Devoted to WAHMs -Work at Home Moms

If you're read the Web Worker Daily blog, then you're probably already familiar with Anne Zelenka. Anne is one of the Web Worker daily editors. She has been a software engineer, a software development manager, and a corporate product director. She currently specializes in writing about web startups, web technology, the social web, how the web changes work.  Along with Judi Sohn, Anne has co-authored a book, Connect! A Guide to a New Way of Working from GigaOM's Web Worker Daily.  (Look for a review of Anne's book On Work From Home Momma next week.)

Anne has graciously shared the link to a bonus chapter of her book, and she'll share that with us at the end of her interview.

Let's see what Anne has to say:

Work From Home Momma: How many years have you worked from home?

Anne: I started working from home in 1999 when I was managing a software development team, but took 2001 to 2005 off from work while my kids were young. I started momblogging in 2004, then returned to work as a tech blogger and web technologist in 2005.

Work From Home Momma: What made you decide to start a home business?

Anne: It wasn't exactly a decision so much as an evolution. I so enjoyed being available to my three children that I couldn't stomach the thought of returning to an office setting and working standard hours. My momblogging led to tech blogging which led to freelance writing and consulting jobs.

Work From Home Momma: Why did you choose your particular business?

Anne: I spent the nineties as a software developer and have always enjoyed following the technology business. After momblogging for more than a year, I realized I wanted to combine my interests in writing with my background in technology, and thus, my technology blogging and consulting career was born.

Work From Home Momma: I understand that you have a new book out about how the Internet has affected the workplace. Can you explain to our readers a little bit about what that is?

Anne: Connect! A Guide to a New Way of Working is a companion guide to the Web Worker Daily website for which I write. The book is for anyone who wants to use the web to succeed better in their work life, whether they work at home or not, and whether they run their own business or work for an employer

Work From Home Momma: Do you have any specific advice for a small business owner who is just starting to use the Internet to promote their business?

Anne: My own experience suggests that the two most important things you can do online are (1) take an experimental approach and (2) be yourself. It's more effective to take small steps and see what happens than to try to come up with a grand strategy up front. And being authentically yourself will attract opportunities that really suit you.

Work From Home Momma: How has the Internet made a difference in your life?

Anne: The Internet has brought me into connection with so many interesting people and inspiring ideas. Because of my online work and relationships, I feel smarter and more capable than ever before. And of course, it allows me to work from home, which I really love.

Work From Home Momma: What is your biggest challenge?

Anne: Setting boundaries on my work so it doesn't bleed into every aspect of my life. In 2007, I thought I could do without boundaries but I learned that wasn't the case. So I'm experimenting with various habits that keep work in its proper place in my life: important but not all-encompassing.

Work From Home Momma: Where do you see your business going in the next year? In the next five years?

Anne: I'm still experimenting and I probably always will be, so it's hard to say what will happen in the next year. I have an idea for a website I'd like to launch. I'd like to get back into website design and development, if there's time for that among all my writing projects. I know I'll keep writing and connecting online, that's for sure.

Work From Home Momma: Is there anything else about your business that you'd like to tell the readers of Work From Home Momma?

Anne: If you're interested in how the web changes work, come visit us at Web Worker Daily. And check out our free guide to home-based work. (Editor's note: this link explains how to download a free chapter of Anne's book.)

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