Tara Brown 2.0

Meet another awesome work at home mom who is really taking her business to the web in a great way. Tara Brown is my guest on Work at Home Moms Talk Radio this week too so after you read her profile, pop on over and listen in.

Tara, when did you first decide to look for a way to work from home?

At the time I found Cherish Bound I had three kids and I was working outside of the home. I wasn’t actively looking for another “job”, but I longed to be able to work for myself. I always wanted to be my own boss, schedule my own hours, but most importantly I wanted to work from home so I could be with my kids. I wanted the flexibility to do business when I wanted to do it.

Cherish Bound kind of found me. A friend of mine who had just signed up as a consultant and had published her first book introduced me to Cherish Bound. The moment I saw her book I connected with the idea and the concept, it just made sense to me. And then when she told me that it was her new business that she was doing from home I didn’t think twice. I signed up that day! I found a product and idea that I loved, it would give me the flexibility to work from home, I could run a legitimate business and provide an income for my family.

Thank goodness I chose this route. Little did I know in the short months to follow we would be transferred across the country, and add 2 more children to our family. Having Cherish Bound as my business from home allowed me the freedom to move, have twins, and keep my business thriving.

How did you sort through your ideas for a work at home business?

Like I said before, I wasn’t actively looking for a home-based business. I never really saw myself in that environment. I never hosted a home party, but I attended few; however, there was a small part of me that was jealous of the consultants. I would hear these consultants brag about their flexibility and how they scheduled their own hours, worked with people they liked, and had fun! I knew what opportunities were out there, but nothing connected with my soul like Cherish Bound did. I liked supporting these women and purchase their products, but as a business, I hadn’t connected yet.

Where did you look for inspiration?

During the years leading up to Cherish Bound, I had a few different jobs that were bring home a nice second income, but they were stressful, required a lot time and took me away from my family. To me they were not bringing me joy. I always wanted to be a part of something that brought me joy, happiness, a sense of peace. I felt like I was struggling to justify everything that was doing. So my inspiration pretty much came from my trials and searching. It was the day I found Cherish Bound and saw my first book that true inspiration set in.

Is there anything that you’ve tried that you would say didn’t work for you?

Talking pre-Cherish Bound, it’s was struggling to balance a full-time job outside of the home while being a mother and wife.

What do you love about what you are doing to work at home today?

First and foremost, I love being a mom! I get to be at home, make breakfast, dinners, change diapers, clean up toys! I get to do all of that and still work. I think of it as a blessing that I “get” to do these things. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Second on my list is the flexibility. I love planning and scheduling my business hours, in-home gatherings, workshops, and other events all around ME! I work a tight ship and stay on a schedule, but I have the freedom and flexibility to change it at any time. I’m the boss!

How are you applying Web 2.0 tactics to your business?

Web 2.0 is such a new and exciting concept for me. While home gatherings and workshops are the core basics of my business, Web 2.0 is another element in growing my business. It’s been about a year now since I’ve really started to grasp the concept. My biggest effort is in blogging on Publish Our Stories. I love to blog about my love for story, family traditions, memory keeping ideas, and Cherish Bound.

I’m excited to see how many visitors come and go and how they understanding the power of story through my blog. I’m active in forums all over the internet. I also have started doing online presentations. I’m a member of various online groups that support and encourage home-based businesses. I also have my own Cafemom group (Point & Shoot + Cut & Paste + Drag & Drop = Shared Memories) that I just started.

I’m an official “Twitterer” on Twitter.com. Thank you Kelly for encouraging me to seek that out. Again, this a great area to network, as well as meet others that are doing what I’m doing. I also love reading others blogs and websites. I like to engage myself in people’s blogs by leaving comments and feedback and I follow blogs that I connect with.

What are your hopes for the future?

I have specific hopes for my business. Everyday I see these hopes becoming a reality and I realize that I’m making my dreams come true. I plan on having a thriving, successful business that brings me financial security and personal empowerment for years to come. I plan to stay at the top of Cherish Bound’s leadership team and help enrich, encourage, and empower women all across the world.

I will bring families to the understanding that there is a power in story and they can celebrate their families through story. I know that by accomplishing my goals through Cherish Bound my family will be able to enjoy the rewards and learn from my example. I’ve always hoped to one day be a household name and be associated with truly amazing people.

What advice would you give a new work at home mom? First, find something you truly love. Find something that you pretty much can’t live without. It’s out there, you just have to find it. Second, decide if you’re in it to save money (hobby) or make money (career). Many moms come into direct sales/work-at-home businesses and are not prepared to work their business. You have to work! Being a mom will always come first. That’s why we’re choosing to do business this way.

But you have to schedule and set aside time to work. Working from home can be truly rewarding and successful if priorities are set in place from day one. Educate yourself in your products and services, and share them with everyone. Make sure you’re with a company that offers you support.

Look for a company that will back you up and lead you in the right direction. You have to be able to rely on your company for support and trust that you’ve been given a legitimate business opportunity. If you’re in direct sales, make sure your uplines are giving you the attention and training you deserve.

Last but not least, Believe in yourself. Believe that you can make your business work. Believe that you will succeed.