Anyone working an at home business???

[Kathy S]

Just curious, if so please tell me what you all do. Kathy

[Twickle Purple]

I'm a graphic designer. My husband and I have worked from the home since 1993. I couldn't ever go back.

[DJC]

Graphic Designer huh?

Did you go to college and get a degree for this?

What kind of things do you design?

[Twickle Purple]

I did, and I established myself at international and national ad agencies before heading out on my own. I design print material for large corporate clients from coast to coast. I haven't met 99% of the people I work with. I start early for the eastern clients (I live on the west coast) and work very long hours. I didn't take a holiday for the first 10 years, not even between Christmas and New Year. Now we take that time, but nothing else. If we are lucky we can take one long weekend a year, but we usually work them. To be successfully self employed is a lot more work than getting a paycheque. We went into this with a mindset that it wasn't about the money, it was about the work and the people. We have resigned enormous accounts because of the people. It was scary, walking away from security is never easy. But, we work with people who are respectful and enjoy what we do.

I have 2 'mottos':

About success:
Attitude determines altitude.


About limits:
Kneeling down is NOT the same as bending over.



No matter what you do, chose something you will enjoy. This is your chance at life, make it the best you can. I heard about this lady recently, some folks here might find this helpful. If the touchiy feely thing isn't your cup of tea, ignore that part. The basic principles are sound.

http://www.soulfulliving.com/the_circle.htm

[Kathy S]

That's great TP!!!! I haven't had much college, a little. I type divorce papers at home for people. Not a big demand in our small county. I might venture out into some larger places later on. I have to have the money up front and people are skeptical about that, can't blame them. I would like to find something more full time to do at home myself. Kathy

[Twickle Purple]

Good luck with this Kathy. It is the best time to 'break out' -- Internet access is just about universal in the business world. My old neighbour used to do legal typing at home. She put an ad in the local paper and they courier her their tapes and she returns the electronically input files within 24 hours.

A lot of call centres do outsourcing now as well.

[sweden]

graphic designer seems like a very fun job

[Twickle Purple]

It burns a lot of people out early though. It's multiple rush deadlines all the time -- day in and day out. Everyone needs everything NOW. :lol: It's very demanding and everything has to be 100% -- any errors and you're finished. It can be incredibly stressful, which is why we need to like the folks we work with.

[Kathy S]

Thanks TP, I have an ad in the local paper, it's just a small area tho, I do everything over the phone and through the mail right now. I could learn to do it the other way possibly. Not sure. Kathy

[Skywolf]

It burns a lot of people out early though. It's multiple rush deadlines all the time -- day in and day out. Everyone needs everything NOW. :lol: It's very demanding and everything has to be 100% -- any errors and you're finished. It can be incredibly stressful, which is why we need to like the folks we work with.

Indeed TP. A good friend of mine is the production manager at a graphic imaging company, he is incredibly stressed out most of the time, but he handles it pretty well. I worked there for a little while on a temp job helping out with a large project, it was what I would describe as slightly organized chaos. :)

Laura

[Twickle Purple]

On the bad days, alcohol and recreational drugs help. :lol: Since I can't do either anymore I turn to Mocha Cake. :D

[DJC]

Kneeling down is NOT the same as bending over.


What exactly does that mean??
How does graphic design effect your rosacea?

Alot of computer work involved. I am a designer too. People always comment on how red my face is. its sucks...

[Twickle Purple]

My work does not affect my rosacea unless I have long hours and eat crap. The only issue I have with the long hours in front of my computer is my vision. So I wear a prescription particular to the distance and focus. The benefit for me is that I work from home, so I can flare and treat in private.

As for the 'motto' It's a rather blunt way of saying that just because I am at your service does not mean you can abuse me.

[Mr L]

I work as a GameMaster (yes hella lame i know!! :lol: ) on a mmorpg (computer game), can work from home, so that is very nice considering I dont really feel like going out much.

help requests like: "I cant connect to the game, whY?!??!" or "omg im stuck behind this door, help me out!!" is pretty common :lol:

[nzboy]

I work from home, A friend and I run a web/software development company, the sort of work which lends itself perfectly to working from home.

I couldn't go back to a 9-5 job where I have a boss to answer to...

[LT]

I shop rail cars. The company I work for is about 220 miles away, but except for the occasional customer meeting, everything can be done by Internet, email and phone. Hooray, information super-highway! (When it works...)

[Twickle Purple]

What does 'shop rail cars"mean? It sounds very intriguing!