Work from home ideas???

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mary on October 3, 2008 at 8:01am

Very well said Lisa! I wholeheartedly agree...
I decided to work from home because I knew that once we got pregnant working outside of the house was not an option for us. I didn't want anyone else raising my baby so I did what I had done for years, website design. It's hard work. As Lisa said, you work a lot before you actually see the money come in. Owning a business doesn't mean you'll always have money coming in either. There are times when I have more losses in a month than earnings. I'm also a Mona Vie Independent Distributor and while you can make millions, yes, millions being a distributor; it is still hard work. Money never comes easily and starting a business now while you're still in bed and unsure of what the future holds could cost you in the long run. Babies require a lot of time and attention and you'll be tired from the nightly duties and unable to concentrate during the day. Having already been there I would also advise to wait and use this time, while you're alone and uninterrupted to research your options and find something that you will be passionate about. And hopefully that passion will earn you money when you're ready.

Lisa said:

First of all, congrats on the new baby! I have three, and was on strict bedrest with my last, so I know how you're feeling right now.

I also think its great that you want to stay home with your son, and though it can take a while, if you really put your heart and soul into finding the best at home job for you, it can be done.

I just wanted to add my 2 cents for all its worth, as I've been working at home for 4+ years and it took 3 of those to start a business that actually makes money. Just reading your last post made me cringe a little because so many women fall into the "I want to work at home, but only when it's convenient for me" trap. Yes, this is possible, but if you are serious about making money and contributing to your household income while you are working from home, there is no *free* time. Especially when you have children.

Case in point: I have a great friend who sells Pampered Chef. She works just as hard at that as she does her full time job, while raising 2 kids and a husband. She does at least 5 shows a week just to make some money at it, and her PC check is never enough to pay more than groceries and gas.

I started my own company and work 70 hours a week at this business, plus I work the equivalent of a full time job between two part-time (out of the home) jobs. Why? To make sure there is enough coming in all the time. While my own company could support me, I need to have the reassurance right now that money will flow in no matter what.

I'm bringing this up because I don't want you to feel like you can start an at-home job and make immediate money, without having to invest any extra time to it. I know all the work-at-home ads want you to believe that you can just sign-up with someone or start a business and make tons of money & have all the free time in the world to spend with your kids. I think many moms who have started businesses would disagree.

So this being said, first of all, enjoy the time with your new son when he arrives! What a blessing and you will be just consumed with loving him and caring for him. Then, later, think long and hard about what would make you happy in a business and weigh your options. It can be done, as long as you have an open mind that working from home is never fast income, and never easy.

Good luck!

Lisa

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawn Orbeck on October 3, 2008 at 8:08am

I have to agree with what many of the women have said here. Unless you want a 'job' that you can do from home (you do work for someone...they pay you for your work) - if you are looking to have your own home-based business, it will take commitment, consistence, and time.

Many, many women have been successful, but the less time you are able to put into your business, the longer it will take for you to be earning a significant income. Don't let that discourage you, though, we are just trying to show you the reality of working from home with your own business.

That being said, there are some great companies geared towards kids, which may interest you. A couple I can think of off the top of my head are Usborne books, Discovery Toys and Noahs Ark.

Personally, I am a distributor with Send Out Cards, which may also interest you. It is an internet based greeting card company which offers a system for people to easily send real greeting cards from their computer, even including personal digital images - which you might like.

Good luck and be sure to tap in to all the resources available to you here. See if you can't narrow down your area of interests and we can help you even more.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by journey2learn on October 3, 2008 at 9:06am

My daughter would absolutely love this, let me know when you know the details! Thanks

Kristine said:

I know this won't really be a big source of cash, but one of my clients is rewarding advocates for spreading the word about their recently launched site. If you have a network of friends that have kids 9-17 and think they might be interested in their kids joining the first "creeper filtered" social networking site only for 9-17 yo's (no adults) then let me know and I will send you the info. I think the program is still in development or I would give you the details right now.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Elliott on October 4, 2008 at 9:56am

Erin,

I have two kids, a boy and a girl. I was on a two week bed rest with the boy and went back to work afterwards. However with the girl, due to pre-eclamsia, I was on bed rest for about 6 weeks, she still came very early (30 weeks) she weighed 2 lbs and 6 oz. I was told she would not make it past the first night. She was in the hospital for 62 days, needless to say, I never went back to work after she came. That was 7 years ago.

I was a computer programmer with a very hectic schedule and it was a big adjustment for me staying home full time, however because of my Christian faith, I was able to embrace my stay-at-home status and would today, I NOT trade it for anything in the world, not even for a 7 figure salary. After my daughter came, my husband and I started a small computer consulting company while he continued to work. We have moved into another business now, which is doing well to glory of God.

Take heart my dear, you can do it. Just take it one day at a time. Some days will be better than others. There will be days when you love staying home, and there will be days where you wish you were away from home. This is very normal. Also, don't forget to allow your parents, siblings and friends help once in a while. Everyone needs a break sometime.

I never planned to homeschool either, but here I am homeschooling both kids for the past 7 years and loving it. Motherhood is the most rewarding job in the world, it is most stressfull job and the most wonderful job at the same time. As you ponder this move, it is very important, extremely essential to find other like-minded moms. If you belong to a Church, get involved in the moms or women's group, this allow you to find other stay-at-home moms who share your faith as well.

I hope this helps. I will be praying for you. God bless you

Elizabeth
Erin said:

Thank you for the ideas ladies and thank you too Elizabeth for pointing out a very Big and important fact. I have very much considered that and do need to wait until after Elijah is born to decide on where my professional and working life will go. It is very hard to go from a very independant, stable, career oriented, professional woman, to a stay a home mom. Did anyone else have a hard time accepting the change? I know I am about to take on the most important and most rewarding job in the world, but still am not sure tototally how to handle this "career change."

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Erin on October 4, 2008 at 9:02pm

Thank you so much Elizabeth for your words of encouragement and support!

Elizabeth Elliott said:

Erin,

I have two kids, a boy and a girl. I was on a two week bed rest with the boy and went back to work afterwards. However with the girl, due to pre-eclamsia, I was on bed rest for about 6 weeks, she still came very early (30 weeks) she weighed 2 lbs and 6 oz. I was told she would not make it past the first night. She was in the hospital for 62 days, needless to say, I never went back to work after she came. That was 7 years ago.

I was a computer programmer with a very hectic schedule and it was a big adjustment for me staying home full time, however because of my Christian faith, I was able to embrace my stay-at-home status and would today, I NOT trade it for anything in the world, not even for a 7 figure salary. After my daughter came, my husband and I started a small computer consulting company while he continued to work. We have moved into another business now, which is doing well to glory of God.

Take heart my dear, you can do it. Just take it one day at a time. Some days will be better than others. There will be days when you love staying home, and there will be days where you wish you were away from home. This is very normal. Also, don't forget to allow your parents, siblings and friends help once in a while. Everyone needs a break sometime.

I never planned to homeschool either, but here I am homeschooling both kids for the past 7 years and loving it. Motherhood is the most rewarding job in the world, it is most stressfull job and the most wonderful job at the same time. As you ponder this move, it is very important, extremely essential to find other like-minded moms. If you belong to a Church, get involved in the moms or women's group, this allow you to find other stay-at-home moms who share your faith as well.

I hope this helps. I will be praying for you. God bless you

Elizabeth
Erin said:

Thank you for the ideas ladies and thank you too Elizabeth for pointing out a very Big and important fact. I have very much considered that and do need to wait until after Elijah is born to decide on where my professional and working life will go. It is very hard to go from a very independant, stable, career oriented, professional woman, to a stay a home mom. Did anyone else have a hard time accepting the change? I know I am about to take on the most important and most rewarding job in the world, but still am not sure tototally how to handle this "career change."

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mango Fusion Jewelry on October 15, 2008 at 9:07am

I make jewelry and it is very rewarding and relaxing to me! It's my great passion (after my kids)!!!!!!! I have friends who are very successful making other kinds of crafts (i.e.: signs, candles, soap, etc). If you are planing on selling crafts online, you should consider opening a store on ETSY (www.etsy.com). It is a great place to sell handmade items and do networking.

Besides that, I have a couple of friends that are happy to be part of the "Taste of Home Entretaning". It is fairly new company and they are currently offering great benefits. More than tat, their products are really nice! To see their site, please go to http://rosaraquel.tohe.com/OurOpportunity.aspx

Enjoy your baby and good luck with your new business!

Ana

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mango Fusion Jewelry on October 15, 2008 at 9:08am

Mango Fusion Jewelry said:

I make jewelry and it is very rewarding and relaxing to me! It's my great passion (after my kids)!!!!!!! I have friends who are very successful making other kinds of crafts (i.e.: signs, candles, soap, etc). If you are planing on selling crafts online, you should consider opening a store on ETSY (www.etsy.com). It is a great place to sell handmade items and do networking.

Besides that, I have a couple of friends that are happy to be part of the "Taste of Home Entretaning". It is fairly new company and they are currently offering great benefits. AND their products are really nice!!!!!! To see their site, please go to http://rosaraquel.tohe.com/OurOpportunity.aspx

Enjoy your baby and good luck with your new business!

Ana

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Stacey on October 15, 2008 at 4:55pm

Make sure you check into any company you consider. Also remember to evaluate the need. There are a lot of "Dime a Dozen" companies out there and it can make it difficult to sell your product or communicate why your product is better than the next person's. Whatever you decide you must believe in it. Anything you can imagine you can do. Use your strengths.
Here is my web site www.BucacciFamilyEnterprises.com
The compensation plan is amazing.
Good Luck!

▶ Reply to This

▶ Reply to This

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last