Hi all, it’s the weekends again! I just like to share an inspiring work-at-home story of two sisters, who have a fabulous online store where they unleash their creative and artistic talents. Enjoy their home office story and don’t forget to check out the lovely creations at the online store! Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

How did this home office begin for you?

For me, it was my sister Jill, the talented artist, who called one fateful morning to tell me that she had just created something extraordinary…the pearl pendant which later came to be called simply the Motherhood necklace. Immensely popular with our friends and family, we knew that this simple design was just the beginning of our journey. Jill had been making jewelry for years, and I had no experience. She taught me everything I know, and we became partners in 2005. With the creation of the Motherhood necklace, the seed was planted that eventually blossomed into our company, Blue Poppy Handcrafted Jewelry. Many pearls later, we collaborated on subsequent designs, the Sisterhood and Friendship necklaces, which joined the Motherhood in a trio which complement each other. From there, we fed on one another’s energy to create our current collection.

What are the perks and challenges of working from home?

A wonderful perk of working at home is that you can do it in your pajamas! Just roll out of bed, throw the hair into a ponytail and step into the studio! Also, you don’t have to go out to lunch! Saving money eating at home is great. Nothing compares to being your own boss. I love being partners with my sister, and it has deepened our relationship. And we get to talk on the phone many times a day.

Of course, working at home has allowed us to be home with our sons, Jill’s Jaden and my Cameron, which is so important to us. I personally enjoy it when Cameron watches me at work in the studio, because he can see that I have a passion and knows what I do when I am at work.

Some challenges that come with having a home based business are that sometimes it’s hard to keep clear boundaries between work and home. Very often, Jill and I find ourselves working long hours in the studio because we are both artists and love to create. We are at work at all hours of the day and night. It’s a challenge trying to strike a balance between being CEO of the business and the household. When you work at home, there are many interruptions: children need nurturing, pets need care, dishes need washing, laundry needs folding, phones need answering. And, you never leave the house.

Tell us more about your business.

Jill and I are both stay at home moms, and after watching our most important creations grow, we were inspired to create a line of jewelry with significance for all the women in our lives. Each handcrafted piece is unique; no two are exactly alike. The materials we work with include sterling silver, Indian rosewood, and freshwater pearl. We also incorporate a range of natural spices such as cayenne, ginger, clove, wasabi, and curry as well as many others which provide beautiful natural pigments.

What is your advice for anyone who likes to work from home?

Set a regular schedule. Block out a time that is devoted to work, and try to stick to it. It is so easy when you work from home to be lazy and haphazard with your schedule. Set clear boundaries. Know when you are going to work on the business, and when you are going to get household chores accomplished.
Be organized! It is important to keep your work area clean and orderly, and makes your life a lot less stressful. It’s helpful to have a separate space, such as a spare bedroom, or studio, for work.

What do you get most out of this business?

It is a wonderful feeling to create something that is meaningful to someone else. We love that people enjoy what we make. Our jewelry has come from our hearts and minds, and each design is personal. When someone makes a connection with our art and it becomes a personal expression for them…that is when we feel the most satisfaction.
We thrive on the positive feedback we receive from customers, and upon hearing their stories.
Building a successful business from the ground up and being able to contribute financially to our family is extremely empowering.
One thing we love about our job is that we get to send presents to strangers! For us, one of the most enjoyable parts of the day is gift wrapping each order. It is time consuming, but fun. Presentation is an important factor, so we take the time to make each one beautiful. Jill and I are mad about pretty packaging and pretty paper!

I always enjoy featuring the stories of work-at-home moms/dads. Everyone has a story that inspires, motivates and touches, in its own way, regardless of the type of home business they do. So, if you are a work-at-home mom or dad and like to be featured in this blog, please drop me a note. But today, I am honoured to share the story of Laura Spencer, another work at home mom… please read on and get to know her…

How did this home office begin for you?

I was working a lot of hours in the corporate world as a technical writer. I realized that I was not spending much time with my two elementary age daughters. There was a real struggle within myself about whether or not to give up the corporate job, but in the end I realized that I wanted to spend more time with my kids. When I left the corporate world, I investigated several work at home options and finally realized that I could base my business on the job that I had always done for others: writing business materials.

When I left the corporate world, I investigated several work at home options and finally realized that I could base my business on the job that I had always done for others: writing business materials.

What are the perks and challenges of working from home?

There are a lot of perks and challenges that I face as a work from home mom. I’d say that one of the biggest perks is being able to arrange my
schedule so that I can be with my family when I want or need to be. I have attended a lot of my daughters’ field trips, and I was able to care for my father when he became ill.

Another perk, of course, is that you save on the commute time. I had a long commute in rush hour traffic each day, and I wasn’t sorry to get that time back into my schedule.

The biggest challenge that I faced in the beginning was probably that of not being assertive enough. I didn’t talk about my work to people other than my immediate family and my clients. I think I lost out on a lot of potential business that way.

Of course, continuing to manage and even growing my business while my father was sick was its own challenge.

What do you do?

I offer a wide variety of writing services to clients including: curriculum development, technical writing, fact-checking, proofreading,
all types of editing, and book doctoring. Recently, I have expanded my services to include paid blogging.

What is your advice for anyone who likes to work from home?

I think that the most important thing is to remember to maintain a professional attitude. The atmosphere may be casual, but your work should be just as professional as it would be if it were produced in a more formal environment.

My second piece of advice would be to establish and maintain boundaries. There’s a temptation when you work at home to be working all the time. That’s not healthy for you as a professional or for your family.

What do you get most out of this business?

I think that having a home business has really bolstered my confidence. Except for a brief period during college when I sold Avon, I had always
worked for someone else. It’s a good feeling to know that I can successfully develop and manage my own business, especially since you hear so much about businesses starting and then failing.

Welcome to another edition of H.O.W. feature. This is a special column that highlights women (or men) who work at home or have a home based business. Today’s feature highlights a home business opportunity on soy/vegetable blend scented candles and the story of entrepreneur, AnnaLaura. Do you love candles? If you do, find out how you can be part of this fun home business…

How did this home office begin for you?

One day I was reading an email newsletter on how to save money and I read an ad for my candle company and I decided to look into it. It took me about 6 months to make the decision to get started but I did finally do it.

What are the perks and challenges of working from home?

The big perks from my experience are the ability to do your business when you want, and how you want and the possibility to control your income. That is to say can make as much money as you want or as little money as you want. The biggest challenge is staying focused and on task instead of getting distracted by every little thing or phone call.

Describe your biz

We market a unique soy/vegetable blend gourmet strongly scented candle in over 90 scents. They burn clean with no black on the jars, and the scent lasts all the way to the bottom. We also have an amazing soy soap that you can even use in your hair as shampoo as well as a few other gourmet bath and body products. We also have an excellent fundraising program in addition to our home business opportunity.
What is your advice for anyone who likes to work from home.

Realize that although the lure of working from home is very appealing. It is not for everyone and you still have to work. Too many people equate working from home with not working. This simply is not the case.

What do you get most out of this business?

The relationships and friends. I have made some great ones for my lifetime. It is also a lot of fun and I make money marketing an awesome product that I absolutely love.

“A happy family, a happy baby, and a happy experience, is what we strive to create. Helping you to be the best parent; with the most informative, supporting information around, as well as the number one all natural products and customer service!”

This is the motto of All Natural Mommies, founded by Jennifer Sprague, a work-home-mom. Today’s H.O.W. feature highlights this lovely online store serving mommies with great products including baby carriers, cloth diapers, blankets and playmats and more. Here’s another story of a mommy entrepreneur…

How did this home office begin for you?

All Natural Mommies actually started out as High Top Baby Designs – the April after my son Zachary was born (he was born in November ’03), and well, because he was born!

When I started, it was for two reason’s – one to be with my kids (Zachary 7 months old and Aubrey 4 – at the time). They both needed me, Zachary being the HIGH need baby he was, nursing and demanding me almost 24/7 and Aubrey, getting ready to start kindergarten and adjusting to be a school age kid with divorced parents.

The second reason was because, I REALLY love natural parenting, everything about it – and I wanted to share what I had learned as a mom, to be true, with as many people as I could – while offering awesome products to help promote the bond between mom’s/dad’s and there babies/toddlers.

We changed the name from High Top Baby Designs to All Natural Mommies in, July of 2006 – for one reason, people finding High Top Baby Designs thought we made baby shoes, or sold high top shoes – neither of which we do! So I worked hard to find a new name that really lent itself to what we DO!

What are the perks and challenges of working from home?

The perks are easy, I am HERE any time day or night that my children need me…to help with homework, when they bruise a knee, or need to be driven to ballet practice – I am the one to do it! Given that children grow up SOOO fast, that’s time I could NEVER EVER get back and time that I treasure more than anything!

The challenges can be many, from finding enough time to sew (since I make 99% of what I sell and custom make 50% of that), to finding time to work at the online portion of All Natural Mommies – then the normal house hold things, laundry and what not…It can be daunting, even hard – extremely so in the beginning – but I have learned it’s all about learning AND
remembering WHY you decided to do what you do – for me I LOVE doing what I do, and that’s what gets me over the hurdles!

Tell us more about All Natural Mommies!

First let me start by sharing with you the All Natural Mommies Motto: “A happy family, a happy baby, and a happy experience, is what we strive to create. Helping you to be the best parent; with the most informative, supporting information around, as well as the number one all natural products and customer service!”

We specialize in custom baby carriers – and have developed 2 products that you can ONLY get at All Natural Mommies – the Podonbutai (a 3 in one baby carrier) and the Nursing Mei Tai. We do have “instock” options, but love to work with the client, forming a unique bond with them, which helps them trust us, as well as helps our clients find the product that’s exactly what
they need!

Though baby carriers are our specialty we make and sell lots of other products which can also be customized to your tastes, from unique baby blankets to shopping cart covers, to nursing blankets – we try to help promote the more natural side of life with our whole line of products!

What is your advice for anyone who likes to work from home.

First they need to have patience, even now 4 years after I opened my store, I am JUST starting to really see the fruits of my labor.

Second, they need to LOVE LOVE LOVE what they do, not like it or even “tolerate” it but LOVE it – why? Because there are LOTS of up’s and down’s – if you don’t really love it, you will quit way before you should!

Third, a plan – I did not have a plan when I started, just sorta jumped in, I had no idea what SEO was or HTML even – so a good plan and some research will go a long way.

Forth, relax and enjoy the ride, don’t get hung up on the little things you have no control over…and always remember WHY you started your business!

What do you get most out of this business?

The satisfaction of a happy customer.

A couple of weeks ago, I had a mom of a newborn call me, she was actually in tears because her little boy did not want to be put down – EVER. She said in the 3 weeks since she had him someone was always holding him – mainly her! She said she was tired, and her house was a mess! She needed help! We talked over all her options, from pouches to mei tai’s and she decided on a custom mei tai with several of the options we do. A couple days later the carrier was on its way to her.

Just yesterday I received an email from her, thanking me! She was thrilled with the carrier, and thrilled that I got it to her so quickly. She said she actually SLEPT with him in the carrier, was able to do some picking up in her house, and was able to eat! – That’s what I live for – that’s what makes owning my own business worth it!

H.O.W. feature is back after a couple of weeks of break. I was busy with my seminar and clearing up some office admin stuff since. Today, I would like to introduce one of my favourite sites to you. I caught up with co-founders, Kristen Chase and Liz Gumbinner, and was so glad to have them share their story of Cool Mom Picks with me. Trust me, this is a real cool place to find cool stuff for kids, parents, mommies…etc. It’s a great place to find that perfect gift, find that stylish shoe for your babies, safe toys for children, baby carriers for busy moms… and lots more fabulous stuff… for now, read the story here:

How did this home office begin for you?

I was originally just looking for a way to vent about motherhood. I was working part-time as a college professor and while staying home was something I wanted to do, I was pretty sure I’d need to have some type of income — not just to contribute financially to the household, but because I’d need some sort of personal sustenance. My personal blog led me to so many mothers making and selling cool products that I just came up with the idea of creating a place where folks can come learn about cool new products and/or services for moms as well as be entertained by the cheeky editorial. I needed help so I asked my current business partner Liz Gumbinner to join me.

What are the perks and challenges?

Working from home makes life easier and more complicated. For me, I have a hard time “turning off;” I can always sit and check email for hours, and so I’ve started to create a “work schedule” — and it helps that I have a sitter now so I do work when she comes as well as schedule any conference calls. I love being close to my kids and I love the flexibility. You just can’t beat that. But on many days, I feel as though I’ve worked for way longer than eight hours with little to show for it since everything I do is online.

Describe your site

I run a cheeky product and service review blog aimed at moms (and the dads who love them). We highlight cool handmade/indy made products twice daily, with an emphasis on products that are created or invented by moms. We’re not fashion editors — just moms with great taste and a lot of time on our hands to search for fabulous finds and present them in a way that hopefully makes folks chuckle.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Liz and I just love the idea of supporting the community of mothers as well as indy artists who can’t afford typical advertising. Additionally, we like stuff — who doesn’t right?

What is your advice for anyone who likes to work from home.

I’d say it’s so important for folks to create a schedule and talk to someone else who does it. Advice in this situation is invaluable.

Any other things that you think can inspire other women.

I’d say that if you’re passionate about something then there’s no time like the present to give it a try — particularly if it’s a fabulous idea. Chances are if you’ve thought of it, someone else has as well, so better to be the first one in line.