"I am Never Losing Another Job!"
by
Karen Goodale
I'd never forget
the day that Kathy approached me on that rainy April morning. The office
had been buzzing with rumors about the company closing down but nobody
seems to know anything concrete. Kathy, with her penchant for cutting it
short and sharp, simply said two words, "It's confirmed."
That was in April
of 1998. It was my third job loss in 15 years. Needless to say, I
was devastated. I knew I would need to find a new "job" to make ends
meet. But I didn't want to lose yet another job.
I had also started
thinking more about what my life would be like when I was ready to
retire in the future, since I'd never had a job with a company that
offered a pension plan, or retirement benefits.
It was then that I
made a decision to start looking for a home business that would
eventually give me more control over my income, and to make my "own" job
security. I had been a "hobby" candle maker for several years, and my
first idea was to try expanding it into a small business.
I rented a space
at a crafter's mall and had a fairly good eight months there until the
crafter's mall suddenly went bankrupt, and I had to move out! I was
discouraged, but still not ready to give up, so I designed a web site at
www.heaven-scent.com
to sell my candles
online.
The online
competition was tough, but I was able to build a small retail customer
base, and several wholesale accounts. I made candles during the summer,
even when it was 90 degrees, to be ready for the local fall/holiday
craft shows, and did the Farmer's Market during the summer, even though
very few people wanted to buy candles in hot weather. I had to add more
and more "new" things to keep up with the competition, but all I really
ended up doing was spending more... and making less!
It took me a while
but I finally had to accept that my candle business was not ever going
to "make" me any real money, and I would be lucky to just break even
down the road.
I went online
searching for a business opportunity I could work at part-time, while
still making a valiant attempt to turn around my candle business.
From what seemed
like "millions" of business opportunities, I happened upon a web site
that belonged to an Independent Associate with the Watkins Company, and
emailed him for more information. I had been using Watkins products for
a number of years, and simply loved them!
What I learned
about the Watkins business opportunity itself impressed me just as much
as the products had, and I didn't even look at any other opportunities.
I just knew that Watkins was the one for me! I learned that Watkins is
ranked among the top ten home-based businesses in North America by
Business Startups Magazine, Success Magazine, and Executive Female
Magazine.
When I started my
Watkins business I was mainly interested in doing online marketing,
since I was working a full-time job, plus still struggling with my
failing candle business.
It wasn't easy at
the beginning. I spent many sleepless nights working online, doing
advertising to build a customer base, answering emails, phone calls and
helping other new Watkins Associates getting started with their own
businesses.
I also started a
Watkins Ezine newsletter including monthly recipes, product specials and
monthly contest with now over 700 subscribers.
In less than 2
years I had reached Manager level with Watkins. Although I would
like to take credit for my success, much of the credit must go to
Watkins itself - a company with a 135-year history, and a solid
reputation for quality.
In January 2003 I
earned an all-expense paid vacation to Ireland with Watkins, and in July
2003 reached Bronze Manager level with the company. I am finally making
more with Watkins that I make at my job, and look forward to finally
quitting my "day job" in 2004 to work Watkins full-time. After 5 1/2
years I love the products, and the business even more than
when I started! I
can't tell you how great it feels have some
"control" over my
own future!
Though Watkins
won't be the "right" business for everyone, I hope that my story will at
least encourage others that are looking into starting an online, or home
based business to know it is very possible to be successful at it!
My best advice on
being successful in whatever business you choose is:
#1 -- If you
have a craft hobby, and want to turn that craft/hobby into a
business, I would do as much research and business planning as
possible on how you will market your products, advertising costs,
time required, etc. A hobby that has low cost supplies and is
something that would be popular
any time of
year could make wonderful products for a business.
#2 -- If you
decide to go with an established company, and market their products,
choose a company that has a solid reputation by doing some research
first. Choose a company whose products you will buy yourself. If you
wouldn't buy the products you sell, you can't expect others to
either! Besides, using the products you offer gives you the "first
hand experience" with the products, and you will be much more
comfortable in recommending them to your customers.
#3 -- Once you
choose your business... just don't give up! Many people start a
business, and expect to make a "complete living" at it in just a few
months. This just isn't going to happen... but if you can learn to
appreciate every little bit of extra income you earn in the early
months. If you earn $25 the first month... why not add this to a
mortgage payment, or pay an extra $25 dollars on a credit card bill,
or even save for your next vacation! As you continue to work on your
business you will be amazed at how it will grow for you over several
years!
|
Karen Goodale is a
manager with Watkins. She is
looking forward to
quitting her day job and working with Watkins fulltime. For more
information on Watkins products, or the business opportunity, please
visit her site at:
http://www.homebusinesslife.com
|
