live
life on purpose
work at what you love
follow your own road
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We should be taught not to wait for inspiration
to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom
generates action. ~ Frank Tibolt |
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Opportunity Knocks
Turning Problems Into
Opportunities
By Valerie Young
"In the middle of difficulty," observed Albert Einstein, "lies opportunity." Some of the best opportunities often originate from problems – either yours or someone else's. Like a lot of parents, Debra Cohen's problem was that after her first child was born she wanted to find a way to be a stay-at-home Mom.
Around that same time, Debra became aware of a real problem for most homeowners – namely finding someone reputable to do home repairs or improvements. By putting these two problems together, she came up with the perfect solution for both her problem and that of her neighbors.
Since 1997 Debra has been owner of a highly successful company called Home Remedies of NY, Inc., an organized referral company that matches homeowners with skilled, pre-screened independent home-repair workers.
Home Remedies offers homeowners referrals to reputable home improvement contractors free of charge and the contractors represented in the network pay a commission to HRN for any work secured. If you've seen any of NBC's Dateline segments on unscrupulous home repair men (I would say home repair "people" but I've never seen a segment that featured a woman) then you can imagine what a relief it would be to homeowners to be able to easily find trustworthy and competent contractors.
In fact, a few years back I remember picking up a brochure at my local hardware store about a service that sounded a lot like this one. I only wish I'd looked into it before I hired the fly by night guy who replaced my roof last summer. What a NIGHTMARE!
I first learned about Debra when the Work from Home channel at iVillage.com featured her as their May "Mompreneur of the Month." I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that Debra's business has become so successful that she has expanded to offer others the chance to launch a Homeowner Referral Network (HRN) in their community. As someone who sees a LOT of work-from-home business opportunity scams, I felt instantly reassured when I read that to date, there are more than 200 Homeowner Referral Networks operating in the U.S., Canada and abroad and that HRN was Rated The #1 Business Opportunity for 1999 by Small Business Opportunities Magazine.
What's nice too, is that aspiring entrepreneurs can choose from a range of business start-up kits at different price points. The kits offer step-by-step procedures on how to start a network in your area including how to locate, screen and represent a comprehensive network of home improvement contractors, contractor commission structures, liability information, a complete direct mail and advertising campaign and more.
All kits include The Complete Guide to Owning and Operating a Successful Homeowner Referral Network and unlimited leads from the HRN website. Kits range in cost from $1,795 – $3,590 with the higher priced kits including options ranging from business forms to individual phone consultations with Debra to a turnkey website.
This also seems like a good opportunity for someone who wants to start their own home repair/improvement business because HRN takes care of all of the marketing and you are instantly affiliated with a company that is known for referring only quality professionals. If you've had a good experience with a home repair person, HRN is actively seeking referrals from satisfied homeowners.
If you've been searching for a legitimate work from home business, and this one sounds appealing, I think it is well worth a look. Learn
more at ChangingCourse.com/recommends/hrn
and check out the links in our Featured Resource section.
About the Author
Outside the job box expert, Valerie Young,
abandoned her corporate cubicle to become the Dreamer in Residence at
ChangingCourse.com offering resources to help you discover
your life mission and live it. Her career change tips have been cited in
Kiplinger’s, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today Weekend, Woman’s Day, and
elsewhere and on-line at MSN, CareerBuilder, and iVillage.com. An expert on the
Impostor Syndrome, Valerie has spoken on the topic of
How to Feel as Bright and Capable as Everyone Seems to Think You Are
to such diverse organizations as Daimler Chrysler, Bristol-Meyers Squibb,
Harvard, and American Women in Radio and Television.
Find more articles written by
Valerie at
ChangingCourse.com/articles/ |
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The time for action is now. It's never too late
to do something.
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery |
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Featured Resource
Work From Home By Running Your Own Home Repair
Referral Network
There are over 200 Homeowner Referral Networks (HRN)
operating in the U.S.,
Canada, and abroad. HRN was rated the #1 Business Opportunity for 1999 by Small
Business Opportunities Magazine and founder Debra Cohen has received tons of
national media coverage. Basically, the business involves matching homeowners
with reputable independent home repair contractors who in turn pay you a
percentage of their fee. A range of business start-up kits are available all of
which include The Complete Guide to Owning and Operating a Successful Homeowner
Referral Network and unlimited leads from the HRN website.
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A desk is a dangerous place from which to watch
the world. ~ John le Carre |
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The thing always happens that you really believe
in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.
~ Frank Lloyd Wright |
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Work at What You Love
Workshop Update
Can't Attend the Workshop?
Help Us Spread the Word and Earn "Free Money"
You've heard me talk
here about the benefits of having "multiple income streams." Now you can
start your first "profit center" just by telling friends, family, and
coworkers about this summer's Work at
What You Love workshops.
You'll earn $30 for each
person who signs up (if they add a guest, you'll get an additional $20).
Sign up 10 people and get a check for $300 in your mail box! It's really
that simple.
And you don't even need
a website to start earning money with the Changing Course Affiliate Program.
Just add the words "Work at What You Love" to your email signature along
with a unique link that will track any sales back to you.
Earn even more...
If someone who visits
ChangingCourse.com from your Affiliate Link purchases any of our
life-changing products - eBooks, CDs, anything - you earn up to 25% of each
sale!
To learn how easy it is
to be a Changing Course affiliate, and how you can earn "free money" for
each registered attendee you refer to the
Work at What You Love workshop,
visit
ChangingCourse.com/affiliate.htm
How a Workshop Can Give You the Shot in the Arm to Realize a Long Held Dream
I never tire of hearing
from members of the "Changing Course family" who have changed course to work
at what they love. Friend and Work at
What You Love workshop co-leader Barbara Winter and I received a
delightful letter from a past workshop attendee and life long dog lover,
Joan Hopkins. I was amazed to learn how much Joan had accomplished in less
than a year!
Whether you're already
registered for Work at What You Love
or are still undecided about attending you can't help but be inspired by
Joan's story:
Dear Valerie & Barbara,
I wanted to write to you both and give you an update on my life since
last August when I attended your seminar in Northampton, Massachusetts.
From the mid to late 70's I worked as an animal technician before
"ending up" in the health insurance industry. I did enjoy the business
world of insurance and it did motivate me to finish my bachelor's degree
(even though it took me a total of 23 years to finish!).
When I made the "leap" I was working as a Project Manager for one of the
largest health plans in Massachusetts. My journey to change my life
actually began in the summer of 2004, when I had the opportunity to take
an 8 week sabbatical from my job. During this time, I did a lot of
research and soul searching. I turned 50 that summer and although the
time off was wonderful, it also stirred a lot of emotions and made me
quite uncomfortable with the life I was living.
My love has always been with animals and specifically dogs and cats.
During my time off, I spent a week at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
in Kanab, Utah. Although the time there was great, it made me realize I
didn't want to work in the non-profit world. I enjoy the business aspect
of work and was drawn to the idea of being an entrepreneur. In February
of 2005, my sister-in-law approached me about starting up a dog kennel
business. A business was born! Your seminar in August helped keep me
focused.
Since I knew well in advance I was going to move on, we refinanced our
house, applied for the biggest line of credit (home equity) that we
could. I was able to pick up my husband's health insurance plan. I was
fortunate that I could tell my boss in advance and work out an
arrangement that worked well for Tufts and for me.
We ended up purchasing an existing business that includes dog boarding,
doggie daycare, grooming and dog training. The sale was finalized on
March 13, 2006 and we are loving it!
The workshop, and your overall approach, was a huge help. Here are a
couple of the big "take aways" for me:
~ Getting me to ask myself the larger question, "What do you want
your life to look like?"
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Helping me to get in touch with what I loved to do as a child.
~
Discovering that I am not the only procrastinator in the world
(actually I was surprised at how many of us there are!) The tips to
push through procrastination were a big help in getting my dream
moving.
~
Making sure I take good care of my creative side and make time to
find myself.
Thank you both for your passion and for the motivation you have
provided. I continue to receive your newsletters and I often find
myself reflecting back on your advice when I am stalled or need to find
my direction.
Best regards,
Joan Hopkins
AmericanCanine.com
This time next
year I could be sharing your success story!
Click
ChangingCourse.com/workshop.htm
to learn more about how you too can quit your job and
Work at What You Love!
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You know you are on the road to success if you
would do your job, and not be paid for it. ~
Oprah Winfrey |
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Upcoming Workshops & Teleclasses
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 Find out how you can escape the
J-O-B box… and uncover a whole new world of possibilities.
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Tap your wildest dreams...and create a
step-by-step plan to make them happen right now...
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Discover the powerful secret to becoming a
successful "Opportunity Analyst"...and learn to transform your passion
into your job...
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Come away with the tools you need to
create work – and a life – you really love.
Join "Outside the Job Box" expert Valerie Young
and Barbara Winter, best-selling author of Making a Living Without a Job for
what promises to be an extraordinary two days – filled with energy, enthusiasm,
wisdom...and practical, life-changing know-how.
June 2-3, 2006 Ventura, California
July 14-15, 2006 Madison, Wisconsin
August 11-12, 2006 Northampton, Massachusetts
Take advantage of the Special Early Registration price and
save $50 click here
ChangingCourse.com/workshop.htm
PLUS join Barbara Winter and I for dinner
and our special "Advanced Problem Solving, Marketing and Planning Session
Specially Designed for People Who Know What They Want to Do." Learn more at
ChangingCourse.com/advanced.htm
Turn Your Everyday Snapshots into Cash
This May in Paris,
You Can…
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Learn from
professional photographers the techniques they use to shoot pictures
that sell for $150, $400, $600 -- and even higher…
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Get hands-on
practice applying your new skills -- while you explore one of the
world's most enchanting cities…
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Discover how
travel photographers create a need for their photos
-- and double or even triple your photography income…
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Find out just
how easy it is to turn your snapshots into cash… and enjoy the
freedom, independence, and travel that freelance photography
delivers…
The Ultimate Travel Photographer's Workshop
May 24-27, 2006
Paris, France
Visit:
ThePhotographersLife.com/paris2006/changingc
for more details or
call
(866) 879-2924 or local at (561) 278-5557. Spaces are limited.
P.S.
On a personal note,
I've had the good fortune to see Rich Wagner in action (that's Rich
Wagner in the photo here) and was thoroughly impressed with his depth
of knowledge, first hand experience, and unique approach to turning
photos into cash.
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One doesn't discover new lands without
consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.
~ Andre Gide |
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View From
the
Other Side
When my syndicated show got canceled, the next day
I still knew how to write jokes. That was a huge revelation. Because at first
you think, "I won't have any shelter! What am I gonna do? The sun is hot. Very
thirsty."
~ Jon Stewart
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Resources for
A Change
Writing for Children
African American Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (AACBWI)
web
site is a collective
information-sharing forum for children’s authors and illustrators, young
and old, aspiring or published. This site is intended to bridge the gap
between this stand-alone, yet up-and-coming genre and children’s writers
and illustrators of color. AACBWI
desires to assist, grow and encourage aspiring
African-American children’s authors and illustrators in obtaining their
literary achievements by hosting this website as a an outlet for links,
postings, events, and individual artist features.
If you write for children or feel your company or services
are geared towards little ones, check out this site at
AACBWI.com/About_Us.html
The Institute for Children's Literature has been
helping aspiring writers like you become published – and paid – writers
for over 34 years. The course materials are outstanding plus, you'll be
matched with a published author who'll review each assignment and help
propel you to success. The course is affordable, you can take it at your
own pace, and many students sell articles before even finishing the
course!
Read my complete review at
ChangingCourse.com/children.htm
Listen to Bryan Judge, president Institute of Children's Literature and
Patti Pfitsch, award-winning children's book author, Institute graduate and
instructor answer questions in our Ask the Expert Teleclass series at
ChangingCourse.com/asktheexpert.htm
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