You don’t have to be one of the pack, trundling off to work with the other meerkats, griping about your boss and running yourself ragged with a long commute. 

You can be different.

Working for yourself is not a walk in the park, but if you approach it in the right way, you can build a business that makes you smile and makes the world a better place too.

A happier life on your own terms. And that’s what this site is all about.

Here’s to your success, your way! 

Jan Small

Job-free since 2005

It feels like many moons ago (and I guess it is!) I left my job in corporate UK in 2005 and have been in business, working from my home in Scotland ever since.

There have been as many ups and downs as a runaway roller coaster, and it’s often been just as scary, but I’ve never regretted kissing goodbye to that day job one little bit.

Sadly, I missed out by not being at home in the very early years with my kids, but once I became a SAHM all that changed.

With a business, you’re free to organize your own work schedule so that you can goof off when the weather is good. You can go to every bake sale and PTA meeting if you’re so inclined.

What’s not to love about that?

I love that freedom, even if it means working hard at other times, often weekends and late nights.

I’m still working on getting the balance right. Another fifteen years and I might manage it. LOL

In my spare time (what is this concept?) I love crafts (making all the pretty, shiny things – I love sewing, knitting, working with paper), yoga, walking in nature, movies and reading, and spending time with friends and family.

And my business?

That’s hard to put a label on. I’ve had fun exploring many avenues. Why put limits on what you can do?

I’m 61 and I still haven’t decided what I want to be when I grow up. I hope I never have to!

Some call it unfocused. I call it being multi-passionate.

In my time at home, I’ve been:

• an author under a handful of pen names (179 titles published on Amazon and I still write when the mood takes me.)
• a life coach after studying for my diploma at the Life Coaching Academy in the UK
• a diet coach after training for a diploma in nutrition (Can you tell I’m a life-long learner?)
• a creator of simple websites (for myself and others)
• an affiliate marketer
• a designer after taking a diploma in Graphic Design
• an instructor
• and now I’m focusing on creating beautiful and fun notebooks, planners, course materials, and journals.

That’s about it for the moment. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

It’s sure to have many surprises and many times when there’ll be a need to change and  pivot, but every moment is an opportunity to discover new things and make new friends.

Life is never dull, for sure when you have you own business. That’s why I love working for myself.