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Sharing Your home-based lifestyle
| I have been self-employed with my home-based businesses for almost
10 years. I wanted to be home when my baby was born. I tried a couple different
businesses, everything from selling used furniture & appliances to
various MLM programs and secretarial services. Then I discovered my true
calling & love (my computer & the Internet).
Two years ago I began teaching folks how to use the Internet - teaching classes in my home office, at a local coffee shop and eventually in my clients' offices. From there I went into website design and haven't had time to look back. My husband is also self-employed. He started his business about 7 years ago (and with no money). His employer was 2 weeks behind in paying him because of cash flow problems. And then we discovered that two of the checks that he had been paid with bounced. Within a few more weeks the company filed bankruptcy. We discovered right then that there really is no security in a "regular" job. Now we are happier, have the choice of which 60 - 80 hours we work each week and do get to spend a lot more time with our kids. This really hit home for me on Sunday. I was talking with a friend who has a 6 month old baby. She drops her off at the daycare around 7:00. Drives 45 min. to work in rush hour traffic. Works all day, drives back up through traffic to pick up her children at the daycare around 6:00. She cooks dinner, eats, baths the kids and puts the baby in bed by 7:00. She told me that the daycare said her baby is rolling over now - she's never seen her do it. That's when I realized that the most important thing for me was being there when my children were so young. I saw everything - the first roll, the first walk, the first tooth, the first word etc. My daughters are now 9-1/2 and 3 and I don't regret giving up my "outside the home" career one bit! Sure, I've had thoughts of giving up, who hasn't? But I just can't see me back working in someone elses office. In the fall I plan to put the 3 year old in daycare (part-time) for socialization and so that I can begin to expand my business. I plan to be in full swing and "really" making money once she goes to school full time. In the meantime, I love what I do, it pays the bills and I get to be with my children, help out at the school and take time off whenever I need to, or want to. Working from home has been wonderful for me. Even my children get involved in the business - My 15 year old step-daughter helps with billing and graphics. And my 9 year old can really touch up a piece of clipart! They are learning marketable skills, we're spending family time together and working all at the same time. Why do I like it? Time with my family, don't have to drive in rush hour traffic, flexible work schedule (although I'm usually working by 6:00 am), don't have to dress up, love what I do, make my own decisions, and it's a constant challenge - never a boring moment here! Terri
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Deb Nyberg, Webmistress
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