Dear Deb, et. al:

I too would be interested in reading stories from other women about their home-based business. As they come in, I will share mine...

First, from 1987 (when I purchased my first PC) to 1995, I freelanced for area college professors -- designing and typing their lesson plan materials, etc. Additionally, I worked part-time as a resume writer/consultant. This was before most people had a personal computer or knew what one was. I was married at the time, a Mom of one, and worked full time but gleaned little satisfaction in working for someone else and wanted to bring in extra money doing what I enjoyed. Well, in 1994 and 1995, I started hearing about this thing called the Internet. Where I lived at the time had few resources for getting on the internet, so my first exposure to the Web was through an exclusively text-based (no graphics) interface. Ick. Some time in 1995, we started seeing independent ISPs popping up and I got myself an account immediately--very anxious to learn this new technology. I designed my first few web pages out of sheer passion to "create." I also saw the Web as the perfect vehicle for social causes, etc. and for reaching out to others in similar situations.

My first site was my personal site and my second was one devoted to interracial/intercultural singles, couples and families. From 1996 to last year, I had run this particular site on some obscure URL--not an easily identifiable domain. I acquired INTERracialFamily.com and INTERracialSingles.com early last year after realizing that domain names were being snatched up and if I didn't grab one relating to my sites now, I'd miss the boat entirely--and likely have to purchase it for big bucks through private sale later. I would have purchased interracial.com but discovered it was already bought and was being used for a porn site---geesh!  My original interracial site was titled INTERracial and featured oodles of information and resources in support of singles, couples, families, educators, researchers, etc. I had to split the sites last year into more focused "communities," however. Anyway, I don't want to ramble all day so I'll speed up my story...

On my original INTERracial site, I created a personals feature which I originally manually updated -- what a tedious task it became because it didn't take long to become very popular. One day in early 1997, I saw a banner ad for a company providing the opportunity to split commissions from sales of personal ads on sites. I immediately saw it as a way to relieve me
from a tedious task and NOT a money-maker, I just figured that would be an added bonus. Well, little did I know that my commissions from this arrangement would grow to almost $2K per month. With the influx of affiliate programs in 1997, I made affiliate arrangements with other sites whose content would add value to my own as well...and many of these arrangements have proved lucrative. Until the last quarter of 1999, all of my income came exclusively from affiliate arrangements. I still work full time, too, but that will change once all of my income sources are substantial enough to support my daughter and myself in a relatively expensive community. I expect that to be this year. Since my original domain twsonline.com (which was a business site), my two interracial sites, I have acquired and developed other sites such as loveresources.com (which I am selling), allforwomen.com, ebooksforyou.com and askvictoria.com (for which I have an arrangement with two other women to fully develop this successful online advice site). I have other domains, too, that I have yet to develop.

I've realized a few things during my years on the web. 1. An interest/passion/hobby CAN turn into a lucrative ebusiness, 2. Your own domain name is critical to your business' success, 3. Domains have become properties like real estate and in many cases take on a value of their own beyond the original $70 it took to register it--and their value will increase as available and worthy domain names become even more scarce, 4.  If you "give" in some way through your web site--whether it be out of love or through freebies--it will come back to you, 5. It's getting tougher to compete with the big boys and will continue to be so and in a few years we will see how the web shakes out...

I love to watch trends. One of my latest ventures (not completely solo--a business arrangement is in the works) is publishing and selling electronic books through  eBooksforYou.com. You will see this market explode in the next year or two as Microsoft, Adobe and manufacturers of reading devices, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble really push this industry. I am writing a book and have another one I wish to start after this one is finished and couldn't be more pleased to see the barriers for writers in such a game-playing and "power trip" industry being torn down (eventually).

In closing, I guess the bottom line for me is that I never intended to enter into business on the Web--but to learn the technologies associated with the Web (I work for a well known .com company here in Maryland in my full time job). My passions, interests, and desire to be creative have migrated into business endeavors, however. I couldn't be more pleased as my desire to be self-employed has been a strong one for two decades. I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!

Now, for particulars about a home office.... I rent a three bedroom apartment (and will be buying a home within the year) in a bedroom community between Baltimore/Washington DC. I relocated to Maryland 2 years ago after the company I worked for for 10 years folded. It was a blessing. I own (all of which I bought myself through personal income and commissions) 3 desktop computers, a laptop, 4 printers, scanner, and oodles of other resources to help me in my business and for my daughter. One of my long time dreams (gee, about 3-5 years worth) is to open an internet cafe OR to tutor/teach in an area related to computers and computer applications. Of course, these will have to wait until I am completely solo, in a position to hire (to keep my current endeavors going) and finish my books. One day.... 

Only my second and third computers purchased in 1994 and 1995 were bought through loans. The rest has been paid for in cash. My monthly hosting is substantial as I have quite a few domains being hosted, but the support makes it worth it. I will be upgrading to my own dedicated server later this year.

I have had moments where I've felt completely frustrated by the rate of growth of my business but realized that I was relying entirely too much on affiliate programs for revenues, etc. That has changed and will likely equal, if not surpass, income from affiliate  arrangements in the coming year or two. I am tired/exhausted and need to eliminate the pace at which I have worked since late 1995: two full time jobs (one for a company and one self-employed/for myself).

The part I like the least is accounting and taxes. I will be getting an accountant in a month or two who can manage all of this for me. I also need to tweak my business plan and file for LLC status. The government surely buries us in red tape and endless forms and requirements! One day I hope to find it all worth it.

Now, for the next 5 years or so, I hope to ultimately acquire investors...without losing majority control of my own company. Investment money will be critical to growth,  development, advertising money and ability to hire, etc. and the overall success of my business. I personally don't have the financial and manpower resources to give it what it needs.

Whew! I've truly rambled.. Thanks for asking such a great set of questions Deb and for your great sites and this list...

Warm regards,

Deb Brown, DMB Enterprises
 

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