Home Business Success Stories

A roadblock or just a fork in the road?

The novelty of having free time wore off after about 3 days. I needed to stay busy but felt uncomfortable about looking for a job.

The demand for secretarial work, which is what I was trained in, was almost non existent in my area and on top of that, computers and the Internet had invaded the work environment that was still using typewriters when I left it. I couldn't even compete for the few jobs that were available and, truth be told, I didn't want them any way.

I chose to quit working and stay home when my first child was born because it was important to me that my children be raised by me and not by someone else. I wanted to continue to stay home and be available for my kids, even if that meant I had to find other ways to stay busy and productive while they were gone.

We did have a computer at home, but I had never used it for anything other than to play games and maybe type up a few newsletters for my children's play school, it wasn't even hooked up to the internet. I signed up for a few word processing courses to upgrade my skills in the hopes of finding a job in the future and got connected to the internet to find out what all the fuss was about.

My love of graphic arts also resurfaced and I began taking interest again in my old hobbies of painting and crafting to fill my long days without children needing my attention.

One day I created a candleholder out of spare wood pieces around the house for a housewarming gift. It was after several people asked where I had bought it that I was inspired to try to sell my new creation. Not long afterward, I offered my candleholder, along with a few other handcrafted items, at a local craft show and the response was wonderful. I literally fell into my first business, Heart 'N Home.

The next year saw my craft business progress from a few items offered at local craft shows, to an inventory of over one hundred unique creations being sold at large Artist Shows, consignment shops, and a Canadian craft store chain.

I had become very familiar with the Internet and enjoyed visiting the various craft sites that were online. It was a natural step to take my business online, although I must admit I didn't expect a great response. It was initially intended to be a contact point to meet with other crafters.

In 1996, using the small homepage space allowed by my ISP (internet service provider -- the company that connects you to the internet) and a WYSIWYG editor ("what you see is what you get" editor is a web page creation program that doesn't require HTML knowledge) I created my first site, included key information about my business, and a few pictures of my products.

Two days later I had my first order, and over the next few years became a wholesaler of unique craft items to gift shops around the globe. This was accomplished all through my website, which had grown to a secure shopping site with over 50 catalogue pages, as well as the many contacts I had made online from crafter's communities and women's business lists.

It's vital to mention just how important these 'friends without faces' were in my success on the Internet. Having a home based business brings great joy and satisfaction, but it also brings isolation and loneliness.

I can't count the number of times people I had never met in person, but still regarded among my best friends, kept me going through the rough times. Kind words, advice and even sometimes a swift kick in the butt from my trusted online friends made a significant difference in my business.

In the late part of 1999 I hit a roadblock. I was forced to close my business due to illness. It was the hardest choice I have ever had to make, but I am a true believer that 'everything happens for a reason'. I made this my mantra for the next year while I focused all my energies on getting well again.

The lure of the Internet never left me, I continued to surf the net, dabble in website and graphic design, and participate in online discussions with others in the same situation as I was.

Again, the support supplied by strangers made an incredible difference in my life. I began to wonder how anyone could survive without this little computer box. My health improved steadily and I eventually began to think about working again. I knew I couldn't resume my wood working business and I felt lost when comparing all the online possibilities.

Most opportunities I came across just didn't seem to suit or inspire me and many of the ones that did weren't available to Canadians.

Then an odd thing happened. People began coming to me asking for computer advice, and I was happy to share what I knew. Then friends and family began to ask if I would design websites for them.

Everything seemed to just click and my new business, The Web Nook, was launched. I realized I hadn't previously run into a roadblock at all, just a fork in the road and I had found my way again.

When asked the most important thing I've learned since starting my first business, my reply is simple: know your priorities, follow your heart, believe in yourself, and trust that everything happens for a reason. I also consider these the most important things I've learned in life.