I think for me, the ironic thing is that I am taken far more seriously for home schooling than I am for my businesses. I guess people see the role of teacher more tangibly than that of a ‘CEO’ or ‘Managing Director’. Is it perhaps that people do not understand what it is to be the top of the organisational chart that means they are not aware of all that is required from a self-made businessperson?

Often, when out and about, someone I know will ask in conversation what I am up to. Most recently, I mentioned I was going to India on Trade Mission later this year to build our trade relations over there for my importing/exporting company. Their response is ‘Oh, are you still doing that?’ Seriously, do people think you are going to bring tons upon tons of products in and out of countries and then just sit the ‘couple of boxes’ in the corner of the garage with the unused cot and baby clothes just to ‘tinker with’ for fun when you find a minute?

Just because a person chooses to work from home does not mean that they cannot be very serious business professionals. Crikey, I should, all going to plan, be retired in 10 years effectively halving my working life just in time to take my then teenage boys globe-trotting to see the world! This would not be a possibility if I did not work for myself from home.

Thanks for the thought put into this piece – it is a great ‘hands-on, how-to’ piece. I expect that I will be linking back to this page!

I am trying to build up my ‘home’ business so that I can leave my ‘real’ job some time next year. The looks I get from some people! Even though my ‘home’ business is something that is my real passion – a passion that I am good enough at to support myself and my family with.

I also agree you need a professional image. Spending a few dollars early on so that you have a decent website and business card (for all the networking you need to do!) is well worth it.

That reminds me of a quote I saw once, something along the lines of “My boss is a maniac – and I’m self-employed!” Still makes me giggle.

And those who see us doing what we love – and making money at it – maybe they think we shouldn’t be, that if they are miserable in their jobs, we should be. That if we don’t have a boss to upset us, we ought to have.

And maybe they have the feeling that they couldn’t do it. Or that they are too afraid to try.

Smile at them, pity them…or use the burst of irritation to prove the b*****s wrong and scale even greater heights. Then they’d REALLY have something to moan about

Caroline’s last blog post..Feminism, the free market and the perception of handmade

I love your response to the cashier. Maybe not the nicest, but hopefully it got her thinking. I have been known to say similar….

@ Maree. You mean photographers don’t just wander vaguely around all day taking happy snaps? You WORK? Wow, who knew…. LOL!

I hear you on the ‘doing it all’. I think your percentages are pretty close to what I do too. 80% is the background stuff, and only 20% is actually direct money-making work. But all the background work needs to be done to enable the other 20% to work….

@ Samar. LOL at the mentally slapping! I think I’ll use that, it might release the tension that deep breaths don’t help with.

My DH is quite techie with the actual hardware side of computing, but he couldn’t put together a website to save his life. Or change dns, or write an e-book. He just doesn’t get that side of it. However, like your DH, he supports and encourages me with what I do. My biggest fan.

Your DH sounds lovely, non-techie and all! The good guys are such a blessing!

@ Marc. I didn’t know you were engaged! Cool!

I don’t even attempt to explain what I do to my parents, let alone the in-laws. *rolls eyes*

@ Bec. Nodding in agreement with you. Totally. Sucks doesn’ t it!

I’ve given up trying to explain it to my father. My mother doesn’t really understand anything much to do with the Internet and my fiancée keeps asking me why I haven’t done any chores despite not having to work all day. *Sigh*

Don’t get me wrong, she’s very supportive in her own way but she just can’t grasp the concept of self-employment being far better than working for someone else. Which is probably what’s holding her back from doing her own Interior Design business.

But for every off hand comment that brushes me off as just a bored housewife, I have my family who bucks me up and a husband who – even though has no idea what a blog or an e-book is (yep, those men still exist) – brings me coffee in the middle of the night when I’m busy tapping away trying to meet an impossible deadline.

An advice I’d like to add: Everytime you get down for not being taken seriously for your work-at-home status, concentrate on the people who do take you seriously, believe in you and want you to succeed.

Oh and mentally slap the offending people silly. It’s immature and unprofessional but it helps me more than taking deep breaths!

Samar’s last blog post..What Travelling Means to a Freelancer

I think what alot of people fail to realise is that when you have your own business you DO IT ALL, or you spend time/money farming some work out to others to do it for you.

Anyway now I’m getting on my high horse LOL- just wanted to let you know that the post really resonated with me.

Best,
Maree