homebiznotes.com

August 4th, 2007

Mary Emma & Home Biz Notes Receives Rockin’ Girl Blogger Award!

Laura Spencer, Writing Thoughts, recently awarded Home Biz Notes and me the Rockin’ Girl Blogger Award!  For gals only, it’s fun to be included.  It’s also a neat way to recognize some of the other bloggers who leave comments, give me inspiration, and help make this blogging world a blast.

(That’s not to say the guys in the Business Channel and from other blogs haven’t been very helpful.  They’ve been so patient with a non-techie like me and have only offered encouragement.  There should be an award for them!)

Since some of the gals who encourage me have already been nominated.  As this award makes its way around the blogosphere, I can’t name everyone.  If anyone I mention doesn’t want to pursue this, that’s okay.  If I’ve missed someone who would like to participate, let me know.

Dorothy at Boomer Chick

Kelly at Taxgirl

Noreen at Hankering for Yarn

Chloe at Tangled Thread

Hsien at Eye on DNA

Beth at Meandering Threads

Darlene at Interview Chatter

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By Mary Emma -- 8 comments

July 14th, 2007

A Book for Developing Your Home Business Plan

If you’re thinking of starting a home business, whether solely on the Internet or a shop in your home where customers come, you should develop a business plan. Even if you’ve started your home business and don’t have a business plan, you could benefit by developing one for future direction and growth.  If you’re considering going to a bank for a loan or start-up capital, you’ll definitely need to show you have a plan.

Laura Spencer at Writing Thoughts has reviewed a book, The Ernst & Young Business Plan Guide, that’s worthwhile to consider when you’re developing your home business plan.

           “It’s basically a book that teaches the business person how to create an effective business plan,” Laura says.  She also mentions, in her review,  reasons why a business is never too small to develop a business plan and how this book might help you.

(Although Laura writes a column basically for writers, her business information has application for any small or home business.)

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By Mary Emma -- 4 comments

July 4th, 2007

5 Reasons to Work at Home (or Develop a Home Business)

We’ve covered this topic before, but it’s always good to think about, “Why am I working at home?” when we’re beset by interruptions, your family (or friends) think you don’t have to keep on task, you’re tempted to get off track yourself and a myriad of other frustrations.  Take stock of the advantages you enjoy.

Laura Spencer, at Writing Thoughts , wrote Top Five Reasons to Work at Home  and let us know  why she finds working at home is a great advantage.

*Scheduling Flexability

*You Can Say No

*No Commute

*No Dress Code

*Pets Are Allowed

Check out Laura’s discussion about these reasons and you’ll find yourself nodding, “Yes.  Yes.  That makes sense.”

Then make a list of your 5 Top Reasons for Working at Home...or the 5 reasons you’d like to, if you aren’t now.  How about sharing them with us?

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By Mary Emma -- 2 comments

April 12th, 2007

Working at Home Helpful for Caregivers

Here’s an interesting reason for having a home business…you’re able to care for a family member who is ill, has a debilitating disease, has Alzheimer’s, or is handicapped and dependent on others for assistance.  You’re not juggling your work-away-from-home schedule with caring for them.

Katelyn at Life Without Memories gives us advantages (and disadvantages) for working at home when you have an Alzheimer’s family member.  She also refers to Laura at Writing Thoughts who tells about working at home and caring for her father with Alzheimer’s, as well as her family.

Granted, you’ll still have a juggling job, but you won’t have quite the rigid schedule and you’ll be nearby.   These writers generally talked about caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s.  However, you can transfer their reasons to anyone you need to care for while working at home.

I worked at home and away from home when my mother, who had Alzheimer’s, lived with Jim and me.  My writing work was done mainly at home and could include chats with Mother.  (She has always encouraged me in my writing career.) 

However, I did substitute teaching, so on those days took Mother to a day care.  It involved juggling, but I was grateful that I had some flexibility…and have those memories of days with Mother while writing and researching.

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By Mary Emma -- 1 comment