These suggestions may sound far-fetched to someone struggling to survive in a dire financial situation. But it’s the way I dealt with it when unemployment and the need to care for three young children propelled me forward. Everyone has talents and can offer themselves if they know how to do it and that is the crux of a good business. What are you good at and how to introduce yourself. Above all, build your ego and self-esteem.
In my case, my early life was full of opportunities and it is still something that amazes most people. The marriage, however, brought changes for which he was not prepared. Going from total independence my then husband decided not to support me and when my first delivery I was left with the idea of opening a baby store.
It was good, but it was a bummer after the second child arrived. My mother who had supported me there and spent long hours behind the counter passed away and things went from bad to worse. We eventually moved into our own house away from where I grew up and into an area completely foreign to me. Traveling to and from the store took hours and selling it was the only alternative.
Being at home was horrible as my whole body refused to be involved in something. Money was also very tight as I was still struggling with my partner’s meager income. I had a drawing board to design houses and one day I decided that I could also use it to design.
All my life there was a love for gardening and drawing in me. Recently starting with the art, I also found that showing it on the front lawn was a good possibility. However, he did not bring much money and this caused some friction to arise in the marriage.
One day I decided to put an ad in the local newspaper and introduced myself as a designed landscape. This was something I had never tried before and I nervously walked over to my first date. It was for a garden in one of the richest areas around us and the lady loved my ideas and she paid me $400 for my first design.
After that, things took off. I bought design magazines and books and many then hired me to do the job at hand. This allowed me to hire staff and then perform garden maintenance. In the meantime, I also opened a store to sell products to support my design business.
I think anyone can do things like this if they are resourceful enough and willing to try. Whatever it is, even a little bit good, chances are you can start a business from home and who knows where it could take you.
Although my business expanded to a staff of 20 or more, it was still primarily run from the home where the children under my supervision grew up. It provided enough income to have a babysitter for them when they were young, to put them in private schools, and to have help around the house with housework. No woman should say that she can’t do this when we have so many tools available to help us.
