Can a People-Person Work Online?Written by Lisa Lake
Are all online business owners huddled over a keyboard in an unfinished basement, with silent co-workers like a ping-pong table and a dusty treadmill, like I was? Are they lonely, finding themselves longing for a TV outlet in room? Martha Stewart could cook, I could listen, then I could leave this dreary hole and go cook myself, I would think. Work sputtered to a crawl then finally stopped.I went back to work in a cheerful office writing about people who DO operate successfully online. And I'm fascinated by (and envious of) ones who make it working at home, especially those who are people-persons. Tom Marshall is a jolly fellow who has made a success of his online specialty foods Internet magazine. His culinary expertise was impressive, plus he had been in food brokerage business for years. And suddenly entrepreneur in him drove him to start all over again. "I had no clue, ZERO idea what I was doing," admitted Tom. "I had words 'under construction' ALL OVER that first website. An expert in field took a look at it for me, and he said, "Tom, any website that's worth anything is always under construction. Get rid of all that!" Tom's wife supported two of them during start-up. Tom swears he aged about 50 years trying to get thing going. Why did he do it? "It takes a vision and a lot of determination," he said. It doesn't hurt to have a sense of humor, either. After repeatedly telling me 'we're doing this,' and 'we'll be setting up that next', he confessed that 'we' is his multiple personality. "It's comprised of "me, myself, and I," he laughed. A caller asked for 'computer systems manager.' "He just happens to be in!" Tom told him. So how did he give up noisy, bustling excitement of fine restaurant kitchens, working as a team with co-workers and friends? He says it in his mission: He wants to bring specialty food as a culinary resource to a public that demands healthy, imaginative and tasty food products as a part of their daily lives. The Internet can bring it to whole world.
| | Is Everyone But You Earning $5,000 a Month?Written by Lisa Lake
Seventy years of age used to mean old. Now it can mean Miata- driving, mall-walking, decaffeinated momentum. That's my dad. Meet another spirited septuagenarian, Phyllis Eakins. "I just feel good!" she exclaimed from her home in Michigan. At 71, she is alert, healthy, and hip. Faster than her husband Roy can bake another loaf of bread, Phyllis is referring a new member to online company she represents. And she's delighted with few hundred dollars a month that puts into her bank account."Are you on phone again?" Phyllis says her husband teases her. "He won't be moaning when we're sitting poolside in sunny south!" said Phyllis. Having traveled for 8 years in a motor home with Roy, Eakins are experienced and ravenous travelers. After saving a little more of her referral bonuses, she and Roy will be singing "On Road Again" with Willie. Will Tim and Marcia Krahn retire in Tahiti? Maybe not, but after 25 years of marriage, they're very happy. The Krahns had recently earned $277 one month and $236 next from Tim's part time efforts selling low cost long distance and Internet service. "My last check paid for new glasses," said Tim Krahn. Working part time from his home allows two to stay close to their home and land. The Krahns grow blue, red, and black rasberries, plus 3 kinds of apples, pears, and cherries! "I wouldn't say we're health food nuts," said Marcia, "but we live in prairie country here in Illinois where soil is good. Plus we have 5 children!"
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