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8 month baby, husband, dad, and a business?

 
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ARisk

posts: 16

Mar 02, 2007 2:27 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hello....
So is it indeed possible to take care of it all?  I am just getting started with my small business.  And am meeting most of my business plan goals...but am currently feeling overwhelmed.  Does anyone have any trade secrets on how to be successful without going crazy (or does the crazy part just come with the territory)?




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Swarm, Bee Natural
GrillCharmer

posts: 621

Mar 02, 2007 2:48 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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IMO one must certainly has got to be a little nuts for starting their own business, and that’s the way I like it.  I can only speak for myself (maybe others have it easier) but as a mom/entrepreneur with young kids “overwhelmed” is a feeling that you will grow accustomed to, there are just varying states of “overwhelmed-ness”.  Trade secrets...  take time/make time for yourself and also for your family.  Try to seperate "office" and home as much as possible.  Don`t feel like you need to apologize for being a mom/entrepeneur, embrace it.  (I`ve walked into a meeting w/ a OJ spot on my pants that I was not aware of until I was in and felt the need to explain it, but my vendor found it refreshing that I didn`t once say "I`m sorry".)  Sometimes I have stains on my pants... that`s just part being me!   It’s tons of fun though and there are a lot of us mom/entrepreneurs to chat with.  Just know that you are not alone and YES it can be done and done fantastically! (stains and all)



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Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms
                                                                                                    
vegsoylady

posts: 28

Mar 02, 2007 3:17 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Here is the question for you.....

Is it the money that is overwhelming?....starting up a business is costly and no one can say it isn`t so. Sometimes the auto ship is a little higher than budget will allow the stretch. I personally have been involved in many of these home biz in the last 8 years....looking for the right fit for the budget and for the family fit. The quotas are sometimes hard to meet and then you get discouraged.

 If it is and it is in your soul to do the home based business, then "embrace it". Except that the baby comes with you or not....maybe hit the stores after hubby is home? Get into a groof not a rut of selling. Develop your "why" you are involved as well! Stay focused on the why and develop the goals as well....change them as you grow and as your family grows. It is only overwhelming if you allow it to be....people really enjoy children so why not figure out how.

Check out my website for an idea of a home based business that is compatible for myself and many other stay at home moms....with no quotas, stress nor is it a high auto ship....it is only 39.95/month for the candle club.

www.candlemoney4mom.scent-team.com  enter to win a FREE 16 oz candle while you are there too!

Love to help you and encourage you and even have you as a partner in this business!

FOCUS....moms can do anything!!

Theresa



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theresa-a mommy at home "No Isolation" www.candlemoney4mom.com www.candlemoney4mom.scent-team.com
SolidGrnd

posts: 1063

Mar 02, 2007 6:41 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Personally...for me...the key is organization and planning. I have a schedule...and I try very hard to stick to the schedule (which is easier said than done on most occasions). I think there is the need for flexbility in your schedule enough though to handle when things happen. I work a full time day job, run a non-profit "in my spare time", have a son with special needs, and a husband who is a bit more traditional in his thinking about roles of the husband and wife.

I think the other big key to not going COMPLETELY looney (some insanity is necessary) is support. Make sure you have the support of those around you who you can rely on...your wife/husband, your family, your friends. When needed in a pinch...do you have someone you can call to catch the kid...is there someone you can count on to help out if you need to fold 5000 brochures in less than a week? A solid support system is a must. And as one of our other community member points out regularly...don`t be afraid to delegate when you can.

Coming here to SuN is a great way to settle the mind when you get too terribly overwhelmed though. Give yourself a SuN break on occasion and you will do just fine! Congrats on the new little one BTW!!!



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Leah Tucker
CraigL

posts: 9051

Mar 03, 2007 3:51 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I guess my question would be how come you believe you have to take care of it "all?"

I`d suppose that anyone who was starting a business would be either completely on their own, or they would have a support structure in place (like a spouse, friends, family, and so on).

I`m not sure, but from the way you posted, it sounds as if you`ve got one life going where everyone in it expects you to take care of them. Then you`ve got this other life going where you expect to take care of yourself, and the two lives don`t quite blend?
Raisecapital02

posts: 301

Mar 03, 2007 10:46 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I know it can be crazy because I am dealing with the same thing. However, I am noticing that my priorities are changing. Therefore, I use my Palm Pilot a lot to keep me on task, so that I spend time with my family. If you are not good at balancing your life, you will lose something important to you. There is always going to be that feeling that there is a lot to do, but enough time in the day to do it. Make sure you are setting dates with your wife once a week, and do family dates during the week to reconnect. Turn off your phone, and let them calls roll over to your voicemail. They will be there when you get back.
CollegeCoach

posts: 37

Mar 03, 2007 3:13 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I am in a situation somewhat similiar to you. I have a 20 month old, my husband travels over 180 days a year, I don`t live near family, I am finishing up my PhD, and I am also trying to get my business up and running. A lot of people look at me and think that it isn`t possible to have so many things going on at the same time, but with a good plan and motivation I have found you can get everything you want done.

There are two things that have been crucial for me: 1) I write everything down as it comes to me. Life with a 20 month old means I am always stopping and going and it is just impossible to remember everything. 2) Have a detailed business plan and make sure you are accomplishing your goals. I am somewhat revamping my original plan, and I am finding the more detailed I am the more I get done.

I try to get everything centralized, and I use a wonderful online program that has free and for pay options called Backpack. It has helped me keep both my personal and business life in order. It is my virtual `to-do` list.

Good luck with everything you want to accomplish. Remember, to keep your focus and things will start coming together for you.

CollegeCoach2007-3-6 22:18:1


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**College Application** **Scholarship Search** **Essay Editing** The Experts in College Admissions Counseling. CollegeStrategiesOnline.com Blog.CollegeStrategiesOnline.com
nhgnikole

posts: 2660

Mar 03, 2007 3:21 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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As someone with a 15mo old baby ... yes it`s overwhelming sometimes. You need to just go with the flow and lose some sleep for a while. I didn`t work through most of my pregnancy because I was so sick that I couldn`t think let alone work.

My biggest secret is this ... get yourself some HUGE whiteboards and some note pads ... write it down. Keep the notepad with you every single day and get the thing out of your head and on to the paper. Even if you don`t use it, it`s not swirling around in your head!

This behavior/technique
is the other thing that I do every single day and I feel that it helps me feel more connected and organized. It also helps me sleep better at night. I use my 2 huge white boards for it.


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That PHP Girl
Small Business Essentials
Latest Post on SUN: New Facebook Pages - First Impressions
ARisk

posts: 16

Mar 05, 2007 3:57 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Thanks everyone!  I took this weekend and cleared out a corner in my basement and set up shop.  I have a nice clean and organized area (now).  I have note pads all around my house so if I think of something I write it down...then I compile my "thoughts" in the morning.  So far so good.  I have a HUGE to do list...but I can only do one at a time...and that`s how I am approaching that list....one thing at a time & at least one a day.

My husband works in a cube all day, is taking two master`s classes, is writing an e-book, and is trying to start up his own business (we desperately want him to break down his cube walls!)  I am busy with the baby, house work, my business, and my dad.  We are a busy bunch...  I guess it`s easy to get overwhelmed at times.  My husband and I took the baby out to a restaurant (for the first time) and ate some burgers.  It was nice...I think we both needed a relaxing evening!


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Swarm, Bee Natural
SolidGrnd

posts: 1063

Mar 05, 2007 4:54 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Congratulations...sounds like you made the right steps to getting yourself moving in the right direction...even with all the confusion and stuff going on all the time. I knwo the feeling. Once you have a place that you can call your own though...it seems to help get the mind clear and organized too. Best of luck to you!

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Leah Tucker
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