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Thursday, June 19, 2008
Spa at Home Tips for Moms
| Busy moms need time to relax, too. If you are a working mom or a stay-at-home mom with too much to do, take some time for yourself. Schedule an at-home spa day where you can be alone and relax. Busy moms need time to relax, too. If you are a working mom or a stay-at-home mom with too much to do, take some time for yourself. Schedule an at-home spa day where you can be alone and relax. The first thing is to set aside time to pamper your body and your mind. Once a month is a healthy way to rejuvenate and get away from the daily grind of life. This time can be the same day every month or schedule it when you need it most. Give your spouse plenty of advance warning. Let him know that he will have the kids for the duration of the day—out of the house. You can plan with him what activities to do to keep the kids occupied. Before spa day arrives, gather all of the items that are needed to make this day special for you. If you choose soothing music as the backdrop for your day, have a CD player and all of your favorite music at the ready. If you plan a pedicure or manicure, assemble the foot spa, necessary salts and creams, and nail polish. When the day arrives, awake when you feel refreshed. Tell your spouse and the kids not to wake you when they leave. When you finally awake, taking a long shower or a soothing bath will bring you back to life. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast that you don’t have to cook. Keep it light with a bowl of cereal and fruit or yogurt with granola on top. Read the morning paper or begin the day with your favorite devotional book. To further awaken the senses and the body, try a brief twenty minute yoga routine. What’s next? Start with the feet. Let them soak in a warm foot spa bath. A pumice stone will smooth rough heels and remove dead skin. Peppermint foot cream keeps feet tingling. Finish with a fresh coat of nail polish. The hands need pampering as well. Soak nails in a soapy solution to clean the cuticles and nail beds. Massage your entire hand in the solution. When dry, clip any hang nails and push back cuticles with an orange stick. Use a moisturizing hand cream to soften cuticles. Enjoy a cooking free lunch and a walk to get some fresh air. Feeling a bit tired? Finish the day with a nap before the husband and the kids return. The day will seem much too short, but you will feel better. You have received a day of spa treatment for a fraction of the cost at the spa. |
3 Tips for Every Woman Starting a Home Based Business
Challenges to Expect, Keys to Succeed
More and more women today work from home, and even more want to. Some are single moms or widows who need to earn a living. Others just want a little extra income or a sense of independence. Particularly for women, starting a home business presents a unique set of challenges. Lesley Spencer, founder and president of Home Based Working Moms (HBWM.com), suggests three steps to help ensure newcomer success:
More and more women today work from home, and even more want to. Some are single moms or widows who need to earn a living. Others just want a little extra income or a sense of independence. Particularly for women, starting a home business presents a unique set of challenges. Lesley Spencer, founder and president of Home Based Working Moms (HBWM.com), suggests three steps to help ensure newcomer success:
1. Consider Your Options
The first obstacle in starting a business is figuring out which one’s right for you. Before making any decisions, find out what’s available to you. Almost anything you can do — whether it’s graphic design, sales and marketing, or administration — you can do from the comfort of your home. Before determining a direction, look at all factors involved:
- • Your skills and interests. You’re much more likely to persevere and succeed if you enjoy what you’re doing.
• Your personality. If you’re extremely shy, hosting home parties might not be right for you — even if you really like the product you’re selling. Many women fail because they jump into the first thing they see, and it doesn’t work with their disposition.
• Your needs. Take into consideration your own unique requirements: How many and what hours can you work? How much money do you have to make? How much flexibility do you need in your schedule?
Once you’ve researched your opportunities and analyzed your skill set, you can make an informed, intelligent decision about which career move is right for you.
2. Make a Conscious Effort to Develop Your Customer Base
Many women are good at what they do, but don’t know how to market themselves to reach customers. Spencer advises, “Make a conscious decision to do something to market your business daily, or at least weekly, whether it’s a mail-out, an email campaign, or offering a special.”
Word-of-mouth referrals mean more business, so focus on doing a good job for the clients you have. Always do follow-up — you want to stay in contact and remind people you’re there. Having a web site, an online presence, is another tool you can use to attract new customers.
3. Don’t Be a Lone Ranger — Find a Support Network
You don’t have to feel alone, or try to handle everything yourself — numerous online communities offer support and advice. Many of these online groups provide Listserves, which allow you to post questions that all the site members can see and respond to. Says Spencer, “Just asking someone with that experience can save you hours of research.” Whatever business you’re in, there’s a forum for it. Seek out women that have already succeeded — find a mentor.
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