July 8, 2011

Interviews

3 interviews posted so far.  Several more already lined up and ready to go.  Are YOU going to be interviewed?  Leave me a message and we'll chat!!

Interview with Laura Lomeli

What is your name? Laura Lomeli


What is your company name, website, FB page name, twitter name and anything else you use? My company's name is Internet CEO Moms.  Website ~ http://www.mommasonline.com/ FB page ~ http://www.facebook.com/LauraLomeliOnline  My Blog ~ http://www.lauralomeli.com/

Are you a SAHM?  Tell us about you (mini-bio!) Yes! I am a stay at home mom.  I became a mom 7 months ago and at the time I worked in education and during my maternity leave I started looking for something I could do at home that would let me be with my baby but still work at the same time.

How did you find yourself getting started with your business/venture? During my pregnancy I subscribed to different parenting magazines, such as Parenting ~ The Early Years and Working Mom.  In the last pages of those magazines I'd always like to look at the work at home opportunities that were advertised there.  There was one that caught my eye, because it mentioned having your own online business without having to sell anything or take inventory.  I immediately went to the website that was on the ad, I requested to view a webcast that gave more information about the business and how it worked, and I was immediately contacted by my enroller (and now mentor) who helped me (and continues to help) build my business.

How did you go about seeking your information?  As mentioned above, I found the business opportunity in a magazine.  Prior to beginning my business, I did my research on the company via Google because I wanted to make sure it was legit (and sure enough, it was). 


Do you have a mentor?  Would you consider mentoring someone who wanted to start a similar business?  Yes! Her name is Danielle.  She has been with me every step of the way.  Of course I would mentor someone who would want to start the same business.  That is what our team's main obejctive is ~ to help others want to build their own home business.  We consider everyone in our team as business partners.   We have weekly team training calls where we all support and help eachother out, we have online training videos, and everyone has their own enroller/mentor who is available to individually help anyone wanting to build their business.


What mistakes did you endure to figure out the right path?  I made the mistake of spending too much time looking at other work at home opportunities that in the end resulted in being scams or opportunities that required a lot of financial investment to get started. I'm glad I found this opportunity with Internet CEO Moms because it's a legit opportunity that only requires $29 to get started.


Moments of brilliance? Enrolling my first customer and the satisfaction I felt and thinking ~ "I can really do this and succeed".


Advice to others that are considering an online business?  Do your research.  But don't go by what just anyone says.  Check with the BBB to see if the company is accredited.  Many times people with negative opinions about a legit company are those that don't clearly understand what the business concept is and try to discourage others from trying it out.  What might not work for one person doesn't mean it won't work for another.

How do you balance mommyhood and online work?  It was tough at first, especially because my daughter is not even a year old yet, so she needs a lot of attention.  I think it's important to have a routine, because it's very easy to get caught up in work and then you forget about paying attention to what's important ~ your family.  I try to spend small amounts of time doing my online work if my baby is awake (usually after I have played with her, she's fed, and it's her alone time).  But most of my work time is done when the baby is napping (usually 1-2 hours at a time). 

Are there any aspects of your business that aren’t covered here that you want to share?  Yes, our team is partnered with Melaleuca, a health and wellness company that makes eco-friendly products that people use on a daily basis.  In order to shop with Melaleuca, you have to be a member (similar to Costco or Sam's Club) and what our team (Internet CEO Moms) does is open up accounts for people who want to become Melaleuca customers.  The concept is simple.  We don't do home parties, take orders, cold calls, etc.  Everything is done online.  Our team provides the resources needed to market your business and succeed.  We're not the type of company that promises you will get rich overnight.  You will get out of it what you are willing to put into it.

What else can you share with us?  I'm glad I made this decision to work at home.  I don't regret it at all.  I get to raise my daughter and be with her daily, which is my main reason why I started this business.  I'm more than willing to help out anyone else willing to have the same great opportunity.

July 7, 2011

Survey question for you!

What is your special "talent"? 
I would like to compile a list for a future post.........work with me!

July 6, 2011

Interview with Becky McNeer - Mom and Realtor!

What is your name? Becky McNeer
What is your company name, website, FB page name, twitter name and anything else you use?
Austin-Davidson, Inc. Builders, REALTORS® and Developers

Are you a SAHM? Tell us about you (mini-bio!)
I am a SAHM, WAHM, a wife and a REALTOR®. I love playing with my kids; my favorite hobby is cooking; and I have a strong interest in all things homes. I tried to think of a way to bring cooking into my way of life without disrupting my work. I created this blog to help me incorporate cooking into the real estate world while working from home. I work all day long whether I'm in the office, showing homes, cleaning up toys, or looking after kids. I've discovered that I can make it all happen... most of the time.

How did you find yourself getting started with your business/venture?
My dad is my boss.  When I was little, my dad would take me to his spec homes when my mom needed a break.  It’s what I know.  I brought it up to him and he agreed why not give it a shot.

How did you go about seeking your information? To become a licensed REALTOR®, you must take classes and tests to become certified.  We also must continue to educate ourselves through more classes to keep our license.  We renew our licenses every two years in Virginia.  As far as the recipes are concerned, I cook what I think we’ll all like.

Do you have a mentor? Would you consider mentoring someone who wanted to start a similar business?
Without a doubt, my dad.  I have been able to introduce him to the blogging world too!

What mistakes did you endure to figure out the right path?
It took me a while to find my niche.  This industry is ever-changing.  I decided to become a REALTOR® during the worst of the housing market, but I know I will benefit in the end.  It’s exciting to me that homes are constantly improving and that the mortgage business is stricter.  Home ownership is a big deal.  I try to show that I’m just a homeowner myself.  Cooking and home improvement are a major part of what I love about my home.

Moments of brilliance?
I think the day I started my blog in September of 2010.  At that point, my blog focused on a particular listing.  I used my blog as a marketing tool to get the information about that listing to the buying public and it really worked.  There were people in Richmond who had no idea where that house was before.  When I showcased the kitchen, I talked about what you could cook in there.  The house sold!  I turned the blog a different direction and now my recipes and home improvement tips are very popular!

Advice to others that are considering an online business?
Be patient.  Visit as many other online businesses as possible to learn from their techniques.  Be open.  Protect yourself.  Privacy policies are a must.  On the other hand, put yourself out there. 
How do you balance mommyhood and online work?
I try to do most of my blogging in the morning and after the kids go to bed.  I’m also able to work while they’re napping.  When I go into the office, I bring them with me.  They are really great about playing with their toys (and bothering my dad).  I usually get most of my real estate based-work completed in there.

Are there any aspects of your business that aren’t covered here that you want to share?
When the market gets moving again, I’m sure I’ll have less time to devote to the blog.

What else can you share with us?
I have the best, most supportive family on Earth.

When showing homes, do you make your own schedule or is that something that is up to the client?
Now that my children are able to be fed by someone else, I am much more available.  If a client would like to see a home at 8 o’clock at night, we go at 8 o’clock.  Most of my clients work, so a showing happens on the weekends, during a lunchbreak or after work.

Did you monetize your blog? Is it more just for fun?
I would love to say that I monetize my blog, but I’m still learning the whole process.  I definitely won’t turn away money though. J

Thank you Becky!  Best of luck to you in all your endeavors and thank you so much for sharing!

July 5, 2011

Interview with Dee Dee

Dee Dee is a SAHM that agreed to be my first interview.  Being a SAHM or WAHM is not easy.  We all do things differently.  Some of us work from home and for some of us, just staying home is a full time job!! 
Here's what DeeDee had to say:

What is your name?  DeeDee York
What is your company name, website, FB page name, twitter name and anything else you use? CouponTLCShy (Facebook)
Are you a SAHM?  Tell us about you (mini-bio!) Yes!  My husband and I met my senior year of HS. We were very close friends for some time. Then one thing led to another. We are now happily married with 3 children. Their ages range from 5 months to almost 5 years.
How did you find yourself getting started with your business/venture? Well With my son (middle child) I desperately wanted to breastfeed him. I hadn't with my oldest daughter. I quickly learned that going back to work was not an option. I tried and pumped for him but he refused to take a bottle. 1 day of my husband calling and calling was enough. My baby was starving :) Once we had our youngest I realized that if I were to return to work I would be working to pay for daycare. It was an easy decision. I felt like my babies were better off at home with me and we are blessed enough to be able to afford it.
How did you go about seeking your information? When it comes to being a SAHM most of my research is how to get my kids ahead and of course how to save money. Information on how to teach my kids things like reading and writing. I know it sounds simple but there is a reason teacher must attend so much school. I also do a lot of research on saving money. I use coupons and feel like my job is to keep the house running. The kids fed, house cleaned, groceries stocked and bills paid. Although I don't make money keeping the house running on a budget is a must.
Do you have a mentor?  Would you consider mentoring someone who wanted to start a similar business? Absolutely! I had the most amazing stepmom ever! I learned how to be an amazing mom from her. Although she was not a SAHM but I was older when I lived with her. She was so caring and would have done anything for us. I want my kids to feel the same way about me that I have always felt about her. I would absolutely mentor someone who was thinking about being a SAHM. If someone is able to stay at home it should be a top priority. Many studies have shown that kids do so much better when staying at home with a parent rather than being in daycare. Although I never felt guilty having my daughter at a sitter's while I was working it should be an option if possible.
What mistakes did you endure to figure out the right path? For me returning to work after my son was very emotionally draining. My husband called and called because he wouldn't take the bottle at all. Talk about feeling guilty.
Moments of brilliance? I think the moment I realized that my house didn't have to be perfect and that if my kids stayed in their PJs for a lazy day it wasn't the end of the world.
Advice to others that are considering an online business? I don't consider our coupon fb page a business. We don't make money doing it. We do it because we love to save money and we like to pass that on to others. Although having a Fb page like ours can be overwhelming at times. Between giveaways and keeping all the great deals posted it can be a lot to handle. I do have a partner in crime so it makes it  a lot easier.
How do you balance mommyhood and online work? My children are my main priority no matter what. My oldest is in summer camp and my baby still naps frequently and my middle one takes 1 long nap during the day. When they are gone or asleep is when I spend most of my time catching. They are pretty good about helping me clean so that isn't to big of a deal. I'm not trying to rush around with FB and clean while they are sleeping.
Are there any aspects of your business that aren’t covered here that you want to share? Being a stay at home mom has been one of the hardest things I've had to do but at the same time so rewarding. I get to watch my children grow and don't miss anything. (with my first daughter I missed her first steps) having the coupon Fb page is a lot of fun. I get to chat with new people that enjoy saving and using coupons.
What else can you share with us? One huge issue I have with being a SAHM is that people underestimate my job. Not only do I NOT clock out at 5 but I work weekends and holidays also. I'm up usually 5 times a night between the 3 kids and I'm still up at 7. Between laundry, dishes, and floors the cleaning is never done and somehow I make time to cook dinner and shower. Facebook, both my coupon page and personal, is a great way for me to communicate with adults throughout the day. I hear it all the time that I "don't work". Show a little respect for those SAHMs in your life they work harder than you may think.

I think having an internet based business is a great way for SAHMs to either make an income or have a little "adult" time throughout the day. For me I love shopping with coupons and saving my family money so it just made since for me to share that with others. And well what other way to share with others than Facebook?

~Thanks so much DeeDee for taking the time to share with us.  Go check out her facebook page and see what type of deals are posted there and say "hi!" while you're at it!  We all love to have some FB love!
 
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