Tell us a little about your business. 
Tell us a little about your business. Our office provides career advancing tools, i.e. resume and cover letter design, consultation, along with a job bank, resume web page posting, and recruiters directory>

Why did you decide to start your own business?
Starved for creative control and independence.
 

How did you get started?

Very slowly. I became a Certified Writer in 1996 but did not begin practicing until the Spring of 1999. Fear and doubt kept me hostage for a number of years.

What makes your company unique? 
There are a number of factors which enables Resume to Referral to stand out from the competition. Our product has a high degree of professionalism yet is priced to cater to all financial backgrounds. Resume to Referral is a one-stop shop; purchase a resume, locate a job, get a resume web page, or contact a recruiter.

Were any special skills/training required?

No specific skills are required rather than impeccable writing abilities and a keen eye to detail.

What were the approximate start-up costs?
Our startup fees were $6,000 for the first year. Of course, this includes advertising, stationery, equipment, etc.Including highly recognized software (MS Word, WordPerfect) and a quality printer.

What difficulties did you encounter starting out?
A new YP book debuted in January 1999. I missed nine months of YP advertising.

How many hours do you work in a typical week?
Too many. I am a home-based business, therefore, I "wear many hats." Marketing is extremely time consuming.

What are some ways you market your business? What method has worked best for you?
Yellow Page Listings, local newspaper, and networking.

What has been most rewarding about working for yourself? 
I can work around my families schedule.

What has been most frustrating? 
Maintaining a continuous client base.

How do you separate work from home?
It is extremely difficult to separate. Although working from home has freed my schedule, I have been forced to work in the evenings and weekends.

How do you handle working at home with children?
T here have been numerous comments about "how I work too much," but, I am always here when they need me. A HBB allows me to take care of the home, family, and work simultaneously.

What advice do you have for others starting their own business?
If you are currently working for someone else, I recommend completing a thorough business plan. To avoid financial problems, I would also recommend continuing full-time employment until the business "takes off."