Living, working at home

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

Juggling the demands of a home-based business with the unique lifestyle of a military family can be challenging, but the Greenwood Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) has a networking group to help would-be and established entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

As the MFRC’s co-ordinator of adult programs and services, Justin Veinot’s supports military members and spouses who want to further their home-based business pursuits.

“I am here to act as a liaison” for the Military Family Home-based Business Group, which meets monthly at the centre, and to help members “hit the ground running,” explains Veinot.

He says postings, transfers and off-base courses - are a reality of military family life - can impact a spouse’s ability to find and manage work outside the home, “especially if there are kids in the mix.”

Nine-to-five or part-time jobs, which can end up “with all-over-the-place hours” don’t work for some military families.

“I think a lot of our members would agree home-based businesses are well-suited to certain stages of family life.”

Membership in the group is open to serving or retired members of the Canadian Forces (CF) or RCMP or their dependents. Candidates must run or plan to start a home-based business.

Tammy Pyette chairs the group and agrees the MFRC’s support group is a good way for military spouses to network and “get the word out about their businesses.” Pyette was just starting to establish her portrait photography business when her husband was transferred to Greenwood three years ago.

“Getting involved with the MFRC has gotten my business out into the public,” says Pyette, a mother of two young children who is expecting her third. Working from home allows her to home school her eldest child, and keep up with a business she really enjoys.

Membership in the organization runs the gamut from the likes of Mary Kay, Avon and Pampered Chef; to businesses built on individual skills and talents.

For Mood Crafts owner Kim Smith, running a home-based business is a way to enjoy her hobby - and make a bit of money. Her candle-making business, which she runs out of her kitchen, has recently morphed into “how to” mode, by teaching other people about the craft.

“I offered a candle-making demonstration and people thought it was great. It was the encouragement I needed to make that part of my business as well,” said Smith. Since joining the group this year, she reports she has already benefited by learning from fellow members how to improve her marketing efforts through website design.

The annual November One-Stop Shopping Event was held for the first time this year off base to encourage more attendance from the general public. Nineteen businesses were represented at the fair.

Tanya Kinner, who gave birth to her third child in late October and is vice chairwoman of the MFRC network, indicated operating a home-based business has continued to be a good fit for her life. A Mary Kay dealer for seven years now, she first learned of the MFRC home-based business group at a mom and tot gathering.

“We have a great group this year, with a real variety of businesses, and we all learn from one another,” says Kinner. She acknowledged the support of fellow group members and her spouse has helped her continue operating her business, while tending to her young and growing family.

“It is great to have a group of people that share an interest in networking and learning new skills that can make their home businesses more successful,” added Kinner.

Weblinks:

greenwoodmfrc.ca