| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| BamaSuzy |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 08:39:55 AM
I am 54 years old and on Dec. 18th resigned as editor of the weekly newspaper I had headed for the past four years (because the owner/publisher is a total screw up and is heading the newspaper for disaster, and more....) anyway, I have worked as an editor, reporter, photographer for nearly 28 years...
Now I'm taking a long hard look at what I want to do with the rest of my life...
I have major bills...I have been paying them down as quickly as I could because I could see this coming but our house and land still has about five more years of payments (and there is NO WAY I am going to refinance that again)...and we have other bills through no fault of our own...
Husband owns his own electrical/handyman business...
I have checked into several freelance opportunities, and am looking at possibly writing regularly for a major religious newspaper, a state-wide farming newspaper, and then occassional for a daily newspaper that I work for when I've had the time in the past...
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BLESSED TO WORK FROM A HOME OFFICE and now with computers and technology the way it is, that is still my best option...
but I also have my little farm store here with goat milk soap, fresh eggs from happy chickens (although the egg production has been way down this winter, for the FIRST time), small quilts, herbal bath salts, and more...
Yesterday a man showed up and bought three lap quilts! but I had hardly no customers through Christmas....probably thanks in part to my former boss not using any of my little ads in the papers up to the time I quit...
so any suggestions on how you are marketing your farmsteads would be greatly appreciated!
I am pouring back over Mary Jane's book and the one copy of her magazine I have!
(My barn buildings and fencing are not yet good enough to board horses or other peoples' pets and a petting zoo is not an option because of liability in our area....)
You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt! |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| wovenheart |
Posted - Jan 10 2007 : 6:47:48 PM
You 'sound' happier! I'm glad things are looking brighter for you!
"It's the beauty that thrills me with wonder...It's the stillness that fill me with peace." |
| BamaSuzy |
Posted - Jan 10 2007 : 6:36:48 PM
Today I finished my first article and photos for one of the statewide farming newspapers! Yea! And the editor there is trying to hook me up with the editor of another statewide farming newspaper (for one of the big lobbying/farm/insurance groups!)....So I sent that other editor all my info today and am waiting to hear back from him!
I make more for one article than for more than half of the week working for the newspaper! plus I'm getting mileage and can STILL WORK AT HOME!!!!
It's still scarey and iffy! Please continue to pray!!! God gave me this talent and I'm going to use it! And if I can use it with my love for the land and animals, that will be even better!!!!
You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt! |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Jan 05 2007 : 4:33:29 PM
Suzy,
I keep checking to see if you've posted here again -- you've been in my thoughts. Hang in there!
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
| elah |
Posted - Jan 05 2007 : 08:08:22 AM
HI Suzy!
Keep your chin up, your a farmgirl and can get through this drought! If you love your little shop then I would through myself at it. With your skills you could write your own ads and marketing pieces. Do you have the book Guerilla Marketing? I have heard lots a great things about how it's helped people jumpstart their business with little to no money invested in advertising. Also, have you thought about a "Spring Fling" on the farm? Some sort of festival for a day might also help to get people in. I would also see if there are any magazines you could write articles for in the state where you could talk about your farm and farmstore, including your email address so that you can also use it as advertising. |
| blueroses |
Posted - Jan 03 2007 : 4:35:08 PM
Suzy,
I can only echo what thoughts the other gals have already voiced. You are so talented and I know things will go great for you. It's scary when we are allowed to plot our own course, but also so rewarding. I have an opportunity that has been presented to me by my employer that I can take 24 months to prepare for. It will be very hard (I'm 50 now) but if I can just follow through it could make us some good cash & allow me to pursue my creative side too. I think doing freelance writing as well as working on which way to best present your farm products will satisfy all your creative needs as well as help to make money. Think of inexpensive ways that you can promote the store. Is there a town or local chamber of commerce? You can often advertise in their newsletter (or heck write it for them) for very little money.
Debbie
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
| Nance in France |
Posted - Jan 03 2007 : 08:46:29 AM
Suzy, this is a scary time for you certainly, but one so full of possibilities. The world is your oyster now, gal pal! Go for it. With technology, you are able to explore so many options that would not have been available twenty years ago. Like the other gals have said, you are very talented, have the discipline to work at home, run a small home based business, and your husband sounds like he's just the same. I see blue skies ahead for you! Just tell those chickens to shake a leg and get busier.....or walk around close to them reciting the ingredients for chicken pot pie. That oughta get things moving. Happy thoughts for you, Nance |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Jan 02 2007 : 05:24:25 AM
Suzy - you have so many talents, and you are used to working at home. All the ingredients are there for success, and it will come.
I left my last office job four years ago this month, and also had a bad boss. I am still happy about it, and still cherish each day since I left there. Now I work part-time at a church office, and am so much happier.
You will look back and be grateful and I know your talents will bring you to a new place.
Ephesians 1:17 |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 9:55:38 PM
Suzy...I am sure keeping you in my prayers..I know you to be such a talented and wise person..something wonderful will come along for you...I am sure of it!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Forrester Farm |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 9:17:32 PM
Kay,
I just want you to know that you came to my mind yesterday while I was reading Proverbs 31. I'll pray for wisdom for you too. Sometimes things don't make sense. I'm still learning this every day, that in complete surrender to His plans - there is so much freedom. Sometimes it takes us until we are so broken to fully surrender. He really does hold our dreams in His hands. When I look back and see His faithfulness despite some of the crazy choices that I made growing up - I'm blown away. I've seen His hand at work time and again in so many areas of life. FYI, I'm still growing up, and it's late so sweet dreams.
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 1:07:51 PM
Suzy I can so sympathize with where you are right now. I'm 54 and have been through 2 jobs since last October. One I quit because it was not an honest company and the other I was let go from. I feel so devastated that I really don't even want to go look for another job. I'm just sick of the whole thing. Our family could certainly use the extra funds though. I just feel that God wants me at home because my job plans or jobs seem to keep falling through and He leads me back home.
I think that freelance work would be a great place to start for you. That would help with the immediate bills. You obviously have a gift in that area. Then you could work on your farm a little at a time. Your little store is exactly what I want to do this year!
Keep us posted on what you're doing. We will be your biggest cheerleaders!
Hugs,
Kay
The Rustic Cottage Etsy Shop http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands -Proverbs 31:13
|
| happymama58 |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 10:04:07 AM
First of all, I agree with Ann (about prayer).
I lost my job last April and am facing the same issues you are, plus some debt and a son in college. So far, I've stayed in my field but on a part-time basis, but this semester (I'm a teacher), I'll have less classes & less pay. I've started doing a little freelance writing for the newspaper for the town 40 miles away, but the pay is very, very low. I'd love to do more freelance writing, but just don't know how to get started, etc.
Anyway, unless I get a full-time high school teaching job next Fall, I'll continue doing several part-time things -- teaching 2 or 3 days a week at the University 40 miles away, subbing in rural schools in my area the other days, writing, and anything else that comes my way. I'm also thinking of opening an ebay store, but that's still in the "thinking about it" stage.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
| westernhorse51 |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 3:08:04 PM
I understand exactly what your feeling. I left my job of 8 yrs. in Sept. It's difficult, I have tried alot of things since Sept. 1st. but am still flandering. Im working, running a school cafeteria but my husband & I are working towards owning & running our little B&B. If that doesn't work out then I want a small tea & garden shop. It's hard but things will work out.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
| Forrester Farm |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 2:00:11 PM
Have you thought about starting your own magazine? We have a Women's Lifestyle Magazine here which is very fun. The publisher went thru G.R.O.W. (www.growbusiness.org). If you click on the business directory of that site, you can see an preview of the mag under publications. There is also a Grand Garden's magazine. It features gardens in the greater Grand Rapids, MI area. Praying for wisdom always helps too!!!!
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com |
| Whisperingmeadoworganics |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 12:48:20 PM
You are a smart lady for not refinancing your farm, I am afraid much of America is going to be up side down in thier mortages one day... yikes!
What about exploring government grants. Or perhaps even offering a grant writing service? There is alot of money out there.
Good luck! |
| horse |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 12:30:44 PM
Do they have a farmer market close to where you live? That is a wonderful place to sell your soap and eggs along with your quilts. Also connect your local extension office to see if there is a type of flea market or farmer market. Try taking your soap to local businessess and see if they will let you market your soap there. Mainly I have found that word of mouth is the best advertisment when it comes to handmade things. Wishing you well.
Laura |
