Archive for the ‘Work From Home’ Category

Whaddaya Know…A Writing Gig…

Friday, April 30th, 2010
12
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I wanted to give “yenz guys” a heads up. (That’s Pittsburgheze for “Ya’ll” here in Georgia)

I don’t plan on posting anything next week here on the blog. Instead, I’ve been contracted to write for another company and a pretty extensive project. (Which will remain nameless.) Being as visible as I am and with hundreds of posts over the years, people do contact me from time to time to write. I’ve been told numerous times that I have a style that’s not only very personal, but entertaining.

While I don’t actively seek out this type of work, I’ve written for several companies and blogs over the last two years that has not only been a lot of fun, but turning into a profitable little business. This particular project is extremely time sensitive and with the amount of articles they’re looking for, I’d much rather focus my time and energy busting this out.

I’ll be back as soon as I can. (Most likely a week.)

I’ve heard it said that if you find a way to get paid for doing what you love to do – you’ll never “work” another day in your life. Well, I’m living proof of that. It’s not always easy, and it’s not always a bed of roses – but it certainly beats punching a time clock and making money for someone else in a dead end J.O.B.

Besides, I’m far too spoiled at this point with the ability to call my own shots, and create my own schedule.

Not to worry, the Newsletter will still go out as scheduled and if I happen to find anything during the week that tickles my fancy, I may pop in for a quick post – but don’t count on it.

Until then…

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


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Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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What’s Your Why?

Monday, January 25th, 2010
12
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Remember those goals we wrote about at the beginning of the year? Just wanted to do a little check up with you on how they’re going.

As January comes to a close next week we’re coming up on the time of year when the fitness clubs start to thin out, McD0nald’s and other fast food service restaurants begin to see an increase in profits, and sales for Nicorette gums and patches drop way down. It’s much more noticeable this time of year because everyone comes into the new year with a bang, only to fade off weeks later and go back to a comfort zone they’re familiar with.

If you’re in the Network Marketing or Direct Sales industry, you see this kind of thing all year long. That’s why I never get too disappointed when someone tells me no, nor do I get too excited when they say yes and sign up. You learn very quickly that talk is cheap.

Those who have a big enough “why” however, have a much better chance to achieve the goals they’ve set out before them. My grandfather for example had two heart attacks and a mild stroke when I was young. After his second heart attack, the doctor told him he’d never be able to more than walk the dog around the block for the rest of his life. He was in his 40′s at the time, and that’s all he needed to hear in order to quit smoking cold turkey and start exercising.

When I was 16, the two of us rode together on a 50 mile bike ride. (And I was the one who struggled.)

He’s 90 this year, and still walks to the grocery store, the doctor – dentist – and various other locations to keep him active.

He had a big why.

I got into this industry for a pretty big why too.

Security.

See, both Ronda and I had been burned far too many times in the corporate world. Four months after our son Brian was born, Ronda was laid off at Bellsouth after 6 years of service. I had been in the golf industry with a very large company who filed bankruptcy. I then moved to wire and cable with a company who was shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission for fraud. (Cooking the books.) I worked for Gateway for a short time in their stores before they closed them and went into the big box stores. And my last stint in traditional business was a company called Hi-Fi Buys which I got out of when rumors started to surface about bankruptcy. (Which they eventually did.)

I’ve been with YTB for 5 years now – which is longer than all those other companies combined.

What YTB did for me was teach me how to be self sufficient. It’s also given me an incredible amount of self confidence. One of the reasons I’ve stuck with the company even with all the doom and gloom I use to hear about – I have the tools, mindset, and skills today to not only survive – but thrive on my own.

I never would have learned all that if I didn’t have a big enough why.

My peers at the time, the companies I worked for, nor did any schools teach me anything about being in business for myself. It wasn’t until I got around others like Coach, my Directors, and other Network Marketers that I needed to think about a company called “You, Inc.”

“You, Inc.”, has taught me how to look at a problem and come up with a solution to solve that problem. Look at my newsletter – now with thousands of subscribers. All started because I was smart enough to see a solution to a communication problem. I look at the market, realize what it needs, and offer services and products that cater to that market. It’s built trust and stability for me that I just couldn’t get in the corporate world.

All because I had a big enough why.

Even with all the ups and downs that YTB has had over the years – it’s a far better alternative and much more rewarding than working in the corporate rat race.

Find your why and you’ll have the same passion and stability. It won’t necessarily make the road less difficult, but it will give you the extra burst to break through to the other side to realize the rewards of the goals you’ve set.

Opportunity will knock for those who are ready, willing, and have a big enough why.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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The Day the Sky Fell…

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
14
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I guess I’m extremely callous. After all these years of reading Anti-MLM Zealots perceptions, predictions, and outright exaggerations about life and how they perceive this world – I can pretty much count on the exact opposite view or perception being the one that’s accurate. As a marketer and online entrepreneur, the last few months have been rather interesting as I’ve read, watched, and gained insight to the new FTC Guidelines concerning Blogging, Affiliates, and Advertising that went into effect yesterday, December 1st.

FTC BuildingIt might surprise you that advertising guidelines haven’t been updated since 1980 – which we all know is long before most of us even had a computer in the home or at the office – let alone internet access. Needless to say, these new guidelines for the internet have been long overdue. For some who like to live on the edge – like it or not – their way of doing business needs to change or they’ll face some hefty penalties if they don’t.

What’s so astounding to me is the reaction of a few really valuable bloggers, affiliates, and marketers, and what they have done recently because of these new guidelines. All of the sudden they’re running scared – some to the point of ending their blogs and affiliate programs because they’re fearful of what the FTC might do. Why? Because they’ve bought into all the fear mongering, half truths, myths, and flat out lies about what the new guidelines from the FTC are actually designed to do.

Based on what I’ve studied over the last few months concerning these new guidelines – those of us who have been doing business ethically and properly, have nothing to worry about. A simple disclaimer that states “duh – I get paid when you purchase from this link on my blog” (or something to that effect) will cover most of what you see on a blog like this one.

Yes, I know that adds (like the ones to the right) are painfully obvious. It might surprise some that there are people who take issue with the concept of sharing a portion of what they purchased with the person who introduced them to the product. YTB and other Travel MLM critics provide a perfect example of this type of stupidity and wealth envy. The thought that I get paid commission when I simply point someone to my “Booking Engine” and receive actual money when a service or product is purchased from my site is unethical and deceptive to them.

Why? Because in their mind I didn’t do anything that warrants a commission. I didn’t “work” for that sale in the same way they’re familiar with. They call it lazy – cheap – and a scam.

Look, I’m a marketer and entrepreneur and I use various marketing materials and subscribe to various entrepreneurial publications and sites. I’m going to obviously write on occasion about these materials and publications that I like. Why they’re a benefit to me and possibly you. If you find a link to the material, publication, product, or service – there’s a very high probability that it’s an affiliate link and when you find that the benefits, services, products that I talk about will benefit you as well – if you purchase the product like I have, I’m going to receive a commission for referring you to that product.

Now I know that the vast majority could of you care less about me and what I make because every single one of us (including me) are selfish and more interested in our own features and benefits – and what the product is going to do for “me”. (In this case “me” actually means “you”, not “me”.) However, there are those who believe it would be deceptive – unethical – immoral – or otherwise fraudulent that someone would be paid for writing and promoting such products without actually telling you that they are getting paid when you purchase these products, services, publications, or materials.

So let’s just cut to the chase here, and tell you that I believe that I provide a very valuable service and product with both this blog and my weekly and monthly newsletter. While I do enjoy and find writing extremely rewarding and gratifying – simply writing without adds, products, services, and other materials in hopes that you will find value and eventually purchase them for yourself, producing income for myself and my family – this blog and newsletter wouldn’t garner the type of quantity and quality that it does because it wouldn’t be worth my time and energy.

The bottom line here is that you’re going to have to tell people upfront that you’re going to be paid or that you received a perk (free copy, or promotional piece) when you write about these products from here on out. For the vast majority of people, they’ll not only find it refreshing and incredibly admirable (which in turn adds more credibility for you) but it helps build your relationship with your readers and subscribers.

For those who have the wealth envy complex and issues with an average guy like me actually obtaining monetary compensation or a perk for writing may never understand or accept this concept or technology. You simply need to accept and understand that their fears and phobias are their own.

If you want a very good overview and explanation of what these new guidelines consist of and what they mean to you as a marketer, blogger, and affiliate the best resource I’ve found was from Jim Edwards. (Through my tax guy affiliate, Ron Mueller) Jim has a great interview with Rich Cleland, Assistant Deputy at The Federal Trade Commission. Rich and Jim will not only give you the best in depth interview I’ve found, but puts the whole FTC Guideline issue into the proper perspective.

You may find, like I do, that these new guidelines are designed to help your business and credibility – not hurt it. You’ll also find , like I have, that there is very little that you’ll need to change in order to adhere to the new guidelines if you’ve been using your noggin and practical common sense.

And no, I’m not being paid or compensated to tell you that. ;-P

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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YTB Releases Franchise Seller Disclosure Forms

Friday, November 13th, 2009
16
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In case your wondering…no you didn’t miss some secret National Convention – Funshine – or some special Birthday Bash this week with YTB. With all the news in the past week, you’d think that there should have been something to get everyone together to celebrate what’s been going on.

Think about it…last Friday we release the new Group Cruise Page with Convergentware and posted a 10Q profit. Tuesday, the company hosted another Carnival Sail-a-thon and tied the Facebook phenomenon into the mix for a very cool and creative way to promote the best vacation money could buy.

Then yesterday, the company rolled out a wish list if you will. A small group of enhancements and improvements that those of us out in the field wanted to see to streamline prospecting and provide information in various departments and topics.

To end the week long list of promotions, enhancements and upgrades we come back to a topic that has been on the mind of many for quite some time.

It’s been over a year now since we first heard about YTB contemplating a franchise model. Soon after, California slapped a $25 million lawsuit with claims of some “gigantic pyramid scheme” in with it the day before the 2008 National Convention. I’ve heard rumor that the franchise announcement was nothing more than a “ploy” to stop the impending litigation which also produced a stance from the same clowns that it would never happen. By the time a settlement was reached (something else clowns never said would happen.) the court documentation that came out verified that a franchise model was required in California because in their eyes YTB was operating an on-line travel agency franchise without registering as one.

“Defendants have operated an on-line travel agency franchise without having registered as a franchise with the California Department of Corporations, in violation of California Corporations Code Section 31005 et seq.;”

By the way, I have no knowledge of any other company ever being accused of being both a pyramid scheme AND franchise at the same time – but leave it to California to be the first to do something like this. ;-P

So, we’ve been hearing about YTB implementing a franchise model for quite some time, and for months the home office has been preparing documents, manuals, and registrations for this new development.

Today, it’s time to take one more step towards making franchise a reality.

Starting today, November 13, 2009, there will be a link to a franchise seller disclosure form in your Rep Back Office. All Reps have to do is log in, answer a few questions, and submit the form. Once YTB officially implements franchise next year, (a little more that a month and a half away) we will be ahead of the game. (And yes, I intend on registering.)

The link will only be active for a limited time. And, you won’t want to miss out on your opportunity to be one of the first to officially register as a franchise seller with YTB.

PLEASE NOTE: All Canadian Reps who might sell a franchise in the United States should fill out this form in their Back Office. Once YTB implements the franchise model in the United States, only registered franchise sellers will be able to market the YTB Affiliate opportunity.

One last clarification – you’ll only be able to register for this document from the YTB Marketing side of the business. You will not find it from the Travel Portal. Remember Reps sell Internet Business Centers – and Travel Agents sell travel. They are two separate opportunities and models.

Wait – you already knew that didn’t you? Sorry – as you were.

Actually – log into you back office and get yourself registered…

Nice job, once again YTB! Thanks for all the info and opportunity to show folks that you’re not only still around, but have plans to be around for a long – long time. It’s been an awesome week.

Got to run…there’s a newsletter to produce with a ton of new content.

C-ya!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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YTB Reps Rave over RPM

Monday, October 5th, 2009
10
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YTB’s second weekend of the new RPM Training is now complete. The very first class was held just after Funshine in Orlando late last month, with the West Coast getting their first taste of YTB’s Regional Product Marketing this past weekend in San Fransisco and Irvine California. The remainder of the classes for the month of October have been posted in our weekly Newsletter for St. Louis and Kansas City, MO on October 17th – Atlanta, Detroit, Clearwater/Tampa, and Newark, NJ on October 24th – and the month will finish out in Dallas, TX on October 31st.

Additional cities will be announced for November as the company secures facilities to host it’s new training program. Plans right now include Las Vegas, Miami, Phoenix, and Denver, with additional smaller markets in the cities like Montgomery, AL.

As a reminder, RPM Training is designed for existing Reps with access to their back office, where you can find the exact locations for the training classes with instructions on how to register and pay for the courses. (A further review of the new RPM Training and what it entails can be found here.) It should also be noted that this training is for Associates and Reps, and not TSO’s. (TSO’s have First Class, E-Campus, and a plethora of supplier and industry association trainings they can register and participate in for travel related trainings.)

Here are a handful of comments received over the weekend surrounding the new RPM Trainings:

The RPM in Irvine was well worth the drive and the $ spent! Our Directors ROCK!
RPM was a one stop shop covering ALL our up-to-date and IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!

~ Kathy and Robert V., San Diego, CA

So happy to see training for the REPs. Great Job!!
~ Tonia L., Austell, Georgia

I feel that all should enroll and complete this course. It means so much to know more about what we have to offer. How can we promote what we have if we don’t know ourselves.
~ Gloria E., Norfolk, VA

Being new to this business and still learning I found it to be very useful. I feel that any class I can take only helps. I look forward to more trainings. Very well prepared and presented by the 36 new Certified Trainers. Great training.
~ Angela D., Englewood, FL

I strongly feel that EVERYBODY, new or old, should take this course.
~ Barbara C., Hialeah, FL

I enjoyed this experience very much.
~ Debbie J., Anna, IL

Great course. Lots of good info. Would definitely recommend to team members.
~ Joseph B., Saint Petersburg, FL

Great training and very positive. Addressed the needs in getting on track and staying focused.
~ Gregory & Sandra N., Sherwood, AR

Thank you, thank you, and THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!!!
~ Sonya C., Raleigh, NC

The course was great! I kept saying how fast the time was going. It seemed like I just got started and before I knew it, it was over. It totally excited me all over again about the business that I have.
~ Mary V., Mays Landing, NJ

RPM Training Classes are taught by Certified Trainers who have been hand picked by YTB, bringing Reps the most updated, relevant information at the time. The curriculum includes a complete study of all YTB products, how to sell them, and how to build your YTB marketing business.

While it’s still too early to see any residual effects from a training like this, it looks to be a HUGE hit for those who took the time to invest in their business.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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Yet Another YTB Upgrade

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
23
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Did you feel that? It’s the winds of change.

The NEW YTB booking engine came as an early Christmas present and the upgrade is now official in the US. You may or may not have heard about this and I’m only too happy to update you on advancements and upgrades from the folks in Wood River, Illinois, YTB Travel Network.

I’m sorry to inform some that “Being Powered by Travelocity” is no more. Our new platform is being serviced by Convergentware, out of Canada. (Thus why the beta testing was being done there.) While the relationships we had with both Priceline in 2005 and 2006 and World Choice (Travelocity) in 2007 and 2008 were extremely beneficial in helping the growth of our company, it’s clearly time to step up and not only own the client information, but provide better services to these clients via customer profiles.

Travel Agents are typically connected to one or more GDS systems. Today, travel content can be found outside of the GDS’s and directly via supplier websites or via direct links to suppliers’ back-end systems. (Which YTB is currently working on with its growing list of suppliers and vendors as these vendors create their own infrastructure to do so.)

This new product with Convergentware not only represents multiple GDS systems, (Global Distribution Systems) but they also seamlessly combine such GDS content with non-GDS content such as Web fares, Charter fares and Consolidator fares into one interface. There are air, car, hotel, insurance, tour, cruise and net fare modules for both client and business environments.

Convergent CRS Gateway is a back-end Centralized Reservations System (”CRS”) that is capable of searching and integrating data from the following five environments:

  1. The Global Distribution Systems (“GDS”) such as Sabre, Galileo and Amadeus;
  2. Travel suppliers directly via Application Programmer Interfaces (“API”);
  3. Travel supplier Web sites;
  4. GDS New Entrants (”GNE’s”) such as ITA Software;
  5. Specialized or customized content via Convergent Publisher.

Convergent CRS technology is a global leader in automating these environments for the entire front-office to back-office reservations process which involves searching for relevant travel content, managing and attaching customer profiles to a particular reservation, and then book all the individual components of a travel reservation, including, but not limited to air, car, hotel, cruise, insurance and tour packages, ticketing specific components of a travel reservation that require ticketing in conjunction with reserving space such as air bookings.

Another nice feature I’m thrilled about is creating integrated quotes, itineraries and/or invoices regardless of where the travel content comes from. I can create and send a complete quote to a client and if they like what they see, all the client has to do is log in and pay for the trip I created for them.

How cool is that?! Talk about customer service.

The Convergent CRS Gateway powers all Convergentware front-end products such as Convergent Online and Convergent Professional. Add the power of Convergent Publisher, with its specialized content, contract and inventory management capabilities, and the Convergent CRS Gateway transforms into the leading customizable, centralized reservations system in the world. (Sorry, no more “gleaning” of travel bookings.)

Hang on…it gets even better.

You heard about the Worlds Largest Travel Party last week with the Worlds Most Popular Cruise Line in the World. This format was just a glimpse of things to come with MONTHLY Travel Party’s all across the country featuring suppliers and destinations each and every month that clients can not only book for themselves, with a Best Price Guarantee, but clients can also register themselves for monthly sweepstakes featuring a free vacation to one of these exotic destinations. Sweepstakes will range from 3-5 day weekend getaways, a 7 day all inclusive, or up to 14 days of bliss at an exotic destination that can be won only from the fine folks at YTB each and every month.

If you have not done so yet, I would highly recommend you subscribe to the Weekly Steals & Deals. (Found at the bottom right hand corner of our Booking Engine.) This is your first step in creating a customer profile and getting yourself registered for these sweepstakes. When you hit our web site, simply register with e-mail and password, and the Convergentware system will keep track of frequent flyer numbers, passport information, home/office and billing information, and other traveler information that you’ll only have to input once as the CRS does the rest.

By the way, are you as tired as I am over these “other companies” who send specials from Chicago to San Diego when YOU live in Atlanta? No longer a problem with YTB Travel Network as Convergentware Publisher will only find specials from your specified city in your customer profile. I don’t know about you, but I’m not all that interested in flying up to Chicago or finding that special to San Diego isn’t all that special from Atlanta.

And some have the audacity to claim we’re not serious about selling travel.

Hard to fathom, I know. But this is just the beginning. As other vendors and suppliers create the backbone to connect with this new platform, you’ll see more and more offerings and ways to combine great travel deals with the best prices, from one incredible travel agency.

And the cost to either RTA’s of YTB or customers for this advanced booking system?

Not a penny more. (In fact, it’s on sale right now.)

Congratulations YTB. You’ve proven yourselves to be a true innovator and leader in the Travel Industry once again.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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Home Office of the 21st Century Family

Monday, July 7th, 2008
2
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Hope Ya’ll had a great weekend. (For you Pittsburgher’s like me, replace “Yunz Guys” with “Ya’ll”) We had family in town since the middle of last week, and while I did do some “work”, some things, like internet activity, took a back seat. (Which would include this blog.)

I started to think about what to post today and honestly didn’t have anything prepared. There are a couple of key people I like to read for inspiration, and many of them you can find to the right as part of my “favorite authors”, but there is one who isn’t on my list who I’ve known via the Internet and message boards who I’ve admired for years. As a success, I have attempted to model in my journey in my own home based business.

I stumbled into one of his articles late last night and can’t tell you how thrilled I was to see someone like Tony with the same belief I have concerning working at home with kids.

To some, this may seem odd, and some who’ve never experienced this may think that people would find this “unprofessional”. Like Tony, I’ve never seen or heard a single person in all the years I’ve been home with my kids that anyone has ever been “put off” by my kids who may interrupt, make extra noise, or need something during a call.

As a matter of fact, I get more compliments and most everyone with children desire what I have more than anything else.

So I’m going to step aside for today and let Tony take it from here with a copy and paste from Articlebase.

How to Succeed in a Home Business Even if you Have Kids

Author: Tony Rush

You’ve seen the ad in the magazines and online. I call her the Perfect Work-At-Home Person. She’s a beautiful lady with perfect makeup and hairstyle. She’s sitting at her computer in her home office and her two-year old is quietly playing with her toys on the floor.

Or perhaps it’s a picture of a man who’s lounged by the pool laughing and talking on his cordless phone while his children are floating around in the pool.

Let’s pause for a reality check.

As I type this, I’m holding an 18-month old who has barged into my office and demanded his favorite past-time: to sit on my lap while listening to iTunes. (Right now, we’re listening to “How Long” by The Eagles and he’s desperately trying to climb onto the keyboard to get my iPhone.)

In fact, less than an hour ago, I had a phone call from a potential business partner who had to hold for a moment as I made sure that my oldest son had his phone charged and knew to be careful crossing the street to go to his friend’s house.

Of course, I could close the door. I could ask my wife to watch him for a bit while I take care of some business.

And sometimes I do that. But, usually, I’m doing business or taking calls throughout the day while I’m enjoying being with my family.

Welcome to the Home Office of the 21st Century Family: Where family is the top priority and we don’t feel the need to pretend that our home office is a picture from a magazine.

It wasn’t always this way, though. I remember not too long ago, if the phone rang, I was shrieking at everyone to be quiet because I was “working”. Or I spent huge swaths of time with the door to my office closed because I was “working”.

What a drag. What’s the point in working at home if you have to pretend you’re in a corporate environment? Or where everyone around you is stressed out because they feel like they’re walking on eggshells.

I suspect that most home-business entrepreneurs are living the same way and doing it for the same reason: fear.

They’re afraid that if someone hears a child in the background, it means they’re not “professional”. But the truth is that most of the people you talk to would love to be able to work from home and be with their loved ones every day. And this is especially true if you’re in a business where showing people how to get out of the corporate environment is what you do.

The truth is that working at home and being connected with your family is cool today. Today’s best “power lunch” is when you’re making money while slicing a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich for your kids. And the best suits to wear when doing business is a swimsuit.

Just this week, I was on the phone with a potential business partner and my son, Pate, came in to get a hug and a kiss before going to bed. I asked my prospect to hang on, laid the phone on the desk and spent the next 45 seconds tickling my son, telling him how much I love him and that I’d see him in the morning.

When I picked up the phone, I said, “There was a time I would have apologized for that but that’s actually the whole reason why I do what I do.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone and my prospect said, “That’s the kind of life I want. How do I get started?”

And of course, when the situation requires, you can always close your door. There’s nothing wrong with that, either. It’s all about choice.

So, the message is simple: don’t be too quick to assume that working at home requires you to be “slick” or “professional”.

I earn a multiple six-figure income from home and I’ve been able to do that while enjoying my family; not hiding them. Don’t expect that I’ll always answer the phone if you call my office.

And if I do, you might just hear the sounds of The Eagles or a Nintendo Wii in the background.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/how-to-succeed-in-a-home-business-even-if-you-have-kids-297523.html

About the Author:
Here is Easton’s contribution to the article: aaaaaaazzzzzzzzzz3g9]

For more information on Tony Rush, visit http://www.tonyrush.com

Couldn’t have said it better myself Tony.

Thank you.

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