BellaOnline Forums Career Small Office/Home Office Tell us about your small or home-based business.

Hi. I am Tina, the new genealogy editor. I am in the process of starting a business helping others with their family history. The name will be Tina's Trees. My hold up is learning more about the business side of things, as I am already familiar with the genealogy side. But, the business side is all new to me with the taxes and all. I'll get there... Thanks for all the replies, it inspires me to keep trying.

Hello!

I market a cleaner burning candle made with all natural waxes, virtually soot-free, and smells like the real thing. It's Mia Bella Candles.

I've always been drawn to candles and the power they have in my life. It only made sense to do it as a business and enjoy them more knowing they are a better candle for my home and my family.

My darling husband is 6'6" and can reach the ceilings very easily to paint them. Being the wonderful man that he is, he would never tell me I can't burn candles anymore because he doesn't like painting the ceilings every 4-5 months. He did tell me at one time that he doesn't like the chore and because I loved him, I backed off from burning as many candles as I used to. A friend of mine introduced me to the Mia Bella's and I burned 4 jars in one month, and nothing was on the ceiling. My husband said I could burn as many as I wanted after that. So, I joined so I could get more and now my kids love helping me make tarts, labeling the votives and telling me which ones they liked and didn't like.

The funny thing is though, I started the business for 2 reasons, one, to burn as many candles as I desired, two, to make money and contribute to the household income. After almost 2 years of doing the candles, I learned something very valuable along my journey to success. Through the people I've met, networked with, my mentoring group, and my team, that what I really want out of life is to be a Coach. Helping people is what I love most and being a coach requires the ability to help people look within themselves for the answers they need to reach whatever success means to them. Granted, I'm not a certified coach but by taking actions like a coach, I can truly be one to help others.

I am a much different person now than I was 3 years ago and I'm very proud of the person I've become and I really believe the candle business was meant to be in my life to be able to achieve the goals I wanted. The goals have always been there, I just didn't know it because I wasn't ready to understand and embrace them.

I've learned that network marketing is a "people business" and that to me, is what makes it so much fun and enjoyable. I figured out why my lead/prospect calls never lasts under a half and hour, I spend too much time getting to know them and they end up being my friend or they teach me life lesson which will be treasured. I wish everyone the best of success that they deserve. I read a quote once, "Beleive it, and you will see it". What a profound statement and so very true. Vivid imagination (visualizing) is not just for children, it's for adults too.

And that's my story, and I'm sticking to it! :-)


Mary

HI :-) My name is Heather and we have a family business - selling Avon. My husband, Rick, is in charge of the leadership aspect of it (teaching others how to sell), I am the sales director and office manager, my 11 year old and 4 yr old help give out books. We spend time every day together, doing something to build our business. We love it because our boys have the benefit of having both parents at home with them.

I was born, got married had my firs kid and worked all my live in Colombia.
5 years ago we where forced to leave the country due to several reasons and came to the USA, though my husband has a very good job and we live in a wonderful place, half of my heart is still in Colombia. Ever since we got here I've been trying to find a project that will both, give us an additional income but most important, will let me help my country in some way. On one of my visits to Bogota I finally found it. On December, there is a huge craft show in Bogota and I was amazed by the quality of the things I found there, but what caught my attention was some seed every body was talking about, they are called TAGUA seeds. Every body was wearing jewelry made with them and as it seemed to be a very strong trend I decided to find more about them....that's how I found my project. They are making such beauty full objects that I wouldn't call them jewelry, I'd call them works of art. Each of them is individually created by native artists, and each one of them has an incredible amount of time and labor invested .
Tagua nuts look exactly like animal Ivory,but the good news that no Elephants are killed to get them. Ain't that cool?
But also, Tagua nuts come from a Native Palm that grows in the Colombian Pacific jungle. What that means is that the more Tagua they sell the more Palms they have to plant....so, when people gets a product made with Tagua, they are helping reforest the jungle...also cool, don't you think?
Our project is called Baloka which is the name of a Colombian native Indian tribe.
My husband helped me with the web page (that's his job) and we launched it a couple of weeks ago....WE ALREADY MADE TWO SALES!!!!
I'm very exited I finally got to start my new business
www.baloka.com

I dont own a business but just wanted to say that I enjoy hearing how everyone started own -- inspires me <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I work at a marketing company which I love but always fun to hear what other people do...congrats to you all.

Before having my children, I worked in Public Relations & Advertising...not exactly a family-friendly business. I worked long hours on quick turn-around deadlines. Did I ever think I'd own my own business? No. But here I am.

About 9 months ago, my brother and I launched a website www.dallasbirthdays.com to help parents in the Dallas area plan memorable parties for their kids. Since then, we have started websites for Austin, Chicago, New York, Detroit, and San Diego, with plans to start up in other cities as well. It is exciting to think about the possibilities! I think that's the best part of starting your own business...the anticipation of things to come.

I recently realized the responsibility we have to use our business to help others as well. We're in the process of compiling a list of local charities for our visitors to explore and possibly volunteer their time.

I think the hardest challenge for me (as it is for everyone, I'm sure) is finding the balance of work and family time. I love that I can work from home, but I have to constantly remind myself to stop making phone calls, stop sending email and close the doors to our home office and enjoy time with my kids...OFTEN! Otherwise, I may as well be away for 8 hours a day.

Anyway, I could talk all day so I'd better quit while I'm ahead. Have a GREAT weekend and good luck to all of you.

I started selling Arbonne after using their bioidentical progesterone for a couple years. After using a few more of the products and finding out I loved it all I had to do something to support my habit <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Arbonne is a 25 year old company that has been growing very strong, especially the last couple years. They carry skin care, baby care, hair care, vitamins, weight loss, body care, makeup... all botanically based. Swiss Formulated, American Made. Pure ~ Safe ~ Beneficial

I have operated a profitable Internet company.
Once you decide that you can work at home by making your own way and put your way into motion it all comes together and you will do fine.

[color:"brown"]RJ's Word Processing Services offers word processing and virtual assistant services. My specialty is database management. I have database management packages available, and these packages include creating a database with your contact information, preparing your direct mail pieces for mailing as well as mailing them. I offer additional administrative services, which include word processing, desktop publishing, and website maintenance. [/color]

I have my own business....a struggling online art gallery. Sales have slowed to a mere crawl in the last few months. I love being at home working on my art and writing after 22+ years in the insurance business, but the lack of sales is making me have to consider going back to the rat race. It's quite depressing.

http://www.redladyart.com

Sharon