Work From Home?

[akh78749]

Those of you that work from home, can you please share your experience with us?

What do you do for a living?

How did get into it?

Did you quit a 8-5 job to do what you do now?

How did you finally make the leap to start your own business?

Do you consider yourself successful?

I am trying to get some advice on how to go about starting a home business. I have some ideas. But I am still afraid to take that big leap.

Thanks!

[Dimond]

Currently I'm on hiatus from my business while I focus on other things. Meanwhile I'm involved with investments (stocks/bonds) which I do from home as well. I'll tell you about it anyhow:

My business was an entertainment party business (corporate & private events). I got started because I was pursuing a career as a performer and wanted to be more in control of getting jobs. I ended up giving up the performance end of it and focused on the directing, writing, producing, marketing, hiring, etc. I never worked normal full-time jobs-well not for long anyhow. I had over 125 different jobs in my life, in addition to other business endeavors. I ended up becoming very successful with my business.

My advice is to study the field of what you're interested in by doing lots of research, as well as any hands on work you can get. While you can end up doing a lot of work, it is much more rewarding than working for others. I plan on always working for myself & working from home.

[akh78749]

125 different jobs, wow. I thought I had a lot of different jobs. I find that with each new job I take, it takes me about a year and 1/2 to get bored with it and start looking for something else. I know it is because I am working for other people and not myself.

I know that the only way I am going to be satisfied is if I go into business for myself in an area that I find exciting. It has taken me 33 years to stop listening to others and what they tell me I "should" do. I can't keep cycling around like I have been with starting over with job/careers. It's getting old.

[Dimond]

At least you lasted a year & a half. I was usually bored immediately.

Just keep listening to yourself & what you want and forget about everyone else. I always found that I needed to do my own thing, including having some of the strangest jobs. :rolleyes: Sometimes I struggled financially, but I became creative with ways to make extra money.

Congratulations on your weight loss, btw.

[rawpriestess]

Those of you that work from home, can you please share your experience with us?

What do you do for a living?

How did get into it?

Did you quit a 8-5 job to do what you do now?

How did you finally make the leap to start your own business?

Do you consider yourself successful?

I am trying to get some advice on how to go about starting a home business. I have some ideas. But I am still afraid to take that big leap.

Thanks!Hi, I am 100% self employed, I am a professional psychic, counselor, artist and writer, I am also a professional Witch, I do spells and things of that nature, that I sell on ebay and my websites. I also teach raw food classes, do life coaching, do house remodling, costume design, choreography, pretty much anything artistic or creative I teach or do.

I got into this by simply doing what I love and allowing people to pay me for my knowledge or tallent. I have an agent now, who does all my PR and gets me the big gigs, I do alot of speeking engagements, TV appearances etc.

I quit my 9 to 5 job, I worked for the City of Tacoma in customer service with the Utilities, I made about $20 bucks an hour (please remember, this was in 1995), had worked there 12 years, vested reitirement 5 weeks paid vacation each year, I had alot of seniority, great benefits, health care etc, and I walked out with two weeks notice the day that my guardian angel told me to.

It was no leap to me, I have Gemini on my mid heaven, so I always have multiple interests and ways to make money, 4 planets conjunct in the 8th house, so easy for me to do woo woo stuff and make big bucks. I'm blessed.

I've been making money at art, and writing and psychic readings since I was 12, so I just needed to follow my passion, and let the worries about "where is the money coming from" go away.

I might also say, when I quit my job, I had just divorced my 4th hubby, who took all my money, so I had no savings, no money, big debts, 3 mortgages, and a car payment, also my son and his family were living with me, because they were in dire straights, so I needed alot of money and fast. LOL (I think back about how worried I was, and I laugh at that now)

I am extremely successful, I make more in one hour now, than I did in two three days working. LOL

Now, I just do what I love and money drops in my lap, I never advertise, I just signed a contract with a publisher to publish one of my books.

I sell alot of stuff on ebay, mostly woo woo stuff, and I only work when I feel like it, actually it isn't work exactly it is play and fun, if I felt it was work, I wouldn't do it, I feel when you "work" you put a challenging energy into the joy of "doing" even cleaning the house can be fun, if you are enjoying doing it, and you are doing it because you want to, NOT because someone is telling you to do it. LOL

I believe, when you are ready, your guardian angel will come to you, and you will simply KNOW in your heart that today is the day that you quit your job and do what you love.

turn your passions into profits that is what the Universe is there to do for you.

Also, surround yourself with like=minded people who are doing what you wish to do, that way you will be thinking alike, and success is contagious

[akh78749]

Rawpriestess,

I was hoping you would interject, so thank you for your post. I knew you had a very unique and exciting lifestyle and profession. I loved your post on living for free or on very little (or whatever the title was, I can't remember). It was wonderful. I was hoping you would tell us a little more about what you do and how you got to where you are professionally. It is inspiring. Thanks for doing so.

I have a feeling there are a lot of others on this forum with very interesting ways of making a living. I'd love to hear more about how you made the transition to following your dreams. It seems like eating raw awakens your inner soul and makes you want to run towards your dreams and not waste time doing things that don't excite you. At least it has for me.

[Rawdiva]

RP,

I love your post. Thanks for sharing. I am working from home now and I am going to sell some of my things on Ebay, pretty large things. Any hints or suggestions?

[rawpriestess]

in 1995, my life changed drastically, I got rid of my 4th hubby, I became a vegetarian, I quit my "real" job of 12 years, and became a full time artist/psychic, all in about 2 weeks time, it was right for me to change, so I did.

I suggest anyone "wanting" to change to just "do it" it doesn't get easier with time, it just takes more time.

As far as selling on ebay, I suggest you get a user ID, and go to some of the egroup meetings, and see what is going on, it takes a lot of time and effort and knowledge to sell successfully on ebay, it CAN be done, but it takes alot of time, and research.

If you are just trying to get rid of some things, (that is how I started) and you don't care how much you get for them, then you'll do fine, the people who have challenges are the people who think they can make a killing on ebay, by buying and selling stuff, you CAN do this, as I do this, but it takes alot of work, finding the items you want to sell, making sure there is a market for them, and yet the market isn't flooded with the items, getting the items, making sure you can ship easily, with little or no breakage, or returns, packaging, envelopes, bubble wrap, printing, computers, printers,

I ended up buying a new laser printer and computer solely for my ebay business, and turned one of my art studios into my ebay office, because I do so much business on ebay.

it is a fun way to do business, not alot of over head, I have gone from no employees to three employees who do nothing but help with my ebay business each day.

Sometimes, I think I can do it all without them, so I attempt that, and it just gets to be too much, I have who does nothing but answer emails and the phone (basic office manager), another who does all the printing, paperwork, filing, organizing my time (like a personal assistant),and another who does just shipping, keeps everything stocked, and does the buying of my items, (a shipping/stock clerk) etc.

it can be fun and financially rewarding, or just hard work, if you like being totally organized, and being on the computer about 20 hours a day, and dealing with crazy people, and about 500 emails a day, you will love selling on ebay, or you can hire people, like I do to help out, I don't have them full time all the time, I have them 4 to 6 hours a day, about 3 days a week, during the holidays, starting in mid September through mid March, they are full time, 8 hour days, 5 days a week..

I know not everyone does that much business, but it creeps up on you fast.

All I wanted to do was get rid of a few metaphysical books that I had laying around, and my ebay business was born.

LOL, but I love it, Virgo rising, of course, I love all that stuff. HAHAHAH

[Coriander74]

Hello :)

I started my own business as a way to keep myself from going crazy from boredom. I've been on Disability since June 2004 for various issues, and have been unable to work.
One day I was sitting on my couch watching a 100th re-run of the 100th show when I started staring at a dreamcatcher I'd been given. I got it into my head that it didn't look too hard to make, and that very day I went out to a craft store and purchased several things.
My first attempt was laughable, but I was proud of myself that I had done something instead of watch endless TV or be on the computer for hours doing nothing. I continued making different designs of dreamcatchers and soon became pretty good at it. I ended up selling a few to friends, who suggested that I start a business.
In September of last year, I officially started my business, and rented a spot down at the Swap Meet. Between the Swap Meet and purchases from friends and family and referrals, I evened out my expenses in only two months. However, this was the Holiday season! I also started making small jewelry along with my dreamcatchers.
I wouldn't call myself financially successful, however having dealt with agoraphobia for over a year, I've been forced out into the open again, meeting people and getting supplies... and therefore I have been successful.
I wish you all the best in your venture ...

[Revvell]

Coriander,

What a great story!!! Thank you for sharing this. :)

Revvell


Hello :)

I started my own business as a way to keep myself from going crazy from boredom. I've been on Disability since June 2004 for various issues, and have been unable to work.
One day I was sitting on my couch watching a 100th re-run of the 100th show when I started staring at a dreamcatcher I'd been given. I got it into my head that it didn't look too hard to make, and that very day I went out to a craft store and purchased several things.
My first attempt was laughable, but I was proud of myself that I had done something instead of watch endless TV or be on the computer for hours doing nothing. I continued making different designs of dreamcatchers and soon became pretty good at it. I ended up selling a few to friends, who suggested that I start a business.
In September of last year, I officially started my business, and rented a spot down at the Swap Meet. Between the Swap Meet and purchases from friends and family and referrals, I evened out my expenses in only two months. However, this was the Holiday season! I also started making small jewelry along with my dreamcatchers.
I wouldn't call myself financially successful, however having dealt with agoraphobia for over a year, I've been forced out into the open again, meeting people and getting supplies... and therefore I have been successful.
I wish you all the best in your venture ...

[Revvell]

I absolutely love what I do. A few ways I create income ~ teleclasses and playshops; creating and selling candles and jewelry and my latest is creating and selling hula hoops. Not made any yet, yet seem simple enough and they are FUN to play with. Oh! I also teach raw food information classes. Bo and I are also looking for ways to create passive income which currently include CD's, stocks and potentially, Real Estate. We're not into working hard; we're into working smart. We want to work only because it's fun and we love what we do ~ not because we have to.

Revvell

[lavendarJ]

Does anyone know of any legit "work-at-home" jobs that I can contract with. I mean it could even be something as simple as data entry. I just need to find something quick; most of the ones I find are scams that have "requirements" of $500 investments.....

I enjoyed reading about what everyone else is doing. I am working on a couple of grants. Right now, I don't have any investment money to finance anything and so I am looking to contract with someone. I work from home on grants and research; right now, everything I am doing is volunteer work for organizations that otherwise wouldn't be able to afford a grant writer and don't have the resources or staff to do it. I've already checked into www.liveops.com and www.workathomeagents.com. Thanks :)

[akh78749]

Bumping this up.

I would like to know the answer to Lavendar's question too.

[elian]

How about things at elance and other freelance types of sites. Good luck.

[exurb]

lavendar, that's sort of a tough one, as there are so many predatorial situations like that out there that are looking to part you with your money. And most people I know who work from home started their own thing, or found clients on their own, etc., mostly self-driven.

This might be helpful though, I know of someone who started a business that actually does administrative office services for clients in people's homes. She started out just in her home, I think basically functioning as an administrative assitant to people who didn't need someone physically in an office all the time, then hired other people on contract, and also expanded the array of administrative services offered. Maybe there would be something like that you could find on contract? Or maybe if you know any other small business people there might be some administrative work you could do for them for a fee from home, without an intermediary company.

I also had a friend to data entry from home to process mail-in rebates. She got paid per file/rebate, picked up the stuff once a week and processed it from her house as a little side job to bring in some income while starting another business.

I would say any up front fees or any situation where you buy stuff to assemble or sell things is suspect, so that would be the red flag for me.

BTW, hats off to you for your volunteer work. I know that that is something that often leads to paid work. Maybe you could cold call some other similar organizations and see if there's any work to do for a fee.

I guess just put some thought into what you could offer, and then try to find people or companies who could use that service. These days companies are so aware of the cost of having full fledged employees, that contracting out is appealing to them, so maybe there's some service you could provide from your home. Plus there are a lot of other self employed people who are understaffed who could maybe use a little help out-of-house every now and again, and might have some work you could do from your home, it's just a matter of connecting with them.

Good Luck!

[gothgrrl]

Hi!
I went back to work when my DH lost his job of 10years (office politics). I had been in Retail Management back before I had gotten married and had kids and I thought that I could go back. Wrong!!! I was working between 80-90 hours per week! My house and family were wrecks!
I finally decided that I had to follow my instincts and I just quit.
I wanted to find something that I could do from home that wasn't going to be a scam or something that I was going to hate after a couple of weeks.

I started selling candles with Mia Bella at the end of Feb. I fell in love with it because I could do as much or as little as I wanted, no quotas, and the kids could get involved. My 5 year old crushes candles to make scent samples, and my 13 and 10yr olds are my sales force!

Other then that I have been following my passion for wellness and writing.
I want to obtain my Holistic Health Practioner certification, and hopefully go on to become a full ND. I would also love to attend Alissa's classes and start my own raw food classes. I know that is only a matter of time!

I hope that I've helped a little bit, I haven't really posted that often but this thread made me want to join in!

hugs
Jo

[lavendarJ]

Thanks for your comments elian, exurb, gothrrl and everyone! Gothgrrl, your passions are so similiar to mine (and I have heard of Mia Bella). I just keep asking myself 'what am I going to do with these degrees?'. I sometimes laugh when I think okay now what if I end up going right back to my first love, writing. My passions have always been writing and children and I figured I would always be doing something involving these two subjects. My undergraduate degree is in social work and my graduate degree is in public administration. I know you can probably relate as many people can to applying here, there and everywhere. I don't know if it is the economy or some higher force at work shifting me in another direction but for the life of me, I have been unable to secure a position in my desired field. In the meantime, I do my part and wait on the rest to happen. I planned on staying in the nonprofit sector and working with children and/or families providing direct service and doing advocacy and campaigning for various isssues related to children today. I figured I would have plenty of opportunities to write whether it was articles, grants, stories...whatever. So far, that hasn't happened and that is the main reason for my desire to move to California at the end of the year (depending on finances). I enjoy writing short stories, plays, scripts, poetry...I enjoy and love writing period. I have also always wanted to research and study herbs and holistic living in general. I haven't had a full-time job since 2003 and I feel as though I am kind of at the end of the rope and now its time to take a gigantic RISK and follow my heart. And so....to be continued :). I also hope to be able to attend Alissa's classes at some point along this journey. I know that eventually all will come into being. For now however, I'm in negotiations with the bill collectors :D and waiting on my blessings. Your post helped a lot because it reminded me that sometimes we don't always know the answers and we will be forced to step into the unknown at times - in other words, take a risk. Keep following your passions.

[Revvell]

lavendarJ ~ have you considered writing children's books? Great way to earn passive income.

btw ~ I've not attended any classes and I teach raw foods. Not to say you "shouldn't" as, I continue to take all kinds of classes because I love learning how and what others do, yet, if you're waiting to take classes before teaching what you know.....

IF you want to teach and you've not gotten Alissa's DVD's, do so. One of the best tools available for those who wish to teach about living foods.

Revvell

[gothgrrl]

Lavendar ((((((Big Hug for you))))))
You can be, do and have everything that you want!
I know how it is with such a money situation, it has been really hard for us as well.

Have you ever thought about writing for children? Especially since you have a passion for health and wellness too, maybe writing for children about basic healthy topics that would be fun for them to learn about. Just brainstorming, but maybe trying something along those lines.

Maybe you haven't been able to secure a position because you are evolving in a different direction? That's what happened to me, I couldn't go back in time to a career that I had known before, the universe knew that it was wrong for me. And everything has been pointing to me following this direction.

My e-mail is gothgrrl2003@yahoo.com if you ever want to chat off of the forum. That goes for anyone else out there as well!

hugs
Jo

[lavendarJ]

THANKS soooo much for those words. They are really inspiring. I know it sounds like common sense right - I love working for children so why not write children's stories. It seems simple enough; I guess I fall into the trap of listening to family and having doubts about how succesful I'll really be.

I think you are dead on about the universe taking me somewhere else. I really do. Thanks again!

My email is lavendarj@hotmail.com