Yeowwwww, I’m here with my blog pal Heather of Just Love.ly, and together we have put together a handful of business + blog tips from some of our most-favorite friends. Running an online business and writing a blog is no small task — we know! We are “Women in Business”, or that’s the title they give us. Is it supposed to be something special and that’s why we get a label? We say it’s something to be proud of. As a woman, your life can be full of emotionally draining, fun, chaotic, busy-ness… and that’s before you even have your morning coffee. So imagine all of those feelings wrapped up alongside a business you are trying to run. Whether you are dreaming, starting out or are in the middle of it all — having a hand to help you along the way is one of the perks in being a girl. We can be strong, we can be weak, we can fail, we can climb mountains… one thing is for sure, we need our girlfriends!
Today we are sharing a 2-part post series. I’ve got half and the rest is over at Just Love.ly — together we share some amazing advice to keep you inspired in your business. Some very influential friends are sharing below how they manage to schedule things around their home lives, who they look to for guidance and if they ever need help along the way.
Do you have hired help? If so what kind & how did you find them? Yes! My business partner and I hired a friend of ours who takes care of our book keeping, sponsorship program, blog editing, administrative duties and client contacts. She is SO helpful and an absolutely invaluable asset to Maiedae and our design business. I think the trick is finding someone who LOVES what they do. Create an environment that encourages them to use their strengths and passions. I know Leah loves what she’s doing and I trust her to do a great job. Another aspect about Leah that I love is that she takes great initiative and is a raving fan of Maiedae. Find people to put in your corner who LOVE your business, who have great character and love what they do. I suggest looking at your friend group, acquaintances or conducting interviews. The best is when you come across that person and see the spark and passion on your own that fits your needs. You’d be surprised who is available to set aside 20-40 hours per month to help you out when they are able to do what they love.
^ Savannah of Maiedae
Do you keep to a specific work schedule? I work from home and I try to keep office hours. I have two employees and they show up at 9am every morning so I typically plan on starting my work day the minute they arrive.รย With an online business it’s easy to work late into the night but I try my hardest to block off family time from 5pm until around 9pm.รย I’ve found that I’m more refreshed when I take a few hours away from work to focus on family. Another thing: I always try to close my books and get my monthly accounting done right at the beginning of the next month. It’s much easier to close the books when everything is fresh in my head. Plus, I think it’s really important to keep up to date with how my business is performing month-to-month. When tax time comes I’m not so overwhelmed anymore!
^ Ashley of Lil Blue Boo
How do you find balance between working in your home and living there, too? In all honesty, finding a balance between work and life in my home is a continuous challenge for me (especially because I had an office/studio outside of my house for many years in the past).รย But being a small business owner is a never-ending learning experience, and along the way, I’ve discovered some key things that help me in my quest to create a healthy balance.รย The most important thing I can recommend is to take at least one weekend day completely off from anything work related.รย Your brain and body need time to relax and recharge, and you’ll be amazed at how much more productive you are after a full day off (two is even better).รย Another necessity to creating a balance is to set up a work space separate from the rest of your home.รย A different room is ideal, but even a designated corner is better than spreading your work throughout your house.รย Having a separate space prevents you from being easily distracted, and allows you to feel like you can leave your work “at the office” when it’s time for regular old life.
^ Melissa of Bubby and Bean
Do you keep to a specific work schedule? I find it super helpful to keep a pretty strict schedule as far as when I work and what I’m working on. I mess up at this a lot, and when I do – I make a lot more trouble for myself! Because I have a few different projects going on, I try to schedule what days I work on what and I also try to schedule two whole days a week whereรย I don’t work on anything! Sort of like a “weekend”, but split up within the week.
^ Jessi of Naptime Diaries
What are some of your favorite online resources you use daily?
*I love Oh My! Handmade Goodness to keep me fresh and HIGH on handmade.
* I am a big fan of Design Mom to gather inspiration. She’s like a muse; her new video series is AWESOME.
* Etsy Storque and of course Pinterest. It makes me so creative to view other creative projects.
* Twitter is a daily favorite, @amyturnsharp.
* You can find magic here. Spotify. GO. Now. Twirl in the workshop. Make time to dance and sing each day.
What we need as makers and artists is INSPIRATION. all the time. You can find it in people and books and nature and ANYWHERE — you just have to look.
^ Amy of Little Alouette
What are some of your favorite online resources that you admire and look to for guidance? For myself the one thing I have learned is that running a business (of any kind) is trial and error. รย And that’s ok! รย You have to learn along the way what will work for you and what is right for your life – both personally & professionally. Just because something works for one person doesn’t mean it will work for you, but I think that’s the fun part. รย Grabbing inspiration from everywhere, finding guidance where you can and supporting other businesses in the way they do things. รย A couple of my favorite resources online that I check on the daily include:รย The Maven Circle, Handmadeology, andรย Oh My! Handmade. รย Each of them offer great advice that you can use for so many parts of your blog, business & life. รย Some other types of inspiration come from my own friends online. รย It fills my heart to see them successful with their own projects, new adventures or when they just share bits about their life!
^ Heather of Just Love.ly
Wanna know what I have to say? Head over to Just Love.ly to catch my answer on Heather’s blog + hear from a few more friends!
We would love to hear from you! Join in on the discussion in the comments ~ answer a question below (or all of them) or let our guests know what you think of their advice!
- Do you keep a specific work schedule?
- What are some of your favorite online resources you check out daily?
- Do you use hired help for your business?
- Being a business owner isn’t for everyone, how does someone know if they are cut out for it?
- In what ways do you try to find balance in your home if you work there, too?
Love ALL the answers! And so many new (to me) blog links!! I’m at the beginning of my business journey, but I try to do my business stuff in the daytime and save late afternoon/evening for my family. I turn off comments on weekend posts so I’m not tempted to get on and “answer” them.
I love these posts! As a mom of 3 working from home, I can relate to every women here. I just hired my first seasonal employee (who also happens to be a friend), and I feel so LEGIT now! :)
@Jenn, Yeowwwwwwww! :D
Perfect timing. I needed to read an article like this right now. Thank you. I am emailing this to myself to read again & again. Also heading over to catch the other half. It helps knowing there are other women trying to fit everything in to their life and just how they do it or attempt to do it. :)
@Jen, Seems like twice a year we re-visit our processes and update them. Things are constantly changing, and that is good! I used to feel like this was a bad thing… if we were needing to update this often surely we were doing something wrong. Nope! Turns out growth simply requires updating! xoxo
Oh my goodness, I so needed this! I asked my friends yesterday how they do it all. It’s hard balancing home/baby/husband/etsy shop/me-time and something is bound to be forgotten. I love hearing from moms & business owners who have it figured out and are willing to offer tips and advice to others. This is so great! Thank you!
April here from I Sew Lucky:) Even though I have had my “business” for 4 years now and is pretty successful in the world of handmade, I feel lost in the “business” sense. Truthfully, I feel I am not smart enough for that side of it and just want to create. For sure that must be downfall at the moment. Managing the “books” as you say. I am a 1 woman show and know that at this time it will have to stay that way. Wish, wish, wish I could have a blog like the ones I read. I have 5 kids and one on the way, so in that aspect I feel that could have some great things to share.Not a writer here so that is my fear that others will see how horrible I am at that. I do love Gussy!! She is great and is always there for me when I have questions to ask:) xoxxo
@April Foss I Sew Lucky, Hey you! Thinking back on our email conversations, is there ANY way to hire an assistant? What about an intern? Someone to help you with the business side of things: email, managing your books, marketing/PR? I remember that sounding scary — there was no way I would hire someone to help. But I do think if you want anything to change then something has to change. :)
Think about it from a logical standpoint — don’t put any emotion into it. What can you change so your business can grow/be what you want it to be?
Honestly, I would not even know how to get started or what to ask for. Really, I am telling you I feel lost in the “business” part of it. What I know how to do is create. As far as hiring somone right now, finacially, it will have to wait. Thinking I need to learn about what I need and what to ask for and how to ask for it. All you woman amaze me how you know eachother and connect with eachother. I pretty much live in a box:/
@April Foss I Sew Lucky, Then you need to ask someone that does know — because it’s totally OK and normal to not know everything! Start Googling the questions you have. Keep sending emails, asking questions. That is how you learn, and it’s so exciting!! :)
I’ll copy + past what I wrote to someone else below:
“If your products are priced correctly youรขโฌโขll be able to afford help, because you should have labor built in to your pricing. Every item you make should include all labor costs, all materials used, profit + overhead.”
These four things will allow you to hire help and get your business going in the direction you want it.
Start with a simple outline: what do you need? Then ask yourself: who or what could help me? Then work towards crossing off those line items. Baby steps. It’s all about baby steps.
xoxo
Thank you ladies for sharing such a fabulous post. lil’ alice is just a baby, she’ll be 1 Jan. 1, 2012. It was a hobby but became a real business. Is it normal to 2nd guess to have made it a business. It sounded all fancy and morally correct.
So my question is: are most of the bloggers/shops a business or have ladies kept it a hobby? Like the ones that participated in the post.
I found that people were questioning me if I was a business & collecting taxes etc., because my biz is successful & I stay busy on a steady basis.
Now I will answer one of your questions. How do I balance my time between the shop, family etc.
I work outside the home too. Approx 10-20 hours a week. I have 2 boys, so junior high homework is awesome, not! I love to cook & bake so I am always cooking dinners. We have 2 sports 4 nights a week. And then some, that’s just the basics and equal amount of stuff that everyone else is doing. I manage my time because I am a time management freak. I am not late for anything. I’m a mental list maker, so I know when and what needs to be cleaned or washed or cooked or when I have a meeting or …… So I look at my day, see what commitments I have outside of the home & then based on time in between I either do house work, prepare meals or do biz stuff.
@Katy (lil’ alice), I think there is a mix of both hobby + full-time income featured here. However, I do know that these women take their businesses seriously, so if they are taking time away from their families to work then they have made sure it’s worth it financially, emotionally, etc.
My experience is the quicker you are to take your business seriously the quicker others do, too. When I stuttered over what I did, what Gussy Sews was, people weren’t sure what to think of it. But once I perfected my “elevator speech” they no longer questioned. Sure, some have questions because they are curious, but the doubt was removed.
If you are collecting money from something you are selling you need to be reporting that. Regardless of how serious you take your business. The IRS takes it seriously and you’ll be expected to pay taxes on that income.
WOO HOO, January will be a big milestone for you! :)
@Gussy Sews, thank you Maggie.
“When I stuttered over what I did, what Gussy Sews was, people werenรขโฌโขt sure what to think of it. But once I perfected my รขโฌลelevator speechรขโฌย they no longer questioned. Sure, some have questions because they are curious, but the doubt was removed.”
that’s is wisdom that is going to stick with me & I am going to work on & speak more confidently of it! Greatly appreciated.
@Katy (lil’ alice), yeowwww! MUSIC TO MY EARS! :)
April,
I often feel the same way you do. I’ve only made a handful of sales, but if I had help, I think I could do more. I don’t know if you have someone in your family who can help, but eventually I would like to work my mother into my “business”. She’s been retired for almost a year now, and complains all the time about being bored. She started looking for a job (with no luck, actually) just so she could have something to do. We’ve discussed working together to build an Etsy shop, and I’m hopeful that it will all come together. I know I couldn’t pay her an actual wage, at first. Maybe there’s someone out there who would love to learn from you or maybe needs something productive to do during the day. I like the suggestion of taking on an intern.
@sabrina, If your products are priced correctly you’ll be able to afford help, because you should have labor built in to your pricing. Every item you make should include all labor costs, all materials used, profit + overhead. Let me know if you have questions!! :)
You have been so great at taking my e-mails so I will be writing another one to you soon:) I have always thought the pricing part was one thing I had right:/
@April Foss I Sew Lucky, I wanna see some updates from my original email to you ;) What have you had a chance to work on or think about?
Thank you for writing this! I’m sure I will be referencing it a lot in the coming months. I’m taking my first year off from teaching and staying home with my little one, but still developing an selling lessons online. Thanks again!
Thank you for any other informative website. Where else may I get that kind of info written in such an ideal
approach? I’ve a venture that I’m simply now working on,
and I’ve been on the glance out for such information.
whoah this weblog is magnificent i like reading your posts.
Stay up the great work! You know, lots of persons are looking
round for this information, you can aid them greatly.
Certified Expert Staff . So while moving forward
one must be aware of the rear, and be prepared to retreat, while attacking being prepared to defend,
and while defending being poised to strike. ch_sid=”A1_550x250_No1″;.
I’m nnot sure where you’re getting your information, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time learning mpre or understanding more.
Thanks for magnificent information I was looking for this information forr my
mission.
My weblog – Muscle Strain Treatment
To give you some idea of what the 1992 Olympics and 1929 World Exhibition
looked like, pay a visit to Montjuic Hill. There are a number of festivals in Ribadavia, which are of Jewish origin: the Festa da Istoria, the Boda Judia and Sephardic
Jewish music shows. The sticky humidity that clogs your pores and the mosquitoes that
you would be swatting away in central Maryland are a distant memory once you are caught up in the steamy excitement of a summer holiday in southern Spain.
The on road vehicles would usually run smooth over the
roads, but definitely not necessarily on stones, grass and also hills.
Asile seats are great if you plan on staying awake the entire
flight, but if you want to sleep Murphy’s Law says that as soon as
you start to nod off someone will ask you to get up so that they can get out
of your row to go to the bathroom or walk around.
“Oh this kid screaming, why can’t the parent do something about it.
A great deal of good guidance on this great site, actually
want a steam shower unit inside my bathroom
Review my site … steam shower with Whirlpool tub (box.com)
Heaps of functions on these steam showers, I really like the multimedia idea along with the lighting style
Here is my page :: residential steam showers
Nice steam showers, we had one of these installed
around 5 years ago and it may perhaps do with modernizing, would never get a bland old traditional kind of shower again
Check out my web blog … steam shower cabinets (Jackson)
And are you aware that one of the top Google searches is “Farmville Facebook Cheats”.
Sensor-based LED headlights will automatically turn on if it’s dark.
After nearly 18 months of promise and false dawns, Facebook Offers (originally developed as Facebook Deals) finally
rolled out worldwide for business timelines everywhere this week.
To level up, the best way is to do a lot of socializing.
Naturally, Facebook was among the primary topics of discussion.
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I
provide credit and sources back to your website?
My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would
certainly benefit from a lot of the information you
provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you.
Regards!
Halloween, which is celebrated on the last day of October, is a tradition that might increase ones budget
with Halloween expenses. Remember Jesus said to his accusers, ‘You could not do this to me except given the
power from above. The kids will have great fun helping you to bake and decorate Halloween cakes and
cookies.
Feel free to visit my web page; halloween witch costume – Dino –
One very good way to preview how your own breasts will be impacted with breast implants is to
use a breast implant sizing system. It is important for you to understand the ramifications of undergoing breast augmentation so that you
will be satisfied with the results. This is purposely done on this site to ensure that the scars
are well-hidden.
Feel free to visit my web blog :: breast measurement
Thank you for any other informative blog. The place
else may I am getting that type of information written
in such an ideal way? I have a undertaking that I’m simply now operating on, and I have been on the look out
for such info.
I managed to clear the board after about three weeks of trying and only
had two moves left; I only got one star
for the level and even though I usually try to get the maximum score to get three stars it will be a long,
long time before I try to beat it again.
Clearing obstacles is the top priority, but always look for opportunities to create wrapped candies and color bombs.
A new Candy Crush Saga Kindle Fire HD game guide has been released on Amazon as of June 9, 2013.
Look into my site; candy crush saga cheats (Angelika)
What i do not realize is actually how you are now not really much more well-appreciated than you might be now.
You’re very intelligent. You understand therefore considerably
relating to this subject, made me individually
imagine it from so many various angles. Its like men and women
aren’t fascinated unless it is something to accomplish with Lady gaga!
Your own stuffs outstanding. All the time maintain it up!
Fastidious answer back in return of this matter with solid arguments and
describing all on the topic of that.
My webpage :: wwe 2k14 cheats ps3
Wow! Finally I got a weblog from where I know how to truly obtain
helpful data regarding my study and knowledge.