H.O.W. feature – Angela Giles Klocke
I was blog walking one day and came across the website of a talented photographer, Angela Giles Klocke. Like many of us, Angela works from home and enjoys the blessing of being home with her kids. This is Angela sharing her story as Jane of Many Trades…
How did this home office begin?
I began working from home back in 1999, shortly after getting married.
What are the perks and challenges?
Initially, the challenges centered around balancing home life with work, as in not being distracted by children, husband, housework…
The perks, of course, have always been children, husband, and being able to be relaxed, no dressing up. Overall, though, it’s comfortable, and I now work in the center of my home’s activity, not secluded away from anyone.
Describe your biz
I am something of a Jack of All Trades, so I started a business called Jane of Many Trades. Unlike Jack, I HAVE mastered many, and through Jane, I offer writing, photography, some Web site design, maintenance, and virtual assistance for whatever you might need. I also work mostly from home for a local nonprofit — planning, networking, etc. [Jane of Many Trades - http://janeofmanytrades.com/]
What is your advice for anyone who likes to work from home.
Discipline can be tough. You have to learn to stay on task for whatever you might be doing. While working from home is ideal and wonderful, one can become to relaxed, and then business suffers. I’ve gone through this and can attest to how hard it is to get back!
Any other things that you think can inspire other women.
Fear will hold many back. But with perseverance and dedication, anyone can make working from home a reality. I encourage anyone who wants to and can, to JUST DO IT (ala Nike).
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Thanks so much for featuring me!
June 5th, 2007 at 1:01 pmMost welcome, Angela
June 5th, 2007 at 3:57 pmAngela – You are indeed a talented woman if you can work in the center of your home’s activity! I am trying to type right now with my 2yr old squirimg around on my lap, most difficult, and my other little one isn’t even up yet. But I wouldn’t trade it for a corporate job for anything!
Anyway, I whole heartedly agree with you that if there are any women out there who are considering this way of life to do it! You can make a great living doing what YOU want to do while being there for your family. There’s a speaker named Michael Russer who has put out a book called The Obsolete Employee that tells all about why and how this works, and I understand he is also launching a site soon called VirtualOutsourcing.org that is going to be a free community site for networking, tools and resources and such. There’s all kinds of support groups out there for people who want to get started, so try it!
Thanks for your kind words, Robin. I face challenges and frustrations too but those are inevitable being a WAHM and SAHM. Like you, I wouldn’ trade it for anything! Time with my precious one is so important right now. Thanks for the info, I’ll check it out! Â
June 6th, 2007 at 11:28 am