Mom Entreprenuers...how Did You Decide What Business to Go Into?

We own a few franchises. I like franchises because the business model and support are there for you. No need to "reinvent the wheel". I hate franchises because although it is my business, I have rules I need to adhere to even if I don't agree. Kind of feels like I'm working for someone else. That being said, the first year or two were really rough. I was there WAY more than when I worked in corporate america. Now that they are more established, I love the flexibility it gives me. I have managers that run the stores for me and I come and go as my schedule allows. At the end of the day though, when the s#&t hits the fan, I HAVE to be there, regardless of my, or my kids, schedule.

I would recommend that you really research the businesses you might be interested in and try to see all possible scenarios of how much time you are going to need/ have to devote to it.

Message me if you want to chat! Good luck!

V.

I teach ballet in my home. I love it! I can set up my own hours and set my schedule. I love to teach in general so I thought about tutoring also. My 16-year old daughter plays the guitar and teaches kids (and one adult) the guitar for extra income for college. You can teach all kinds of things including arts and crafts for kids, scrapbooking, sewing etc. You can sell crafts on eBay etc. You can clean houses or wash cars or do something with pets. These are just some ideas I've thought of because I'm always thinking of ways to start my own business. Good luck!!

Mine fell into my lap. I was SAHM and hubby was in outside sales with a lot of travel, HQ in NY, no admin support.

I started being his admin support, dealt with customers because they knew that I knew how to find him and STAT!! I managed all of his travel, still do.

Fast forward..... He had customers consult with him and they would send him a commission for finding the right supplier, brokering a deal, etc.

About 3 yrs ago we decided that we could run this ourselves. We set up our LLC, have great legal and tax counsel and privately funded it with our personal money. We don't want banks involved because then they'd try to tell us what to do.

I act as CFO. Managing all finances AR/AP, payroll, taxes, freight companies and warehousing. Hubby still consults and sells.

The first year we sold over $3 million and have increased yearly. It takes a solid plan, money, very time consuming.... We are both working nonstop to make sure all details are perfect. We are very driven, our daughter ( 16) is an officer in the company and is learning about business.

We are in the raw materials ( plastic) industry dealing with pipe, manufCtured goods and recycling. It is a niche market, hubby has been in the industry for years and is well respected in this industry.

We are now having to think about moving from home to an office, hiring help because it's getting so big. We are conservative with it and very much planners. Well educated and our daughter is shadowing us now with hopes of also going to an Ivy League school like her dad.

Although her interest in fashion design she know it is critical to have a solid business background. Before SAHM I was corporate marketing at Frito Lay.

Hope that helps!!!

You have to find what you like to do.The flexiblity of working for yourself is more important than the hours themselves.

I got certified in tecahing Handwriting to children and started my own company. I offer preschool classes,workshops tutoring .I work weekends and after school hours mostly but I have the flexibility to work when I want.
I left the corporate world after 15 years!

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S. P.
Certified Handwriting development specialist
Handwriting Without Tears Certification
www.writetoshine.com
www.facebook.com/write2shine

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I decided to "jump in" to my home business because I felt strongly about it. I wanted all my friends and family to know how GREAT it was! I had a lot of enthusiasm about it. But I had just learned about it one MONTH prior! Actually, I never thought I'd be in a home business, as I was a full time teacher.

What happened is I attended a Creative Memories party, much by accident. I honestly thought it was a Pampered Chef party, and I really was just going to visit with the host, who I had not seen in a while.

When the consultant said, "Here is my child's HISTORY," she could have knocked me over as I never took care of my family photos. They were a huge mess. I was not impulsive and did not sign on that night. I did go home and began to take care of my photos and find them around the house and I began making my children's scrapbook albums. I had never been an artsy type person in any way. But this was different. It was my child's photos with my handwriting and LOVE as their mother. It will be passed on when I am gone.

When I gave my middle son his album a month later, he had tears and he never cried. He was 17. The next day I KNEW I had to go into this business so that everybody I knew could have the same feeling as I.

In addition, I was going to have 3 in college and needed extra income. At the time it was $195 to sign up but I didn't care because I really wanted to share this!

Now it is $50 and a no lose experience as the $50 is a business expense. By the way, that was 8 years ago and I am still going strong! In addition to teaching! I just continue because it is the helping business. It really is.

I hope I have answered your question. I think I have. Best of luck to you!

You have to find something you are passionate about, that you just love and believe in. I never planned to have a home business. I just fell in love with the products and couldn't stop talking about them and before I knew it people wanted to order and the join my team. I don't consider what I do work because I enjoy helping others become healthy, talking, build a business and I get to do all of those things. Working from home isn't for everyone and every company/business isn't for everyone. I tell people that right up front when they decide they want to do what I do I help them figure out if it is a fit and then I watch them grow. Good Luck in your search working from home does give you the freedom to spend with your family and choose when and how much you want to do that. In my business if you have 10-20 hours a week to work then you are on your way.

I looked for many years for the right "fit" for me. I looked at many opportunities and tried a couple. I finally found a company that took the power of the internet and smashed it together with the concept of franchising. It's amazing. It's like owning amazon.com
We sell everything from all the store folks are already shopping at. No trying to sell folks a purple widget that they are not interested in. Love that because I personally hate sales.
I am the president and CEO of my own business even though it's a franchise and make my own hours. Altrhough being internet based I am open 24/7.
You have to get a real feel for what they do. Check out the company on the BBB.
Anyway, if you would like to pick my brain about what to look for message me. I saw many crappy things out there. :)

I decided on the business I'm with simply because it made sense. The company addresses highly consumable daily needs which means it's still a solid business even in tough economic times. If you'd like know more about what I do so you can evaluate it for your needs, send a message to my inbox and I will schedule you for an overview/webcast.

Best of luck!