It was Thanksgiving
Day 2003. It was about 10:30am, and I was relaxing on the beach
in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with a few friends and family members.
What a glorious
day! It was about 85 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.
We all decided
to spend the morning on the beach taking advantage of the weather
and crystal clear ocean before we went inside to prepare for the
turkey and stuffing extravaganza.
After about
an hour of sunning, a nice, outgoing gentleman walked onto the
beach and set up his chair near us.
Everyone was
in a good mood and happy to be alive that day. Eventually, I struck
up a conversation with him. I learned that he was from the Northeast,
was married with a few kids in college, and had just recently
moved to Florida to escape the cold and snow.
He then began
to ask me a few questions about myself. I told him that I was
27 years old and also from the Northeast (Rhode Island), but that
I was living in Juno Beach, Florida for six months.
And then he
asked me the most amazing question.
He took into
account that I was 27. My permanent residence was in Rhode Island.
And I was spending six months in sunny south Florida. He processed
this information and said:
"So,
what does your husband do?"
What does
my *husband* do? I couldn't believe it! Was it so hard
to imagine that I - a woman - could possibly do something that
would allow me the financial means and flexibility to spend the
winter months amongst the palm trees?
I calmly maintained my composure and told him that I successfully
operate multiple small Internet businesses from my home, and that
I wrote a book which tells my story and shows others how they
can create a product and begin a successful business from home
as well.
My home-business lifestyle allows me the flexibility to travel.
It doesn’t matter where I am living, as long as I have my
computer and Internet access.
He stared
at me with a funny expression trying to take in what I said. He
finally just smiled and said, "That's great! Good for you."
And we went back to our relaxing day in the sun.
The way people
react when I tell them what I do for a living often amazes me.
Many think that there has to be more to the story. Either I'm
independently wealthy, or that my husband supports me…
And this reaction
is not just unique to men.
In the fall
last year, I was doing an interview for a newspaper in my area.
This time it was a female who was doing the questioning. At the
end of the interview, she told me that she didn't even know that
a home-based Internet business was a possibility - especially
for a woman on a limited budget!
To the contrary,
women are taking control in the business world, and the Internet
should be no exception!
*
Do you know that one in every eleven adult women owns a business?
*
Do you know that women entrepreneurs are starting new businesses
at twice the rate of men and are generating nearly $2.3 trillion
in revenues to the US economy?
These eye-opening
statistics from the Washington DC-based Center for Women's Business
Research paint a clear picture of a rapidly growing trend.
I've heard
it referred to before as a "revolution" and I think
that's right on the money! Are you part of this trend?
It doesn't
matter where you are in your life, or where you have been. Neither
your education level nor your job experience has anything to do
with what drives you or what you are capable of achieving.
I'm sure the
concept of starting a business on the Internet may seem daunting.
However, even if the Internet isn't necessarily your area of expertise
or your passion, it can still be the *vehicle* for your passion.
That's what makes it so unique! You can use the Internet to *promote*
your passion.
If your passion
is painting, then let the Internet be your gallery.
If your passion
is sports, then let the Internet be your arena.
You can have
a satisfying experience promoting your passion while using the
Internet as the means of getting exposure for your product.
Everyone has
something in life that they are passionate about.
*Why
not earn money from it?*
Your Internet
business can be your outlet for self-expression. It can lead you
towards contentment, confidence, and self-worth… things even
more important than the almighty dollar. A successful home-based
business can also go a long way towards eliminating the stress
of making ends meet and lacking the luxury of free time.
Come
on ladies! This letter is a call to action. You can take advantage
of the endless possibilities the Internet has to offer. The Internet
needs women to lead the way. The opportunity is there.
It is possible,
it is up to you!
