Welcome to a new feature I’m going to be doing on here, called “Work at home Wednesday.” Each week, I’m going to feature a different Smart Spending Spot reader and what their job or career is, something that is either work at home or starting your own business. This will hopefully give all of our readers an insight into what these different jobs are like, if you are thinking of switching career paths.
If you want to be featured on Work At Home Wednesday, click that link and fill out the form.
This week, I am featuring a reader who asked to go by her initials, NRV. She lists her job title as “too many to list, but blogger, freelancer, avon rep, editor and researcher.” The name of her company or business is Wedding Day Weekly. She is classified as BOTH work at home and starting her own business. You can visit one of her wedding blogs here and another one on DIY wedding planning.
Description of what she does:
I write 20 blogs, sell Avon (mostly charity functions), do editing and medical research, do transcription for reality TV shows and mystery shop. So the answer to the above question is the last two. I write mostly about weddings and beauty, but am well known for being able to take any product and turn it into a wedding blog post! (Witness my last year Monster Truck post on my wedding blog that is often still in my top ten posts.) She has no plans to retire, loves working and will do this for as long as she loves it.
How did you end up in the business and/or why did you pursue it?
I started blogging by mistake. I was using blogger as a filing cabinet for my daughter’s wedding. All of sudden I was getting comments-I had to figure out what was going on in a big hurry! I knew nothing about blogs! I tend to fall into jobs. Reality tv transcription? I saw the ad years before I ever was planning on making a job change. Then when I was ready to make the change, all of a sudden I saw the ad again, and I jumped on it! Medical research? I was looking for a part time job. Went to a temp agency, the doc in charge of the project asked me what I knew about pediatrics. My honest reply? I had two children! Initially that job was supposed to be a 10-14 hr per week job. Within six weeks I was working 54 hrs/wk! I still do some medical editing though not as much. Mystery shoppin? I was looking for a way to cut back on my husband’s bills for eating out. Free eats sounded like a good idea! Later it turned into free hotels and more. I guess I am the queen of spin. I take an idea and spin it to fit the occasion.
She did not want to share her income level (hey I understand but can’t hurt to ask!). NRV also states that she works sometimes as many as 60-80 hours per week, but that it doesn’t feel like work to her.
What she likes best:
I love what I do! I learn about new things everyday. I meet interesting people and learn how they do things. What do I love best about blogging? I have to say it is not the job it’s the people! I wouldn’t do the job if I didn’t love it (or at least not to the extent I do), but I truly love it. Why do I mystery shop? I love the scam! I used to do real estate and hotel shops where I needed a new job and story for every place I went–creativity is my middle name! (well if you ask my mom my middle name is Jane, but…) My editing is a way to keep my hand in in case all else fails, but I have to admit I love detail. All my jobs have required me to be very detail oriented. I also love my sales job. Again, it’s a way to keep my hand in, but it’s also a way to spin details to get the results I want.
Downside & unexpected hurdles:
My desk! It’s a mess. It’s always a mess! The other downside? Taxes! I hate doing taxes. And since so much of my work is as an independent contractor I feel like I always get the short end of that stick! I also don’t like not having benefits.
How do you advance or have plans to move on or up?
In 1 and 2 years I want to get better at what I do. In 5 I’d like to write books (way down the road!) I’d have to clean up my desk…(this is a two year goal, it will take that long!) I have no desire to be the queen of social media but I do like all the new ways to promote work that change all the time. I’ll grow and adapt as internet does. Maybe I’ll get hired to work on a reality tv show about weddings. Not one of the trashy ones–although I suppose I can spin trash too!
What else would you like us to know about doing this as a job/career?
If you’re considering working at home or starting your own biz:
1. get an accountant to explain the details.
2. learn all you can about wordpress, photoshop and taking pictures
3. decide ahead of time how much of your real life you are willing to share (and how much your family is willing for you to share)
4. If you aren’t comfortable with flying the seat of your pants without a safety net or you don’t have husband to support you, think twice about doing it full time.
5. You won’t make money mystery shopping. You have to be very careful about not spending all your profits if you sell Avon. Build a network before you start. Give yourself a timeline on how long you’ll try it and can afford to try it.
6. Good luck!
Thanks so much for your insights into what it’s like to do what you do. Next week, we’ll feature a mom who helps people get organized. Yep, she’s one of those home organizing folks…tune in next Wednesday.
A wedding blogger….is that the job for you?
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