Enjoy this guest post from Amy Collett, the creator of Bizwell.org, a website that helps professionals and entrepreneurs build and strengthen their personal brand. She is the author of the upcoming book, "You, Exemplified: The Role of Personal Branding in Your Professional Life." When she isn’t helping clients boost their careers or businesses, she enjoys coaching her daughter’s soccer team and training to become a yoga instructor.
-Nick Venturella, owner, tinycareer.com

​Circumstances may vary, but sometimes it makes the most sense to invest in ourselves, and start our own businesses from home. Working from home will save you on the costs of commuting and office rentals, but it does have some challenges. Here is what you need to know to start a successful business from the comfort of your own house.
 
Starting Out
 
The first thing to do is to decide what you want to focus in. What are your skills? In what areas do you excel? How can you apply those skills to niches that are untapped or waiting to be expanded? Often, if you have skills in a certain area, becoming a consultant is the logical choice. You can apply your knowledge and experience to others and help them fulfill their needs and achieve their goals while earning a living for yourself
 
Once you know your point of focus, create a website delineating your skills and your past successes. The most pressing issue, once your area of focus is established, will be finding clients. Think about whatever existing network of communication you have and take time to map it out. How do your current relationships fit into your business? It’s going to take a lot of time making phone calls and drafting emails, but with this network established, you may be able to grow it and find new customers. Things may be tight at first, but hosting or speaking at events for free early on can get you exposure and may earn you some good contacts.
 
Think Outside the Box
 
If becoming a consultant isn’t a good fit, or you are still trying to pin down your niche, consider alternative ways to work from home. These could be anything from being a virtual assistant to something more active, such as pet sitting. You can set your own prices and schedule, which can allow you more time to research your business and be choosy about what pets you sit, from breed to size to age. You typically make a good living doing so, and you may even create connections for further down the line.
 
Staying Productive
 
The most important aspect of staying productive is your mindset. Having a workstation, such as a desk, that is designated only for your business can help you get into “work mode.” Just as you would with a traditional office, have a structured beginning and end for your work time. Take breaks at regular intervals, as this helps your brain recharge and refresh. Don’t spend your whole time sitting, either. By getting up, even just to stretch or walk in place, you can help your brain stay focused. One thing some people find effective is to give themselves treats after meeting goals they set for themselves. Reward yourself in a way that makes sense for you.
 
Lastly, make sure you’re turning off distractions. That means no Facebook, unless it’s your business account, and then only answering client questions or posting relevant information. No funny cat videos, and no catching up with family or friends. Do that on your break.
 
Essential Equipment
 
For starters, you’ll need a good office to keep productivity up. Get a desk that fits in your work area, and make sure you have a comfortable chair. You may need storage space for your business materials, so be certain that your desk has the space. If not, add to your capacity with cabinets. You’ll need the right business tools to stay on top of your workload, and to make things easier. Familiarize yourself with Google Docs and Dropbox, as this will be a necessity. Trello and Asana can help you stay organized, and Slack is a good way to keep connected with clients. Do some research to figure out which tools will work best for your business.
 
Becoming a freelancer, a consultant, or working from home in any capacity is an exciting opportunity. However, you need to be prepared before you start. Do your research, make a good workspace, and stay focused. You can do this.

You will need to familiarize yourself with some basic, but vital lessons about the stock market, as a beginner interested in successfully trading in stocks, way before you start acquiring or selling off stocks in the stock market.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that before you think about buying or selling on the stock market, you will need to consider a few important factors to become profitable when it comes to investing hard cash in stock trading. All traders, even the leading professionals included, started out where you are, at the very beginning.

Taking the time to learn more about stock trading as a beginner is the only way you can get to a point where you can invest your cash without being overly paranoid. There are numerous free online stock trading courses specifically designed for those starting out. These courses give you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with valuable investment lessons needed to enlighten your view of this interesting segment of the financial markets.

Cost Free Beginner Stock Trading Courses

As an aspiring trader starting out in the world of stock trading, there are many free courses for you to consider, as I mentioned earlier. In reality, when it comes to investing with your own cash there are no shortcuts, that’s why you need to familiarize yourself with the technical terms commonly used by industry professionals.

Internet Brokers

Hiring a stock broker online is your best solution, if you want to invest without shouldering the hassle associated with acquiring in depth knowledge of the markets.

However, hiring an internet broker is not the best solution if you want to earn a substantial level of income or make trading a full time occupation; you should pursue the necessary beginner investment education. If you have no knowledge of stock markets, you should not undertake any trades. Previously acquired knowledge plays a huge role in the mountains of money you see some investors raking in from successful trades.

Stock trading is risky; the stock trading basics you learn come in handy especially when it comes to choosing stocks worth investing in. You should add the best stock alerts to ensure you are always in control.

In Summary

It’s important to note that you should only put your hard earned cash into trading after comprehensively familiarizing yourself with the inner workings of the stock market, even though it can make you a substantial amount, whether on a part-time or full time basis.

The only way to build a successful stock trading portfolio is to kick start your investment journey with an investment into your education by signing up for a beginner course online.

Hiring a marketing person is a major challenge for any small business. Even medium-sized companies may have a difficult time finding the right person.

The decision to hire a full-time marketing specialist is a sign that the company has reached a certain revenue milestone. This decision triggers an increase in your operational costs, as you have to pay the salary of this person. Your newly established, one-man show marketing department can bring you a profit that exceeds the expense of having them on board. Nonetheless, you should keep in mind that the opposite is also possible -- when your marketing department consists of one or two persons, the risk of hiring the wrong people can have disastrous consequences.

At Creative Niche, we are specialists that help companies find the best marketing professionals to suit their specific needs, industry and business profile. We have a wealth of experience in finding the best match for both companies and marketing professionals in search of a new career challenge. This experience has enabled us to understand how good marketing can influence the development and sales of various companies. We are also aware of the most common mistakes many companies make in trying to find the most suitable person for this important position.

Many business managers, for instance, make the decision to hire a full-time marketing professional when they may be better off with a part-time employee or even with a contractor to hire on a project basis. These two options are sometimes more reasonable from a financial standpoint. Other times, although the decision to hire a full-time person is fully justified, the manager overlooks the fact that different marketers tend to have different skills, and finding one who excels at everything is very difficult, if not impossible.

All this being said, here are three tips that might help you narrow your search and the the most suitable marketing expert for your organization:

Have A Search Strategy

The first question you should ask yourself is this: what are the most important marketing goals of your organization that would secure the success of your business? The ultimate benefit of your marketing efforts should be a sales increase, but this can only be achieved one step at a time. This might imply attending trade shows and business events in order to get to meet your target customers face to face. It might also imply creating compelling content that can strengthen your authority in a specific topic or area of expertise. Hiring the right person isn't possible without a clear understanding of the strategic objectives he or she will have to help you achieve.

Search For A Specific Set Of Skills

Decide whether you want a generalist or a specialist. Also, define the specific skills and expertise the ideal person would need to have in order to do the job. Do you need someone to take care of your event planning activities, or someone to write great copy that attracts leads and boosts conversion rates? Does your business cater to other businesses or to consumers, or is it a non-profit organization? All these considerations should enable you to have a clear picture of the skills and assets your ideal marketing person should possess.

Always keep in mind that different marketers may have different skills. you can't hire a corporate lawyer to handle the tasks of an HR lawyer. Similarly, you shouldn't hire an expert in setting up and managing Google AdWords campaigns to write copy for your website, or to design your marketing brochures.

Take Time To Write A Good Job Description

If you create an inaccurate job description or you give recruiters the wrong information, chances are you're never going to find the right person for the job. The more honest and specific you are, the greater your chance to find the right marketing person.

If you want more help with achieving your goal then check out this guide on tricks to get hired from Four Seasons Recruitment
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All of these things will help you out and aid your efforts in hiring the right person for the job.

Have you noticed that over time, nothing ever costs less money?

Most people are simply trying to make ends meet; pay the bills, ensure their kids have good food and a reasonable home to grow up in.

However, even if you're getting by, you may be one major medical bill away from financial ruin.

Or, perhaps you're just praying your old car starts every morning because you can't afford to get even a newer, used car.

It could be that you're doing okay financially, but you just really want to accelerate your saving toward paying off your mortgage early.

Whatever, your reason, it's clear you could benefit from earning some extra money.

The internet makes it easier than ever to earn extra income outside of your day job or to supplement your gig economy contract work.

Specifically, the Best Easy Work site allows individuals to get started earning daily money from their system for free.

Feel free to watch the video above to learn more about Best Easy Work and its owner, Martin Ruiz.

Because nothing ever gets cheaper to afford in life, it's helpful to know there are non-stressful ways to make some extra money online.

Enjoy this guest post from Julie Morris, a career and life coach. Visit her site at juliemorris.org
-Nick Venturella, owner, tinycareer.com

Sometimes you just need something fun to try. You’re tired of plopping down on the couch for Netflix every night, and you can’t remember the last time you were challenged. It’s fun to lie around for a while, but you’re ready for more. Here are a few ideas to get you off that couch and into the real world.
 
Learn to Play a Musical Instrument
 
Let’s start with one of the best new skills around: learning to play a new musical instrument. This is a skill that lasts a lifetime, and you won’t be sorry you invested the time and money to do it well. Be consistent in practicing and before you know it, you’ll impress your family and friends with what you can do. Online lessons make this easy today. Just search for lessons for the instrument you want to play and get started.
 
You can also easily buy instruments online to use. Don’t overlook used instruments - many still have a lot of life left in them and you’ll get them at a cheaper price. Don’t be afraid to wheel and deal either. If you find an instrument you like online, make an offer and you may save some money. Whether you’re looking for a trumpet, clarinet, saxophone or something else, you will likely be able to find what you need.
 
Learning to play an instrument can also give you another benefit - socialization. As you get better at playing, you’ll naturally want to play with others. Whether that is in a community band,  just jamming with friends or even starting your own group, music can take you on a journey you won’t regret.
 
Writing Physical Letters
 
In our day and age, we have lost what it means to put pen to paper, write an actual, physical letter and send it to a friend. Remember the feeling of opening up the mailbox and seeing an envelope with your name written on it? Pick a few friends to write, or there are also plenty of online sites where you can sign up to find a pen pal. You can look for an international pen pal, someone who speaks a language you’re trying to learn, someone who is a student or even someone who might be going through the same kind of experience you are facing. Be careful about posting your address online - you may want to choose a site that doesn’t post your personal information publicly. Start writing some letters, and you never know what you might find on your next trip to the mailbox.
 
Homebrewing Beer
 
In 2017, craft beer passed the 10 percent mark of the overall U.S. beer industry for the first time, showing that Americans love their small-batch beers made in a non-mechanized, traditional manner. Many people love it so much they make their own at home. In fact, it’s a great new hobby if you love craft beer. There are many kits you can buy to get started at home, and many online courses that teach you how to go about making your own beer. You start with just four ingredients - grain, water, hops and yeast - and you end up with a cold, refreshing beverage. A gallon batch will make about 10 bottles and cost you about the same as a six-pack at the store.
 
Now that you have a few ideas, there’s no excuse not to hop up from the couch and learn a new skill that will make you a more well-rounded person. There’s so much out there to see and do even beyond this list. You may even make some friends once you put yourself out there.
 
Photo from Unsplas

Engineering is a great career and one that has a lot of potential for the future.
 
With young people moving towards this career according to this post from Atkins - here’s what you need to know to set yourself up for success.
 

1. Figure out who your idols are. Having people who are already successful to look up to is a great way to keep yourself motivated and to give yourself guidance in terms of the path that you want to take with your career. Begin by looking at some of the companies that you admire the most. For instance, if you are a diehard fan of Apple, you may look up to Steve Jobs. If you think the invention of the Segway is the greatest thing to happen to humanity since the introduction of sliced bread, Dean Kamen may be someone who inspires you. Explore how these individuals achieved success so that you can take the same steps in your own life.
   
   
2. Build up a portfolio. Find time in your schedule to take part in any opportunities that involve hands-on work. Having additional experience above and beyond your basic education is a great way to set yourself apart from other students. Taking part in these types of opportunities outside of the classroom is also beneficial from a learning standpoint. As you apply the principles that you have learned, they become permanently solidified in your mind, helping you gain a deeper understanding of the concepts that you are covering in class.
   
   
3. Understand how building a network can benefit you. Making connections with people in the field of engineering can give you a leg up when it comes time to begin looking for a job. For instance, if there is a guest lecturer appearing on campus, go to the lecture and try to connect with the speaker after they are done. Consider building relationships with some of the alumni from the school, as well. Many of these people are interested in helping undergraduates achieve success.
   
   While it is possible to do some networking online, you should also try to network in person. Meeting someone in person leaves a much longer lasting impression than emailing someone or connecting with them through social media.
   
   
4. Work with others whenever possible. When you get hired, you most likely will have to work with a team of other people. You can prepare yourself by participating in as many group activities as possible. Joining a sports team is one option. You could also become a journalist at the newspaper for your school, join an organization that focuses on teamwork or sign-up for projects that involve working in groups. Learning how to function well as a member of a team is a skill that you can take with you into the workplace after graduation.
   
   
5. Find ways to function as a leader. When you work in a group, it is a good time to practice your leadership skills. That doesn't mean that you should boss people around. Instead, you should use your influence to affect the way that other team members work with one another and to guide the decision-making process. Learning leadership skills in a variety of different situations can make you more attractive to potential employers.
   
   
6. Identify your weak areas and take steps to correct them. Everyone has areas where they could improve. Through self-reflection and by soliciting feedback from people that you work with, you can identify areas where you may not be performing as well as you could be. Using the information that you gather, you can then take steps to improve. For instance, if your communication skills are lacking, you can work on learning how to communicate more effectively. This also helps you develop the ability to accept criticism, which is important as you move forward in your career.
   
   
7. Consider adding a business course to your curriculum. In the field of engineering, you need to have a strong business background as well as understanding engineering concepts. This is especially true if you plan on taking on a leadership role. From learning about profit-and-loss statements to learning how to negotiate effectively, business classes can provide you with helpful skills that you can use in your career. By studying business along with engineering, you can give yourself the tools that you need to succeed, regardless of what challenges you face.

Writing is powerful.

Actually, let me back up. Communication is powerful. 

The ability to articulate specific thoughts into language that can connect with others is, in part, what makes communication powerful.
 
However, to do that you need a way to deliver those thoughts to others to make connections to learn and grow together.

Writing is one tried and true communication delivery method.
 
Writing can allow an author to communicate with a single person or large masses via distributed books, or through websites.
 
When an author has a good grasp on communicating about a particularly useful subject that many others want to consume that author's words become inspiring and sought-after.
 
Mildred Stallworth is such an author.
 
Stallworth’s online writing and published books help to motivate and inspire readers around the world.
 
If you want to understand how writing can effectively communicate to benefit others, be sure to check out Stallworth’s collection of published works.

It was a summer storm.

It was severe. It was quick and violent.

High winds, horizontal rain, and hail. Almost a tornado.

The next morning it was clear there was roof damage. Damage from the hail? Perhaps. Windswept shingles in the yard confirmed the need for the roof's repair.

I walked around the house. We have several mature trees native to Michigan where we live.

I made it to the backyard. I noticed a thick branch on the large Maple tree cracked where it connects to the trunk. Then my eyes followed the broken branch to it's tip. The majority of the broken branch had crashed into the roof in the back of our house.

Roof damage, for sure.

I didn't hesitate. I immediately began searching the internet for quality local roofing contractors in Canton, Michigan.

I found Tittle Brothers Construction. A family owned and operated general contractor with plenty of residential and commercial roofing experience.

From the moment I contacted Tittle Brothers I felt respected. They explained their process, and were happy to provide a free estimate.

The roof got repaired quickly. The quality was excellent.

Now, I just hope the forecast remains sunny and 70 the rest of the summer.

You just moved to Downriver, Michigan.

You don’t know the area well yet, but you have found the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, and even a few restaurants you like.

Considering your rookie status to the area, when your home’s drains seemed clogged you weren’t sure exactly who to call.

You did a search or two online for Sewer Downriver Michigan and soon found PlumbersDownriver.com.

From what you could tell online they provide quality, professional plumbing services, both residentially and commercially.

You then decided to ask your neighbor if she could recommend a plumber in the area. She immediately asked if you had checked out PlumbersDownriver.com yet.

That was positive validation, so you called, recived prompt quality service and now have your plumbing fixed like new.
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Now, you can check off knowing your local area plumber on your path to becoming a neighborhood veteran resident.