From WAHM to Teacher-Mom!
AUG
18
2008
After a three year leave of absence, I will be returning to teaching in just a week! Three years ago, I was expecting my second child, and had never sold on-line! Now, I have three children, a step-daughter, and have three on-line stores and sell and market my stores everyday! Now, I consider all moms to be work-at-home moms, but about two years ago, I joined the many other moms who opened their own on-line selling business, and became a WAHM. This new venture in my life is exciting, but I’m also wondering about the adjustment. I will be working part time and will have my afternoons and evenings. How will I ever keep up with my daily household chores, responsibilities, and business tasks?
I take my business very seriously and dream of making it “big”! Doesn’t every entrepreneur? It’s not just about making money; I have no desire to be rich, just to make a comfortable living from my home business. It is satisfying to create and build a business and watch it grow! Working at home has allowed me to be home with my young children where I set my own work hours and schedule. I have had such flexibility in my days since I very rarely have a schedule that isn’t set by me or my babies!!
Selling on-line has opened up a whole new world for me where I have learned an incredible amount about photography, forums, social networking sites, SEO, marketing, and customer service, just to name a few. Three years ago I did not even own a digital camera! I have enjoyed the artistic side to selling on-line, with creating and writing listings, creating Squidoo lenses, and of course blogging!
Now, I am preparing to go back to teaching and wonder how other moms have made the adjustment to returning to work, while continuing to run and grow their home business. What tips and advice do you have? Can you share anything from your own experience? I would love to hear your ideas! They would not only help me, but other moms as well!
Suzanne said on October 13th, 2008:
What is WAHM
MommaTaderDoodles said on November 22nd, 2008:
Oh Lauren! Congrats on both your business and your job… I’ve returned to work twice and now I pray every day that I don’t have to go back any time soon! LOL
I loved having grown ups to talk to, acknowledgment of my accomplishments, and quiet moments in the car on the way to work. The biggest adjustment? Work conversation! My coworkers had no clue about being online, selling online, the acronyms etc…. it took me a while to fit in and adjust.
Best of luck to you!!!
Suzanne- WAHM is work at home mom
Nancy said on March 3rd, 2009:
Congratulations Lauren :)It is a big decision to make. I work part-time, as a nurse and run my business from home. I also have two preschoolers so the schedule is a tough one. My husband works nights so he is able to watch the children while I am out at work. When it comes to my busines, I am on my own. I do a lot of work when the children are sleeping, and try to sneek in time during the day, but it is hard. My one big piece of advice is to try not to let your business fall on the back burner. Working outside the home introduces a whole new host of responsibilities. Sometimes the business gets “forgotten” about, and it shows. Oh and if you have the extra money, hire a house cleaning service to come in every other week or at least monthly…it will be worth every single penny. Best of Luck…keep us posted