Something All My Own
Owning my own business has taught me many things about myself.
I've learned that I can make wise business decisions, I can
manage the accounts and taxes for my company, and I can type
with one hand while holding a sleeping 6 month old. All of these
things have helped me develop into a much more confidant person.
My business has also given me the freedom to test my limits and
see what I can accomplish.
Running a home-based business has become a large part of my
identity. Not in a selfish, "See what I can do!" way, but in a
positive sense. It has given me the confidence to know that I
accomplish things that I never thought possible. Before I was a
work-at-home mom, I wanted to be able to be at home with my
children, but I also felt that I needed more. I needed something
for me alone that would make me feel strong and confident. I
also needed the opportunity to keep in touch with others to
avoid the isolation that often accompanies stay-at-home moms.
There are three key areas in my life that I believe my
home-based business has helped me develop:
Passion
When I began my website it truly was something for ME. I wanted
to compile work at home information all in one spot so that I
could find the perfect opportunity that would allow me to stay
at home with my children. However, in running CWAHM I have found
that I have a passion for helping other moms work from home.
My business has taught me that to succeed you must give to
others and expect nothing in return. This may not seem like a
sensible business technique, but it is a biblical principle. Put
others before yourself, help others to succeed and you will be
successful yourself.
Gina Neef with The MOM Team, told me recently, "I didn't realize
I even wanted "something of my own" three years ago. When I
began - it all unfolded... so nice to have my passion fueled."
Confidence
In college I was shy and very unsure of myself. I felt like
there was not any one thing that I was truly good at. My grades
were average, my athletic ability was average, and on and on.
Being a successful business owner has opened my eyes to the fact
that there are things that I am good at.
Melody Spier, owner of Ballyhoo Virtual Services, felt
similarly. She states, "Owning a business has taught me so much
about myself and my capabilities. I used to let fear of the
unknown, fear of success and of failure hold me back, but now
that I'm a business owner, I've learned that it's okay to
succeed at some things and fail at others. I take each
experience and learn from it - what worked, what didn't? Today
if I want to do something but don't know how, I find someone who
has knowledge of the topic and I ask for help. Owning a business
has taught me to believe in my skills and myself. My fear of
success has long since vanished as well; I can now say that I'm
proud to own a successful virtual assistant business."
Courage Being a business owner has given me courage. Courage to
take chances and go beyond my comfort level. Once I have a few
successes behind me, I realized that I could do it all. Also,
even my failures make me stronger. I found that my business
didn't shut down with each mistake I made and I always found a
better way of doing things. Diana Ennen, president of Virtual
Word Publishing, agrees. She states, "Owning my own business has
inspired me to do more in all aspects of my life. I love the
warmth of success so I try and take the right steps to achieve
it. Just as I want the best for my family, I also want the best
for my business as well. I'll often find the courage to go the
extra mile and reach far beyond what I think is possible and
what I find is that most of the time, I reach those goals."
Having "something all my own" has benefited me in many ways -
passion, confidence, courage - and so much more. I've been
inspired to do things that I never thought possible. If you
desire to work from home you'll find that it's worth the time
and effort that it takes to get started. Take the chance, step
out on faith and work until you succeed.