The importance of a mother in the home

November 8th, 2010

I was chatting to a consultant a couple of weeks ago about contribution to society through our respective businesses. I told him how I’ve helped thousands of women (worldwide, not just here in Australia) return home to work and be there for their families.

When you think about it, how many less children would there be out on the streets exposed to all the dangers that are out there if there was a parent at home? How many families wouldn’t have to wait in line for childcare and pay exhorbitant prices because their mothers are working in and at home? How many children would benefit from seeing a work ethic demonstrated in their home because a parent is there working (I’ve helped a few men to do what I do too).  I’ve seen this in my own children.  And my eldest is already running her own business at home caring for her young son.  She’s grown up seeing mum do this so it was natural she should too – and her business is quite a different one to my own.

While not all women are cut out to work at home, and some would go stir-crazy because they need to be elsewhere some of the time, I feel overall that the economy and society would benefit hugely from a parent, in most cases the mother, were at home during the schooling lives of their children. How much different our society might be.

There is value in women finding a way to work at/from home, instead of being out in the workforce.  When at all possible, I believe mothers should be home for their families. That’s not to say they don’t have to work. I’ve been running a fulltime business in my home for most of those 17 years using skills I developed in the corporate world from 20+ years in the workforce peviously.

In Proverbs 31 we know that the woman/mother is working in the home and in verse 18 we are told ‘She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.’   It goes on to tell us about the various things she does for both community (the poor and needy) and her famly at home.

If you are contemplating having a family I encourage you to look and see what it is you could be doing at home, contributing financially to the family household.  And if you’re stuck for ideas, my previous post The Things That I Do will give you some suggestions for working at home.

The things that I do…

October 15th, 2010

I haven’t shared in detail at this blog what I do in my work at home although my book “Worth More Than Rubies” does explain it.

I thought I might share what I do here in this blog to give you all hope.

My business began as a homebased secretarial business in 1994. The plan was to find some clients so I could work at home and be there for our 5 daughters. I had no idea how long I would do this for, I just knew I needed to be home while they were still quite young and in school.

18 months later the Internet entered the business scene and I found myself birthing a brand new industry – the Virtual Assistant – in my own country of Australia.    It was rather overwhelming at times – learning about the internet and how to use it for my business and suddenly being in this position of ‘leadership’ where I was guiding other women to do what I’d been doing – for such a short time.  Eventually I met other women online in the UK and Canada going through the exact same emotions.  It was an exciting time of exploration and development.

The Virtual Assistant industry is now around 15 years old and growing and developing.  There are Virtual Assistant networks and organisations in the US, UK, Canada and in Australia with smaller groups in South Africa, Argentina and other countries.  In Asian countries virtual companies have started up that act like virtual typing pools and they outsource their staff as well to clients.  In a time when global economies have been tough, self-employment is on the rise, helping many to gain control of their futures and the income they bring in.

Today I manage a network of Virtual Assistants in 11 countries and provide training and coaching for the industry, speak at conferences and events and write articles. And all the while my focus is on women working at home, being present for their families, just as the Proverbs 31 Woman was. My family was the reason I began working at home. Now my girls are all grown up and have left home, my focus is on helping other women get what I have had for many years. In fact, our eldest daughter is working at home – not doing what I do but is running her own business sewing and doing alterations so she can be home for her own son.

In the last chapter of my book “Worth More Than Rubies” I acknowledge that many women will read that book and think that it’s ok for me, as I have good computer and typing skills, but what about those who haven’t?  Can they also work at home?  My answer is ‘yes’ and I compiled a list of suggestions for that last chapter and which I want to share below.

And if you’re interested in finding out more about what I do, or if you can join my Virtual Assistant team, then why not visit my business site for more details?  As long as you have previous admin experience and good computer skills you would be eligible to do that type of work at home.  And now for that list of suggestions.

1.    Accountant
2.    Affiliate (online book sales, product sales)
3.    Artist
4.    Author
5.    Babysitter/Child carer
6.    Bookkeeper
7.    Breeder (dogs, cats, rabbits, etc)
8.    Business Coach
9.    Car Detailer
10.    Caterer (home cooking)
11.    Computer repairer
12.    Computer trainer
13.    Consultant
14.    Conveyancer
15.    Copywriter
16.    Database Administrator/designer
17.    Desktop Publisher
18.    Direct marketing
19.    Domain Reseller
20.    Dressmaker/Repairs/Alterations
21.    eBay trader
22.    ESL (English as a Second Language) tutor
23.    Freelance writer
24.    Ghost writer
25.    Graphic Designer
26.    Greeting cards
27.    Hair dresser
28.    Help Desk/IT support
29.    Insurance broker
30.    Ironing lady
31.    Jewellery maker
32.    Journalist
33.    Life Coach
34.    Magazine Editor
35.    Mail Order
36.    Marketer
37.    Mechanic
38.    Menu Planner
39.    Mortgage broker
40.    Musician
41.    Music teacher
42.    Non-profit organization – based on your interest or passion
43.    Party Plan operator (e.g. Amway, Avon, LeReve, Mary Kay, Neway, Tupperware)
44.    Photographer
45.    Piano teacher
46.    Professional Organizer
47.    Public Relations
48.    Public Speaker
49.    Publisher
50.    Realtor
51.    Researcher
52.    Resume writer
53.    Secretariat (for membership based groups)
54.    Software writer/architect
55.    Solicitor
56.    Stock broker
57.    Telemarketing
58.    Trainer (e.g. software)
59.    Transcriptionist
60.    Tutor
61.    Virtual Assistant
62.    Web Designer
63.    Web Host
64.    Wedding Planner

Do you embarrass your kids?

October 12th, 2010

I think all kids get embarrased by their parents at some stage. I know when my youngest was only 14 my having grey hair was an embarrassment to her. She told me to go and get it coloured.  And there was one time when we were on a family holiday at a show and I got called out of the audience to be on the stage for a skit.  My very full long hair attracted attention I think and got me noticed.  And of course I had to ham it up when I was on the stage. That was embarrassing for all of our daughters even though all eyes were on me and not them!

I was listening to a song on the radio station and immediately recalled two youtube clips done by separate DJs of that station to the song (Single Ladies).  I remembered saying to the wife of one of the DJs I wonder how their son will take it when he’s older? She had responded he’ll either be embarrassed or will laugh at his dad and join in.

My strain of thought got me thinking.  We can never avoid doing something that will embarrass our kids at certain times in their lives – that’s just how kids are. Our actions or words may make them think that others will think badly of them.  After all kids and teens are ‘me’ focussed and tend to think the whole world revolves around them. And it does to some extent.

However, it’s important that the things that embarrass them then, will not remain an embarrassmentthroughout their lives as they grow into adulthood.  I recall hearing different people through my life speak about their parents in a tone other than pride.  A mother’s actions (and perhaps a Proverbs 31 Woman) and that of the father can vastly affect their child’s thoughts and actions for the rest of their life.

In Proverbs 31:26-28 we are told: She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue, She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idelness.  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

When your sons and daughters have grown up will they look back and see a mother who spoke with wisdom and will they call you blessed?  Will your husband continue to praise you (and you him)?

It only takes a moment to consider what you are about to say or do and think forward to the consequences.  Self-gratification today through an angry word, a quick reaction, can indeed birth something that will stay for much longer.

Footprints blog tour

June 28th, 2010

For sometime now I’ve been involved with a publication called Footprints  which is a Christian Womens Magazine in Australia.  I’ve been looking after their website and participate in committee discussions and prayer. If you haven’t heard of Footprints then you need to visit their website.   Read what their Editor/Founder has to say.

Spreading the Word – how have you promoted Footprints?

Over the years I’ve tried just about every free or low-cost type of PR that you can think of. I’ve borrowed marketing books from the library and pored over them for hours, seeking inspiration!

Right from our earliest days, I’ve sent press releases and photographs to the media on occasions such as our first birthday, or when a Footprints team member is presenting at a conference. As a result, stories about Footprints have appeared in our local newspapers, the Salvation Army Warcry magazine, the Australian Evangel, websites such as Sight (www.sightmagazine.com), and we have been interviewed on radio stations such as Brisbane’s 96.5FM, Toowoomba’s 92.9 Voice FM, and the Gold Coast’s Rhema FM, to name just a few.

We have held a couple of competitions over the years – they’re great for creating “news” for media releases. We held a writing competition around the them of “God Answered My Prayer” (one of our regular columns) a few years ago; more recently we held a cover competition for our 50th issue.

Along the same lines, I’ve also written articles for numerous Christian publications and websites, and as a thank you, received a bit of a plug with my by-line or perhaps a free ad. Footprints hasn’t taken out much paid advertising in other Christian publications; we’ve never really had the budget!

Speaking engagements are another great way to spread the word about Footprints. In the early years I experimented with sending a few introductory packs to churches, with some sample copies, flyers and a reference from my pastor.  However, it didn’t seem to generate much interest. When I phoned to find out the general reaction to the packs I had sent, they seemed to think I was “selling something” so weren’t interested. Sadly, they didn’t catch the “Footprints” vision and how it could benefit them and their flock.

However, I tried a different tactic a couple of years ago by sending out a pack along with a letter offering our “speaker services”, and that was much more successful! Although I personally don’t do much speaking these days due to time constraints (I also work four days per week), a couple of the other girls on the Footprints Team also do some and so spread the word about Footprints.

Getting involved at community events has also been part our promotional strategy. Back in 2000 the churches in my area put on an Easter festival, and Footprints organised the Mum’s Sanity Corner tent – playdough for the kids, and free tea/coffee for the parents. It was a quiet spot for young families to unwind, and parents could feed and change their babies. We had a Footprints display, as well as some copies and lots of flyers available.

Sometimes we host a display stand at conferences or Christian events, and often donate vouchers for a free magazine to churches to put in their goody bags when they hold an event. Ideally we’d love to send them free magazines to put in the goody bags, but have never had the finances to be able to do that. At least by having a voucher, we know that if somebody takes the time to request their “freebie”, they are more likely to sign up rather than sowing our seed (magazines) willy-nilly.

The internet offers a world of opportunities for promotion! As the internet can be a scary place, and we realise that Footprints is an “unknown quantity” to many people, we offer a free copy of the magazine to Aussie visitors to our website. Our presence on the net has now expanded to include a blog, Facebook fan page, and a free monthly FOCUS ezine. FOCUS in particular is a great way to keep getting our name in front of interested Christians. I try to make it good value with a quality devotion in each issue (to help readers FOCUS on God in the midst of their busy lives), as well as all the latest in the world of Footprints. Marketing experts say that you have to keep getting your name in front of prospective clients, and the FOCUS ezine, and regular updates to our blog and Facebook page, are a couple of the ways we try to achieve that.

This blog tour is hopefully going to generate lots of interest in Footprints too! When I first came across the idea, I thought it was ideal for Footprints – people who read Aussie Christian blogs by women are highly likely to be interested in our magazine – they obviously like reading; and many of them have a blog themselves and enjoy writing. So as well as being potential new subscribers, we will also be introduced to possible new contributors. Gotta be happy with that!

And who’s on the team?

Right from the moment I first told them of my “brainwave” to launch a Christian women’s magazine, I had several friends who pledged their support. A couple of them are still on board over 12 years later! Melanie was my best friend in high school; her sister Nicola is also on the Footprints Team. It is amazing to think that God was putting the pieces together for Footprints all those years ago, long before we ever thought of it! Vivian is another of the original Team members, we became friends when we were attending the same church.

Sonia has been our prayer warrior for several years now; and Jenny came on board about 5 years ago. Both girls knew of Footprints through their friendship with other girls on the Team, and gradually became involved.

Some of our Team members I first “met” through email – including you Kathie (our wonderful web editor); Victoria, the lady who provides our cover photography; Narelle, our WA rep; and Cate. We have also had a couple of readers, like Margaret, Kylie, Annie and Pauline, who have loved Footprints so much that they sought out a greater involvement.

The girls each have their own gifts and talents which they contribute to Footprints. We have you Kathie as web editor, and Victoria as our cover photographer. Vivian is a psychologist and Nicola has qualifications in counselling, expertise which I often rely on when writing or compiling articles. Melanie and Nicola do some official Footprints speaking engagements, and are prolific writers. Narelle, Cate and Kylie write a lot of our articles. Pauline, Margaret and Annie are fantastic helpers when it’s time to package up the magazines ready for mail out. Jenny is an accountant and helps us keep our finances on track! Vivian, Annie, Jenny and Kathie all have experience in being on the management committee of other not-for-profit organisations, which has been invaluable since we incorporated earlier this year! And all of us pray!

All of these lovely ladies donate their time and talents to Footprints. I often and joke and tell that although the pay is non-existent, the rewards are out of this world! I’d still love to have a graphic designer, and a PR person join our team, so this is one of our key prayer points at the moment. The more Footprints grows, the more helpers are needed and the more I am learning that I really CAN’T do it all and I am gradually learning the art of delegation!

Follow these links for the rest of the tour:

•Tuesday 29/6 – Back up to the southside of Brisbane for a chat with Lil from http://motheringmisadventures.blogspot.com/

•Wednesday 30/6 – Head on over to Brisbane’s northern outskirts for Corallie’s feature on Footprints at http://buchanan-beeline.blogspot.com/

•Thursday 1/7 – Joni from the Blue Mountains in NSW plays host to the Footprints blog tour today at http://every1matters.wordpress.com/

•Friday 2/7 – Go west dear reader, as we chat with Narelle from Perth at http://www.momentsformum.com/ (Narelle is also our WA state rep).

•Saturday 3/7 – Back to the Brissie girls, with the popular http://www.squigglemum.com/ for an interview with Cath.

•Sunday 4/7 – Still in Brisbane , with Paula at http://paulassharingspot.blogspot.com/

•Monday 5/7 – Heading west – but not quite so far this time! Stopping in with Kelly in Toowoomba at http://beafunmum.com/

•Tuesday 6/7 – And finally, an interview practically in our own backyard with Tabitha in the Redlands at http://tabithabird.blogspot.com/