Image: sxc.hu

The mom who designed the ReSnackIt pouches for sandwiches, snacks and other edibles ran out of plastic bags and wondered what to pack the youngsters’ lunch in.  She came up with these reusable snack bags which are making a hit, especially in our “green” conscious society.

Read about it in “Find a Need and Fill It” & One Mom Did at my Home Biz Notes blog.

You’ll also see an interesting story at Christina’s Solomother blog.  (Although Christina’s giveaway is over, you’ll find the information about ReSnackIt informative.)

What creative ideas have you thought about, but then pushed aside because you didn’t have time or thought your product or service might not have appeal?  What have you devised that makes parenting easier?

Post from: Blisstree

Mom’s Creativity Inspired by Youngsters

Kara Mastin photo

If you’re operating a crafting business, you may be wondering if or how President Obama’s “changes” will affect yours.  Will some of the policies he’s introducing and, in some instances, already passed have a positive or negative effect?

I have a “change” poll at Home Biz Notes, where you can express your opinion.  You also can write your view in the comments section of this post or the one at Home Biz Notes.  It would be interesting to see whether you expect, or already see, a change of some magnitude.

Post from: Blisstree

Does Obama’s “Change” Affect Crafting Biz?

Image: sxc.hu

This is hiring outside professionals, services, and workers to do some of your production and take the workload from you. They don’t work at your place of business, but generally from their homes.

Also, you may decide to outsource your bookkeeping, tax work, and other organizational tasks.  This has become popular with many doing it via the Internet.

 Outsourcing doesn’t mean you must send your work overseas.  Frequently you use someone locally. However, when online type services are involved, you can utilize businesses and individuals literally from around the world.

 If you’ve outsourced, I’d enjoy having you write me and let me know if you found it helpful or whether you discovered disadvantages.

Also, check out my post at Home Biz Notes, Outsourcing – An Option for Your Home Business?

Post from: Blisstree

Have You Considered Outsourcing?

“Going Green” With Your Home Business

Finding Your Home Biz Niche

Outsourcing – An Option for Your Home Business?

What business topics would you like to see discussed at Home Biz Notes?

(Art.com image at Amazon)

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Mary Emma Blogging at Home Biz Notes Again

Image: sxc.hu

Check out Jean’s post, How Do I Start a Home Business, for great step-by-step suggestions.  Here Jean also talks about getting your customers and will continue the discussion in another post.

In my next post, I shall present information on some reasons why a crafting home business isn’t so rosy as you might think at first glance.  Look at all angles when determining whether to start one and realize that operating a crafting business isn’t the same as pursuing a hobby.

Post from: Blisstree

Tips for Starting Your Crafting Biz

• Someone asks you to make a baby quilt for them and offers to pay you.
• You have so many quilts or craft items piling up that family members say, “You ought to sell some.”
• You need extra money so ask some questions of other crafters where and how to sell.
• Accidentally when someone asks if they can buy a quilt you’ve made or displayed, a piece of pottery, a photo, crocheted afghan, a knitted sweater.

Some craftspeople may have no desire to do more than to make and sell occasional items.  You don’t want the pressure of meeting deadlines and dealing with many people.

However, others want to develop an income that might be parttime  or eventually into a fulltime.  You want a regular income coming in whether it’s small or large.

Some, too, start out selling an occasional item, realize success and fun from it, so decide to do more and earn enough to quit their outside the home job.

What type of craft business do you want to develop?

Start thinking about this and writing down your future plans.  Start to lay out a program and research your options.

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From Crafting Hobby to Business

Jean Murray, at Home Biz Notes, has some thoughts on this…Working 7 Days a Week from home and finding time for yourself and family, especially if you have to replace your “job” income.

How do you manage the balance between home and a craft business and still have time for your family?  If you have only yourself to consider, how do you relax and not feel your work consumes you?

I have learned to work anywhere and everywhere with the writing portion of my business.  Quiltmaking and crafting aren’t so easy to tote along with me or move from room to room.  However, I do try to have some ongoing projects that are manageable away from my work area.

What works for you?

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: Blisstree

Are You a Workaholic at a Crafting Biz?

This question appears somewhere on-line several times a month.

As you might imagine, there are infinite lists, opinions, rants and advice — about how to recognize when it’s time to leave your company…including the most obvious signal: the money isn’t there for you.

For me, the warning signs were typical and maybe even subtle at first — you know — more personal days, poor eating and sleeping habits…and

lordy! the occasional crying fit. (out on the streets of NYC, of course — never in the ladies room:).

Later in my career, the actual message came in the form of a physical and emotional collapse on my way to work one morning.

I got the shakes, I couldn’t breath…the whole nine yards. I simply had to quit that day.

The only reason I was able to make such a dramatic and life-changing move was because already knew what I wanted to do instead.

The Pet Set had already begun to take form — way before I started at this company.

So if I may, that would be my advice to you, if you think you’ve absolutely had enough…before you let the door hit you in the behind…have a PLAN.

If you can’t answer the question, what am I good at or what am I passionate about, it’s not time for you to quit. (unless you’re rich.)

Also, I’ve dealt with career counselors over the years…a really good one can help you put a career or life plan together, help you focus and even help you plan your resignation strategy.

Post from: Blisstree

When Is It Time To Quit Your Job?

However, it would probably depress me…because, I think most of us in this category don’t eat as well as we should.

I know I don’t — which is weird because I’m kind of a self-proclaimed foodie.

I’m hoping in the year ahead, I change several of my bad habits — in the mean time, I thought I would give you a glimpse of how this small business owner  deals with meals during the working week:

• Breakfast: Tea
• Morning snack: Handful of Juju Bees (the thinking woman’s candy).
• Mid-morning snack: Handful of Wheat Thins
• Lunch: Several pieces of cheddar cheese.
• Afternoon snack: Couple of olives.
• Pre-dinner snack: Stand at counter, scarf down left-over take out food.
• Dinner: Tomato salad, beer?
• Post dinner snack: Doritos
• Post, post dinner snack, while preparing the morning’s plans: Twizzler’s.

I don’t know how many calories that is, but I know it’s not enough…and I’m sure JuJu Bees are not a food group.

Like many challenges that face the small business owner, taking good care of themselves is high on the list.

So in 2007, I’m going to at least try to schedule health-oriented mealtimes…at the table!

Post from: Blisstree

Eating Well In The New Year.

I learned today, according to a key member of my business team that I am a “perfectionist monster”. That phrase took root in my mind more powerfully than if this person had called me a thief. And maybe I am. Because of my, so called, affliction or pre-occupation with details…perhaps I am stealing this person’s time.

My business is about perfection. Every detail has to do with managing customer expectations in the manner that was layed out in my business model–from the get-go.

Everything has to look perfect, sound perfect — the web site has to work perfectly, the packaging has to be brilliant, my phone manner and sales approach have to be warm and geniune, the stamps I choose have to be consistent with the brand…every little thing is my responsibility.

If I am not the overseer of this perfection, than who is?

I do not have an assistant or a group of colleagues who sit with me and help strategize about details that keep the business moving forward. I have to think each and every little piece through myself.

The external partners upon whom I rely, have only to look at one portion of the business and that is the portion that they for which he or she is paid.

If this person walks away from me, it will be a disappointment — but I believe not a catastrophe…perfection is the name of this monsterous game.

I’m just saying.

Post from: Blisstree

Perfectionism. When is enough, enough?