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January 4th, 2008

Mary Emma Allen Interviewed at Breaking the Mirror

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Sometimes various facets of our lives seem material for interviews and evolve into ways we can help others. Here at b5media, we meet many bloggers with whom we find interests in common. This may lead to guest posts and interviews.

Angelique, host at Breaking the Mirror, a b5media blog about eating disorders, interviewed me for her series, Face-to-Face with EDs; Q&A with Mary. She asked me to share my experiences involving a challenge with anorexia.

Also some situations outside of our businesses can affect how we’re able to have the energy and endurance to operate a business. At one time in my life, it often was difficult to keep up with my writing deadlines and dressmaking projects, my home business ventures in that era.

Although it’s often difficult for those with anorexia or those who have recovered from it to talk or write about the condition, I feel there’s a need for me to do so at this juncture in my life if it will help just one person who is experiencing what I did…or who now is trying to remain healthy. This is something that can consume you and often is difficult to overcome, although there are more places to get help nowadays than when I developed anorexia.

If you have questions or comments, leave them here at Home Biz Notes or at Breaking the Mirror.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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January 1st, 2008

“Why Do I Blog?” (Final Week of Business Channel Challenge)

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(For the final week of the b5 Business Channel’s “Apprentice” type challenge, we’ve been asked to consider “Why do you blog?” Four blogs remain in the challenge…Accounting Solver, Home Biz Notes, Successful Blog, and Greener Assets.)

  “Blogging! What’s that?” friends ask. They appear to think it’s some fantasy world and wonder if perhaps I’ve grown two heads.They peer closely and think, “It’s still Mary, but she’s off on some new adventure! Not climbing mountains or exploring geocaches. But definitely doing something different.”

I try to explain that blogging has opened up a new world for me with friends around the globe. The confines of self, community and country expand to reveal a fascinating existence.

Here at b5 media and Home Biz Notes, I can combine a love of writing with business, share insights from my own experiences, offer information and encouragment to business entrepreneurs, as well as learn from other bloggers. We’re challenged to dig deeper! Do better! We realize that as bloggers we’re professionals in our selected fields…even though we may be writing at the computer from our home office in our jammies.

When we can write about a woman publishing, in her barn, a magazine that expands into international circulation… relate a simple story about a country grocer, who inspired others by her dedication…dispell business myths…provide resources…then receive comments like, “You helped me SO much,” I know I’m in the right place.

At b5media with its international focus, we reach readers around the world and even may co-blog with someone on the opposite side of the globe to present varying aspects of a topic, as Yvonne Russell and I do here at Home Biz Notes.

Where else could all of this happen?  Only while blogging at b5media! And Home Biz Notes!!

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(Incidentally,  judging in this final round depends on Home Biz Notes readers.  A percentage of the decision is based on the number of comments we receive. If you’ve enjoyed following this challenge and like what’s been written over the weeks, do leave a comment and let us know. You’re part of the decision!)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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December 31st, 2007

Top Stories At The b5 Business Channel for 2007

2007…..2007…..BEST AT THE BUSINESS CHANNEL….2007…..2007

Bloggers at b5media’s Business Channel compiled their top business stories for 2007, coming up with a great round-up at Taxgirl, 123+ Top Business Stories of 2007.

Among them was our selection of posts by Yvonne Russell and Mary Emma Allen:

Home Biz Notes rounds out the year with five popular posts including Mary Emma’s winning country grocer entry and mistakes for the home business owner to avoid.

Check out these b5media Business Channel stories and the others at the above Taxgirl link for great reading, information, and encouragment in your business world!

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen

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December 30th, 2007

Tax Time Approaching For Home Business Owners

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With the end of the year in sight, our minds will be turning to taxes…at least for individuals and business owners in the United States.  What can we still deduct, purchase, invest?

Kelly Phillips Erb at Taxgirl has some answers to tax questions in Ask the Taxgirl: Blogging Reviews .  As blogging reviewers, product testers, book reviewers, and such…what are one’s tax obligations and deductions?  What do you have to claim as income and what is a business expense?  What if you purchase something to review?  Can you deduct it if you do use it?

These and other similar questions may come to mind as you begin gathering your material together for tax time and to discuss with your accountant or tax preparer.  Check out Taxgirl to see if you can find answers there.

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen

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December 28th, 2007

When The Internet Is Down, Does Your Home Business Grind To A Standstill?

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Are you so dependent on the Internet that your business comes to a standstill when electronic problems occur? Does your business cease when your computer fails, your server has problems, or there are Internet challenges? What happens when electricity goes out in your area?

If you have a walk-in shop in your home, you probably can tally the sales on a calculator and make any computer entries later. If you operate a mail order (or online ordering) business, you can package and ship orders you’ve already received.

However, if your business is solely on the Internet, whether involving sales, writing, consulting, teaching, etc. you’re probably at a standstill. How will this affect your business and income for the day…or longer if the problem persists?

So…..do you have any back-up plans? You may want to consider formulating some.

*Do you have a second computer if one gives out?

*Can you go to the local library or similar facility if your server is down? Providing their server is a different one.

*Can you reach your customers by telephone?

*Are you able to continue production?

Have you needed to solve problems like these? What have you done?

Do share in the comments!

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen

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December 25th, 2007

Business Channel Challenge Week #7 - Enjoy the Journey

  As we approach Week #7 in the “apprentice” b5 Business Channel challenge, we’re to find for Kay, our prototype business owner, one post that will help her, inspire her, encourage her when she’s too busy to wade through the volumes of information on the web.

Kay, Enjoy the Journey of Your Home Business . When you’re frustrated, hurried, facing the balancing act between business and family, remember why you’re doing this…and discover joy in the journey. Look at your accomplishments and activities each day, no matter how small; enjoy and celebrate those along the way. This will make it easier to overcome obstacles and reach your ultimate goal.

(This is something I have to remind myself about periodically, as I mention in the the linked post above, Enjoy the Journey of Your Home Business.)
 

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December 22nd, 2007

Books For The Home Business Owner…To Relax, To Learn, To Inspire

In her post, Buy Something Just for Yourself for Christmas, Yvonne Russell mentioned books and wondered what others would like to put on their list.   I listed books for home business owners in another post, Thursday Thirteen: 13 Books to Inspire the Home Business Owner.

Do you have books on your list you’d like to share?

In a comment on the Thursday Thirteen post, Laura Spencer of Work From Home Momma, said:

Great list! I love to read. I would also add “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss. It’s about trying new things.

To Yvonne’s post, I added another book I’ve been reading:

Lincoln on Leadership, by Donald T. Phillips is a good one. “Executive Strategies for Tough Times” is listed as the sub-title. Here we’re introduced to many of the principles President Abraham Lincoln used as he led the country during the American Civil War. These are not only principles to use as a leader of a country or business. They apply to our relationships with others and to our role in a family. Many good “life principles.”

Often I’m reading more than one book at once, usually alternating fiction and non-fiction.  However, here’s another I’ve started reading: Little Black Book of Connections by Jeffrey Gitomer.  I also like the format that makes the book easy to assimilate.

However, we need books for pure fun and relaxation…novels and even Dr. Suess books, as Laura suggested.  Since I’m also a quiltmaker (blogger at b5’s Quilting and Patchwork), I particularly enjoy:

Jennifer Chiaverini’s Elm Creek Quilter’s novels.  The latest is The New Year’s Quilt.  I haven’t read it yet, but it’s on my “must read” list.   It’s also on my Christmas list!

Another novel, The Winding Ways Quilt, has not yet been released.  Although in some stores you can pre-order it.

What books do you read for relaxation, for instruction, and for inspiration in your business and your life?

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December 22nd, 2007

Tweak Your Topic for Carnivals to Promote Your Home Business..And Have Fun

Learn to tweak your topic seems to be Darlene McDaniel’s motto as she enters carnivals that seem, at first, to have no relation to her Interview Chatter blog.

I’ve mentioned previously, in Participating in Showcases & Carnivals for Home Business Promotion, that carnivals can aid you in developing a blogging presence and promoting your business while you have fun. However, sometimes it’s not easy to find many carnivals that relate to your topic.

Darlene has developed a knack for thinking “outside the box” to find how her blog, Interview Chatter, can relate to other blogs.  When I let her know about the All About Alzheimer’s Carnival, at Alzheimer’s Notes, where I co-blog with Liz Lewis, Darlene put on her “thinking cap” and came up with an informative post, Preparing for Careers in Human Services.

Darlene also hosted her own carnival, The December Career & Job Advice Blog Carnival.  I pondered a bit and created a post for it, 5 Tips For Success In Your Home Business, with a Home Biz Notes slant.

Another Carnival at Alzheimer’s Notes 

Incidentally, Liz Lewis is scheduling another All About Alzheimer’s Carnival on Jan. 19, 2008.  Can you think “outside the box” and submit a post?  Or maybe you have personal experience with a family member or friend who has Alzheimer’s and would like to write about this.  Information link here at the end of the carnival post.)

More Carnival information:

Home Biz Owners…Join the Carnival 

Entering Your Home Business Post In A Showcase

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen

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December 21st, 2007

“My Mother, The Country Grocer” Wins This Round of Business Channel Challenge!

The Home Biz Notes post, My Mother, The Country Grocer, won this round of the b5 Business Channel’s “Apprentice” type challenge, an ongoing 8-week contest, with a different version each week.  This week we were to tell the prototype business owner, Kay, a success story. 

I chose to relate the story of my mom, who influenced many people throughout her years as a country grocer, and hoped this would inspire Kay and others.  As I wrote about Mother, I realized (as I said in one of my comments at the post):

I think we all can find inspiring stories within our families. I hope, with this story, I encourage others to look at their lives and the people they know. Someone, somewhere has inspired them in a way they may not realize at first.

Runner-up in this week’s contest was Biz Chicks Rule with the post, What Keeps Me Going When I Need Inspiration.  This is their second week in a row, either coming in first or as a runner-up!

What inspiring stories do you have among your family and friends that encourage you? Let us know about them!

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December 20th, 2007

Last Minute Gifts & Gift Giving…Home Biz Notes Inspiration

As you scurry about filling last minute orders, getting gifts prepared for family and making other holiday preparations, you might like to take a look at some previous Home Biz Notes gift giving posts for inspiration. 

Christmas Gifts for the Home Business Owner

Your Children & Your Home Business Leading Up To Christmas

Gift Giving Suggestions for the Home Business Owner

I’ve been tucking items into small gift bags and adding tissue paper and bows to complete the festive look.  These I hand deliver or give out if a customer stops by our home.  They’re also a handy way to thank a customer throughout the year. 

My husband and I’ve also printed Christmas postcards to send to customers and business associates (as well as family and friends), using a winter scene photo I took. 

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