HomeBizNotes.com
   Odd Couple Project
Bob Turek, at ProjectManagement411, is partnering with me in a b5media Business Channel Odd Couple project. Our assignment is to consider:  At current rates, Social Security payouts will exceed payments made into the system within the next ten years. What should we do about Social Security?
He mentions possible solutions as he considers two extremes advocated by political candidates Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee in his post, Counting on Social Security? Your Next Project Better Be Your Retirement Plan.
Social Security and the Home Business Owner
My object is to consider this topic from the viewpoint of the home …read more

HomeBizNotes.com 
(For the final week of the b5 Business Channel’s “Apprentice” type challenge, we’ve been asked to consider “Why do you blog?” Four blogs remain in the challenge…Accounting Solver, Home Biz Notes, Successful Blog, and Greener Assets.)
  “Blogging! What’s that?” friends ask. They appear to think it’s some fantasy world and wonder if perhaps I’ve grown two heads.They peer closely and think, “It’s still Mary, but she’s off on some new adventure! Not climbing mountains or exploring geocaches. But definitely doing something different.”
I try to explain that blogging has opened up a new world for me with friends around the globe. The confines …read more

  As we approach Week #7 in the “apprentice” b5 Business Channel challenge, we’re to find for Kay, our prototype business owner, one post that will help her, inspire her, encourage her when she’s too busy to wade through the volumes of information on the web.
Kay, Enjoy the Journey of Your Home Business . When you’re frustrated, hurried, facing the balancing act between business and family, remember why you’re doing this…and discover joy in the journey. Look at your accomplishments and activities each day, no matter how small; enjoy and celebrate those along the way. This will make it easier to …read more

The Home Biz Notes post, My Mother, The Country Grocer, won this round of the b5 Business Channel’s “Apprentice” type challenge, an ongoing 8-week contest, with a different version each week.  This week we were to tell the prototype business owner, Kay, a success story. 
I chose to relate the story of my mom, who influenced many people throughout her years as a country grocer, and hoped this would inspire Kay and others.  As I wrote about Mother, I realized (as I said in one of my comments at the post):
I think we all can find inspiring stories within our families. I …read more

Wrapping It Up! That’s the topic for our b5 Business Channel December Theme Day. This could be presented in a variety of ways so we have many Business bloggers who’ve written some very interesting and informative posts for you as you wrap up your year and plan for 2008. Or you may be wrapping up gifts for your customers/clients. Let’s see what we’ve got for you…as we open the wrappings!
Over at Startup Spark, Shannon Cherry’s wondering if you’ll be giving a gift to your customers this season. According to a recent survey, …read more

Throughout the year, our readers have visited and added their comments to the various topics we’ve presented. It’s always enjoyable to learn what you’re thinking and have you share with us.
So we’re “wrapping up” with some comments here at Home Biz Notes.
1. Celebrate Universal Children’s Day in Your Business

Bridget Wright at Biz Chicks Rule shared with us

For Children’s Universal Day, I’ll be going to my son’s school on Monday and sharing the meaning of Thanksgiving with them. Showing them how other cultures celebrate, what they do, the different foods they eat and what the holiday means to their culture. …read more

Kay’s problem for week #4 involves her business expanding too rapidly for her to fill her Christmas orders. (Kay has started a business producing chef’s aprons and hats for children.)
What’s she to do to solve this challenge, which actually is a good one to have?
Rachel Clarke, at Behind the Buzz, hosts our entry this week. If you’re following Kay, our prototype business owner, and her challenges, check out When a Business Gets Successful. Find out how Kay can solve her problem and fill all her orders before Christmas.
You may find you have some of these situations in your business and …read more

The “apprentice” type competition, at b5Media’s Business Channel, goes into it’s 4th week as we follow Kay through the trials and triumphs of launching a buisness producing and selling chef’s hats and aprons for youngsters.  Yvonne Russell and Mary Emma Allen of Home Biz Notes have been contributing their ideas to their team, the Pros. 
If you want to give a vote in Home Biz Notes’ favor, go to Taxgirl, where our Channel Editor has a poll.  You can vote for the bloggers/blog you think should win this competition. 
Some Related Posts:
You’re Fired
b5Media Apprentice Competition
5 Top Tips for Newspaper Interviews
Home Biz Notes Hosts Winning …read more

Kevin, at Buzz Networker, hosted the Business Channel’s November Theme Day, based on the topic, Traditions.  Various Business Channel bloggers participated, giving their take on this theme.  Check out what they have to share.
The Home Biz Notes post, Reflections on Traditions & Your Home Business, gives you ideas for participating in holiday traditions in your community and establishing new ones  in your business. 
Do you have any traditions during the holiday season that you carry out at your business?  Or do you tend to move away from the usual ones and develop something new?

The PROS have been announced the winners in Week#2 of the Business “Apprentice” contest.  The post, If You Handle “Made in China” Items in Your Home Business, with the accompanying sample press release,  Get the Lead Out of Toys Day, (posted at Home Biz Notes) were the winning entries.
You’ll find this news of interest, if you’re following this “Apprentice” type contest, which continues through December.  Even if you’re not specifically interested in the contest, you’ll discover a great deal of information you could apply to your small or home business.
See the ACES entry at: Greener Assets in the post, Facing the …read more