Choosing a Home Business

Many people today are looking for a home business - a way to generate extra income because of the declining economy. It's definitely a smart choice to develop a second steam of income, just in case anything happens to your primary source. The problem is, there are SO MANY options out there - how do you find the right business?

I can speak from experience here since I have had a home business for the past 6 years. Although I never thought of myself as a business person, I kind of "fell into" a business opportunity. You see, I went to a party and found myself loving the products. I wanted to buy it all, but couldn't afford to. So, like many others, I became a consultant so that I could get the discount. Later I decided to actually build it as a business so that I could earn enough money to stay home, at least part time. I worked hard and advanced my business, but soon after that I lost my status and was not earning what I had hoped. I began to doubt whether I could succeed and definitely knew that staying home was not an option.

So when I was presented with another business opportunity, I was determined to be more thoughtful and deliberate about whether to even get involved. I was skeptical and thought it was probably a scam - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, right? Well, I listened to the full information, researched it a bit, and determined that I wanted to at least give it a try. 2 years later, I am so glad that I did. I am now earning a consistent, reliable income which allows me to work part time instead of full-time. I have an excellent support team and am part of an amazing, debt-free company that continues to grow in the midst of this economy. So what are some of the keys to choosing (or finding) the right business for you?

• Get the facts. It's important to take a listen to the full information of whatever company you are considering teaming up with. And it shouldn't be just a 5 minute description - you will need to hear about the company's products, track record of success, business plan, compensation, etc. And be sure to ask questions! Ask to see the company's growth chart and average income earnings, if those aren't provided in the overview.
• Determine what kind of business you want. Do you want to do a party plan business where you need to go to other's houses and do parties, carry inventory, etc? Or do you want to be able to work entirely from home, using the phone and internet? Find out what the method of marketing is and find out if there is flexibility as well.
• Find out what kind of target audience you have. If you are selling jewelry or makeup, you will be cutting out about half of the population. If you are selling tools, you may be cutting out the other half. Will you be marketing products that everyone needs and uses, or just a certain group of people? If it's a certain group of people, how well do those products sell during difficult economic times? These are all things you will want to consider.
• Figure out how much income you want, and find out how you can achieve that with the companies you are considering. How long does it typically take someone to get to that income level? How much of your business is tax-deductible? Do you have to re-invest your earnings into product, training, or overhead? Or is your profit pure profit?

Although this is not an extensive list of questions, it should get you headed in the right direction. I am so thankful that I have found the right business for myself, and I hope you do too!

Positive Attitude & Finding Who To Work With

I've come to a decision: I only want to work with positive people. When working in a business from home, you get to choose who to work with. But for some reason, many of us choose anyone who will join us, rather than focusing on finding people who we WANT to work with. And from now on, I am choosing to work with positive people. When prospecting for people in the community, online, or wherever, I recommend focusing on those who have a positive personality, who attract other people, and who are hard working. These are all attributes that are essential to being successful in a home business. Here's why I think they are helpful:

1. Positive Personality/Outlook: There will always be bad days and we can't always be on top of the world. However, someone who can look on the bright side and get over the inevitable obstacles will be able to succeed. It's also important to have a positive attitude as a leader in your business. Your team will follow your lead, so if you are focusing on the negative things or whining and complaining, this will trickle down to your team.
2. Attract Other People: This really goes hand-in-hand with the first point. Positive people naturally attract others. But there are other qualities that attract other people, such as being someone who is honest and full of integrity. Someone who can attract other people will be able to get his or her business started quickly because they already have a group of people who trust them and will follow them.
3. Hard Working: I don't know any home business that is "easy." Some are simple, but none are easy. Therefore being someone who is hard working is absolutely essential to your success. I have teamed up with several people in my business, however, only those who have been persistent and consistent have been successful. I find that some people quit as soon as things get a little challenging, despite the fact that they really need the money. This is the hardest thing for me to understand - if you are in dire circumstances, and have a very doable and clear way to get out of those circumstances by working hard, then why would you not do it?!? So far, the best answer I have come up with is that some people are just comfortable where they are and are not willing to sacrifice to change their circumstances.

So, as you build your home business (or consider who to team up), be sure to look for people with these 3 qualities. You will be much happier and more successful. Don't let yourself get into the trap of teaming up with someone who does not have these qualities just because you are desperate to advance your business.

Getting Back to Work

After a month off from my business, I have been getting back to work in December. Balancing life with a newborn and having a home business is a new venture for me! I am certainly learning the value of sleep! Sometimes I have to choose between sleeping, showering, eating, cleaning, or working my business. And honestly it just depends on the day as to which one I choose. I have been learning to take 20 minutes to make phone calls when I know Kirsten is sleeping (and will stay asleep). I've also been learning how to do a presentation phone call while nursing her, changing her, or carrying her around to keep her happy. This is all a new adventure that is fun and challenging at the same time!

I am so thankful for all that God has given me. But this year, I am especially thankful for my beautiful daughter who has brought us so much joy and love. I am also thankful for the fact that my business is so flexible and allows me to truly work from home. I'm also thankful that I'll still be getting my paycheck in December even though I took the entire month of November off! Talk about a blessing during these difficult economic times! Residual income is a wonderful thing, and I am glad that I had the sense to say "yes" when my friend shared this incredible business with me.

Now, I'm off to take care of my baby girl who's waking up, do some holiday baking, and maybe, just maybe, make some phone calls too!

Blogging Break

Sorry for the lack in blogging recently!! I have a new addition to my home: my beautiful daughter, Kirsten Jael!
She was born on October 29th at 2:28am, and she is absolutely wonderful. Due to this recent addition, I have taken a bit of a vacation from my business. Therefore my blogging has been non-existent. I just wanted to update any of you who read my blog so that you know what's going on. The thing that is so great about my business is that even as I was headed to the hospital, many on my team were working hard and finished out October incredibly strong! I have a great support team who have been helping my team immensely while I've been focusing on my new baby. Soon I'll be getting back to work, but I am so thankful for this business and this team that I work with. I am thankful that I have residual income with this company and it allows me to know I'll be getting a paycheck even though I haven't been working these couple weeks.

Reaching Your Financial Wellness Goals

The economic climate right now is not good, and most everyone in their right mind would agree with that. Many people are worried about losing their job or their home, if they haven't already lost one or both! In these difficult times, more and more people are wanting to find a way to improve their financial wellness.

I have noticed this recently in my business. I have had more people wanting to team up and build an income because of this economic climate. One of my team members recently sent out an email to a group of other moms who homeschool like she does. Within 2 days, she received over 10 responses back from moms who were interested! In the past, a similar email would've probably gotten less than half that response. It is true that people need a source of reliable, residual income.

With a baby on the way in about 1 month, many people would be having a near meltdown about taking maternity leave and worrying about how to survive without a paycheck for that time. (In fact I've met many moms who are feeling that way right now). However, thanks to the fact that I have this business and have already developed my residual income, I am not worried at all. I am so thankful that God brought this to me when He did, because now I know that we will have income coming in from my business even while I am on maternity leave.

Perhaps you are in a similar situation as many others out there right now. Perhaps you are looking for a way to generate an extra $300-500 a month just to get by or to pay for heating this winter. NOW is the time to consider a home business that can help you reach your financial wellness goals by working about 5-15 hours a week.

I love my home business!

I just have to say that I love my home business! I am so thankful that God brought this company into my life and has given me such a fabulous support team. I am also thankful for the people that I meet on a regular basis who also are looking for a way to earn extra income - I love helping them get started and reach their goals as well! It benefits them and myself, so it is a win-win! I also love the fact that I am having a baby in approximately 7 weeks, and I know that when she arrives, I will not have to worry about finances because my paycheck will continue to come in (from my business) even while I am on maternity leave from my part-time job! It is truly a blessing to not feel tons of pressure and worry during such an exciting time!

Making the Decision to Work

I recently went to my business convention, and I had an excellent time. Despite being 7 months pregnant and getting less sleep than is necessary, I loved the convention and learned so much. I felt as though my brain just could not take in all the information! However, I did learn a few things that I really want to apply to my business here at home.

First of all, I learned how important it is to make the decision to work. When you own a home based business, you don't have a boss and you don't have anyone telling you what to do. With my business, thankfully, I do have a great support team and people who will hold me accountable. However, it is still up to me to actually get to work! So the decision to work - I mean really work - your business is an important one. I see so many people getting started "hoping" to build a business. Well, those folks rarely go anywhere, because they never really made a commitment to do it no matter what. For me, something I came home with after convention was a newfound commitment and a decision to reach my goal no matter what. I don't care what comes in the way or what people might try to tell me. I will work this business no matter what, and I will succeed.

Secondly, I learned the importance of teaming up with others. Without helping others, I will go nowhere in this business. That is one of the reasons I love my company - because we MUST help others achieve their goals in order to achieve our own. I learned that if I want to really help someone get started, then I need to work with them on a daily basis and be there to support them. Without that daily support, they may get discouraged or allow others to destroy their dreams. I want to be there for my team in the good and the bad times.

Finally, I learned the importance of keeping a positive attitude and mind-frame. Today on the radio I heard a famous talk-show host talking about something - it had nothing to do with business, but it totally applies! He was saying, "Don't hang around people who whine and complain all the time. If you do, you will surely get dragged down into that mindset." This is so true! As they say, "Misery loves company." It's easy to get discouraged when someone brushes you off, or when you get a "no", or when you don't reach a goal you had. However, if you keep a positive mindset, you are much more likely to achieve your goals than if you let things get you down and begin whining and complaining. I am still working on this area, and even tonight I had to remind myself not to let something get me down. As one of our speakers at convention said, "Count your blessings every day rather than counting your obstacles."

Moms Working From Home

A lot of moms want to work from home and be able to add to their family's income. The challenge is in deciding what to do. You can choose a work at home job or a work at home business. A few years ago, I chose a business with a direct sales/party plan company. I worked hard with that company for 4 years. I advanced and earned recognition. However, I didn't have a consistent paycheck. At the time I did not have any children, but part of the reason for my business was to be able to stay home once we decided to have kids. I began considering whether that business was really going to allow me to reach my goal.

Then a friend of mine called me about a different business which did not involve inventory or selling products. It was a customer referral business and the company would pay me simply for referring others to the products. I was quite skeptical because of my personality and my previous experiences. However, I was open enough to listen to the info and decide for myself. Once I saw the product line, I knew I'd at least want to be a customer.

I have found this experience to be quite a bit different from my previous business. I have found that I have been much more able to reach my goals than I was before. I am now working part-time and am expecting my first baby in a couple months. Yay! It is so refreshing and exciting to be part of a company that helps me reach me goals, and I am also able to help others reach their goals. Our company has sent out checks month after month to thousands of moms who are adding to their family's income by doing this business. Why not you??

Home Businesses in a Declining Economy

What is going on in the economy today? Most of us are familiar with these stats:

• Oil prices are up 30% - not good, especially for those of us living in the Northeast.
• Food prices are up 8% in the last 3 months.
• In July, the FDIC seized control of Indy-Mac Bank - the second largest bank failure in US history.
• Construction of single family homes is down.
• Jobless claims are up.

Clearly, the economy is having trouble, and that is affecting a lot of people. Most people that you talk to today are struggling in one way or another -whether it is because of gas prices, not being able to make mortgage payments, or job insecurity.

In light of all of these issues, many home based businesses are suffering. In 2007, the DSA reported that the overall industry had a decline in total sales. The president and CEO of our company, in a meeting with other presidents that are part of the DSA, found that he encountered no other companies who had grown in 2007. However, our business did grow in 2007! And in 2008, our sales are up above last year's sales. We have had 17% more advancements this year than we had last year at this time. Plus, our customers are ordering more on average than last year.

So, why, in light of the declining economy, with most other home businesses struggling as well, is our company continuing to grow? We have grown steadily over the past several years, and our 20+ year history of growth is astounding in the home business industry. Our continued growth can be connected to the value of our products. Companies that are promoting products that the average person can't afford are not doing well because people are cutting their budgets. However, because our products are affordable and are the kinds of products people use on a regular basis, we continue to grow and expand in spite of the declining economy. I am thankful to finally be a part of a company that offers people the chance to get ahead in these hard times, as well as get safer, healthier products for their homes.

Business Tips for Success

I'm going to share some notes that I took last night on a training call with one of the top leaders in my business. I really enjoyed the call, and since she is earning over $100,000 per month with our company, I figured that it's a good idea to follow her advice:

• It's Up to YOU! You have to make a decision to be successful with your business. Your success is up to you. You can't blame others if you don't succeed.
• Have to be willing to sacrifice. There are things that you will need to sacrifice in the short-term in order to have a long-term gain. This might be things like your favorite TV show, going out with friends, or other activities you'd like to do. In the end, it will be worth it!
• Find a mentor and have them hold you accountable.
• Set attainable goals. You should have short-term and long-term goals and have a "whatever it takes" attitude.
• Know who to work with and know when to walk away. Many business builders try to work with the people who are not really serious - and they get frustrated. Go by what people do, not what they say. Work with those who are coachable.
• Stay in touch with your new builders and help them get the biggest first check possible. Once someone sees that this can work, they will continue to stick with it.
  
• Keep your attitude positive. If you are negative, you will bring down others around you and you will not attract success.
• Remember that in our business, no one can get hurt. Unlike many other companies out there, there is truly no way for someone to lose money or get hurt.

I love that last part! There is truly no way for someone to get hurt in our business. I recently connected with someone online who is in another company right now. She shared that she is not getting much support and she is being told that they aren't going to "hold her hand". Not to mention that she had to invest over $1,000 to get started! Wow, that is a set up for people to get hurt. After researching more about the company, I have read many similar stories, including people that have been encouraged to spend tens of thousands of dollars on the business - but yet they aren't earning any money! One thing I love about my company is our focus on helping others to get OUT of debt, not into more debt.

I hope these tips were helpful. Feel free to add a comment with your tips as well.

Developing Your Business Online

There are many ways to develop your home-based business, and one of them is to develop your online presence. Blogging is obviously one way to do this, and I apologize for my serious lack of posts in the past month. I have been busy, but that is no excuse. Another way, aside from blogging, is to develop relationships with others through online message boards and groups. I have found this to be quite helpful over the recent months. I have met some wonderful women who have chosen to team up with me and start their own business. It's been rewarding for them as well as for myself. And helping others is part of my own personal passion, as well as the mission statement of my company.

As I continue to build my business, I am constantly learning and figuring out what works and what doesn't work. I have noticed that some people try to just start advertising their business before they have developed any kind of rapport or relationship with others. I think that one of the keys to building online is still to be focused on others and to develop a relationship with them. That way they know that you truly care about them, and you are not there just to try and recruit them.

The fact is, there are people everywhere who are looking for extra income right now. With the economy the way it is, even an extra $300-500 a month can make a huge difference for families. I am so excited to be a part of a company that allows me to help others earn this, even within their first month if they choose. This month, we can even help people DOUBLE their paychecks, which is pretty amazing.

Feel free to leave any tips you have about building a business online, or any comments about anything else here.

Time Management & Goals

Tonight our team had a conference call that focused on time management. This is one of my favorite topics, since I am all about scheduling your time. Here are some of the questions to ask yourself when working a home business:

• What are my goals for this month?
• What is my WHY?
• Am I truly putting in the time and effort to reach my goals?

We had a challenge to actually track our "work" time - the time that we are actually spending on our businesses - and then look back at our goals and see if the time corresponds to being able to reach our goals. I know for me, there are definitely weeks where I think I'm working x number of hours, but if I actually tracked it, it would be a lot less.

When someone can master the concept of time management, I think they can be really successful. There are people on my team who have 6 children, who homeschool, who work full-time, who are single - I could go on and on - but they still find a way to make this business work! Why? Because they are determined to make a difference for their family's financial well-being, and they have learned how to manage their time so that they can be with their family but still have a successful business. With a baby on the way, I hope to be able to do the same thing!

Interview

This morning I had an "interview" with my company! The other day my company called me and asked me if I would be willing to do an interview about my business. Being that things have been rather slow lately, I was rather surprised. But, of course, I agreed to it. So this morning I got to answer some questions about how I got started, what a difference it has made, etc. When I get the proof, I will probably post it here for everyone to read. I have truly enjoyed my experience with my business and enjoy helping others reach their goals.

End of the Month

The end of the month is always a busy time for me with my business. It's the time to make sure that everyone has submitted paperwork and wrap up loose ends. I love the end of the month, because it also is usually a time that my team is motivated to try and reach their goals before the month ends. Then, at the beginning of the new month, there is always a new promotion to find out about, which is very exciting.

The end of the month is also a time to evaluate and assess what I've done this month and see what I can do better next month. This month I have worked more than the previous two months, because I have finally been feeling better than I was in March and April. So I have accomplished more, but today I am still working on finishing up my month strong.

What I always tell my team is that you may not always reach your goals, but as long as you are working consistently, that work WILL pay off. You will see results, it just might not be until a month or two later. So I am hopeful that the work I have done this month will continue to pay off over the next several months. Speaking of which, it's time to get off the computer and get back to work!

Low Start Up Costs

One thing that I recommend when I am talking with people about starting a home based business is to find one with a low start up cost. Why? Because so many people get burned by spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on a business, and then end up with inventory sitting around that they never sell. Or worse, they find out it was a scam and have no way to recoup their money.

With my business, the most anyone can ever spend is $29 plus the cost of their products, which can range from $50-$299 to start. And that is fully refundable within the first 60 days. The best part about this is, the products that you get are all for personal use - not to try and sell at parties, etc. So you're getting something that you know you will use.

Right now, we are having a half-price enrollment special which means that the $29 is only $14.50. And, you can earn a guaranteed paycheck of $500 this month. That's a pretty good return on your investment, wouldn't you say?

Regardless of what business you choose to do, I definitely recommend a low start-up cost for everyone. You will avoid losing money and have the opportunity to start earning a profit right away.

The Anonymity of the Internet

As I do some of my business on the internet through message boards, etc, I am increasingly becoming aware of an issue that affects many of us. It is the idea that just because you are posting on a message board, blog, or elsewhere, you can end up saying things that you never would in person. I am finding this to be quite disturbing, as I read some of the comments that people leave about others. My question whenever I post is this - "If I were face-to-face with this person, would I say this?" Unfortunately, I think a lot of other people do not filter their statements this way. Or, perhaps, there are more rude people in the world than I originally estimated. I'm thinking, though, that it is because we have a feeling of anonymity when we post online that we do not have in real life.

As I consider working from home and attempting to build a business online, I recognize that maintaining a positive outlook - whether online or face-to-face - is essential. If you are looking to build your business, build relationships, or just maintain friendships, it is important to keep your online posts positive and encouraging rather than degrading or critical of others.

Handling Rejection

Part of any home business is knowing how to handle rejection. Oftentimes, we as business people take rejection personally. Instead, we need to recognize that rejection usually means that it is not the right time for the potential customer. Of course, our attitude, demeanor, and appearance can attract or repel people. But ultimately, rejection is simply a way of someone saying "it's not the right time."

So many people in my business have joined our company after literally years of being approached and then saying no, over and over. Ultimately, they saw the benefits of our company and that it truly is different. So when I talk to people and they say no, I have to remember that they may end up saying yes at a different time.

In addition, sometimes people continue to chase someone down after they say "no." Instead, it's important for us to recognize that we will continue to build our business regardless of that particular person. Therefore, we can have a more laid-back approach and realize that it is not the end of the world if this person says no or stands us up for an appointment. That's the importance of having a strong contact list and strong posture as well.

This is something that takes time and a willingness to learn from others. I am still learning, and I hope to continue to learn in the future. I also hope to inspire others and teach them how to handle rejection appropriately.

Upcoming Convention

I was already excited to go to Salt Lake City in August for the convention for my company. But when I got my little flyer in my paycheck last month announcing who the speaker is going to be, I was even more excited. Glenn Beck, host of the Glenn Beck program on the radio and host of CNN's Headline New, will be speaking at this year's convention. Being that my husband and I both listen to his radio program, I am already familiar with his comical, often sarcastic style. And I'm looking forward to seeing him in person!

Last year at our convention we heard from Chris Gardner, author of The Pursuit of Happyness. It's amazing the type of speakers that our company brings for us to learn from and be inspired by. We have some great leaders within the company, as well, who will be sharing their training and wisdom. Although it's a few months away, I am definitely looking forward to my trip out west!

Consistency

It's been a while I've posted, and for that I apologize, for anyone who may actually visit here! March has been a crazy month, but that's no excuse. I would say the one lesson I have learned this month is something that I already knew, but it's good to be reminded. I have realized once again the importance of consistency in a home-based business. I tell my team all the time - consistency is key! And when you are consistent, you will see results. Of course, I need to take my own advice as well. I found that March was a month where I didn't work consistently, and therefore my results have been very slow. The end of the month is picking up a bit for my team, so that is important, but I need to also improve on my own personal activities.

So now that we are at the end of March, my goal for April is to be consistent again! I know that it is possible, and I know that with consistency in anything, you end up with better results. And I have seen so many people in my business who have recently seen amazing results when they have worked consistently. So I am determined, and I am looking forward to helping more people reach their goals over the next month.

Free Advertising

Many people who are working from home want to find ways to advertise for free. While I am certainly not an expert on this, I am learning new things every day. One thing that I have found to be working has been developing relationships with people online. One of my priorities in my business is to be people-focused. While the income is nice, my main goal is to help others. And I feel that in order to do this, you really have to develop relationships with others before you are able to help them.

There are a lot of ways to develop these relationships. Perhaps through online forums, message boards, and emails. There is also blogging, of course, and using facebook and myspace. These are all ways to develop relationships while also sharing with people what you do. Since my business is entirely referral based, I always appreciate when someone refers a friend to my website.

As much as people are wanting the convenience of online shopping and online business, they also appreciate personal customer service and real people being there to answer questions. There is something to be said for being technologically saavy while also developing personal relationships with others.

If anyone has additional tips, feel free to post them in the comments section!

Positive vs. Negative Thinking

I have just been visiting some online websites and message boards, and I just have to get this out. I want to be someone who is positive and who attracts positive people. It is interesting to me when I read these posts online and see how many people live their lives in negativity. How do they do it? I need to talk to some positive people to rid myself of those negative vibes!!!

Earning Money in Heart Health Month!

Many of you know that February is Heart Health Month. Just in the past few weeks, I have talked to so many people that either have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or some kind of heart issues. Unfortunately, heart health is a major concern for many Americans. It's not something to take lightly!

I am excited to be able to offer others the chance to get products that can truly make a difference when it comes to heart health. I use some of these products on a daily basis as a preventative - so that I can help reduce my risk of encountering those heart issues listed above. Of course, eating right and exercise is important as well, but sometimes you do end up needing some extra supplements. Many people go with prescription meds, but wouldn't you rather use something safer and more natural?

This month, Heart Health Month, you can share these kinds of products (and a lot more) with others AND earn an extra $1500 for the next 3 months. How? Just contact me and I'll tell you how.

Advertising

With the Superbowl just around the corner, we are hearing more and more about how much is spent on advertising. It is quite amazing when you look at the numbers. Millions and millions are spent to get those products on TV and getting us to buy them. The interesting thing is, though, that most people rely more on word of mouth than advertising when making their purchasing decisions.

Think about it: You're wanting to buy a computer. What do you do? Usually we ask our friends what they have, where they've gotten a good deal, and where gives good customer service. Or you want to go out to eat. You have seen or heard an ad for a new resturaunt - but first you ask friends if they've been there, right? You don't want to go and waste money if it's not a good place to eat.

That's why I am happy to be working with a company that does not spend money on advertising. Most home-based businesses don't advertise, but more and more are - I know I've seen ads for Mary Kay, Avon, and Tupperware. So you know that some of the money of your purchases with any company that advertises goes to pay for those ads. So my company does not use any money towards advertising. Instead, I get to use word of mouth to share the products with others. It's a simple concept, really, and it's been working for us for over 20 years.

So the next time you go shopping, keep in mind that some of that money is going to pay for the advertising and distribution of those products. If you'd rather not pay for that, talk to me!

Marriage and Working From Home

I have worked from home for the past 5 years. This month, actually, is my 5 year anniversary of working from home. I have been married that whole time. In fact, I started my first business about 6 months after I got married. My husband had a hobby, and I didn't really have one. So I started that business as a hobby, and eventually worked harder to earn money. Now, I am doing a business that I am actually earning money with, and I love it. But one thing remains - my marriage comes first.

There are a few things I've learned over the past 5 years about how to make working from home work for you if you are married and/or have children:

• Schedule your time! Plan out exactly when you are going to work, and let your family know. If you plan to work evenings, make sure your husband is aware and supportive. For me, I try to work during the times that my husband has something else going on. Of course, that is not always the case, but he knows I'm earning money, so he's usually fine with it.
• Keep your business and personal life separate. By doing the first thing, scheduling your time, you will be able to focus on your business during business time and your family during family time. That is such a common problem with people working from home - they try to combine it with their family life, and everyone's unhappy. The key is to find time that you can truly focus on your business, and then the other times - RELAX and spend time with your fam.
• Take time for yourself and your marriage. This is similar to the previous point, but I mean dedicated, separate time. Perhaps it's a date night or a family day. Perhaps it's a bubble bath or a movie night. Recently, my husband and I went away for marriage retreat. This is something we do every year. It's a way to just focus on our marriage and each other. It is so much fun, and during that time, I didn't do any business. It was purely a fun weekend away.

If you're looking for some great marriage advice, I recommend checking out Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage. Last year at our marriage retreat, we watched these videos and they are great!

Finding a Business That Is Right For You

In the new year, with many people trying to recover from credit card debt and facing potential job losses, more and more people are looking for additional income options. For some, that may mean finding a second job or trying to get a raise. For others, this may entail finding a way to work from home a few hours a week. Many people are choosing the second option due to the flexibility and choices that it brings with it.

While choices in the home-based business industry can be a positive thing, they can also be quite overwhelming. There’s skincare, purses, jewelry, scrapbooking, kitchen products, candles, and more. Then there’s the terminology: party-plan, direct sales, multi-level marketing, network marketing, online business, blogs, etc. How does one decide what is right for them?

One way to start is by answering a few questions to narrow down your choices. By answering these questions, you can help determine what you are looking for as well as what a company might offer. Some examples of these questions would be:

• What are you passionate about?
• What products does the company offer?
• What is the market in your area for these products?
• Are the products affordable for the average person?
• What is the start-up cost and is that refundable?
• How long has the company been in business?
• What are the average earnings of people in the company and how many hours a week is required to reach that income level?
• How do you market the products - parties/shows, online, face-to-face, over the phone?
• Does the business result in residual income?

In addition to asking yourself these questions, there are some excellent resources available online. Obviously, when researching online, one must keep in mind that there is a lot of information out there, and not all of it is accurate. Be sure to thoroughly research your topic, and remember that personal experience is the only way to know if something will work for you or not. That being said, here are some online resources that one might find particularly helpful:
http://www.wahm.com/ - The online magazine for work at home moms. Here you can browse through message boards such as "Business Advice and Topics" or "WAHMs in Party Plans".
http://www.dsa.org/ - The Direct Selling Organization’s official website. You can search the Member Directory according to company name, products/services offered, or type of compensation plan.
http://www.bbb.org/ - The Better Business Bureau’s website allows you to search based on company name and/or type of business. You can view the company’s status with the BBB and how the company has resolved complaints against them.

Finally, one of the best ways to make a decision about working from home is hearing first-hand experiences of others. You can ask friends and family who they know who has a home business and is successful, talk to members of Tuesday Forum, as well as read online blogs of people who work from home.

Once you find the right business for you, it is important to treat it like a business. You’ll need to give yourself at least 3-6 months to begin generating some income. However, don’t allow someone to convince you that it should take 3-6 years to generate income. While it will take some time, if you are working consistently, a good business will result in income in a reasonable amount of time. For me, I have found the right business, and I feel that it is a business anyone can do!

My Future Car

Here's a picture of my future car:







A Toyota Highlander - my goal is to have one by this summer! And have my company paying for it!

Tips for Successful Presentations

What are people looking for in a presentation? Everyone is looking for different things. When you work from home, it's important to learn, however, to determine what someone is looking for. That way you can help meet their needs with what your business has to offer. I find that the best way to determine what someone is looking for is to ask questions. You can't assume that just because they are in front of you, that they actually are interested in what you have to offer. So, what I usually do before I share my information is ask the potential customer a few questions. This allows me to cater to their needs while still sharing all that my company has to offer.

This skill of asking questions does not always come naturally to everyone. We usually want to talk a lot, especially when we are excited about what we are sharing. However, I find that the people who are most successful in working from home are those who learn to ask questions first. After asking questions, it's important to LISTEN! If you ask questions but then jump to telling without truly listening, you still will not find success.

So, my tips today would be to ask questions, listen and customize what you are offering without compromising. This, in conjunction with the right business, will lead to success.