While watching a documentary about artist Georgia O’Keeffe, as I  taught an art class today, I was struck by her determination to find her own way, go her own way.  She mentioned she “took hold of most anything I wanted” and essentially went for it.
Can’t we apply this philosophy to our home business? 
 I found it interesting that after I wrote yesterday’s blog post, Are You “Taking Flight” with Your Home Business, I watched this documentary in class during my substitute teaching work.  It seemed a continuation of that theme I had addressed.
In a way, Georgia O’Keeffe had a home business.   She sketched and …read more

Many businesses start in the home, then grow so successfully, they’re moved to a more spacious location outside the residence.  This might be a building on your premises or a business space you rent, lease or purchase elsewhere. 
 Suzanne contacted me to sew skirt and apron samples when I operated my home based dressmaking/alteration business.  She was introducing her designs to shops with the anticipation that they would purchase in bulk from her.
These appealed to many of the businesses she approached and soon she took on a partner.  She hired home workers, like myself, to make them for her.  However, when …read more

Woody Allen said, “Eighty percent of success is showing up.”  What does that mean, for a home business owner?  Being successful in a home business is a habit, just like any other activity.  It’s been said that it takes 21 days to break an old habit or form a new one.  So if you are committed to the success of your business, are you ready to commit to forming “habits of success” by the end of th is month?
Three habits of success you might want to consider:
1.  Commitment to Work. Getting up every morning at the same time and getting …read more

In response to questions about Virtual Assisting as a home business opportunity, I am interviewing several people.  The first is Stacy Brice, founder, President and Chief Visionary Officer of AssistU.  (I can see why she is successful – what great positive enthusiasm!)  Stacy founded AssistU in March 1997 as a way to help people create the business and life they wanted.  Read more about Stacy’s journey to founding AssistU on her bio.
Questions for Stacy Brice:
1.  How did you get into the VA business?  What motivated you to start AssistU?
I got started as a VA, working for myself, because I was …read more

If you haven’t thought about it, you should. The marketing strategy for your home business, that is.  What we all traditionally thought of as “marketing a business” is so 20th century.  We all need to look at marketing in a different way now in the 21st century, and home businesses like ours need to keep up.
Katherine Lieu at BrandCurve writes about brands and branding and she talks about how the traditional concepts of branding and marketing are changing.  I remember in my MBA courses learning about the 4 P’s  of marketing – Product (what you’re selling), Price, Place (distribution), and …read more

They make it look simple.  But we all know it isn’t.  For inspiration, today I’ll give you some brief secrets from Entrepreneur’s Top 50 Women Business Owners (my comments in italics). This inspirational tips are good for all businesses, from Fortune 500 companies to our home businesses:

Create a clear vision for your business and hire great employees to help you execute it.
“Get better before getting bigger. I made the mistake of growing too fast in the beginning, and it was overwhelming for my team and the customers. Focus on delivery and customer service.”
Quality people are a company’s best assets.
 Communicate “incessantly and consistently.”  …read more

Last time I talked about Chris Ingler’s home business – Engraved Garden Path Markers, and I wondered if Chris might be coming to a point where she needs to move to the next level.  What might that be?

 One option would certainly be for her to continue as she started, selling the markers from her home with the help of her family.  As long as they can keep up with demand, she’ll be fine.  But what if my blog post got her so much business she couldn’t keep up?

Another option might be to move from her home and set up in …read more

I was reading about an interesting home business today, and it struck me how typical their path to success has been. It might seem like luck, or maybe it’s just good hard work.  I’ll show you what I mean:
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The business is Engraved Garden Path Markers, Inc., in Haubstadt, Indiana, owned by Chris Ingler.  Her story was in the local newspaper and online. The story shows how a typical small business grows and becomes successful.  The typical business success story goes like this:

Chapter One: The Idea to Help Yourself.  Chris Ingler had a large daylily garden and …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Your Business Epiphany: What one moment influenced your career or business more than any other?

Each Friday we have a quote, comment, picture, etc. as a springboard for thought at the Business Channel. Then we can take it in any direction we wish.

 What influenced me? I’ve had or have many careers (author, quiltmaker, teacher, wife/mom/grandmother) that it’s a challenge deciding upon a defining moment. Yet they all seem woven around my desire to be a writer. No matter what I’m doing, I find time to write and research.
 
 Even though my mother urged me go …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
I’ve often wondered about the marketing behind the Harry Potter phenomenon that caused a book to skyrocket to sales and an author to fame to the point where it has taken on a life of itself. I imagined there was superb marketing strategy behind it that caught the market and readers at the right place and right time.
Susan Gunelius, a b5 blogger , announced the release of her first book, Harry Potter – The Story of a Global Business Phenomenon.
Susan explores the story of the business and marketing behind the Harry Potter brand, and …read more