Category: Work from Home

Whether you’re a brand new mom or your kids are already getting big, you’re probably running from one thing to the next–without much time to stop and catch your breath.

Sometimes childcare isn’t enough. If you’re an ambitious entrepreneur and a mom, you’ll have to find time to balance both.

So is it possible? Can you handle a business while staying at home with the kids?

It might not be easy to build a successful home business while balancing household duties and growing families, but it’s definitely not impossible. Like any other business venture, you need to generate a business that’s both profitable and enjoyable–all while managing your home life.

Here are some tips for running a business with your hectic schedule as a mom–so you can have the best of both worlds.

10 Tips for Running a Successful Home Business As a Busy Mom

It’s challenging to build a successful home-based business–especially when you’ve got a house to manage and kids to raise. But with the right amount of planning, determination, and time management, you can be a great businesswoman and a mother. No sacrifices required.

Let’s take a look at some tips you can use to manage the responsibility of being a mom in business.

1. Make Your Home Into a Corporate Office

The first step towards building a business out of your home is taking it just as seriously as you would any other job.

When you work in a corporate office or you have an office job, you come into work every day with specific goals to accomplish before the end of the day. The same thing applies when you’re working from home.

Set aside a home office and treat it like your official workplace. This means having a desk, an office chair, a well-organized space, and no distractions.

Once you’re in this office, have a schedule and a to-do list just like you would in the workplace.

In this case, you’re not working for a boss–you are the boss. So you need to hold yourself accountable for being productive and sticking to the schedule.

2. It’s Okay to Say “No”

As a mom, you probably say no to your kids all the time: staying up late, eating more dessert, or playing an hour more of video games.

You have to take that same attitude to your business too. There might be more pressure to say yes all the time, but if you take on everything on your plate, you’ll be busy from morning until night.

You need time for your family–and you need time for yourself. Don’t be afraid to say no or push back meetings or ideas that you don’t have time for.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Set Boundaries

As a busy, working mother, you already have a lot on your plate. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries on what you’re willing and able to do.

If you have a spouse or significant other, talk to them about how to divide the load for household chores or childcare duties. Women do an average of 60% more household chores than men, and mothers are often expected to carry the brunt of the housework.

Even if you’re working from home, it’s still a job, and you still deserve to be taken seriously for your work.

Be sure that childcare and chores are divided evenly among those in the household–including spouses, significant others, older children, or other able family members.

4. Get Outside When You Can

While it’s important to have an at home office that you can count on, don’t keep yourself trapped indoors all day.

Not only is it bad for your health, but you’ll be more likely to get distracted or become stressed while you work. Try getting out of the house and working in a local coffee shop or the library. You could even attend business networking events when you can–especially if there are ones for working women or moms in your area.

Don’t isolate yourself indoors. Whenever you have the chance to get out of the house–leaving kids with a spouse, relative, or sitter of course–it can be good for you to work in a different environment.

5. Find an Online Community

Working at home alone can often feel isolating. Know that you’re not alone–and you’re not the only mom out there handling the responsibility of a business.

Try to connect with other moms in business and entrepreneurs online. You can search Linkedin, online forums, or social media for “working moms” or “business moms.”

Not only will this give you a network for support, but it also lets you meet and bond with other moms who have the same things on their plate. You can share tips, advice, resources, and inspiration with other women devoted to motherhood and their personal businesses.

6. Keep Yourself Healthy

It’s hard enough to balance childcare and a career–it’ll be a lot harder if you’re sick. Take care of yourself and try your best to stay healthy.

Exercise daily or a few times a week if you can, drink water throughout the day, get 8 hours of sleep a night, and make sure you’re eating well. You can try taking vitamins or supplements if you feel like you’re not getting enough from your diet–or if you find yourself feeling sluggish or tired.

When you do find yourself getting sick, don’t be afraid to take time off. Try to get a family member or a sitter to care for the kids, and keep your work minimal, if at all. You need the time and the rest to recover fully–so you can be back at work again as soon as possible.

7. Set Aside Time for Yourself

When you have kids, sometimes it can feel like it’s all about them. And it is! But it’s also about you.

Your health and well being are just as important. After all, you can’t take care of your family if you’re not taking good care of yourself.

If you push yourself too hard, you, your kids, and your work might suffer. When you’re working from home, it can feel like the work never stops.

Take at least one day off each week. On that day, don’t check your work email, don’t answer the phone, and try not to worry about what’s usually on your mind. If you want a break from childcare duties too, ask your partner or a relative–or hire a sitter to help you out on that day if you can.

8. Treat It Like a “Real” Business

When it comes to home businesses (especially for working moms) there’s a stigma of it not being “real” work.

Sometimes this myth comes from others, but oftentimes it’s perpetuated by home business owners themselves. The confidence needs to come from you. You run a real, serious, honest business–so treat it like one!

Invest in a professional looking office, website, and business structure to make sure that you’re not sabotaging your own success. Your business deserves to be taken seriously–and you do too.

You should also be investing in business tools, like time tracking programs, collaboration apps, and online postage. With Certified Mail Labels, you can skip the trip to the post office and send mail 24/7, every day of the year.

9. Draw a Line Between Your Jobs

For the sake of your kids as well as your business, it’s important to draw a line separating your work and motherhood.

Whenever you’re with your kids, be present and give them your full attention. They can usually tell if you’re checking your work email or making business calls while you’re supposed to be spending time with them.

In the same way, be present when you’ve dedicated time to work. During working hours, put all your attention towards the work at hand, and let people others know that you won’t be available for other things–just like in a regular office.

This promotes efficiency in both areas–business and motherhood–and it will keep your lives from bleeding into each other and affecting your relationship with your kids.

10. Fight Off the Feelings of Guilt

As a mom, you’re likely to deal with some kind of guilt. A quarter of working moms cry once a week–both from the stress and the guilt. These feelings came come from choosing to work instead of caring for your kids full time, taking a moment for yourself to relax, and just about everything in between.

It’s important that you try to avoid any feelings of guilt. Remind yourself that there’s nothing wrong with supporting your family–both financially and as a stay at home mother. You deserve to live the life that you want to live, even if it’s challenging.

Moms in business can do it all, but they’re also still human. You need to take some time to rest and recuperate.

Putting It All Together

Being a mom and running a business is like having two full-time jobs. It isn’t always easy to balance a successful home business with caring for your household.

But you’re not an ordinary mom–you’re a working mother. You deserve to have the best of both worlds without sacrificing your well being.

With the right mindset, good time management, and a lot of hard work, you can build a successful home based business without giving up the time to be a great mother too.

Looking for more tips and tricks to survive your time as a working mom? Check out more working from home advice on our blog!

Being a stay at home mom is a job in itself. Between parenting, cleaning, preparing meals, chauffeuring the kids everywhere, and taking care of yourself, you definitely have your hands full.

But being a stay at home parent doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice having a career as well. There are careers that can be done from home or that can easily assimilate into your life as a mom so you can succeed at work and at home. And the extra money doesn’t hurt either!

We’ve compiled a list of 7 great jobs for stay at home moms. See if any of these pique your fancy!

1. Remote Writer or Editor

If you like writing and reading, this could be the job for you. Blogs, businesses, and other websites always need writers to create content and editors to make that content perfect.

Some jobs will pay you per article and some will be per word. It can also be on a per hour or per project basis.

This type of work has a lot of variety. You could be a copywriter, a proofreader, a content creator, a copyeditor, and more. Some of these jobs require more creativity while others are more technical. Think about what skills you have and excel in to decide which path is right for you.

If you think that you can quickly create quality written content, then this career could be lucrative and fun. You could even specialize in writing for parenting or stay-at-home mom advice blogs!

While you don’t necessarily need a degree for this type of work, it can’t hurt. You can also get some more info on furthering your education to make you a more attractive hire.

2. Tax Preparer

Tax preparers do exactly what you think they do: they help prepare all of the papers, files, and forms for people to file their taxes. This job won’t be the best stay-at-home jobs option for everybody because it requires much longer hours during January through April (a.k.a the dreaded tax season).

What makes this a great job for stay at home moms is that tax preparers can usually take the rest of the year off once tax season is over. This will free up almost the entire year for you to focus on being a mom, while 4 months will have a more work focus.

This is another job that doesn’t require a college degree, and it’s still one of the best high paying home jobs.

3. Social Media Specialist

Social media specialists are responsible for overseeing and running a business’ or website’s social media pages and accounts. You’ll create content, optimize those posts for search engines, and drive traffic to the business or website.

This type of job requires past experience working with social media and usually requires a degree. If you have the experience and the background, you can easily telecommute as a stay at home mom.

4. Pet Care

If you love animals and have the ability to be active, then pet care could be the job for you. Between dog walking and pet sitting, this type of job is fun, active, and definitely a necessary commodity for people.

You can join dog walking apps to easily connect you to nearby pets and owners that need dog walkers. You can also simply ask around your neighborhood to see who needs help with pet care during the day, especially if the owners are gone to work each day.

If you don’t mind having pets in your own home, pet sitting is also a great option. You could earn hundreds of dollars per month simply by hanging out with cute 4-legged friends. Not too shabby!

5. Tutor

Whether you opt for online or in-person tutoring, this type of job is super flexible and can help you earn some significant cash. You’ll be responsible for creating lesson plans, explaining concepts, and helping kids complete their assignments.

Some tutors charge 25 dollars or more per hour, which means you can earn an easy 25 dollars while your kids are at a playdate or even napping. This type of work can be done on your own schedule and can fill up as many hours as you’d like.

Getting clients could depend on your previous teaching experience along with your background knowledge in certain subjects. But since tutors are needed in every and all subjects imaginable, there’s almost definitely a subject you could tutor in.

6. Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are usually responsible for a number of tasks that will slightly vary depending on the company you’re working for. These tasks could include:

• Social media management
• Data entry
• Organization
• Scheduling
• Invoice management
• Customer service

Becoming a virtual assistant doesn’t require a degree and it can be done remotely, which is perfect for many stay at home moms. Those with previous experience as an assistant or in an administrative role might be more likely to be hired, but many places will provide training to new hires anyway.

7. Personal Stylist

If you have an eye for fashion and enjoy picking out outfits for your friends, and even for your kids, then a role as a personal stylist would be perfect for you. This job is another option that is super flexible and can be catered to your specific schedule.

You can work with companies and brands to put together outfits for websites, clothing subscription boxes, photoshoots, and even for customers directly. This job requires an eye for design, style, size, and comfort. If you think that sounds like you, then this is a great flexible and fun job for stay at home moms.

Top 7 Jobs for Stay at Home Moms: Wrapping Up

Adding a career on to the already tough job of being a stay at home parent can be tough, especially if you’ve been out of the “career game” for a while. Hopefully, one of the 7 jobs for stay at home moms piqued your interest and is getting you excited about going back to work.

There are tons of ways to earn extra money as a stay at home mom. Check out our blog for more tips on earning money as a mom.

In today’s economy, more people are creating their own jobs than ever before. Freelance workers represent 35 percent of the current workforce.

While these numbers may shock the traditional nine-to-five, the reality of the situation is simple. Freelance work has never been more in demand.

Let’s take freelance writing, for example.

Blogging has become the go-to marketing strategy for businesses. As a result, freelance writers are now highly sought after.

The good news is, with a few key tools, anyone can become a freelance writer.

If the thought of earning money and avoiding the cubicle intrigues you, keep reading.

Today, we outline four proven strategies to build a steady income from freelance writing.

Set up a Portfolio Website

A writer without a website is like a surgeon without a scalpel.

Having an established website to display your portfolio is an essential tool for branding.

Think of it this way: if you want someone to buy your skills, then you need to show them why you are qualified. Describe what sets you apart from the competition, and why they should choose you.

Consider this: a recent study revealed that half of US millennials are taking part in freelancing work. For aspiring freelancers, this means your website must set you apart from the other writers.

Create a website that is eye-catching, easy to read, and displays your best work.

Settle on a Niche

Businesses seek writers who are specialists in their field. The more specialized your field, the more likely you are to be perceived as an expert and land high-paying clients.

Not exactly sure what your niche might be?

Start by reviewing your hobbies, resume, and previous work experience.

Let’s say you studied health and wellness in college, and spent the next five years working as an assistant to a naturopathic doctor. This is all relevant information that can act as the perfect foundation for your first blog post.

Read my tips for creating your first blog post to get started!

Target Repeat Customers

With freelance writing, the ultimate goal is to create stability – and get better at what you do.

The fact of the matter is, freelancing actually has the ability to create even more security than the traditional workforce.

Freelancers report that having a diverse portfolio of clients has created more stability as compared to having one traditional employer.

To do this, it’s essential to find repeat clients who are not just looking for one-time jobs. Instead, seek contract-based clientele that requires long-term projects.

Create a Strict Payment Schedule

The Freelancers Union recommends adhering to a strict payment schedule:

• 30 percent upfront
• 30 percent upon completion of first draft
• 40 percent upon completion of the project

This ensures you are being paid a percentage of the project even if the project is cancelled. It also helps distribute your payments evenly and budget more appropriately.

Be sure to have an established invoice system that is simple and always delivered in a timely matter.

Start here by creating a free pay stub template to get started!

Build a Rewarding Career in Freelance Writing

Do you feel that freelance writing could be the right fit for you?

Whether you’re looking to work remotely or from home, the only thing standing between you and your first writing gig is you.

Start small and read our best tips for freelance productivity to get started!

Are you a haircare professional looking to start a salon business from your home? If so, we don’t blame you–there are a lot of benefits from opening your own business from home, from being your own boss to the convenience of being in your own space. But opening your own salon business requires money, industry knowledge, and a readiness to take care the paperwork, policies, and protocols required for a business.

In this article, we’ll cover the ins-and-outs of opening your own salon business so you can set yourself up for success!

How to Set Up Your Own Salon Business from Home

Running a business from home can be great, but it does require a lot of planning and preparation. Here are some key things you need to do before opening your own salon business from home.

Register Your Business

Before you can start providing haircare services, you need to register your business with the local government and choose your business’s legal structure. You then will have to register with your state and apply for a federal tax ID number. You should keep in mind that there may be limits on what you can name your business and that you’ll need to pick a legal structure like LLC to make sure your assets are protected in case your business ever faces bankruptcy or legal issues.

Obtain the Necessary Licenses & Permits

The licenses, permits, and insurance you’ll need will differ by location, so make sure to check your local government website to see what’s required for your salon business. You may also need to get a special cosmetology license or additional ones if you want to provide other beauty services like nails or hair removal. You should allow between 9 to 12 months to complete any cosmetology program.

When I doubt, check your local government’s website. That way you’ll know if you need other things like business owner’s insurance policy or a home occupation permit or other health and safety permits.

Make Sure Your Space Meets Local Codes

If you want to start a salon business from home, you have to make sure it meets your local codes for businesses. Your town or city may require that you have a permanent wall between the part of your home you live in and the main salon area. They may also require that your salon has a separate entrance and even a separate restroom specifically for customers.

If your salon space can’t offer these things, you may need to do renovations to meet these local codes. But don’t worry, you can always apply for a business loan or try to find a partner to help finance your renovations.

Purchase the Proper Equipment

First things first, you’re going to need a wet station so you shampoo and condition clients’ hair. This space will also be essential if you plan to offer coloring services. After that, you’ll need salon chairs, which cost between $100 to $300 on average.

You’ll also need salon pro equipment like hair dryers and color processors, as well as standard beauty supplies like razors, scissors, shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, hair gel, and other haircare essentials.

Budgeting is incredibly important when it comes to maintaining inventory since you’ll be replacing it regularly. Make sure to look for hair care brands your clients will trust, and buy the necessary products for any additional services you offer like coloring and extensions.

Design Your Space

Once you have the proper equipment and inventory, you can get to the fun part: decorating the space! Your salon should reflect your personal style while still being inviting for clients. While the major design ideas are up to you, make sure have things like large mirrors, reception area chairs, and shelving for equipment and any retail items you’re selling.

Not sure how to design your home salon? Here are some design tips:

• Visit other salons to get design ideas
• Use neutral colors for walls, window treatments, and flooring
• Add pops of color to the space through decor, wall art, and rugs
• Consider additional amenities like a coffee machine, coat rack, and other waiting area accommodations

By following these tips, you can create a warm and inviting space that will attract clients and lend credibility to your business.

Set Up a Website

Now that you have your salon space, you need to spread awareness about it! You should have a salon website that provides address and contact information, highlights your space, and explains the services you can provide. Try to follow local SEO best practices to make your website appear higher in search results, so customers can easily find your website.

Establish a Social Media Presence

A website isn’t enough when it comes to spreading awareness. You also need to use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to spread the word and promote your brand and services. Make sure to update these profiles regularly, connect with clients and potential clients, and encourage them to spread the word about your business.

Figure Out Pricing

Making a profit is the make or break point of any salon business. You should calculate your prices based on things like overhead costs, competitive rates, and operating expenses. Think about how much you spend on things like products, equipment, and utilities, and make sure you can cover these costs while maintaining a profit of at least 10 to 20%.

Decide on Services

When opening a salon, you should absolutely know what services your target audience is looking for and how they align with what you want to offer. You should always offer services like cuts, washes, and basic styling, but if you live in a wealthier area you may want to consider adding high end services.

If your skill set doesn’t match the demographics of the people in your area, consider additional training to make sure you can provide what customers are looking for. By offering services like coloring and extensions you can add variety to your offering, which will broaden your clientele and drive greater sales.

Final Thoughts on Starting Your Own Salon Business

Starting your own business isn’t easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding (and profitable) if done right. By following the tips in this article, you can set yourself up for success and make it big as a business owner.

Are you hoping to open your business at home? Do you have any other questions? Let us know in the comments!

Around 60% of the working-age population in the United States is employed. The unemployment rate tells us that about 4% are classified as unemployed.

That leaves 36% unaccounted for, many of which are self-employed.

This is indicative of a significant trend.

Millennials are going to work for themselves instead of employers. Workplaces are changing as a result.

In today’s challenging job market, you may decide to work from home full time whether or not you are self-employed. Here are some tips to make sure you’re successful!

Create a Schedule

A frustrating thing that happens when you work from home is you must repeatedly reinforce your business hours.

In a perfect world, working hours should be a time when you are not disturbed.

But short of taping a “DO NOT DISTURB” sign onto your back, popping in your headphonesaddict earbuds and hoping for the best, that’s probably not the reality of your situation.

If you have other people living with you, it’s important you carve out some special time for working. To do this effectively, you must create a schedule.

Creating a schedule does a couple of things for people who work from home:

1. It helps you time block your day so you know what needs to be accomplished and how much time you have to do it.
2. It can be printed or added to a shared calendar with housemates. It lets everyone know that you are working.
3. In the event that you have to work in a ruckus environment, it helps you prioritize which items can be completed in that atmosphere and which work items need to be completed during a time when you are able to focus.

Having a schedule is good business. It’s not just for people who work in the office.

Break Habits That Are Too “Homey”

Have you dreamed of the day you will work in your pajamas with an oversized mug of coffee in your hand?

Well, if you work from home full time, keep dreaming!

People who work from home should break habits that remind them of how comfortable they are with their daily home-life routine.

This includes:

• Wearing pajamas instead of getting dressed
• Doing chores during your scheduled work hours
• Tending to the needs of others, when possible leverage family or daycare to assist with children
• Sleeping in
• Working in a comfortable space

We are creatures of habit. And it’s easy to fall back into ones that make us less productive at home. To avoid this, be aware of what habits make you feel “at home” when you are working and break them during your work day.

For best results when you work from home full time, avoid the comfortable spaces like your bed or a couch. Instead, set up an organized workstation and make it the focal point of your workday.

Work From Home Full Time and Love It!

Working from home is rewarding in any profession. In many cases, it comes with benefits like setting your own schedule, an increase in time spent with loved ones and flexible, unconventional work hours.

But when you work from home full time the struggle is real. You’ve got to stay focused if you are going to submit quality work.

By creating a schedule, sticking to it and breaking cozy habits you will be on your way to freedom from micromanagement.

For more tips like this, follow my blog.