Women at work and their tips, challenges, advice, complaints, and experiences

* What steps did you follow to build your business? Are you still in the process of planning your endeavor?

THC: TheHomeCast actually came together very easily. I had the idea of creating a site that combined podcasting, newsletters, and a group blog to address "all things home" with other women. After researching free standing blog servers and hosting I purchased a domain and got started. Through a previous work experience I had met some incredible women who were looking to share their talents with other women. So after speaking with them and bringing them on board, I went about planning the first three months. It has been five months since TheHomeCast was launched and I have learned a lot along the way, a lot that I did right and a lot that I have done…um…not the best way.

OUAF: Getting started with Once Upon a Family began with researching the company, its mission, and the setup of the company. After falling in love with the product, I researched the business and profit earning potential. Also, after taking my husband’s advice I took a catalog to a number of friends and acquaintances and asked them for their honest opinion on the products. I assured them that if they said they liked the products that I wouldn’t be "making" them sign up for a celebration, but rather I wanted real opinions on whether the products appealed to other people.

After signing on with Once Upon a Family I went about finding as much as I could about the products and advice and experiences from other consultants. I am both blessed and challenged in the fact that Once Upon a Family is not known in Central and Northern Maine. Blessed because people are not tired of the product and company, but rather excited because it is new and covers a brand new area of memory making and keeping. However, the fact that it is new leads to a lot of questions and preconceived ideas that I have to sort out. One of my biggest goals over the past two months has been letting people know about Once Upon a Family and getting my name out. I launched my career by inviting over sixty people to my Grand Opening. I knew that not all would come, but my goal to introduce Once Upon a Family and my relationship with them.

I read someplace that it takes between 60-90 days to see the results of the contacts we make today. I am really beginning to see that now and am quite encouraged by it. I am a firm believer in doing a little bit every day and setting attainable goals.