Interview with Les Dossey from Success Habits

Name: Les Dossey  

Company: Success Habits

Website: http://iamles.com  Blog: http://iamles.com/blog

Please tell us about your business:   I help people who are stuck to get unstuck. I teach people how to break, modify, and develop the habits of thought, choice and action required to achieve success and live an incredible life.

How long have you been working from home?   25+ years

Do you work from home full time or part time?  Full time

How do you stay connected with colleagues in your field?   I make it a priority. I schedule time for coffee or lunch with colleagues or I'll chat on the phone or use Skype or Google hangouts to meet.

How do you deal with the isolating nature of working from home? I can't remember a time when it felt isolating. Through client interactions, research, content development, writing, coaching, consulting and speaking I have plenty to occupy my mind and imagination.

I purposely isolate on a daily basis to meditate or re-boot which brings everything back into focus and keeps me moving in the right direction

How do you stay motivated without the accountability of a "time clock"?   The vision I have for my work is so clear and compelling that it pulls me towards it. There is no need to stay motivated. I'm one with my work, and it's one with me. Sounds like mumbo jumbo, pop psychology I know, but after you've experienced it for yourself you'll understand.

What are the biggest challenges you face when working from home?  When the kids were home it was a challenge maintaining boundaries and on occasion my beautiful bride might encroach, but that's the beauty of working from home. You get to enjoy those encroachments and get the work done earlier or later when necessary.

Do you work in your underwear?   I'll never tell

What is the best part about working from home?   I walk about ten steps from my bedroom to my office. I wear what I want to wear or nothing. I make most of my meals harvested from my garden. I lay in the sun most days after lunch and read or listen to something inspiring. I work out to maintain fitness throughout the day. I take long walks with my wife and boxer. I come and go as I please. I work the schedule I want to work. I could go on and on and on

What is the one item that you find vital to have in your home office? 

A powerful internet connection.

A good quality sound system.

A scansnap scanner.

A comfortable chair.

My imac.

I use a bose soundwave system connected to my imac and have various playlists I've customized on spotify for various activities. For instance, when I'm writing I like some Miles Davis or John Coltrane or movie soundtracks playing. If I'm interacting socially on Google Plus I like a mix of everything from pop to standards.

My office is paperless.

I do almost all of my own graphic design for blog posts and marketing content as well as the development and building of my website so my imac makes all of that very enjoyable

What is the one piece of advice that you can give to those just starting out working from home?  

There are so many vital lessons people starting out need to learn quickly.

1. Live minimally. Keep your expenses ramen noodle cheap.

2. Get some master level training in how to market and sell yourself.

3. Keep your vision clear and compelling and don't be afraid to let it evolve rapidly.

P.S. Make sure you have buy in from those closest to you. If your spouse isn't 100% supportive it makes things very difficult if not impossible.

Continue the Conversation...  

+Les Dossey  Twitter  Facebook  LinkedIn Pinterest 

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Interview: Mike Allton, The Social Media Hat

Name: Mike Allton  
Company: The Social Media Hat

Website & Blog: http://www.thesocialmediahat.com

Please tell us about your business:   I have been building websites for businesses and organizations since the early 1990's, but decided in 2012 that I wanted to create a new business and platform for social media and blogging, which I am passionate about. I strongly believe businesses can and should be writing and sharing stories about their business to engage and communicate with their customers.

I created The Social Media Hat so that I could regularly write about these topics and provide consulting services. I still offer websites to businesses that need one, but these sites are implemented as a platform for content marketing and social media marketing.

How long have you been working from home?   2006

Do you work from home full time or part time?  Full time

How do you stay connected with colleagues in your field?   Google+ has become my primary platform for networking and communicating. As I have become more and more engaged and connected there, my experience has improved dramatically.

I joined several groups related to my industry, and business in general, and have been able to participate in some outstanding conversations and discussions, and have used those interactions to meet some truly outstanding people.

How do you deal with the isolating nature of working from home? While I love my home office and the freedom it brings, I do try to get out of the office at least once a week, whether it's for a client meeting, a networking event, or just spending some time working in a coffee shop.

I also participate in regular Twitter chats and Google+ Hangouts which keep me connected and engaged real-time.

How do you stay motivated without the accountability of a "time clock"?   While I generally do not have issues keeping myself motivated and on task, there are some steps that I take or have taken to ensure that.

For instance, while I enjoy having music or the television on while I'm working, I have found that I cannot play movies or TV shows that I haven't already seen, as they are too distracting. Instead, I use Netflix or DVDs to play reruns of my favorite shows.

Another example would be Facebook and iPhone games. I will no longer accept invitations to play any game at all, as it is too easy for me to get addicted to the game and risk spending time playing when I should be working.

Other than that, I make sure that I have a schedule for my day that I stick to day in and day out. I am in my office by 8am and work until 5pm every day, plus a couple evenings and Saturday mornings. My family understands my hours and respects them.

What are the biggest challenges you face when working from home?  Interruptions from my family used to be the biggest challenge, but that's improved lately. When my daughter was born Aug. 2011, my wife struggled to learn how to handle "baby emergencies" on her own, and I struggled as well to keep myself removed unless absolutely needed. Having an office that's in a third floor loft helps keep me removed.

Do you work in your underwear?   No

What is the best part about working from home?   I really enjoy the flexibility in my schedule, the convenience of my home office, and the relaxed setting. A great deal of my work is creative, and there are also a lot of stressful situations, so it is critical that my environment is comfortable and peaceful.

What is the one item that you find vital to have in your home office?  Having my TV and DVD collection and/or music collection is absolutely critical - perhaps more than coffee!

What is the one piece of advice that you can give to those just starting out working from home?  My best advice is to establish a schedule and routine and communicate that clearly to anyone else in your life who might potentially impact that schedule. Certainly, everyone in your house has to understand that you now have work boundaries that cannot be violated unless it is for something they would call you at an office about. If they wouldn't be willing to call you, than it likely can wait until you're "off" work. By the same token, avoid spending time "working" outside of those hours if you can, so as to give your family the attention they deserve.

Continue the conversation...

 +Mike Allton  Twitter  LinkedIn 

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Interview with Lisa Hovnanian from Lisahov's Health & Fitness

Name: Lisa Hovnanian

Company: Lisahov's Health & Fitness

Website: http://www.lisahovhealthfitness.com

Please tell us about your business:   I am an Independent Beachbody Coach, focused on helping people eat smarter and "clean", and live a healthy lifestyle that includes a balance of diet and exercise. As a full-time pharmacist and mom, I bring a unique perspective to healthy eating, since I can see how Beachbody's products, like Shakeology, can be an important nutritional supplement that, in conjunction with cleaner eating and exercise, can help people meet lead a more healthy, fit lifestyle.

How long have you been working from home?   1 year

Do you work from home full time or part time?  Part time

How do you stay connected with colleagues in your field?   I do a lot on Facebook. I have a private Facebook group for my team of coaches, where we collaborate and share ideas to help each other grow. I'm also part of several broader Facebook peer groups, and a customer challenge group as well. I make myself available through emails and chat.

How do you deal with the isolating nature of working from home? It's the ideal situation for me because I choose to coach through digital media, not in person. With three young children, I need the flexibility to be able to answer questions and market myself on my own schedule.

How do you stay motivated without the accountability of a "time clock"?   I've always been very disciplined with my scheduling. I devote at least a half hour in the early morning and an hour at night strictly to work. During the day, while managing my other responsibilities as a wife, mother and pharmacist, I use mobile and digital media to run my business.

What are the biggest challenges you face when working from home?  My peak hours for customer and marketing activity are actually different from the hours I have scheduled to be in front of my computer. So that's where my iPad and phone are critical.

What is the best part about working from home?   The flexibility to determine how much time I want to dedicate to my business on a given day.

What is the one item that you find vital to have in your home office?  My corkboard. I have all my notes, follow up reminders, and marketing ideas pegged on it! Well, obviously my computer, phone and iPad are a no-brainer, too.

What is the one piece of advice that you can give to those just starting out working from home?  Be disciplined about the time you dedicate to your business. Especially if you focus your marketing efforts on social media. It's very easy to get sucked into these sites, and you will find yourself wasting valuable time. Go online with a purpose, get the job done, and have a fantastic rest of your day!

Continue the conversation...
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Interview with Graham Wiles-Pearson from Entropy the Shop

Work at Home Wednesday

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Name: Graham Wiles-Pearson      Company: Entropy the Shop

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Entropytheshop      Blog:  http://thisistrix.blogspot.com/

Please tell us about your business:   My wife (CherieWiles-Pearson) and I run a small shop online at Etsy.com. The shop is centered around vintage and eclectic finds from home accents to personal frills; from furniture to jewelry. We also feature upcycled clothing, art and other decorative and functional elements for the house and kitchen.

As a former interior designer, Cherie creates many of the upcycled home design elements for the shop. She is the driving force behind the shop's vision and style always researching and hunting for interesting finds.

I am a professional chef who has always enjoyed a hobby of preserving and fermenting foods. 

In the late summer of 2012 I started a business producing some of my vinegar and preserves for sale to the public; 'Spoiled Rotten Vinegar' and ' Stuck-Up Jams'. Some of my sales are made in my local area but the majority of my business is done through Entropy the Shop on Etsy.com. Under the California Homemade Food Act I hope to produce more out of my home allowing me to reach more people and small, independent establishments.

How long have you been working from home?   Over a year now. Full time for 4 months.

Do you work from home full time or part time?  Full time

How do you stay connected with colleagues in your field?   We stay connected with other shop owners on Etsy through messages and Teams. Most shop owners and creators are very willing to share their experience and advice for marketing, sales and recipe tips. The Teams on Etsy offer community and support for shops and buyers in an array of categories. We are involved with SF Bay Area teams and some Edible teams which all offer support.

In January of this year we became involved with Google+ and it has been a great resource, both personally and professionally. The communities established on G+ are very diverse and many specifically aimed at different focuses and interests. We enjoy the support and cumulative knowledge of food, blogging and small business communities and many more.

How do you deal with the isolating nature of working from home? This is a tough one.

Since my wife also works as a nutritional writer for a medical journal from our home (steady income) while I tend to our 2 year old son, Elliott, we not only feel cut off from the outside world but even feel distanced from each other at times.

Since I left my career to work on our businesses at home four months ago we have had our moments of stress and burnout. Realizing that to encounter these issues within such a short period of time we decided to make efforts to get connection with the outside world in ways we never sought before. Joining the kids club at the local library, regular visits to our community park where fellow stay at home parents commune and 'stay at home dad' communities on Google+ are some of the ways I have reached out to the world beyond my front door.

My wife, Cherie has some close family in the area and is making attempts to make routine 'girl's dates' or morning coffee venting sessions. In the past month Cherie has become dedicated to lengthy outdoor hikes as well.

Although I do have many contacts and friends in the restaurant industry in the bay area, since I have left the workforce it is hard to keep up communication. Our schedules are so different now and our priorities have a different tempo. So for inspiration and cottage industry shop-talk I rely on my friends at the farmers markets. Now that I am not rushing off to my restaurant after doing my shopping I am able to enjoy sharing ideas and stories with the people who grow my ingredients. This keeps me grounded.

How do you stay motivated without the accountability of a "time clock"?   This is an easy one. Juggling the schedule of 1, two year old boy, twin twelve year old boys and a sixteen year old girl who is an honor student involved with every after school program offered, every day of the week, when a window of opportunity opens it is utilized to the fullest.

My wife, Cherie, struggles with her research papers as they are not a fun outlet though she does learn a lot for our families health. She is motivated to get her writing done in the morning hours so she can be creative with the shop and spend time with out children in the afternoon. It does take a lot of personal motivation.

One great aspect of our business(es) is that they were created out of our very own passions.

As a designer, Cherie has an appreciation for unique elements and being creative with spaces, photography and instructional blogging. Working on the business feeds her soul creatively and promises a better future for our family should it continue to grow.

As a chef and foodie I just love to work with food which is an endless source of culture and history. As for a time clock, mine is set by nature itself. When the fruit and vegetables are ripe and in season it is time to work. Capturing these ingredients at their peak has a short window and this is my incentive. With my fermenting, much of the time is spent waiting until the elements are ready for bottling or canning. Again, this is a natural clock which dictates my priorities at the moment and after investing my time and love into these creations little can divert my attention.

What are the biggest challenges you face when working from home?  Remembering that first and foremost, this is our home and we are a family. It can be a challenge to keep our priorities in line when we want or need to spend time on our business while other family matters arise. Keeping our family, each other and our home in perspective is our daily goal.

Do you work in your underwear?   I'll never tell

What is the best part about working from home?   For us right now, the best part is being with our youngest son and watching him grow and develop every day. Always being available for our children is a luxury. At times it can get tough being in such close proximity with the people you live (and work) with.

What is the one item that you find vital to have in your home office?  Outside of internet connection I would have to go with coffee. With all that is demanded from four children and two dogs at 6am there is no way we could survive without coffee.

What is the one piece of advice that you can give to those just starting out working from home?  The common advice for an external job/ place of work still apply: Schedule your work time and personal time; have a life and personal activities.

It is convenient and easy to know that if you don't get that job done at 2pm you can always whip it out while you relax in bed watching TV at 11:30pm. This is a benefit which should only be used when needed. If you don't set specific work and personal periods, or you start to blur the lines of the two, you will become unorganized and limit your productivity and recreation setting yourself up for burn-out.

Continue the conversation...

+Graham Pearson  Pinterest Entropy the Shop on Facebook Instagram                   

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How to Cultivate Clients in Online Environments [Post and Podcast]

Today on Solutions for Success with Rachael, I talked about cultivating client relationships virtually using the following methods:

• Social Media (G+, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) (Automation vs.  Authenticity)
• Online Forums
• Niche and Broader Communities
• Niche Groups (Direct email marketing)
• Blogs (Don’t just post and forget it)
• Industry Periodicals (on & off line)

I will be conducting a longer, more in-depth discussion about how to cultivate clients online via a Google hangout on- air (HOA) in the coming week. Click here to be notified or to join my free new Successful Solution Community.

Have a listen and let me know what you think: 

Listen to internet radio with Solutions for Success with Rachael on BlogTalkRadio

Conducting Business Using Google Hangouts

[Post, Podcast, Video] Google hangouts have been an invaluable resource for my business. I typically use them to provide client consultations, mentoring, workshops, and virtual meetings.

As a solopreneur, I gauge my efforts not only by the return on investment (ROI) but also by the return on time (ROT). This means that productivity planning is a big part of how I manage the administration and operational aspects of Rachael Alford Consulting Services .

Recently, I hosted a Google hangout on-air (Hangout about Hangouts; see below) with +Anetra Henry Hunting of the Hunting Group (http://www.anetrahenryhunting.com). I shared tips and techniques for providing  agenda and SWOT analysis templates using the productivity application +Symphonical integrated with the +Hangout Lower Third. Anetra Henry Hunting discussed suggested best practices and techniques for conducting on-air hangouts.

Even though the instructional on-air hangout was 1 hour and 15 minutes, I did not delve into setting up Symphonical templates for business consultations. I continued the conversation in the second episode of Solutions for Success with Rachael.

In the podcast, Virtual Business Consulting Using Google Hangouts,  I discuss how using Google Hangouts to conduct virtual business consultations are beneficial for both the potential client and the consultant. I also discuss how using Symphonical during virtual business consultations boosts consultant productivity as well as increases sales. LISTEN NOW

You will need to queue the following walls before you watch this video:

Demo Wall: Hangout Agenda

Demo Wall: SWOT Analysis

Hangout about Hangouts with Rachael Alford & Anetra Henry Hunting

Additional resources for preparing to host and marketing a hangout on air can be found in segment 4.

Interview with Sai Prasad from iDating Assistant

Work at Home Wednesday

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Name: Sai Prasad   Company: iDating Assistant

Website: http://www.idatingassistant.com  Blog: http://www.idatingassistant.com/blog

Please tell us about your business:   I am Sai Prasad, Founder of iDating Assistant – the innovative new online dating resource for time-strapped professionals. At iDating Assistant, our mantra is simple: We Work. You Date.

Today’s successful professionals are often unlucky in love simply because they lack the time it takes to navigate the online dating scene. From finding the right site, creating a compelling profile, pouring over thousands of prospects and then relentlessly trying to interest one in a date – it’s no wonder that so many hard-working professionals leave their love lives unattended.

That’s exactly why we’ve created iDating Assistant – the new outsourcing service in online dating. We make dating fun, exciting and simple for busy professionals.

iDating Assistant isn’t a dating service. 

What we do is let overworked young professionals delegate the minutiae of the online dating process to their very own online date manager, who provides one-on-one personalized service throughout the entire dating cycle.

With the help of an iDating Assistant, clients no longer have to endure so many of the inherent stresses and time-wasters associated with internet dating. We pre-screen candidates to make sure only the best prospects make it onto the radar. We help to craft compelling profiles and offer photo retouching services to help attract only the most promising new dates. 

We write and send customized emails and even text messages to keep the communication flowing. We even help to plan dates and offer date follow-up and coaching. All that’s left for iDating Assistant clients is the joy and excitement of the dates themselves.

How long have you been working from home?   I have been working from home for the last two years.

Do you work from home full time or part time?  Full time

 

How do you stay connected with colleagues in your field?   I always make it a priority to schedule at least one lunch with either a past colleague or a new acquaintance.

Meeting up for coffee is another great opportunity to touch base with old friends or meet new business contacts. The casual nature is also well suited to further understand the needs of potential customers.

Meet up is another venue that I see has great potential to get a pulse of on ground information on what is really happening in your industry.

In addition to this, there are the usual suspects that I take advantage of: Phone, Email, Video chatting via Skype & Social media tools.

How do you deal with the isolating nature of working from home? As a professional, notwithstanding the fact that you are working from home or a corporate office, you are always under constant pressure and stress to deliver. As a work from home professional you have isolation on top of it.

The first step is acknowledging that isolation is the nature of beast when you have chosen this path and it is here to stay. The good news is, one of the luxury afforded is, you are in total control of your work schedule. 

I spice up my routine by switching my schedule as well doing things in between just for the fun. Say, I go for a walk out of the blue when confronted with a complex problem and I am in need of motivation for out of the box thinking. There were even times that I worked from a coffee shop, chatting in between with total strangers.

How do you stay motivated without the accountability of a "time clock"?   I made it a priority to separate my work space from home, this provides me a semi-quasi notion of working from a corporate office and helps me put in a “Work-Zone” mode. If there are instances where I am stuck with a particular issue, I take my mind off by thinking about side projects.

I also use a “carrot and stick policy” on myself. I am a sucker for movies, I hold off watching it till I at least make reasonable progress with my work for the day. 

Coming to the stick, “FEAR” is a such a powerful motivator, first off I remember the reasons why I wanted to work from home and ask  myself, “So, let’s see, whom should I blame if things don’t work around”. The answer prods me to stick to a “time schedule” or work twice hard if I slack off.

Finally, I maintain a support group of friends & peers, they may not understand my exact challenges, but it is a great relief to have someone to talk to.

What are the biggest challenges you face when working from home?  The biggest challenge for me is the volume of work. Without the luxury of a corporate structure in place, as a business owner considerable amount of time is spent in administrative tasks. This takes time from my core areas that are revenue generating and which need constant attention.

The second one would be "instant networking", as a work from home professional you have to be proactive and go the extra mile to network as compared to the opportunities that are presented in a corporate office.

Do you work in your underwear?   No

What is the best part about working from home?   The most key benefit working from home provides me the prerogative to choose projects that I know I am passionate about and that I know can positively impact people’s life’s. There is also the luxury to work at my convenience and pace. It is always a plus that there isn’t a boss breathing down your neck about a deadline.

What is the one item that you find vital to have in your home office?  My Smart Phone. By consolidating all my email accounts & all the apps, it is a single point of information for my quick reference that saves me valuable time.

What is the one piece of advice that you can give to those just starting out working from home?  Focus on your core and revenue generating areas. Get help or outsource your administrative tasks, don’t fall into the notion that you have to do everything all by yourself.

You wouldn’t believe that a simple task like maintaining an expense report will take up some much of your valuable time that could have otherwise been spent on mission critical tasks.

Continue the conversation... 

  Sai Prasad  iDating Assistant +Sai Prasad @iDatingAsst                                        

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