Motivational Monday: Interview with Kelly Harmsen
Today`s Motivational Monday guest is Kelly Harmsen, a work at home mom with a rather unique business. Kelly helps children with eye issues by making wearing a patch something fun! Her business allows her to stay at home with her two children and still earn a living.
1. What is your business?
I have a company called Bjort & Company, Inc. which sells a DVD called “The Eye Patch Kids” for children with vision problems such as Amblyopia(Lazy Eye), Strabismus or Cataracts. We also have an online store with t-shirts and accessories for kids that are wearing eye patches, glasses or that have food allergies. I also have a blog.
2. How did you get started?
I started the business about 2 ½ years ago. I started working on the DVD about 5 years ago though and it took me some time to get it all done. Then we moved to Florida from Chicago so I came down here with all of my DVD’s and then started my website/business.
3. What mistakes did you make when you were starting out? What did you learn from them?
I was too trusting and that could have cost me a lot if I hadn’t had everything covered legally. I learned that business is business and it doesn’t mean that you’re a bad person for covering your tracks.
4. How long have you been working from home? (was this your first business or have you had others where you worked from home?
I’ve been working from home for about 3 years now between setting everything up and getting my website started. No this wasn’t my first job, I am still a licensed hairdresser and I was working in a salon until I moved down to Florida and started Bjort & Company, Inc.
5. What are your tricks for balancing work, kids and household chores?
I am usually up by 6:00am with my coffee on the computer going through things and watching the news. Then get the kids up about 7:15am and I get them ready and off to school during that time I am getting laundry started, etc. Then when I come back from dropping them off I workout everyday whether it is running, lifting weights or doing pilates. If I go more that 2 days without working out I am not a nice person lol. So no matter what is going on I get my workout in. Then I’m constantly cleaning lol. I try to really clean the house one day a week and that way I can just straighten up every day to keep it like that. I’m usually going from 6:00am until 10:30pm Mon-Fri then I do work on the weekend but usually not much.
6. How many children do you have? How old are they?
My son Joshua is 8 ½ and my daughter Chrysa is 13yo.
7. When do you usually work?
I work in shifts. My usual day would be work from 6-7 am, then 10-2pm, then pick up kids, start dinner and visit with them for a while, homework etc,. Then I usually get another 3-5 hours in while they are home at night. When I first started my business though I was putting in about13-18 hours a day getting it going, etc. Which was crazy, but I love doing this and helping kids so it was worth it.
8. What is the best part of being a mompreneur? And the worst?
The best part about being a mompreneur is that I get to make my own schedule and work around my family. I love being a mom and wouldn’t want to miss out on anything. If they are sick and have to stay home from school then I don’t have to worry because I am home taking care of them. They can lay in my bed and watch TV while I work and I can be there if they need me.
The worst thing about it is that people don’t understand that just because your home your working. People don’t always associate working with being home.
9. What are your plans for the future of your business?
I have lots of plans for my business. I have other DVD’s that I would like to make for different problems that kids face. I would like to expand it a little more. Not too much though, because I like it the way it is.
10. What advice would you give new work at home moms?
Do it if you can!! Set limits to what you can do so you don’t get too stressed out with everything. If you have an idea for a product please get a patent and get an attorney to make it all legal. You would hate to work this hard and have someone do the same thing because you weren’t covered. Remember that business is business and cover all of your tracks. Don’t feel bad having someone sign something to protect your business. It doesn’t make you a bad person, it protects your investment. I almost learned that the hard way.
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