Neumann discusses this very real concern and possible solutions for Baby Boomers and others who are interested in venturing out into the home-based business world.  Check this guest series out and learn things that can help you!

According to Guest Bloggers Allow Fresh Air into the House, written by JudyAnn Lorenz of NewBeautySuccess.com, this week will be the last in this particular guest series.  Lorenz noted how fast the time had flown.

My first introduction to computers was many years ago, when my father-in-law practically insisted that we take his old computer.  He was getting a new one, and thought we should have one.  I was not that happy about having a computer.  I didn’t know what we’d do with one, and having younger kids, I didn’t want one more thing that we had to keep an eye on.  But we did go ahead and take the computer and I learned how to write and receive emails.  I also learned how to put in a url to get to a website I wanted to see.  That’s it.  That’s about all I did.

As my kids grew up, they were so much more adept at using computers than I was.  I didn’t even have much interest in learning.  However, that all changed when I started my first business – an online bookstore.  I HAD to learn – now there was a purpose in it.

I can now do some html coding, write online newsletters, work with autoresponders, chat in forums and frequent social networks.  I am still no “whiz” when it comes to computers, but I can get around to where I need to be.  And you know, I even enjoy it!  But I learned it little by little, as I had need for something.

Don’t think you’re ever too old to learn, or that you wouldn’t do well at something just because you haven’t done it in the past.  You can learn and have fun doing it!

Laurie Neumann

Home Business Coaching

 What can you do to avoid the scams?

 First, I know we’ve all heard it, but if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t legitimate.  Stay away from claims of making a ton of money without any work, or making a certain amount of money in a short period of time.  You will need to work to be successful, and no one can guarantee that you’ll earn a certain amount of money. 

Next, don’t pay for a job.  If a company is asking for money before they give you work, don’t do it.  Having said that, there are legitimate fees for:

 Joining a direct sales company as a distributor

• Gaining access to telecommuting jobs listings
• Investing in the startup of your own business

 When joining a direct sales or network marketing company, really do your homework.  Investigate:

 What the product is and how easily it sells (make sure there IS a product and that it is the focus of the business)

• How you will earn money
• Any monthly/quarterly minimums or quotas to meet
• Any hidden costs – either monthly, annually, etc.
• Do they have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
• Talk to other people in the company – current and past (if possible) – ask for positive/negative feedback about the company and product

 With careful analysis and doing your research, you CAN avoid the scams and enjoy the flexibility and freedom of owning your own home based business. 

Laurie Neumann

Home Business Coaching

Every day I learn more and more about the various facets of beauty success.  Beauty of appearance and beauty of production and beauty of performance and beauty of generosity to name a few.

I want to thank Judy Ann for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts and information with you.

I will be doing a series on Baby Boomers starting and running a home based business.  What I want to do is to address some concerns that may be common among the baby boom crowd.

First up is “what can I do as a home based business”?  I’m sure, if you look around, you probably have come across someone who owns a home based business.  You may have wished you could do the same, but really don’t know WHAT you can actually do from home.

I know this was my problem when I was starting out.  I had wanted to have my own business for years, but always got stuck at the step of what I could do.

There are MANY options.  First, you can join a direct sales company and sell their products as a distributor or consultant.  This is probably one of the easiest ways to get started, as the business is all set up, and most direct sales opportunities offer training.  So, you kind of have the best of both worlds.  You have your own business, but are not in it “alone.” 

Next, you could start a business “from scratch” offering a service such as bookkeeping, proofreading, child care, web design, and the list goes on and on. 

You could also sell your own products – ones you have created such as candles, soaps, kids’ clothing, dog sweaters, etc.

You can start an online business such as affiliate marketing (selling other people’s products and earning a commission whenever you make a sale), writing and selling your own ebook or selling on Ebay.

As you can see, there are many varieties of opportunities, just as there are people.  Choose the one that best fits your lifestyle, interests, and skills.

If you’re looking for some opportunities that have been researched with the Better Business Bureau for a good reputation and legitimacy, you can visit http://www.legitimate-homebasedbusinesses.com

Laurie Neumann

I work as a virtual professional and truly enjoy it more and more every day. When I first began In 2003, I felt pretty smart to be good at MS Office, Adobe Acrobt and some photography programs.

In the years that have passed, I’m learning more every day.  Social media has become a reality.  More and more people are trying to market their services and wares on the Internet.  Cyberspace is clearly the market place of today and the future, regardless of product.   I’m learning to work for my projects and to help clients figure out how to make their efforts shine. 

Blogging — the posts/articles you see here are a major tool in the social media skill set.  When it really took off in 2005, I had missed what many were already running with.  But, it didn’t take long to see how this worked and to appreciate the gains from posting to a blog. 

Then, there are the MANY platforms.  The most common involve freebies at Blogger.com and WordPress.com.   Paid memberships at Typepad.com offer some professional options.  Then, we have the self-hosted platforms…now WordPress.org  takes my eye as being something extremely user friendly.

The people at WordPress are constantly upgrading their product.  I got tangled up in some updating this week and made a mess that those of you who’ve been with Beauty Matter Blog since the beginning will quickly recognize.   WordPress.org has provided an excellent platform, but I sure could make a mess of everything!   I am fortunate to be associated with a host at 1and1.com that helped me get some of it cleaned up.  Plus, my virtual assistant network at VAnetworking.com has offered assistance and encouragement through the entire learning process.

Whatever you decide to do when considering your future and the possibilities of your own business with your skills, I want to recommend these services to you.  Quality, user friendly tools are essential.  Services that can communicate with you in a crisis (the web host in this case) are essential.  The network you can tap for extra information and assistance is absolutely crucial.  I have contact with the tools and services because of what I have learned from my network, most particularly at VAnetworking.com.

If your choices should lead you to the vision of working with a virtual assistant, you can learn more about that option at VAnetworking.com’s official blog:  Partnering with a Virtual Assistant  or another blog I write at Virtually @ Eight Twenty-Two on Bar JD Communications

Laurie Neuman will begin a guest post series at NewBeautySuccess.com the week beginning Feb. 16. 

As a platform for her own business, Laurie writes a blog and offers books and services based upon Christian principals focused on home based business opportunities.    Laurie has written four books about the home based business topic.   Christian Home Based Business Connection (http://www.christianhomebasedbusiness.com) is Laurie’s internet and home business. 

Beauty Matters has taken a position that beauty is more than skin deep; a successful Baby Boomer is beautiful on all levels.  The inner beauty of having a base for being productive and prosperous deserves to be cultured as much or more than our bodies.

My intention is that you will find valuable information and encouragement from Laurie’s posts and see your Baby Boomer Beauty bloom far into the future!

I’m aiming for next Tuesday for the first post and once a week thereafter.   Feel free to pass this email and information along to others who may have interest or need. 

Membership at NewBeautySuccess.com is free.  Members gain access to some more free information when they sign up, plus updates when we’re doing something worth noting.