Meet Jean Murray
Meet Jean Murray, Home Business Owner Extraordinaire
When HomeBizNotes.com was nominated to be the first blog to be featured for 2009, the fellow b5er who nominated it gave this convincing reason why it deserves to be in the spotlight: “(It is) Always informational, insightful and includes several high-quality pieces of writing.”
So, with such a recommendation, I went and had a chat with Jean Murray, who’s its current main blogger. Jean is holds an MBA and a PhD degree and is an experienced home based business owner. Here’s how our conversation went…
Hi, Jean. Congratulations once again on being nominated for the “Featured Blog” spot for your blog, Home Biz Notes . Your fellow business blogger, Miranda Marquit (from Yielding Wealth) thought you deserve the spot for coming up with interesting posts and excellent writing. Is there anything that you’d like to say about your nomination?
I am honored to be nominated, especially by Miranda Marquit, who is one of my favorite bloggers on b5media. She consistently puts a down-to-earth perspective to the financial news.
So, how long have you been writing HomeBizNotes? And, how long have you been with b5media? And, can you tell us more about your blog?
I started blogging for Home Biz Notes in November, and I’ve been with b5media for over a year (my other blog is Small Business Boomers). I wanted to write for Home Biz Notes because I recently left my full-time job to do full-time freelance writing and some other projects.
Working from home has its unique challenges, and I wanted to be able to talk about those with other people who work from home. I know many Home Biz Notes readers struggle with finding time for work and family, and the interruptions of life - things we didn’t have to deal with when we were hiding in our offices away from home. I’m also concerned that there are a lot of people out there who want to take advantage of home business people with scams, so I want to let my readers know how to avoid these scams. And, of course, I want people to have fun reading.
How did you get started with blogging and b5media? And, what’s it like for you so far?
A year ago, I started preparing to quit my job and write full time. I came across a posting for someone to write for Small Business Boomers and thought it would be a great opportunity - as I’m a Baby Boomer and I write about business subjects. B5media has been great to work for. I have developed some close relationships with several other bloggers, and the Channel Editors and everyone else has been extremely helpful. I enjoy the training sessions (thanks Jeanne!) and chats, and I join in as often as possible.
Any blogging highs/lows that you’d like to share?
My first contest was a disaster. I only had a few entries. Then I discovered that I had missed a LOT of entries because I didn’t realize I had to approve all those comments. I felt so stupid. It’s all part of the learning experience, I guess. Now I’m running contests frequently. In December I did a Holiday Movie contest on Small Business Boomers and I gave away a LabelWriter from Dymo on Home Biz Notes. I have some fun contests and useful prizes for both blogs in January too.
Can you tell us a bit more about what kind of home business you own/run at the moment? And, how long have you been doing it?
I have been writing on business subjects for many years. About six years ago, I put together a book on how to start a health care practice, with practical advice on creating a business plan, getting a startup loan, figuring out the legal and financial stuff, and doing all the “nuts and bolts” things no one else talks about. Because of my full-time job, I haven’t been able to get my business going. But now that I’m retired, I can devote full time to it. Over the past year, I have written and co-written a couple of books on contract, done some ghostwriting, and I have an About.com GuideSite (U.S. Business Law and Taxes) in addition to my b5media blogs. Some people might not consider blogging as writing, but the best way to get great at writing is to do it all the time - daily posts are a great way to hone writing skills.
What is it about running home businesses that you like? And, what are the challenges?
I love working at home. I spent almost 10 years running back and forth to my job - staying in another city 75 miles away during the week and being home on weekends. Now I get to see my husband and other family - especially my grandchildren - all the time, and I’m not as stressed. The challenge is to be disciplined enough to work every day - that includes, for me, weekends and holidays. Blogging is a big commitment, if you want it to pay off. I don’t have young children but I do get called every so often to babysit my grandchildren. I am getting better at saying, “No, can’t do that - I have a work commitment today.”
What are your Top 3 Tips for running a home business?
1. Do something every day to move your business forward. Think up a new marketing idea, or connect with someone on Twitter, or write an email to someone with a question or suggestion for them. If you are a local company, get out in the community and talk to people - join a networking group. Always connect, always promote. If you want to move toward success, you have to get out there and give get going.
2. Treat your business as a REAL business, in two ways: 1. Go to work every day with set hours and specific tasks, just like a job with a company. 2. Set up the legal and financial structures of a real business, so you can be seen as legitimate in the eyes of the IRS and your customers.
3. Set up systems to help be more productive. Being more productive means working smarter, not harder. Just like we don’t use typewriters any more - we have computers and cell phones and all-in-one printers. Use the wonderful productivity tools out there online (through Google and others) to reach your customers and make your time more productive.
Outside b5media, blogging, and business - can you tell us a bit more about who Jean Murray is? What are your hobbies, interests, passions…?
I have spent my professional career helping people start their own businesses. I have an MBA and a PhD in small business management. I have taught business classes at the college and professional school level for 30 years, and I enjoy talking to students about their business plans. I get a kick out of helping people get started, and it’s rewarding when they come back and tell me how they are succeeding.
I am a voracious reader - I think I was born reading. I read fiction, non-fiction (history and science). My favorite books are mysteries. I love finding a new mystery writer. So many books… so little time.
My other passion is quilting. i have been sewing all my life and I discovered quilting about 2 years ago. I am still learning but getting braver. So many quilts…so little time.
Travel is the next great adventure in my life. I have a long list of places I want to see, things I want to do. Ireland is at the top of my list, as is most of Europe, Alaska, the Panama Canal, Japan, Thailand, and China. I have been helping a group of chiropractors start a non-profit organization to bring chiropractic care to third-world countries. They are starting with Madagascar, which I have discovered is a beautiful place with beautiful people. Madagascar is now up in my top 10 of places I want to visit. So many places…so little time.
My favorite quote: “The life that conquers is the life that moves with a steady resolution and persistence toward a predetermined goal. Those who succeed are those who have thoroughly learned the immense importance of plan in life, and the tragic brevity of time.” *– W.J. Davison
If there are 3 things that you can be remembered by, what would these 3 things be?
1. She helped thousands of people start and succeed in their own businesses.
2. She wrote a New York Times best selling novel..
3. She lived to almost 100, and fulfilled all her personal dreams.
What are your hopes/plans for the new year - 2009 - both personally and professionally?
In January, I will be launching my new venture - Dr. Jean Means Business - consulting, speaking, and selling books to help health care professionals start practices. I’m also starting a book tentatively titled “The Thriving Boomer Business,” which I may self-publish. I also want to build up my blogs to the top level, and get active communities in both sites. And I want to find time to quilt more and spend more time traveling with my husband and playing with my grandchildren.
Anything else that you’d like to share with your fellow b5media bloggers?
After a year of blogging, I see the immense power of the blogosphere, for good and not-so-good. We can help people live smarter, more fully, and more engaged lives. We can give people a voice, even though sometimes we don’t agree with them. If we are persistent, we can get our voices heard in the huge realm of cyberspace and we can promote ourselves and our causes. And we can have fun doing all of this. If you’re having fun, it makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Wow. Thanks so much for that , Jean. It’s really great to have someone with your passion, expertise, and talent on board. We wish you all the best in your business and personal ventures in 2009 and beyond.
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