I left my advertising job at the end of December and decided to start working at my husband's business. I'm helping him do some office management, accounting, and process improvement, but, more importantly, I'm focused on upping the ante on their marketing game in hopes that I can grow the family business and increase revenues (which ... Read More
Christy Schutz
Five Travel Essentials for the Work-at-Home Woman
One of the benefits of being a work-at-home woman is that most anything I need is at my fingertips. I have my home office, which is adequately outfitted with the technology and tools I need. And, naturally, since I work-at-home, any personal item I might need is a short stroll away in another part of my house. But what about when ... Read More
6 Tips for Creating an Organized Home Office Space
As I sit down to write this post, I'm looking around and noticing that my office is a hot mess. Really. Papers everywhere, supplies scattered about, piles of work and things to follow up on placed haphazardly about, with my keyboard and mouse peeking out from all the madness. Suffice it to say, it is a bit overwhelming. In fact, ... Read More
Four Steps for Building a Small Business Contingency Plan
Last Thursday, I had my appendix removed. I had just finished eating an organic, vegetarian burrito when I started getting these sharp pains in the lower right side of my abdomen. Initially, I thought it was gas pains from my lunch, but hours later, it was still there. I looked up my symptoms on the internet, and the results ... Read More
How to Overcome Analysis Paralysis
I am a thinker. An idea person. Maybe some would call me a day dreamer. I like to ponder the possibilities and simmer on the execution and outcome. It's part of who I am. But, when I have an upcoming project, a longstanding goal, or even sometimes just a small task, I can get stuck overthinking in the mode I like to call “analysis ... Read More
Four Tips for Finishing the Year Strong
Whew! We’ve officially gotten through the Christmas Holiday. Let’s take a deep breath and revel in this fact. Come on. Join me. Breathe in deep … now exhale. Aaaaaagggghhh. We did it! So … now what? In my true over-functioning fashion, I am wondering what I am going to do this week while our business is closed. Sure, I will utilize ... Read More
Putting a Positive Spin on Negative Work Traits
Ok, so the powerhouse woman who launched this awesome TheWorkatHomeWoman.com world that you find yourself in, is a very organized, very sweet person named Holly. She’s meticulous. She checks with us at least once a year to make sure we still want to be regular contributors. She outlines our writing deadlines a year in advance. She ... Read More
5 Benefits Industry Conferences Offer Work-at-Home Business Owners
My husband and I did the unfathomable and took a 2,600-mile road trip from Tampa to Boston and back for a prominent industry conference for our business. During this odyssey, which included a nice stop off to see the sights in Savannah, car troubles that left us stranded in rural NC, and trekking back home through Hurricane Joaquin, ... Read More
4 Reasons Working from Home is Perfect for Empty Nesters
In the past, I have written about the changes that take place as our children leave the house and we transition to that “Empty Nester” status. I have one more child at home who is entering her sophomore year of high school, so, it is something I think about quite often. As I ponder the who, what, where, when, how and why of this ... Read More
5 Questions to Consider When Moving to a Home Office
My husband and I are in the midst of moving our business and transitioning our traditional office space to a home office. Basically, we weighed the pros and cons (and ultimately the costs) of retaining our leased office space and it just makes more sense to move our operations home. As a result, I am learning some important lessons ... Read More
4 Healthy Eating Tips for Work-at-Home Women
Contrary to popular belief, work-at-home women do not have unlimited time or more opportunities to take care of all the domestic duties that they typically manage on top of their work duties. I think people have this picture in their mind of a remote worker fielding a conference call while folding laundry and prepping dinner. And I’m ... Read More
Summer Survival Tips for Work-at-Home Moms
There is roughly a month left of school (where we live). What that means is I'll have a break from the stressful, activity-filled school days and a reprieve from the driving here to there at a frenzied pace. But it also means that the work at home environment will change quite a bit. There are going to be some extra souls to contend ... Read More
Five Tips for Hosting a Virtual Holiday Party
As if the pressure of holidays is not enough, let me remind you that you have limited time to plan and host a holiday party with your virtual colleagues. Now, before you convince yourself that such a feat simply can’t be done, read on. I’ve compiled five easy steps to help you make a holiday get-together more than a remote ... Read More
5 Tips for Achieving Balance and Remaining Productive During the Holidays
Once Halloween is over, I usually blink and the next thing I know, I am knee deep in all the frenzy and chaos that comes with the holidays. I am stressed, miserable, and what’s more, I am less productive than ever. Well, in an attempt to take a pre-emptive strike against this negative state of affairs this year, I’ve decided to ... Read More
Book Review: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
I just finished a wonderful book by Ph.D., L.M.S.W., Brene Brown, called The Gifts of Imperfection. Apparently, her book has been around for some time (it was published in 2010), but I only very recently discovered it, colorfully displayed on an end cap at my local Barnes and Noble. Even after purchasing it several months ago, the ... Read More
