WAHM Biz Success ~ Ideas, Tips & Advice for WAHMs

When you go about setting up a new business, your constant and seemingly never ending enthusiasm will carry you over any hurdles or obstacles in your way. Nothing seems too difficult and any challenges are met with an amazing “let’s face it head on” attitude.

However there will unfortunately come a time when this enthusiasm will wane, you will tire of your business or you run out of ideas to increase the size of your business. This is one of the hardest aspects of running your own business and one which is sometimes rarely spoken of, as no-one wants to admit defeat particularly when so much time and effort has been spent on building your business.

If this feeling lasts a short period of time then usually it is not too difficult a problem to overcome. Sometimes by just taking a step back from your business and giving yourself some time to breathe can clear your head and allow you to refocus. Small business owners or WAHMs often spend 99% of their time thinking about and running their business. But at some point, they are likely to burnout.

If however this burnout period lasts for a long period of time, weeks or even months, then there are some things you can do to help rekindle that zest you once had for your business. Having a break is always a good first step however if this does not help, you may need to focus on why you started working on your business in the first instance. If it was to earn an income to support your family, are you finding that the income you are bringing in does not meet your original expectations? Sitting down and analysing your income and expenditure can often highlight issues that you might be unaware of.

Are you finding that you are not moving as many products as you thought you would? Maybe it’s time to do some customer research on your business – maybe the items you like are just too niche a product to do well and you might have to add some new spark into your business by way of new products.

Facing any issues head-on is the best way to gain a greater understanding of your business and yourself. It might be worth hiring a business consultant to help you identify any underlying issues which may be contributing to your lack of enthusiasm or you may just need an assistant, even temporarily, to assist you with the business allowing you to focus on the more creative and fun aspects that may inspire you.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson stated; “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm” and it is true up to a point. You can continue working as you are: minus the enthusiasm – however, there will come a time when you need to put the zing back into your swing to allow your business to grow and prosper as it should.

Biography: Michelle’s career spans 20 years in various administrative and marketing roles. She has owned and sold a successful online store, written articles for a number of online magazines and now focuses her energies on writing – proofreading and editing, ghost and copy writing and blog management.

Visit Michelle’s Website

DAWSON DOCUMENTS – VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

Bio

Turnaround times and efficiency are what makes Erin Dawson and her business Dawson Documents– Virtual Assistant leaders in the administration field.  Based in Perth, Western Australia, Dawson Documents- Virtual Assistant provide administration services worldwide.  Having a Diploma in Business and over ten years administrative support experience Erin is passionate about helping small businesses grow.  Erin enjoys using her excellent communication skills and superb attention to detail to support and encourage like-minded entrepreneurial women, particularly Work-At-Home-Mums (WAHMs), through her application of sound business administration support to achieve their business goals.

Erin believes that having the passion to do what she does best shows through in all of her work, onto her clients and their customers.  She is vibrant, fresh and young – qualities that allow her to bring new ideas to her clients and ensure she is flexible enough to meet their quality and turnaround time needs.  Her passion for business extends to her newly launched Letters from Santa business, which she manages in tandem with Dawson Documents- Virtual Assistant.

What is your business name and your website url?

Dawson Documents – Virtual Assistant.  http://www.dawsonsocuments.com.au

How long have you been in business?

Almost 2 years

What made you decide to start your own business?

I was at home after just having my son and was asked to do some work for someone. I had come from an Admin and HR background so could do the work no problem. I then looked more into it and saw there was a profession for what I was doing. It was called Virtual Assistant, and here I am.

What strategies do you use to keep yourself motivated?

My clients keep me motivated. I have different projects and work coming through all the time so it keeps it interesting. Working around my kids, at home is also a huge motivator.

Do you have a current product or promotion running?

For January, all new clients that come on board with Dawson Documents, book 1 hour, get 1 hour free.

What makes your business/products unique?

The fact that I can assist a business from my home office. It is easy for the client, I reduce their stress and costs and increase their productivity. The client is just paying for the work completed and time it takes. No leave, sick or holiday pay. It’s just so simple.

How do you keep the balance between family and work?

You just do. It all seems to fall into place and work fantastically for us. I work around the kids and other activities we have planned, and it just works. Of course, prioritising comes into it sometimes and having a supportive husband also helps.

Do you have any advice for new WAHMs?

I would say, “Follow your dream”. If you have an idea, go with it and see how it goes. You might surprise yourself! You will never know unless you try, and if it fails, then don’t give up. There is more than one way to do everything!