In the business saddle, that is! For six years I started and maintained a web business called Comfy Bummy Diapers. Loved it, still love it, but a few years ago we sold it so we could concentrate on family and less on business stress. It was a huge blessing for us financially, but eventually all good things must come to an end, and so did the extra income after we sold out. Anyways, fast forward a few years and here I am, thinking I would NEVER start another business again, and I have, well, sort of.
First, let's back up. When nature boy was still a toddler I started contemplating his school curriculum (besides potty training and days at the park). I ordered a preschool curriculum from Sonlight. He fell in love with the books and constantly wanted me to read to him a few particular titles. I didn't understand it at that time, but the books he loved the most were published by "Usborne Books." So I continued to read those books to him, over and over and over again. Then came along Red, and guess what he loved the most? You guessed it! The Usborne Books! I have read "Things People Do" until I'm blue in the face, among other favorite selections.
So a couple of years later I met a new friend, Kelly, and she invited me to a "book party." Huh?? A book "party?" I really didn't have a clue as to what that was, but to be nice, I went.... and fell HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE WITH THESE BOOKS! I still remember the light bulb moment when I realized halfway through the show that the books the consultant was talking about were the same books that my two (now three) little guys DEVOURED (not literally, unless you count the baby). So of course I had my own party... and then continued to immerse myself in my little lonely corner of the world (a.k.a. Comfy Bummy).
About six months after we sold the business I began to get that business "itch." But honestly, I was still recovering from a period of depression, and kept on telling myself that I just didn't have it in me to run another business. So I shelved the idea.
Last year I finally caved in and hopped on the computer to order my starter kit. My fingers were gleefully submitting the order when I felt like eating a massive bowl of ice cream. With some sardines and Kashi crackers for good measure. The NEXT DAY I found out that we would soon have a little one joining our family. So he did arrive, and in that time I the boys enjoyed the new books and I again, shelved my idea of running a business.
Guess who turns one this week? Our newest little one! And in the last couple of months I've started to actually use some long-sleeping marketing skills and have started an Usborne business. I honestly never thought I would ever participate in any kind of "network marketing" business (I don't even like the word!), however I'm starting to see some benefits of this business compared to Comfy Bummy:
No running frantically around the house when I see UPS truck whiz into the driveway. Usborne ships ALL the books, and they ship FAST (one of my pet peeves with other businesses. When I order something, I expect to receive it yesterday!). I no longer feel like a slave to the daily shipping requirement that I had with my other business!
No more entry way/mudroom/second bedroom fully stocked with product that goes into all the ugly boxes that I have stored around the house.
More FUN! Yes, you guessed it, I'm quite a social butterfly (that's probably why I don't find the time to write on this blog). One of the negatives of running a business was the loneliness factor. I just like getting out and talking to people. My temperment is sanguine/choleric, so this fits me better than working by myself all day.
More connections with other like-minded people. I love that a lot of people I associate with through Usborne have a passion for reading, a desire to promote literacy, etc. Reading (and book collecting) is one of my joys, a personal hobby actually, and now I can feed my passion through my relationships with others!
This business is engaging me in many different ways... like planning for a conference this coming January. I never participated in business-type things with my prior business because the product was very specialized and most outside business resources weren't very applicable to my product line. Now I can attend training workshops that is geared exactly to my product, and in the process, I get to have fun and mix and socialize... LOVE THAT!
There are a myriad of other reasons why I like Usborne better, but the main reason is the BOOKS THEMSELVES. That is another blog post, but for starters here is a video of the Wind-Up Tractor Book. Do you see why it's so much fun?? Think: long wait at the restaurant!
So that is a little bit about why and how I'm back at it again... and for good measure, why I fell in love with the books in first place.
Have a blessed Advent!
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