Legitimate Home Based Businesses

Archive for July, 2010

Question: Should I change my career as an educator to a pastry chef?

I have been teaching high school business education for 4 years. I am at the point where it's time to expand my education...either pursue my MED in Workforce Ed or change careers. I like teaching, but the thought of 25 more years in the classroom is not for me. I'm a bit hesitant about the change though and financial strains prevent me from quitting my teaching job and enrolling at a culinary institute. Yet, I've found most culinary programs are not offered as strictly evening/night classes. I've applied to UGA's graduate school, but have no passion about it. I've ALWAYS loved to bake, cook, entertain, plan, decorate, etc...my mom and grandma had a home-based special occasion cake business (mostly wedding cakes). I am a single, 28 year old female without any kids so my finances rely soley on my income. Should I go ahead and get the MED and use the salary increase to pursue a side business or ??

Answer: Absolutely, go for the pastry chef!! If that is what you are passionate about - jump in. I am 23 and just started my teaching career as a 3rd grade classroom teacher. I - like you - have ALWAYS loved to bake, cook, plan, decorate, etc - and often dream of being a caterer or owning my own bakery. I decided to give teaching a try for a year, and then see where my passions lie and re-evaluate as necessary. I say, you are only 28 - you have NO strings or commitments, and you can do without a large income for a while (what am I saying, you are a TEACHER, we DON'T have large incomes, ever). You only have to take care of yourself right now, so do what you want, and deal with the financial situations as they arise. So, you can't afford TV or internet access...if you are pursuing what you love, that is a small sacrifice for a limited amount of time. You only get one life to live - go for what you love.

Quote of the Day
"If we wait for the moment when everything is ready, we shall never begin."
- Ivan Turgenev

Cooking Class, Catering, Events, Business, Personal in Northwest Indiana

Question: Rental Business: I hired a property manager. To what extent is it legitimate to still be involved...?

Hi,
I am a landlord. Recently, I hired a nice property manager to manage a 6-plex I have.
When I have a vacancy I still want to be involved in the (very important) tenant screening process.
To what extent is it legitimate to be involved? For example, can I ask the property manager to send me the rental application form the tenant filled, review it and call the tenant's previous landlord myself?
I have no doubt it is critical to do that, just not sure if the property manager is doing that anyway? and if the property manager is calling the previous landlord, then is it OK if I also call the previous landlord for feedback on the same tenant!?
Also, should I pull the tenant's consumer report or should the PM do that and I can ask to view it?
THANKS.

Answer: What does your agreement with the property manager state? Is it a property manager like a management company, or a property manager like an employee(someone under your supervision at all times, much like a retail manager is to the shop owner)?

If its like a management company, it all comes down to the agreement you signed with them.

If its like an employee, then you're the boss and if you want to do the tenant screening, have at it.

Vemma: Scam Or Legitimate Business Review?

Question: Legitimate Work from Home Business with no large investment.?

I'm a recent college of business graduate, and I can't seem to find work. I have a child and am in desperate need of finances. Does anyone have a business they are doing that IS NOT A SCAM, PYRAMID SCHEME, OR REQUIRES A LARGE INVESTMENT? I don't have much money so nothing with huge investments. I'm looking for something that I can start making money in very QUICKLY. How much are you making? How long did it take you to make it?

Answer: I like your name, although I don't know why exactly; it's probably the double "p" sound.

You should consider reading this blog; the woman running it tries out different programs then reports on whether they actually work and how much the average person can expect to make, as well as revealing what programs are scams.

http://work-online-reviews.blogspot.com/

It may or may not have the kind of thing you are looking for; but on the plus side it will let you about some scams to avoid

Also - stay away from Google Profit Systems - it's a SCAM; (exposed on the site above; the guy went to court and everything.)

PS - As to my personal income and how long it took me, I got two products she reviewed, the games to money one and the neopets one, using both it took a week and I made $460, then it went up from there, now I make about $800 a week, but I don't do anything else.

Start Your Own Home Based Business on the Internet No Investment Make Money Online Work at Home