American Inventor - Follow Your Dreams

How many are watching American Inventor? When it first began I thought, you've got to be kidding. I'll never watch this. But now it's about hopes and dreams, and being an entrepreneur, I can't turn it off. You watch everyone give it all for their chance at success. What really struck me is how fortunate us work-at-home moms are. We get to do this. We get to go after our dreams and achieve them. We get to be there for our kids and family, but feel the joy of having our own business. The next show should definitely be "The American Entrepreneur."

Diana Ennen

Home Based Business Money Saving Tips

You might enjoy this article on Money Saving Tips for Home Businesses. Also, stop by HBWM.com this week and check out where you can ask experts their questions. It's an excellent resource for you to be able to get advice from experts. I had the priviledge of answering some questions this week.

10 Money-Saving Tips for Home Businesses by my GREAT friend Lesley Spencer of HBWM.

One of the most common obstacles many home-based working moms face is trying to start or run a new business on a limited budget. The first few years of a business are usually the hardest financially. Some moms leave full-time careers and substantial salaries to start a new business. Others start a home business as stay-at-home moms wanting additional income to support their family as well as a professional outlet to balance their diaper-changing days.

In either case, starting and running a home-based business takes money. How much money will depend partly on you and the type of business you choose to run.

Below are our top 10 tips to save you and your home business money:

1. Do your own market research by talking to potential clients or customers. Many new home business owners skip this step only to come back to it later (or wish they had). Those who start businesses without doing any type of research, risk the possibility of their target market not needing or wanting their particular product or service. The competition may be too fierce, or there may not be enough potential customers to support the business. Or perhaps, the product isn’t priced correctly. It is just as important not to price your product too low as it is not to price it too high. Talk to others in similar businesses as yours to see how much they charge and what they offer for that price.

2. Team up with other non-competitive businesses that target the same market to do some co-marketing. For example, desktop publishers and print shops can do a direct mail campaign together advertising both of their services or buy an ad in a local publication and split the costs. Neither is in competition with the other. They also can hand out business cards or flyers for one another as well as give word-of-mouth referrals. It’s a great way to double one’s marketing efforts while splitting any advertising costs.

3. When you have a satisfied customer, don't be afraid to ask for referrals. People like to help others especially new businesses trying to succeed. Show pride in your work and people are sure to notice, and when they do, ask if they know any others you can send a brochure or sample to. Another great way to encourage referrals is to offer a discount or special offer for any customers who are referred to you.

4. Barter or trade your services for other products or services you need. Associations and organizations are not only great places to network; they are also great for finding businesses that offer services and products you need. Look for businesses you could help with your product or service and offer to barter or trade for theirs. (Be sure to check with your tax professional for tax issues involving bartering and trading.)

5. Find another home-based working mom to swap babysitting with. All home-based working moms need some dedicated time to work on their business tasks. By swapping with another mom, each can work on their businesses without adding to their childcare costs.

6. When buying new office equipment, go to a place that offers a low-price guarantee. You can save time and money by shopping at places that will refund any difference in price if you find the product cheaper elsewhere.

7. If you are looking for computer equipment, consider buying used equipment. Look in the classifieds and talk to others that may know someone looking to upgrade. Ask for warranty information and make sure the machine is in good working condition. Also take a look at the computer companies offering refurbished machines. Some are priced accordingly and usually come with some type of warranty.

8. Send postcards for direct mail solicitation. They are cheaper to print and less expensive to mail. Another advantage is that they are more likely to be read since they take no effort to open.

9. If you hire sales help, pay by commission only so you only spend money if you make money. A salesperson can increase your sales without adding any up-front fees or salaries.

10. Use pre-printed design papers for letterhead, brochures and business cards if you only need a small amount. The papers can be found at most large office supply stores, and they are great for new businesses trying to get started on a small budget.

Lesley Spencer, the founder of Home-Based Working moms (http://www.hbwm.com/) has helped thousands of moms start their businesses in the 10 years that she has been in business. Their group provides networking, support, media opportunities, and more. By actively being involved in such a group you also increase your chances of success because of the power and support that she offers and the opportunity to network with other professionals. Getting connected with positive “winners” in the entrepreneurial world is just another way to succeed.

These money-saving ideas should help with your budget but new business
owners also need plenty of drive and determination to succeed. It takes time to develop and grow a business. So be patient and give it all you’ve got!

Affiliate Program for Books

Hi

I'm please to announce that Virtual Word Publishing has started up an affiliate program to sell the books on their site. You can earn up to 20% on books by signing up for the affiliate program. Plus ... we provide you press releases, articles, banners, buttons, etc. Everything you need to sell more books. If you want to make more money online, then stop by and sell our books on starting a business, our bizymom cookbook, our fiction thriller, Sledgehammer and so much more. E-mail me at diana@virtualwordpublishing.com if you have any questions.

Administrative Professionals Day

This week is the time when we get to thank those who have made it possible for us. Those hard working administrative assistants, secretaries, personal assistants, whatever, who are making our business a bigger success because of them. Make sure you take the time to do this. Many look forward to this one week where all their hard earned efforts are finally acknowledged. Take them to dinner. Send a $25.00 bonus. Send them a giftcard to Amazon. Flowers. Anything at all to say, hey, I appreciate all you do.

Thanks -- Diana Ennen

Mother's Day Online Shop Offers It All - Mompreneurs Dream Come True

MOTHER DAY GIFTS—MADE BY MOMS

Looking for the perfect gift this Mother’s Day? Do your shopping online at the Mompreneurs® Marketplace—where all the products and services are mom-made. Not only will you be honoring the special mother in your life, but you’ll be saluting and supporting mom-owned businesses.

“Entrepreneurial moms know what other mothers need most,” say Ellen Parlapiano and Patricia Cobe, authors of Mompreneurs®: A Mother’s Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Work-At-Home Success. “They’ve started their businesses to attain family flexibility in their own lives, so it’s not surprising that their products and services are often designed to focus on the needs of moms and families.”

The authors started their Mompreneurs® Marketplace (http://http://www.mompreneursonline.com/) to showcase the creativity and resourcefulness of mom-owned businesses, a workforce they call Mompreneurs®. At the online mini-mall, shoppers can find anything from adorable baby accessories, to beautiful handicrafts, gift baskets, pampering beauty products, and custom-designed weekend getaways—all for that special mom in your life.

Here’s a look at what’s on the shelves at the Mompreneur® Marketplace.

GIFTS FROM THE GARDEN

Shop at: Michelle Masters Topiary Art

What you’ll find: Topiary-themed artwork, linens and stationery, featuring images of hats, birdhouses, sundials, weathervanes, and cute creatures, like leaping labs and trotting horses. There are sweetly scented monogrammed sachets, hand printed guest towels and aprons, and framed prints—all designed to bring a bit of the garden indoors.

The mom behind the biz: Michelle Masters left a promising career in computer graphic design to pursue her creative passion: painting. As she painted in her home studio in the Finger Lakes region of New York, her love of gardening and whimsy was reflected in her artwork—especially in creations like the Lady Lavender hat topiary, a design that remains her most popular.

GIFTS WITH A SOCIAL CONSCIENCE

Shop at: Mama Afrika

What you’ll find: Pottery, baskets, and other handicrafts made by African women in crafts cooperatives throughout the continent. Not only does Mama Afrika help African women earn a decent living through fair trade, but it also donates 10% of the proceeds to African non-profit groups that assist women and children. Informational letters are included with every product, so consumers learn about the country of origin, traditional uses of the item, and a little about the organization that will receive a donation.

The mom behind the biz: As a child growing up in Virginia, Ester LaPollo was always reminded by her parents of the hardships suffered by relatives and friends left behind in East Africa. But it wasn’t until she became a mom herself that she figured out a way she could help Africans living in poverty. While brainstorming ideas for a home business, so she could spend more time with her three kids, LaPollo realized that if she connected with small groups of craftswomen in Africa, she could help them sell their wares worldwide through fair trade. “I ask the ladies to tell me the price they want for their wares, and I pay it,” says LaPollo, who now lives in Lompoc, California. “All of the crafts cooperatives I trade with are women-owned groups who work at home around their daily village chores.

GIFTS FOR THE NEW MOM

Shop at: Lilypad Baby

What you’ll find: Stylish bibs, diaper covers, and baby blankets in fabrics that are fashionable and functional. Design-savvy moms will love the fabulous florals, funky prints, and trendy colors. Order a gift basket or set and have it personalized and customized for the new mom and her baby.

The mom behind the biz: Kathie Papera started sewing her own baby bibs after she discovered she was spending a fortune on baby shower gifts for friends and family members. But this savvy California mom decided that her designs should stand apart from the others on the market. Instead of pastel-colored bears and bunnies, she chose fabrics with bold florals and vintage prints. Her friends loved them, and begged for more. Now she has a staff of mom designers, who name each bib design after the special babies in their lives.

GIFTS THAT PAMPER

Shop at: The Balter Catalogue Company

What you’ll find: An array of soothing selections—from warming tea and coffee sets, delicious gourmet goodies, and specialty soaps for the bath. A sister site, called Balter Baby, offers an extensive array of natural products for the new mother.

The mom behind the biz: Gina Ritter certainly understands the needs of busy moms. Not only does she have three young boys, she juggles several work-at-home roles. She’s a cartoonist, children’s book author, and writer of screenplays and humor columns (you can read her blog at http://www.blamemama.com/). Her current project is moving her family cross-country from New York to California.

GIFTS WITH A SPRINKLING OF PIXIE DUST

Shop at: Magical Journeys online travel agency

What you’ll find: Affordable Disney getaways. Treat mom or grandma to a magical trip to Disney World during the month of May, when you can catch the annual Flower Show in Epcot and celebrate Mother’s Day with brunch in a flower-filled pavilion.

The mom behind the biz: Nancy Rossetti fell in love with Disney World on her honeymoon in 1984, but once she had kids she couldn’t afford a family trip to the land of Mickey. Determined to find an affordable Disney vacation for her family and learn insider strategies, Rossetti took travel agent courses and then started booking low-cost trips for families and friends. Today she has a staff of independent contractors across the nation—all of them Disney-loving moms who work from home.

About the Mompreneurs®
Ellen Parlapiano and Patricia Cobe are co-authors of the books Mompreneurs®: A Mother’s Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Work-at-Home Success and Mompreneurs® Online: Using the Internet to Build Work@Home Success. After coining and trademarking the phrase Mompreneurs®, which describes entrepreneurial mothers who start their own businesses, Parlapiano and Cobe have watched the movement grow. Their website, MompreneursOnline.com attracts mompreneurs from around the world.

Tutoring Business - Home Based - News Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Laurie Hurley
http://www.hometutoringbusiness.com
805-498-5669

Home-based Success Starts with Expert Advice and Financing Options

Newbury Park, CA, (April, 2006) Today, as more and more people want to join the ranks of the self-employed to make a better living, the question remains, how do I do it? What’s the magic ingredient that will allow me to work from home, leave corporate America, and finally make the kind of money I know I’m worth? With so much out there, how can I be assured this is right for me? The answer – consult an expert. Find someone who is doing it now and succeeding - someone who is walking the walk and talking the talk. Laurie Hurley of Home Tutoring Business is that person.

Hurley is a tutor broker matching qualified tutors with students for private, individualized in-home tutoring. Hurley founded Home Tutoring Business, http://www.hometutoringbusiness.com to fill a much-needed niche in the educational services industry. After realizing the success she achieved, which included earnings in the six digits, Hurley knew this was something that others would want: being a business that is in high demand nationwide, one that is easy to set up and requires little in the way of investment, and, most importantly, one that provides an enormous amount of self-worth. Corporate executives and those who once considered franchise ownership were some of the first to purchase this business package enabling them to start a tutoring business.

Everything one needs to succeed are included in Hurley’s business package, including a customized website and accounting software, a comprehensive business manual outlining what is needed to succeed, and what most packages leave out - financing options. As individuals looking to start a business realize, rarely is financing available for home-based businesses. Also, it’s difficult to obtain financing for smaller amounts of money at a reasonable interest rate. Home Tutoring Business offers what few do, including:

- Financing handled “in house” with no third-party lenders
- An easy application process
- Reasonable monthly payments
- Low interest rates

Home Tutoring Business is committed to helping people fulfill their dreams and visions of being independent or succeeding in a career change. Stop by http://www.hometutoringbusiness.com today to find out how you can be a one of the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.