It’s particularly challenging for work-at-home parents during the summer when the youngsters are around all day. Perhaps they’re at camp part of the time. Perhaps there are activities in your town to keep them occupied on occasion.However, you may find yourself searching for ideas to keep them occupied while you work at your home business, make deadlines, meet with customers and attempt to stay on schedule.  If you have a walk-in shop, it’s more difficult to break away if kids are calling.
Here are a few activities I’ve posted at b5media’s Blisstree, where I write for the Parenting and Arts/Crafts sections. This …read more

I mentioned in a post at Blisstree, Scrapbooking with Alzheimer’s Patients, that I had taught a workshop at nursing homes.  A reader inquired whether I sold kits so individuals or nursing homes could do it on their own.
Yes, I do put together the kits, but I hadn’t actively promoted this business because I’ve been wondering what direction to take.  However, this inquiry got me thinking…“Here’s a need.  I must fill it.”
So now I’m doing more than dabbling.  I’m putting together a business plan.  It seems practical at this point in my life, because it’s a fairly simple kit to compile, along …read more

I’m expanding my blogging here at b5media and shall be blogging at My Organized Biz and Small Business Boomers, as well as here at Home Biz Notes.  I also blog at Blisstree’s Parenting and Arts/Crafts sections.
These business blogs are somewhat interrelated in that they all concern businesses which obviously need organization and can all involve boomers.  They may or may not be operated out of the home.  So some of the posts at any of these blogs may apply to a wider audience. 
I’ll try to point this out when applicable, so you can take advantage of additional information that may help you with your …read more

One of the popular ideas for kids’ parties nowadays consists of planning an arts and crafts session.  If you’re involved in party planning, are leaning in this direction, or have a business surrounding arts and crafts, see how you can incorporate this latest idea into it.
If you have a business providing arts and crafts for youngsters anyway, expand and offer sessions at parties.  The moms generally would like someone who can entertain the kids this way and should be more than willing to purchase your supplies.
If you have a party planning business, incorporate this type of party into your offerings.  You can provide …read more

If you have children at home during the summer vacation from school and are trying to operate your home business at the same time, perhaps you’d like to refer to my Summer Theme Weeks and related activities at Blisstree’s Parenting section where I contribute posts. 
Starting on June 23rd, you can find activities for youngsters and families in the theme categories.  These might help entertain your children while you work.  Also, you may find some family fun ideas here for times you leave your business behind.
June 23 – School’s Out – What can we do in our local area?
June 28 – Fourth of …read more

I’ve introduced  a poll concerning the effect of President Obama’s “change” strategy on home businesses, and discuss the topic at my Blisstree Arts and Craft blog.  As a result, I’ve discovered that my readers have pros and cons about the topic, depending on where’re coming from.
If they’re involved in a business that provides products for people who’ve lost their jobs due to the “change” policies or are feeling a pinch in their pocketbooks because of of it, the business owners think the Obama’s “change” is great. 
For instance, someone who works in a fabric store (which could be in the home) indicated that business has increased for them because …read more

With the new concepts about outsourcing (perhaps actually a new name for subcontracting), you may want to learn evern more about it to see if it’s feasible for your home business.
I wrote a post at Blisstree’s Arts and Crafts section which describes outsourcing as it applies to craftspeople who are developing businesses, Have You Considered Outsourcing?
We’ve also addressed the topic previously here at Home Biz Notes:
Outsourcing – An Option for Your Home Business
Outsourcing for a Work Life Balance
Working from Home for a Home Business or Someone Else
Virtual Assistants
 
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