Home based businesses and self-employed folks...

This is one I've been chewing on for a long time.

And after chatting online with a friend today who also has an at-home business, I felt I could let no more time slip by.

Today I'm speaking about folks who are self-employed.

These are folks who provide services, goods, etc. to the public.

Many times you will see bakers, childcare providers, photographers, web designers, hair stylists and so many other professions, I can't even begin to name them all!

These folks have chosen to be self-employed, yes.

But these folks often work harder and longer than those who "go to" a place of employment.

These folks many times give up space in their home.

They use their own vehicle.

They almost ALWAYS give up A LOT of time from their family working way more than the forty hours that traditional jobs require.

This is their our choice.

Yes.

But...

Just because we have chosen to be self-employed, this IS our profession...our career...our job.

We will provide quality goods and services to you.

We will maintain licenses, certifications, training, education to ensure quality goods and services to you.

Many times we are approached by those we know for our goods or services.

We do enjoy working for friends, acquaintences, neighbors, and family.

However...

We MUST put in place boundaries.

These boundaries are not to be mean to you.

Sometimes...

Those we know, think or assume that because we know each other or are friends that we can provide goods and services for free.

That...we can not do.

Sometimes...some self-employed folks DO arrange bartering, and that is FINE...as long as everything is laid out in the beginning and BOTH parties pull through for each other.

But other than that...when someone has a home-based business, it is their job...their career.

Although we love our friends, neighbors, and family...we can not pay our mortgage with kindness and love.

Most self-employed folks have policies, contracts, and fees in place and are very up front in the beginning before they are ever hired.

Do not become offended by this.

Contracts and policies protect the self-employed.

If I were a betting woman, I would bet 100% off ALL self-employed folks have been burned AT LEAST once by someone.

We MUST have contracts and policies for this reason.

It is only for our protection.

Sometimes when you hire a self-employed person, you may think their price seems high.

Most of the time, the outsider is unaware of all that the person must put into their good or service.

Sometimes all one sees is the "finished product" but not all that went into it.

Many self-employed people must pay for licenses, certifications, training, education, inspections, safety measures, ingredients, supplies, packaging, maintenance/upkeep on equipment, cleaning, postage, paperwork, labor.

Let's not forget LABOR!

And the vast majority of self-employed folks are working beyond regular business hours after you receive your goods or service.

This is not a "complaint" or "let's feel sorry" for home-based businesses post.

Hopefully rather an eye-opening gaze into the life of a home-based business or self-employed person.

Being self-employed is a blessing and a curse!

LOL!

But I can tell you that when you hire a self-employed person with a home based business, the vast majority of people who are in these lines of work...have a passion for what they do.

These people have a drive and a passion to be the BEST in that line of work.

That is the whole reason most people become self-employed...because they're not happy with "what's out there."

What we can do...

Respect the policies set forth by a self-employed person that you hire.

Honor your contract.

Pay them on time.

And thank them for a job well done (assuming it was, LOL!).

I know that most of the time we've hired a self-employed person, we end up much  more pleased with the results of the service and quality.

So the next time we start to gripe or complain about a price or policy of someone who is self-employed, hopefully we can take moment to realize in the end we will be supporting someone local in the community who will (hopefully) be sharing their passion in a job well done!