Work From Home Momma: How many years have you worked from home?
Julie Lenzer Kirk: I started my first company in 1995 and worked at home until we outgrew the home office in 1998. After cashing out of that company in 2005 I went back to working at home and have been working out of the house (again) ever since!
Work From Home Momma: What made you decide to start a home business?
Julie Lenzer Kirk: I worked for IBM as a consultant and traveled three out of four weeks per month. When my daughter was born, I did not want to keep that travel schedule up and started my own business to find flexibility.
Work From Home Momma: Why did you choose writing as your business?
Julie Lenzer Kirk: Interestingly enough, I have a degree in Computer Science. My first business was a software company. This business, Path Forward, involves teaching, speaking, and consulting. Writing is just something I love to do and it helps to communicate my ideas and thoughts.
Work From Home Momma: What is unique about your writing?
Julie Lenzer Kirk: I have been told that my writing style conveys useful, sometimes complex information in an easy-to-understand style. By using stories, the lessons have great 'stickiness' than just blah-blah-blah lecturing.
Work From Home Momma: I'll be reviewing your new book in a few weeks for the readers of Work From Home Momma, but do want to tell the readers how you got the idea for your topic?
Julie Lenzer Kirk: I started my first business when my oldest daughter was 6 months old (she is now 13) and had another daughter a year later. With two little ones in tow, people would often ask "So are you having a third?" My retort was "My business is my third child. It takes all my money, it keeps me up at night, and it even sasses me back." People understood that (after they chuckled) and it struck me that everyone 'gets' being part of a family, so it provided common ground to communicate the lessons I learned in business.
Work From Home Momma: Where do you see your work going in the next year?
In the next five years?
Julie Lenzer Kirk: I have a couple different projects I am working on. First, I am involved in several projects helping women internationally (from places such as Iraq and South Africa) to start businesses. I would like to continue to expand those efforts. I am also looking at various media opportunities (TV, radio) for a
broader way to continue to empower women into entrepreneurship. Of course, I
have another book in me at some point as well.
Work From Home Momma: Is there anything else about your writing that you'd like to tell the readers of Work From Home Momma?
Julie Lenzer Kirk: I've been journaling since I was a kid and have found that writing provides a great outlet for me. If you've never tried it, you should!
Do you have more than two years of experience in a home business? Would you like to share your story on Work From Home Momma? Contact me at Laura [at symbol] workfromhomemomma.com
Thanks, Laura.
My goal is to convince more moms who are thinking about starting a business that they really CAN have a successful business and be a good mom at the same time.
Posted by: Julie Lenzer Kirk | October 31, 2007 9:00 PM | Permalink to Comment