We live in interesting and exciting times; the mini-apocalyspe we call the “Global Financial Crisis” (GFC) is still fresh in everyone’s minds, major global economies are still staggering as they try to recover, and the concept of “work/life balance” is a pipe-dream for most families… Across the globe, people are working longer and harder than ever, families are having to make a concerted effort to have “quality time” and salaries seem to be stretched further and further every month.
“Work-at-Home-Mum” Phenomenon
It is against this backdrop, then, that we have seen the emergence of the “Work-at-Home-Mum” phenomenon; Mums (and Dads) who are supplementing income by monetising hobbies and passions, swapping the world of employment for that of true entrepreneurial endeavour, and creating new definitions of the term “work” that can finally deliver the Holy Grail of genuine work/life balance.
A Real Revolution
I refer to this as a revolution because it stands conventional thinking on its head and offers a glimpse of a new, more sustainable economic reality; an economic future in the hands of individuals rather than just the large global corporates. Funnily enough, it’s not even really a new concept at all. It is in fact a modern twist, with 21st Century tools and possibilities, on the old idea of “cottage industry“.
While many Work-at-Home businesses do bear some resemblance to pre-Industrial Age counterparts (particularly those who make clothing, jewellery and the like), the modern era presents a whole range of new business opportunities; a home-based sole trader can now provide their products and services to a global market, all thanks to that marvellous invention of the Internet, and the availability of mature, affordable commerce solutions like PayPal.
All Things to All People
Whether you want to supplement the household income with a few dollars, selling items that you make, or you’re a budding Richard Branson / Anita Roddick about to launch a global empire from your bedroom – whatever your aims, goals and ambitions, the Work-at-Home Revolution can certainly deliver.