Downsized: Finding New Ways to Work Through Self-Employment
With bad economic news facing us at every turn I believe that the information in this lens is even more important and relevant now. I hope that it will be useful as well.
This lens is about self-employment, especially working at home at your own business. It is a lens about owning your business and therefore your time.
It is for people of all ages who are no longer present in the workforce because you have been laid-off and are no longer being counted. It is for people who are disabled and want to take advantage of the amount of money that Social Security will allow as earned income (and for those who want to move beyond that and be independent.) It is for people who are finding retirement boring or need some extra income to make ends meet. It is for those who want to be your own boss. Welcome.
Please note: I do not choose the ads which appear around my lens. Be careful about the difference between legitimate self-employment and "work-at-home" schemes which are really scams. Don't give out personal information or pay money unless you have made sure that what you are buying is legitimate. Never pay for information that the government provides for free! You will find many good free resources at government websites such as the Small Business Administration, the IRS and Social Security.
Content copyright 2007-2009 Marguerite Manor All rights reserved.
More on Self-Employment
I first became interested in this topic when two things converged: 1) I became aware that Social Security had improved the outlook for those on disability by increasing the amount that people can earn and they began indexing those earnings to the real economy;2)the dot.com bust hit my neighborhood. Since then working at home has evolved and many more people have begun new businesses and new types of businesses. With the new economic meltdown happening all around us the topic is even more relevant.
I am amazed and heartened by the varied ways that people are finding to be small-time entrepreneurs, independent and keeping afloat in what seems at times to be the overwhelming economy of "globalization" and bigger and bigger corporations, container ships and even airplanes.
From E-bay sellers to art and crafts on Etsy; cafepress shopkeepers, dog-groomers and walkers, gardeners, writers, web-designers and the more conventional and traditional forms of self-employment as plumbers, painters and builders the ways to be happily self-employed and solvent are as varied as the personalities, gifts and skills of the people who work for themselves. Even the very traditional "direct marketing" businesses selling cosmetics, household items and scrap booking supplies are ways to supplement a household or retirement income. (If you like recruiting and building a sales force, the potential is there to earn even more with many direct marketing companies.)
Every idea and opportunity is worth exploring and testing carefully before you begin. The ideal first small business is one that is service oriented and does not require a great deal of capital. Even a very small business deserves a business plan. It may be a page long, but it is a place to start to focus goals, expectations and what is needed (time, energy, contacts, cash) to achieve those goals.
There is an old adage that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary, exercise caution, keep your cash to yourself and proceed from a strong foundation of self-knowledge and evaluation of your strengths, weaknesses, experience and skills.
This is such a big topic and one that I have so much passion about, that I do hope this lens will evolve into a book.
I am amazed and heartened by the varied ways that people are finding to be small-time entrepreneurs, independent and keeping afloat in what seems at times to be the overwhelming economy of "globalization" and bigger and bigger corporations, container ships and even airplanes.
From E-bay sellers to art and crafts on Etsy; cafepress shopkeepers, dog-groomers and walkers, gardeners, writers, web-designers and the more conventional and traditional forms of self-employment as plumbers, painters and builders the ways to be happily self-employed and solvent are as varied as the personalities, gifts and skills of the people who work for themselves. Even the very traditional "direct marketing" businesses selling cosmetics, household items and scrap booking supplies are ways to supplement a household or retirement income. (If you like recruiting and building a sales force, the potential is there to earn even more with many direct marketing companies.)
Every idea and opportunity is worth exploring and testing carefully before you begin. The ideal first small business is one that is service oriented and does not require a great deal of capital. Even a very small business deserves a business plan. It may be a page long, but it is a place to start to focus goals, expectations and what is needed (time, energy, contacts, cash) to achieve those goals.
There is an old adage that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary, exercise caution, keep your cash to yourself and proceed from a strong foundation of self-knowledge and evaluation of your strengths, weaknesses, experience and skills.
This is such a big topic and one that I have so much passion about, that I do hope this lens will evolve into a book.
Evaluating Your Strengths and Weaknesses for Self-Employment
Are you organized, efficient and a self-starter? If not, how do you acquire the skills that will keep you on track, for these three things are critical to success as a self-employed person.
Are you cerebral, detail-oriented, emotional, intuitive, garrulous or shy? Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors? Are you a night-owl or an early-bird? Do you love to write, but hate crunching numbers? Conversely, do numbers make you happy but words raise your anxiety level?
Do you work best in a noisy or quiet environment? With lots of people around or off in a corner? By yourself, with a partner or as part of a team?
Do you like to get up in the morning and dress formally? Do you wear practically the same thing every day as though it were a uniform? Or would you rather spend your days in jeans and tees or sweats?
What skills do you have that you really enjoy using and take pride in using? What skills do you wish you had, how would you acquire them and is now a good time?
Do you love to talk on the phone or hate to talk on the phone? Do you enjoy making presentations or does the thought make you break out in a cold sweat?
Are you depressed or angry and does it show in your grooming, dress, speech and general demeanor? Anger management, treatment for depression or a personal make-over might be useful to you as you plan to move out on your own and be self-employed.
Are you cerebral, detail-oriented, emotional, intuitive, garrulous or shy? Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors? Are you a night-owl or an early-bird? Do you love to write, but hate crunching numbers? Conversely, do numbers make you happy but words raise your anxiety level?
Do you work best in a noisy or quiet environment? With lots of people around or off in a corner? By yourself, with a partner or as part of a team?
Do you like to get up in the morning and dress formally? Do you wear practically the same thing every day as though it were a uniform? Or would you rather spend your days in jeans and tees or sweats?
What skills do you have that you really enjoy using and take pride in using? What skills do you wish you had, how would you acquire them and is now a good time?
Do you love to talk on the phone or hate to talk on the phone? Do you enjoy making presentations or does the thought make you break out in a cold sweat?
Are you depressed or angry and does it show in your grooming, dress, speech and general demeanor? Anger management, treatment for depression or a personal make-over might be useful to you as you plan to move out on your own and be self-employed.
Virtual Office Assisting
Did you know that you can work at home as a Virtual Office Assistant, thus saving fuel and commute time? You can. Many self-employed business professionals employ virtual office assistants. You will need to be very organized and a self-starter yourself as well as have specialized software and high-speed internet access. It might be just what you are looking for!
Some Home-Based Business Books at Amazon
How to Buy, Sell, and Profit on eBay: Kick-Start Your Home-Based Business in Just Thirty Days
Amazon Price: $10.04 (as of 11/24/2009) 
The Home-Based Bookstore: Start Your Own Business Selling Used Books on Amazon, eBay or Your Own Web Site
Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 11/24/2009)
Everything You Need to Know About a Career as a Professional Organizer
Amazon Price: (as of 11/24/2009)
How to Start a Home-Based Event Planning Business (Home-Based Business Series)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/24/2009)
How To Start And Run A Small Book Publishing Company: A Small Business Guide To Self-Publishing And Independent Publishing
Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 11/24/2009)
The Best Ever Resource--It's Free!
The Public Library is your best ever free resource--in addition to the World Wide Web of course. While I would love it if anyone bought a book through this website, I do want to point out that you can borrow many of these books from your local library or through your local library from other libraries through a program called Interlibrary Loan. Definitely one of the best bargains on the planet. The library will also have dozens of magazine subscriptions, so you can read at your leisure. Back issues are often available on microfilm. It is a writer's paradise. It is also a warm place to go in the winter if you are trying to keep your own heating bill low and a cool refuge in summer. It will cut your sense of aloneness if you go there and not require that you spend money on coffee or (fattening) goodies. Check it out. If you use it, be sure to vote for the bond issues that support it when election time comes around.
Writing as a Home-Based Business
Writing is a tried and true at-home, freelance business. It ranges from contract technical writing, through copy-editing and writing to journalism and fiction writing of all kinds and genres and for all markets.
Craig's list for your geographic area is one place to start for contract, part-time or short-term writing jobs of all types.
Another place to start is WritingWorld.com, a site sustained for many years by Moira Allen. Allen is an experienced writer and editor and publishes a monthly e-zine as well as hosting this excellent site.
A third place to start is Writer's Weekly, another ezine, this one published weekly. The publishers Angela and Richard Hoy, also own Booklocker.com, a premiere POD publisher. Their site is definitely worth checking out.
If you are wondering about what to charge--and it is a major issue--or how you might obtain health insurance check the website of the Editorial Freelancers Association which has a page devoted to common rates.
Craig's list for your geographic area is one place to start for contract, part-time or short-term writing jobs of all types.
Another place to start is WritingWorld.com, a site sustained for many years by Moira Allen. Allen is an experienced writer and editor and publishes a monthly e-zine as well as hosting this excellent site.
A third place to start is Writer's Weekly, another ezine, this one published weekly. The publishers Angela and Richard Hoy, also own Booklocker.com, a premiere POD publisher. Their site is definitely worth checking out.
If you are wondering about what to charge--and it is a major issue--or how you might obtain health insurance check the website of the Editorial Freelancers Association which has a page devoted to common rates.
Marguerite Blogs
This is my blog on blogspot.com. Please come visit.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWriting Books on Amazon
2007 Writer's Market
Amazon Price: $21.93 (as of 11/24/2009)
2007 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market (Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market)
Amazon Price: $19.41 (as of 11/24/2009)
Christian Writers' Market Guide 2007: The Essential Reference Tool for the Christian Writer
Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 11/24/2009)
Sell Your Book on Amazon: The Book Marketing COACH Reveals Top-Secret "How-to" Tips Guaranteed to Increase Sales for Print-on-Demand and Self-Publishing Writers
Amazon Price: $13.45 (as of 11/24/2009)
Book Markets for Children's Writers 2007
Amazon Price: $9.71 (as of 11/24/2009)
Links for Finding New Ways to Work
- Craig's List
- Click on the city you are interested in and then the job.
- Writing-World
- One of the very best writer's resource sites on the net.
- Writer's Weekly
- Another one of the best writer's resources on the internet. Weekly e-zine is a a great boost. These people really know what they are doing and they care.
- Booklocker
- The POD publishing business of the people who publish Writer's Weekly.
- cafepress.com/margueritemanor
- My cafepress shop link is here.
- Gift Basket Finds
- This is my Squidoo lens on gift baskets and contains several Amazon modules on making gift baskets, which include titles on how to operate your own gift basket business.
- My Etsy Shop--Marguerite Manor
- This is the link to my Etsy shop where I am selling my beautiful little Peace banner as well as other banners and cards.
- Editorial Freelancers Association
- Website of the Editorial Freelancers Association, a good organization to look into if you want to start a serious freelance career.
- Marguerite Blogs
- This my blog link. Come visit me please.
- EEI Communications
- Great source for books on every aspect of the processes involved in writing and publishing from grammar to proofreading. Looks like an excellent source for online courses as well. The company is employee owned too!
- USDA Graduate School
- This may be the oldest source for correspondence courses in the country. While they lack the instantaneous satisfaction that online courses have, they also allow a year for completion. Definitely for self-starters though and somewhat expensive. They are still one of the very few sources for indexing training anywhere in the country.
- Small Business Administration
- Small Business Administration, sba.gov, About SBA, Newsroom, Services, Small Business Planner, SBA Programs, E-Newaletters, Administrator, Local Resources, FAQ
- Mary Kay, Peggy Manor
- This is my Mary Kay web page, another one of my multi-tasking work-at home businesses. I love this business. The products are beautiful, the social interaction with customers is a benefit and I thoroughly enjoy it. It is a model direct marketing or mult-level marketing company and is now in its 45th year. You can order directly from my website.
- Pampered Chef, Jennifer Knapp
- Another direct marketing company. I am glad to offer my niece's link here. Please visit her web page. You can order through her web page and the company ships directly to you.
- Mountain Rose Herbs
- This is my affiliate link to this wonderful company that supplies beautiful herbs for cooking and crafting.
- Virtual Office Assistant from Entrepreneur.com
- Help manage clients' offices from your home office. - You're a valuable, trustworthy office assistant or
administrator. You're successful at your job because you
complete tasks... - Garden for Peace
- What if every single one of us with even just a little bit of land planted a garden of vegetables, herbs and flowers this summer? What if churches, community centers and schools joined in? What if instead of expensive landscaping, large companies planted gardens and donated the produce to local food
- Fair Trade for All
- We all love a bargain that's for sure! Just look at the popularity of sales and especially of garage and yard sales. But have you ever thought about what happens to the economy if every buyer makes every purchase a sale purchase? It contracts. It contributes to recession and to a lack of prosperity
- Direct Seller's Association
- The website of the Direct Seller's Association. Find out if a company that you are thinking of joining belongs to this association and subscribes to it's code of ethics before you sing on.
- Silpada Jewelry, Carrie Steffes
- Another in the vast array of Direct Marketing opportunities. The products are lovely.
Direct Selling Businesses
In the 1970's my mother sold Avon. For the last five years I have been a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant--the lowest rung on the ladder, but it is fun to work with people. My niece has become a Pampered Chef Consultant as a way to help her pay her bills while she finishes a Master's Thesis. These are tried and true businesses; most of them work on the "Party Plan" model and the products cover the gamut of things that most people buy and use at some time in their lives. Check out the links if you would like further information.
Alternates for Teachers who Wish to be Self-employed
Thank the teachers in your life. Are you a teacher who is being laid off because of the recession? Consider tutoring, becoming a corporate trainer, teaching in the local adult ed programs or starting a direct selling business to hedge against summer unemployment or lay-off. What are your hobbies? Can you turn one of them into a small business or teach in local stores?
Alternates for Nurses who Wish to be Self-Employed
What can you do as a nurse if you want to be self-employed? Consider writing about medical topics as one possibility. Proofreading, editing and indexing in the medical field are others. Teaching health oriented courses in the local adult ed program may be an option. Weigh your decision carefully, for the trade offs of time and money. Take training for a new career into consideration in the time and money equation.
Certification as an herbalist or herbal medicine practitioner is another possibility.
Certification as an herbalist or herbal medicine practitioner is another possibility.
Learning New Skills through Online and Correspondence Courses
The best source for online courses is likely to be your local community college.
Another is the USDA graduate school. Yes, that USDA, the Department of Agriculture! They offer correspondence courses as well as inspect and grade meat.
The more expensive the course doesn't necessarily mean that it is better. I took a very expensive online course that I have regretted ever since. It made the hated high school Geometry course that had carried the opprobrium of "worst course" look benign by comparison. Do check the books that are used if you can before you sign up for the courses. And see if there are any user forums that talk about the courses to see if you are going to find a fit. Be careful to find a good fit and you can improve and increase your skills, truly in your free time. It's a good test to see if working from home will be right for you too--before you quit your day job!
Another is the USDA graduate school. Yes, that USDA, the Department of Agriculture! They offer correspondence courses as well as inspect and grade meat.
The more expensive the course doesn't necessarily mean that it is better. I took a very expensive online course that I have regretted ever since. It made the hated high school Geometry course that had carried the opprobrium of "worst course" look benign by comparison. Do check the books that are used if you can before you sign up for the courses. And see if there are any user forums that talk about the courses to see if you are going to find a fit. Be careful to find a good fit and you can improve and increase your skills, truly in your free time. It's a good test to see if working from home will be right for you too--before you quit your day job!
Sewing as a Home-Based Business
Can you sew, modify a pattern to fit customers, especially special-needs customers, or alter a ready made garment? You may be able to find a niche and spend less money on transportation. Customers will come to you so if you truly need to stay at home and love to sew this might be a good fit.
In addition, teaching people how to measure themselves and alter a pattern to insure great fit as well as teaching sewing itself can be done on a one to one basis or for small groups in your home.
Specialty niches for weddings, baptismal gowns, First Communion and Confirmation apparel as well as Prom dresses also exist.
In addition, teaching people how to measure themselves and alter a pattern to insure great fit as well as teaching sewing itself can be done on a one to one basis or for small groups in your home.
Specialty niches for weddings, baptismal gowns, First Communion and Confirmation apparel as well as Prom dresses also exist.
Gardening as a Home-Based Business
If you'd rather be outdoors with your hands in dirt than indoors with your hands on a keyboard consider gardening as a home-based business. Gardening businesses can range from simply watering and planting plants for people, perhaps including mowing lawns all the way to becoming a landscape architect, with horticultural certification and landscape design certification somewhere in between.
Helping people plan a garden can be a service oriented business, even if you don't want to do all the planting yourself. Designing for the space that they have, the climate and knowledge of how big the plants will grow could be a valuable service, especially to people who have never had a garden.
Depending on the space you have, you might be able to grow some of the plants yourself. In many states, you may need a specialty license to do this. Check with your County Agricultural Extension to find out.
Helping people plan a garden can be a service oriented business, even if you don't want to do all the planting yourself. Designing for the space that they have, the climate and knowledge of how big the plants will grow could be a valuable service, especially to people who have never had a garden.
Depending on the space you have, you might be able to grow some of the plants yourself. In many states, you may need a specialty license to do this. Check with your County Agricultural Extension to find out.
More Home-Based Business Books on Amazon
Getting business to come to you
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 11/24/2009)
Secrets of Self-Employment (Working from Home)
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/24/2009)
Best Home Businesses for People 50+
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 11/24/2009)
Working from Home
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/24/2009)
Making Money in a Health Service Business on Your Home-Based PC
Amazon Price: $37.95 (as of 11/24/2009)
A Few Unusual Self-Employment Titles
Handmade for Profit!: Hundreds of Secrets to Success in Selling Arts and Crafts
Amazon Price: $13.63 (as of 11/24/2009)
The "Business" of Sewing: How to Start, Maintain and Achieve Success
Amazon Price: (as of 11/24/2009)
When Work Disappears: The World of the New Urban Poor
Amazon Price: (as of 11/24/2009)
When Women Work Together: Using Our Strengths to Overcome Our Challenges
Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 11/24/2009)
Smart Women and Small Business: How to Make the Leap from Corporate Careers to the Right Small Enterprise
Amazon Price: $17.90 (as of 11/24/2009)
Getting Organized
Many books have been written on organization. In addition, you will find so much information on the web that it can be overwhelming and indeed, being a professional organizer is one way to be self-employed!
Getting organized may be as simple as finding a ring-binder or an index card file box that you already have and setting it up with your business ideas, contacts and research information in separate sections. Then when you make your decision about what kind of business to start, you can take whatever information you no longer need and put it away--filed with a label.
Under research do include information about business licenses and tax information so that before you begin you have your licenses in place and you know what you need to keep track of for tax time.
Use to-do lists and tickler files to keep yourself on track. A calendar is a must. A white board may be useful.
Before you rush out to buy all sorts of new organizing tools, look around to see what you already have. Some ring binders with contents you don't need anymore? A couple of half-filled banker's boxes or plastic tubs that could be consolidated?
Where are you going to work at home? Stake out your space, whether a corner, a converted closet, or half-the basement and make it your own work space. Emphasis on work space. It doesn't have to look like the cubicle you just left or a $10,000 make-over. It does need to separate work from other activities. It does need to be yours--no sharing it with anyone else (well maybe the dog or the cat). Make sure it has good lighting and good ventilation.
If you will need to see clients at home, make sure that you have a place to greet them and to meet with them that does not share in the familial, household clutter.
Getting organized may be as simple as finding a ring-binder or an index card file box that you already have and setting it up with your business ideas, contacts and research information in separate sections. Then when you make your decision about what kind of business to start, you can take whatever information you no longer need and put it away--filed with a label.
Under research do include information about business licenses and tax information so that before you begin you have your licenses in place and you know what you need to keep track of for tax time.
Use to-do lists and tickler files to keep yourself on track. A calendar is a must. A white board may be useful.
Before you rush out to buy all sorts of new organizing tools, look around to see what you already have. Some ring binders with contents you don't need anymore? A couple of half-filled banker's boxes or plastic tubs that could be consolidated?
Where are you going to work at home? Stake out your space, whether a corner, a converted closet, or half-the basement and make it your own work space. Emphasis on work space. It doesn't have to look like the cubicle you just left or a $10,000 make-over. It does need to separate work from other activities. It does need to be yours--no sharing it with anyone else (well maybe the dog or the cat). Make sure it has good lighting and good ventilation.
If you will need to see clients at home, make sure that you have a place to greet them and to meet with them that does not share in the familial, household clutter.
Books About Office Organizing on Amazon
If you can't fiind it on Amazon check used book sources. My favorite of these books is File Don't Pile and its companion volume for writers.
File...Don't Pile: A proven filing system for personal and professional use
Amazon Price: $9.56 (as of 11/24/2009)
File... Don't Pile!: For People Who Write : Handling the Paper Flow in the Workplace or Home Office
Amazon Price: (as of 11/24/2009)
Taming the Paper Tiger at Work
Amazon Price: (as of 11/24/2009)
HOMEFILE: Financial Planning Organizer Kit
Amazon Price: (as of 11/24/2009)
Taming the Paper Tiger at Home
Amazon Price: (as of 11/24/2009)
Books about Organizing on Amazon
Organizing from the Inside Out, second edition: The Foolproof System For Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Your Life
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 11/24/2009)
Organizing Plain and Simple: A Ready Reference Guide with Hundreds of Solutions to Your Everyday Clutter Challenges
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 11/24/2009)
Organizing for Dummies
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/24/2009)
A Place for Everything: Organizing the Stuff of Life
Amazon Price: (as of 11/24/2009)
Organizing Your Craft Space
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/24/2009)
New Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
Feedback on Finding New Ways to Work
Please share your experiences and if you have an interesting business leave your link and I will post it here.
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- businessonapage businessonapage Feb 25, 2009 @ 4:30 am
- Hello Marguerite, its great to see a lens written from the insight of experience. I would highlight to people the opportunity to provide their skills to family, friends and neighbours that would have otherwise paid an arm and a leg to get (or possibly gone without). Maybe they can give the time now as it would have been harder when they were working fulltime for someone else.
by margueritemanor
Marguerite Manor is a writer and graphic artist. She holds a BA in Medieval History with Honors from Stanford University and MA in Divinity and...
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