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AUGUST 2008
WAHMZONE.COM
Where Business and Motherhood Meet
August 2008
Well, summer will soon be fizzling and fall will be upon us - at least, in America. Other parts of the world, like Australia, for instance, are getting their first glimpses at spring! Regardless of what the weather is like, everyone is sure to ask themselves the same question: where does the time go, anyway?
Hopefully, you're making the most of your time, both personally and professionally. In both areas, WahmZone is here to help! Whether you're looking for business opportunities, a way to connect with other work-at-home-moms, or even new recipes to serve your family, WahmZone is the answer.
WAHMZONE FEATURE OF THE MONTH
Maybe you've been thinking about starting a website for your business but have no clue where to begin. Maybe the only thing "Java script" means to you is a story about coffee and when you hear the word "programming," you think of your favorite reality television show.
No worries! You don't need to be a technical geek or web savvy to start your own website. Check out WahmZone.com's Web Service Zone! With WahmBuilder, it's never been so easy to create a professional looking site. It takes you through each step and before you know it your business will be available online for millions of potential visitors to see. Click here for all the details and build your site today! http://www.wahmzone.com/web-services.php
AUGUST FEATURED WAHM
This month, we're featuring only one WAHM for you. Tammy Embrich knows a little something about working from home. In fact, she even started and runs two companies for work at home moms! It isn't necessarily a company we're featuring this time around, but Tammy offers some practical advice and helpful resources for wahms! I'm sure you'll be encouraged and motivated by her interview.
WAHMZONE: Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions, Tammy. Start by sharing your testimony of how and why you decided to work from home.
TAMMY EMBRICH: Back in 1999, I started searching for an additional income from my (outside the home) floral designing job. I started making a fair amount of cash on a select few affiliate programs and also met some great online friends along the way.
Throughout my endeavors, I realized I had to take this work at home situation a little more seriously. My Mother was diagnosed with cancer and I had to quit my job altogether in order to take her back and forth to her chemo therapy treatments and doctor's appointments. During this time, I decided to start a website of my own and an online friend helped me get it set up. I have learned a great deal since then and have enjoyed every minute of it.
I quickly discovered that I could earn money with my website through Google Adsense, advertising space, and affiliate programs. I also discovered that there were real telecommute jobs that you could do online, such as customer service, transcription, admin assistant, and the like. This is where I found my niche in helping other people wanting to work from home. I could finally offer something viable to the work-at-home job searcher.
I really enjoy what I do and especially with the price of fuel these days, I sure wouldn't trade it for anything.
WAHMZONE: Tell us about the companies you started.
TAMMY: I own two work-at-home websites offering free work-at-home job leads, informative work at home articles, business tips, a work-at-home forum, and more (http://www.onestopwebemployment.com and http://www.real-wah-jobs.com)
I also own a recipe site, a work-at-home article and recipe blog, a parenting blog, and a personal journal blog (see links, below).
WAHMZONE: What do you have to offer other Wahms?
TAMMY: Well...we all know that to succeed at working at home, you have to know a thing or two about marketing. I've been in the work-at-home industry for quite awhile now and I've learned so very much, all through trial and error. I've made tons of mistakes throughout my journey...as everyone does. We learn by actually doing the work. I'm no expert by any means, but I do have marketing experience and I know what techniques yield good results. I simply know what works. I've come to realize time and time again that the best marketing methods out there are completely free of charge. I know because I practice these very methods consistently myself.
I'm also a really good listener...if a work-at-home mom comes to me for advice (business or personal) I lend a good ear. I'm not a big talker, I'm shy by nature...but I really listen and give positive feedback.
WAHMZONE: For you, personally, what's the best part of working from home?
TAMMY: The very best part of working from home is that I simply and thoroughly enjoy it. Another thing, of course, is the freedom. Freedom to be able to do what I want and not have to answer to anyone. I've also made many good friends along the way.
WAHMZONE: What are the greatest challenges?
TAMMY: It is a challenge sometimes to remain enthusiastic about what I do. Why? Well, from time to time, we all go through rough spots and that's normal. But, I'm especially talking about when some folks refer to working at home as not having a "real job." This has been the greatest challenge for me. But it's getting better.
WAHMZONE: If you could give one piece of advice to women considering working from home, what would it be?
TAMMY: I would tell them to not be so hasty about choosing what they actually want to do from home. Don't jump in blindly. Really think about what it is they would like to be doing for the long haul. Success stems from the passion an individual has about their business.
WAHMZONE: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Tammy, and for the wonderful resources you provide! Much success to you in all you do!
Check out Tammy's websites and blogs by following these links:
http://www.onestopwebemployment.com
http://www.real-wah-jobs.com/
http://www.cookin-at-home.com
http://articlesplus.blogspot.com
http://parentzone.blogspot.com
http://tammys-journal.blogspot.com
WAHMZONE ARTICLE OF THE MONTH
This month's article deals with some things to consider about working from home. Keep these things in mind when deciding just what it is you want to do and when choosing the business that's right for you.
So What is it about Working from Home?
By: Cindy Ashworth
Working from home, Entrepeneur, home-based business… You hear a lot of hype about working from home. It all sounds glamorous and easy to do. But it's much harder than one thinks.
There's a lot to consider:
1) Before I even speak in detail with someone, I ask them "WHY". Why do you want to work from home? This is very important for me to know. If you don't have a defined "why" you want to work at home, odds are you will not succeed in working at home. Your reason to work at home HAS to be stronger than your reason not to. There has to be drive, determination and persistence. Without it, you will not succeed.
2) Determine if you are looking to work from home full time or part time. Not all work at home opportunities are full time. So make sure that the company you are looking into can accommodate your desired hours of work.
3) When looking into companies that you are considering working for, check the BBB (better business bureau) on each company. But here's the thing. You need to know what state that company is located in. And then you call the BBB in that state. I have heard a few people tell me that they called the BBB in the state that they live in, not the state that the company is located in. And they were given incorrect information. The BBB has the ability to make or break a company.
Key items to check on when contacting the BBB:
A) How long has the company been in business?
B) Has the company previously been under a different name? If yes, I suggest staying away. There's a reason.
C) Has the company filed bankruptcy before?
D) Has the company growth continuously grown positive?
E) Has the company moved around?
F) Has the company had the same phone number and for how long?
*** Understand this… It is impossible for a company to make every person happy. And if a company should have some negative feedback, how can you say that it's the fault of the company? What if someone worked for "company A" but did not have the drive, determination, skills, ability, time… What if life just got in the way and that person gave up on the company. Now this person is going to leave negative feedback on "company A", when it was not the companies fault. ***
4) Depending on the business that you are working, you will want to make sure that you have the main necessities. Computer, printer, fax, (there is a online fax service available), copier, highlighters (great for color coding procedures), business cards, paper, notebooks, daily planner, monthly whiteboard with erasable markers, promotional items, and the list goes on and on.
5) Create a work schedule and stick with it. Designate the time you want to work your business and write it down. Let everyone know that this is when you will be working and treat it as that (work). Now believe me, I know this can be difficult. Especially if you are a single parent and you have younger children. You may only be able to work 20 minutes here, 15 minutes there….. But it will become routine. And I believe in letting my kids help me out as well as setting time aside just for my kids. This is definitely give and take for everyone involved.
6) Stay focused and motivated. Know your "WHY".
7) Create a goal chart and hang it above your work area. That way you can see it everyday. I picked up a poster board. I used one half of the board and wrote down the goals that I have and the date that they will be achieved. Then on the right side of the poster board, I have pictures cut out and pasted on the board. If you are a visual person, this is great…. Maybe you have your dream house, washer and dryer, a certain landscaped lawn, a car, a picture of the ocean…. Whatever you desire, find a picture of it and put it up on your board.
Utilize all the tools that are available for your business. Don't limit yourself. Dip into everything your company has… Become an asset.
9) If you have to talk on the phone, STAND UP….. Take posture. Don't sit and slouch because that does come through over the phone.
10) Keep yourself in check. This is your company. Would you hire or fire yourself?
Would you want to work with someone like yourself ?
About the Author: Cindy Ashworth is the owner of www.mykidsmywhy.com and www.successfulwahm.blogspot.com. She is a single mom with 2 kids working her way to be a full time WAHM.
Thanks again for choosing WahmZone.com! It's our goal to provide you with everything you need to be successful both as a business woman and a mom!
Make it a wonderful August!
www.wahmzone.com
www.wahmforums.com
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