Great question from the mailbag today. I can’t wait to hear what advice you give her!
The Problem
Hey YML readers!
My name is Patrice and I’m the happy mother of a 16-month-old baby girl. I working full-time at the office job I’ve had since I was 17! I like my job for a few reasons: I’m surrounded by generally good folks, kind of by accident I’ve been appointed in charge of the database system that the company relies on (FileMaker Pro), my boss lets me bring in the baby whenever I want, and it’s an easy commute.
On the other hand, I’ve wanted my own business since I was 16 and wanted to even more since my baby was born. I’d love the opportunity to watch her grow, just be with her at home, and, yes, save on day care.
I just don’t know how to turn my love of budgeting, cooking, customer service, and database management into a business I can run from home. I don’t know the steps. It’s all very scary. I’m currently single (as in I’m with my daughter’s father but not married) and my significant other is jobless. I’m taking care of us all and it’s VERY stressful.
I’d be happy for any advice and tips you would have for someone like me.
P.S. I have been to college but never finished. I’m nervous about going back to school, with a baby, and failing.
My Take
Whew! That’s a lot on your plate right there. Let’s see if I can give you my two cents…
You’ve got a little one and yes, day care is expensive for that age range. While working from home is awesome, there are also a lot of headaches involved and having a 16-month-old around for most of the day will severely limit how much work you can get done. I’m not saying it’s impossible (because nothing is impossible), but it will make it more difficult to own your own business if you want to also have your daughter home with you.
Since your significant other is jobless right now, I would suggest the following. Check out my post on finding work-at-home jobs. Apply for a few and let’s all keep our fingers crossed that you can land at least one. Set goals for income each month. The first couple months you might want to aim for about an additional $50 per month. The most important thing to plan your work and work your plan. Sit down with your boyfriend. Is there a way he can watch her during the day, at least until he finds a new job? The two of you will need to sit down and figure out how to make this work. If you want to go back to school, that’s a whole ‘nother conversation, one that I encourage you to have.
Let me tell you, though: You can do this. It is scary to think about becoming your own boss, but the important thing to remember is that this is not an all-or-nothing situation. You indeed have your cake and eat it too! I always talk about having multiple streams of income, because it sets you up for a better future. Work your day job, and spend an hour or so a night making your side dream a reality. It is hard, but it can be done. How do I know? Because I’ve done it. I know other mamas who’ve done it. It’s not impossible.
What do you all think? Any advice for Patrice?
Start small. If you’re wanting to do say an online retail store, then start it while you have your job and build it day-by-day. Yes, it will take lots of hours of advertising and whatnot, but it can be very worth it.
On the flip side, if you’re wanting to do something more service oriented like consulting or bookkeeping from home, then again start small. Start with a small amount of customers that you’re working with so that it’s manageable while you’re still working.
In the end, save the money from the sidework to invest in making your company bigger. You’ll be working toward your goal of being able to do it full time by constantly reinvesting in yourself.
PS. I’m always in favor of seeing people go back to school! Just definitely don’t go down that road if your heart isn’t 100% in it.
keep your current job until you know exactly what it is you want to do on your own.
do you want to provide trainig, write documentation, consult for organizations – whatever it is use your current position to develop and fine tune these skills. see f your company has a tuition reimbursement program and if yes, use it to complete school or get a certificate. Look in to more advance DB besides filemaker, for example Access and using SQL.
daycare is expensive (relatively speaking) but it doesnt last forever. when the little one is in school costs should go down. appreciate the good fortune of your work environment right now.
i do hope your SO is job hunting or at least assisting with little one to help alleviate some of your stress.
dont make any rash decisions.
Hi Patrice! My advice is to keep your day job and start working on your own business on the side. Start off small like Amie said. Think about what you would love to do every single day and get paid for. You mentioned customer service, cooking, budgeting and database management. I don’t know much about database management, but you could offer a cooking service for busy moms that’s affordable. Some moms hate to cook and some don’t know how to cook without spending an enormous amount of money. This could be a great start. As for school, I think it’s great that you want to finish. Take it slow though, maybe start going part time first. Hope I gave you some good advice
I have no advice whatsoever, lol, but I’m cheering you on from the sidelines!