Jacci Howard Bear Company: JBdesigns
desktoppub.guide@miningco.com
Number of Years Self-Employed: 4+

Can you tell us a little about your business?
My business today seems quite different from when I started, but it is essentially the same: I help other small business owners develop their own businesses. Originally I published a small magazine for desktop publishing and word processing business owners. Now I run two web sites that provide essentially the same information but with no subscription cost (as a Guide at The Mining Company I receive income through ad revenues). The INK Spot offers articles from the former print magazine, new articles, profiles of DTP/WP business owners, and links to a variety of business and desktop publishing resources around the Web. At my primary site, Desktop Publishing at The Mining Company, I focus more on design and desktop publishing software -- through massive collections of organized links and feature articles that I write each week. On the side I still do some newsletter publishing, logo design, web design, and writing for clients, but that's a very small portion of my business now.

Why did you decide to start your own business?
I wanted to stay home with my four children and I didn't want to become a total couch potato.

How did you get started?
When my husband and I got married we bought a new computer (a 'state of the art' 286 with a whopping 20 meg harddrive and a blazing 2400 baud modem!) I started by creating newsletters and doing small projects for family members and for my husband's office -- transparencies, charts, etc. I was also doing some writing for newsletters and small magazines -- articles on tightwad tactics and working from home with kids mostly. With our new computer we received an introduction to the Prodigy Service. On the message boards I met an active group -- called INK, Independent Networking Klub -- of desktop publishers and word processors. It was that online (and later local) networking that led to the publication of my magazine, called The INK Spot.

Were any special skills/training required? Where did you get this training/experience?
Luck or talent, perhaps a bit of both, made me the "chart and flier person" at various jobs over the years. I started doing newsletters on an old IBM Selectric typewriter. Later I was involved -- because I was available and willing -- in a major yearbook project for the Texas National Guard. I did layouts, photo selection, etc. From there I moved on to reading lots of books on desktop publishing and trial and error. I learned "on the job."

How many hours do you work in a typical week?
I put in a good 40+ hours per week spread across my various interests. Some weeks more. Some weeks less.

What are some ways you market your business? What method has worked best for you?
Just before I ceased publication of my print magazine I was starting to receive lots of subscription requests through my Web page (If I'd had a Web page in the very beginning, I might still be publishing). Having a Web site definitely helped my business. Of course now my Web site *IS* my business! To keep people coming back I've recently renewed my online marketing efforts -- search engines, email announcements, etc. Regular updates and regular online marketing does pay off. You have to keep at it constantly.

What has been most rewarding about working for yourself?
Setting my own hours, taking off anytime I please, working in my nightgown til 5 in the evening...

What has been most frustrating?
While I can do the business stuff (bookkeeping, taxes, etc.) it doesn't hold my interest so I tend to let it slide. Playing catch-up is frustrating -- especially when it keeps me from doing the 'fun' stuff like writing, designing, and surfing the Web. Before my work became primarily Web-based, going out to meet potential clients posed some logistical problems (one car family, four kids and no babysitter, a home office but a 'not ready to be seen by the world' home...).

How do you handle working at home with children?
I wrote an article once, sort of 'tongue in cheek' but really quite true: having kids very close in age or having twins (my kids are 10, almost 6, and two almost 5 year olds) is actually EASIER than having just one child. The children have playmates and don't need my minute by minute attention. My children are bright and independent. While I'm working they play on their own (unless they're at school) but I'm here 24 hours a day when they do need my undivided attention.

What advice do you have for others starting their own business?
The single best advice I can offer to anyone is NETWORKING -- especially networking with your peers (online or in person -- preferrably both). Don't be afraid to approach others, even in your own town, that have the same type of business as yours. My closest friend could be considered a direct competitor -- we do essentially the same kind of work -- but she's also one of my best sources of inspiration and sometimes leads. Even before it became a major portion of my business I had no qualms about sharing ideas with other desktop publishers/designers. In the end, we all benefit.

*******************************
Jacci Howard Bear Company: JBdesigns
desktoppub.guide@miningco.com
http://desktoppub.miningco.com http://members.aol.com/inkspotmag/ http://members.aol.com/designwrit/
*******************************