Do you wish that you could work from home?

A very popular subject was brought up in one of the mailing lists that I belong to.  It was about people who wished that they could work from home and were looking for "work at home" opportunities.  More specifically I think that they want to be able to find a company that will hire them to do work that they can do at home.  While I won't say that this is 100% out of the question - the problem is  FINDING the company.  If this is still the kind of opportunity that you are seeking you will first have to find a legitimate company - the emphasis being that YOU will have to find the company.

I get a lot of comments to this blog

and while some of it is very nice and complimentary some of it is spam.  I like to add the comments that prove to be the most helpful and inspiring so keep them coming!

A Resume Business?

It's not as impossible as you may think!  I just got finished reading an article about how popular the resume-writing business is.  What would you need to start?  A computer, a printer and maybe a telephone.  If you're reading my post now then you already have a computer - or at least access to one! 

Unfortunately it is a sad fact of life that a lot of people are loosing their jobs and have to apply for new ones.  To some composing a resume is a scary thing and something that they just don't want to be bothered with or they think that they might not do a good job and would rather pay a professional to do it.

This is a PERFECT example of a business that one can start at home! 

How do you get customers!  YOU ADVERTISE!  You can advertise both online and off.  There are some methods of advertising that do not require a lot of money - but they do require some "sweat" equity on your part. 

You should see some of the amounts that professional people charge to write resumes and you don't even have to stop there!  You can branch your business into related areas as well.

And there you have it!  A full-blown business that you can start at home!

AOL IS CHARGING FOR EMAIL?

You can find out more by reading this article from the NY Times......

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/technology/05AOL.html

Movie Review - "Contact"

This is a movie that I have saved and that I watch over and over again.  I like it because one of the messages that I get from this movie is that you should stay "true" to yourself regardless of what everyone else is doing.  I have also found out that the movie is based on a real life woman who has been called "a pain in the neck".  And that is exactly what Jodie Foster is in this movie and I say "more power to her!"

Jodie Foster plays a woman who was always interested in "little green men" ever since she was a child and she had a telescope to look at the stars and a scanner to communicate with others.  (By the way that doesn't sound like a bad idea to me to have both a telescope and a scanner.  My father used to have one of those big clunky scanners and I have come to miss it!)  Her father dies when she is quite young and she goes on to be a scientist.  We see her as she goes to study the "stars" at a facility that has to do with the SETI (Search For Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) Program.  (By the way this program is for real and is still in existence!)  Now bear in mind that she is a scientist and the program that she is a part of is being funded.  The funding is cancelled but she doesn't care and says she will "go it alone if she has to" because she has done it before.  What she does is get funding from an organization that provides funding for projects.  The funding she gets lasts for a few years but there is a problem because the area that she uses to listen for signals is leased by the government.  So even though she has the funding to continue to study and monitor signals the area belons to the government and it seems the government was getting pressure from others because they wanted to use the area as well.  Bowing to the pressure the government is "pulling the plug" on her access.  While her program is in the process of being discontinued she hears a signal that is coming from outer space.  Now all heck breaks loose!  You hear a signal coming from outer space so who do you tell?  Jodie Foster's character says "Everybody".  Now the government is involved and with the government comes (of course) politics!  The signal is translated and it turns out to be schematics for a transport system.  Of course now everybody wants to be the one that goes but only one can go.  I won't give away everything in the movie but to continue on......this movie does not have a "black and white" ending.

This movie has a very good cast and I give a special mention to James Woods - he can be quite good at being a pain in the neck!  Of course this movie also relates to grants and I didn't even notice it at first.    I'm not quite clear as to the specifics but I will assume for the purpose of this review that Jodie Foster's character - being a scientist - was working on a pure research project and this is something that she didn't finance herself but received funding for.  When this funding was pulled she sought funding elsewhere and got it from a very large organization that has funding programs.  This is something that is true in real life - as I have said many, many times.  There are funding programs out there for "pure" research - including grant programs from the government.  In fact these are some of the most vied for kinds of grants!

On a personal note I liked the movie because it was one of those "independent" women kind of movies BUT not so independent enough to not to want to have a relationship.  I have read in a review of this movie that the Matthew McConaghy character was really unneccessary but I was glad that his character was included simply because what's wrong with being independent but having a boyfriend - especially one that will stick by you!

I also liked the "politics" aspect of this movie.  Not so much that I, myself would want to have to go through it but the fact that the details of it were just great!  Who gets to ride in the transport?  (And why?), The cost of making the transport, the fact that the signal had to be to be decoded using the signal's broadcast that was heard in not just the United States but outside the United States - which made it a "worldwide" issue - apparently you need permission if you get the signal's broadcast from another county.....and on and on and then this just doesn't become a simple matter.  Religion was brought up, "eggheads" versus military aspects and most interesting of all is that even though Jodie Foster's character "discovered" the whole thing she was slowly being edged out of the whole thing (as the government was getting involved).  It is also very interesting to note that the word "grant" was mentioned near the end of the movie.

Maybe I'm just too "geeky" for my own good.  This isn't a simple plotted movie but I enjoyed it because of all the details and politics that were involved.  (I also liked all the equipement that was being shown). 

So this movie is in my library.  In fact it's one of my inspirational movies.

Selling For Others On Ebay.......

....I am thinking about selling for others on eBay. I don't think there is a place near me that does it so I would be the only one in the area. I just need to know a few things. How much of the money made goes to the customer and how much to me as the seller. What if something doesnt sell? does the customer pay all fees? And last but not least what types of items does it pay to do this for. After all, after all the time you spend making the pictures and listings and shipping the item do you realy come out ahead or do you expend too much time and energy for too little return?

Ebay has a term for this and its called "Trading Assistants".  Your idea doesn't sound like a bad idea but take it from the people that have replied to your post - it aint easy!

I had one woman who wanted me to sell her sports card collection on Ebay.  I see a similar set sold for $30,000!  Well I showed her that information and she was ready and willing to go BUT she didn't want to pay anything and she wanted to hold on to the cards until I got the payment.  Well my main caveat with that was that after I got the payment I would have to chase her all around to get the cards.  Mind you now its not her name on the account and its not her doing the work.  So to make a long story short I did not do it.

I recently made a brochure that I give out to anybody that wants me to sell their stuff on Ebay and in that brochure is the EXACT terms that I'm going to accept.  So I do suggest that if you want to do this that you do the same thing - write it out and then when someone comes to you wanting you to sell their stuff on Ebay - then BAM! - you give them the brochure!

If they balk you can simply tell them to try and sell it theirselves on Ebay.  That will give them a better understanding (and hopefully some respect) for what it is that has to be done.

This Entry Contains Graphic Content!

So many, many people want to work from home but a lot of them say that they don't know what to do.  As I have said many, many times before the fastest way to make money is to find a need and fill it and the best way to make money is to take something that you love and turn it into a business.

There is also a third option too.  How about taking one of the programs that you already have installed on your computer and start a business using it.  People think that that you have to have the latest software and/or the ones with the most "bells and whistles" when really you don't have to.  I am a big fan of "using what you have to get what you want."

On my consultation page I list a few programs and how they can be used to start a business.  A simple program that came with my computer was the Windows "Paint" program which is a basic paint program.  How can you use this program to start a business?  How about designing logos?  Or specialty T-shirt designs?  You can create your picture using this program and then copy the picture and paste it into your wordprocessing program.  Just think of what you could do with capabilities like that!  You could start your own newsletter, doing desk top publishing for others......You want to hear a "strange but true fact?"  Even with all the home computers in use there are still people/businesses and organizations that still use the service of desk top publishers - publishing everything from logos to stationary!  And this is something that you can do using two basic little programs that are already installed on your computer.

What's that?  You say that you can't draw?  In a lot of instances you won't have to be a Picasso at it.  The most basic of paint programs lets you draw shapes and include text and once you start at it you will become more and more familiar with the program itself and then you can start to experiment and acquaint yourself with what your program can and can't do.

Don't think that there is a market for this type of work?  Then you're wrong.  Look at all the websites that offer these kinds of services.  What about businesses that offer this type of service in your area?  If you live in an area that doesn't offer this type of service you can use that to your advantage!

What about a niche market where you do a specific type of design?  Let's say menus, resumes, newsletters, stationary - some type of specific design?

You will have to have clients right?  There are no-cost and low-cost ways to advertise and market your business.  Why don't you design a flyer advertising YOUR business (make yourself your first customer) and distribute it around?  Prepare a business plan so that you will always have the steps that you take written down (and add enough room for the new things that you have come to learn!).  Business plans don't have to be complicated.  You can start with just a simple objective (ie: I want to make $ per month) and add to it as you progress.

You know there are people that are doing this very thing now.  Why not you?

Another grant program that is open for FOR-Profits to apply!

Are you interested in providing shelter for the homeless?  There is a grant program in Wisconsin that provides funding for this.  Again (as I have said before) when there is an overwhelming need for something a grant program is created.  This one has been around for over 15 years!  Both non-profits and private for-profits are eligible to apply.   I was looking at the the listing of past recipients and the list includes organizations like the Salvation Army, community action organizations and a number of religious organizations.

Please remember to bear in mind that this is not the only grant program of its kind that is available.   Taking a look at the bigger picture here this has to do with providing shelter for the homeless and to encourage more shelters - that is why these kinds of programs have been created!

How do I get more people to come to my website?

I a have a Website,trying to make money working at home! I am 67 years old,with very little retirement! Looking for knoweledge to get more people to my website,

One of the first things that you should do is to identify/define your target market. Who is most likely to buy your product and why?

You also should realize that a lot of visitors will happen upon a website because they got the link from a search engine. Well, how does your page(s) rank in the search engines? I try to keep my pages at least in the top numbers of rankings and this is something that I do manually as opposed to paying for high(er) rankings. It is something that I do and that has to be done on a continuing basis. You have to realize that new webpages are coming on the Internet everyday and theoretically speaking the more new pages that are added to the Internet everyday the more your page(s) will get bumped down the list of links.

Also you're going to have to analyze the traffic that you are getting now to see how you can go about increasing it - another thing that should be included in your business plan.

"I Want To Start A Daycare ASAP!"

I want to open/start a home daycare, A.S.A.P.
I want to apply for grant.
Please tell me where to start!


Thank you for your email.

The first place that you should start looking for grants is your own locality.  You can start at the local level of your municipality to see if there are any grant programs for providing daycare services in your area.  You will also have to decide whether or not your daycare will be operated as a for-profit, non-profit or a combination of both.

There are daycare-related grant programs at a federal and national levels but if your own local area also has grant programs than you will have more that you can apply for.  There may also be certain aspects of your daycare that will qualify you for other funding programs such as providing "after-school type" programs, some kind of educational aspect and on and on.

It will all definitely depend on the type of daycare service you will be providing.  In some cases you can even find a grant/funding program that you can tailor your business to in order to qualfy for the funding program(s).  For example if you found an organization that had a grant program for helping to improve a child's math skills (or some subject that you are well acquainted with) then you could include such a program as part of your daycare services.

So the best place for you to start is with a general outline/business plan of the way that your business is going to be.  With this then you can start to find the grant/funding programs that you are eligible to apply for.

"I Am Looking For A Grant........"

When you are "looking for a grant" there are some things that you are going to have to take into consideration.  Number 1 grants are not automatic meaning that you have to apply.  You are most likely to receive a grant when you best meet the guidelines and requirements of the grant program.  Going on your post specifically you have to know that theatre and theatre groups receive grant funding all the time so that makes it definite that there are such grant programs out there. 

You take your endeavor or project and figure out who best would it serve.  Know that the bulk of grant programs out there exist to bring a greater awareness to something and/or to help solve a problem.  How does that relate to your endeavor specifically?  Well since yours is a minority endeavor you should look into sources that are related to that minority.  What can you bring a greater awareness to?  How about those problems that relate to your minority - ie literacy, there has also been in the news a lot lately about illegal immigrants - how about telling their stories?  How about telling the story or stories of those of your minority that have achieve some kind of infamy (good or bad) and there is also the good old "standby" of offering some type of educational aspect to your endeavor.  The above are good for at least 5 different kind of grant programs that you are qualified for and can apply to.

One side note that I want to add is that it is not enough to just say that you have a endeavor and/or project and then say you want a grant for it you are going to have to show why you should receive such a grant.

Little Things Do Count - when you're running a business

I'm looking at some literature from a company.  What is striking to me is that there is no letterhead with the company's contact information.  Please do not make this mistake with your own company's literature.  I don't care how small or how big your company is ALL of your literature should have some type of letterhead even if its just your company's basic contact information either at the top or the bottom of the page.  Remember that you want your business to be remembered!

PS - This also applies to your non-profit business and projects as well!

Marketing/Selling My Artwork

Can someone point me to the best resources for learning how to market my art?
I seem to be inept at using ebay, websites, google etc. I've tried everything and I'm so frustrated I could scream LOL!   The long of the short... I feel as if every place I see on the internet is out to take your money, for a service they know won't work eventually you quit after that they take the next guys buck. I've tried click services, general submissions, paid submissions, I've tried ebay who takes so much when you list and then afterward they take from your profit and they own paypal that also grabs a chunk. I feel used and abused, tired and frustrated I love my artwork, I do many types I am unfortunately a bit of a recluse and I don't have a networking ...my own folly I fear. But how do I go about building a clientel? Target market? I'm kind of crippled at knowing which way to go...also terribly unfocused...I make jewelry, paint watercolors, do poetry, cards, LOL I even tried to add products from places like SMC, crystal manufacturers to round out my own...they just d!
rove me nuts with low inventory, poor turn times etc. I want to crawl back into my cave and just paint LOL...help!! any suggestions?  I made a website/store but it's not "turned on" to shop at...you can't click a basket and buy anything...but it shows the kind of work I do...should I give up online and hit the street with a suitcase full of my work and hope some gallery likes it? I am such a ninny.,..LOL I am NOT a sales person, I'm an artist and need some real guidance ...check out my work and tell me who /how  I should approach to guide me at selling ...there's a fraction on this site...I have so many things LOL... anyway remember, you can't buy any of it, most of it I either gave away by now or it's packed away, but it is good to at least see what I mean by artist...

Well you seem to be quite unfocused.  The first thing that you should do is sit down and determine EXACTLY what it is you want!  AND you should make this the first page of your business plan which is something that you should have and is something that is always advised as having.  Your post is the perfect example of why one should have a business plan.  You're quite unfocused and going every which-a-way!

It just seems that you are in the middle of this big cloud with ideas and words swirling around you.  You're not the first person that has wanted to sell their art online (and you won't be the last).  You should also know too that there are people who are selling their own art online - you need to look no further than the "Artist" Message boards here on AOL.  And you know if there are AOL'ers selling their art online then there are those artists that aren't on AOL who are selling their art as well.

I can see that you're very frustrated and the simple solution to that is just that - MAKE IT SIMPLE!  Even though the Internet gives you a lot of options its easy to want and explore every new thing that comes along - which is all fine and well but have your simple plan and do that while you explore the other things!

What you need is one basic plan to follow.  You can explore other things but have a BASIC plan!  Then while you are carrying that out you can explore other things.

There are so many things in your post  - all of which can be analyzed and should be and then turned around to make them an advantage as opposed to a disadvantage.

"I Need Grant Money To Help Me With My DayCare Business"

From my email box......

Message:
========

I am trying start a home daycare center and need grant money to help me out with my business. Could you please give me so info on grants for   small business for women, etc. I need an name and address so that I can write a proposal for a
grant.

Sincerely,

S~
   

Thank you for your email.

Number one it is not as simple as writing a proposal.  You have to know the guidelines and the requirements of each grant program you are applying to because no two will ever be the same.  Besides there are many grant programs that let you apply online - not all of them but some of them - and that doesn't mean that you should not apply to those that don't have such capabilities - you should (and can) apply to as many grant programs that you are eligible for. 

As for a name and an address once you start finding this information on your own you will see how much time and effort is required.

The top 25 employment opportunities (for the Philadelphia area)

One of the employment opportunities listed is health care.  This means the whole health care industry.  Everything from taking care of patients to the billing process (which also includes administrative duties) can come under the category of health care.  Nurses and nurse's aides (now called CNA's) are needed and there are grants and scholarship programs to help fill that need.

Of course I get those people that want to work for themselves and be their own boss which is something that can be done using the health care industry as a target.  There are no shortages of business ideas for those that want to be able to be a part of the health care industry as far as being their own boss is concerned.  I did work for a client that is a nursing home that involved a summary report of complaints that were lodged against them - and the nursing home didn't even know about it!  They had no way to defend themself simply because they didn't know that the information existed - now they monitor it (or rather I should say that I monitor it) on a regular basis so that they will have the latest information that relates to them.

As I have said many times before the fastest way to make money is to find a need and fill it.  The best way to make money is to take something that you love and turn it into a business.

A Nursing Home reaching out to its visitors

Family and loved ones have every right to feel concerned when one of their own has to placed in a nursing home facility.  On the other hand a nursing home does have to protect itself from false accusations.  I became aware of this when I was approached by a nursing home that wanted 2 things actually.  Number 1 they wanted a web presence and number 2 they wanted me to design a visitor survey/suggestion/complaint box form to help with the feedback.  This nursing home had no web presence at all and was quite surprised when I informed them of the information about them that was online.  A typical "investigative" research search is $1200.00!  But you'd be surprised at what information there is out there about a business.  Whether it well founded or not the business will at least want to know what is being said about them.  In some cases they may even be able to bring some legal action if it is warranted.

What are my chances of getting a grant?

"~ I would like to know if I were to get you to look for me a grant that would be for a profit trucking company, I would like to know if you can do everything that is required for a grant?  By that I mean, can you do the research, prepare the grant and anything else that is involved with grants?  I work at a job that I rotate shifts on and have very little time off so there for my time is limited.  I would like to know what you think the cost would be for all of this.  ~ I need more than just research done.  If you would let me know and could tell me what my chances are of getting the grant monies that I will need to start a trucking company from the bottom up, then we can talk serious buisness.  I look forward to hearing from you SOON!"

~

First of all your chances of being awarded a grant will depend on how well you adhere to the guidelines, eligibility requirements and the application procedure.  For example if you are applying for one of the entrepreneurial grant programs you will have to show why you think your business idea should be awarded the grant.  No two grant programs will be the same!  Some require as little as a simple "letter of intent" all the way to a complete business plan.

To answer your question the process is simple.  The questions that have been posted have to be answered to get an idea of what kind of grant funding programs have to be found.  This "finding" takes 30 days - every grant funding program that I find that meets with the criteria of the questions that the client has filled out will be noted in the client's file.  This includes every bit of information about the grant program itself including all the contact information.  There is 20 hours worth of research time and 10 hours to gather and compile the information for the client.  The client receives this information lock, stock and barrel and it is theirs.  They read over their file and decide whether or not they can do the application process theirselves or whether they want to hire a grantwriter to do it for them.  The grantwriter can be me or someone else.  But the service is for the information itself - once the client has that then they can decide what to do next - whether it be with me or someone else.  Since the information is wanted so fast the payment that is required will be wanted fast as well.

In your specific case - as with any other - the information is gathered and given to you so that you can go over it and decide for yourself whether or not you want to do the process yourself or have someone else do it for you.  As of December 12, 2005, the basic fee for this is $759.00 and the information on the payment information page must also be received before a file will be started.

I guess people don't know a good thing when they have it!

Yet another question/question/query/email about finding a investor or investors.....My personal opinion is to avoid seeking an investor or investors solely for the reason that your project will not be 100% yours!  You will be sharing any and all profits that you make with your investor(s).

But if what you want are investors you have one of the most valuable tools at your disposal.  And if you are reading this entry then that means that you already have it and it is having access to the Internet!  Did you know that there are lists (and lists) of potental investors online?  There are also lists and directories of venture capitalists - and yes there are still some legitimate venture capitalists (and angel investors) out there as well.  If you are seeking an investor then there is also tons of information on the Internet to help you - everything from what kind of information you should have to actual accounts of the process that people have used to get investors.

If you are seekng investors then you have more resources than you know!

Take a program that you already have installed and...........

turn THAT into a business!

I just got finished playing around with some of the sound programs on my computer.  It wasn't for a professional job - I was just playing around with the programs.  (If you'd like to hear it just go to my "Shoutout" Page at:

http://members.aol.com/Roseb441702/shoutout.htm

and click on the box that says "Testing 1 - 2................"

It's just a quick thing that I was having fun with and then I decided to put it online.  But it is just another reminder of how you can take one program and turn it into a business.  I know that there are a lot more sophisticated sound/music programs out there but you can do a lot with the "sound recorder" program if it already came as part of the software on your computer.  I get lots of email from people that say that want to start their own recording studio and I'm just wondering how many people have this little program gem on their computer and aren't aware of it.  You could start your own little production company (and I have seen examples of people that actually do this!).  You can start out making funny messages for people's answering machines.  You put a sample on your webpage and do some advertising and some marketing and some promotion to get people to listen to it and then the orders would come from there.  So many people ask about how they can get people to come to their pages without having to pay a lot of money and there are ways that you can advertise and promote your site without having to pay a lot of money.  You have to realize that not everybody has a lot of money to start with and they use the resources that they have to bring more visitors (and potential customers) to their pages.  As they get more and more orders they can increase the amount that they can spend on advertising and such.  Also too, as you become more and more familiar with the work you are doing you can increase your know-how by adding services that involve music such as making demos and full-blown recordings and its not just music that you can work with you can also work with sounds and sound effects too. 

And the best part is that this is a business that you can start at home using your computer.  Don't think it would work?  Well guess what!  A guy won a grammy for his music that he made entirely at home!

Looking for typing work at home....

Rose - I am a retired AA - looking for typing work at home.  I have typed manuscripts and would like to continue doing this but it seems with everyone proficient on the computer there is not a demand for typists.  I understand, from some of the things posted on your site, that there are people out there who would like typing done - how do I contact them.  Can you help me.


As strange as it may seem there is still a demand for computer work like typing and graphic designs even though a lot of people have computers that come with very good word processing and graphics programs.  So there is work out there.

So as a person that wants to work from home what you have to do is find them!  I don't know whether or not you want to do this as a means for extra income or if you want to make a business from it but the process is still the same.  Since I do work from home myself and do business consulting for others that want to start a business of their own it has given me the chance to see how many resources there are to help one start their own business - but they always seem to overlook them or don't think that anything can be done with it.  A lot of people have started their own business starting with little money and what they lack in money they make up for with time and effort.

Relating specifically to you and your email you have to realize that while a lot of people have a computer they still don't want to "work", they don't have the time to do it and lastly some of them just don't want to do it.  You'd be surprised at the number of people I know that have the latest computer but don't "work" it. 

If typing is the area that you want to start making income from the first thing that you will have to do is to define your target market.  Who is most likely to need and buy your services?  Then you target to them.  Is just straight typing the only kind of work that you want to do?  There are many jobs that fall into the area of typing but let's target specifically the kind of typing you mentioned above.  You talk about manuscripts - then what you would do is target to those dealing with manuscripts.  Since delivery may be a major concern (at least at the start) you should first concentrate on your local area.  There are at list 6 possible businesses/clients that I can think of in my own immediate area that would need typing services but I have to let them know that I'm "open" for business.  This is the same thing that you will have to do - let them know that you are open for business.  This is why a business plan is always recommended for those that want to start a business of their own.  It is better to have a step by step plan and process as opposed to just "come what may".  You're going to have to have some knowledge of the "business" side of business such as how you will bill them, what rates you will charge, what kind of form you will use to charge them with, supplies (accounts payable) plus you will want to have a plan for marketing, promoting and advertising your business which you have to do on a regular basis to keep your business going.

Since your primary main focus will be on getting clients you will want to concentrate most of your energies on this.  And like I said above the best place to start would be in your local immediate area.  One of my first regular clients was someone I knew at my local supermarket.  I didn't pressure him or anything but when he asked what I did I told him and he had some work for me.  Now he is a continuing client.  This is but one example of letting people know that you're out there and open for business.  Another resource that is often overlooked is one's own local newspaper!   Hardly any of the people that have sent me mail about starting their own business have even thought of that!  This is just one example of a common thing that should be used as a resource but isn't and buying one local paper is something that most people can afford.  Even if they couldn't afford to buy a local paper there are just too many other resources that can be used but are for the most part ignored!

So to answer your question I'm assuming you are at the beginning of getting started looking for clients and the best place for you to start is to start with your immediate area.  Once you follow the steps for that and start getting your first clients then you can branch out to potential clients that are farther away and even work your way up to using the Internet to reach more people.  (Yes, you can have Internet clients that need typing work - because its being done by others! - I'm talking about legitimate jobs that involve typing for businesses and individuals!) 

"I was just laid off......."

I saw this line again when I was online and it got me to thinking about what could be done when you get laid off.  First of all if you are reading this that means that you have a computer - or at least have access to one - and that just opens up so many possibilities for you!

Many people dream about being able to work at home and it is something that a LOT of people are doing.  They took their dreams and turned them into a reality.  Just a few nights ago I was watching a program about how one could start their own business by putting things up on sale on Ebay.  I have done it and I was scared at first but I managed to get through my nervousness and trepidation and viola!  I sold my very first item!  I have to tell you that the program I saw wasn't one of those "get rich" infomercials but a program by a woman that showed some very good tips and steps for selling things on Ebay.

This is definitely something that one can do at home and make a business out of it.  You could "raid" your house to see what you could auction and if you think that you don't have anything to sell you should take a look at some of the things that sell on Ebay!

I know that you might be scared and/or afraid but think of it in terms of a regular auction - which is really what it is - just on the computer.  Sure you have to take that first step but if you have dreamt of working from home this is definitely something that you should consider doing.  I have even considered doing it on a more regular basis when I come across something that would make a good auction piece.  And its not just individuals that sell on Ebay its companies and the government (I heard) that use it too.

I watched a very interesting program on television about a group of women that made quilts.  Now I myself have seen grant programs for quiltmaking and things that are related to it but what interested me about this particular program was the fact that they had a little web page and asked for people to send their quilt patches and they got so many in response.  It just goes to show you how having a webpage (even if its a little one) can make a huge difference.  So if you don't have a webpage you should really have one.  Your business should have one.  But don't think having a webpage is just for business.  You should take a look at a few of my personal pages and the personal pages of others.  That's why they put them on the Internet so that everyone can see them and show the world what they are all about.

But getting back to the original topic about being able to earn an income after you have just gotten laid off...................The fastest way to make money is to find a need and fill it.  For example after the recent snowstorm here there were people going door to door shoveling snow.  That's a way to make some fast cash.  You could even set up an arrangement where you would do the shoveling on a needed basis.  It wouldn't be hard to make a contract/invoice on your computer and use it as your agreement.  You could make a flyer and distribute it around and start to build up a clientel.  You could offer additional services like yardwork, running errands and the like.

The best way is to take something that you love to do and turn that into a business.  For me personally time just flies when I'm on the computer whether I'm designing a flyer, doing some production work or finding information for a client.  For you it may be something different but it can be turned into a business.  You could even take something that you hate to do and turn THAT into a business!  No matter how "silly" you may think your idea (or dream) is you can turn that into a business for yourself!  Isn't that what you want to do?

Jealousy? Here is some great advice.....

I read an article about jealousy and it gave the example of a woman who was a personal trainer who had a lot of jealousy towards those who were famous and popular and in the public eye.  The advice given to her was for her to continue what she was doing and to continue to enjoy it and show the world what she could do!  Not long after that she got approached to do a fitness video!  Which she did and the SHE became famous!

The point that I'm trying to make here is if you feel jealousy towards others then work that much harder at what you already do.  Hopefully it is something that you love to do and/or have a passion for and the opportunities will start to come and you can live the life that you have dreamed of!

Still think there aren't any grants for your business?

Here is a quote!

"Business There are Grants for a variety of business situations, believe it or not! Don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise...if they say there isn't anything, they just don't know WHERE to look! As with any grant, it depends on your needs and the needs of the community, the type of grant you're seeking and more. No one is just going to hand you money to go out and buy a business or pay for your company's personnel salary because you ask for it - so if this is what you're looking for we suggest you get a loan! However, if your company serves a need, offers job training, produces a viable product, is owned by a woman and/or a minority, etc. then there just might be some funding out there for you!"

Snowed in today.....

Since its pretty treacherous outside I'm hibernating inside today.  There is definitely a lot of work to be done and right now I'm answering email.  I'm also listening to my local news to see what's going on with the weather forecast.  It's good that I don't have any outside appointments to go to today. 

It's great to be able to work at home and what I mentioned above is one of the reasons why!

Interested in getting into porn?

While viewing some links I came across a blog about being in the sex/porn industry.  Unfortunately that blog didn't allow comments but I was able to read a few of the emails posted and I was so surprised by the number of people wanting to get into the porn business.  (A lot of them were underaged so basically that's illegal).

A "porn" business can be started in one's own home.  It would help if you had a webcam but it's not mandatory (and who is to say that you can't buy a webcam at a later date).  One of the things that you should definitely have is a webpage - even if it is a free one by one of the free webhosting site - BUT CHECK THEIR GUIDELINES TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS ALLOWED!

There are stories about girls who have managed to pay their way through college by simply having a webcam site that others can watch (for a fee) and in theory you could do exactly the same thing.  You set up your website, let people know its out there and decide how much you will charge and how you will receive your payment.  There are many sites that do just this same thing and that goes to show you that there is definitely a demand out there for it!

Where can I get a grant?

The answer to that will be that it will depend on what you are seeking the grant for.  Will it be to continue your education?  Start a business?  Start a project?  Once you you know what it is you will be seeking a grant for then you can start to narrow down the list of places that offer these kinds of funding programs.  And the places that offers these kinds of funding programs run the gamut from government funding programs to individual foundations that also offer this type of funding program.  There are even some big businesses and corporations that have one type of funding program or another.

You may very well indeed get lucky and find grant funding programs if you just start looking around but the more specific you are the more you will be able to narrow down your investigating.

One thing that you should also note is that while we are in the "Internet" age a lot of funding programs do not have a web presence.  You will either have to contact them by phone or by regular snail mail.

There is just no one place to go to get a grant (or better I should say - apply for a grant).  It will depend on what you are seeking the grant funding for.  You may think that what you are seeking grant funding for is silly or stupid or not important enough but believe me I have seen grant funding for growing weed, grant funding for a "witch's" business, for songwriting and comic book writers but of course these grant recipients didn't get their grant funding from the same place.  So again I answer the question by saying that it will depend on what you are seeking the grant funding for.

Starting an XXX Business (at home) with your webcam?

Again someone was doing a search for this and that is how they got to one of my pages.

Basically in theory this is how it would work.  You would set up your webcam to be able to either stream or show pictures that you can put on your website.  You can charge for access to your site.  What you charge will depend on a lot of things.  But you can even take payments via the Internet or even take check and/or money orders.  You can make this as simple or as complicated as you want.

Now I myself have a webcam and I will be honest - I didn't get everything right the first time.  But I use my webcam page for just showing general pictures of my surroundings (and for pictures of my cat!).

But you would be surprised just how many people are making a living using the above as a basic example.  Depending on what equipment you already have you could have a website up and ready before the end of the month (and by ready I also mean being able to take/receive payments). 

Grants For For-Profit Day Care?

I was just going over my notes and gathering information for a client when I was looking at the guidelines of one of the daycare-related funding programs.  There it was in black and white that FOR-PROFITS are eligible to apply.  This particular funding program requires that your daycare meet regulated guidelines but other than that if you are a for-profit daycare and you are seeking funding you should definitely be looking into programs just like this one.

And don't let anyone ever tell you that there is no grant funding for for-profit daycare!

Paying back your student loan?

Is it possible?  The answer of course is "Yes".  But make no mistake you will have to do some work!  In some instances you can offer your volunteer services for up to one year.  In another case if you are a teacher and meet certain eligibility requirements you can also decrease, defer or even cancel your student loan.

Of course it will depend on the terms of your loan - including what kind of loan it is and again - of course - it will depend on the program that is offering it.  So if you have a student loan that you have been worrying about then you should do some investigating to see if you can do something about it!  The programs and the information is out there!

Webcam Work From Home?

Now this is interesting!  But there are a few ways that come to mind - some of them are adult-oriented though and they really can't be discussed here in detail.  But there are people who have managed to do this kind of thing very profitably and as much as you may hate it there is still a market for this kind of thing.

I do know that a daycare center installed webcams at their facility so that the parents could see their children online.

Searching for Daycare related grants?

I see that a lot of people are doing this.  Often times they will get frustrated and just stop looking.  The one thing that you have to remember is that grants have been awarded to daycare facilities - I list some of them on my grants page at:

http://members.aol.com/Roseb441702/grants.htm

These recipients are not ones that I made up in my mind and posted to my webpage.  They are actual daycare facilities.  There are also the ones that I haven't mentioned on my page including the one about the daycare center that received grant funding because they offered 24 hour a day daycare.

There is also another category of grant funding that you should be looking into and that is the entrepreneurial-type grant funding.  These types of funding programs depend on you submitting a professional business plan - one is even offered by a software company itself.

The eligibility requirements of some of these funding programs vary from submitting a simple letter of intent to providing a detailed business plan and/or summary.  You have to remember that the program that awards these fundings will want to know how much you are seeking (unless they already have a set amount of funding money) and most importantly WHAT you will be using the money for.

There are a lot of work-at-home scams out there........

I stlll think that the best job that one can do from one's own home is their own business.  But there are a LOT of people out there that are looking for work from companies that will more or less have work that you can do from home.  With the exception of some companies like Mary Kay and Avon I haven't seen one yet that I would feel comfortable with.

I think the reason why so many people are looking for companies to provide them with work that they can do at home is because they want the security of working for an already established business.  Plus I think that they think that they will get paid sooner if they work for a company as opposed to working for theirselves.  If such is the case with you I advise you to read everything carefully!  There are stories where people have joined these companies and either they had to spend a lot of money to buy the company's materials or they tell of how they haven't got paid.

Like I said before I think it would be much better if one started a business of their own.  No matter how "crazy" you may think that your business idea sounds there is probably someone doing EXACTLY what it is you want to do or someone is doing something that's close to what it is you want to do.

I'm assuming that some visitors are reading my Working From Home blog because that is exactly what it is that they want to do.  It is not as impossible as you may think.  In fact you may know someone who works at home now.

I've Been Spotlighted!

My profile is being featured on the Business Owners Idea Cafe!

http://www.businessownersideacafe.com

I loved the way they said that I have taken the "bull by the horns" - isn't that adorable!

A Recipient of child care grants - Here is an excerpt:

Holmes and other providers say that socking away money to improve their businesses and locations is a challenge. But with help from modest grants awarded by a child care improvement program, Holmes was able to fence her yard, put up play structures and repaint her house with more child-friendly lacquer.

Because she cares for mostly government-subsidized children, Holmes' rates are low. She would not have been able to afford these improvements without the grants.

"The grants made it so much nicer for my children and families. The kids can now ride their toy scooters inside the fence without worry that they will get into the road," Holmes said.

Still think there are no grants for at-home child care providers?

How To Get A Grant To Start/Open Your Own Business

Well the first thing that you are going to have to do is to find out what grant programs are available to start/open your own business.  Although it would seem that the best way to start would be to first decide on what kind of business you want to start the reality is that you are going to have to tailor your business to the grant program(s) that you are eligible to apply for.

The exception to the above of course are the funding programs that are geared specifically to starting/opening a business - especially when you are a woman or a minortiy.  Usually these kind of funding programs require that you submit a business plan as part of the application process.  There are a number of entrepreneurial funding programs whose objective is to help fund new businesses.  Some of these are competitions where your application will not be the only one submitted and you stand the best chance of winning the competition if your business plan is well thought out - remember you have to look at it from the viewpoint of the committee/group that will be judging and deciding on whose business plan best meets the objective of the program or competition that is doing the sponsoring/funding.

There are funding programs that will provide money to live on while you get training to run your own business.  You can be as young as 12 years old and receive grant money to start a business in a rural area.  If you just need a few thousand dollars to start your business there are nonprofit groups that provide funding for this.  For women there is a grant program that will provide $500 - $3,000 in startup grant money BUT you have to become a member BUT membership is free.  There is also a grant program in New York that was started by a couple to help those that are struggling to start their own busines.  This grant program provides up to $1,000 in start-up grant funding.  There is also a government program that provides funding to low-incomed people to start their own businesses (to help make them self-sufficient).

There are other routes you can take to be eligible to apply for grant funding such as adding a non-profit aspect to your business.

For example, a relative of a neighbor of mine wants to start her own flower business.  Would she be able to apply for a grant to start her business?  Of course the answer is yes BUT it will depend on HOW she applies.  She just can't blindly apply to the government and say that she wants x amount of dollars to start her business.  But what she can do is first apply to the entrepreneurial grant programs like the ones I mentioned above that require at least a business plan to apply.  So let's say that she doesn't have a business plan - then what?  She can go online and find examples and templates for almost any kind of business that there is and apply it to her own business.  Next she should apply to the women related funding programs that are out there and since she is also a minority she should apply for those funding programs as well.  (There is no limit on the number of grant programs that you can apply for as long as you are eligible for them and the programs themselves state explicidly that you can't).  Next she should apply for the funding programs that are available for her area.  Not every area will have the same kind of funding program or they may but it will be under a different name.  Next she can apply for the funding programs that are specifically related to her business.  How deep is her knowledge of flowers?  Do you know that there is a grant program that provides funding to research weeds?  How about funding to research the local plants and vegetation in the area - there are some grant funding programs for that as well.  And lastly she can add a non-profit aspect to her business as well such as teaching, providing lectures, classes and the like.

It may seem like a lot of work to do and it IS!  But if she is serious enough about wanting grant funding to start her business this is what she is going to have to do.

Receiving grant funding will also add prestige to your business and may open the door for you to receive more funding as well.

A Scam!

Here is a recent email I got:

Okay, I see where this is going.  I will never be on your client list, because I am not stupid enough to give you my money.  I have the money, but it won't get spent on your "NO REAL SOURCE INFORMATION".  This is nothing but a scam.  If I was trying to persue someone to perchase information from me, I would at least tell them what they need to know before purchasing from me.  I can tell by the question you keep asking, that this is not a ligitimate source.  All you talking about is money.

and here was my reply to them:

Again, thank you for your email.  And you are definitely right - you won't be a customer/client of mine.  If you feel that my service and my business is a scam then you are absolutely right that you should look elsewhere.
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There are some things that you have to be made aware of when looking for grant funding programs.  Number one is that the programs are out there regardless of whether or not you use me.  This information is not exclusive to me and a good portion of the information about grant funding is that it has to be "open and accessible to the public" - which means that the information must (by law) be made public to the public.

The meaning of "scam" is a fraudelent act.  Thank goodness there are other people out there besides me that know about these funding programs.  In order to be scammed one has had to have been taken advantage of monetarily and since no money has exchanged hands then there is no fraud involved.  I can understand not spending money if you are unsure of something and the only solution to that is to NOT spend the money.

It would not be fair to any client (past, present and future) for me to give you information that they themselves pay (or have paid) for and its not going to happen.

But there is something that you should understand and that is that the information (and the funding programs) are out there.  The general frustration seems to be in finding them - but just because you can't find the information doesn't mean that it isn't out there.

There Are No Grants To Start A Business?

Of course the above title is wrong!  I have seen so many grant programs for for-profit business startups that it was enough to give me a headache!

There is a grant program for comic book writers, songwriters, photographers and film-makers.  There are grant programs for women, minorities, children, and inventors.

A lot of this frustration must come from the fact that people get frustrated when they try to find this kind of information.  But just because you haven't found it yet doesn't mean that the information is not out there - you have to keep on looking because believe me the grant programs are out there (and there are some strange ones that are out there as well).

No matter what kind of business you want to start there is probably a grant program out there that you are eligible for and even if you can't find one that you think you may be eligible for you can MAKE yourself eligible if you just tailor your business to the eligibility requirements of those funding programs that are most related to what it is you are trying to do.

All this talk about there being no grant programs for for-profits and/or start-ups is absolutely and totally false!

Writing a Grant For A Group Home?

Hi my name is T~ and i live in Raleigh NC and i wanted to know how to write a grant to start my own Group home for  Disable Children and Adults in my City.

Number one you can't write "a" grant to start your own group home.  What you have to do is fill out the grant application for the grant program that you are applying too.  No two programs are alike so that means that their application process will not be the same.  Some grant funding programs only require that you start the process with a simple "letter of intent" and other require more detailed information.

There are no secrets as to "how to get started".  You find the programs that you are eligible to apply for and then you apply according to their guidelines.  There are grant programs that are strictly daycare/group home related and there are also entrepreneurial grant programs where the main requirement is you starting a business (and proving to them that you are serious about starting that business such as the one that has a grant program for entrepeneurs with grant awards up to $5,000.00.  There are grant programs that award grants for businesses that help to improve the lives of anothers.  So you see there is more than one category of grants that you can qualify for and there are more than a few in each category.

So you can not write "a" grant you have to find the program first and then apply according to their terms.  Once you start finding this information yourself you will see that a lot of time and effort will be needed on your part.

Getting Your Student Loan Payments cancelled or deferred or reduced?

Yes there are instances where you can get your student loan either cancelled or deferred or even reduced.  Some programs allow for you to do volunteer services and in exchange your student loan can either be paid back or reduced.  In some cases your student loan payments can be deferred.  There is a program especially for teachers who either teach a specific subject or teach in a low-income area that allows for their student loan to be either paid off or - in some cases - cancelled.  Definitely a lot will depend on the specifics of the type of student loan that you have and the terms of your student loan have to be gone over thoroughly - but yes there are programs that deal with paying back your student loans. 

So this is something that you should definitely be looking into to see if you can get help with paying back your student loan. 

Guess What! - I'm Going To Write A Book!

It's going to be about my being a "Dream Job" consultant!  I'll have to think of a "catchy" title and everything!

It's not so much about HOW to be a "Dream Job" consultant but more along the lines of an inspirational-type book.  You know one of those "they said it couldn't be done" kind of books.  Hopefully it will be an inspiration to all of those who think that they can't have what they want.

Spam Email?

Like everybody else I get junk and spam email but what I noticed about one particular email was for an adult website where photos and email could be exchanged with others.

It doesn't matter how you feel about them there are and will continue to be adult websites and the reason for that is because of one thing - demand!  If there wasn't such a high demand for this type of thing then there wouldn't be as many of them online.

Here is a business (or individual) that has managed to create a site where people exchange photos and email.  Where do you think that the money is made?  Let's say they started off with a hundred people (at first) - how much income was made?  And where do you think that this type of business can be operated from?  That's right - from one's own home!

Now I realize that everybody does not have a taste for this type of thing but for those of you that do here is a perfect example of a business that can be started and run by computer in one's own home.

I mean this is the type of business that people are looking for - something that they can do at home at the computer - and make a living at it!

For those of you that want to work at home but don't know what to do.

I have said it before and I will say it again.  The fastest way to make money is to find a need and fill it.  That's why businesses such as yard work, starting a cleaning business or starting a daycare business have always been suggested because these are the kinds of businesses where there is always a demand.

The best way to make money is to take something that you love and turn that into a business.  You may think that your idea is not good enough but you'd be surprised at the types of businesses that people have started.  Not scams or pyramid schemes but general interests and hobbies that they have managed to turn into a profitable business.  Even something that seems as far-fetched as being a writer is not an impossible career to achieve.

If you are really serious about wanting to work from take some time - maybe an hour or 2 and write down a list of the top 5 things that you love/like to do - at least one of them can be turned into a profitable business and yes I'm going to say it - you may even be able to get a grant (or two) to help you fund it.  If a farmer can get a grant for growing weed you can't possibly think that your idea is so far-fetched that it shouldn't even be explored.  And the best part is what happens when you succeed - which will mean that you will be working at home and earning a living at it.  No matter what kind of dream job you have chances are that there is someone else who is already doing it or doing something close to it.

Government Grants for Growing Weed?

Someone actually tried to find out some information about this and here is a few of what I found out about it.

In the past Canada has had a program where those that qualified because of their illness could receive "government" grown weed whether it was the government or a "designated" grower that supplied it.  Some have even received federal exemptions to grow it!  In the U.S. there were 9 states that allowed limited use of marijuana for medical purposes under the direction of a doctor:

I won't say which state it was but a farmer (in the US) got permission (and a monthly check) to grow marijuana for 17 "legally" ill people.

Grant Funding Programs for For-Profit DayCare!

Don't let anyone tell you that there is no grant funding programs for for-profit daycares!

I'm glad that my latest client is happy with the 4 grant funding programs that I was able to find for her to apply to.  There was an additional grant program that was included because she is also going to incorporate gardening into her daycare.  There is also additional programs for her if she decides to turn her daycare into one that operates during non-business hours.

This woman wants to start a daycare business out of her home in South Carolina and she says that this is something that she always dreamed of doing but finding the funding for it (in her words) was impossible.  Well now she knows that it is possible!

So don't let ANYONE tell you that there is no funding for a for-profit daycare business.

It was a lot of work finding the funding programs that she is eligible to apply for but it wasn't impossible.  So if you have always dreamed of opening a daycare business look into finding the programs that have funding that you will be eligible to apply for.  They are out there!  So many people have done searches looking for information about this and it feels good to dispel another myth about grant programs and for-profit daycare!

Needing A Grantwriter To Write A Grant For A Daycare Center/Business...

Hello, Rose I'm currently in the process of  looking for someone to wirte a grant for me to open up my own daycare.

You are going to have to bear in mind that there will have to be some questions asked no matter who you choose as a grantwriter.  The questions that I ask of all of my clients appear here.

Remember unless you have specific funding programs in mind your grantwriter is also going to be your grant investigator as well.

Guess what's on the radio right now?

So the jazz radio station is playing in the background and on comes a commercial about how people are quitting their jobs and starting a business by buying and selling on Ebay.

You know this isn't a myth.  There are actual examples of people who are able to make a living by buying and/or selling on Ebay.  I myself have used Ebay.  There was even a special on CNBC about Ebay and how big it has grown!

So this is another option that you might want to try as a business of your own to start.  Some people have made a career of going to flea markets and buying and selling those items on Ebay!  If you specialize in a certain type of product you might even build up a following who will try and contact you first and buy your product(s) even before you have had the chance to put them up for auction on Ebay!

Here's A HeartWarming Little Story

about a man and his love for puppets!  He used to work with the city (NY) when the city put on puppet shows.  But due to staff and budget cuts he was dismissed.  Guess what?  He got a $500.00 grant to start his own puppet business and that is what he currently does - he is his own boss and as another aspect of his business he also makes puppets.

So if you think that your dream job is too far-fetched or impossible I hope you take this story to heart!

Grants For Seniors including repairs to the home

Being old, female and poor should be enough to find some sort of help to get $$ for home repair.  I sent in paperwork for weeks and  then was told I make too much (SS) for a grant and I don't have good enough credit to get a low interest loan.  I thought they were for low income people.  Only reason I have no credit is cause I don't buy on credit!  Where do you go to find help?  My house is in need of repairs badly. 

I don't know which program you applied for but there are programs for those that are elderly.  Case in point - I'm helping a relative of mine because their heating system is not working and the program will repair it for free!  It's really crazy because the same program will also pay an amount to her heating bill as well.  It won't cover the whole bill but there will be 2 grants that will be applied towards the heating bill plus the repair work to her heating system.  As a matter of fact if her heating system is shot they will install a new one!There are also programs that are tied in with the lottery - you know the money being used for programs to help the elderly - got a relative (I don't qualify but I did get some compensation) a $500 check that was deposited to her bank account - from a government program.In the area where I live the residents are eligible for $20,000.00 in repairs from a grant program.So you're not looking in the right places or the specifics of the program that you were applying for have to be better known.

Want to hear about another grant recipient?

J. Nelson was a puppeteur that worked with the city of New York when the city put on puppet shows.  But due to staff cuts he could not work for them any more.  To make a long story short his love of what he did got him a small grant of $500 to continue his business and he now makes his living as a designer and maker of puppets and marionettes.  $500 may not seem like a lot of money but it was enough to get him started and he is now his own boss and working at something he loves!

This is a very inspiring and uplifting story and if you think that whatever it is that you want to do is impossible I hope this little story has changed your mind.

I tried to do it but I couldn't!

I tried to give myself a day off today but I couldn't do it!  I was lying in bed thinking about how nice it would be to just stay in bed all day.  But as soon as I had that though I had another one and I was back at the computer and then I was online and then I started to do more work.

Oh well, maybe next time!

I have to shatter another myth about starting a business

and that myth is that you have to have trained with someone.

I just answered an email from someone that wanted to know what seminar I got my training from and I answered back that I didn't use any seminar to get my training.  To make a long story short - I trained myself!

But the point that I want to make here is that you don't HAVE to take a training course if you are good at what you do.  In some ways the training that is provided may do more harm than good.

"I Wished I Could Work At Home Like You"

This line was in one of the most recent emails sent to me. As I have said time and time again almost ANY thing can be turned into a work at home business! If you can repair things - you have got a business! You can even turn something you hate into a business! What I do is consultations, research and customized business plans. I had originally started doing webpages and graphic designs which I still do on occassion but mine is a perfect example of taking something that you love to do and turning it into a business - a work at home business. One of the business plans that I customize is one specifically for those that want to work at home with their computer but its not for everyone because it has to do with the adult and sex websites/industry. But this is a perfect example of working at home because it involves working with your computer and earning an income. Where did I get the idea for this? Someone sent me an email saying that they wanted to make $5K a month and they didn't include any other kind of information like any interests or hobbies that they had. They just said that they wanted to make 5K a month. I thought that they were just being a smart alek but you know what? My mind got to thinking and I remember reading about how the adult sites - some of them - make over $1 Million Dollars a Month and that got me to thinking and that is how I came up with the Business Plan - which is called XXX.

Now bear in mind this is just one example of a business that one can start from home. The best businesses would be something that you love to do or even what you would consider your dream job. You can take an interest or even something that you hate to do and turn that into a business. How ironic is that to be able to make an income from something that you hate to do!

I get email from single mothers and those who are retired and even from those who haven't reached the age of 18 and you can still earn a living even if you are a minor. Lots of young people are making a living - sometimes even making more than their parents do!

It all comes down to desire! You have to have focus - that's why having a business plan is always recommended - and I don't just say that because I sell them - I and many others have advised the same thing.

I especially like consulting those that have no clue as to what kind of business that they could start and with just a few insights they are well on their way.

Believe me there is no hidden secret about being able to work from your home. There is work and diligence and patience but no secret. But those that had the desire are the ones that are doing it. It's not just me - its many, many people. People are starting their own businesses selling candles, herbs, spices, tarot and astrology readings, giving advice, starting newsletters (for which they get paid to advertise/subscribers), doing repairs, running errands - almost any thing that you can think of there is either someone who is doing it now or doing something that is close to it!

You can't tell me that you can't work from home! Now its up to you to make it happen!

Finding Home Care Benefits For Seniors

Unfortunately I just can't agree with the last post.  Remember that the oringinal poster said that their loved one was able to get the benefits in their original state - they just have to find the same service in their current state.

There are just too many government programs that are available and especially more so in the case of seniors.  I have been able to get benefits, even cash in check form for a relative of mine who is a senior.  What is most ironic is that some of these programs go begging for wanting others to know about them and as it was explained to me "the government has the programs - just not the money (or the inclination?) to advertise them.

In the case of the original poster it may be hard to find the program(s) that best fit your needs but it is not impossible.  You have to take into consideration that not everyone knows about every program even though they may be a social worker because old funding programs are cancelled and new ones are created - some programs even go through changes and are re-named or something along those lines.

As I have learned you are going to have to find the programs - the reason that you are getting the "run-around" is probably because they don't even know about the programs.  Basic information about funding programs - in any category - has to be understood that finding them is not as simple as 1-2-3.

Is It Just Me or.....

are my entries being seen at the bottom of the page/blog instead of being on the right side of the index?

Want to Work From Home But Don't Know What Kind of Work To Do?

Here's a little assignment that you can do!

Just make a list of 10 things that:

interest you
you are skilled at
you hate to do
are your hobbies
are your dream job

You don't have to write 10 of all the suggestions above - you can start with just one of the listings and list 10 things.  After you have done that  you can list them here and others (including myself may be able to help show you how you can turn at least one of them into a business of your own that you can do at home.

A Funding Debate For Katrina Business Areas

While there is a lot of talk of loans and the SBA and other help in the form of loans there is a general outcry because the businesses want grants and not loans.  In the words of some of the business owners "loans mean that they will be incurring more debt - something that they just cannot afford to do".

Some businesses have taken advantage of the loan programs being funding by the SBA but they have been told that the process could take as long as three months!  Some businesses hoping that they can hang on until then.

There is also the question of the employees themselves - some of which have taken advantage of government contracting where they are hired by the government to help with the relief efforts and leaving their employers high and dry.

There is proposed legislation pending allowing for more government funding which includes both loans and grants to the businesses in the Katrina-hit areas.

Latch-key Kids - Starting A Program For?

"looking for grant to build and start latch key program.  for kids ages 10 to 14. "

If I understand you correctly you are talking about starting a program similar to daycare where you watch/supervise the children and there are definitely funding programs for that.  There are also a lot of teen-related programs and it would help if you had some kind of theme such as helping to improve the community or even helping them improve their educational skills and abilities. 

As I have stated many times before there are many grant programs for child care - even children that are older and are teenagers.  Another route you should take in looking for grant funding would be your own specific area.  There are grant programs that are available for specific regions.  There are also grant programs that have the objective of "bettering" the community (and society as well) - one in particular that has an annual program with a grant amount of $100,000.00!

It seems that you are looking for just any kind of grant funding program where what I would advise is that first you find some sort of theme and then find funding programs that are related to that theme.  While you could look into funding programs that are just general in nature (for providing daycare/supervision services) you can increase the number of grant programs that you can apply for if you include specific themes and objectives as well.

There are definitely a lot of grant programs that you should be looking into because providing daycare (even for teenagers) is a very big concern and that is why there are a lot of funding programs for it!

Grants for For-Profits - Again the naysayers are proven wrong!

There are no grants for for-profits - right?  Wrong!

In Florida, there is a grant program that is currently taking applications until October 14th 2005 and it has to do with water conservation!  The grant award of $5,000.00 can be used for projects that help to educate on water resources and water conservation.   You can apply online or you can reach them by phone via their 1-800 number.

Who is eligible to apply?  Government agencies, private individuals, educational facilities, business and industry, neighborhoods, homeowner and service organizations, research and other profit and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply.    

Another Daycare Grant Program - For Pennsylvania Area Only

Time and time again (and not just on this board) the question has come up as to whether or not there are grant programs for for-profit daycare services.  Well I just uploaded information to my page now about a grant program in my own state which shows what I and a lot of grant writers here (and elsewhere) have said about if the need is there then there are grant programs that for-profits can apply to.

In cooperation with the Department of Public Welfare a grant program has been in activation that will provide grant monies for both for-profit and non-profit daycare services.  One of the most important requirements of applying for this grant is that you will provide services to low-incomed families and special consideration is given to those that will operate during non-traditional hours.  The minimum grant amount is $50,000 and the maximum is $1 Million.  Contact information is available by regular snail mail address, phone and fax #'s and website.

Student Loans and Paying Them Back

A lot of searches have been done lately about finding a way to pay off student loans.  I did some checking myself and found out a lot of interesting information.  Usually these student loans are signed without reading all of the terms.  I mention this because there are some loans that don't have to be paid back and/or are forgiven.  But it will depend on the terms of your student loan.

There are also some programs in place where if you perform some public/non-profit service your repayment amount will be reduced and in some cases the loan will be forgiven totally.

There is also a program in place where teachers can receive a total loan forgivenenss if they teach in low-incomed areas and/or they teach certain subjects.

So it will depend on many things and it will also depend on the terms of your original student loan.

Getting Grant Money Without Having To Buy Anything.....

Well you could find the information yourself or get someone who will volunteer to help you.  Finding this information si hard and there is a lot of time and effort involved and if you do not want to pay a grant writer or someone who does this kind of work then you can do one of the options mentioned above.

finding the information one's self is not impossibe.  I read an article about a woman that was interested in all of this "grant information" and decided to find out about it herself.  Well guess what?  She found information on and applied for a grant that helps fund training her employees.  What kind of business did she have?  It was a marketing business!  So when anyone says that there are no grants or that they can't find any information on them you can see that they are sadly mistaken!

Working From Home - What if I get sick?

Here's an interesting entry from a woman who also works at home (she also teaches a class)

I have some serious stomach problems.  Yesterday after work when the little angel and I went jogging (well, I jog and she waves to squirrels from the jogging stroller), I actually had to drag her into the Burger King restroom with me while I sweated and felt my stomach heave unproductively.After a restless sleep, I awoke also feeling ughy.  It's not really ughy enough to call in sick, considering I work from home........ 


To read more of her entry, just go to her blog at:

http://surrenderdorothy.typepad.com/surrender_dorothy/2005/09/ugh_the_ughines.html#comment-9924967