A Peck of Gold

Keeping Things Interesting

This has been a busy week at the Trisler household. We've made some major decisions regarding the Spring semester next year.

A little background. Patrick is in his 3rd year at LSU in the Landscape Architecture program. It's a 5 year program, and it's pretty intense. The schedules are set by the school each semester, and you have to take what you get. Unfortunately, it's not conducive to having a job, too. Patrick will go to class till 4:30 every afternoon. Hopefully, his current boss will agree to let him work some nights, but still, he won't be able to work much because he's got to study and do the endless projects they assign throughout the semester.

So, enter Shannon. I already babysit a few days a week, but I have to kick it into high gear to make the money we need to get through the next 2 1/2 years. After calculating all the possible scenarios (centered on childcare for my two youngins), we've come up with a plan. I have some experience working in a frame shop, and I've decided to open my own home business.

Getting over the fear was the biggest hurdle. I know there's some risk involved, but I'm going to give it 110%, and pray that it will be a fruitful endevour. I'm a detail oriented person, and I get a personal high from things like paperwork, organizational plans, and lists. (We've already established that I'm a nerd, so don't even bother bringing that up.) Plus, I really love framing, and have always planned on having a workshop one day for fun.

So, this is my plan. I want to appeal to the demographic of people who want things framed, but don't want to pay an arm and a leg at a frameshop. I've chatted with lots of folks about framing, and they always say, "I took this picture in, and picked out all my stuff, and it was like $70!" And they never get another thing framed again because of that experience. If I can get their business, I can charge a lot less than the frameshops.

I wish I could have this all organized by Christmas, but I don't think I can get my startup money together that quickly. Plus, we are going to have to move into another apartment for the space, so it's going to be January before this lines up.

I'm really excited about this, and I would love to get some feedback if any of you have experience starting your own home business. I've also got to come up with a name, and decide how to advertise, etc. etc. If you've got suggestions, advice, or just plain old encouragement, lay it on me. The mic is on.

Posted by Shannon at November 15, 2003 07:09 PM | TrackBack