This fine Monday we are talking with Robin, a work at home mom who makes some very relaxing lavender pillows. While I haven`t tried them myself, I`ve talked with other moms who have and they are very popular. If you have a website, you might be interested in Robin`s affiliate program, launching September 1st, which you can learn more about on her website, Pillows of Lavender.

1. What is your business?

Pillows of Lavender, Aromatic and Comforting Herbal Pillows
for Relaxation and Healing
www.pillowsoflavender.com

2. How did you get started?

I made some for gifts and then word of mouth sales were great so after 2 years of doing them as a hobby/craft I decided to turn it into a full business.

3. What mistakes did you make when you were starting out?

I was trying to offer too much all at once.  I bought tons of supplies for ideas and wasted alot of money. What did you learn from them? Once I perfected one item and had regular sales from that one item I could then move on to create another.  I only buy supplies that  I need in bulk, if I have an idea I want to experiment with I buy enough to make one.

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 have been home since 2001 with the kids making money selling on ebay and such but started referring to myself as a wahm 2004

I have done childcare in my home as well as selling for a few direct sales/party plans in the past.  I own a few websites and blogs that I earn commissions on but this is actually my very first business creating my own product and growing everything from the bottom up.

5. What are your tricks for balancing work, kids and household chores?

I don’t have any tricks lol.

Really, I just wake up earlier if possible so I can have that quiet thinking, drinking coffee and reading email time before chaos hits.  Then I try to include my kids in my business as much as possible.  I explain what I am working on and I let them help fill pillows, they all love lavender. They are always around me and my work area since it is centrally located int he house. When they were babies they were on my lap at my desk and hanging on my back while I was sewing. Try to picture that and get a good laugh.  I do alot of writing, planning and such while I watch them swim or play.

The real test of time is going to be next month when my youngest goes to school all day, I am going to have to learn how to manage my time during the day and shut it all out when they get home and devote the rest of the day to them, their schoolwork and activities.

6. How many children do you have? How old are they?

I have four children 19,13, 6 and 5

7. When do you usually work?

I work all day from like 8 am – 5pm but…. I stop on and off all day to tend to my kids and house, I could never just work straight through and that is the beauty of my own business, working it how I want to.  I don’t work on weekends, I may read emails and reply but I do not work on orders.

8. What is the best part of being a mompreneur? And the worst?

Not having to work away from the home, I can be here for my kids and the satisfaction of earning  income from my own efforts.

The worst things would be distractions, especially from people who do not take my work day at home seriously and gaining some weight because  I am not running around doing physical work like I used to.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

My goal is to create enough sales to outsource the sewing work to other moms at home.  I have my affiliate program launching Sept 1st 2008 so others will be able to promote pillows sales and earn commissions.

10. What advice would you give new work at home moms?

Don’t jump into anything until you completely think things through with a business plan, research and read all you can.  Don’t spend too much on promotions or advertising there is so much that you can do to promote yourself and your business.  Network online and off.  Use your time wisely, it is so limited.

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