TM My Home Business - Desktop Publishing
By Kim Kreger
I was fortunate enough that we were able to make ends meet using just my husband's income, which gave me time to grow my business. My first clients were friends, friends of friends, and just keeping my eyes open for opportunities. Being in the Seattle area when espresso stands were popping up on every street corner, I did quite a few espresso menus and punch cards . . . often in exchange for a few mochas! Then I started doing a newsletter for a retirement home and that led to other retirement home newsletters, by word of mouth. I now do 4 of them on a regular basis.
The best networking I have done for my business have been through a local home-based business association, a womens leads club and my local chamber of commerce (they have a *wonderful* fun networking breakfast every month). I also have a yellow pages ad, but most of my business has come from referrals.
I work from home (obviously!). We purposely bought a split-level home so that the office could be downstairs and separate from the rest of the living area. It's nice to be able to shut the office door and "go home".
I get some work done during the day while my daughter is in Kindergarten and my son (sometimes) takes a nap. I usually try to return phone calls and do quotes during this time. The majority of the production work gets done in the evenings after the kids go to bed. I usually stay up until 1 or 2 am, but it works for me!
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