Welcome!

Posted on February 26, 2008 - Filed Under Jane Thoughts

Welcome to the Jane Out of the Box blog! 

Over the course of the past year, I’ve had an opportunity to meet many wonderful women business owners.  The purpose of this blog is to share some of their stories, to discuss findings from the research we’re doing to help women business owners, and to share news, tips, and information that can can help us all be more successful – in business and in our lives through entrepreneurism. 

As I write today, one of the things that’s on my mind is why we all start businesses.  In our research, we’ve seen a few dominant reasons:  wanting to be in control of your own future and the specific desire to own a business.  In addition, though, we’ve heard women in particular talk about the importance of time freedom and being able to manage how and when and where they work.

I know when I started my first business, it was really about being able to control my own future and choose who I wanted to work with.  I was very fortunate that my husband was a full-time dad and took care of so many of the things that ”mom” is usually responsible for.  That meant we had lots of free time together because our weekends weren’t spent “catching up” on all the small and large things required to have a happy, healthy family.

As that consulting business grew, however, time freedom became increasingly important to me.  So much so, that over the past two years, I’ve learned how to build a virtual team so that the businesses can accomplish a lot and I still can take the time for school events, family vacations, and Friday night dates with my husband.

What about you?   What are the reasons you started your business?  And how important is time freedom to you?  

– Michele DeKinder-Smith, Founder, Jane Out of the Box

2 Responses to “Welcome!”

  1. Leah on August 24th, 2008 1:45 pm

    First I would like to say that I just found your website and am finding it very helpful and inspiring.

    I started this business as a solopreneur for the same reasons I have started the last half dozen or so…that ever elusive ideal that being my own boss gives me freedom. So I work more than my peers at 40 hour work week jobs, that’s okay because I know I am doing this for myself, and my determination to succeed as an entrepreneur exceeds my common sense.

    I also am certain that each time I re-invent myself I bring more to the table and am now more confident than ever that I have begun my LAST business! And that as a solopreneur, the day looms not so far in the distance now, where all the years of learning by trial and error will culminate in great success!

    I am mostly challenged with the vertical learning curve of marketing my website on the internet to attain high visibility. This is my first experience where the adage, “Build it and They Will Come”, does not apply.

    I was naive at first when my webmaster worked her magic and created the site, then launched it. And there I sat waiting…having NO idea that there was so much more to learn and do. Such as aggressive SEO efforts.

    I would love to hear from other members and readers what they have learned along this path.

    Regards,
    Leah

  2. jootbstaff on August 29th, 2008 9:49 am

    Leah – so glad you found us. I clicked over to look at your site — I think it looks great and what a wonderful coaching niche you have, coaching female in such a male oriented field. Welcome to Jane and keep in touch!

    Michele

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