New Year, Clean Slate

I love the beginning of a new year, as the days spread out before you like a crisp, new page just waiting for you to carefully write your ideas upon. A new year holds such promise, so many opportunities.

But sometimes it can be tough to look forward to a new year when the old one didn't live up to our expectations. Maybe your home-based business struggled over the last year with the tough economy.

Take a moment to look at 2010 and just let your imagination go wild with dreams of all you would like to accomplish. Then take a deep breath, jot down those dreams and see what you can do to make them come true. For some, it will mean stepping out of your comfort zone. For others, it will mean believing in yourself that you can do it.

Now you might have to scale back the dream. Not all of us can be rock stars, after all. But with hard work and a realistic outlook, maybe 2010 will be the year you realize your dream.

Until next time,

Sarah

In the News

Usually I'm the one publishing articles, but this time I'm the subject of one. The Fairfax Connection interviewed me about my story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings. So if you're interested in reading a bit more about me, check it out: http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=335567&paper=63&cat=104.

Until next time,

Sarah

Asking Customers What They Want

One of the biggest challenges to small-business owners, including home-based businesses, is finding out what your customers want. A recent article in USA Today gives some good tips on how to do this.

In a nutshell, simply ask your customers on a one-on-one chat what they like and don't like about your buiness. Give customers questionnaires to fill out and offer a freebie of some sort as an incentive. Also, hiring a telemarketing company or your teenager's friends to call a sampling of your customers for feedback on your company.

I'll tackle this topic more in-depth in an upcoming At Home News issue. Don't forget you can sign up to receive this free, monthly e-newsletter by clicking on the newsletter tab.

Until next time,

Sarah

Work From Home Numbers Grow

Yet another article about the growing number of people who are working from home, this time in the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703819904574555710881471416.html.

The article tackles more at-home employment rather than home-based businesses. Kind of interesting the amount of telephone-answering type work there is out there, as well as medical-field work.

As always, be extra careful of scams, which are proliferating like bunnies. Ignore any email, ad, Internet site or phone calls that ask for money or personal information in order to receive job information or employment.

It looks like more and more companies will be exploring at-home employment options, so sharpen those skills and keep your eyes and ears open.

For more tips, check out my July 2009 At Home News that explores how to become a contract worker.

Until next time,

Sarah

Progress Report

So it's day nine in my quest to write a 50,000 word article and the writing bug has bitten me good. I have typed 15,000 words thus far, which is a great start.

But as I get into the writing, I find that I do not want to do other things. All I want to do is hole up downstairs in the office and write. It's hard not to be annoyed when the kids want or need something. But I have to be disciplined to make the most of every minute in order to accomplish my goal, which is what most of us have to do on a daily or weekly or monthly basis in order for our at-home businesses to succeed.

So I'm off to write a few more words before getting dinner on the table, that if my 16-month-old and three-year-old will stop grabbing my arms and wanting to be in my lap!

Until next time,

Sarah