Column van work-at-home expert Liz Folger

I Want It All NOW!!

You may have seen the ads, the ones that make it sound like moms can work at home with ease and make tons of money every week. Just yesterday I got the e- mail that told me that if I started this particular home business right now, I would make $1000 by tomorrow!! Oh, how I wish that was true, because if it was, maybe more women would try the life of a work-at-home mom. Unfortunately if the truth be known, trying to start a business and living off the income of just your spouse while your business takes off -- is not easy.

If the truth be known, I have been working at making this home business successful (by successful I mean making some money) for the last four years now. For most of those four we've had one car. An 89 Honda Civic. I will say that car did us well. But while other moms were driving their kids around in their brand new mini-vans. I will admit, intense jealousy as my 6 foot four husband, myself and two girls in car seats crammed into that car for Holiday weekends at the grandparents. I don't think we've had one normal vacation and we don't live in a gorgeous house. There have been some very tight months to say the least. This last year has been even more exciting when my husband was laid off of work for the winter.

So why do I do this to myself? Why don't I go out there and get a job that pays well and put my children into daycare like the rest of the world? I know it can't be that it's because I love my daughters more than the next mother. I know it can't be because I like living this way.

Then it hit me! It's because I have a dream. A dream to make money on my own using my own talents and abilities and to stay home with my children. There is good news on the horizon. After wanting to make this whole home biz thing work -- I'm finally seeing some wonderful results. No overnight success for this girl. With a book out on the market, a syndicated column, speaking engagements here and there, more books to write... The future no longer looks so bleak.

So the question is, has these four years of living like this been worth it? You bet!!

I wish I could sit down and talk with every mother who wants to work from home and needs to start their business NOW and be making money tomorrow. Many times a mother will go on to explain that if they can't accomplish this, if they can't make what they were making outside the home, they have to put their kids in daycare and go back to their normal job.

What does it take to be a mom and work-at-home? Patience, persistence, the ability to live without so much sometimes -- even though friends are taking their exotic vacations and driving brand new cars. It takes a vision. Being able to see that someday you will be successful and to know in your heart you never have to let someone else raise your beautiful children.

You can proudly say -- I did it myself and would you like to hear about my successful home business.