Sunday, February 8, 2009

The Perks of a Home Based Business

I am a very busy mom of 4 kids. They are basically the reason that I ventured into direct sales many years ago. This industry allows for the ultimate flexibility in work schedule. Although it should be noted that work is not OPTIONAL. This past week was a perfect case in point.

I am an active member of my church. Every year for the past 5 years, I have helped organize and coordinate a huge benefit concert where a Broadway star comes from NYC and performs to raise money. The money goes to our Senior High Youth Group to fund their annual mission trip experience to work with the homeless in our nation's capitol. This is a huge undertaking as it involves finding a location, renting a piano, getting sound equiptment, putting together a program, selling tickets, and many other things. To add to the stress this year was the fact that my performer 10 year old was asked to sing with our featured star. Talk about stress - she wasn't stressed, but I sure was!!!!

The beauty of my business is that I can work it in and around everything else that I have going on. I knew a weeks ago that this week was going to be busy so I booked my shows accordingly. It doesn't mean I didn't have a show, because I did, I just didn't book it for the night before the concert. I also planned my phone calls and errands in groups so that I could accomplish many different tasks at once. If I had to run an errand for the concert, I planned a business task as well. I will also highly recommend having a Blackberry. It is so convenient to be waiting in the line at Wal Mart with the ability to check your email! Another recommendation is Bluetooth for your car. Not only is it safe, but it is a great way to do business when you are on the road. I had to travel close to an hour to a show this week and I spent most of that time on the phone doing my Inspiranza business.

It takes a little bit of planning, but if you do it right you can fit any direct sales business around your personal life. Shows can be held anywhere at anytime. Jewelry is particularly easy because it is easy to carry and it doesn't recquire a long demonstration. Drop and shop! Fast, easy and FUN!

My kids have and will always come first, but they also see me working my business. They know I take it seriously and they see me devote time to it every single day. They have grown to appreciate the fact that their mother is a businesswoman with a bit of an unconventional schedule - one that I determine! They have witnessed first hand the success of my business and how it has shaped their childhoods.

I will encourage my kids to look at the direct sales model and the opportunities it presents when they are independent job seekers. There really is no greater joy in having a successful home based business that allows for flexibility and meets your household financial needs!

2 comments:

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  2. LeeAnne, I very much admire what you do! As an independent contractor myself, I appreciate the benefits of managing my own schedule, creating my own work environment, and holding the power of more/less work in my hands. Direct Sales provide those same benefits packaged up with a built-in professional network-- which, given that professional isolation can be a potential drawback of the home-based business-- is a very awesome perk! I'll be reading with interest...

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