Some of our followers have contributed their stories about working at home for local media releases. Here’s what they had to say…
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Rachel Quinlan, Brisbane, Australia
What is your business?
Baby Vegas and we are an online children’s boutique specializing in wooden toys and children’s products.
Why do you work at home?
I started to work at home when I had my first child 6.5 years ago. I wanted to be able to stay home with my children, but still feel that I could satisfy my own career ambitions. I wanted to be able to work around their activities and be available to attend school events.
What’s your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge is fitting everything into one day! I love working from home, and sometimes I might work a little too much instead of ‘clocking off’ for the day.
Sarah Pembroke, South East Queensland, Australia
What is your business?
Elev8 Photography
Why do you work at home?
I work from home as i have a child with special needs, although he attends special school finding and holding on an employer is near impossible as i have to be available at the drop of a hat..
What’s your biggest challenge?
My Biggest challenge is building, growing and funding the business, in order to produce an income that supports the family.
Pauline Ferguson, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
What is your business?
Red Fox Building Biology – I detox buildings! I visit the client’s home or workplace and identify sources of toxins – chemical, electrical, geopathic – and advise them on how to remove those toxins, or non-toxic alternatives
Why do you work at home?
Working from home means I can spend time with my furry family, and they are welcome in my workplace – which means much less stress, and a really welcoming (and fun) workplace!
What’s your biggest challenge?
It’s hard to stop playing fetch when break time is over…
Lorraine Salvi, Sydney, Australia
What is your business?
MumsDelivery is your one-stop online directory for mums; bringing together the best online stores, mobile services and child friendly facilities eliminating the need for guesswork and aimless searching.
Why do you work at home?
Working from home with MumsDelivery offers the ability to create a balanced working lifestyle around the needs of my family. It enables me to take my children to the park and other fun activties during the week, to be there for special memories while still being able to contribute to our families finances.
What’s your biggest challenge?
Finding enough hours in each day to complete the activities I would like to.
Fiona Lewis, Sydney, Australia
What is your business?
I have a couple of Internet based businesses – one is called the Internet Marketing Profit Centre, which is an online marketing consulting business that develops websites and online marketing strategies for SMBs. I am also the owner of Mumpreneurs Online and its associated mentoring program called Mentoring Mums Online – all dedicated to helping Mums develop successful online businesses.
Why do you work at home?
I work from home so that I have the flexibility to choose the hours that I work and also so that I have contro over the amount of money that I can earn. Being an employee meant that my wage was restricted and I wouldn’t spend important moments with my children.
What’s your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge is staying focused during the long Christmas holidays. I do take some time off, but with three children running around in January, I find it hard to get my head back into work mode!
Katya Antonov, New South Wales, Australia
What is your business?
NiftyTots – affordable fashion for stylish kids. We are an online store selling funky kids clothing for ages 1-8.
Why do you work at home?
At first, staying at home to raise the family was a choice I made. I wanted to see my kids grow and develop and send them to school and be around to help and support. Dressing 3 kids is expensive, and I was tired of seeing the same designs over and over again at ridiculous prices. So I started inquiring about buying small wholesale. I like my kids to be dressed differently, and that’s how NiftyTots was born – we source and supply unique, fun and funky designs, made from natural materials and at very affordable prices.
What’s your biggest challenge?
Being a “one man band” is the biggest challenge for me as I have to take on so many roles at once – sales, customer service, business development, marketing, accounts, purchasing, warehousing, you name it! At all my previous jobs I had at least one another person to bounce ideas off, to discuss issues and create solutions. Not so lucky now! Sure, my husband provides a lot of support and tries to help when he can, but being busy as he is with his own work, he cannot afford to spend a lot of time on my problems.
Belinda Milne, Sydney, Australia
What is your business?
Sutherland Shire Virtual Assistant and we provide administration and social media management services virtually anywhere anytime to small to medium businesses.
Why do you work at home?
I still work part-time for a company, but I am setting up my virtual assistant so it can give me more flexibility to watch my family grow and spend more time with them.
What’s your biggest challenge?
Not enough hours in the day.
Corinna Rake, Quebec, Canada
What is your business?
Rake Consulting – website development, maintenance and tools. I provide custom website design, support and training for alternative health-care providers (chiropractors, naturopathic doctors, massage therapists, etc.) and clinics, coaches and solopreneurs.
Why do you work at home?
I chose to become self-employed to be able to be at home for my children. My family has also experienced two long-distance moves since I started working from home and it has allowed me the flexibility to continue serving my clients across the country and beyond, from wherever I am.
What’s your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge is meeting new people and prospects in a new city, remembering the importance to go out and interact with other business owners.
Julie Wanstedt, Ohio, USA
What is your business?
MarketReady Home Staging & ReDesign
Why do you work at home?
This service business has virtually no overhead and can easily be managed from a home office
What’s your biggest challenge?
Communicating in marketing materials why I have no physical office address. I list no address on my business cards or website, etc. I find P.O. boxes very impersonal and I believe potential clients perceive them as untrustworthy.
Paula Rosario, New York, USA
What is your business?
I am a certified energy coach and my company is called: Coaching On The Edge of Greatness. I coach professional business women as well as work with companies and bring team building, seminars and motivational speaking.
Why do you work at home?
Last April I was laid off from my job as a marketing executive. I’ve taken this opportunity to do what I’ve always wanted to do — support and help other women; self-care, personal energy management, work and home harmony and have more joy every day.
What’s your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge at the moment is gaining the momentum to get my business noticed and get clients. While I know marketing, it has been a challenge to market myself! Thank you in advance for your help!
Tracey Stewart, Western Australia
What is your business?
Online retail herbs and spices
Why do you work at home?
For the flexibility of hours and to reduce overheads
What’s your biggest challenge?
Trying to grow a business whilst running it.
Melinda Saunders, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
What is your business?
A Little Creative (www.alittlecreative.net.au) is a private art and design studio located on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. We enjoy developing and exploring creative projects and making items to especially suit mums and children.
At A Little Creative we believe art should be fun and easy for everyone to be involved in — from the smallest child to the biggest adult! In 2012 we are starting our Kindy Art classes for pre-schoolers, focusing on our screen-printing workshops and also offering art materials and products for sale.
Why do you work at home?
The number one reason I work at home is to be around my two young children (aged 3 and 1). My role as a Mum comes first – but giving attention to my own creative passions and also intellectual and entrepreneurial interests comes a close second. I am a qualified art and design teacher – and I love being able to teach small groups in my own creative environment. To be able to inspire and motivate people of all ages to be creative and explore new art areas is such a pleasure!
What’s your biggest challenge?
Juggling everything is my biggest challenge; there never seems to be enough time to do all that I would love to do… thus, I need to practice my patience and accept that I will achieve the business goals and milestones when I can – and not quite at the same rate as someone who works full-time away from the home.
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