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We made the choice to be a home based business from the start many years ago. Our kids grew up living where we also worked. While there are certainly challenges from time to time, the benefits vastly outweigh the detriments in my view!
This week has been a perfect expample of why I LOVE being home based. Let me list a few of the reasons for you...
I step onto the porch and look at my shop 200 feet away in the most beautiful scenery you can imagine. Then I walk to the shop and turn on the radio to listen to the traffic reports of all those people who must drive many miles to get to work. That alone is reason enough to smile for the whole day. Knowing my truck is parked right out the door, still full of expensive fuel makes my grin even wider.
My tools are all in the same place. We have a small acreage and the list of projects which need doing are unending. Having the shop in the back yard means a wide assortment of tools is always handy. If you have to go hunting for tools or go back to the shop (in town) for what you need even the simplest job becomes a major project.
Rebecca (our daughter) comes by the house to feed the animals twice a day... and you guessed it brings Phoebe with her. THATS GRAMPA TIME!!! All work comes to an immediate halt for the next while. Its time for a swing under the big walnut tree or some other adventure. Its part of our routine and I LOVE it!
Yesterday was a GORGEOUS sunny warm day. Too good to spend totally inside the shop. Among other reasons to sneak outside I pulled out the John Deere tractor and mowed the lawn... a BIG smile on my face while I daydreamed of the projects we would soon do around the yard. I made up the time I had played hooky from work in the evening for the dealines really are pressing... but being home based allowed me to pick the time I WANTED to work.
Today I walked the half block to the deli for their mouth watering chili, but I also often just go raid the fridge for a quick snack.
The love of my life, Janis, manages the business side of our venture from the house office. I love having her that close and we visit constantly through the day. Its the best of every scenerio for her too for she loves being at home.
I could go on and on, the reasons are many.
The line between our work and personal life is certainly very blurred, almost nonexistent at times... but I wouldn't have it any other way.
It sure beats going to work for a living!
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8740 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Ditto Dan. In the summer I go for a dip in the pool for coffee break....20 feet away...
-------------------- Mario G. Lafreniere (Fergie) J&N Signs Winter did show up! Posts: 1257 | From: Chapleau, Ontario | Registered: Jun 1999
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poor people who have to leave there house and get dressed everyday.....some day i nver get on more then my underwear, others i throw on a pair of shorts....heck i dont even do shoes.....when iam here, shoes is for goin to the store!!!! monday was one of those days iam glad iam home based. went to bed sunday nite 2 amish. woke up at 9:30 am was gona get a early start......but just couldnt get my eyes to stay open. went back to bed and 12:30 pm i decided to try again. still didnt have any "getupandgo" workin for me. sat on the couch and woke up at 2:30pm figuered maybe if i ate somethin i would get at it....back on the couch at 3:30pm slpet till 5 when the wife came home. days like that would get ya fired anywhere else!!!!!!!!!!hehehehehe
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I like being home-based too. During the times I'm not working, it forces me to leave the house and find something to do because after being here all day working I just can't stand to stay put!
Making the schedule up as I go is nice too but then there's the part where some discipline is needed so I actually get some work done.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Having the business at home is just necessary for me. My kids are teenagers now, but even so- I like to be here to find out how their day went, and all the details of their lives. My husband owns his own business, so I am here to answer his calls during the day. I can throw in a load of wash when I run upstairs at lunch, and throw it on the line before I go back down. If I am having a creative block, pulling a few weeds in the flower garden will do a world of good. There are no extra taxes, hydro, heat, snow removal, mortgage etc. bills. We have lots of room here, my computer and printer run out of a very large full basement with a walk out. And the "dirty" work is done out in the shop. Or behind it if the sandblasted sign is too big for the cabinet. I start work between 7:30 and 8:30, but never later than 8:30 and end between 4:30 and 6:30. If I need to work on a project at night I go downstairs. Everyone knows where I am. There is one and only one down side to all this though- there are no snow days. I can ALWAYS make it to work, no matter what.
Strike that- there are 2 downs- #2-customers think that because you run your business out of your home they can drop in at ANY time to talk to you about a project or pick up a sign. Like a Friday night at 10:30 p.m. when you're sitting having a drink with friends and the little old lady you were doing a house number for shows up saying "Sorry I'm late, I know I said I'd be here at 6 but Bingo was on in Elmwood, so I thought I'd kill 2 birds with one stone." They also call whenever they think about it. Doesn't seem to matter if its 11 at night or 6 in the morning!
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
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I make it a point to make sure that my clients don't know where I live. And work. Home-based here as well. The only place my address appears is on my invoice so the cheques find their way to me easily.
The upside is that I can work at my pace and I goof off plenty when the weather is too nice to work. That's the last time I want clients dropping by to see what I'm not doing!(LOL)
The downside is that it can get pretty lonely around here when tight deadlines and overcommitments keep me on my property for days on end.
-------------------- Happy Signing...... Marty
M.F. (Marty) Happy Signmaker Since 1974 Happy Ad Sign & Design Regina SK, Canada S4N 5K4 306-789-9567 happyad@sasktel.net www.happyad.ca
Get Happy & Get Noticed! Posts: 773 | From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada | Registered: Jan 1999
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I love working out of my home too. Don't have to be downtown at a certin time to open the office. I thought I was the only one who seems to be open 24/7 since I have a homebased business. Shoot just last night my son and I were out taking the dog for a run in the woods and my husband calls and says there's a customer here. I've even had 'em stop by at 5:30am when I was out doing chores!! We thought about getting a gate at the end of the lane but figure that won't stop them either exept when the dog's outside and scares their pants off barking at them! But other than that, working at home is great!!
-------------------- Dita Mallon Dita's Graphics and Signs, Inc. Sumner, Ia Posts: 119 | From: Sumner, Iowa | Registered: Aug 2002
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We have a gate to cure when customers drop by. WOrks for us. Once you control those who would control you its off to the races.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8740 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Advantages No snow days Can work on something in the evening if you want without making a trip Little traffic (there are those squirrels in the driveway to contend with) Can do laundry during the day if need be Can visits mutts & play when getting lunch
Disadvantages No snow days Customers show up whenever they feel like it Family doesn't understand that just because you're home, you are in fact working and don't have time to do their stupid errands.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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I love it . . . most the kinks worked out over the years . . . most everyone knows my basic schedule . . . and then there's the secretary called: answering machine.
This weekend is a perfect example for me too . . . my oldest 'baby' is comin' home from Texas!
What other job could I have where I could take off Thursday-Monday just to spend time with her?
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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No commute Handy to be home when tings pop up in the family circle. Hot lunches that don't always involve french fries.
Downside Most people consider you a hobby shop...more apt to think you work cheap 'cause you have less overhead. What business hours? They come when they can, not when you want. Real easy to get distracted and fall behind in your work.
Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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You nailed it for me. I couldn't handle being homebased.
I live about 7 miles away from the shop. Once in a while someone will stop by my house afterhours and want to talk about a sign job or t-shirts.
Last fall, one guy stopped by my house at 7:30am on a Sunday to talk to me about lettering his truck in exchange for taking down a few trees out my yard for me. Grrrrrrr....
Advantage...the really good corporate customers only know the phone number..they don't know if you have a $10,000/month "office" or a mortgage free home out in the boonies. And they don't care, as long as the jobs get done.
Advantage...just like everyone else said, no commute to work. It's either a walk from the bedroom, to the Kitchen (for coffee), and then the computer room. OR it is a short 150 ft walk to the shop.
Disadvantage...Having to have the disipline to get up in time to answer the phone when it starts ringing at 8am and actually starting to work at about the same time as regular businesses operate. I can't expect business's to adjust their time clock to what I would prefer. (sorry Joe. )
Bottom line for me is being able to do what I want, when I want, as long as I do it within the timeframe that the customer wants.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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"I can't expect business's to adjust their time clock to what I would prefer. (sorry Joe. )" DONT BE SORRY...iam self employeed for THAT ONE REASON IN PARTICULAR!!! i been doin this since 86 full time and as you know(you stopped in on me in sarasota fl at the crack of NOON)and i havent changed!!! nothing i can doo at 8 am...that cant be done at midnite!!!!! thats my motto. i get up early enough to order supplies or go get what i need to make money.....BUT i still dont do early(VA DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS are the only thing i get up early for)cause they have a schedule and i abide by it. to qoute dan "Once you control those who would control you its off to the races." this is the thing i do...most who deal with me are told at an early stage ..I DONT DO MORNINGS!!!!! and most laugh about it....but none of my regulars call me before 10 am!!!!! yea i miss a few calls 8 am-10 am...but not many. iam as busy i can handle, iam not tryin to grow larger, but am increasing prices....so the work i do i get paid for...and WORK AT MY PACE....NOT SOMEONE ELSES.i also have to agree with marty, its a lonely job sometimes and i got weeks i never leave the property. like i said about monday beenin a down day, i made up for it today, up at 10 am, worked till 4 pm delivered banner and mags, got back and a freind needed some computer help(5 pm till 8:30) then a nother customer calls and askes if its to late to pick up his mags, i said no come on over. that took it till 9:30 pm and then i ate, watched the news and napped till 12:30am....and iam here at the computer ....1 am. BUT I CAN SLEEP IN !!!!!!!!!!!!! IF I WANT TO. P.S. RAY...glad that was enjoyable...for ya....
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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You're right Dan, a gate probably would work. Clare is building gate posts for the end of the laneway right now. But they are merely decoration. No fence on the sides. I have visions of us closing the gates and some of my "red-necked" customers Kaa-ruising around them and in the lane, bouncing over my lawn and flowerbeds in their 4x4's! Our lane isn't long enough either, I can also the little ol lady standing beside her car at the end of the lane - "Honey?......Honey? R u thar? I can see u honey! I just need a garden sign now!"
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
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With regards to people showing up at odd hours. I simply tell my customers to call first, or make an appt. because I may be in the middle of a job, or not here if they just stop by, and I wouldn't want their time to be wasted. That's been working for me.
I don't get too many stop bys anymore, and most folks have been curtailing business to business hours these days. Just gotta set the ground rules.
I still have problems with friends and family wanting me to visit with them during the day. I usually make the time for it though, so I'm part of that problem. Working alone, it's nice to get the company when you don't have co-workers to converse with. Another reason I get on the bb here too.
I enjoy the freedoms that working at home affords me, but agree that discipline is key. One change I've been putting into play lately is to get an earlier start, so I can have more play time later in the day. I've been liking that.
Working from home isn't for everyone. It takes a certain breed of person. I'm still struggling to get more efficient at it and to make my work and other parts of my life run more easily.
~nettie
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
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What I loved the most about home based work was getting to spend time with my girls after school! I could hear those bus brakes squeak and start cleaning out my brushes and have a cup of coffee ready and a snack for them by the time they got to the door! I'd ask them how their day went and that was good for 20 minutes of "Turkey Season" (lots of jumping and squealing and talking really fast) Then they would say "Well, I'm gonna go do my homework!" and fly to their room as the other one's bus got there.
By the time the second one ran through, some days I just smiled and blinked and started cooking dinner trying to figure out what just happened LOL.
One good thing on a security level, I've worked in shops run by other folks where I had to leave my stuff there overnight if a job ran long. I've had a shop that got broken into (across town) and worked mostly from home. Now that I think about it, I started by toting my sign kit on a Marta bus with me everyday. (good times, good times...not LOL) My point being, I felt more secure with home based. Everything was still left where I put it...well except the occasional Sharpie...the girls loved to color with them on their notebooks "and stuff." I kept finding them in the dryer LOL <grin>
Freedom to shut down when yer kid gets the measles and be there for them when they're sick...priceless! (To a single parent)
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I enjoy being a home based business. I like the perks that I can come down and kiss my fiancee bye, and she leaves for her work, the oldest son leaves for school before I even get up, and the youngest leaves with my fiancee to get dropped off at school. I am dressed, showered, and I usually grab a bowl of cerial or some toast and check out letterville.
The hardest thing I have to break is being able to click and be on the web instantly. I have to concentrate on the job at hand, and then hang out online later.
The only downside is late afternoon when the kids get home, I have this annoying tv in the background that disturbs my concentration. And that really doesn't help if I am on the phone with a client. I kind of feel like they can hear it in the background and don't take me serously.
I have a 24' x 24' 2 car 2 story garage out in the back of the yard (facing the alley), and right now the upstairs looks like a tornado hit it from storing misc. junk up there. We had been talking about finishing the insulation, adding some panneling, and making a game room with pool table, air hockey table, and other things to entertain. I have been thinking about moving my office out there, so that I can envelope myself in work with out interruption...
But for now, I guess I have to keep listening to the garbage on tv. Can anybody reccommend any good ear phones?
-------------------- Mark Kottwitz Kottwitz Graphics Ridgely, MD www.SeeMySignWork.com -------------------------- Imagination is more important than knowledge. -- Albert Einstein Posts: 749 | From: Ridgely, MD | Registered: Oct 2000
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Headphones? make sure they're light and run the wire under your shirt so you don't walk by and catch the yardstick hanging off the ladder that the big red can of paint is on top of...don't ask, just tuck in the wires! LOL
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Dan,I'm glad to see this post.My wife and I recently moved 240 miles to the Adirondacks from the boston area.My wife has started working full time and left me to fend for myself at home alone! Before we moved I was working full time for a heavy equipment dealer and running my sign business nights and weekends,at one time I was working 80 plus hours a week! The money was very good but I knew that I couldn't keep up that pace for long. I eventually had to drop about 75% of my accounts not wanting to give up the good benifits of the large company who was also giving me a large amount of lettering work and free run of their shop. Now here I am in a town of about 700 people with very little sign work,after working two jobs for 25 years its been a little difficult to slow down and not feel guilty about hanging around the house looking for projects to do. I't nice to see that other people can stop to do what they feel like doing some times and working 8-5 dosn't have to be the rule! Thanks,for the post. PS Today is fryday....mabee I'll go fishing.
-------------------- Phil Swanson Lake George Lettering 151 New Hague Rd. Hague, NY 12836 lakegeorgelettering@yahoo.com Posts: 24 | From: 151 New Hague Rd. Hague, NY 12836 | Registered: Oct 2005
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FRYDAY? - After thursty thursday and before satday.
-------------------- Phil Swanson Lake George Lettering 151 New Hague Rd. Hague, NY 12836 lakegeorgelettering@yahoo.com Posts: 24 | From: 151 New Hague Rd. Hague, NY 12836 | Registered: Oct 2005
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But other than that, working at home is great!!
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