October 1st, 2008

Announcing an Amazing New Site (designed by me)

Introducing Maisha Teacher

It’s time for some good news. Today marks the Grand Opening of MaishaTeacher.com a brand new site that I just designed. Maisha is a freelance hair stylist and make-up artist who will be offering on her blog, radio show, and in her newsletter, amazing tips for maximizing your mojo and getting the best results for hair and makeup. She will also be offering insider product recommendations and more.

Her first post of her “Hair Breakage” series, Put a Stop to Hair Breakage, offers an insightful answer to the question, “Why the heck is my hair falling out”.  She tells you why you should stay away from at-home coloring kits, the importance of rinsing you hair well after shampooing, and why hydrating is necessary for your hair. In addition, if you sign up for her monthly newsletter, you will be able to get more detailed tips and product suggestions.

So what are you waiting for? Head over there and leave a comment. And don’t forget to tell me how beautiful the design looks.

TTFN!

September 5th, 2008

I’m a WHAM (Emphasis on the “Work”)

When we decided that it was worth it- me giving the web design business a real shot- we also decided that it would behoove us if I did not work outside of the home. After all, it was way too expensive to pay for child-care and my hubby understood that I was not happy under the circumstances.

The plan was as follows:

(1) I would work part-time (1 day a week) outside of the home at my current place of employment just to ensure a steady income on my part.

(2) I would bust my butt to build my business.

It was a simple plan, right? But hubby and I recently had a little spat about the roles that we would now play. Specifically, th “you’re home now so you do the housework,” comment sent this Mom on the Rise down a war-path.

After I managed to keep from ripping my hubby’s heart out, I decided to explain the difference between a WAHM and a SAHM.

“Let’s get this straight. A SAHM does not find ways to bring money into the house. She works with what the family has and takes care of the domestic duties. A WAHM cannot do both alone. She cannot focus on bringing money in AND take care of all the household duties. It’s unfair to assume that would be the way things will work. We are both working Parents and we are both responsible for the housework. If you want me to do it all, that is fine- I will be a SAHM, but don’t look to me to being in any extra money- that is all on you.”

It did not sit to well with him, at least I don’t think it did. But what I know is that WAHM cannot and should not be expected to carry such a heavy load on their own. When we got married we both agreed that if we work then we would split the household responsibilites 50/50. Why should that change? Yes, I am home. But I am home trying to build a business while taking care of a 29 month-old while he is at work. Is it too much to ask for him to help with the laundry? The bathroom? I think not.

August 26th, 2008

When Bartering Pisses on You

I have been trying to get my business of the ground for a while now. Back in February, when I first realized that I could actually make money designing web sites, I offered my services to anyone who even appeared to need one. An acquaintance is also self-employed and in a field that was very useful to me. He needed a website; I needed his services (and get your mind out of the gutter- I’m a married woman). We decided to exchange services. However, I seemed to have gotten the short end of the stick.

His services are only necessary every six months and do not cost nearly as much as I would charge for a web design. Once he completes his services, I cannot go back and request changes. It is a done deal. And it only takes on day. Web Design, on the other hand, can be a very long and tedious process. And it’s hard to set limits when most people don’t understand the process.

So, the first site that I did was good. Despite the fact that I did not agree with some of the choices he made for the site, I complied because the customer is always right. There were some other minor issues in that he did not get information to me in the alloted timeframe (very bad) and he is somewhat of a know-it-all. But, alas we got things done and I was more than happy to add this job to my portfolio.

Over the course of this time I used his services twice. The first time I was very satisfied. The second time, he kind of pushed me into a direction that I was not 100% comfortable with, but I went with it and was satisfied. The the third time never happened for some reason. When I suggested that we give his site a makeover, he was all too excited to offer his services to me again. That was the first sign of trouble.

Over the next two months and a countless exchange of emails, I realized that this person did not have any real respect for what web design entails. In fact, he was/is very selfish and does not care that I am trying to build a business. I have to market and build some free templates.  Did I mention that I have not used his services again because he keeps flaking out on me? In fact, he has told me that he was going to meet me and has not shown.

Well Monday was the final straw. I received an email asking me to change and already approved site that has been coded, uploaded, and except for a few minor changes, completed. I decided to let him know that I would not be making the changes he requested because he is taking advantage of the situation. What he is asking me to do would be a complete makeover when, after asking 10 times if he liked it, I was told 10 times that it was perfect.

I told him in not-so-nice terms what was on my mind.

Was i wrong?

August 8th, 2008

Get Busy. Make Money.

Someone praised me for taking a leap of faith and leaving my job to do web design for a living. It’s nice that my stupidity seems like strength to others. I am nervous. I have 2 clients right now and only one is a paid client. The other is on a barter system. Unfortunately, that is not enough to sustain my “WAHM” status. I have a meeting with my Principal on Tuesday to discuss a part-time option. I am praying that we can find a balance of some kind. In the mean time, I thought I would throw this question into the blogging sea:

HOW DO YOU MAKE MONEY?

I have made $20 bucks here and there, but I need to make roughly $900 a month. What is the best way to do that? Please, come out of lurkdom and leave me some answers.

Tags: monetize, blogging for money, make money, how to, advice