WAHMs...what do you do? - Page 3

[gardenmom]

Originally Posted by queen bee

I really love Ebay selling, and I've been able to make ok money (except during the summers which are realllly sloowww) but now my youngest is starting kindergarten, and I'm looking around for something more personally challenging. I have a degree in graphic design, and I did freelance work for a few years, but dropped it very quickly after my 2nd was born - I felt too overwhelmed and isolated back then.
qb

I agree about the summers on ebay...dead, dead, dead--there are some deals to be had, if you're a buyer, though. Especially now with the 'last minute' vacations (which keeps me too busy with our rental home to do ebay now anyhow) and some southern US states already back to school. I'm trying to get some auctions 'set up' on the computer so I can just copy and paste 5-10 a week into ebay when it's busy again, late September or October...that's my theory, though I haven't started yet...

I do the crafts because I need to be challenged, too. It's so great to see something you made with your own hands that someone else feels is valuable enough to purchase for their happy home! Unfortunately, selling old stuff is often more profitable, though....dh is often saying: "why would you spend 4 hours making that and selling it for $35 when you could've done an ebay listing on that old junk you bought for $3 and made $50 on it?" I NEED the creative outlet, and he knows it, so mostly he's learned to keep his mouth shut about it because he me!

I agree..this is a great thread. It's always nice to see what others are doing in home-based business...and encourage new entrepreneurs to get their feet wet!

[queen bee]

Gardenmom, what kind of crafts do you make?

What you said reminded me of this little internal struggle I'm having over Ebay. When I think of other directions I'd like to take, I keep getting pulled back to Ebay because I know I can make money NOW. The instant gratification of Ebay makes it hard for me to pursue other things with a more long-term develpment phase.

qb

[nankilicious]

I am a WAHM, I am a local sales consultant for Natural Family Boutique. The company was started 2 yrs ago as an answer to mainstream baby stores...we have slings, breastfeeding products, cloth diapers, organic clothes and sheets, organic body products, organic aromatherapy stuff...wooden toys...mmm what else? So much stuff!

Its great because I get a discount on all the things I would buy for my family anyway, plus I get to share and promote AP... as all of our items support and promote AP ideals, and Natural Family Living. There are less than 250 consultants so far in the whole country, so the potential for growth is amazing.

Its a home party business, but I get lots of online orders as well thru my website. Oh, and I take my 6 mo old with me to parties...how better to advertise our slings, soft sole shoes, and cloth diapers :LOL

For the first time in my whole life, I love what I do. I am a FT mom, PT consultant, and FT AP advocate.

[mammabear]

Nancy- UBB does sound like a great company to join. I may be interested.
I tried Mary Kay and honestly, I felt funny trying to sell something while everyone was telling me that they were Clinique fans or that they could purchase almost the same thing for half the price at walmart. Ughh!
Plus it is hard to get started with just the basic kit- and then come up with a load of money to get some inventory.

I would like to know what comes with the $249 kit.

[gardenmom]

Originally Posted by queen bee

Gardenmom, what kind of crafts do you make?

What you said reminded me of this little internal struggle I'm having over Ebay. When I think of other directions I'd like to take, I keep getting pulled back to Ebay because I know I can make money NOW. The instant gratification of Ebay makes it hard for me to pursue other things with a more long-term develpment phase.

qb

(my name is Carrie too, btw)

Cool--that makes 3 moms named Carrie here...unless CarrieBeary isn't really a Carrie at all???

ummm...you mean What kind of crafts Don't I make? I'm a horrible craftaholic...I started long ago doing dried floral arrangements and wreaths, but have lately drifted away from that, because of the cost and amount of space the materials take up, the fact that they're perishable, the mess it makes when I do haul it all out to work, the fragile nature of larger wreaths, etc for transport to craft shows and for shipping purposes...

Meanwhile, I've turned to some sewing/quilting (mainly making new items from old linens, which I'm kind of a collector of anyhow). And I've started felting..I really enjoy both wet felting and needle felting. It's fun and some of it is small enough that I can sit on the couch at midnight and work on it without a huge pile of materials everywhere...

The other focus (my mil's fault) is scrapbooking (just for family--not for sale) and the related idea of card-making. I figure if someone will pay $4 for a cheapo store-bought card, then they'll pay for an archival quality handmade card...so that's where a lot of my energy is headed these days.

Like I said earlier....too many irons in the fire, but I still get to spend my days home with dd, which is wonderful!

[aisling]

Originally Posted by mammabear

I would like to know what comes with the $249 kit.

Man! I started a really cool thread! And to think...it was all because I was being a big procrastinator. Seriously...I need to read through all of this again because I am pretty sure I missed a few posts. Thanks for the awesome ideas!

mamabear...I quoted you so I would remember to say that when you look at the UBB page (cause I'm pretty sure that's where you saw the $249 package, right?), if you click on the link for the "mini-package", it takes you to a PDF of all the kits that they offer! HTH! (I was nosing around after that post too )

[zonapellucida]

I am affiliated wiht Melaleuca but have found it not to be as profitable as I had hoped. I am just joining UBB now. I have also sold on ebaby and made great moeny last Christmas but the thrill wore off. Now I am just hoping to be bringing in some kind of income with UBB. I am also training to be a doula.

[wemoon]

I've thought about doing UBB, there was one other company I had thought about too.... Daisy Blue Naturals. One kit size is $75 the larger kit is $150. They have lots of soaps, shampoos, oils. I'm trying to see if there is a website, but the booklet info doesn't have one.

[Throkmorton]

I am a CAD monkey, mostly doing floor plans and stuff.
I also knit soakers on the side, when the mood strikes.

[chalupamom]

I'm a freelance business information analyst who works primarily within healthcare. Mostly this involves solving problems, reviewing data and making recommendations or handling some kind of market/competitive intelligence issue. There are other, ad-hoc types of stuff, but these provide the bulk of my work.

And, things have been a little slow lately. I'm hoping this is just a summer doldrums period. I've been networking like crazy and trying to write two white papers for distribution to get things moving again. I'm also trying to break into the medical education market to distribute the load of the business somewhat.

I also do things like ebay, making fleece memory blankets and memory quilts, and sewing silk evening bags for extra money. I haven't developed any of these into a real solid income stream yet, but I should because I enjoy them all.

[Nosy]

Fianna, any tips on getting hired to teach college online? I'm currently teaching high school online, but I have a Master's + 18 hours in two disciplines and previously taught college at a brick and mortar university. I'm not having any luck getting hired at the college level, though. Maybe it's my lack of PhD, though I wouldn't think so for introductory level courses.

Great thread with lots of good ideas! Thanks!

[Fianna]

Nosy, try community or technical colleges first. They usually have more openings for instructors with only masters degrees. Once you've had some online college level teaching under your belt there, it's much easier to get in as an adjunct at a university. Also, keep an eye out for colleges starting up campuses in your area. Last year we had a new college move in and I sent in a resume and inquiry letter right away, even though they didn't have an online program in place yet. It really paid off because now they are adding a bunch of online degrees and they know I have the experience, so I've been able to jump ahead of the pack and am getting as much work as I want.

Also, there is a company on the west coast that offers AP courses for high schoolers online. Last I checked they were still looking for teachers. Unfortunately I don't have their web addy anymore, but maybe you can google for it.

[sewingbarbj]

Thats neat that you do costumes Kerlowyn! I did some when I was takeing my design course and later for my wedding,it's lots of fun. Never did much of it as a business, only the occational special request. Had several clients want them for grad . Now I am in the process of opening my web site for infant / toddler natural clothing. ( wool jackets and stuff) It can be hard to get motivated! I have to give my self dead lines or I just put it off!

[CarrieMF]

Another Carrie here, lol

I own a business. I sell slings, pouches, wraps, breastfeeding supplies, quilts, soft toys, books, cloth diapering products, and probably some other things I tend to forget what I sell.lol I do it online and locally at the market, trade fairs, etc.

I am Doula which is kinda part of my main business for accounting purposes. I am training to be a lactation counsellor. I am having my main business sponsor the courses in town(so I can take them for free) so I've been busy trying to get that organized.

I sell Regal Greetings and Gifts which is a Canadian home party group. I don't do it often, but am considering starting it up more.

I teach Babywearing classes, which is very very slow but I'm stubborn.

I am getting back into babysitting this fall, before and after school only.

[Lauira]

Hubby and I own a business selling high end notebook computers online. He was laid off in late 2002 and we decided to run with it. Our biggest problem has been keeping up with a crazy growth rate. It still makes my head spin! We also run an online forum with 1.5 million hits a day. We have employees now so I only work when I need to - which I love because some days I don't feel like workin'! Hubby gets to game all day since he loves that and it is good promotion for the company. I used to do all the accounting, but that got too big and complicated, so we have an outside firm do it for us.

Had someone told me 2 years about where we would be now, I would have surely laughed.

I just have to say: Let's hear it for small businesses!! We are the heart and soul of America

[art4babies]

Originally Posted by MamaDaednu

I'll be starting an online business of vintage clothing for infants and plus size women. The toughest part will be parting with the gorgeous clothing.

~Daednu

The toughest part IS departing with the stuff! lol! I would LOVE to see what you are doing since I am in the same sort of line: retro and vintage patterns and repro fabrics for babies and toddlers. There are also a couple more out there that I know about that are really terrific looking and I can PM you with them if you like. Please please keep us posted!

[nankilicious]

Oh, and yes, if you click on my link, go to career opportunities, click "mini-kit" it will take you to all the kits that are available.

I personally couldnt get all excited about selling cooking things or makeup, but AP stuff...well...thats so EASY to talk about and get excited about...at least for me!

ETA: you dont carry inventory with UBB, but you do have a demo kit..and the things you own for yourself, you can still take to home parties to demo.

[art4babies]

what *I* do :)

I am so jealous of the writers - here. I couldn't write my way out of a paper bag.

After spending about 7 years in school, getting degrees in Landscape Design and my BA majoring in Fine Arts (among other things) I ended up selling on eBay for a while, doing flea market finds and such, but got burned out on it quick. I didn't like buying what I didn't want to keep, and wanted to keep everything I bought. ::sigh::

Anyway, I started selling soakers on eBay, and eventually (and recently) opened up my own site - officially starting my business - creating retro and vintage items for babies (quilts, kimonos, bibs, etc) as well as Asian baby carriers. All on a vintage (1941) Singer machine - the real thing!

This has been so much more fun for me since it addresses the creative outlet issue, and even though I have a hard time parting with my items (I scrutinize my products and have to keep any that have any tiny flaws - he he) it has been a really rewarding experience. I feel like I bring Christmas to people all the time. I get to create new items all the time and LOVE sewing repro items for my daughters as well as myself.

This has been one of the most enjoyable threads I have read lately! Thank you all so much for contributing and sharing your experiences!

[aisling]

art4babies...I your website! something about just grabs me!

Wemoon...I notice that yours is in your sig now! Beautiful site as well. I have a folder in my favorites called "babystuffs" and I am overwhelmed by the WAHM sites I have bookmarked as we get ready to *hopefully* start buying things in the next year or so.

I must say that I am most impressed by the creativity of the mamas here! Not just the mamas who are making and seeling their gorgeous creations, but also those who have found ways to make a living in their own homes by working for or through established companies...I think that it takes guts!

blessings,
meg

[crochetmama]

Thank you for starting this thread!!! Lots of mama's w/cool jobs!!!

I sell my crocheted soakers, toys, hair accessories, etc. I have just barley opened, and am enjoying it so far. I"m working on completing my trades for Christmas presents!

Hugs,
tammy