The New Year has begun! How have the first days of your New Year been? I enjoy this time of new beginnings. Everyone recognizes the New Year as a chance to start over fresh, to take steps to correct bad habits or beliefs. An opportunity to take a chance and start something new – be adventurous, if you will.
Since launching my very small cottage business a few years ago, I’ve tasted of the thrill that comes with making something with my own hands and being compensated for it. I’ve also very much enjoyed providing a service for people who appreciate handmade custom items. On top of that, crocheting is a hobby – so it is a double blessing for me. Recently, however, I have stepped into a whole new business endeavor – becoming an Independent Distributor for YoungLiving Essential Oils!
I have enjoyed using essential oils for several years, and now armed with more information about essential oils, I am proud to recommend Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. I’ve used these oils on myself, my husband and my children and seen great results.
When I first began researching essential oils I was completely unaware of how the oils are made and how that plays a vital role in the purity of each one. I just assumed ‘an essential oil is an essential oil’ – no way to really differentiate between different ones. I was wrong! When I received my first bottle of Young Living Therapeutic Grade Lavender Essential Oil and opened the bottle to take a whiff, I immediately recognized the difference.
I’ve suffered from chronic migraines since I was about 18 years old, and sometimes they are triggered by smells like, perfumes, different foods cooking, cleaning products, etc. I try to be very careful about walking through department stores in the mall that have perfume and cologne counters because I can get a migraine in a matter of minutes from all the different smells. So, when it comes to smelling different scents and fragrances I do so with the utmost caution because my sniffer is ultra sensitive!
A couple of years ago a friend recommended I try essential oils to help with my migraines. I hate taking medication for every single ailment or illness and I’ve learned over time that pharmaceuticals are toxic to our bodies and often times cause pesky side effects that then require other pharmaceuticals. The two that I remember that were known to help with migraines were Lavender and Peppermint so I picked some up at our local health food store and used them off and on – sometimes they’d work and other times I’d be in agony for hours with a migraine that just wouldn’t subside. Since having my Young Living Therapeutic Oils, every single headache I’ve had or muscle ache the oils have just about worked instantly to soothe the pain and discomfort.
My husband was a bit skeptical at first, until the other day he came home with a sore and stiff neck from sitting at a desk all day turning his head to look at two different computer monitors. I promptly grabbed my Young Living Pan Away Essential Oil Blend and put it on the parts of his neck that he said were hurting. Within a few minutes the pain, discomfort and stiffness were completely gone! From that moment on he’s been completely sold on the Young Living oils – and he is not an easy sell! He is now just as enthusiastic about Young Living products as I am. I’m excited about this new business venture that we’ve embarked on because it has to do with a product I absolutely love and use in my own home every single day. I also love the product because it helps me to remain consistent with my beliefs and convictions on living a lifestyle that is healthy and natural – and not depending on or relegating the health of myself or my family on a pharmaceutical industry that does not have our best interests in mind.
I share all of the above because starting a home-based business is not only a means for bringing in some extra income, but it is Biblical. A homemaker can be a successful business homemaker! In the Fall 2011 edition of Homeschooling Today!, Stephen Beck shares some great wisdom when it comes to Christian families starting a small business. He gives some practical advice and a list of “pros and cons” that must be understood before taking the plunge into the home-based or small business world.
He writes:
“The Psalm 112 man: Scripture says that wealth and riches are in his home. He deals graciously and lends. He gives to the poor. The people honor his name. The wicked see this and grieve.
The Proverbs 31 woman: Her first priority is her family, but she manages her household so well that the walls of her house cannot contain her industry…With this thriving family business, she clothes her family in scarlet (nice clothes) and reaches out to the poor, and all who know her praise her.”
Mr. Beck goes on to say something that I found very encouraging as the owner of a small business;
“In my opinion, to foil the plans of the wicked is one reason God gives profitable business to His children. People with means have to be reckoned with and are not easily swayed. And if godly people have means through a small family business, perhaps this is one more tool God will use to establish His kingdom.”
WOW! I never thought of it that way until I read this article. I enjoy running my own business, almost as much as I enjoy running and managing my home. In fact, the two seem to blend together and will probably become more blended as my children grow and become more a part of our family economy. I teach them what I am learning, as does my husband when it comes to technical computer skills, and it is our way of passing down an inheritance to them in a way that otherwise cannot be accomplished.
The cons to starting a small family business are:
- Every small business takes a financial risk. Understand that when you begin a small family business not only do you invest financial capital you invest your time and your family’s time. Understand and be prepared to invest each thing wisely, while also realizing what you don’t invest you cannot get a return on.
- It can become an all-consuming venture if not managed correctly. This can be an easy way for a family business to fail before it ever gets off the ground. Dad and Mom need to remember what their first priorities are and manage their time wisely so that the needs of the family do not go unmet through the course of setting up or running a family business. Family businesses do not tend to go very well if the family is falling apart.
- Be prepared for an abundance of advice. Everyone will have an opinion on how you should run or establish your business. Be wise and careful who you take business advice from, as with everything else in life. This is something that I’ve personally dealt with. Most people have great intentions however; even those who do not have a small business of any kind are willing to offer advice on how to run something they know nothing about.
The pros to starting a small family business are:
- You gain transferable business skills. You will have a great opportunity to pass on life skills to your children. What a sweet way to spend time with your children and invest in their futures!
- You have the wonderful opportunity to pursue your passion. It enables you and your children to work in an area that you love.
- You will be able to avoid compromising situations. If you are your own boss then you make the rules. If the Lord blesses your business in a manner that allows it to be the sole source of income and provision for your family, then you have the freedom to spend more time with your family and even spend time helping within your community or possibly through a mission trip.
- You get to earn extra income. Even if your small business does not become your primary source of income, it certainly can generate extra income for homeschool supplies, field trips, vacations, mission trips, mortgage payments, medical expenses, or even to pay for higher educational opportunities. It can also be a great way to put away funds for times when you learn of a need of another Christian family or someone in your community. What a great way to minister to others if you are able to help provide for them by having extra stored away for groceries or to pay a friend’s electric bill, etc.
Stephen Beck ends by reminding the reader that “Rome was not built in a day and neither will your family business”. Is there something that you enjoy doing or that would provide a needed service to someone? I enjoy crocheting and sewing clothes for my family. Once I became confident in my abilities and learned how to make time for it, selling what I make has been rewarding. Are you a computer tech or do you know how to design websites? This can be very beneficial for those who need a website or do not know how to design a blog – you can offer your expertise and earn extra income as well!
When it comes to being a Young Living Independent Distributor, the process is much simpler – I do not have to “make” anything to sell. I get to advertise and sell a product that I love and believe in while earning extra income or free products that benefit the health of my family. What could be better than that? I also get to educate people on the wonderful things the Lord has created for us to use to maintain healthy bodies, prevent illness, etc.
Regardless if you ever decide to start your own business, our families must come first. As a Christian wife and mother, I’ve learned that any extra responsibilities I wish to take on need to go through my husband first. We are prayerful about taking on extra tasks, and I think this is very important for everyone to keep in mind. If you must invest any amount of your own capital in a business venture, it is wise to negotiate the pros and cons. In the end though, I do believe that every Christian family can have a successful small business and use it for the glory of the Lord!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Serving God and My Family,
Crystal <><
To find out more about Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils, check out my new website
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