Recent family matters highlighted needed services

Two recent family matters highlighted several needed services:

1) Dog DayCare; Pet Boarding; Pet-House Siting:  Our son adopted a dog from a shelter, but as he is not married, he did not want to pen the dog up all day while he was at work. He discovered a nearby dog- daycare facility not far from where he lives that he plans to take his dog when he is at work.  If he travels for work and will be away, we plan to house-dog sit for him; as my husband and I are able to carry on our work, as long as we have access to the Internet. But our son could also hire a professional pet-sitter if we were not available.
Thus, if you love pets and have a background in pet care-training, starting one of these pet-related businesses on your own; or investing in a franchise is something you might consider.

Here are some related links:**
**Note: These links are not an endorsement of their products-services. Be sure to consult your financial, legal and other experts before signing any contracts or opening a business.

***Please note, too, that associations are usually networking and informational organizations; and do not necessarily have business start-up information. Always include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you are corresponding to them via postal mail.

*DogTopia - www.dogdaycare.com
*Fetch! Pet Care - www.fetchpetcare.com
***National Assn of Professional Pet Sitters - www.petsitters.org

2) Hospital Hospitality House: While my husband was recuperating in our hospital, I picked up a brochure about a nearby hospital hospitality house. The homeowner offers rooms to relatives of hospital patients at reasonable rates. I was fortunate that I could stay overnight with my husband in his room; but in some instances this is not possible for patients' relatives. Thus, a house like this is an excellent option with its homey atmosphere; reasonable rates; and meeting others whose relatives are also hospitalized.

With work experience or training in the hospitality industry, and the availablity of a suitable house that is close to a nearby hospital, this is a business idea for you to explore.

Please, note that many of these hospital hospitality houses are not-for-proft; and meant to help families, not to profit from their circumstances. Consult with business experts and attorneys as to the operations you prefer to implement.
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Integrating Home and Work Space (continued)

...continuing the last blog entry...

*"Spend some time planning how you will use your time, and always allow for the unexpected by scheduling 'just-in-case time,' says one home-based working mother of several children. She suggests to help eliminate stress caused by attempts to balancing parenting and money-maker roles, that you concentrate on time management and planning.

*Realize family "emergencies" can happen any time and disrupt your business schedule. Prepare for this with back-up plans and building in some extra time to complete a project.

*Take breaks with your family. Depending on the age of your child, take periodic breaks to eat lunch, take a walk, play a short game, or do some other one-on-one activity with them.

*"Do not forget why you are home in the first place," says another home-based mother. She says to take time with your children and significant other. "They grow up so quickly, and you can never have yesterday back. Live today to the fullest." One parent often takes turns taking her daughters to lunch or shopping, one-on-one time.

to be continued...

INTEGRATING HOME & BUSINESS WORK SPACE**

One of the reasons many women and men want to work from home is to stay home with their children, usually with their pre-school children. But older children and teens may need even more support these days with their academic and activities' demands (not to mention the potential for all kinds of "trouble" that can occur in a home with no adult supervision!). It can be especially hectic to work from home with children of any ages, but here are some helpful tips from parents who do:

*Involve your children when possible. When her four children were at home, Patricia C. Gallagher (http://www.patriciausa.com/), MBA and professional speaker, says to involve your children so they really feel they are contributing, and celebrate with them when something special happens in your business.

*Try to keep to a working schedule so your children will know when you are and are not working. Have a sign posted or a signal they know that means you are busy at the moment.

(excerpt, 101 Best Home-Business Success Secrets for Women)
...to be continued.

“Hot” Jobs May Be Leads for In-Demand Businesses; Zazzle.com

“Hot” Jobs May Be Leads for In-Demand Businesses; Zazzle.com

A tip for starting a business is to see what industry and types of jobs need employees. For example, a NPR.org feature described how there is a shortage of chemical engineers…and especially a need for truckers (NPR.org  http://tinyurl.com/6hnqq85). Thus, if you have experience and training in chemical engineering, for example, you might consider being a consultant; or conduct your own independent studies; or in being a long-short haul trucker, you might start your own trucking company.

Stay updated with the jobs in demand by taking note of “hot” job news stories, government occupational jobs’ outlook, and trade and industry reports. Then see how you might create a business based on the demand for these services and-or products. Depending on your present skills and knowledge, you may need extra training and-or schooling to start a business.
***
If you are creative with phrases, illustrations, and-or photography, look in designing your own apparel and other products using Zazzle.com. Here are a tie and a t-shirt I designed for my son, a biologist; and my friend who raises Monarch butterflies.
http://www.zazzle.com/dscf6544_monarchs_mama_tshirt-235074232534130959
http://www.zazzle.com/female_prometheus_moth_tie-151316772747473425

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Miss Stephanie’s Potions

Here is a creative entrepreneur that I read about on Linked-in:


Stephanie Corey left Corporate America to start her own company after her seven year old son developed a debilitating fear of zombies and refused to go to bed at night. She now makes:

*5 all-natural, deliciously scented products that repel monsters (or turn them into friends if you happen to catch them);

*"Monster Armor” bath products that cover children in all night protective monster armor;

*Fairy attraction spray to bring fairies and sweet dreams.

She uses a certified green manufacturer out of Michigan. Along with her sprays and bath products, and       T-shirts, Stephanie Corey’s company will soon be offering stuffed animals with all the characters, as well as “Essence of Fairy Dust” bath products.

Stephanie Corey has her M.B.A. from Lehigh University, and B.A. in Economics from Wilkes University

For more information: www.MissStephaniesPotions.com and direct email is Stephanie@MissStephaniesPotions.com.

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U. S. Factory Tours; Made by U. S. Companies.

A relative of my husband’s loves to visit factories wherever she travels, especially those that are (1) free; and (2) offer product samples. These tours are an excellent marketing tool for these companies; plus it helps to support companies that make and produce items here in the U. S.


In middle school, one of our class trips was a tour of the candy company, Hershey Chocolate. They no longer have these, but instead have turned it into a ride, “Hershey’s Chocolate World,” located just outside the Hershey Amusement Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania. www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld/.

My husband, friends and I visited the Yuengling Brewery in April. A fun, short tour ending with a cup of free brew or soda. www.yuengling.com/breweries/pottsville.
We also enjoy a local cable network, “PCN Tours,” featuring local businesses and manufacturers in Pennsylvania: www.pcntv.com/shows_tours.html.

Here are two related sites of interest for you:

*Factory Tours – www.factorytoursusa.com/
*Reviews of U. S companies – www.usstuff.com/

                                                                    

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FEATURE INTERVIEW: Eva Asmar - Bionée Certified Organic Maternity Skin Care

1) What inspired you to start your business (es)?


What inspired me were my pregnancy and my experience in product development at international cosmetics companies.  While pregnant with my first child I was unsatisfied with the products available to me on the market.  With 10+ years of experience in the industry I knew there was more out there that I could offer women like myself. 

2) A brief description of your business (es)?

Bionée is an organic certified skin care brand dedicated to mothers, moms to be and babies. We strive to provide safe and efficient products for women and their children.  Our skin care line is divided into 3 categories: Pregnancy, Motherhood and Baby.

3) Your most effective method(s) of promoting your businesses?

I believe that if you have a good product there is no need for actual promotion in its strong sense. I truly believe that moms are savvy and very educated about what is safe for their babies and themselves, and they share that knowledge with other moms! Bionée offers the safest and most indulgent ingredients in the market, so it’s only a matter of trying the products to be convinced about its effectiveness. We are also becoming a player in the direct selling industry where ‘playdates’ become opportunities for sharing knowledge about healthy beauty care and Bionée’s products among moms!

 4) Your best customers?

Women, Mothers, Moms-to-be, and children!

5) What do you consider your best business achievement?

My best business achievement is the great feedback I’m receiving from other moms that introduced Bionée into their beauty routine. I also consider an achievement the fact that moms are very serene about applying these gentle ingredients on their babies and on their own skin, and seeing children playing with the lotion and loving the fragrances!

6) What do you like about being a business owner?

As an entrepreneur and work at home mom I love the freedom of being able to make my own schedule so that I can spend more time with my son Gabriel and prepare for the new baby that is on the way, as well as build my new business!

7) Do you have a business success tip in tough economic times?

There is nothing more important than being close to your customers; at Bionée we rate our success by building friendships and relationships with other moms through our playdates. We are also in contact with mom-bloggers, and we try to assist at and attend every mom event we can! I am pregnant with my second child at the moment so I perfectly understand future moms and young moms. I relate to them and they relate to me. There is nothing more important than to understand the needs of your customers and their purchase behaviors:  where she shops, what she eats, what she does in her free time, where she buys diapers from, etc...

8) Do you have a favorite business-building idea(s)?

At Bionée we say “Become who you are” and do not force yourself into roles imposed by others. My business building idea to share, is that you have to know the market you are entering well, inform yourself and evaluate issues that your products may face, be prepared! But most importantly I believe that every successful entrepreneur has to be an expert in his/her domain as well as a good business person. My past experience in the beauty industry was a key factor in the success of Bionée.

9) Do you wish to add any additional comments or tips for our readers?

My tips for a new entrepreneur would be - Be patient because things will happen if you work hard!  And be passionate to inspire others and make them follow you!

10) Goals for your business in 2011 and beyond?

Right now we are trying to bring together moms who want to be part of our adventure and become an entrepreneur like me!  We are currently enlisting passionate mothers and women to join our “Advocate” program (www.bionee.com/advocate) to promote our products through “educational playdates”.  In the next year we would like to grow and expand this program.  We also have 11 new products in the making that we hope will hit the market soon!

11) Your Name, name of business, web site, other?

Name: Eva Asmar

Business: Bionée Certified Organic Maternity Skin Care

Website: www.bionee.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/bionee, Twitter: www.twitter.com/bionee, Blog: www.bionee.com/blog

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