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Making Work at Home Work: Successfully Growing a Business and a Family under One Roof
As of 2004 nearly three million self-employed women worked at home, and women continue to start home-based businesses at twice the rate of men. Many of these women left the workplace by choice in order to stay home and raise their children. And though their numbers increase each day, resources for this growing market of entrepreneurs are scarce. Making Work at Home Work shows moms how to develop an entrepreneurial mind-set without sacrificing their families. It covers important topics such as developing a successful business philosophy, balancing time between work and family, setting realistic goals, and handling the challenges of being both "Mommy" and "CEO" while running a profitable home-based business. In addition to including her own experiences, author Mary Byers profiles real moms with home-based businesses who offer their hard-won advice.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
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24 people want to read
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June 3, 2010
Writer, speaker, mother, wife – those are but a few of the roles Mary M. Byers juggles every day.
In her newest book, “Making Work at Home Work,” Byers explores how at-home entrepreneurs can develop and hone their business skills, while successfully balancing personal and professional life in a home office.
“I certainly knew I didn’t have all the answers and this gave me a legitimate excuse to talk to others and learn from their experience and suggestions,” Byers said. “I learned that there’s no “right” way to run both a home and a business under one roof.
“I was reminded that flexibility is key. As children grow and their needs change, it’s possible for the business to grow and change too.”
Byers breaks the book down into two sections – “saving your sanity” and “preserving your profit.”
In the first section deals with the personal side of working at home and includes topics like the difference in being “at home” verses “working at home,” handling client crisis and juggling child care issues.
In the second section, she focuses on the business side of working at home, including chapters related to tax issues, equipment, subcontracting, developing a business plan, and saving for retirement.
Scattered throughout her book, Byers introduces readers to 13 different women who run businesses from their home, providing different insights into the topic.
“All are either women I know or women I read about and wanted to get to know,” Byers said. “There were many women I would have liked to profile but there just wasn’t enough space. I do think we had a nice variety of careers represented, however.”
In writing and developing this book, Byers said she has applied many of the lessons to her own life - including the realities of raising children while balancing a career and establishing boundaries between work and home.
“I recognized that my children would only be preschool age for a short time and that I could limit the work I did while they were young,” Byers said. “As they entered school, I expanded my workload and became more willing to travel for speaking engagements.
“But I still limit my work. My daughter will graduate from high school in five years and my son in seven. I don’t want to be so focused on work that I miss precious moments with them. Profit is important, but so are memories.”
Byers said women (or men) working from home need to recognize two things when balancing a home-based business and a family.
“First, know why you are working,” Byers said. “If you’re working for a little extra cash, that’s one thing. But if your family is dependent on your income, that’s another. Knowing your primary reason for working will make it easier to make work-related decisions.”
She said financial-related decisions might evolve, especially as a person’s family grows and changes.
“I started working to help with vacations,” Byers explained. “Now, I’m working to pay for orthodontics, college tuition and retirement.”
The second reason, or thing to know before starting out, she said, is to know how much income is “enough” to meet family needs.
“Setting an income goal makes it easier to determine how many hours you to need to work each week and month,” Byers said. “When I know my income goals are being met, it’s much easier for me to shut my office door and walk away from work at the end of the day.”
Byers said there are several benefits to working at home. She jokes that the “30-second commute” and the ability to work in her pajamas, are her favorite perks.
“I also don’t have to deal with office politics on a daily basis,” she continued.
Byers admits that some businesses are better suited to become home-based careers.
“It’s much easier to have a home-based business if you don’t have to meet regularly with clients and can do most of your work via phone, fax and e-mail,” she said. “With that said, however, I know several woman who cut hair from home -- but all have equipped a separate room or area of their house for this.”
Byers said it is possible to have a career, work at home and raise a family.
“First, there is more work out there for entrepreneurs than I would have guessed,” she said.
“Second, it’s possible to make a decent living without having to work in a traditional environment.
“Third, it is possible for hard work to pay off and dreams to come true.”
Byers said many of the women she intereviewed for the book agree on one thing – balancing work and a family under the same roof is the toughest part of having a home-based business.
“Many women confided that they feel guilty while they work because it takes them away from their kids and guilty when they are not working because work isn’t getting done,” Byers explained. “I experienced the same tug myself. One of the great things about the book is that I was able to include some clever strategies about achieving better balance, all of which have helped me.”
Years later, after establishing her home-based career, Byers said there is one thing she wished she had known as she started her business.”
“I wish I had know that my business model had sustainability and I’d still be at it 11 years after starting,” Byers admitted. “If I had know that then, I wouldn’t have felt it necessary to say yes to as much as I did early on.”
Another lesson she’s learned throughout the years – back up your electronic data.
“Mozy.com is where I back up all my data files,” Byers said. “It’s inexpensive and I like knowing I can restore my files if I have a disaster.”
For those who already have a home-based business, Byers has one piece of advice.
“How you choose to run your business in the future is more important than how you got started or how you’ve run it in the past,” she said.
For those just setting out on the home-based business route, Byers offers some additional advice.
“I recommend starting it on the side, or as a freelance business, in order to see if the model works before you quit another job or invest tons of money into it,” she said. “Working at home is great but you also have to be self-motivated and highly disciplined. Whether you’re an at-home entrepreneur now or want to be in the future, good luck!”
In her newest book, “Making Work at Home Work,” Byers explores how at-home entrepreneurs can develop and hone their business skills, while successfully balancing personal and professional life in a home office.
“I certainly knew I didn’t have all the answers and this gave me a legitimate excuse to talk to others and learn from their experience and suggestions,” Byers said. “I learned that there’s no “right” way to run both a home and a business under one roof.
“I was reminded that flexibility is key. As children grow and their needs change, it’s possible for the business to grow and change too.”
Byers breaks the book down into two sections – “saving your sanity” and “preserving your profit.”
In the first section deals with the personal side of working at home and includes topics like the difference in being “at home” verses “working at home,” handling client crisis and juggling child care issues.
In the second section, she focuses on the business side of working at home, including chapters related to tax issues, equipment, subcontracting, developing a business plan, and saving for retirement.
Scattered throughout her book, Byers introduces readers to 13 different women who run businesses from their home, providing different insights into the topic.
“All are either women I know or women I read about and wanted to get to know,” Byers said. “There were many women I would have liked to profile but there just wasn’t enough space. I do think we had a nice variety of careers represented, however.”
In writing and developing this book, Byers said she has applied many of the lessons to her own life - including the realities of raising children while balancing a career and establishing boundaries between work and home.
“I recognized that my children would only be preschool age for a short time and that I could limit the work I did while they were young,” Byers said. “As they entered school, I expanded my workload and became more willing to travel for speaking engagements.
“But I still limit my work. My daughter will graduate from high school in five years and my son in seven. I don’t want to be so focused on work that I miss precious moments with them. Profit is important, but so are memories.”
Byers said women (or men) working from home need to recognize two things when balancing a home-based business and a family.
“First, know why you are working,” Byers said. “If you’re working for a little extra cash, that’s one thing. But if your family is dependent on your income, that’s another. Knowing your primary reason for working will make it easier to make work-related decisions.”
She said financial-related decisions might evolve, especially as a person’s family grows and changes.
“I started working to help with vacations,” Byers explained. “Now, I’m working to pay for orthodontics, college tuition and retirement.”
The second reason, or thing to know before starting out, she said, is to know how much income is “enough” to meet family needs.
“Setting an income goal makes it easier to determine how many hours you to need to work each week and month,” Byers said. “When I know my income goals are being met, it’s much easier for me to shut my office door and walk away from work at the end of the day.”
Byers said there are several benefits to working at home. She jokes that the “30-second commute” and the ability to work in her pajamas, are her favorite perks.
“I also don’t have to deal with office politics on a daily basis,” she continued.
Byers admits that some businesses are better suited to become home-based careers.
“It’s much easier to have a home-based business if you don’t have to meet regularly with clients and can do most of your work via phone, fax and e-mail,” she said. “With that said, however, I know several woman who cut hair from home -- but all have equipped a separate room or area of their house for this.”
Byers said it is possible to have a career, work at home and raise a family.
“First, there is more work out there for entrepreneurs than I would have guessed,” she said.
“Second, it’s possible to make a decent living without having to work in a traditional environment.
“Third, it is possible for hard work to pay off and dreams to come true.”
Byers said many of the women she intereviewed for the book agree on one thing – balancing work and a family under the same roof is the toughest part of having a home-based business.
“Many women confided that they feel guilty while they work because it takes them away from their kids and guilty when they are not working because work isn’t getting done,” Byers explained. “I experienced the same tug myself. One of the great things about the book is that I was able to include some clever strategies about achieving better balance, all of which have helped me.”
Years later, after establishing her home-based career, Byers said there is one thing she wished she had known as she started her business.”
“I wish I had know that my business model had sustainability and I’d still be at it 11 years after starting,” Byers admitted. “If I had know that then, I wouldn’t have felt it necessary to say yes to as much as I did early on.”
Another lesson she’s learned throughout the years – back up your electronic data.
“Mozy.com is where I back up all my data files,” Byers said. “It’s inexpensive and I like knowing I can restore my files if I have a disaster.”
For those who already have a home-based business, Byers has one piece of advice.
“How you choose to run your business in the future is more important than how you got started or how you’ve run it in the past,” she said.
For those just setting out on the home-based business route, Byers offers some additional advice.
“I recommend starting it on the side, or as a freelance business, in order to see if the model works before you quit another job or invest tons of money into it,” she said. “Working at home is great but you also have to be self-motivated and highly disciplined. Whether you’re an at-home entrepreneur now or want to be in the future, good luck!”
September 23, 2018
If you’re interested in starting your own business and have children, this would be a great book to read to see what you’re getting yourself into (TLDR: not for the faint of heart).
The book is divided into two sections. The first deals with the home side/what you’re getting into, and the second with the actual business-building side of things. Profiles of actual people sprinkled throughout and overall very practical. Definitely recommended.
The book is divided into two sections. The first deals with the home side/what you’re getting into, and the second with the actual business-building side of things. Profiles of actual people sprinkled throughout and overall very practical. Definitely recommended.
January 5, 2017
Good practical thoughts for managing a business from home, but disappointed that it came from a Christian publisher and really lacked any tie in to Scripture or prayer....
December 24, 2009
Many people would rather work at home than leave the home every day for work. I know that I would certainly rather stay home with my family each day than go to work at an outside location. However, working at home brings with it a whole new set of challenges.
I've been both a work away from home mom and a work at home mom. When my daughter was born, I went right back to work full time in an office. When my son was born, I stayed home for 18 months. I also stayed home for a year while I was homeschooling. I'm now working about 3/4 time out of the house and 1/4 time at home. My goal is to stay at home full time once we can manage by growing my blog and turning it into a work at home business.
Mary M. Byers showcases twelve work at home women and their businesses and talks about what they've learned about working at home. She also teaches you how to schedule your time, manage business expenses, know when to take a break, avoid stress with your relationships, manage childcare when necessary, plan for the future and work smarter so you can make more.
Making Work at Home Work is a great tool for the work at mom whether you own your own business or you are a direct sales representative. For a bloggers like me who are trying to manage an income from our blogs, her ideas helped keep me on track and motivated.
I really love the Appendix that she included that's filled with quick and easy dinner recipes for work at home moms. What a huge help when we are pressed for time or working on a deadline. I can't wait to try the creamy lasagna recipe!
If you're a working mom who's struggling to make working at home work for you, I highly recommend that you read this book. Mary Byers will get you started on the path you need to follow to be more organized and successful.
I've been both a work away from home mom and a work at home mom. When my daughter was born, I went right back to work full time in an office. When my son was born, I stayed home for 18 months. I also stayed home for a year while I was homeschooling. I'm now working about 3/4 time out of the house and 1/4 time at home. My goal is to stay at home full time once we can manage by growing my blog and turning it into a work at home business.
Mary M. Byers showcases twelve work at home women and their businesses and talks about what they've learned about working at home. She also teaches you how to schedule your time, manage business expenses, know when to take a break, avoid stress with your relationships, manage childcare when necessary, plan for the future and work smarter so you can make more.
Making Work at Home Work is a great tool for the work at mom whether you own your own business or you are a direct sales representative. For a bloggers like me who are trying to manage an income from our blogs, her ideas helped keep me on track and motivated.
I really love the Appendix that she included that's filled with quick and easy dinner recipes for work at home moms. What a huge help when we are pressed for time or working on a deadline. I can't wait to try the creamy lasagna recipe!
If you're a working mom who's struggling to make working at home work for you, I highly recommend that you read this book. Mary Byers will get you started on the path you need to follow to be more organized and successful.
May 6, 2009
Making Work at Home Work by Mary M. Byers is a perfect book for any mom who has an at-home business or is considering starting one. The book is split into two sections: saving your sanity and preserving your profit. The first section focuses on how to manage things like child care, balancing family and work, and making time for yourself as well. Byers tells the reader to ask herself certain questions: what exactly does success mean to you? how much money do you want to be making? and why are you working? Answering these questions honestly is essential to figuring out how to have a healthy balance between family and work. Throughout the book are twelve profiles of work-at-home moms with their tips for success and what they have learned along the way. The second section really goes into the ways to expand your business and how to make smart decisions to increase profit. Also included in the back are several recipes for moms who don't have time to make supper every night but want their family to eat well. Byers makes the subject matter interesting and relevant making this vital for both beginners and pros.
May 3, 2009
I don't read a lot of nonfiction, but Mary Byers is a really good writer, and I have enjoyed her previous books, so I knew I'd enjoy this one. Mary is an author, editor, professional speaker, wife, and mom – and she somehow manages to be successful at all of them. Her success came through years of hard work, and sometimes from learning the hard way how to juggle a rapidly growing business with her family responsibilities. In Making Work at Home Work, Mary shares her wisdom by presenting practical ways to bring balance to the lives of those who work at home for pay. By describing her own experiences, and by profiling others who run successful businesses, Mary provides realistic assistance to anyone who faces the countless challenges of working from home. I found many jewels of wisdom that I can put to use immediately. Recommended for anyone who works at home for pay, and especially for those who struggle to balance the job and the family.
November 13, 2012
I'm a self-employed entrepreneur and a mom-to-be, so this seemed like a good book to pick up. The second half of the book on improving your business and profits was what really grabbed my attention, since the first half is dedicated to that work-family balance that I haven't had to experience much yet (it will be good to know going into motherhood though!).
Excellent advice and I highly recommend it to mothers who run a business from home. Parts of the book didn't speak to me personally because I did not start a home-based business to be with my children, which is the assumption of a couple chapters -- I already run a home-based business and will have children soon. But still, a great read.
Excellent advice and I highly recommend it to mothers who run a business from home. Parts of the book didn't speak to me personally because I did not start a home-based business to be with my children, which is the assumption of a couple chapters -- I already run a home-based business and will have children soon. But still, a great read.
November 19, 2010
Great advice for how to work at home - everything from setting boundaries, office management, dealing with guilt, handling child care, to financial advice. What I enjoyed most was the advice to take yourself seriously so others take you seriously. This book helped me increase my productivity as a writer significantly.
February 10, 2014
I have read a number of books about working at home, and this was the best for people who have already started businesses but need some help organizing their lives and businesses so both can be successful.
June 7, 2011
Great informational read on what it takes to be a successful work at home mom. Funny stories and lots of information from several WAHMs.
February 3, 2010
Great book for work-from-home moms getting started in any business. Full of great tips regarding business and life balance, and a very easy read.
March 24, 2014
really helpful. need to buy and use as a reference.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews