If you’re in the process of starting your first home business, it can be a little daunting. It takes work, patience, and dedication. However, it doesn’t hurt to have a resource that can also give you a good idea of what to expect.
If you’re a woman interested in starting your own home business, Home Biz Chicks is a resource that offers the help and community any new entrepreneur might need. For anyone that isn’t quite ready to purchase a membership, they also have a variety of free resources and articles.
I recently spoke with the woman behind the website, Sue Papadoulis, about her website and what it has taught her.
Tell us a little about Home Biz Chicks.
Home Biz Chicks is the ultimate resource for women working from home.
It’s a web site dedicated to helping women who want to work from home, or those who already do.
[Home Biz Chicks] brings together a range of experts in a number of fields including finance, marketing, public relations, organization, technology, mindset and relationships to provide advice and support to women working from home.
Here, you can read articles, listen to interviews, participate in teleseminars, and join the discussion forum to network and connect with like-minded women.
Home Biz Chicks provides a range of free information including articles and an e-newsletter full of advice and tips, as well as a paid subscriber area where members can access specialized advice with topics including:
- How to start, build and run a successful home business
- How to work smarter to give you more time for yourself and your family
- How to create the right mindset for success
- How to get you motivated whatever stage you’re at
- Money management and organization
- How to maintain healthy relationships at home while running a home-based business
- How to juggle family vs work
- How to undertake successful marketing and networking
- How to publicize your business
- How to develop your business online
What inspired it?
I was inspired to create a resource to help women overcome to fear they have of starting a home business and hold their hand through the process of taking that leap of faith. Many women are looking for a more flexible work/life approach but are fearful that if they start a home business no one will want what they have to sell. They are fearful of budgets, book keeping and tax, and they are fearful of self promotion.
I was once one of those fearful women, and I want to empower, inspire and motivate others to believe that there are more options available than working in a job you hate.
How much does it cost to sign up?
A 21 day trial costs $10. Thereafter it’s $19.95 a month or $199 a year.
Can you give us a hint as to what members receive when they join?
- Our resource library of articles on a wide range of topics
- Downloadable audio and podcast tutorials
- Ask the Experts service
- A subscription to Smart Biz Chicks e-newsletter full of tips and advice
- All the back-issues of Smart Biz Chicks
- Past teleseminars and podcasts featuring experts on topics including finance, organisation, marketing, relationships and mindset
- Downloadable templates for business plans, marketing plans and more
What separates you from the competition?
Access to some international experts on a range of topics relating to home business success. I spend a lot of energy seeking out teleseminar guests who can offer top level information without the sales hype.
I also offer some great products for home business owners, including a Facebook Fan Page Training pack, and a Do-It-Yourself Public Relations Kit.
Do you have any goals that you hope to accomplish over the next year or so?
I’m working on creating more products that my customers have told me they need. I’ve also just launched some live events around the topic How to Generate Free Publicity for Your Business and plan to do many more of those.
How long have you been a work at home mom?
Nearly four years.
What are some previous experiences you’ve had that helped lead you to where you are now?
My entire career has been leading me to where I am now! I worked as a journalist for 10 years, then in Public Relations for the next 10 years (private enterprise, government and my own consultancy), so I know a lot of promoting business, and also what it’s like to juggle a family and a home business.
What are some lessons you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
Overcoming fear has been the biggest lesson. I could never have imagined that I would be doing what I’m doing now.
I decided a while ago that whenever I felt fearful in business it was a sign that I needed to grow. So I would step into the challenge and put myself outside of my comfort zone. I discovered that once I was out of my comfort zone I’d grown as a person, and so did my business.
Do you have any advice you’d like to offer fellow mompreneurs that are just getting started?
Don’t let the fear stop you. I have a strong believe that ‘If it’s to be, it’s up to me’, so take full responsibility for yourself, your happiness and your success. It’s easy to blame others and find excuses for not stepping up to bigger callings. Once you take full responsibility, you’re more likely to take the necessary action to achieve success.
I love this quote by Walt Disney: “IF you can DREAM it you can DO it”