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This article was written by Emma Anderson, owner at Job Frog Resumes

 

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For any woman that has had a baby, and had the daunting decision of whether or not to go back to your full-time job, it is a hard decision to make. It is not one to be made lightly, but there are so many rewards if you choose to take on a career at home and be a business superstar, as well as a fantastic mum, at the same time.

 

For me, the decision was easy. Although I loved my full-time job, I knew that spending time with our new baby daughter and watching her grow up, was of equal importance, if not more. I had many options to weigh up – “can we afford me not going back to work?”……”what will I do for some extra cash?”………”should I go back part-time?”. These among many others were questions that I would ask myself daily.

 

 

My full-time job was in recruitment, and I knew I had a strong passion for that industry – I enjoyed speaking with all different kinds of people, and wondering how I could help them find suitable jobs, in which they would find happiness and fulfilment. I sat down with my husband, and we had multiple long and hard discussions with how we could make this work. If you, yourself, are considering not going back to work after having a baby, you too should ask yourself a barrage of questions. You need to ascertain what you are good at, as well as, how will your new found business fund itself. I knew where my passion and enthusiasm lay, and that is why I took the challenge and set up my own business – Jobfrog Resumes.

 

Of course, with setting up a new business, there is a certain element of risk, but really, as the saying goes, you don’t know until you try it!

 

Once you have decided on what angle you are going to take and you are ready to set up your business, you need to sit down and start working out the basics to help get your at home business underway.

 

You will need to work out a business name, create a logo, design and have a website set up, and most importantly, you need to have your finances in order before you start anything. You should work out how much it will cost to have the business set up, and whether you will be employing anyone to help you out. Once you have done this, some further costs will need to be determined (e.g., what you are going to charge). So whether you are providing a business service, or selling a product, you will need to work out some suitable costs, and also set up a bank account in the name of your new business. If you are unsure as to what to charge, take a look on similar websites, and see how they are structured, and what fees they charge.

 

Once all the groundwork is done, you need to design a home office. To get started you need the basics, like a computer, mobile phone, etc., but you also need a designated room in your house, with a properly set up workstation. Most people think a laptop at the kitchen table is all they need, but you need to put yourself in an environment full of both comfort and space. Being a work at home mum, you won’t always be able to complete your work when the little one is asleep. More often that not, you will need to find a spare spot on the floor, where you can lay out some toys and books and have your bubs entertain themselves for a short time. Again, that is the beauty of working at home, you can be making $200 a day, but still turning around in your office chair and spending that quality time with your little ones.

 

Some of the best things with having your own business and working at home, at the most simple ones, like, being able to wear whatever you want (no-one knows I’m typing this whilst in my dressing gown….you can have a break whenever you want……you don’t have to report or answer to anyone…..really, I could go on and on!

 

 

With all of the above in mind, all you really need to do is consider the checklist below:-

(if you can tick off all these boxes, then you are sure to succeed!)

 

  • Determine the nature of your business
  • Plan a business structure (g., name, logo, etc)
  • Sort out finances (incoming outgoing, and setting up bank account)
  • Work out any legalities (g., licences, permits, taxes, etc)
  • Design a comfortable home office environment
  • Go for it!

 

There is nothing to fear when it comes to setting up your own business and working from home. You will soon reap the rewards, and see that the advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages. You can call the shots, and make a cuppa, or have a baby cuddle, or read a book to your child, whenever you like. I have never looked back, and I am so happy that I have got to spend the special time with our daughter, whilst also keeping the mind active, and working on a project I love – I say, ‘Live the Dream’……it’s the best of both worlds!

 


 

About The Women’s Business School Guest Writer

 

 

Emma Anderson is the owner at Job Frog Resumes. In-between helping people get the job of their dreams, she also runs around after an energetic 3-year-old and a hungry husband. To connect with Emma, visit https://www.jobfrog.com.au/ or https://www.facebook.com/JobFrogResumes/