If you had the choice to work from an office
or your home, what decision would
you make? It turns out many women are
finding home is not only where the heart is,
it’s where the paycheck is.
Professional organizer Nancy Kruschke
McKinney, who started her home business
10 years ago, says the majority of her woman
clients work from home, running the gamut
from financial planners, consultants, homebased
sellers, to artists and writers. And with
high gas prices and increased commuter
times, even major corporations are allowing
employees to work from home.
So, armed with the Internet and cell
phones, women are finding that working from
home makes sense financially and professionally.
On the top of the list of benefits are
flexibility, more time with family and a renewed
independence from the constraints of a
traditional office environment.
But before you say so long to the office
cubicle, Kruschke McKinney suggests
weighing the pros and cons.
“In some regards, working from home can
be more stressful,” she says. “It takes the right
personality. I don’t think everyone can work
from home because you do lose that socialization
of working in an office environment
and being able to walk to the next cubicle and
bounce ideas off your co-worker.”
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In fact, one of the major drawbacks is the
isolation. Kruschke McKinney says women
can still maintain support by joining network
groups to keep business and social contacts.
Home-based interior designer Brenda
Brady of Brenda Brady Designs also believes
that’s a key aspect to being happy and
successful. “I have a few friends who also
work from home,” Brady says. “We often
meet for early morning coffee or lunch to motivate
each other and share stories. I try to
plan at least one network event every week.”
Home sweet home
Working from home can require some
juggling. It’s not only a personal space for
family, now it’s also a place for business.
Kruschke McKinney believes separating the
two is essential.
“You need to set up a specific location,”
she says. “You can’t just say you’re going to
start your own business and are going to sit at
the kitchen table. What’s important is you
have a designated space sacred for work.”
Getting over this necessary step will reveal
one of the best benefits of working from
a place that you are comfortable in and can, if
done right, enhance work and creativity.
“When you are in an office you may get
up, walk around and have a five-minute
break, but you are still in the same environment |
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Kruschke McKinney says. “When
you’re in your house it is the things that you
have around you that invigorate you; maybe
going outside and gardening for 15 minutes
will revitalize you to come back in and be
more creative on your work project. That’s
tough to do in an office environment.”
Say good-bye to the commute
Darlene Kohn, who ditched her financial
planning job four years ago to start her
videography/media home business with her
husband, loves the flexibility of her job. Her
kids appreciate more time with mom, plus she
says the move has put more money in
her pocketbook.
“My car sits in the garage all week now,
except for a few errands, and I’m also saving
on time commuting and clothing costs — no
more business suits to buy,” she says happily.
Kohn says starting her own home-based
business has been a positive experience. It’s
a thrill when clients come into her home,
bring their family photos and trust her to create
a special video memory. She believes that
comfort level just wouldn’t be possible in a
traditional office environment.
So, considering all the benefits of working
from home, Kohn says she’s made the
right decision. “It’s been really rewarding, and the kids
enjoy having mom at home.”
Madison-based editor and freelance writer
Jennifer Fetterly often works from home.
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