your coach.

Good luck!

www.makingworkathomework.com

Working With a Coach

2010-02-11T12:31:00.001-08:00

I took the plunge and hired a coach late last year. She’s been a fabulous addition to my team and is worth every penny. Here’s how I’m benefiting:

Accountability: At the end of each session, we identify 3-5 activities for me to complete by our next session. I don’t want to disappointment my coach or embarrass myself so I find I’m highly motivated to get my “homework” done each month.

Advice: I’m able to outline my thoughts and then ask for her advice. Though she doesn’t always say, “This is what I think you should do...” she is always able to ask pertinent questions to help me come to a decision I’m comfortable with.

Expertise: My coach has small business acumen and more importantly to me, is an expert in online marketing, something that intimidates me. I have a lot of questions about how to implement my online marketing ideas and she’s a great resource for getting the answers I need. When I’m stuck, she reminds me that I don’t have to know how to do everything and that between us, we can find the resources to implement even the craziest ideas.

Companionship: Let’s face it, being a solo-preneur can be a lonely endeavor. My coach gives me someone to bounce ideas off of as well as the comfort of having someone along on the journey with me. Knowing someone else is rooting for me encourages me to continue to strive for excellence.

If you’re looking to help your business reach new heights in 2010, consider hiring a coach. Doing so is a great way to stretch yourself and grow your business.

www.makingworkathomework.com

Succeed By Being Other-Focused

2010-01-08T04:45:00.000-08:00

"The best way to get what you want is to help others get what they want."

As we start a new year, the above is worth pondering. What are you helping others get? Healthy? Prettier? More organized?

I help others get clarity in their vision of success and narrow their focus when it comes to their "To Do" list.

Once you're able to identify what it is you help others do, it's easier to market.

If you haven't taken the time to answer this question, now is a great time to do so. It will make 2010 more productive for you.

Here's to a great year!

www.makingworkathomework.com

Entrepreneurship May be Hereditary

2010-01-01T05:45:00.000-08:00

I read an interesting article in USA Today recently. It stated that, "Nearly half of business founders had a parent who started a small business first, according to a Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation report released last summer. Slightly more than 15% had siblings who launched a business before they did."

In other words, entrepreneurism may run in families. Also in the article: "'If you had a family member who started a business, you are more likely to become an entrepreneur than someone who didn't,' says Vivek Wadhwa, founder of two technology companies, as well as a senior research associate at the Labor & Worklife Program at Harvard Law School and a co-author of the Kauffman study. 'They provide inspiration, financing and they teach you the ropes.'"

I became aware of the influence I was having on my children when, after a business call, my daughter turned to me and said, "Mom, I like hearing how you talk on the phone." It was a simple, but powerful, statement. Children learn what they see and hear. And my kids are learning to run a business just by watching me.

I don't care if my kids become business owners or not. But I'm glad that they are being exposed to business ownership as an option for themselves in the future. I've told them that I learned much of what I needed to know to run a business by working for someone else first. And I've also told them that I started to work for myself while I was still working for someone else. Both things made my transition to entrepreneur easier.

As you embrace the possibilities of 2010, consider using this year as a time to show your kids about the benefits of being self-employed. They can learn a lot just by watching and listening to you. Invite them into your work space. Let them help when they can. Show them that though the buck stops with you, you also have a lot of freedom and flexibility. And, if you're lucky enough to love what you do, let them see the value of passion and enthusiasm in work.

Happy New Year!

www.makingworkathomework.com

Working Around the Holidays

2009-12-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

What's your work policy around the holidays? Several work-at-home moms I know close their businesses for a couple of weeks around the holidays. Others I know put theirs on "maintenance." I do a little of both.

Since I work from a home office, no one but me knows if I'm at my desk or not. Earlier this week, I took a day off to go holiday shopping. I checked my e-mail and voicemail before I left and when I returned. Clients had no idea I was playing hooky.

Though I'm tempted to close my business the last two weeks of this month, I find December is actually highly productive for me. My phone gets quiet, I get fewer e-mails, and consequently, I get lots done! I use it as a "catch up" month. Time to get to the projects I haven't been able to complete. Time to prepare for next year. And time to do the filing I've been postponing for months! (Much of this occurs early in the morning while my children slumber peacefully during the holiday break.)

Though I choose to work through the holidays, more power to you if you decide to take a break. The important thing is that we are intentional and deliberate about both our work and our play.

www.makingworkathomework.com

Schedule Your Own Off-Season

2009-11-30T08:12:00.000-08:00

Walter Bond is a former player in the National Basketball Assocation who is now a professional speaker. He's taken the concept of the "off season," which all professional athletes enjoy, and adapted it for his current business model. He writes, "An 'off season' is designed to give you an edge in your career and in your personal life by isolating areas for continouse improvement. It is not a vacation, nor a sabbatical. It is an annual break dedicated to retool, regroup, refresh and refocus for optimal performance improvement."

Many work-at-home moms tell me that they let their business lie fallow between Thanksgiving and the New Year. Admittedly, it's a slow time for me as well and I appreciate the fact that my business slows down just as the holidays are speeding up! And though I've always taken the time to do some business planning during the month of December, I've been inspired by Bond to go even further. He says that each year he takes apart his business and reassmbles it so that he's more effective. I'll admit that I've never gone to this much trouble but I plan to do some serious thinking this year. If you'd like to join me, here are a few questions to get you started:

What's not currently working in my business?

What activities are most profitable for me? Least profitable?

Which activities do I get the most personal pleasure out of? The least?

Are there tasks that I can contract out cost effectively?

What professionals, if any, do I need to add to my team (i.e. tax preparer, accountant)?

How can I market my business more effectively?

Are my expenses in line with my income or could I benefit by reducing expenses?

Am I saving a portion of what I make each year? And if so, are some of these savings for retirement?

Are there revenue streams I should consider adding next year? If so, what is the best way to introduce them, and do I need help creating this revenue stream?

Is my business stressing me out? If so, how can I reinvent my business so it's a source of pleasure and not stress?

The above questions will get you started thinking about how you might be more effective in the new year. If it's your off-season, this is a perfect time to retool, regroup, refresh and refocus.

www.makingworkathomework.com

Work at Home Advice and Encouragement NOW!

2009-11-23T08:18:00.000-08:00

I had the great privilege recently of doing a four-part teleseminar series about successfully working from home with Jill Hart, founder of Christian Work at Home Moms (http://www.cwahm.com/). We discussed everything from child care to marketing to managing the financial side of your business.

Because we know work-at-home moms are busy, we taped the series and are now making it available as an instant download. You can buy one or all four of the seminars and listen to them at your convenience. The seminars are on sale right now.

If you're looking for valuable advice and encouragement or just need a little pick-me-up as we enter the busy holiday season, I hope you'll consider investing in your future as a business owner. And the best part? Your purchase is tax deductible!

Click here to challenge yourself as a work-at-home CEO now: http://thewahgirls.com/listenno/.

http://www.makingworkathomework.com/

Holiday Home/Work Balance Tips

2009-11-19T07:53:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

As I look ahead to the approaching holiday season, I thought I share a few suggestions for you to consider for your business.

Give yourself a break. Most employees will get time off for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sometimes I give myself time off, too. But I'm not always intentional about it. This year, I'm going to actually mark off a couple of days that I'm gifting to myself. I'll turn on my auto reply and get myself out of the office. I know it will feel good and will be rejuvenating for me.
Make a list of office supply and equipment needs. I know it is difficult to spend money on work when you need to spend money on holiday gifts. But there are two great reasons to make work related purchases this month and next. One, there are great sales. Two, if you've had a successful year in 2009, you can reduce your taxable income by purchasing things you need (and want) for your business.
Consider developing a one-page plan for next year. I spend one morning each December writing a one-page business plan for myself. I simply identify four or five initiatives that would help my business. I capture them on paper, jot down my action plans, and post it on my wall. This helps keep me focused throughout the year.
Set a financial goal (unless it will make you a slave to your business). I set financial goals for myself early in my business. But I abandoned them when they became the be-all and end-all for me even though I had two preschool aged children. Instead, I focused on taking the work that came my way. No more, no less. Now, however, I've started setting goals again. And I'm pleased to report that I had my best year ever in 2009! Don't be a slave to a goal. But consider setting one if it will motivate and encourage you or if you have something special you're saving for.
Take time to be thankful. I am grateful I get to work from home. Sometimes I forget my gratitude when I'm overwhelmed or behind in my work. But I don't want to lose sight of what a privilege it is to run my own business. I plan to keep this in the forefront of my mind as I approach this holiday season.

Feel free to hit the comment button and add a few thoughts of your own.

www.makingworkathomework.com

Would You Like to Write for My Blog?

2009-11-03T08:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I shared a post from fellow entrepreneur Joy Duling. Becuase I love to learn from other people, I'd like to invite you to submit a blog post. If yours is selected, I'll include information about you and your work and a link to your website.

You can write about anything you like related to being a work-at-home mom. Posts should be no more than 500 words (preferably less). You'll retain the copyright.

Consider writing about the toughest lesson you ever learned as an entrepreneur or the best advice you've gotten. Or how about productivity, organizing, computer shortcuts, or marketing tips? The list is endless. All I ask is that you make the post specific enough to be of help to fellow at-home entrepreneurs.

Send your post to me at mbyers@marybyers.com with "Blog Post" in the subject line. I can't wiat to read your advice!

www.makingworkathomework.com

Rules to Live By

2009-11-02T04:27:00.000-08:00

From Mary: Following is a guest post from my friend Joy Duling:

Working from home can often turn into a balancing act. The duties of work and home begin to overlap, and often one can take over. Many moms decide to work at home to spend more time with their families, but end up dedicating even more time to work. Here are a few tips to help you juggle.

1. Get organized. Figure out what your goals and priorities are, in your business and in your personal life, then figure out how to achieve them. Then put your house, office, and life in general, together in a way that will help you achieve your goals.

2. Lists, lists, lists. One you have your plans and goals, make to-do lists. Try to organize your lists by priority. If something doesn’t get done, it probably wasn’t that important anyway.

3. Multitask. At some point, you’re probably going to get burned out doing things that seem tedious or that you just don’t want to do. Try mixing it up. If something is really stressing you out, go on to something else and come back. As a WAHM, there’s always something else that needs to get done.

4. Set work hours, and follow them. Set work hours for times when the kids aren’t around, or don’t require a lot of attention. When your work hours are done, stop working. If you can’t manage to get your work done, you may need to reset your work hours, but you most likely need to look at how much work you can actually take on.

5. Make a separate space for work and family. While it may be easy to work and play in the same area, it helps to have a dedicated office area when you work from home. This will help you focus on what you need to be doing, and even help protect you from getting your work disrupted by your family.

6. Get the family to help. Sure, if your kids are young, they aren’t going to be able to help with much, but even very small children can often help organize the house or dry dishes. Make sure everyone does their part.

7. Take time for you. When balancing work and family, you often forget an important part of the equation: you. When scheduling your work and family, always schedule some time to relax, socialize, and do what you like to do.

8. Make friends. Even if you don’t get to see them a lot, friends are an important part of maintaining your physical and mental health. Remember to take time to keep your friendships alive.

9. Stay positive. One of the biggest keys to success is keeping a positive attitude. You’ll be surprised what you can accomplish as long as you believe you can do it. Plus, you’ll be setting a great life example for your kids at the same time.

10. Remember that you are unique. Trying to fit into someone else’s schedule and someone else’s plan isn’t necessarily going to be successful. You need to tailor your plan into your family’s unique needs and find something that works for you.

All great visionaries need someone behind the scenes who helps them create a solid plan to move from Point A to Point B. As a Business Strategist and Managing Director of the professional services firm, A 25 Hour Day LLC, Joy Duling plays that role, helping time-pressed professionals find the focus, systems and accountability they need to achieve their goals. You can learn more about Joy's work at http://www.a25hourday.com/.

www.markingworkathomework.com

Teleseminar Tonight

2009-10-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

I've joined with Jill Hart, founder of Christian Work at Home Moms (cwahm.org) and the author of So You Want to Be a Work at Home Mom? to develop a teleseminar series for moms who work from home. Tonight is our second program. It starts at 7:30 central and lasts for an hour. We'll be discussing “Realistic Expectations: What You Need to Know about Working from Home Successfully.” You'll learn:

*The Toughest Thing about Working From Home

*Developing an At-Home-CEO Mentality

*6 Childcare Strategies to Lighten the Load

*Setting Policies to Insure Your Success

*Adopting the Seasonal Approach to Growing Your Business

If you'd like to learn more, or register for the program, I invite you to go to http://www.theworkathomegirls.com/. If you register for all four sessions, you'll get the first program in a MP3 format so that you won't miss anything. Hope you'll joing us!

www.makingworkathomework.com

Mind Over Matter

2009-10-14T06:03:00.000-07:00

I'm continually amazed that the feedback on my book Making Work at Home Work focuses on the mental aspect of working from home. By far the majority of those who have written to me have said that what helped them the most was the idea that their mindset makes all the difference when it comes to making work at home work.

It does.

When you approach your work with a loving, forgiving attitude, you'll find that you thrive. When you approach it with pre-child expectations and a perfectionistic attitude, you're more likely to be disappointed and frustrated. At least that's what I've found to be true.

One thing I've noticed about myself: I'm harder on myself than I am on others and my expectations of myself are higher than others' expectations for me. In some ways, this has been responsible for any success I've had. But it also makes me my own worst enemy.

Today, I invite you to ask yourself this question: How am I responsible for making work at home harder than it has to be? Then listen quietly for the answers you hear.

When I asked myself this question, here's what I heard:

Don't be so tense about deadlines. If your clients are comfortable missing them, you need to be too.
You need to lighten up.
Recognize that what didn't get done today can get done tomorrow.
Client satisfaction with you is more important than your satisfaction with yourself.
The value you think you bring to a project may be different in the client's eyes. As a result, don't be so hard on yourself.

Notice that I didn't give myself an excuse to slack off, miss deadlines, or lower my standards. But I did give myself permision to be kinder to myself. And that's made all the difference when it comes to saving my sanity in my at-home business.

Fellow Entrepreneur Offers Advice

2009-10-09T06:53:00.000-07:00

Today I want to wrap up the interview with Revka that posted last week. You may remember she runs Berries and Cream Blog Design. When I asked Revka what she'd recommend to other work-at-home moms, here's what she said:

I would also advise entrepreneurs to start out right by taking the steps I am only now taking: realize that working from home/owning a business means that you will have much less time for volunteer work and other activities; work with your spouse to set mutually agreeable goals, guidelines, and boundaries for your business; and set a specific dollar amount monthly sales goal as soon as possible.

One last piece of advice - free isn't always best. Be willing to invest in your business as you are able, and always get the best {fill in the blank} you can afford. Sometimes the best option is free, but don't make a decision based solely on whether one option is free and the other isn't.

I agree with all of the above as they all were hard-earned lessons for me personally. Doing the above will help you save your sanity and preserve your profit. The sooner, the better!

By the way, Revka is one of two entrepreneurs I know who have an e-mail auto reply that advises clients/potential customers regarding office hours. In addition to running her at-home business, she's the mother of four children, three of which she currently homeschools! Her auto reply indicates that her office hours are from 2-4 and includes contact information for another individual if a client needs to reach someone during this time. This is an effective use of technology and one I use when I'm traveling so that my clients know why I'm not getting back with them right away. Although I leave my cell phone number "just in case" on my auto reply, I've never had a client use it.

Thanks, Revka, for letting me share your story. Now, friends, what's one change you've made to your business that has made a big difference? Leave a comment and let's get a discussion going!

Find Your Strongest Life

2009-10-05T12:24:00.000-07:00

Whoops! I'm sure you noticed that the third part of my profile of Berries and Cream Founder Revka appeared ahead of the other posts. I apologize and take full responsibility for that.

I'll be sharing some advice from Revka in a future post but today I want to share information on a new book titled Find Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham. Marcus is a proponent of working from your strengths, not your weaknesses. And though we can't all do what we love all the time, he's made a compelling argument in this book that we can increase the contentment in our lives by doing what we love and are good at as much as possible. Here's an excerpt:

"The conventional image of a successful woman today is that she's a virtuoso juggler, somehow moving fast enough to keep all the many aspects of her busy life in the air at the same time. Conventional it may be, but it's also quite sad. The core skill of juggling is throwing, not catching. To keep every object in the air, you have to get rid of each one as quickly as possible, barely allowing it to register on your fingertips before you toss it up and away, preparing for the next object to throw.

A strong life is the opposite of juggling. Juggling requires you to keep everything at bay, up in the air, away from you. The secret to living a strong life lies in knowing how to draw a few things in toward you. It asks you to be discriminating, selective, intentional. You can find energizing moments in each aspect of your life, but to do so you must learn how to catch them, hold on to them, feel the pull of their weight, and allow yourself to follow where they lead."

Wow. The above is profound advice. Instead of juggling, I'm working to catch--and embrace--each aspect of my life. Julia Klein of C.H. Brigg Company advises: "Forget the idea of 'balancing' work and family. Think of 'integrating' instead, making everything and everyone an important part of a holistic life."

October has arrived and in my neck of the woods, this means a new season. Thanks to the above, a new season of my mothering life is dawning as well. I'm no longer willing to juggle. Instead, I'm focusing on integrating everything. We'll be looking at how in the days ahead.

Embracingly Yours,

Little Things Make a Big Difference, Part 2

2009-09-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

We're taking a look at the little things that make a big difference for work-at-home success. Yesterday I introduced you to Revka, the owner of http://berriesandcreamblogdesign.com/. (That's her in the picture!)

Not only did she start being honest about the fact that she works from home, she also asked her husband if they could discuss her business and their individual views and goals for it. She shared, "It was quite an eye-opening discussion--sometimes painful but quite helpful. At last, we are on the same page and have agreed to a particular set of goals and boundaries for my business."

According to Revka, the discussion has positively impacted her marriage. She notes, "With guidelines in place, I know where the boundaries are and what is acceptable to him in terms of fulfilling home responsibilities and business obligations. When I cross those boundaries, he is now able to remind me where the boundary is. This has reduced feelings of resentment, frustration, and anger on both our parts."

I found the same to be true in my own marriage. Resentment had been building for a long time. When I finally approached my husband for an open discussion about my desire to work and the balance it takes to make it happen, we were able to agree on a system that works for us. But I waited too long to have the discussion and wish I had done it sooner.

Honest communication is essential to work-at-home success. Do you need to schedule a conversation with your significant other? If so, don't delay!

We'll cover the last of Revka's changes tomorrow. Stay tuned!

No More Work-at-Home Insanity,

Little Things Make a Big Difference

2009-09-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

A reader recently Facebooked me to thank me for writing Make At Home Work: Successfully Growing a Business and a Family Under One Roof. Revka said the book changed her business for the better. Ever curious, I asked her how. She shared three adjustments that have made a big difference for her. Amazingly, they were the same three adjustments I made to my business so that I quit drowning and started living again!

Before I share these changes, however, I'd like for you to meet Revka. She's the talent behind Berries and Cream Blog Design, which offers custom blog designs (particularly custom WordPress designs) and small business web solution packages. The company gives WAHMs and other entrepreneurs the opportunity to have a professional-quality website even on a small budget. You can find her online at http://berriesandcreamblogdesign.com/.

The first change Revka made is that she quit trying to "hide" the fact that she works from home. She wrote, "Instead of trying to do it all, I now acknowledge that my business places demands on my time that prevent me from volunteering for everything. I also acknowledge that I have deadlines and that at times my business takes precedence over housework and even family."

And how has this helped her? "Since I no longer minimize my business obligations, I find it much easier to refuse to take on more responsibilities. This has greatly reduced my stress level, and I do not feel completely overwhelmed like I did when I was trying to do it all and run my business, too."

I found the same thing to be true. Sometimes when you try to be all things to all people, you end up being nothing to no one, including your self and your family. Be honest about the fact that you work from home. This is the first step to sanity in an at-home business.

Later this week will look at the other two changes Revka made.

No More Work-at-Home Insanity,

Little Things Make a Big Difference, Part 3

2009-09-28T09:02:00.001-07:00

Blog designer Revka (you can see her at the right) made three changes as a result of reading Making Work at Home Work: Successfully Growing a Business and a Family Under One Roof. We addressed two over the past couple of days. Today we'll address the third change, which has to do with setting financial goals for your business.

Instead of trying to make as much as possible each month, Revka now has a specific dollar goal. Once that goal is reached, she views any other income as an added blessing, not an obligation. She shares, "I cannot express how freeing it is to set a specific dollar goal for monthly sales. As you state in your book, when you are trying to make as much as you can, there is always a sense of having to take every job that comes along, and that is an enormous load of stress at times. Since I set monthly sales goals, I have been able to pass along work when I feel like it instead of adding unnecessary stress to my life like I did before. What I find curious is that instead of making less money per month, I have actually made more money each month than I did before, even while turning down or passing on jobs. In fact, I have made double my monthly sales goal nearly all of the months since I set the goal (emphasis mine)."

I found the same to be true: when I set a financial goal and was deliberate about not overwhelming myself with work, my income actually went up! And Revka and I aren't the first to notice this. I've spoken with many entrepreneurs who have had this happen. It speaks to the power of clarity, goals, and approaching your work from a position of strength rather than feeling you have to accept every project that comes along. The more clearly I was able to define the type of work I wanted, the more able I was to find it. And the more clearly I was able to define the work, the more able I was to find the kind of clients I wanted to work with and those who would be able to afford my services. It sounds crazy, but it's true.

If you haven't set a monthly financial goal for your business, now is the time to do it. And it also make sense (and a lot of dollars) to take the time to define the type of work you most like to do and the type of client you most like to do it for. Why? Because when you know what you're looking for, it's much easier to find it.

Blessings,

http://www.makingworkathomework.com/

Setting Fees

2009-09-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

In my last post I wrote about setting a financial goal. In this post, I'll show how this influences your work.

As we discussed previously, it takes gross income of $60,000 to result in a net profit of around $24,000 (assuming overhead of 30% and taxes of 30%). If this is our goal, this information tells us that we need to produce $5,000 income every month ($60,000 divided by 12=$5,000).

Where's this $5,000 going to come from? Excellent question. And it's one every entrepreneur needs to answer (based on their individual goal).

If you're a piano teacher who charges $15 per half-hour lesson, you know your income is $30 per hour. How many hours would you have to teach to make $5,000? Simple math tells us 167 hours per month. When we divide further, we can see that you'd have to work full-time teaching lessons each week to reach this goal (167 hours divided by 4 weeks= 41.75 hours per week). Since most teachers only teach in the evenings and on weekends due to children's school schedules, we can see that an income of $60,000 per year teaching piano isn't likely, unless you raise your rates. Before doing so, however, you should call around to find out what the going rate is. A rate increase might make it difficult for you to add students to your roster or cause some current students to leave.

Let's take the same goal but look at another scenario. If you're a cake decorator who specializes in wedding cakes averaging $750 each, how many cakes would you have to create to make an income of $60,000? Again, simple math shows us the answer. $60,000 divided by $750 (average per cake)=80 cakes. Is this manageable for you based on current demand, your family's needs, etc.? Only you can answer this question.

One last scenario. Let's say you have a contract to help a web design company write copy for new websites. The company pays you a flat fee of $750 for each website. Currently, you're completing two of these a week, for a total income of $1,500 per week. This means you're making $6,000 per month and will likely meet your income goal in 10 months. Maybe, just maybe, this means you can take a couple of months off in the summer to spend with your children, or at least cut back on your work since you know you'll be able to hit your financial goal (assuming the company continues to send you two websites per week to work on).

There are a couple of things to keep in mind as you ponder these scenarios:

1. There is nothing magic about the numbers I used above. Frankly, I just pulled a number out of the air as an example. Don't feel bad if your number is much lower--or much higher--than the one I used above. Remember, only you know what's best for your family. My income my first year of working at home was less than $3,000. As my children have become more self-sufficient, it's grown accordingly.

2. Your line of work will determine, in part, what's realistic for you in terms of income. Your family situation will also help deteremine what's realistic. Finally, the amount of time you want to spend working will also influence your goals.

3. Goals are not cast in stone. If you see that you've set yours too high and are sacrificing too much to try to meet it, give yourself permission to adjust it. I deeply regret the number of nights I stayed up late working and the number of days I was grumpy because of it--all because I was determined to meet my financial goal. The crazy thing is that it was one I set myself and there was no punishment for not meeting it, nor any real benefit to reaching it other than self-satisfaction. I paid a high price in terms of my marital relationship, however, and I'm glad I was able to see the light in time to make a change.

4. Goals are not meant to just drive you to work hard. They are also meant to help you know when you can ease up. It's been easier for me to give myself persmission to take a few days off or schedule lunch with a friend now that I track my income each month and can see when I'm ahead of my goals.

You've got plenty of time between now and the end of the year to decide what your 2010 financial goal will be if you decide to set one. Think about it. Write down a figure, and live with it a couple of weeks before you finalize it. Then, remember that the goal should be subject to change depending on what happens in your life next year.

Financially Yours,

http://www.makingworkathomework.com/

Setting Your Financial Goals

2009-09-18T17:11:00.000-07:00

How much do you want to make next year?

Many work at home moms answer this question with a simple, "As much as possible." But often, as much as possible means you have to work "as much as possible." And, if you let it, "as much as possible" can begin to run your life. You'll always feel like you need to make one more call. Add one more person to your network. Make one more sale.

A better approach, from my standpoint, is to set your financial goal for the year. As you do, keep in mind that on average, most entrepreneurs keep around 40 percent of what they make. About 30% goes to pay taxes and 30% is consumed by overhead expenses. If you earn $100, your profit will be somewhere around $40. To earn a profit of $24,000, you'll have to have income of about $60,000. Kind of depressing, isn't it? But it's better to know this up front so that you can be realistic when setting your goals.

Once you have a number in mind, you can divide it by 12 in order to determine your targeted monthly income. Using the figure of $60,000, we can see we'll need to make about $5,000 a month in order to have a net profit of $24,000 at the end of the year. Dividing this further, we note we'll need to make $1,250 per week.

Why bother with all this math? First, you'll be able to see how realistic your finanical goals are. And second, when you have a measuring stick, it's easier to determine how you're doing. If you're ahead of your financial goal for the month, perhaps you can close the office door early a couple of nights or give yourself a day or two off. And if you're behind, you can decide if you want to work a little harder to get caught up, or to adjust your goal based on your family's needs.

Having a goal has made it easier for me to budget my time--and to set my fees based on what I hope to make. I'll address this in my next post.

Boosting Your Revenue

2009-09-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

If you’ve priced your goods and services appropriately, revenue leads to profit and if you are interested in increasing your profit, there are only four ways to do it:

1. Increase your revenue by selling more products or booking more business (this may require you to work more than you currently are)

2. Increase your fees or prices (which may not be possible if you’re an independent direct sales consultant)

3. Reduce your expenses (but not to the point that you compromise your effectiveness)

4. Develop new revenue streams

For the past two years, my goal has been to work less and make more. It’s not that I’ve gotten greedy. I just want to make sure I’m getting a fair return for my labor. And, if I’m going to take time from my family, I want to make sure that I’m adequately compensated.

Sometimes we underestimate our value as work-at-home moms because of lack of confidence or gratitude that we get to work flexibly when others don’t. A friend challenged my thinking in this regard when she flippantly said, “Just because you work in your pajamas sometimes doesn’t mean you work is worth less than someone who gets dressed every day.”

She’s right. That’s why we need to periodically take a look at our income and expense statement in order to insure we’re earning what we’re worth and maximizing our profit. Here’s how to measure your success in this regard:

Determine the minimum you have to work to cover your overhead. My profit was lean the first years of my home-based business because I was caring for a toddler and an infant and I wasn’t able to do much else! Yet I still had overhead expenses such as a second phone line, internet connection fee, and office supplies. When you know how much you have to work each month just to cover your expenses, it is easier to determine how much you’ll have to work in addition to make the profit you desire.

Identify the market value for your line of work. If you were employed by another company doing what you’re doing, what would your salary be? Another way to think of this is to determine the “going rate” for your type of work—and then compare what you currently charge. Though you may be making somewhat less due to the fact that you are not based in an office outside the home, may not be working full time, and have flexibility that many employees don’t have, your income should still be comparable. If it’s not, it’s time for an adjustment. A graphic designer I know increased her fees by 30% when she realized she was under-charging for her services. No one balked. If you’re not a sales consultant whose prices are set by someone else, make sure you’re getting what you’re worth.

Be realistic. Though you may wish to see more products or book more business, doing so will require you to work more than you are, unless you can find a way to handle the increase without additional effort. If you're a network marketer, you might choose to focus on building a bigger team underneath you. If you're an independent service professional, you might decide to market more aggressively but pass the increased workload along to subcontractors instead of handling it yourself.

As you set your goals each year, be sure to recognize your limits in terms of time, energy, and capacity. If you choose to increase your income, be aware that doing so requires other increases as well, including the possibility of increased stress. If you don't want the anxiety that may accompany increasing your current sales levels, reduce your income expectations or increase your fees instead. Keep in mind there may be a point at which the market will no longer bear fee increases. If this is happening to you, consider developing new income streams for your business.

Financially Yours,
Mary Byers

Reduce Expenses

2009-09-07T05:17:00.001-07:00

Joy Duling, the genius behind The Productive Entrepreneur (http://www.theproductiveentrepreneur.com/), agreed to be my guest blogger today. I had planned to write about controlling expenses this week--the very topic Joy posted on her blog this week. So, with her permission, I'm posting her ideas here today.

Joy writes:

How to Control Overheads
Overheads are business expenses that are not specifically part of a business project. They're the costs or your business that you're going to have whether you have a customer or not. For example, you're going to have to pay for electricity, office supplies, and facility rentals whether or not you make a sale. Costs that are specifically for a project, like shipping costs for final product, are not included in this cost.

In order to keep your costs down, make it a regular part of your routine to monitor, track, and review your overhead costs. Start by collecting your receipts and recording all your expenses in a ledger or spreadsheet. Divide them up by category, including project related expenses and overhead costs.

Once you have started tracking and categorizing what you spend, you'll probably start to see some trends. Maybe you're spending way more than you thought on shipping. It could be you see that your advertising budget is or isn't being well spent. By knowing where you're spending you money, you can figure out what expenses are worth keeping and which ones might be reduced by looking elsewhere. The key is to continue to monitor what you're spending, and make and monitor your budget regularly.

Outsourcing is a great way to keep your overhead costs down. If you have regular employees, you have to pay to train them and keep them working even if business is slow. Contractors can be hired when you have something to work on, but you don't have to worry about paying them when your business starts to drop.

Another great way to keep overheads down is to shop around. Most people do this at start up and then stick with the same provider for many years. Have you ever noticed that each car insurance company says that they can save you money over other companies? That's because companies will often offer potential new customers better rates than they do their current customers - it's easier to keep an old customer than to convince another company's customer to switch. If you look around to different companies every so often, you'll probably find a better deal.

You don't necessarily have to switch to a different provider to get a better price on supplies. If a company think they might lose your business, they're often willing to cut you a deal. As you're shopping around to other companies, be sure to try to renegotiate prices with your current supplier. This way you may be able to get a better deal with a company you already know you can trust.

You hear a lot of talk about going green and saving energy, but cutting energy use is not only trendy and good for the earth, it's also great for cutting costs. Whether it's investing in low flow toilets or buying energy-efficient light bulbs, making small earth-friendly cuts can make a big difference in your monthly bills.While overheads can be a big chunk of your business expenses, they're usually something you simply have to live with to run a business. But just because you have to have them, doesn't mean you can't reduce them with a few simple steps.

Thanks to Joy's suggestion, I've added reviewing my expenses to my "To Do" list for this week. How about you?

Let the Numbers Talk

2009-09-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

It's essential that you have a separate checking account for your business AND that you have a method to keep track of both your income and expenses on a monthly basis. I use Quick Books. And believe me, it is quick! I paid a friend to teach me how to use it and after only an hour and a half, I was able to enter my income and expenses, run my own financial statements, and use the convenient invoicing system. I haven't had any additional traning since then. Though I know the software is more powerful than what I'm using, it meets my needs.

At the end of each month, I run an income and expense statement so that I can look at one simple piece of data: did I spend more than I earned this month? Often, I have. In that case, I look at the year-to-date numbers. Have I earned more than I spent for the year? If so, I'm in good shape. If not, I know I have to watch my expenses more carefully.

I'm surprised at the number of at-home entrepreneurs who don't take the time to look at their numbers--or to interpret what they have to say. As I've said before, it isn't what you make that matters. It's what you keep. Who cares if you're making hundreds of dollars per month if you're spending thousands?

What do your numbers say about your performance so far this year? You do have your numbers, don't you? Set aside 10 minutes this week and let them speak to you. You may be surprised at what you see. And if you are, don't ignore the warning signals. Do something about it NOW, before it's too late. If you manage your business right, you'll have money left over to put in a SEP-IRA, which I'll discuss in the next post.

Financially Yours,

Dollar and Cents

2009-08-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

Why should you think about saving if your business isn't making much money to begin with? Because of the time value of money. Let's take a look:

Let’s say you save $2,000 every year for 20 years, and your investments earn 8 percent annually. If you start at age 25 and contribute until age 45 and then save nothing further, by age 65 you’d have roughly $426,000. But if you wait until age 35 to begin saving $2,000 a year for 20 years and then retire at 65, your kitty would amount to about $198,000. In both scenarios your out-of-pocket contribution is $40,000. In other words, the sooner you start saving and letting your money work for you, the more you'll have when it's time to retire.

Though I use my income for current living expenses, I'm also very serious about taking advanatage of the time value of money and maxing out how much I can put away for retirement. It's not always comfortable putting a chunk of change away in a retirement account where I can't touch it without penalty, but I've done it each year since I started my business 11 years ago and now I do it without thinking. It's become a habit--one I like very much now that I can see the results of a decade of saving.

If you're not saving, now is the time to figure out how you can. Start with $10 or $20 per week. But start. You'll be glad you did!

Financially Yours,

Pay Yourself First

2009-08-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

Though paying yourself first is one of the common things financial planners recommend, my experience is that very few at-home-entrepreneurs do this with their business. But it's a powerful tactic to strengthen your financial position for three reasons:

You'll build a fund that you can use when it is time to upgrade or buy new equipment, and you won't have to borrow to do it.
You'll have a cushion so that you won't feel pinched when estimated taxes are due or other payments are required.
You'll be able to weather the dry spells that come (and they always do!) between income checks.

When I first started my at-home work, I put everything I earned into a checking account. My goal was not to touch the money for six months. And, if I remember correctly, I almost made it. Doing this enabled me to build a financial reserve which I maintain to this day. I've never regretted it.

Too many entrepreneurs are living paycheck to paycheck. And that's stressful. If this has been your pattern in the past, I want you to get servious about building a reserve by paying yourself first. I don't care if you deposit 5%, 10% 20% or 50% in a savings account for your business. I just care that you do it. Paying yourself first works because you don't miss money you don't have. In other words, if you get a check for $500 and put $50 of it in savings, you won't be tempted to spend the $50 because you no longer have easy access to it. This makes it easier to build savings quickly.

In my next post, we'll look at how saving now puts money in your pocket later. In the meantime, I'd like to know: Are you saving? And if so, do you put away a flat fee or a percentage each time you get paid? Hit the comment button and let us know!

Financially Yours,

Getting Serious About Money

2009-08-25T05:37:00.000-07:00

I'm starting a series about money for at-home entrepreneurs today. I hope you'll find the information to be valauble enough that you'll forward it to other at-home workers. More importantly, I hope you'll make some changes in your business so that you can keep more of what you make.

I have two simple ideas for you to consider today. One is so basic that I'm almost embarassed to mention it. But I'm surprised by how many people don't do this. Are you ready? Here's tip number one: keep a separate checking account for your business. This prevents you from comingling personal and business money, makes it easier to handle the bookkeeping for your business, and, if you're ever audited, makes it easier to convince the IRS you're handling your business finances professionally. If you don't have a separate account for your business, make this a priority. Many banks offer free small-business checking so shop around if your bank wants to charge you for opening an account with them.

The second idea is also simple. But it requires self-discipline and therefore it isn't always easy. Pay yourself first. Decide what portion of your income you'll set aside in savings and then do so every time you deposit income. You can use this money to open an IRA, to create a rainy day fund for your business, or to invest in equipment and supplies. We'll discuss this more in my next post, but right now I want you to start thinking about what percentage you'd like to begin saving.

Financially Yours,

Talk the Walk

2009-08-13T07:40:00.000-07:00

In response to my last post about marketing, Laurie wrote:

I try to talk about what I do to everyone I know. Even people who are my friends often don't realize the work that I do. It is a challenge to do this. I am also trying to say what I do when introducing myself rather than I'm just a wife or mom.

Notice her words: Even people who are my friends often don't realize the work that I do. Is this true for you, too? Some of the best referrals I've gotten have come from friends, which illustrates the importance of letting those you love know what you do.

Like many people, I find it difficult to talk about my work. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, or pushy, or in need of work. But the truth is, if I don't Talk the Walk, how are others supposed to know that they can call on me for presentations or writing projects?

If talking to others doesn't come easily for you, consider these tips:

Keep it short. You don't have to have a lengthy speech ready. Simply answer this question, "I help people_______." It's the perfect answer when people ask what you do.

Add it on. If you usually say, "I'm a stay-at-home mom," when asked what you do, add the above to your statement so that it sounds like this: I'm a stay-at-home mom and I provide products for people who want to make their homes more lovely and inviting.

Move on. Most conversations will end at this point. So move on. But IF, and only if, the individual you are talking to seems interested and asks a follow up question, then it's permissible to share additional information about your work. This is especially important if you are a network marketer or are talking to someone who is a potential customer--or who connect you to possible clients.

As we've discussed before, word of mouth is the best form of advertising. It can be others talking about you, or it can be you talking about yourself. Either way, as a self-employed entrepreneur, it's important for you to Talk Your Walk.

P.S. I was pleased to see some great reviews of Making Work at Home Work online. If you'd like to read them, please head to: http://tinyurl.com/n4zmm4.

Do You Stink at Marketing?

2009-08-11T05:28:00.000-07:00

Jane writes:

This year I have opened a Website/blog/podcast on prayer (my passion), and I realize that I now need to open another site for my freelance writing. I have one corporate client and want to develop more but feel stuck in how to go about this...I realize I am not good at marketing myself.

If you're like Jane and aren't good at marketing yourself, the following may help.

Be clear about what you have to offer. When you try to be all things to all people, you end up being nothing to anyone. Outline your ideal client, make a list of where your ideal clients hang out (professional groups, conferences, etc.) and then make a plan to meet the individuals who can help steer work your way.
Ask for refferals. Your current, satisfied clients are often your best marketing resource. Tell them you are actively seeking additional work and ask them if they can think of anyone who might benefit from your services. See if they would be willing to send an introductory e-mail on your behalf. Then, be sure to make a follow up call on your own.
Join networking groups. Look for the associations who serve your market. Becauase I speak to a lot of association groups, I'm a member of the Illinois Society of Association Executives. This gives me the opportunity to connect with meeting planners who I might not otherwise meet.
Always have a business card with you. I met an association executive at a Christmas party two years ago, shared by business card with her, and just facilitated a meeting for her last week. You never know how Christmas Charades may end up helping you get a job!
Hire help. Though essential, marketing is time consuming and can be expensive. And I find that I'm so busy providing my services that marketing often drops to the bottom of my list, even though it should be one of the most important. When deciding what services to outsource recently, I noted this discrepancy and budgeted enough to hire a marketing assistant. Though I can't afford as much of her time as I'd like, I at least know I have someone working on this on a regular basis for me. As my business continues to grow, I hope to be able to increase my assistant's hours.

How have you handled the need to market yourself while trying to juggle all the other responsibilities of being an entrepreneur? Hit the comment button and let us know!

Lazy Days

2009-08-08T07:02:00.001-07:00

Ahh...the last days before schools starts. As an at-home entrepreneur, I long for the regular schedule of the school year. My office hours will once again be predictable and I'll have my office back after sharing it all summer long. And yet.

In the hustle and bustle of the work world it's easy to lose sight of why I left the corporate work environment to begin with. I wanted to be available to my children. I wanted them near me. I wanted to hear about their school day, have the chance to know what's on their minds, etc. Like many at-home entrepreneurs, however, I struggle to balance client needs with kids' needs. And it doesn't seem to get any easier.

This week, I plan to do only the minimum amount of work so that I can drink in the last days of summer with my kids. If yours are school age and headed back to the classroom soon, why not join me? There's plenty of time for work. But the days and hours with children pass swiftly and I don't want to miss any of it. This week, I'm reminding myself why I choose to work at home to begin with. And then I plan to hold fast to this regained knowledge throughout the school year as we move from the lazy days of summer to the potential of fall and all that it brings. That's one of the great things about being my own boss: I can set my own priorities and take a break when I--and my family--need it most.

As you consider the transition from summer to fall, what's the one thing that would make the biggest difference for you if you were to do it? Let me know.

Back to School Heaven

2009-08-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

Back-to-School time is my favorite as an entrepreneur. I've been going crazy at the sales and have restocked my office with inexpensive supplies. I've picked up spiral notebooks for a nickel, highlighters for a quarter a piece and red pens (every editor needs lots of these!) for just pennies. Though I don't need all of these items right now, I try to anticipate my needs for the upcoming year and then purchase accordingly. Heres' how to save money for your business too:

Be alert for savings in every store you shop in over the next few weeks. I've noticed that there's not one BEST place to shop but that every store offers something inexpensive.
Peruse sales flyers. This helps you know how much you can expect to pay.
Be willing to shop at more than one store. Though I don't usually make multiple stops to complete my shopping, I did make a list of which stores had the items I needed. Then, when I was scheduled to shop at each of these stores, I was ready to do so.
Watch for unexpected savings. Though we purchased sprial notebooks at one store for 50 cents each, I picked up another dozen when I found them unexpectedly for 5 cents each.
Look for rebates. I've been thinking about purchasing vocie recognition software for a couple of years now. Today, I found it for half price after the mail-in rebate. That was incentive enough to buy it. Not only did I save money, but when my kids go back to school, I'll have the time to learn how to use it.

Shopping at back to school sales has become an annual tradition for me. If you haven't started saving for your business this way, consider doing so. I know I've saved lots of money over the years. And, when my kids are getting new supplies for learning, I'm getting new supplies for earning!

Don't Rescue Your Children

2009-07-31T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,
I've been silent for most of this month due to a heavy travel schedule. Much of it was family-related rather than work-related and I treasure the time I was able to spend with parents, brothers, an aunt and uncle, and cousins. One thing I know about working from home: it will consume us if we let it. If you haven't been able to take some vacation time this summer, I hope you'll open your calendar and find a few free days that you can spend investing in your relationships.

Speaking of relationships, I was quoted in an article in the San Francisco Chronicle about working at home with kids. I thought I'd share the link with you. The article is about why we should not rescue our kids when they make a mistake. My comments are specific to moms who work from home and how we sometimes take on the burden of making everyone happy since we're available to our kids almost 24/7.

Here's what I said:

Our zeal may also be an outgrowth of something a little less benign. Moms stumble when they start looking at the happiness of their family as a measure of their own success, contends Mary M. Byers, author of The Mother Load: How to Meet Your Own Needs While Caring for Your Family. "Many women mistakenly believe that if everyone in the family isn't happy, then they are failing in their jobs as mothers," she says. This is perhaps nowhere truer than for women who have given up jobs they enjoyed in order to stay home with their kids. They've done what they feel is the right thing for their family, so everyone had better be happy.

It's a noble but tricky sacrifice. Women may attempt to sublimate the grief they feel about the loss of their old, more independent life by trying to achieve the impossible: happiness for all of the kids (not to mention the husband), all of the time. And this self-interested selflessness can carry a very high price -- for both mother and child.

The author of the article interviewed several others as well, and their comments are thought-provoking and worth reading. If you're interested, you'll find the article here: http://tinyurl.com/ksz9es. Please feel free to pass it along to friends and family and to Tweet it if you Twitter. This is a message that needs to get out: we do our children a disservice when we don't let them experience natural consequences when they make a mistake or fall short.

I'm back in the saddle now and looking forwarding to connecting with you more often. You'll see that we've enabled the comment box. I hope you'll use it to share what you're thinking. And, I'd like to answer your questions so that this blog is as helpful as possible to you.

Would you take a minute and share a question with me? I'll answer it for the benefit of all my readers. I look forward to hearing from you!

Creating Boundaries

2009-07-07T06:05:00.000-07:00

Jane wrote, "I find it difficult trying to balance work and home. Since I am at home, all the normal jobs still fall in my lap. My time is so chopped up that it is frustrating. I am hoping to find some helpful advice in your book."

Mary's response: I believe you will find help in the book, Jane. In fact, one whole section is devoted to "Saving Your Sanity," which includes tips for facing a work day that is chopped up and filled with interruptions. Here are a few ideas to help as you're waiting for the book.

Set office hours if you can. This has gotten easier for me as my children age. It's been especially helpful for me this summer. Knowing I'll be in the office from 8-11 gives me the peace of mind that I need since I know some work will actually get done! And my kids know they need to keep themselves busy while I work.
Use child care as necessary. I used to hire neighborhood babysitters to come to my home and play with my kids for a couple of hours at a time, a few days a week. This way I knew I'd get uninterrupted time to work which made it less frustrating on the days when my work was chopped into little pieces.
Ask for help. I'm lousy at this because it's just easier to do everything myself. But my kids have been great this summer helping launder towels, fold clothes, empty the dishwasher, etc. I know that I gain time in my work day when I don't have to do everything myself. Even young children can help with small chores of their own.
Chunk your work. I've found that it's helpful to chunk my work, i.e. do similar things at the same time. Sometimes this means getting up early, reporting to my office, getting my paid work done first, then turning my attention to household chores. And sometimes, honestly, it means getting my paid work done and putting the chores off for another day. This isn't ideal, but I've recognized that some days I simply have to choose between work and home. Some days work wins out and some days home does. It helps to take a big-picture view of integrating home and work rather than beating yourself up because a chore didn't get done today. As Scarlett O'Hara said, "Tomorrow is another day."

Chunkfully Yours,

Where Are Your Customers Coming From?

2009-06-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

Do you know how your customers are finding you? Or know what your "perfect" customer looks like so that you know where to find them?

These are important questions. And the answers are even more important.

I know that the majority of my clients find me based on word of mouth. And I love it that they do. But, because most of my clients find me, I'm not really sure where I would go to find them. If you have the same problem, use the following list to brainstorm how you might begin to more methodically learn about, and hang out with, potential clients/customers.

What do the majority of your customers have in common?
What types of interests do they have?
What meetings do they attend?
What publications do they read?
Where do they go for personal growth and development?
Who do you know that might be able to introduce you to these people?
How can you serve them in some way so that they meet you in a non-sales environment?
How can you let them know about your services/products?

By asking yourself the above questions, you'll more easily be able to target marketing opportunities for your business. As you do, consider how you can engage in "sample marketing," which includes sharing free samples of your work. This can include writing articles with your byline on them, sharing product samples, or as one of my friends does, making mini-cakes to share taste samples.

Where are your clients coming from? And how can you find more? Spend some time thinking about it this week and you'll be on your way to methodically growing your business.

Choosing the Home Business That's Right For You

2009-06-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

Most of you reading this blog already are successfully operating a home-based business. But since I've been getting a lot of questions lately from women who want to start a home business, today I'm featuring a great post from my friend Jill Hart. Regardless of where you are on the work-at-home spectrum, you'll benefit from her wisdom.

By Jill Hart
Starting down a new career path can be both exciting and terrifying. There are a lot of tools on the market that can help you determine what type of career field you should enter. But what if your chosen "career path" is being an entrepreneur and running a home-based business? Do the rules change? Below are five questions to ask yourself to help you determine what type of business might be right for you.

1. What is your passion?
Answer this question with the first thing that comes to mind: If money were no object and you could do anything, what would you do? You might have answered "be a writer", "speak at conferences," "bring my product idea to life" or any number of things. Whatever your answer, this most likely is your passion. I challenge you to take the time to ponder this and see if there is a way to bring your dream to fruition.

2. What types of things did you like to do as a child?
Many times the toys and games we loved as children give us a glimpse into who we have become as adults. If you loved climbing trees, you may now be an "outdoorsy" type of person. Think about how this might be incorporated into your business. For instance, you might enjoy setting up outdoor birthday parties for children or selling herbs from your backyard garden.

3. What type of products would you be interested in representing?
If you're looking in the direction of direct sales, whether that be your own product or an established home-based business option, you need to think through what types of products you'd be comfortable presenting to your customers. Take the time to do some research and find a product that truly excites you. Your customers will see your sincerity and that can sell a product just as easily as a fancy presentation.

4. What skills and experience do you bring to the table?
If you've left the corporate world in favor of working at home, you've undoubtedly brought with you a set of skills. There may be a way to market those skills in a new way and turn them into a profitable business. For instance, if you were an executive assistant you may be able to type 80 words or more per minute. You could set up shop as a Virtual Assistant and help other business owners in processing orders, transcribing documents and much more.

5. Are you thinking outside of the box?

Most of us have a fear of the unknown. We many times assume that if we haven't done something before it is simply out of reach. This carries over to the business world as well. We take our products or services and market them in the same way that we see other business owners using. However, it can be much more effective to find new and innovative ways to market. One home-based business owner I know sells stuffable toy kits. Instead of using the usual home parties and birthday party events, she works almost exclusively with children's hospitals doing fundraisers. She makes a great living and helps not only the hospitals, but the children as well. She is a great example of unique marketing and overcoming the mundane marketing methods that so many business owners resign themselves to.Your home-based business should be unique to you. It should make you want to get up each morning excited about the possibilities of the day ahead. Take the time to thoroughly think through the questions above and you'll be on your way to making a great, well thought out decision that has your name written all over it!

About the Author:Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. Jill is a co-author of the upcoming book So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom (Beacon Hill, Sept. 2009). Jill welcomes work-at-home questions at http://AskJill.cwahm.com. Learn more about working from home at http://cwahm.com/work-at-home.

Outsource Your Way to Success

2009-06-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

Though it may be awhile before you're able or interested in outsourcing to grow your business, it's a powerful concept to keep in mind. Consequently, I'm writing to invite you to join me for a free teleseminar on this topic. I'll be interviewed by Joy Duling of the Midwest Business Academy, this Thursday, June 18th. Here's a description of the program:

Why “go it alone” when you can accelerate your success by surrounding yourself with a team of outsourced experts?

Thanks to the Internet and other advances in technology, it’s now possible to develop a “virtual team” so that you don’t have to do everything yourself, allowing you to focus on what you’re good at and most passionate about. Learn the “highest and best use of your time concept” and how it will make you more profitable. In addition, you’ll learn:

1. Three wise reasons to outsource
2. How to conduct a cost/benefit ratio to determine if outsourcing is right for you
3. Where to find reliable and gifted independent contractors
4. Tips for structuring outsourced projects
5. Evaluating outsourced assignments
6. Growing your business through subcontracting

The teleseminar is free but you must register in order to participate. If you're interested, go to:

http://midwestbusinessacademy.camp7.org/events

Also, I'm back from a restful vacation to Utah to visit my father and brother. And that means it's back to work so you'll hear from me more often in the coming weeks.

To your success,

2009-05-25T05:54:00.001-07:00

We're still talking about the one thing that would make the biggest difference for your business over the next year if you were to do it. Karyn wrote: My business will be starting in late June or July if all goes well. I cannot predict any glitches we may have, but I think the most important thing I could do would be to get the word out.

Two things are important for a new business like Karyn's. One is making sure you have systems in place to support the business. And the second is getting the word out. After all, if no one knows you're in business, they won't know to look for you. Make sure everyone you know knows what you're doing and ask them to refer business to you. Word-of-mouth advertising is the least expensvie but most effective means of marketing your business.

Joan wrote: The one thing I would do differently, working from home in the coming year, is learn more about blogging. I have a country decor web site: Green Gables Country, www.greengablescountry.com I get a lot of positive feedback from people who order from me or check out the web site, but without spending a lot of money on advertising, it's hard to get the products in front of people. Going on blogging sites that are connected to the same idea seems to be the way to go, but I have to admit I have not spent time investigating this and learning how to blog. My goal this year is to put more effort into advertising my site through this venue.

Your idea is already paying off, Joan, since this is a blogging site and now you've gotten some free advertising by being included in this post! Seriously, most of us know what would help boost our business. But we're either too busy, too intimidated or too something else to buckle down and do what we need to do. That's why I suggest you just focus on one thing. That way it's not overwhelming. One thing is much more manageable than a long list of ideas.

What's your "one thing?"

Simply Yours,

The Most Difference?

2009-05-15T08:40:00.000-07:00

In my last post I asked what one thing would make the biggest difference for your business over the next year if you were to do it. Here's what you shared:

Gina wrote: I've been thinking about this question a lot this week. The best answer I think is "Imagine a boss is watching me, and work like I want to impress her and get a raise."

Of course, I'm the boss, so as boss, what would I want to see in an employee?
•Someone who works diligently, but also takes care of her family & her health
•Someone with vision and a sense of purpose.
•Someone who doesn't play around on the computer too much.
•Someone creative, innovative, who thinks outside of the box, and is willing to take risks.

That's the kind of worker/boss I want to be.

And Laurie wrote:
The one thing I could do for my business over the next year that would make the biggest difference is to organize.

Here's my answer to the question:
Training would help me get farther faster with less frustration. I need to learn how to update my website myself, learn to use social media more effectively, and integrate existing techology into my life as a timesaver. I plan to set aside one day a month for the remaining months of the year to learn what I need to know to thrive, rather than just survive, as a small business owner.

Now it's your turn. E-mail me at mbyers@marybyers.com to share what one thing would make the biggest difference for your business if you were to do it over the coming year.

Thinking Big,

Are You Serious?

2009-05-09T05:28:00.000-07:00

I started my business as a freelance writer, working while my children napped, watched a video, or played with friends. I felt lucky to be able to work from home and grateful for the income it provided. I took what came my way in terms of work and didn't actively market. Nor did I actively plan.

It wasn't until I'd been in business for many years that I realized I had a viable model. My income grew each year, I added new services, and 11 years after I started my business, I'm still at it. If I'm honest, however, I didn't really get serious about it until a couple of years ago. And I wonder how things would be different if I'd gotten serious sooner.

Are you serious about your at-home business? If so, are you:

Actively tracking where new business comes from?
Regularly reviewing your profit and loss statement?
Aggressively planning in order to pay less in taxes and keep more of your income?
Looking for ways to work less and earn more?
Outsourcing so that you can focus on the "highest and best" use of your time?

We'll be discussing each of the above areas in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I'd like to challenge you to answer one question over the next week. What one thing, if you were to do it, would make the biggest difference for your business over the next year? I'd love it if you'd e-mail your answer to me at mbyers@marybyers.com

More on Expanding and Contracting

2009-05-05T14:13:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I asked for examples of how you use the concept of "Expanding and Contracting" in your own businesses. Dana wrote:

"During my busy work times I expect more from my family. Menus are simpler and they contribute more to getting meals on (and off!) the table. Now that I have two drivers, I ask them to help with my errands and expect them to do all of their own. Same for laundry, picking up around the house, etc.

"Conversely, when I have less busy times, I pitch in for them and complete some of their assigned household tasks to help lighten their loads.

"So, expanding and contracting is a family affair!"

And Niki shared:

"It helps me to make a list of the things I must temporarily ignore during the contraction times because my focus must be narrowed. By doing noting those things which must wait, I don't forget what I realized was important but to which I could not devote my time while I was contracted. When I'm again expanded, I review the list and plug that task into the larger calendar. In that way, the task isn't forfeited, it's only delayed."

What can we learn? We don't have to expand and contract alone. In fact, we model valuable lessons for our children about juggling multiple responsibilities wisely when we invite them to help out and be a part of the greater family unit. In addition, contracting doesn't mean we're neglecting or forfeiting a task, only consciously delaying it. I like thinking about it this way because it takes the pressure off me to get everything done NOW! Instead of bending under the weight of my load, I'm simply choosing to do some things now and some things later.

Join the conversation: how do you use the concept of "Expanding and Contracting" in your business? E-mail me at mbyers@marybyers.com and I'll share your comments too.

Making Work at Home Work BLOG TOUR!

2009-05-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the virtual book tour for Making Work at Home Work: Successfully Growing a Business and a Family Under One Roof . The tour will begin on May 4th! I'm so looking forward to meeting new friends and hearing from you about your own Work at Home strategies and stories.

I feel really privileged that I was able to write this book. I wrote it with Work at Home Moms in mind. There are so many unique challenges about working at home that only another work-at-homer can understand!

~~~~~You heard it here first!~~~~~~

Making Work at Home Work will be launching a blog ring in May! I really want this site to be a consortium of shared ideas and advice in regards to WAHM! For more information go here! If you'd like to sign up, email me mbyers@marybyers.com. I'll be adding a page to this website where we'll be able to network. More details on that to come.

Contest! Win a copy of Making Work at Home Work (or another one of my books--your choice) AND a $25 Amazon gift certificate (for some WAHM essentials -- dayplanner, bubble bath, funky file-folders, toddler DVDs)! Winner's will be announced Tuesday May 27th!

There are three ways to win:

Leave a comment on this post

Sign up for my quarterly newsletter where I offer tips and advice about all facets of a women's life: WAHM, mothering, women's issues. More info here!

Join the Work at Home Blog Ring. More info here.

Also...be sure to check out the bloggers' blogs...a few of them are giving away copies of the book too!

A little about the book:

In addition to including her own experiences, author Mary Byers profiles real moms with home-based businesses who offer their hard-won advice.

The schedule of wonderful and talented bloggers who will be hosting the book on their blogs!

5/4
Martha at Our Family's Adventures
Making Work at Home Work shows moms how to develop an entrepreneurialmind-set without sacrificing their families. It covers important topics suchas developing a successful business philosophy, balancing time between workand family, setting realistic goals, and handling the challenges of beingboth "Mommy" and "CEO" while running a profitable home-based business.

Katrina at Callapidder Days
In Making Work at Home Work, Byers offers work-at-home moms practical, helpful advice about combining the roles of Mom and Business Owner without losing their sanity or their family...This isn’t a “how to start a home business” kind of book.. Instead, this book is for the mom who is already working from home- It offers support, advice, encouragement, and motivation for work-at-home moms who want to maintain harmony in their homes while caring for their families and fulfilling their work obligations.

Wendi at Wendi's Book Corner
This is a must-have for anyone contemplating working from home, or anyone who is already working from home, but who wants to make things run a little more smoothly and make sure all their business-bases are covered!

5/5
Becky at In the Pages…
Mary M. Byers’ new book, Making Work at Home Work, would have been my "bible" during those early years of staying at home AND trying to make an at-home job work together! I needed this kind of advice back then, but am even benefiting from it now!

Sunny at That Book Addiction
If you're already working from home or are thinking about it Making Work at Home Work has some wonderfully helpful advice to help you balance home and work when you occupy both at the same time, whether as a part-time side job or a full blown career. She covers the two main aspects of working at home, which are keeping your sanity and being profitable.

Angie at God Uses Broken Vessels
Making Work @ Home Work: successfully growing a business and a family under one roof is a spectacularly well timed book for this season of my life as well as the many, many families that embark on this lifestyle. It's a must have reference guide for us!

Mikki at The View From My Beach Chair
I recently had the chance to read Mary M. Byers new book - Making Work at Home Work. Mary shares her wisdom by presenting practical ways to bring balance to the lives of those who work at home for pay. By describing her own experiences, and by looking at others others who run successful businesses, Mary provides realistic help to anyone who faces the countless challenges of working from home.

5/6
Christa at Christa Allan
Making Work at Home Work shows moms how to develop an entrepreneurial mind-set without sacrificing their families. It covers important topics...

Heather at Mumblings of a Mommy Monk
Manu women are right in the middle of the stay-at-home vs. working mom debate. They do both! And because of that, they face unique challenges and blessings.I'm the first to admit that I thought working out of the home meant "easy" work. As I've discovered though, working at home can be full of challenges. Mary Byers has recently written a great book addressing many of these issues. Since I'm not an "entrepeneur," I shared the second half of the book with a few friends who are. They immediately appreciated some of Mary's ideas about how to simplify work at home.

Christy at Christy's Book Blog
Making Work at Home Work by Mary M. Byers is a perfect book for any mom who has an at-home business or is considering starting one...Byers makes the subject matter interesting and relevant making this vital for both beginners and pros.

Amy at The 160 Acre Woods
Mary includes a lot of research and has personally worked through a lot of the issues herself, which provides her with some great insight to the challenges and issues working at home mothers face. I appreciate Mary’s insight and honesty while addressing the subjects. She admits that finding balance was “sorely lacking” in the beginning, which really gives me hope! I’m not the only one!

Pam at Without Fear
I have long desired to move my freelance editing into a more lucrative business to supplement our household income, and I see Mary's information and tips as essential to seeing success in this area. I hope you will find it helpful in your business pursuits as well.

5/7
Margaret at The Cappuccino Life
With the modern incarnation of "SAHM" came all kinds of "business opportunities" for moms looking to make a little money on the side. I'm sure most of us have run into our share of scams and schemes, too. The truth is, there is no quick-and-easy way to make money "without working!!!!". Income requires work. And working at home requires time and effort. I think the most important point in Making Work At Home Work is that working at home is not quite the same as "Staying at home" and that moms who want a home business need to acknowledge that.

Tanya at In The Dailies
I am so happy to tell you about a new book. Mary Byers, author of The Mother Load: How to Meet Your Own Needs While Caring for Your Family and How to Say No . . . And Live to Tell about It, juggles both a freelance corporate writing and speaking business with her responsibilities as a wife and mother of two school-aged children. She does it successfully and has just released a new book sharing how she does it

Scoti at Springs Writers

5/8
Laura at Lighthouse Academy
This book is invaluable.

Kaylea at My Scrappy Life

5/9
Mimi at Mimi's Pixie Corner
An essential book for anyone (man or woman!) working from home. It covers topics that I hadn't even considered before!

Pamela at Pammer's Ramblins

Danielle at Miss. Mouthy
Making Work at Home Work by Mary M. Byers is a fantastic resource for anyone working parent. It has practical “do it today” advice and longer term advice.

Kate at A Simple Walk
This book is filled with so much wisdom and I truly see working at home as an option for anyone interested. If you've ever considered working from home, or if you already do, I definitely recommend this book. The tips and ideas are invaluable. This is one book that I will be going back to over and over again as a reference source and as a source of encouragement.

Donna at Write By Faith
This is a wonderful resource on working from home for moms in any business whether it is selling avon, writing to other service businesses. I found myself nodding in agreement...

5/11
Lizzie at A Dusty Frame
I enjoyed the book and thought it was easy to read and filled with good information.
I especially enjoyed the interviews with other work at home moms.

Sarah at Real Life
I have just read the book, that is going to revolutionize the way I do business at home! Mary Byers covers every topic a Work-at Home mom needs to master in the day-to-day life of her business and her family.

Pam at Pam's Private Reflections
Ms. Myers offers straight forward and sensible advice to anyone who is running an at home business. While she caters to women who have already established a business, this is well worth the read if you are considering entering the at home workforce.

5/12
Karla at Modern Media Mom
Inside the book you will find practical tips and useful advice. The information is easy to follow and realistic. This is a fabulous book for any mom already working from home – whether you are just starting out or have been doing it for years. It covers everything!

Kara at Ramblings-n-Writings
Mary doesn’t pull any punches. Her writing style is straightforward. She tells it how it is... highly suggest that any woman who works from her home pick up a copy to read

Suzanne at There's No Place Like Home
This book will encourage the WAHM's to continue doing what they're doing and give helpful ideas on how to balance it all.

5/13
Virginia at Ginny Smith
Promoed first week of May on Reader Fun Page!

Lynetta at Open Book
Ever wanted to start a home business but didn’t know if you could pull it off and be a good mom to your kids? If so, this might be the book to read. A work at home mom herself, she provides many humorous anecdotes about mixing young children with a professional career. Her insights can point a would-be small business owner towards a peaceful and successful career.

DeeDee at FiddleDeeDee
When I was given the opportunity to review Mary M. Byer’s “Making Work at Home Work” I was elated. Finally, help has arrived!

Gina at Portrait of a Writer
Making Work at Home Work by Mary Byers shed new light on the whole work-at-home (WAHM), stay-at-home mom (SAHM) thing.

Kelly at Love Well
But I found this book has so much more to offer; it's really designed for someone who wants to make money with their at-home career, whether it's someone with a home-based business (like Creative Memories or Pampered Chef) or someone with flex benefits at their corporate job that allows them to work from home instead of their cubicle.

5/14
Revka at Our Family Porch
The good news is that Mary doesn't just leave you after she forces you to acknowledge the reality of your situation. Instead, she provides real, workable solutions to the many problems that she herself has encountered as a result of being a WAHM.

Deena at A Peek at My Bookshelf
"Making Work at Home Work" isn't just informative, it's enjoyable reading. That makes it worth a five out of five bookmark rating from me, with a tiny filing cabinet as a charm. Don't file this book away...read it!

Susan at His Morning Glory

Patty at Girlfriends in God

Jennifer at Quiver Full Family
It’s with great delight that I announce a new work that strives to guide mothers in their ambitions to work from home.

Joanna at Becoming His

Janice at The Nearsighted Bookworm
This book came at the perfect time for me as I search for a balance between work and home life. It was full of inspiration and helpful information for me and my life.

www.litfusegroup.com

New!!! Making Work at Home Work blog ring!

2009-04-23T04:31:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce a great new way for all of us Work at Home Moms to connect!

First...Are you a Work At Home Mom? Do you have a blog?

Second...Do you have a heart to share what you’ve learned with others?

Then...Making Work from Home Work is looking for YOU! We are gathering a team of bloggers who would like to share resources with other Work At Home Moms.

Would you like to help Making Work at Home Work spread the word, encourage, educate, and equip women to build a successful business and a family under one roof?

Become a Making Work at Home Blogger Today!

It's super easy to participate!

E-mail me at mbyers@marybyers.com requesting to join the group.

Every month I’ll send you a guest blog post (or two) for your blog with helpful hints for Work at Home Moms.

You can simply upload the blog post to your blog or give your own unique spin on the information/post provided.

And as a GREAT BIG THANKS for helping me encourage Work at Home Women:

I will enter your name in monthly drawings where you will have a chance to win books, products and gifts that will help you Work From Home.

And as an added bonus:

I’ll also include a link to your blog on the http://www.makingworkathomework.com/ website helping you increase traffic to your own blog and so you can check out what other Work at Home Mom bloggers are up to!

So come join our team…

Become a Making Work at Home Work Blogger Today!

Who is Your Target Market?

2009-04-21T12:11:00.000-07:00

Gina, a silk artist, writes, "I find that when considering value vs. time, I fight two old misconceptions: 1) don't toot your own horn, and 2) reluctance to disappoint friends who want to buy my product but say it is too expensive. While my rational mind says, "It's not personal, it's business!" and that I should broadcast what I do best, I still find myself hesitant to charge what I think I'm worth. I also need to remember my friends aren't necessarily the clients I'm marketing to. It's o.k. if they don't buy from me. I still need to charge a fair market price."

Gina hits on a key point above: friends aren't necessarily the clients you should be marketing to. This is an important point when considering the value vs. time issue. Your market (defined as those most likely to buy) helps determine the value of your services. Though we all like to do business with friends and family, our products and/or services aren't right for all of them. For example, my fourth book is titled, The S.O.S. for PMS: Practical Help and Relief for Moms. Guess what? Not all of my friends have PMS. Consequently, not all of them are potential readers.

It's different if you work for a network marketing company. Your friends may well be candidates for your wares. For this reason, it's essential that each entrepreneur take the time to identify her market. Once you know this, is gets easier to make advertising and pricing decisions.

One caveat: you may have more than one market or more than one pricing structure. I have a two-tiered pricing structure which includes fees for my local market area and larger metropolitan areas. I learned that this was important after I lost two bids to work with New York companies. The reason? Both said my fees were "too low"! Can you believe it? What I charge locally was far less than what's considered average in New York. The difference made these companies leery about working with me primarily because of the value issue. They assumed that the lesser fee meant lesser expertise or lower quality work.

One last thought: if you struggle with the pricing issue for friends and family like Gina does, how about creating a "Friends and Family Discount?" I have an acquaintance in the moving business who does this. Offering this type of discount acknowledges your pre-existing relationships while recognizing the value of your labor and/or artistic ability. The discount doesn't have to be large to be effective. Even 10% will be appreciated (hopefully!) by friends while preserving your ability to make a profit.

Value vs. Time

2009-04-16T07:10:00.000-07:00

A reader wrote, "I wish I'd known how to make money while I wasn't working, ie: I'm a graphic designer and only get paid when I'm physically working and it's based on MY TIME. I wish I'd known to base it on value vs. time."

Sit up and take note. This is an incredibly important concept for those of you providing services vs. products. It's a lesson I didn't learn as early as I should have. Because of it, I was on the treadmill for a long time, working a lot but not producing as much income as I could, or should, have.

Believe it or not, it was a freelance job I wasn't very interested in that taught me to consider value as well as time. I was contacted by someone looking for an editor to hire on a retainer basis. The work didn't excite me but I was early in my at-home career and I wasn't comfortable passing on the job. So I bid high. And got it. Now, I'm extremely glad I did as this account as become my bread and butter. I'm paid on a regular basis and the steady income has helped with the ups and downs of the speaking portion of my business.

While bidding hourly is one way to secure business, it's also a good idea to consider value. In the example I shared above, the client wasn't just looking for an editor. She was also looking for someone to handle the entire publication. The bottom line was that she didn't want to have to worry about it. Consequently, when I bid, I didn't bid hourly. I asked myself what I would be willing to do the work for. After coming up with a number, I outlined the value for the client. I'd handle advertising solicitation and coordination. I'd work with authors. I'd proofread. I'd coordinate with the printer and the mailing house. By specifically outlining my services, I added value for the client. And that made it possible for me to receive more for my services.

What can we learn from the above?

It's hard to get ahead as an hourly worker. Instead, consider quoting your overall fee--and what you'll do (very specifically) to earn it. As you outline your value to clients, you'll be able to charge more for your services.
Don't assume clients know all of the steps involved in getting a project done. By identifying each step, in writing, you'll help the client see how much work you're doing for him or her.
Consider the emotional factor as well. If I'm not very excited about a project, I ask myself, "What am I willing to do this project for?" I'm not ashamed to admit that if the price is right, I can often get excited about a mundane job.
Look at what you'll have to sacrifice or give up to do the job. I recently bid very high on a project that was going to require me to rework my schedule for two months. I wanted to be sure that if I was going to the trouble of rescheduling other projects, it would be worth my time. Frankly, I was relieved when I didn't get the job. (But if I had, I had bid enough to make it worth all the extra effort it was going to take.)
Quick workers are actually penalized by charging hourly. Let's say you charge $50 per hour and are able to create a new logo in 5 hours. Another designer charges the same, but takes 10 hours. One logo cost $250, the other $500. But the client still has a new logo. What's the value of a new logo? Asking this type of question will help you adjust your mindset.
The average freelancer makes 40 cents profit for every dollar she earns (assuming overhead of 30% and a tax bracket of 30%). That means that for every $100 you make, your profit is $40. Keep this in mind as you bid. Though this is a helpful guideline, it's just that--a guideline. Your business may be different. If so, it's important for you to know it.

If you're currently stuck in the hourly trap, I urge you to consider changing your mindset so that you consider value as part of your quoting equation. And if you're still more comfortable charging hourly, how long has it been since you've raised your rates? One freelancer I worked with raised her rates by 50% and not one client flinched. Sure, there's a recession. But when you're focused on value vs. your hourly rate, it's much easier to sell yourself to clients. If you're focused on cost, they will be too. But if you're focused on the value you bring to the table, they'll focus on that as well. Good luck.

By the way, I'd love to hear from you regarding your own value vs. time experiences. I'll share what you send in my next post. Or, share your comment below and let's get a conversation started.

Valuably Yours,

Reducing Chaos

2009-04-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

We're still on the topic of work-at-home challenges. Julie writes, "My huge challenge is keeping order with my business: paperwork, accounting, and contact management while also managing my household. Before kids, I somehow fit everything in just enough. After kids, I'm drastically behind. My family comes first, so keeping that order was my first priority, then my business. Now, I feel behind with both and things just keep piling up around me."

I know that Julie is not alone. And though life feels chaotic right now, she's got her priorities in the right order. Here's a tip that might help though: instead of thinking about "catching up," I encourage you to change your thought process to "reducing chaos."

Remember that having young children at home is a passing season. Though it doesn't feel like it right now, your life won't always look this way. Rather than focusing on conquering this season by "keeping up," a mindshift that focuses on reducing chaos reduces both stress and pressure, and recognizes the season you're currently in.

In addition to thinking differently, consider the following tips:

Spend 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening picking up, filing, organizing, etc. Focusing on these chores for 10 minutes at a time makes things manageable. And you'll be surprised how much 20 minutes of straightening a day will help you keep on top of things.
Teach your children to pick up after themselves--even if it means taking away privileges until they are in the groove of putting their own dishes away, replacing toys after they've played with them, rinsing the sink after brushing their teeth, etc.
Hire a sitter, trade babysitting with a friend, or ask your hubby to spend time with the kids when you see you're really far behind. It's amazing how much you can get done in an hour of uninterrupted time as opposed to a full day with children underfoot!
Develop work flow that supports being organized. This includes sorting your mail over the trash and immediately throwing out everything you don't need and filing the rest in folders marked "Pay," "File" and "RSVP." Keep all work-related correspondence and materials in a designated area so that you don't spend time looking for misplaced documents.
"Chunk" your work. Instead of writing checks, making calls and e-mailing all in one sitting, focus on one type of task in order to maximize your time and concentration. Handle contact management in one work session while saving accounting for another.
Limit your work. Most work-at-home entrepreneurs don't have the luxury of long quiet hours to do their work. So practice working in the enviroment you're currently in. What's realistic for you in terms of work sessions? Some at-home workers focus on 20 minute work sessions while others know they can routinely get an hour's worth of work done. Those with school-age children obviously have the most leeway. Pick a time frame that works with your current at-home schedule, then set a timer and sit down to work on one task at a time for the length of time you've identified. Get up and do something else. Later, you'll be able to come back and tackle another task. You'll save your sanity by setting realistic work habits and responding to the reality of your family's daily schedule rather than expecting them to conform to what you wish was true.

In the next post, we'll discuss the difference between pricing on value vs. time. Before then, is there someone you can forward this post to who might benefit from online work-at-home support? If so, would you hit the forward button now and help our online community grow? Many thanks!

Blurry Lines

2009-04-07T05:42:00.001-07:00

Hi Friends,

Time to take a look at the biggest challenges we face as work-at-home entrepreneurs. Thanks to those of you who took the time to share. I'll be addressing the topics one by one over the next several weeks, along with some suggestions on how to tackle these challenges.

One of you shared that the biggest challenge you face is, "knowing how much is enough work for each day. When you work at an office, once you go home, you know you've done all you could within that time period, but at home where your hours are flexible and you have the availability of your office just down the hallway of your house, it is not always easy to know if you should or should not work a bit into the evening."

I struggled for many years with the blurry lines between home and work. Part of the struggle was due to the fact that I was working from home with preschool-aged children which meant I wasn't always in complete control of my schedule or work environment. (How is it that kids know to get sick when you have a project deadline looming?) The other part of the struggle was that I didn't draw boundaries around my work time by setting office hours. I've done that now and it's made a huge difference.

I work Monday-Friday from 7:45-3:15 (to coincide with my children's school day). After taking a break to greet each child, offer a snack, and listen to them share about their day after they arrive home, I usually spend another 30 minutes wrapping up my day before heading to the kitchen to tackle dinner. I allow myself to go to the gym on Tuesday and Friday mornings and to run errands after my workout on Tuesdays. I occasionally allow myself to work Saturday mornings. Work is off limits on Sundays unless the situation is dire. Oh, I also refuse to answer to my work phone after hours or on weekends. (Remember, we train clients how to treat us. They need to know our boundaries as well.)

Not only have my office hours brought the lines between home and work into focus, it's changed my mental state as well. Instead of feeling like I'm working around the clock (which I was), I now know that there are limits to my work and that I'm in control rather than letting the businss control me. It hasn't always been this way.

As to how to know if you "should or should not work a bit into the evening," here are some questions to ask to help you make the decision:

Am I on deadline for a project that's due soon?

Will working tonight take me away from something that's important to one of my family members?

If I work late tonight, will I be tired and grumpy tomorrow?

Is the deadline for this project firm, or is it flexible? (If it's flexible, there's no need to kill yourself to finish the project, even if you are a die-hard Type A!)

Do I feel well-rested and energetic? Or will working tonight simply drain me further?

What time of day is my best work time? (I personally am freshest in the morning and prefer to do my most important work then.)

If you don't currently have office hours, think about setting them for yourself. And if you have drawn boundaries around your work, please consider posting a comment as to how it's helped your work-at-home life so that we can learn from each other.

Seize the day!

The Gift of the 31st Day

2009-03-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

It's March 31st as I write--and I have the day off! This is a tradition that started before I became a work-at-home CEO. I started it when I had two children in diapers at the same time. I realized that the only way I'd get a day off as a mom was to give vacation time to myself. And so I did.

There are seven months that have 31st days. On these days, I only do things I want to do. I get the laundry done the day before, plan an easy meal (or plan to eat out), allow myself to take a nap, and I also usually plan something special like a manicure or lunch out with a friend. Today I spent it by myself because that's what my heart and soul needed. I went to the gym. I ran errands. I got my hair done. And now I'm blogging. Nothing is on the schedule for tonight. It feels deliciously wonderful!

How about giving yourself the Gift of the 31st Day? It's one of the kindest, smartest moves I've ever made! If you're interested, go to your calendar right now and mark off July 31. That way, we'll both have a day off to look forward to!

Seeking Your Input

2009-03-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

I'm looking for some good ideas from readers and hope you'll hit the reply button and share your answers to these questions with me. I'll pass them along in future posts.

1. What the one thing you've learned at an at-home-entrepreneur that you wish you would have known when you started your business?

2. What's the biggest challenge you face working from home?

I look forward to starting a conversation with you!

2009-03-23T06:20:00.000-07:00

Boosting Your Revenue
If you’ve priced your goods and services appropriately, revenue leads to profit. If you are interested in increasing your profit, there are only five ways to do it:

1. Increase your revenue by selling more products or booking more business
2. Increase your fees or prices
3. Reduce your expenses
4. Develop new revenue streams
5. A combination of the above

Sometimes we underestimate our value as work-at-home moms because of lack of confidence or gratitude that we can work flexibly when others can’t. A friend challenged my thinking in this regard when she flippantly said, “Just because you work in your pajamas sometimes doesn’t mean your work is worth less than someone who gets dressed every day.”

She’s right. That’s why we need to periodically take a look at our income and expense statement in order to insure we’re earning what we’re worth and maximizing our profit. Here’s how to measure your success in this regard:

Determine the minimum you have to work to cover your overhead. My profit was lean the first years of my home-based business because I was caring for a toddler and an infant and I wasn’t able to do much else! Yet I still had overhead expenses such as a second phone line, internet connection fee, and office supplies. Be sure your prices allow you to cover your overhead and make a profit. If you’re a network marketer, be sure you’re selling enough consistently so that your expenses are covered each month even if you’re in a maintenance mode.

Identify the market value for your line of work. If you were employed by another company doing what you’re doing, what would your salary be? Another way to think of this is to determine the “going rate” for your type of work—and then compare what you currently charge. Though you may be making somewhat less due to the fact you are not based in an office outside the home, may not be working full-time, and have flexibility that many employees don’t have, your income should still be comparable. If it’s not, it’s time for an adjustment. A consultant I know increased her fees by 30% when she realized she was under-charging for her services. No one balked. If it’s been a while since you’ve increased your fees, ask yourself if now’s the time to do it again.

Examine your expenses. If your profit isn’t what you want it to be, take a careful look at your expenses. Can you save by buying in bulk or shopping at a wholesale club? Use refurbished ink cartridges rather than buying new? Consolidate your phone and internet with the same provider in order to reduce costs? Make do with the software you have rather than upgrading every time a new version comes out? Form a co-op with other work-at-home moms so you can buy in bulk and share the cost savings?

It’s a challenging exercise to actively look for ways to reduce expenses and one that should be done at least annually. The lower your expenses, the higher your profit margin. Be sure you don’t cut expenses to the point of compromising your effectiveness or causing you to have to work harder than you need to. Remember it takes money to make money.

Be Realistic. Though you may wish to sell more products or book more business, doing so will require you to work more than you are, unless you can find a way to handle the increase without additional effort. If you’re a network marketer, you might choose to focus on building a bigger team underneath you. If you’re an independent service professional, you might decide to market more aggressively but pass the increased workload along to subcontractors instead of handling it yourself.

As you set goals each year, be sure to recognize your limits in terms of time, energy, and capacity. If you choose to increase your income, be aware that doing so requires other increases as well, including the possibility of increased stress. If you don’t want the anxiety that may accompany increasing your current sales levels, reduce your income expectations or increase your fees instead. Keep in mind there may be a point at which the market will no longer bear fee increases. If this is happening to you, consider developing new income streams for your business.

Profitably,

How Much Is Enough?

2009-03-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

Understanding why you’re working is the first step to profit and sanity in a home-based business. But there’s a second question you must also ask. How much monetary profit is enough? (By this I mean, “What’s the minimum amount you need/want to make this year in your business?”)

At first, my answer to that question was simply, “As much as possible.” But making “as much as possible” required me to work “as much as possible.” With two young children underfoot, that meant stealing away to my office whenever I could—even at the expense of exercise, sleep, and most sadly, my relationships.

I acted like a junkie looking for her next hit. My drug of choice was free minutes in which I could check e-mail or make a phone call. “Let’s see,” I’d think, “the kids will go down for a nap in an hour, and then I can get some work done.” Instead of living in the moment, I spent a year counting them so I could get to my next work session. I know that I missed opportunities to snuggle and read books out loud and collect worms and play hop-scotch. But, I was making “as much as possible.”

Eventually, “as much as possible” led to such strain that my husband and I became two ships passing in the night, barely acknowledging each other. It seemed every sentence I spoke started with the words, “I need a little time to work. Would you mind watching the kids?” Resentment began to build. I resented the fact that my work came second to his (even though his salary at the time was much higher and provided our family health benefits), and he resented the fact that all I could think about was work.

I was earning “as much as possible,” but it took a physical and mental toll on me. It affected my family relationships. It overwhelmed me. Until I asked, “How much is enough?”

Honestly, I’m not sure where the question came from. I just remember writing these words in my journal one day: What does success look like for me in my business and when will I know I’ve achieved it?

While the question flowed easily from my pen, the answer stumped me. As I stared at the page, I thought about “success.” As I contemplated the concept, I realized that money was a very small part of it for me. I did not want to have money but no one to share it with. Nor did I want to have money but be too tired or ill to spend it. As I pondered the question, I realized that “as much as possible” was a bottomless pit. There would always be more money to make or more work to do. By striving for “as much as possible,” I was sentencing myself to a life of endless work. Though I claimed my family was important, “as much as possible” had taken over. Something had to give.

That’s when I decided to put pen to paper in order to answer the question, “How much is enough?”

I started by listing the family expenses I hoped to cover with my profit. Then I identified the goals I’d like to help save for, including a family vacation, college tuition, and retirement. I added these amounts together. The resulting number, plus my average overhead expense, became my “how much.”

To further understand my goal, I divided by twelve to get an idea of how much I wanted to make each month. The number seemed doable. In fact, it was less scary than “as much as possible” because it was a finite number. Now, using my computer software, I can tell at any point in the year if I’m close to my goal. If not, I may make another phone call or two. If I’m ahead of my goal, I relax.

Knowing how much is enough allows me to operate from a position of strength rather than constantly struggling to make “as much as possible.” The frantic urgency I once felt has given way to a welcome rhythm in my work.

How much is enough for you? It's a vital question for work-at-home CEOs.

Enough,

2009-03-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

Working to Supplement the Family Income

After my last post, Gina wrote to let me know that due to the economy and the toll it's taking on her husband's business, she's thinking about getting a part-time job. Though she currently works from home, her income isn't enough to compensate for the decrease in overall family income.

Gina certainly isn't alone. My reasons for working from home changed dramatically last summer when my husband was laid off. He's back to work after being off seven months, but has a taken a pay cut. Thus, my reasons for working have gotten much clearer. Now, I'm focused on increasing my income in order to make up for the shortfall.

Though Gina is thinking about supplementing her income by working outside the home, she shared that the "Why am I working?" question is helping her decide what kind of work she wants to do as well as what kinds of sacrifices might be necessary in terms of her duties as a wife and mom. By taking time to think about this question, I believe Gina will make a wise decision in regard to her options at this point.

If you're a work-at-home mom who's not making as much as you'd like, consider Gina's solution. Now might be the time to supplement your work at home with work outside the home. By developing more than one revenue stream, you may be more likely to hold on to your home-based business through these tough economic times.

Though I'm focused on writing and speaking, I recently signed on to help a family-owned business with its marketing efforts because it provides me with an opportunity to keep my skills fresh as well as providing monthly income for me and my family. Understanding why I accepted this work has made it easier for me to commit to doing it.

E-mail me at mbyers@marybyers.com and let me know how you're supplementing your work-at-home income if you've found it necessary to do so due to the economy.

2009-03-06T11:36:00.000-08:00

Why are you working?

There’s a big difference between working to put food on the table vs. working for the “extras” such as summer camp or a vacation. Both are legitimate but it’s essential to be honest about your motivation. Knowing what drives you will help you keep your priorities in order. When my children were young, I worked for the extras. However, instead of stopping when I earned enough to help with vacation costs I kept right on going, becoming a workaholic in the process. It didn’t serve me or my family. When I recognized my error, I was able to cut back on work in order to create a healthier balance. Now that my children are school-age and I’m working to help cover orthodontia, tuition and retirement, I’ve increased my hours accordingly.

Understanding why you are working makes it easier to make tough work-related decisions. Will you work on the weekends? Stay up late to get it all done? If you're working to put food on the table, the answer will more likely be yes. But if you're working for the fun of it, you may choose not to compromise family time by late night or weekend work. When you know why you are working, it gets easier to decide what kind of boundaries you'll adhere to.

Why are you working? E-mail me at mbyers@marybyers.com and let me know. I'd love to hear from you!

2009-03-03T12:17:00.000-08:00

Three Work at Home Myths

I've been working at home for over a decade now. Over the years, I've heard all kinds of comments. I'd like to address the three I've heard most often:

1. "You're so lucky!" Yes, I am lucky. But I also made some of my own luck. I worked hard in school. I worked hard at all the jobs I held working for other people. I am committed to continually learning and I'm willing to take risks. These characteristics have contributed to my work at home success. Individuals who work from home may be lucky, but if they are successful they are also self-starting, dedicated, hard-working individuals.

2. "I wish I could work from home." There are a lot of great things about working from home. And then there's some not-so-great things. Not feeling like you ever get away from work. Having children underfoot when you're trying to meet a deadline. The pressure of being both mom and CEO simultaneously. Being responsible for everything in the business--from ordering supplies to managing technology to taking out the trash. Sometimes, it's not nearly as glamorous as people think it is.

3. "It would be so much easier if I worked from home." Maybe, maybe not. There are a lot of mistakes I made early on in my work-at-home career. Now that I've corrected them, I love my work at home life. But looking back, not much about working from home with preschool age children was "easy." I've learned a lot, both about working smarter (not harder) and setting realistic expectations (both for me and my family). And that's what I'll be covering in this blog: preserving your profit while saving your sanity.

I hope you'll subscribe to the feed so that you'll automatically receive new posts. And I'd appreciate it if you'd share this address (http://www.makingworkathomework.com/) with all your friends who are dedicated to successfully growing a business and a family under one roof.

Making Work at Home Work,

Welcome!

2009-02-05T08:10:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the Making Work at Home Work blog. Check back soon for updates!

Looking for an expert voice on the topic of work-at-home success?

2009-02-04T13:11:00.000-08:00

Mary Byers is a home-based entrepreneur and author of Making Work at Home Work. She’s also a member of the National Speakers Association and a professional speaker skilled at encouraging individuals to think big when it comes to their businesses. As an at-home entrepreneur herself, Mary walks the talk. She’s energizing, motivating, and she’ll challenge you and your team to:

Increase revenue without increasing effort
Grow a bigger vision for your business
Develop specialized entrepreneurial skills
Engage the power of “Focus Pocus”
Turn setbacks into milestones

Invite Mary to speak at your conference and she’ll:

Provide a dynamic and memorable keynote
Present up to two breakout sessions
Host an on-site book signing
Meet with a selected group of attendees for personal coaching
Participate in a “Meet the Pros” session
Submit articles about entrepreneurship for your newsletter or online magazine at no cost to you
Allow you to select any combination of the above

To learn more about Mary, visit www.marybyers.com.

Mary's Most Popular Topics:

2009-02-04T13:10:00.000-08:00

Making Work at Home Work
How to Say No…And Live to Tell About It
Spend a Morning, Plan a Year: Developing a One-Page Business Plan
Personality Plus: Understanding Your Individual Leadership Style and Motivating your Team
What’s Stopping You? Practical Tips for Taking Your Business to the Next Level

Books

2009-02-04T13:09:00.001-08:00

Making Work at Home Work is a guidebook for entrepreneurial women designed to help them think about their business in a whole new way. It covers important topics such as developing a successful business philosophy, balancing time between work and family, setting realistic goals, and handling the challenges of being a home-based CEO. In addition to including her own experiences, Byers profiles a dozen other women with home-based businesses who offer their hard-won advice.
Learn more >>

How to Say No ... and Live to Tell About It: A Woman's Guide to Guilt-Free Decisions
In this transformational book, Mary Byers tackles the challenges of overwhelmed and overworked women, teaching them strategies for saying no in order to protect limited resources of time, talent, and finances.

A former “yes-aholic,” Byers discusses how to say no graciously and without feelings of guilt as she offers tips women can use to evaluate commitments, priorities, and energy levels so they can realistically decide what to take on.
Learn more >>

The Mother Load: How to Meet Your Own Needs While Caring for Your Family
Motherhood is an intense, 'round-the-clock job that does not comes with scheduled breaks. But to stay healthy and happy, Moms need friendships, laughter, solitude and spiritual renewal.
How can you meet these needs while juggling your family responsibilities?

The Mother Load is packed with down-to-earth suggestions, spiritual truths and real-life advice to help you survive and thrive in your active family. You’ll also discover special insights into achieving balance and creating more intimate relationships.
Learn more >>

The SOS for PMS: Practical Help and Relief for Moms
In her latest book, Mary explores an often frustrating topic, the symptoms of PMS, and offers practical advice and encouragement for mothers. Readers will find comfort in the stories shared by other moms, realizing that they are not alone in their struggles with PMS.

With this book, you will find suggestions designed to inspire healthier lifestyles, relationships, and daily choices for all women.
Learn more >>

Other Publications by Mary Byers

Extraordinary Women
With biblical illustrations, life examples, prayers, places for journaling, and time–sensitive chapters, Extraordinary Women explores how every woman can embrace purpose and delight and extraordinary living.

Discover and live God’s dream for you while you release control to take hold of freedom. Let go of the past to embrace the future, making every day count. Create a strong marriage as you live your extraordinary life.

Insights from fellow Extraordinary Women speakers add extra motivation and encouragement throughout this great resource that combines practical with inspirational to help each reader discover how exceptional her heart and purpose becomes when placed in the Creator’s hands.

The Mother Load

2009-02-04T13:08:00.001-08:00

Motherhood is an intense, 'round-the-clock job that does not comes with scheduled breaks. But to stay healthy and happy, Moms need friendships, laughter, solitude and spiritual renewal. How can you meet these needs while juggling your family responsibilities?

Mary Byers, the mother of two lively young kids, shares how to take advantage of small pockets of time to—

* rest and refuel
* establish personal space
* develop and maintain friendships
* care for your physical well-being
* creatively stay sane in the midst of mothering

The Mother Load is packed with down-to-earth suggestions, spiritual truths and real-life advice to help you survive and thrive in your active family. You’ll also discover special insights into achieving balance and creating a more intimate relationship with the Lord.

Product Details:

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (January 1, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736915028
ISBN-13: 978-0736915021
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches

Price: $12.00 + $2.50 s/h

Buy Now!
When purchasing, you will be redirected to 2CheckOut.com Inc. (Ohio, USA), an authorized retailer for goods and services provided by Word Works by Mary Byers.

What Others Say About This Book

“I’ve always wished I had a smart, kind mom living next door who could give me advice, reassure me that I’m not crazy, and help me to handle the ‘mother load.’ This book is the next best thing to that mom next door. Mary Byers offers friendly, practical advice on caring for yourself while caring for others. She reassures moms that it is not just okay to take care of yourself, it’s essential, and she offers wise and very practical counsel on just how to do so.”
- Keri Wyatt Kent, author of God’s Whisper in a Mother’s Chaos and The Garden of the Soul

“Mary Byers makes us feel valuable and understood through her compassion, humor, and willingness to share her own joys and frustrations of motherhood. Reading The Mother Load is like sitting across the table from Mary, drinking a cup of coffee or having milk and cookies. She is friend, cheerleader, and mother extraordinaire.”
- Leslie Levine, author of Wish It, Dream It, Do It: Turn the Life You’re Living into the Life You Want

“Moms will be encouraged, refreshed, and find their ‘mother load’ and hearts lightened by Mary Byers’ new book The Mother Load. With both inspiration and practical ideas, I highly recommend it to moms of all ages!”
- Cheri Fuller, speaker and author of The Mom You’re Meant to Be, The School Savvy Kids series, When Mothers Pray, and others

“This book has the rare combination of true wisdom, refreshing substance, and practical ideas that are do–able! An encouraging read for mothers of young children!”
- Susan Alexander Yates, author of And Then I Had Kids and And Then I Had Teenagers

“Do you feel like you are carrying the mother Over–load? Then take a break and refresh yourself with this book. Mary’s suggestions for meeting your needs will be like a drink of cool water—a blessing to both you and your family!”
- Kendra Smiley, conference speaker and author, Aaron’s Way: The Journey of a Strong–Willed Child

“Want to be a more balanced, joyful, playful, and sane family manager? Join Mary Byers—a real mom like you and me—on an enjoyable journey of unloading the heavy stuff and replacing it with all that’s good and rewarding and fun about motherhood.”
- Lorilee Craker, author, We Should Do This More Often: A Parent’s Guide to Romance, Passion, and Other Pre–Kid Activities You Vaguely Recall

“Who better to encourage moms toward personal growth, while commiserating about the lack of available time, than a mom in the trenches? Mary Byers speaks to our heartfelt needs with humor and understanding born of experience. Moms seeking practical ways to balance their responsibilities should put down their mother loads and pick up this book!”
- Cynthia Sumner, author of Mommy’s Trapped in the Bathroom

How To Say No

2009-02-04T13:05:00.000-08:00

In How to Say No...and Live to Tell About It, author Mary Byers tackles the challenges of overwhelmed and overworked women, teaching them strategies for saying no in order to protect limited resources of time, talent, and finances.

82% of women surveyed indicated they have trouble saying no to such requests

A former “yes-aholic,” Byers discusses how to say no graciously and without feelings of guilt as she offers tips women can use to evaluate commitments, priorities, and energy levels so they can realistically decide what to take on.

In these pages, you’ll learn:

• when yes isn’t the logical answer
• how to identify the best use of your time
• how you can use your gifts and talents more effectively
• ways to turn down opportunities graciously
• how to gain more time to spend with your family

Learn to say no and you make it possible to say yes to the things in life that really matter.

Publication Details
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (February 15, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736916873
ISBN-13: 978-0736916875
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches

Price: $12.00 + $2.50 s/h

Buy Now!
When purchasing, you will be redirected to 2CheckOut.com Inc. (Ohio, USA), an authorized retailer for goods and services provided by Word Works by Mary Byers.

What Others Say About This Book

In a world of stressed out women, MARY POINTS THE WAY TO SANITY AND SERENITY in practical ways.
Pam Farrel, author
Men are Like Waffles, Women are like Spaghetti

For those yesaholics whose lives blur hectic, Mary Byers comes alongside, offering PRACTICAL NO-SAYING ADVICE. How to Say No…and Live to Tell About It helps readers understand that busyness is not synonymous with worth and the tyranny of “should” can clutter already-hectic schedules. For those afraid of exercising the no muscle, SAY YES TO THE MESSAGE OF THIS BOOK.
Mary E. DeMuth, author
Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God

“Say yes to Mary Byers’ wonderful new book—and to living with passion and purpose. A MUST-READ for every woman!”
Cyndy Salzmann, author
Making Your Home a Haven

“Say ‘Yes’ to reading this book because the one word that every wife, mother, and woman should be learning to say along with her toddler is a resounding ‘No!’ MARY BYERS HAS NAILED IT! This excellent, practical manual shows all of us how to say No with grace, compassion, and practice. Mary has convinced me to become a recovering Yesaholic! ‘No’ is the word that gives all of us the freedom to truly live the priorities we profess to possess.”
Cindy Sigler Dagnan, speaker and author
Who Put Peanut Butter on My Daily Planner?

Mary's book will help you to better know yourself so you can say a resounding "Yes" to the strengths and desires God has placed inside of you. A PRACTICAL GUIDE ON PERSONAL BOUNDARIES AND PURPOSEFUL LIVING for every busy woman.
Dr. Todd Cartmell, author
Keep the Siblings, Lose the Rivalry

This book offers hope and help for a disease that is epidemic in our “hurry up, can't say no” culture. In my seminars, I teach and coach busy leaders who need to learn that "less really is more" if they want to lead and still have a life at the end of the day. This book will show women that SAYING "NO THANK YOU" CAN SET THEM FREE TO SAY "YES, I'D LOVE TO" WHEN IT COUNTS!
H. Dale Burke, founder Dale Burke Leadership and author
How to Lead and Still Have a Life

The SOS for PMS: Practical Help and Relief for Moms

2009-02-04T13:04:00.000-08:00

Gather any group of moms together and the topic of frustrating PMS symptoms rises up in conversation along with the guilt and concern about its effects on family members. Now Mary Byers offers mothers encouragement, help, and camaraderie as she shares:

• women’s stories—the good, bad, and the hopeful
• overlooked symptoms and how to manage them
• foods and activities to avoid or indulge in
• God’s first aid for stress, depression, and anxiety
• a call for help—how husbands can come to the aid of their wives

This gathering of useful advice and shared experiences will comfort readers who have ever felt alone in their PMS plight and will inspire healthier lifestyles, relationships, and daily choices for all women.

Publication Details
Suggested Retail: $11.99
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (August 2008)
Language: English
ISBN13: 978-0-7369-2170-1
ISBN10: 0-7369-2170-2
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 inches

Buy Now!

When purchasing, you will be redirected to 2CheckOut.com Inc. (Ohio, USA), an authorized retailer for goods and services provided by Word Works by Mary Byers.

Making Work at Home Work

2009-02-01T10:34:00.000-08:00

Making Work at Home Work shows moms how to develop an entrepreneurial mind-set without sacrificing their families. It covers important topics such as developing a successful business philosophy, balancing time between work and family, setting realistic goals, and handling the challenges of being both "Mommy" and "CEO" while running a profitable home-based business. In addition to including her own experiences, author Mary Byers profiles real moms with home-based businesses who offer their hard-won advice.

Publication Details
Price: $12.99
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3275-2
ISBN-10: 0-8007-3275-8
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5
Number of pages: 224
Carton Quantity: 64
Publication Date: Apr. 09
Formats: Paperback

Welcome to the Making Work at Home Work blog ring page.

2006-06-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce a great new way for all of us Work at Home Moms to connect!

Meet the Team:

Amy at Litfuse Publicity

Angela at Generations Photo Imaging

Angela at Homeschooling and Loving It

April at A Writer's Journey

Beth at Blissful Blunders

Cara at Cara's Discovery Toys Blog

Carmen at Leap with Carmen Lund

Catherine at Home with Christian Fiction

Christy at Christy's Book Blog

Colleen at Proven Way Ministries

Danica at The Journey of Writer Danica Favorite

Dena at Mother Inferior

Heather at Faith, Family and Fun

Heather at Lifting My Eyes

Heidi at Reviews by Heidi

Jane at Mozi Esmé

Jennifer at A Spacious Place

Jessica at Garden of Francis

Jill at Christian Work at Home Moms

Jill at Frugal Plus

Julie at The Surrendered Scribe

Julie at One Rainy Afternoon

Judy at Seize the Book Blog

Kalia at Full House Momma

Kalisha at Mommy Lounge

Karen at The Guilt Free Mom

Karen at PaperDoll Designs

Karla at Roads to Learning

Kristinia at Loving Heart Mommy

Lisa at It's a Mompreneur's Life

Lori at LBPR

Lynda at Between the Lines and More

Mara at Mara Mattia Watercolor Art

MariLee at Christian Mom's Business Resources

Melissa at Mama Bzz

Mimi at Tags and Other Forms of Mischief

Nicole at Ramblings

Nora at Finding Hope Through Fiction

Pattie at Fresh Brewed Writer

Patty at Broken Teepee

Prerna at The Mom Writes

ReaganStar at Star Shadow and Company

Sara at Miller's Moments

Shannon at Mountain Country

Shannon at Shasher's Life

Sherry at My Home Sanctuary

Stacia at m ī • s ā • s ō.com

Stacie at Simply Stacie

Stacy at A Novel Source

Stephanie at Garvey Artistic Works

Tanya at In the Dailiies

Tammy at Time Gone By and the Here and Now

Tara at Tara's View of the World

Theresa at RobnT Business Solutions

Tracy at Tracy's Book Review

Urailak at Living for God

Join our team of fabulous bloggers who Work From Home and are making it WORK! It’s easy to join…

First...Are you a Work At Home Mom? Do you have a blog?

Second...Do you have a heart to share what you’ve learned with others?

Then...Making Work from Home Work is looking for YOU! We are gathering a team of bloggers who would like to share resources with other Work At Home Moms.

Would you like to help Making Work at Home Work spread the word, encourage, educate, and equip women to build a successful business and a family under one roof?

Become a Making Work at Home Blogger Today!

It's super easy to participate!

E-mail me at mbyers@marybyers.com requesting to join the group.

Post the button on the sidebar of your blog and every month I’ll send you a guest blog post (or two) for your blog with helpful hints and resources for Work at Home Moms. You can simply upload the blog post to your blog or give your own unique spin on the information/post provided.

And as a GREAT BIG THANKS for helping me encourage Work at Home Women:

I will enter your name in monthly drawings where you will have a chance to win books, products and gifts that will help you Work From Home.

And as an added bonus:

I’ll add your link to the list above allowing you to meet other WAHMs so you can check out what other Work at Home Mom bloggers are up to and increase traffic to your own blog!

So come join our team…

Become a Making Work at Home Work Blogger Today!

Making Work At Home Work

Why are you working?

Summer Survival

Three Reasons You Can't Afford that High Maintenance Client

Toughest Challenge?

Toughest Challenges?

Toughest Challenges?

Find the Right Coach

Working With a Coach

Succeed By Being Other-Focused

Entrepreneurship May be Hereditary

Working Around the Holidays

Schedule Your Own Off-Season

Work at Home Advice and Encouragement NOW!

Holiday Home/Work Balance Tips

Would You Like to Write for My Blog?

Rules to Live By

Teleseminar Tonight

Mind Over Matter

Fellow Entrepreneur Offers Advice

Find Your Strongest Life

Little Things Make a Big Difference, Part 2

Little Things Make a Big Difference

Little Things Make a Big Difference, Part 3

Setting Fees

Setting Your Financial Goals

Boosting Your Revenue

Reduce Expenses

Let the Numbers Talk

Dollar and Cents

Pay Yourself First

Getting Serious About Money

Talk the Walk

Do You Stink at Marketing?

Lazy Days

Back to School Heaven

Don't Rescue Your Children

Creating Boundaries

Where Are Your Customers Coming From?

More on Outsourcing

Choosing the Home Business That's Right For You

Outsource Your Way to Success

The Most Difference?

Are You Serious?

More on Expanding and Contracting

Making Work at Home Work BLOG TOUR!

New!!! Making Work at Home Work blog ring!

Who is Your Target Market?

Value vs. Time

Reducing Chaos

Blurry Lines

The Gift of the 31st Day

Seeking Your Input

How Much Is Enough?

Welcome!

Looking for an expert voice on the topic of work-at-home success?

Mary's Most Popular Topics:

Books

The Mother Load

How To Say No

The SOS for PMS: Practical Help and Relief for Moms

Making Work at Home Work

Welcome to the Making Work at Home Work blog ring page.