Dear Fodreamers, 

Sometimes the day to day struggle to stay in business becomes overwhelming. I find myself needing 5 or 6 more Debs to do everything I need to do each day. When I start feeling this "panic," I usually just stop dead in my tracks!

Overkill...that's what I do. It seems like when something is really going great, I think it should be better. So, when this occurs I remember the reason I went into business for myself in the first place...CONTROL OVER MY OWN LIFE.

I don't want to get BIG. I want to control my environment. Not because I'm a control freak but because I don't want to be responsible for the payroll, insurance, benefits etc that go into hiring personnel to grow larger.

I love being small business and enjoying the creativity of my own self. The following stories are from other women in business with unique aspirations...I'm but one small business owner...with one idea of BIG. Hope you enjoy the stories.

Deb Nyberg, Webmistress

From: Cherry Valley Books 

Subject: Re: How big do you want your business to become?

My husband and I have a bet going - that I'll be selling 250,000 books a year within 5 years. The loser has to fly the winner to San Fransisco and take her to dinner at Greens. I figure I can't lose, I get a date with a great guy in either case. It's hard when your favorite restaurant is 1,000 miles away.

Seriously, I chose the figure because that's how big I'd like us to become. It would be about $4 million/year in sales, which is still a dwarf compared to the giants. If our current rate of growth is sustained, we should be there in about 2 more years, well within the 5 year range.

Why? I want the business big enough to bring in a reliable income, and to have enough sales that we can get through the slow periods and surprises without major problems. On the other hand, I want it to stay small enough that it remains a family business, and that the employees all know each other.--Marilyn

From: Alison Kirby 

I've actually been thinking about this subject for the past couple of days. I would like Pampered Pals, Inc. to make $10 - 20 million a year within the next 5-8 years. Why? With part of the profit I make I want to send donations to animal shelters, start a scholarship fund for students who want to be veterinarians (low income, will sign an agreement that if they are ever accused of abusing any animal, the scholarship will be paid back in full). Last but not least open a farm where the pets who are not adopted from the shelters can go to live out their lives instead of being put to sleep. Now in order to do all of these I need to make a lot of money.

Back to work I go!--Alison :)

From: Cecilia Marek - EWBASICS 

I'd like to be big enough so that most people looking for cloth diapering products would know I exist. 

I want the business to become big enough so that I can earn a salary from it that would be enough for living expenses (for my family) and include a little extra for fun things like vacations. Why? Because I don't want to work for anyone else, I prefer to be at home with my children.--Cecilia Marek, of Earthwise Basics, Exceptional Quality Cloth Diapering Supplies and Baby Essentials - http://www.ediapers.com/eco.htm

From: Candy 

Subject: Re: How big do you want your business to become?

I want my business to become just big enough to be able to not feel guilty when I ask my DH for grocery money. I want my business to become big enough to be able to shop more (on-line) for things that my Yankee nature would consider frivolous! I want my business to become big enough to be able to take my twelve-year-old daughter on a shopping spree, and then lunch!

I am also determined to work hard at my business so that I can achieve those goals!--Candy http://www.beremembered.com 

From: Rebecca Game 

I wouldn't want my business to become so large that I lost the "personal" touch. I enjoy the fact that I am on top of every project. I have one part-time employee and I still make all the final decisions and also do all of the quality control.

The one reason I do not do business with the bigger corporations is for that very fact. No personalization. I am just a dollar figure, not a person.

I would be happy to increase my sales by 50 to 75%. In this range, I could still keep the personal touch, and still have a happy home life.--Rebecca Game, Brush Enhanced Artworks

From: Terri - WMDesign@bizine.com

This is a question that I wrestle with daily. I am too busy to really remain the small business that I am right now. However, my purpose for starting this business was to be home with my children. I never suspected that without much advertising and just through word of mouth that my business would grow so rapidly.

I currently have a few other work at home moms helping me out and I need some others. I am trying to grow my business slowly and to learn to let go of some control and deligate to others. It is very hard to do, but I have to or I am going to lose my sanity! ; -)

Right now I don't want it big, however I wouldn't mind being HUGE in a few years when all the kids are in school. I am working on developing a new business plan and am streamling my services offered as well as recruiting and training other freelancers to work with me. I hope to always be "home-based" no matter how large the business becomes and to be able to offer excellent home-based employment to others. With the talent available through work at home folks, and how easy it is to keep in touch via email, fax and phone, there is no reason that this can not be accomplished.

Well, those are my thoughts. I try to set aside a little time each day to work on my new business plan so that I can put my ideas into a good workable format. Terri - Small Business Resources: http://www.Bizine.com