Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Jellies/Jams Maker

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description:A jellies or jam maker is one who makes her own fruit-based or other types of jams and jellies.

Education: None necessary.

Skills: The ability to make and can homemade jellies and jams.

Job outlook: Although home canning is experiencing a bit of a upswing, there are sill many people who do not make homemade jams and jellies. Metropolitan or urban areas will likely have more customers for homemade jellies and jams than more rural locations.

Possible employers:Local restaurants (especially farm-to-table ones), bakeries, organic supermarkets, and farmers markets could be great places to sell your wares.

Preparation: Make sure you’re complying with all state and local health department rules related to selling homemade goods. Take a food-safety course, usually offered through the health department or local restaurant association.

Get your foot in the door: Start by setting up a booth at a local arts and crafts fair or farmers market. Visit area stores and restaurants with samples.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Take Advantage of Back-to-School

Whether your kids are in public or private, it's that back-to-school time of year. Here are a few ways you can take full advantage of a kid-free home (at least for a few hours a day).

Review your work schedule. Now's the time to make sure you're working smart while the children are not at home. For example, schedule tasks that require more concentration first thing in the morning, to give you plenty of time to finish before the dismissal bell.

Watch time-wasters. Make sure you're not frittering away work time by spending too much time surfing the Internet or updating your FB status. If you need to use Facebook and Twitter for marketing purposes, set a timer and do the promotional stuff first, then check on what you're friends have been up to.

Begin holiday preparations now. I know it's only September, but if you want to have a less stressful fall holiday season, it's time to start planning. For example, if you celebrate Halloween or dress up for a fall festival, start planning for costumes now to avoid staying up past midnight on October 30 hunched over teh sewing machine. Think about what presents you have to buy and what homemade goodies you want to make. Jot down a timeline that will enable you to keep up with your work, home and family while not leaving all the holiday prep until the last minute.

Check your tax receipts. Now's the time to do a quick inventory of your tax situation. Do you have all tax-related receipts from January 1 in one place? Have you kept up with your mileage (if applicable)? If you donate used goods to charities, have you entered the information into It's Deductible? This is especially important if you traveled for business over the summer.

Think long-term. All those projects you put off because of vacations or other summer activities? Get out your calendar and see where you can fit those into your fall schedule.

These are just a few of the ways you can kick off the school year with a refreshed outlook for the fall. I'd love to hear what my readers are doing to keep on track in the fall.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Indexer

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description:An indexer organizes entries to help users find information in a document or book.

Education: None necessary, although many indexers have bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

Skills: Excellent language skills, accuracy and attention to detail.

Job outlook: As long as books continue to be published, there will be a need for indexers. However, it’s difficult to track if this is a growing or stagnant job. The good news is that more and more publishing houses are outsourcing their indexing to freelancers, which means indexing can be a good choice for those who want to work from home.

Possible employers:Check out the American Society for Indexers, which has a job-finder section on its website.

Preparation: Join the American Society for Indexers. Take indexing courses from a local college with a library science or information science department. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers two indexing correspondence courses through its Graduate School (type in key word “indexing” to find the courses).

Get your foot in the door: Ask an established indexer for an apprenticeship to build skills and experience.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Rejuvenate You

With summer coming to an end and the start of school right around the corner (if it hasn't already started for you by now), now's a good time to think about refreshing yourself. "Tips to Recharge Your Batteries" from Small Business Trends has some ways to rejuvenate you.

Have downtime. Schedule time to not work. Don't wait until you're overtaxed, but work in regular breaks into your workday and workweek. Make sure to turn off your phone or walk away from your computer so you're not tempted to work while you're supposed to be relaxing.

Read for pleasure. Most of us have a "must-read" stack relating to our business, but we should also have books we want to read for fun. If you have trouble coming up with a title or craving out time for reading for pleasure, considering joining a local book club. Bonus: book clubs will get you out of the house for regular meetings.

Find personal enrichment. Sign up for a class in something non-work related. Pick up that musical instrument you played as a kid. Become a member of a local museum or theater group.

Work on checking off your master life to-do list. Call it a bucket list or what-I'll-do-when-I-retire list, stop waiting for someday and start planning to tackle some of those things now. Whether it's travel or learning a new language, come up with a plan and implement it. You'll be glad you did.

By enriching your overall life, you will find more energy and inspiration in your work. Now, you'll excuse me if I go finish Bleak House by Charles Dickens, my book club's summer reading pick...

Until next time,


Sarah

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Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Tailor

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description:A tailor alters clothing for clients.

Education: None necessary.

Skills: The ability to sew and alter a variety of clothing, including pants, dresses, suits and jackets.

Job outlook: U.S.Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of sewers and tailors is expected to experience little or no change, growing 1% from 2010 to 2020. Growth will be limited as clothing continues to be made in other countries and the demand for custom clothing keeps declining. However, job prospects are good for skilled workers.” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.

Possible employers:Contact local dry cleaners to see about tailoring work. Also, stop by area fabric stores to inquire if you can advertise your services there.

Preparation: Join the Custom Tailors & Designers Association, which offers ways to connect with other tailors and continuing classes.

Get your foot in the door: Consider contacting Dress to Success or other charities that help clothe low-income clients for job interviews to offer your services at a reduced rate or for free.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Bossing Yourself

Can you be the boss of you? Running a home-based business or working from home requires that you can successful run you. "Are You Your Own Worst Boss?" from Mashable has some words of wisdom about motivating yourself.

Get the tools to help you do a better job. Don't make yourself work harder than you have to simply to save a few dollars by not upgrading computer or other essential equipment. Be frugal, but practical.

Continue learning. Whether through workshops or formal education, make sure you're staying up-to-date on the ins and outs of your field.

Value your work, services or products. Don't price yourself so low that you end up working more hours. Think about what your product or service really costs and price accordingly.

Reward yourself. When you land a big client, or finish a large project, don't forget to celebrate. It could be a day off to go to the beach or an hour spent reading your favorite novel--whatever will help you to observe the event.

Be a good boss to yourself and reap the benefits of having such a positive work environment.

Until next time,

Sarah

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Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Personal Trainer

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description:A personal trainer works with a variety of individuals on instructing those individuals in exercise activities.

Education: Certification through the National Academyof Sports Medicine or the American Council of Exercise.

Skills: The ability to motivate clients through a customized exercise plan and routine.

Job outlook: U.S.Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow by 24% from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. As businesses and insurance organizations continue to recognize the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees, incentives to join gyms or other fitness facilities will increase the need for workers in these areas.” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.

Possible employers:Call area gyms to see about getting listed as a personal trainer. Visit senior centers to inquire about holding low-impact and other appropriate exercise class members. Consider starting your own business or joining with another personal trainer in your area.

Preparation: Join the National Academy of Sports Medicine or the American Council of Exercise. Take continuing education or certification courses from the above-mentioned organizations.

Get your foot in the door: Ask a professional organizer in your area or a nearby area if you could shadow her on a client visit to make sure this is a good fit for you.

Until next time,

Sarah

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