Well, since it’s New Year’s Eve, everyone is probably asking you, “What’s your New Year’s resolution?” I stopped doing NY Resolutions years ago – they produce one of three results:
1. I don’t follow them and feel guilty
2. I follow them for a while and then give up and feel guilty
3. I decide they aren’t important, so why bother.

But for 2009 I have a resolution for my home business. It is:

To do something EVERY DAY to move my business forward, to make it more profitable, to promote it. That’s it.

I figure if I can work every day to make my business profitable, by this time next year, it will be. Profitable, that is.

What about you? What is your resolution for your home business?

As I wandered back through the archives of HomeBizNotes in my end-of-year review, I saw lots of possibilities for home businesses. If your New Years resolution is to start a home business in 2009, I hope this list gives you inspiration.

In January, a Thursday 13 provided a list of home business opportunities

Yvonne talked with Four Ingredients Cookbook authors – maybe you have a cookbook in you, too?

A Genealogy-related business might be genetically suited to you.

Maybe Craft Shows are your passion. Developing a home business around this idea can be profitable.

In February, Mary Emma listed 13 Online Businesses to Pursue from Home

In March, Yvonne asked, “Do You Have What it Takes?” to run a Bed and Breakfast?

A Home Daycare Business
13 Types of At-home Businesses for Mom-Entrepreneurs

An EBay or Online Business

Another Thursday 13 – Home-based Writing Businesses

And 13 Travel-related Businesses

Home Businesses Involving Pets

A Home Day Care Business series … (Introduction, Licenses and Regulations, Organizational Skills, the best mix of ages,

13 Regional home businesses

ETSY as a home business

and a home EBAY business too

And from my time here, two posts on Virtual Assisting as a home business (from AssistU owner Stacy Brice and from VA Cindy Gaffen )

Stay tuned for more in 2009.  If you are interested in a specific home business opportunity for me to research, let me know and I’ll do that.

The second half of 2008, Home Biz Notes posts …

July posts focused on writing as a home business, with several posts… on writing family stories, writing a book to establish yourself as an expert, and using a book and website to build your business. And also learn more about self-publishing as a home business.

The August theme at Home Biz Notes was travel, about taking your home business on the road, while Mary Emma talks about taking her home business on the road.

And Yvonne wrote an important post about including a clear call-to-action in your advertising materials.

In September, Home Daycare Businesses were featured, and Mary Emma reviewed 13 outlets for home produced products. Yvonne discussed the 21 most effective words to use in marketing your home business.

And Yvonne wrote a popular post on Acts of Kindness.

October saw a Virtual Blog tour series with Magic, Moving Beyond Books 1, and Moving Beyond Books 2.

And Home Biz Notes helped readers cope with the economic slowdown .

By the way, in October Home Biz Notes celebrated its 2nd anniversary!

Mary Emma took us to home businesses around the world

and Yvonne talked about Baby Boomer business ideas to take on the road.

Mary Emma and Yvonne both bid Home Biz Notes goodbye at the end of October…

In November and December, my favorite posts were:

On taking a home office business deduction

Two posts on a home business success story – Down the Garden Path, and Lessons Learned from Down the Garden Path

Making your home business look bigger than life

and the Hidden Costs of Working from Home

One final note:  Promotional Pens seemed to be the “hot topic” at Home Biz Notes in 2008, with posts on whether promotional pens have outlived their usefulness – a “revisit” to the promotional pen issue – the value of promotional pens -a tip from Shannon Cherry at Startup Spark – and the usefulness of promotional pens .  Interesting topic, I’ll agree.

Since I started writing for HomeBizNotes at the beginning of November, I have occasionally gone back into the “vaults” of posts to see what Mary Emma and Yvonne wrote. I thought you might also enjoy seeing these “oldies but goodies” from this past year. Here are some of my favorite posts from earlier in 2008:

In January,
Yvonne wrote “Stop Waiting for Someone to Tell You What to Do – You’re the Boss”

Yvonne also busted some Home Biz Myths

And Mary Emma discussed How to Keep Your Sense of Humor in the midst of your crazy home business routine.

In February,
Mary Emma provided a roundup of Home Business Organizing Tips (I needed that one!)

She also gave us a list of 5 tips for overcoming challenges and obstacles.

And Yvonne warned against Work from Home Scams (Craigslist Curmudgeon is no longer writing for b5media, but the advice he gives is still good.)

In March,

Yvonne suggested that smiles and thank-yous as a low-tech way to positive customer interactions.

And Mary Emma gave us 10 tips on finding time for your home business.

In April,

Yvonne gave us some tips on getting paid

Mary Emma shared her thoughts on the future of self-publishing and reminded us to take home office business deductions.

And a very popular post on Birthing the Elephant (you’ll have to read it to find out more).

In May,

Read about why Work at home Moms aren’t Supermoms (by Yvonne) and Guest Poster Laura Spencer on 4 Questions to Help You Find Your Dream Job

And Mary Emma wrote several posts on Taking Chances (#1) and (#2)

In June, Mary Emma wrote about Telling  Your Business Story in an Interesting Way

and she shared Tips for Starting Your Home Business.

And Yvonne shared my personal favorite post “Things Moms Say” in 2 minutes.

A book review of 200 Best Home Businesses (and 41 of the businesses on the list)

More in the next post….

Running a home business is lonely. Often there is no one to talk to except:

• Your children
• Your spouse or significant other
• Your pet

Their responses can range from negativity (“I have my own problems”) to blank looks (pets) to glazed eyes (spouse, children).

But talking to someone about business problems is one of the best ways to solve them.  Every solo business owner needs a group of people he/she can call on for help in dealing with those pesky issues that come up that we aren’t sure how to deal with.

First, Be Kind. I’m going to tell you about something that just happened to me.  This problem really happened; I’m not making it up.  And please don’t laugh at me for being so stupid.  Sometimes we really can’t see what’s right in front of us.

Case in point: The Printing Problem. I was trying to print out about 100 letters that needed to be in color and two-sided.  I have a color laser, but it only prints one-sided.  I had to do a mailing and I wanted to keep it under an ounce with all of the inserts, hence the need to print two-sided.  I puzzled over the issue for days, trying to figure out a way to do this without having to resort to going to the copy shop, where they would charge me an unreasonable amount of money.

Finally, I thought of a friend who has a laser printer that prints two-sided, but not in color.  I called him and suggested I bring him the sheets with the color heading already printed, and have him print the black-and-white text two-sided.  His response, “Why don’t you just run them through your printer twice?”  BIG HEAD SLAP!  DOH!  (See why I said you wouldn’t believe me?  You probably figured it out at the beginning.)

Another Example: My Logo Consulting Group. I am considering logos for a new business venture. I had several family and friends look at these over the holidays. Several of them pointed out obvious stuff in some of the logos that I had missed and which would have had negative effects on those who viewed them.

It’s funny how we get caught up in a particular way of thinking and we can’t get out of it.  I was able to print out the letters – two sided and in color – this morning in just a few minutes.  Whew!  All the time, I was thinking about this dilemma and why we don’t see the solutions that are right in front of us.

Some people call it “thinking outside the box” or a “paradigm shift.” These are just buzz words, fancy ways of saying that we need to think differently about problems.

The Wisdom of Crowds. It seems to me the best way to change the way we think about problems is to get help in thinking. I read a great book a few years ago called The Wisdom of Crowds by James Surowiecki. One of his basic premises is that a group thinks better than an individual. The key to this “wisdom” is that the group has to be diverse – different in their sexes, ages, ethnic and racial backgrounds, political viewpoints, etc.

Thinking Differently About Problems. A group of people who think differently can more easily solve a problem than a group of people who are all the same. In my example of the logo, I needed people who saw things in very different ways, since I needed to know how different people would react to the logo.

Bottom Line: Create an Advisor Group. Find a group of people you can toss ideas around with, or who you can go to with problems. This can be an online group or a local group, or both, and it can certainly include family and friends. You may already have an informal group of people you can go to, and who come to you. Make this group more formal and make it more powerful.

Problem Solving Groups for Success. While spouses, children, and pets are wonderful supports for your home business, finding a group of people who can help each other think about problems can mean the difference between having an “ok” business and a truly successful one.

Matter of fact, why am I writing it?

Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, this is a great time to relax and unwind. Nothing will be open tomorrow – I don’t even think McDonald’s is open. Take that back – WalMart will probaly be open. But it’s time to sit back and not work for a day and think about the year past and the year ahead. The new year is always so full of promise and hope.

And why am I writing a blog post on Christmas Eve? Well, not only because I enjoy writing and it’s my job, but because I love communicating with you. We have our family Christmas tonight an our grandchildren – ages 7 and 5 – will be over the top with excitement. I love seeing their faces and the impatience with which they spend their day:

Is it time to open presents yet?

After x, then we’ll open presents.

Why do we have to wait?

Well, let’s get going then!

(It’s the only night of the year when their parents don’t have to force them to go to bed.)

If you are going to be with family this Christmas Eve, lower your expectations and just have fun. If you aren’t, then call or visit someone who is alone. Don’t email or text; be more personal than that.

My best wishes for you on this most joyous and holy of nights.

Jean

A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed Stacy Brice, founder and chief visionary officer of AssistU, a company which trains and supports Virtual Assistants. Today, I’m interviewing Cindy Gaffen, a VA who owns Virtually Fantastic. If you are considering becoming a VA, Cindy is a great model for you to follow. Here is what she had to say:

1. Why did you decide to become a VA? Tell us about the process – what did you do to prepare?
For years, I thought about what I wanted to do for a living and how I could transfer my knowledge, experience and skills to a business I could call my own. I was fortunate because I loved what I did in Corporate America. However, because of this I delayed starting my own business. Then one day I realized, my level of satisfaction was decreasing. It was then I decided it was time to make my move and take a chance on myself.

In 1999, I wrote a reference for a friend who was applying to AssistU. I had never heard of a VA, but found the idea interesting. As the years passed and my satisfaction level decreased, I decided it was time. In 2004, I applied to AssistU’s Virtual Training Program (VTP), was accepted and I never looked back! The process was quick for me and it was the best decision I’ve ever made in my professional life.

2. What background did you have that prepared you to be a VA?
I was a project manager for 15 years and an account manager for two in the corporate world. I handled multiple, multi-million dollar, complex projects from conception to completion. Daily contact with customers and management of vendors helped round off my skills. My project management background honed my skills to help me manage multiple clients. Additionally, I believe it taught me how to juggle a variety of small business owners with very different requirements and seamlessly and quickly switch gears as needed.

3. How did you find clients? How do you know when you have enough clients? Do you feel you are “successful?” If not, what level of work would you like in order to feel that you are successful?
Upon graduation from AssistU’s training program, I was eligible to join The Registry, where small business owners submit extensive requirements online for a VA. People who come through the registry understand what a VA is and what a VA does. They are typically ready to work with a VA and don’t need to be educated. I was fortunate to find many clients through the registry. Referrals are another way I have built my clientele. Fellow VAs and clients are a great way to find qualified, educated new clients.

I envision my VA business as myself and a team of VAs, so my practice will most likely never be full. I subcontract work to VAs who handle things I do not. I inform all prospective clients that I work with a team of VAs and from time to time I may use them to handle something for them. This has worked nicely for all of us.

My clients make me feel successful. The level of daily satisfaction I derive from what I do shouts that I am a success and I am rewarded for it each and every day since hanging my VA shingle!

4. How do you determine what to charge? My rate is derived the same way as any successful business determines their rate! It includes indirect costs like rent, phone, office supplies, etc. and an hourly wage.

5. What is a typical week like?
I come to work each day with a list of things that need to be tackled for the day.
Fortunately, because I keep my clients on track and up to date, I have few interruptions from last minute items! On occasion, an unforeseen emergency may arise and I usually can adjust my schedule. However, for the most part I am able to plan my work week.

How much of your week do you work? I work full-time 40-50 hours per week.
Do you do other work too? No. I am a full-time VA.

6. Do you specialize in certain types of work – like bookkeeping, computer work, marketing, travel planning, etc.? I have not established a niche per se, however, I am moving towards Internet Marketing (website maintenance and shopping cart setup and maintenance). But, I will always handle a variety of things, because I thrive on variety. It keeps things new and interesting for me.

7. What is your favorite part about being a VA? Independence and working with fantastic clients and being an integral part in the success of our businesses. Also, I love having the opportunity to educate people about the profession. Because I like to continually update my skills, I’m always taking classes. I love learning. Typically, I have been able to integrate my new skills into my business quickly. My wonderful clients have been receptive to letting me handle more areas of their business as I learn new software.

8. What is your least favorite part of being a VA? I’m very gregarious, so it is difficult being alone during the day. However, it is easy enough to find networking events or personal social things to do when time allows.

9. What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a VA? I would strongly suggest taking a virtual training class offered by AssistU or one of the other training schools. Taking the course made my startup easier and gave me a foundation beyond my excellent business experience and years of knowledge.

Also, I would caution anyone who thinks it will be easy to think again. It takes a lot of perseverance, and unfaltering confidence to start a VA business, because it is not a well-known profession. I believe every VA spends a lot of time educating people what they have to offer and this can make each and every prospective client a longer than usual “sell.”

10. How long do you plan to work as a VA (how many years)? If you weren’t a VA, what would you like to be doing (other than lounging on some tropical island sipping Mai Tai’s)? It is my intention to work as a VA until I retire.

I don’t know what I would do if I weren’t a VA professionally. However, if I could I’d go to school full time and volunteer more.

Personally, I hope Cindy doesn’t retire for a long time. She is MY VA and she’s extremely capable and trustworthy. If you want to become a VA, she’s a good role model. If you’re looking for a VA, she can help.

Next, a VA who is also a mom – how she balances her work and family.

December has been tough for us here in Iowa.  It started on November 30, with a snow storm.  From that point, we have had several more. I’d say at least 11 inches, and we’re only on the 20th, with more to come.  Add to that some influenza that has been going around the public schools.  My daughter-in-law has a part-time job that doesn’t pay her unless she shows up.  And Grandma (me) who lives only a mile away from her two grandchildren (2nd grade and kindergarten) is tempted to help.  But I have a business to run.

When I started my new home-based business on December 1 (yep!  I caused all this snow!) I had a talk with my daughter-in-law and we settled on some guidelines for helping with the grandchildren.

1.  I can’t do sick grandchildren, because I don’t do well with sick people (I couldn’t even deal with it when my own children were sick) and my husband catches everything.

2. I can do planned school’s out days, for teacher conferences, holidays. If I can put it on my calendar, I can probably do it, unless I have something else planned.

3. I can do snow days, if I don’t have a major commitment or appointment. It’s ok to call and ask.

4. I can’t do more than one day a week, unless there is an extreme emergency.

Having these guidelines set ahead of time helps both of us. What kinds of arrangements do you have for family emergencies, helping with grandchildren, dealing with sick children? Let us know how you deal with these things, and keep your home business alive.

One of the ways you can help your small home business look bigger than life is through branding, as I mentioned in my blog of a few days ago.  Here are a couple of specific things you can do to get your brand into high gear:

1.  Get a business logo. I’m talking about a really cool logo that will make everyone who sees it know you are a professional and that you are serious about your success.  I am excited about a site I found called 99designs.  This is a contest site; that is, you tell a bunch of designers your idea and they submit ideas.  You can interact with the designers, ask them to make changes, or eliminate designs you don’t like.  I put my contest up yesterday and already I have over 25 logos to look at.  Some are pretty dull, but others are great.

2.  Get a web site. Getting your own domain name and website isn’t as difficult you might think.  It also eliminates the unprofessional email (from gmail, aol, yahoo) that Jeff mentioned in his comment.  A couple of ways to get a simple website with a couple of email accounts:

• Use GoDaddy. I’ve used them for years and their stuff is cheap and easy to use.  It’s not terribly sophisticated, but it get the job done.  You buy the url (domain name) for a year, then you can get them to host your domain and give you a simple site with emails.  That’s it.
• Use a web designer. I use VirtualImpax.  Kathy can help you set up a website for under $500.  She also can give you lots of good advice on what you need and how to get it.  Visit her Web Site Tools page for more information.

One warning:  Don’t get hooked into setting up a blog if you don’t really need it to promote your home-based business.  Blogging is hard work (here I am to prove that!) and it isn’t for everyone.

For a small amount of investment, with the tips I have given you over the past few days, you can create a business that looks serious and real and professional.  Fool everyone. Look bigger than you are.

Over at Small Business Boomers, we just finished up a “Holiday Movie” contest. It got me to thinking about movies that feature people who work at home. Here is what I came with; if you have others, let me know:

Cheaper by the Dozen - Frank and Lillian Gilbreth work at home, and raise 12 children. (1950 version, remade in 2003 with Steve Martin as Frank)

What About Bob? (1991)  A psychiatrist working at home (Richard Dreyfus and Bill Murray)

Carrie in Sex and the City (movie and TV series) – she is a home-based writer

Funny Farm (1988)- Chevy Chase is a writer.

Misery (1990)- James Caan works from a fan’s home

X-men - all three movies (2000, 2003, 2006) – Patrick Stewart runs a school out of his house

Knocked Up (2007)- Ben Stone and his roommates are setting up a website from home

Fight Club (1999) – Brad Pitt and Edward Norton make dynamite from their home

Ok, maybe I’ve gone too far off the line here.  What do you think?  If you have any “Work at home” movies, please send me a comment.