Dotsie Bregel and Boomer Women Speak

What's your line? Tell us about your business or business pursuits.
I am the founder of Boomer Women Speak, the fastest growing site for baby boomer women on the Web. I am in the business of giving baby boomer women a voice. I’m passionate about allowing them opportunities to encourage, connect, and support one another with their stories.

How long have you been in your profession, or in your current business?
http://www.boomerwomenspeak.com/ was launched October 31, 2002. Approximately six months of preparation took place before the site was launched.

What prompted you to start your own business?
I have been a stay at home mom and the empty nest was staring me in the face. I was searching for something to fulfill my heart’s desire of encouraging women and building community.

How did you decide what business to pursue?
I hunkered down in prayer, searched the core of my being, and chose to use my God given gifts. I was led to begin this project through prayer.

Describe how your prior experiences influenced or helped you.
I am a networker by nature with leadership qualities and I enjoy working with women. For more than 20 years I have intentionally developed my Christian spirituality. I believe God has been strengthening my faith in preparation for managing Boomer Women Speak. He has graciously given me the tools I need to continue on this path.

What help did you receive in order to set up your business?
I researched sites for women and connected with an awesome web designer who gave me excellent advice.

Are there resources or networking you find beneficial in your current business?
Books, Web sites, and newsletters! I’m an avid reader. I’m forever reading about baby boomer women, leadership, promotion, site development, and faith.

I believe we have to put ourselves out there. We must ask questions, email people we don’t know, and never be shy. I’ve found everyone is willing to help with my mission. When I treat people with kindness they generally treat me the same way in return.

Did your present business require a financial investment to get started?
Yes. It has been a step in faith for my husband and me, but we believe in the project wholeheartedly.

If so, how did you acquire or fund the start-up costs?
This has been a personal investment.

What major roadblocks have you experienced? Explain how you dealt with them.
In the early stages of this endeavor one of the main thrust was publishing an anthology. Rejections by agents and publishers have been roadblocks, but I haven’t seen them as major. I deal with all set backs through prayer. I have faith that God has a plan for my life and Boomer Women Speak. I know everything occurs in His perfect timing, not mine. This attitude gives me great peace because I have faith that the rejections are part of His plan. It is still my hope that the anthology will be published. I have simply broadened my scope by focusing on the potential of the Web site.

Have you made mistakes you would like to share with other women entrepreneurs?
There have been times I hit the SEND button too quickly, but that’s about the extent of it. We need to think before we talk and send emails. Our words can never be taken back. That’s an important lesson to learn.

How many hours a day does your business require of you?
I have a home office so I work crazy hours. I carve out time when my husband and children are occupied. I spend approximately 40 hours a week with BWS.

How do you feel your income from your business compares to the income you would receive if you were in the traditional business sector, or workforce? Are you meeting your financial expectations or needs?
This is an area I’m working on. I had visions of landing a book deal with one of the better publishing houses, and using the advance to fund the site. This hasn’t happened to date. This is the reason I’m now selling advertising. I need the site to pay for itself. As my husband said, “Maybe it’s not about making money”. We understand this to be my ministry, my way of giving back for all the blessings we’ve so graciously been given.

How do you rate your job frustration over the past week?
I am passionate about this project. My biggest frustration lies in finding time to reply to all my emails. I guess that’s a nice problem to have.

How do you rate your job satisfaction over the past week?
This has been a good week. All my advertising is sold for June and almost for July without much effort. Also, I feel deep satisfaction any time I enter my forums and see the wise and warm communication taking place. Women truly work at healing one another within the forums and that brings me tremendous satisfaction.

What has been your biggest challenge in running your own business?
When I launched Boomer Women Speak the original intent was to have a place to gather stories for the anthology. My biggest challenge has been getting my anthology published. I realize God may have different plans for me. The site has taken off, but the book hasn’t been picked up. I’m beginning to understand it’s more about the site. I’m willing to see what else God has in mind for BWS.

What has been your biggest satisfaction in running your own business?
My biggest satisfaction has been corresponding with all the women who have shared their stories. It has been a life changing event for me and one that has caused tremendous growth. I hope I have become a more loving and less judgmental person. My prayer is that these very things that have happened to me are also occurring in the hearts of the women on the site. We all need to be more accepting of one another. We need to realize we have more similarities than differences.


Remember that old advertisement, if you had a beauty secret, would you share? If you had a business secret, would you share? If you would share, what is your business secret?

Success is all about relationships.

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Listen.

Always have in mind what you can do for the other person. Consider what you can do to help them succeed.

Be daring and put yourself out there. Ask questions, seek help.

Remember, it isn’t always what you say, but what others say about you.

Be sure to leave a lasting impression.

People will promote the people they like.

Always be grateful and show appreciation.

What advice would you give women who would like to become self-employed?
Research, do your homework. Go with your passion. Believe in yourself, because if you don’t, no one else will.

While you are juggling your business, home, and relationships, do you feel sometimes one part of your life is overemphasized, while another part might be neglected? If so, how do you reclaim a good balance?
I read the Bible, journal, and pray each day. This helps me feel centered.


What’s hardest about interweaving the different parts of your life?
The hardest part is making time for everything. I never want my husband or children to think my work is more important than them.


Does your present employment reflect your childhood interests or dreams?
Not really. Boomer Women Speak is something that evolved through self exploration and prayer at midlife. I have, however always been a people person who thrives on relationships.

How are you preparing your children to be ready to reach for their own dreams?
I try to encourage my children and build them up. I want them to believe in themselves and know they are called by God to use the gifts He’s given them for His glory. I speak with them about their gifts and how they should tap into them when choosing a profession. This is a tough concept while they are teens, but I believe they’ve heard it enough that they will come back to it.

If you could do anything, what would it be?
I think I’m doing it.

Where do you see yourself and your business 5 years from now? 10 years?
I hope to be the expert on baby boomer women. I intend to begin speaking about our generation of women. So many speak for us and about us, but I think it’s important to have a spokesperson for boomer women who is also a boomer woman. I’m praying I’m that person.

Is there any one thing you can point to that was absolutely critical to your success?
People tell me they love my spirit. I believe it is God’s spirit being lived out through me (only when I’m at my best). God knows my shortcomings and I know He doesn’t want to be associated with them. My passion for connecting, encouraging, and supporting women is obvious. People appreciate the authenticity.


If you could go back in time to change anything, what would you do differently?
I would have begun this project sooner, but I realize it needed time to be revealed to me. I had to enter a desolate time (after the death of my mom, and facing the empty nest)
to discern my call. I trust it is all in God’s timing.

© answers copyrighted by Dotsie Bregel, 2005

Dotsie Bregel is the Executive Founder of http://www.boomerwomenspeak.com/, the #1site for baby boomer women on the Web. She is a writer, speaker, and expert on baby boomer women. She believes sharing our stories allows opportunities for healing.
http://www.boomerwomenspeak.com


http://www.queenpower.com
disclaimer

Dawn R. Carrington and Vintage Romance Publishing

What's your line? Tell us about your business or business pursuits.

I actually have three business pursuits. I’m a full-time author, the Executive Editor and Business Manager of Vintage Romance Publishing and a freelance editor. Occasionally, I take time to breathe.

How long have you been in your profession, or in your current business?

I’ve been writing for over twenty years, in publishing and freelance editing for a little over a year now.

What prompted you to start your own business?
I was injured in a car accident in June 2003 and figured it was only a matter of time before I wouldn’t be able to continue my profession as a paralegal. So in October 2003, I, along with three of my closest friends, started Vintage Romance Publishing.

How did you decide what business to pursue?

Since I’m a writer, I knew a lot about the publishing industry. That’s not to say I knew everything, but I knew I loved the old vintage films and historicals which is what led me to decide upon a publishing company totally devoted to historicals.

Describe how your prior experiences influenced or helped you.

My prior experience as a writer helped me to know the ins and outs of the business and to know what type of authors and manuscripts to look for. I majored in English in college so that helped with the editing. Also, I speed read which is what helped me devour the books I needed to learn how to set up the company and keep it running.

What help did you receive in order to set up your business?

I received a lot of help from books. I now have over thirty books about publishing, marketing, running a small business, etc. I did a lot of reading, and as far as financial goes, my friends and I carried the expenses ourselves. We didn’t want to go into debt, and so far, so good.

Are there resources or networking you find beneficial in your current business?

Oh, absolutely. I’ve lost count of the number of forums and groups I’m on, and until recently Vintage Romance Publishing was a member of Publishers’ Marketing Association (forgot to renew LOL). I’m always out in the community talking about our company, talking to libraries, distributors and bookstores. Word of mouth is one of the biggest marketing tools a business person has.

Did your present business require a financial investment to get started?

As I mentioned above, my friends and I shared the costs, so although the business did require a financial investment, it was easier when four people were splitting the costs. Starting a publishing company isn’t a walk in the park. There are business fees, fees for forming a corporation, the purchase of ISBNs, website creation, update and maintenance, etc. So the costs weren’t minimal.

What major roadblocks have you experienced? Explain how you dealt with them.

We haven’t really experienced major roadblocks except for the fact that we’re a small press and that in itself is a roadblock with bookstores at times. So you have to have tough skin in this business.

Have you made mistakes you would like to share with other women entrepreneurs?

Oh, yeah. I’ve made plenty of mistakes without the advanced knowledge. I did some bookkeeping in my job as a paralegal, but I didn’t have anywhere near the knowledge I needed to run a business. So my advice would be take a class or hire a bookkeeper.

Another mistake I made was allowing personal friendships to interfere with business decisions. When you run a business, you have to always think of it as a business.

Additionally, I granted credit to a company I didn’t really know, and it took me quite some time to finally get the money from them. So don’t advance credit unless you know the company extremely well and have thoroughly checked them out. (Dun and Bradstreet is a good place to start.)

How many hours a day does your business require of you?

Well, before I quit working as a paralegal on April 15th of this year, I was working about 15 hours a week. Now, I work about 20-25, but that’s only because I choose to. We have a wonderful staff who does their job, but I’m constantly marketing the company, sending out press releases, etc.

How do you feel your income from your business compares to the income you would receive if you were in the traditional business sector, or workforce? Are you meeting your financial expectations or needs?

Right now, with my writing and the company, I am meeting my financial needs. Am I driving a brand new car and taking dream vacations, no, but I’m outside the stress of the workforce which I spent twenty years in. At present, my income doesn’t match what I was making as a paralegal, but that will come in time.

How do you rate your job frustration over the past week?

Minimal. Usually, I have one or two snags a week to deal with. I grumble and gripe, fix it and move on.

month? About average, a lot less than what I had when I was a paralegal.

How do you rate your job satisfaction over the past week?

Extremely high. It’s always a bonus to me when I get something done that others said couldn’t get done. For instance, a well-known newspaper never reviews small press books. The author tried and tried to get them to review her book, but they kept refusing. So I contacted the book editor and managed to talk him into reviewing the book. The author was so thrilled, and that’s exciting to me.

Month? It’s been a month since I left my job and I can honestly say I don’t dread getting up in the mornings any more.

Year? Ask me this time next year. LOL

What has been your biggest challenge in running your own business?

Learning all the minuscule details you need to know to stay afloat. Liabilities, assets, expenditures, taxes, credits, dues, etc. Eeek.

What has been your biggest frustration in running your own business?

My expectations. I’m a very motivated and driven person so I’ve had to learn that successes come in small stages.

What has been your biggest satisfaction in running your own business?

I can take a nap during the day. LOL But also, it’s been doing what I’ve always dreamed of doing. I want to spend my life immersed in writing and the publishing industry, and I’m getting to do that.


Remember that old advertisement, if you had a beauty secret, would you share? If you had a business secret, would you share? If you would share, what is your business secret?

I will gladly share. Learn the art of marketing. That’s what has put Vintage Romance Publishing in front of the public. We’ve never been afraid to talk about our company, to give presentations, send out marketing materials and stand in front of a crowd of people and talk about our successes. If you don’t promote yourself and your company, who will?


What advice would you give women who would like to become self-employed?

Make sure you have at least six months worth of expenses in the bank before you take the leap. My leap was taken for me when my boss decided he needed someone full-time ( I was only working part-time because of my injuries). So it was very scary knowing I only had two months worth of expenses in the bank, but bit by bit, I see more and more going into my account, and there’s no doubt in my mind I’m going to make it.

Another thing is know your competition. You have to have an angle, something that makes you better than the competition. Why should a customer choose you as opposed to the guy next door? Find your niche and own it.

While you are juggling your business, home, and relationships, do you feel sometimes one part of your life is overemphasized, while another part might be neglected? If so, how do you reclaim a good balance?

Oh, I do feel the company takes precedence right now, but I manage to hang on to my balance by taking time for myself on the weekends. I have established working hours for Vintage Romance and established writing hours for myself. The weekends are mine to do whatever I want to do. Spend it with friends, go shopping, work on crafts, anything like that. If I want to write, I do, but I will not work on the company on weekends. That’s my own time.

Does your present employment reflect your childhood interests or dreams?

Absolutely. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with books, and I would read every chance I got. I always knew I’d have something to do with books or writing in the future. Fortunately, I get to do both.

Any idea what you would be doing now if you weren't doing this?

Probably still working as a paralegal.

If you could do anything, what would it be?

Only one thing? Geesh, that's a tough one. I guess I'd like to give all of my friends happy, fulfilled, unstressed lives.

Where do you see yourself and your business 5 years from now? 10 years?

I see myself on a beach in Maui sipping a drink with an umbrella in it in five years. I see my writing career expanding and Vintage Romance Publishing a major success in the publishing industry. In ten years, I'll be getting Botox injections and chasing after men half my age. I'll be a successful writer and my partners and I will either have sold the company to HarperCollins for megabucks or be so enthralled with such a successful business that we don't want to stop.

Is there any one thing you can point to that was absolutely critical to your
success?

Motivation. When life gets tough and throws so many problems your way, you have to stay motivated, believe in what you're doing and don't let anyone convince you that you can't succeed.

If you could go back in time to change anything, what would you do
differently?

I would have started the company earlier and skipped so many Twinkies™ as a child.

What do you think young people should know to prepare them to reach for their own dreams?

I’m a firm believer in you can’t give someone ambition, but you can show it to them. I believe that children learn by example, and if you’re motivated to reach for your dreams as their parent, they’re going to be motivated to reach for theirs.

Finally, I would stress that failure is not an option. If you want something badly enough, you can make it happen no matter how many obstacles life throws in the way. I’ve had health problems galore over the past eight years, and yet, here I sit living the first part of my dream

Answers © Dawn R. Carrington, 2005

Dawn Rachel Carrington is a multi-published author of fantasy and paranormal romance, the editor of Vintage Romance Publishing and a freelance editor. She resides on the East Coast near the ocean which provides the perfect backdrop for working at home.

www.vrpublishing.com
www.dawnrachel.com

http://www.queenpower.com
disclaimer

Gwen Morrison: Writer/Editor/Publisher

http://www.georgialifestylesmagazine/
www.gwenmorrison.com

I am a writer. I remember the day that I actually said that out loud and believed it. A life-long dream, being a writer was all I can ever remember wanting to do when I was a child. It never dawned on me that those dreams of seeing my name in print, my words being read by thousands of people, could actually come true.

Today, I write for various online and print magazines on a freelance basis, I am the publisher of a regional magazine in the Atlanta area (www.georgialifestylesmagazine.com), as well as the editor of an online publication at www.iNetVaction.com. My first novel, “Ivy: The story of a friendship,” is soon to be released and I’m busy working on two more.

The magazine was born last fall. A full color, glossy publication, Georgia Lifestyles is delivered to more than 40,000 homes. I’m very proud of this accomplishment. Not only did I prove to myself that it could be done – that I could actually start, operate and earn a income as a publisher – but I have learned so much about myself on this very challenging journey. I learned that anything is possible if you want it badly enough. I also learned that operating your own business involves a lot more manpower hours than I had expected.

I am not the kind of person to sit on the fence; when I want something, I go for it. I wanted to be my own boss. I wanted to prove to myself that I could produce a product that would match, and maybe even surpass, the current competition. I believe I have done that and it was not without a huge commitment of time. Today, I have a product that is published bi-monthly that has people talking. People love it. They look forward to receiving it in their mailbox. It’s exciting to think that I am creating it.

Along the way I have met some wonderful people who have added key elements to the success of the magazine. I guess you could say I’ve had a few mentors along the way. Those special people who take the time to say, “Hey, this is a better way to do it,” or “You might want to consider this; it worked for me.” Those kinds of people are instrumental in the success of any business. I believe we all need someone to lean on who has “been there, done that,” when starting any new business. It can save you a lot of time, energy, and maybe most importantly, money.

In order to create, print and mail issues of Georgia Lifestyles every other month there are fixed costs. For the first issue, we struggled. We didn’t have a product to “show” to potential advertisers to encourage them to place an ad in our publication. I created a media kit that included all of our demographic information, editorial calendar and our current rate information (with a discount for our first issue). Then, I created a “mock” copy of what it would look like. We signed about half of the clients we needed. The rest of the monetary commitment for printing the magazine came from myself and from my family. My sister and my mother are my biggest cheerleaders. They believed in me and in my ability to create a product that would be a successful tool for business owners. Having people who believe in you can make a huge difference in how you feel about your business venture. It can give you just the added boost you need to keep moving forward towards success. It can be as simple as your frame of mind. If you believe in yourself (or in your business venture), others will believe in you, too. This may be the key to gaining respect in your industry, making sales or in being validated as a serious business owner. You have to believe in it.

I still work long hours, but I find myself slipping into a comfort zone with the business. Since its launch, my husband (who is instrumental in creating the layout and graphics) and I have incorporated a layout design that makes it easier for us to produce the magazine file to send to the printer. There’s a better “feel” for the business now that we’ve published a few issues.

The income that is generated by the magazine advertising sales has been good, but it’s also not the same as receiving a weekly paycheck. If you break it all down to the number of hours you may put into a business, and figure out what you’re being paid, it probably won’t be pretty in those first few years. That’s typical of any business. If you have a passion for what you are doing (and there’s someone who can put food on the table!), then it’s all worth it.

I have always worked in one form or another. I’ve worked in a doctor’s office as a lab assistant and I’ve worked as an accounting clerk. Working outside the home may be easier than working at home for moms. I have four children and when I started my writing career, about six years ago, my kids understand the idea that Mommy was really “working.” My youngest son would tell people that I “emailed people all day.” He was four when he spread that rumor to his teachers. I’m sure they thought I was surfing the Internet all day, hanging out in chat rooms and downloading music for entertainment. He didn’t understand what freelance writing was or that I was trying to build a career that allowed me the opportunity to be at home when the bus rolled into the neighborhood and be able to give them that one last kiss before seeing them off in the morning. It didn’t take long for them to clue into this “working Mommy” idea, though. The first time they saw my name on a magazine, I think that was it. They understood that I was indeed a mom who worked from home – on top of the fact that I was still the mom who made the beds, helped with homework, took them to the dentist and so on (but we won’t get into that …).

Today I have a door on my office and I’ve had to put a sign on the door from time to time that reads “DO NOT DISTURB…WORKING.” I try not to do that very often as the whole idea of working from home, for me, is being available when they need me. It’s just their definition of “NEED” that we have to work on.

Overall, my advice to anyone who is considering starting their own business is to do the research. Whatever area you are considering, do your homework before hanging the sign on your door. Know your competitors inside and out. Find a way to market yourself as a unique entity so as not to minimize the comparisons that will occur. Be organized, especially if you have a family. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Growing pains are inevitable in those first few years; learn from them. And most of all make time for fun. Don’t work all the time. Even if take 30 minutes and read a book, listen to music or just stare out the window, take a break from it or you will burn out very quickly.

My last piece of advice is one that I need to really remind myself often: Don’t take yourself too seriously. Life is short. It really is. Have fun with what you are doing. Running your own business can be very stressful. Be sure to take stock in “why” you started the venture in the first place. And remember that it began with a dream and in order to have the dream fulfilled, there will be ups and downs. Keep a harness on you at all time during the climb, and when you’re coasting, be sure to wave your arms high in the air and enjoy the ride!

And Additional Questions from Queen Power, with Answers from Queen Gwen:

Any idea what you would be doing now if you weren't doing this?
If I weren't running my own business as a magazine publisher and editor, I would likely be freelance writing and concentrating more of my time on fiction writing. I love creating fictional characters, giving them a life and watching it transform all on its own. It's fascinating to me how much a character can find their own voice when I'm penning their story. I have heard writers talk about this subject in interviews and I would never have believed them if I hadn't experienced it for myself.

If you could do anything, what would it be?
I've always dreamed of writing novels from the porch of a small cottage on a quiet beach.

Where do you see yourself and your business 5 years from now? 10 years?
I don't know where my business will be but I do know that I will be doing something that I love. I am the kind of person who enjoys change. I have been a writer for many years but that has taken me from freelance writer to assistant editor to editor to publisher. Now I'm not really sure what's next but I'm always open to exploring new pathways to build on my skills as a writer. I have worn a lot of hats and sometimes you have to do that to find out which one is just the right fit.

Is there any one thing you can point to that was absolutely critical to your success?
Believing in yourself is critical to success, no matter what business you are in. In order for any business to be successful there must be a belief that anything is possible. That can often be difficult for small business owners or freelance writers because you don't have anyone patting you on the back at every turn. You have to be your biggest cheerleader. When you believe in yourself, others will believe in you.


© Gwen Morrison, 2005, all rights reserved

http://www.queenpower.com
disclaimer

Karen McKay: Secretary by Design and Wrap It Up

What's your line? Tell us about your business or business pursuits.
I have two at-home businesses. One is Secretary by Design "Design me to be the secretary you need!” and the other is Wrap It Up, an all occasion gift wrapping and party service. Both are intended to make the life of others a little easier; to mark things off their to-do-list that they might not have the time to do themselves.

How long have you been in your profession, or in your current business?
I began Secretary by Design in February 2001 and Wrap It Up in July of 2004.

What prompted you to start your own business?
I’ve always had a dream of staying at home with any children my husband, Brad, and I had and also to have my own business. Once I found out I was pregnant with our now 15-month-old daughter, Laine, I quit my job and came home to work full-time with Secretary by Design and later Wrap It Up.

How did you decide what business to pursue?
I have worked in secretarial work of some kind since I was about 14. When I went to college, I obtained an Associate Degree in Office Systems Technology. It just seemed natural to begin my own secretarial business. And the job I quit was working in a gift shop so I’d learned how to wrap and how important the presentation of the package is, so I began the gift-wrapping service. I’m continuously adding new services to Wrap It Up.

Describe how your prior experiences influenced or helped you.
These two businesses were things I felt really comfortable with; things I felt I was good at. I worked in the secretarial field for 10 years before I began Secretary by Design in 2001 and I’d worked in the gift shop and done gift-wrapping for about three years prior to starting Wrap It Up.

What help did you receive in order to set up your business?
My mom suggested both businesses at some point. She thought of the name of my secretarial business and I came up with the one for my gift-wrapping business. I’ve had the support of my husband, Brad, cooperation from Laine while Mommy is working and support from all my family members. I’ve even done gift-wrapping for some of them. I’ve got a new website for Wrap It Up and my brother-in-law, Bryan McKay, took the pictures for me. So, it’s a great support group that I’ve got!

Are there resources or networking you find beneficial in your current business?
I do a lot of searching on the web checking out other businesses and I advertise in our local newspaper. Our local paper did an article on my two businesses, at my request, and that really helped to get the word out. That article is featured on both business websites. I’ve also got an ad coming out in one of the telephone directories in September.

Did your present business require a financial investment to get started?
My secretarial business did not require as much of an investment. We already had a computer and then I just bought supplies here and there pertaining to each project.
My gift wrapping business definitely required an investment to build up some inventory.

If so, how did you acquire or fund the start-up costs?
With both being at-home businesses, we foot the bill on all my costs.

What major roadblocks have you experienced? Explain how you dealt with them.
The major one would be that sometimes people are nervous about working with at-home businesses-more so with my secretarial business. I have sent out information about it and usually get more response locally and mostly from individuals. I’m not sure if companies grasp the concept of it. My gift-wrapping business has been a lot easier, in that respect. My customers are wonderful about referring me to their friends and family. Word of mouth works wonders!! Establishing credibility as an at-home business owner is one of the main reasons I asked the local paper to do an article on them.

Have you made mistakes you would like to share with other women entrepreneurs?
No really majors ones, yet!!

How many hours a day does your business require of you?
I work at my own pace and definitely around Laine’s schedule. I do regular work for a company with my secretarial business and that requires two full 8-hour days a week and a couple of hours each day, give or take. My gift wrapping business hours depend on when I need to pick up, deliver & wrap gifts.

How do you feel your income from your business compares to the income you would receive if you were in the traditional business sector, or workforce? Are you meeting your financial expectations or needs?
My secretarial business is definitely meeting my expectations and my gift wrapping business is getting there! The financial rewards do not compare with the rewards of getting to be at home with our daughter, Laine. That reward reaps many, many more benefits!

How do you rate your job frustration over the past week?
Normally my busiest days are Monday and Thursday. Those are the most trying days every week. I do inventory for the company I mentioned on Mondays and then I do the invoicing/billing/payroll on Thursdays for the same company. My gift-wrapping business does not usually bring frustration.

How do you rate your job satisfaction over the past week?
I feel great satisfaction with Secretary by Design after Thursday each week. Knowing that I’ve completed the tasks required by the company I do work for is great. I am satisfied with Wrap It Up when I’ve made several deliveries in one week and when I obtain new customers.

What has been your biggest challenge in running your own business?
My biggest challenge with both is making sure that the word gets out about them, putting people’s worries of at-home businesses at ease and making sure that Laine does not feel left out. I try to include her in everything I do somehow.

What has been your biggest satisfaction in running your own business?
Being able to be at home with our daughter, Laine and seeing how proud my husband is of me for doing these things. I also love helping people and enjoy the look on their faces when I deliver the gifts I’ve wrapped. Or when I’ve done everything properly with my tasks with Secretary by Design and everything runs smoothly.

Remember that old advertisement, if you had a beauty secret, would you share? If you had a business secret, would you share?
Do something that you LOVE!! I greatly enjoy secretarial work and gift-wrapping. I love being a stay-at-home mom, too. If you’re wanting to come home from your outside-the-home job, YOU CAN DO IT!! It just takes determination and discipline.


What advice would you give women who would like to become self-employed?
DO IT!! There are a lot of resources on the computer that are helpful. It’s truly not hard to do at all. You can decide one day that you want to do your business and, in a lot of cases, start it the same or next day! I would suggest that if you’re relying on the income from your outside-of-the-home job, please remember that your starting income from your at-home business might not match it at first. You may want to continue working until you feel confident and financially secure with the income from your own business. That’s what I did and it was a great way to go.

Does your present employment reflect your childhood interests or dreams?
Definitely. I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom and have my own business. Now it’s all rolled into one!

How are you preparing your children to be ready to reach for their own dreams?
Well, Laine is still young, but I think that by involving her in things that I do and taking her on deliveries with me, she’s getting a good taste of how things can be. She’ll know one day that she can reach for her dreams of owning her own business, too.

Additional Questions from QueenPower and answers by Queen Karen:

Any idea what you would be doing now if you weren't doing this? -

I would be looking for a way to make money from home to be able to be a money contributing stay-at-home mom.

If you could do anything, what would it be?

Exactly what I'm doing now. I love it!

Where do you see yourself and your business 5 years from now? 10 years?

I see nothing but growth and success. In order to have success you must believe that success is obtainable.

Is there any one thing you can point to that was absolutely critical to your success?

Persistance and family support. Also a lot of prayer and a lot of great customers!

If you could go back in time to change anything, what would you do differently?

Maybe I would've started my businesses earlier, but the timing for both was actually pretty great.

© answers by Karen McKay, 2005, all rights reserved
http://www.secretarybydesign.com/
http://www.wrapitup2004.com/

At-home businesses owner Karen McKay, 27, her husband, Brad, 30, and their 16-month-old daughter, Laine live in north central Mississippi. She is a stay-at-home, working mom and the owner of Secretary by Design http://www.secretarybydesign.com/ & Wrap It Up http://www.wrapitup2004.com/

http://queenpower.com
disclaimer

Cara Sonnier and The Dessert Box

What's your line? Tell us about your business or business pursuits.
I am currently the owner of The Dessert Box – an online dessert store. You can have delectable desserts delivered to your home or as a gift!

What prompted you to start your own business?
On one of my many childhood summer vacations to my grandmother’s house, I walked into a penny candy store (and a nickel and quarter candy place, too). I also spent time with my grandfather who owned his own trucking business. I knew then that owning my own place would be a life-long goal. I still hope to own an actual brick and mortar storefront one day.

How did you decide what business to pursue?
After many avenues were explored, I decided on an online venture, featuring high quality desserts delivered. I’ve always had an interest in baking and took cake decorating classes. This seemed like the natural progression, while balancing it with my children and husband’s needs.

Describe how your prior experiences influenced or helped you.
Prior work experiences helped me by eliminating things and a lifestyle I wanted to avoid. I realized that working away from home and my new daughter was not where I wanted to be.
Seeing and being in a confined cramped office was not the way I wanted to spend my days. These experiences helped me discover my own personal limits and expectations.

What help did you receive in order to set up your business?
I have learned so much from other generous women online willing to share free resources or suggesting good reading materials. My husband has been a great moral support and often suggests great ideas. And my children, of course, are my inspiration.

Are there resources or networking you find beneficial in your current business?
I find that networking with women in my market niche is a great benefit. Resources like Internet Based Moms (http://www.internetbasedmoms.com/) have been a great assistance in being online.

Did your present business require a financial investment to get started? If so, how did you acquire or fund?
Yes, but not a significant one. I’m a frugal and simple person by nature. I barter for things I need (advertising, press releases, cooking tools).

To find out more about Cara's delicious offerings, visit www.thedessertbox.com.

www.queenpower.com
disclaimer