Work + Money

From the Community…

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  Posted by caroljoy Wed May 28, 2008 9:15pm PDT

  Very sound advice. I am a small business owner and know how easy it is for women especially, to want some autonomy and control over their time and finances and so believe that starting a business is the answer.

  It may very well be, but the business must be driven by an idea, a sufficient need for the product/service derived from that idea and a passion to keep going especially when things are not falling in place as hoped.

  One tip to help generate those ideas for a business is to start by identifying what you just love to do. Then look at any gaps or deficiencies that may exists in this area. This may be your business.

  All the best.

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  Posted by MissyJ Thu May 29, 2008 11:31am PDT

  I started a business this past year, and it's been the craziest thing I could have imagined. My daughters love getting notes in their lunchboxes, but mornings are crazy at our house, so I wrote up a stack of them to put next to the PB in the pantry and dole out a little at a time. A few of my friends said they wished they had something like that, but never knew what to write. I took my kids' names off the top and put "my precious child" in the salutation. When I had 80 notes assembled my husband suggested packaging and selling them. I found a supplier in China to make mini tin lunchboxes with my logo on it (my husband suggested we call it "Devotionables" like Lunchables) and next thing I knew we had 5,000 tin boxes headed across the Pacific. We had the printing done locally. Now a grocery chain is carrying them in 4 states, and I'm starting to think of reordering. Just goes to show about how an idea can grow, as long as you can stay calm when things go wrong. I think for the amount of hours I have invested I'd have done better working at McDonalds, but the satisfaction counts for a lot.

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  Posted by debtfreegoal Thu May 29, 2008 1:31pm PDT

  I am building my own on-line business up. It's for moms who want to work at home. I know of a few free places online that are legit (I have used them myself). I made a list at

  http://www.freewebs.com/free2workathome/

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  Posted by Lynda Thu May 29, 2008 3:02pm PDT

  Lunch box idea is great. I have owned several businesses but recently sold a coffee business that I opereated for 12 years with 35 employees. I am ready to jump into something new but this time I am at a loss for a new business idea. The ecomony is making you think outside the box. Anyone have any ideas?

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  Posted by shubha m Thu May 29, 2008 10:30pm PDT

  Dear J...wonderful thing u wrote... i m from india, & what u wrote is not just interesting but also extremely inspiring. U put back my faith in positive thought & action. Before i write anything else i wish to tell u that if u ever wish or need to involve or include me in this activity of yours then i would b most happy to b a part of positivity.

  The ancient indian school of thought asserts that the INTENT & the EMOTION matters the most. it also explains that the MIND makes up our matterial world...what we BELIEVE...BECOMES...what we ASSUME is the EXISTENCE !!! So the INTENT & EMOTION behind any THOUGHT & ACTION is so important & effective as your story proves beyond doubt.

  i wish u from the depth of my heart, Health & Happiness & Love & Luck.

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  Posted by shubha m Thu May 29, 2008 10:31pm PDT

  Dear J...wonderful thing u wrote... i m from india, & what u wrote is not just interesting but also extremely inspiring. U put back my faith in positive thought & action. Before i write anything else i wish to tell u that if u ever wish or need to involve or include me in this activity of yours then i would b most happy to b a part of positivity.

  The ancient indian school of thought asserts that the INTENT & the EMOTION matters the most. it also explains that the MIND makes up our matterial world...what we BELIEVE...BECOMES...what we ASSUME is the EXISTENCE !!! So the INTENT & EMOTION behind any THOUGHT & ACTION is so important & effective as your story proves beyond doubt.

  i wish u from the depth of my heart, Health & Happiness & Love & Luck.

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  Posted by Beach Chick Thu May 29, 2008 10:44pm PDT

  I was a tourist in Paris just going to the Louvre in 2002 and saw a darling boutique with tons of gorgeous French Handbags and women going crazy for these bags and the lightbulb went off for me that moment to start a home-based web business selling French Handbags to women all over the world..

  I made a deal with the owner of the shop that moment and I have never looked back.

  I am always in the top ten for handbag websites and I love what I am doing, make great money and I'm living the dream!

  www.BinkHandbags.com

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  Posted by jacqueline a Fri May 30, 2008 3:43am PDT

  I am very, interested in starting, my own business, i have a lot, of great idea's. I just havene'nt gotten around, to putting it, down on paper yet. But i will, Thankyou for putting, your story out, i found it, to be so enjoyable. First how do, you trust other, people with your, ideas. I dont trust people, especially when it, come's to my work.

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  Posted by d_macias3 Fri May 30, 2008 8:30am PDT

  I've never heard it.

  "I really want to start a business -- but I have no idea what kind of business to start."

  The one I've heard is

  "I really want to start a business but I have no money"

  when people have unlimited resources they know that they can get into something they like if they want.

  So let's re-phrase it

  I really want to have the resources to start a business that I can be successful at.

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  Posted by sassy Fri May 30, 2008 9:11am PDT

  i have started a business, but just advertising is the hard part, i make homemade dog treats. and put it on craigslist and myspace, but nothing yet, i have sold some, nothing big for me to stop working at my job too.

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