Work for Yourself

Some things go together easily. Peanut butter and jelly? Sure. Rings and diamonds? Definitely. High heels and a killer dress? Anytime. But sometimes things that you hope would work together well don’t always gel as smoothly as you would like. One of those tricky pairings—home and work. Working from home seems like the best of both worlds, where you can make money and achieve professional success without leaving the house or even getting out of your pajamas. Whether you are hoping to avoid the stress of a long commute or are trying to balance being a new mom with continuing in your chosen profession, working from home can be a great way to keep all the parts of your life in balance. But if you have a family, you have probably already discovered that working from home poses special challenges. Your family, whether you have a husband, a wife, a baby, or a whole brood of kids, will have to get used to the idea that even though you are not leaving the house every morning to head to the … [Read more...] about Establishing Work-From-Home Rules for The Family

The days are longer, the pools are warming up, and you’re planning a nice little getaway, which can mean only one thing: Summer's here! With all of the summer excitement there’s a lot of temptation to hit the stores and do some shopping. If you’re a little low on cash however, you may be stuck with fewer shopping trips than you’d like. You’re probably wishing you had some ideas on how to make a little extra cash for the summer. So to get you started here are a few things that you can consider doing to generate some spending cash: Have a Garage Sale- There has to be some old stuff lying around your place that you wouldn’t mind getting rid of. You can put up some signs in the neighborhood, and even a small add in the newspaper. You would be surprised at how many people treat garage sale shopping like a sport. They may fall in love with something you’ve got for sale. Freelance Work- Whether you’re a writer, photographer, or music teacher, the internet is a great place to find all … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Earn Some Extra Cash This Summer

Entrepreneurship is an art which is gifted to a select few, who are able to engage in the business of buying or manufacturing and selling products and services and making money in the process. Many of the new entrepreneurs include those who have decided to give up well paying jobs and pass up on a Doctorate Program to push their own dreams, or those who lose out to the young brigade or are victims of downsizing, people with handicaps, stay-at-home mothers or work-from-home parents. They give up on being hired by others and instead hire themselves to produce products or services that add to the country’s economic growth. (Read this before you quit your day job). This post is supported by Oracle JD Edwards. But every entrepreneurial endeavor may not be successful, since success is linked to a series of initial steps done rightly. Starting in a hurry without the due diligence required, knowledge of the market, the target clientele and competition may bring the business down in the … [Read more...] about The Path to Success as an Entrepreneur

As far as Internet startup companies go, there are basically two types. There are the flashy companies that have slick offices with the latest souped-up computers and award-winning architecture. You know the kind: Pac-Man arcade machines in the lobby, a sushi chef on the premises and daily ping pong tournaments in the game room. These are the startups with massive bank accounts courtesy of deep-pocketed investors and venture capitalists. And then you have your regular startups, the kind barely getting by on a shoestring budget. They’re the kind where the CEO shares an office with all seven employees. The kinds that cobbled together a break room out of an old dorm refrigerator, a hand-me-down microwave and some free couches from Craigslist. The kind that, well, I started. It’s certainly tough enough just getting a new startup off the ground. There’s basic HR duties to perform, employees to find, office space to rent, not to mention actually building your website and marketing it to … [Read more...] about How to Start Up a Startup on a Budget

If you’re longing to go out on your own, bag the day job and start your own business, what’re the motivating factors? I suspect they might be:1.      Setting your own hours and controlling your schedule.2.      Doing something you love.3.      Making a boatload of money (really?)4.      Working in your sweatsI think there’s a much bigger impetus – the pea-brained boss. They’re probably responsible for thousands of newly-formed entrepreneurs. “Dilbert” creator Scott Adams summed it up nicely in a Wall Street Journal article, "The Perfect Stimulus: Bad Management." When he started out in corporate life, as Adams put it, “Though most of my immediate bosses were entirely reasonable and competent, the organization at large was riddled with hamster-brained sociopaths in leadership roles.” A bit exaggerated, but that’s why he gets the … [Read more...] about Do Pea-Brained Managers Launch Entrepreneurs?

I am a work at home mother. When people hear that phrase, I often hear how lucky I am to be able to stay at home and spend time with my children. Most of the time I smile and nod. Inside I am seething and want to slap the stupid out of the person talking to me. Seriously, spend time with my kids? Who in their right mind wants to do that?!You're probably wondering what is wrong with me. All mothers are supposed to adore their cuddly little love monsters. Key word there- monsters. As I told a good friend of mine, (who also is a darn fine writer right here on Jobacle), I harbor absolutely no illusions about my children.You see, I have 5 children with a 6th due December 2010. While the oldest no longer lives at home, the rest are all here. Under my feet. On the walls. Jumping from the furniture. Chewing on my shirt or snotting up my best blouse while I work. Add 3 cats and a dog into the mix and you can begin to imagine the joy I feel at being a work at home mom.Uh huh. Every slimy bit of … [Read more...] about Working From Home (Not As Awesome As It Sounds)

Have you ever thought about starting a food business? Commercial success however is not contingent on your ability to cook up a tasty meal. Starting a specialty food business involves a lot more than simply having a great idea. It’s important to have a firm grip on some of the basic business concepts to insure your specialty food business is off to a good start. However if you feel a need for an in-depth education on how to start a food business, The New School, a premier New York University, is a good place to start. The school offers bachelor degree programs as well as adult education courses in various subject areas including Food Studies. If time does not permit, below you’ll find a 3 step guide to starting a food business.1.    Conduct Market ResearchBefore you do anything, research your target market. Conducting market research is not an easy task and will require you utilize various resources. Before doing research brainstorm what you already know … [Read more...] about 3 Simple Steps to Starting a Specialty Food Business

Down in the dumps about a job loss? Or perhaps employed, but still "over extended?" Don't despair. Whether you're seeking to create a new income source, or supplement an old one, freelance work could be the ticket!In fact, in a tough economy, freelance work is gaining popularity, due to the Internet world, extinction of "job security" and new business dynamics. Everybody from stay at home moms, to web designers, to photographers, to writers are getting in on the action.And you can too! But, proceed with caution. It's not as easy as some would believe.First, let's dispel some misconceptions... * Being a freelancer doesn't mean that you'll have unlimited “free” time, or a life of leisure. Sure you have some flexibility, can call some of your own shots, and report to work in your bunny slippers from time to time. But, free time needs to be scheduled carefully for optimal results. Especially if it's your only source of income. Too much watching the soaps or playing video games … [Read more...] about Down On Your Luck? How to Become a Freelancer!

There's a common misconception that those of us that work from home have the enviable pleasure of playing hooky and hanging the “gone fishing” sign out whenever the mood hits us.  If you believe that, I've got some land I'd like to sell you. Sure those who work from home have a little more flexibility and a little less accountability, but productivity is even more crucial. The reason?  A simple business equation that many of us discover not long after we hang out our shingle. Too much play=too little payEven those of us challenged by college math get the gist of this.Instead, savvy entrepreneurs realize that with freedom comes responsibility.  With this in mind, here are five fool-proof ways to go the distance whether you're considering taking the plunge, or are already immersed in the entrepreneurial waters.1.  Let your goals serve as your compass.  Where would you like to see yourself in 3 months? In 3 years? How much would you like to earn? … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Stay on Course When You're the Captain of Your Own Ship