A Practical Guide to Starting a Successful Personal History Business

Jennifer Campbell was one of five women profiled in the February, 2011 issue of More magazine as an entrepreneur who started her business for only $150.00. As a collector of women's success stories, I was immediately intrigued and decided to investigate how she had done this. My research was pretty easy because Campbell had written a book about her undertaking called "Start & Run A Personal History Business - Get Paid to Research Family Ancestry and Write Memoirs".

I ordered the book through Amazon and sat back to wait for its arrival. Less than 10 days later, I held her book in my hands.

Campbell explains. " This is a 'hot' profession: a young industry with vast potential for income and growth. When I started Heritage Memoirs in 2002, I just wanted a creative outlet for my interviewing, writing, and editing skills. Through my father's death and my mother's dementia, I had lost my own family stories and thought there could possibly be a business helping other people avoid that loss." (page 2)

And, as her fledgling business grew, it became obvious to Campbell that the next step was to write a how-to book that covered every aspect of start up for a memoir writing business.

An unexpected bonus is the CD-ROM included on the inside back cover of the book that includes additional resources and templates you can download. Think of this book as your own personal workbook. Each page has lots of white space for note taking.

Chapter one lays the foundation by defining what a personal historian is and does and then broadening the scope of the profession by describing the "why" of this business. This chapter, like all of the others, is clearly arranged with sub-topics and bullet points for easy reading.

One of the features of the book that I like is the quiz Campbell includes on page 13. She lists 25 characteristics that she believes someone should have if they are considering becoming a personal historian. Should you come up on the short end of this list, rather than discourage you from moving forward, Campbell suggests that you simply "...start planning to work on those areas you identified as ones in which you need help." (page 13)

Chapters 3 - 5

As I read further, I found myself thinking that Campbell's book should be required reading for everyone who has ever thought about having a home-based business.

Why? Everything that she covers in these three chapters can be easily applied to any new start up business.

Campbell examines what makes for any good business owner. She distinguishes between two personality types: someone who she describes as a "pair of hands" (page 18) versus that dynamic individual who wants to control their professional/financial destiny - an entrepreneurial spirit.

What is it that separates these two types? "It's mainly one of attitude." (page 18) Some of us know this as the difference between being an employee and being an owner. The former are content to go to their job every day, following the directions of someone else. Their job has a beginning and an end to it.

The owner is someone who has a "...vision of what the business could be in a year or two or five, and they accept that they'll have to do a lot of grunt work and learn all aspects of running a business. They tend to be leaders. They have enough confidence in their abilities and their products to patiently but assertively build a clientele, and carve out a lucrative niche for themselves in the marketplace." (page 18)

Knowing which category you fit can go a long way to helping you be successful. There are happy, productive employees and there are happy, productive business owners. Taking time to figure out which category you want to fit into can save a lot of heartache.

Chapters 6 - 16

The day-to-day action steps, to-do lists, and practical applications for how to get started as a personal historian are clearly laid out in the rest of this book. Campbell leaves no stone unturned as she walks you through start up. If you're researching possible business opportunities for yourself and think that helping people to write their memoirs might be something you'd like to do, you will find no better road map for success than this book.

Kathy H Porter (aka Mrs BizWhiz) blogs about baby boomer women seeking to re-invent themselves either personally or professionally. She invites you to visit: http://www.mrsbizwhizconnects.com/ to join the conversation.

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Personal Finance Books To Ensure Your Personal Gains

Dave Ramsey writes a book called The Total Money Makeover, and he uses his radio talk show wit and personality to preach about the importance of working hard and paying what you owe to avoid debt. The best way to get wealthy is to stay out of debt no matter what and to always pay cash. Because paying with credit is the road to debt and financial ruin, for every small step with credit is like sinking into a deeper hole. Also, he advises to save 1000 dollars and pay off all debts so that there will be nothing there lurking and keeping you from making your big bucks. Using tips of motivation and encouragement, Ramsey provides a guidebook that can really help with personal finance in a big way.

Denise and Alan Fields team up to write Baby Bargains: Secrets to Saving 20% and 50% on Baby Furniture, Gear, Clothes, Toys, Maternity Wear, and Much, Much More! This novel is targeted to couples expecting a new baby and hoping to get their finances geared up and ready for the new commitment headed their way. There are many thing and needs that go along with a new baby and this novel helps you really manage what is to come by helping you buy things at good costs and get good deals on the essentials. The book sifts out the important investments from the things that aren't that essential, such as extremely expensive blankets or bottles and thus helps you avoid wastes of money.

Suze Orman writes The Money Class, a book that discusses the American Dream of wanting to have home, family, a job, and then eventual retirement that can all be met with security and a sense of financial freedom. In this book she talks about how people must be truthful about their wants and that will help inform all of one's personal choices. She emphasizes the importance of confidence that comes from working hard and knowing that we must take care of the present. This book will help you really get sight of your dreams and figure out just what it is that you need to prioritize when working on your dreams and will lead you to financial success and freedom.

For women, Mika Brzezinski writes Knowing Your Value: Women, Money, and Getting What You're Worth. This novel discusses the ways in which women can obtain their recognition in an often man dominated world. This book is good for women as it discusses the way in which men perceive the moves that women make so that you can get a comprehensive perspective of how all parties thing. This also includes many stories that are woven with research about important issues like equal pay as well as a variety of other important issues.

Joanie Demer and Heather Wheeler write Pick Another Checkour Lane, Honey: Save Big Money and Make the Grocery Aisle your Catwalk! This book has many tips that help one save money and do things like use coupons and other methods that can really help you save money. Plus, the book is written in an engaging and humorous way so that you can also have fun while figuring out ways that can help you save money.

Roberto Sedycias works as an IT consultant for PoloMercantil

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As a Man Thinketh - A Personal Ponderance

Recently the MMM Challenge group was given the task of reading, "As a Man Thinketh." It got my mental wheels turning to all the books, articles and even scriptures written about a person's thought life. Some literature goes as far as saying that you can think things into existence - interesting. I had to reflect on my own thought life and how it has lead me to where I am. Do I actively participate in my thought life or am I just a bystander? What things do I need to change?

Often times the need for deep thought comes at a time when we can least afford spending that time. During those times when the world seems to be crashing down all around you, everyone keeps saying work harder, faster, put in more hours. But am I doing the right things? Is there an easier solution? Perhaps there is a better way. I notice that King David in the Psalms, spends time reflecting and sharing with God, even when things are going haywire. In fact as I reflect, my life is never as hectic as the life of a ruler of a country. If David took time to think, reflect and pray, shouldn't I do so?

My life is a reflection of the thoughts which have preceded me. I believe that I am ultimately responsible for the fruit of my labor. Some negative circumstances are provided to help me grow; some to provide a new direction. Either way, I am ultimately responsible - to God, to my family, to myself. Am I sowing the seeds of greatness with my thoughts, or just a life of mediocrity?

Our minds often reflect the information that we put into it. Everyone has heard the old adage: garbage in, garbage out. Do the programs I watch on television or movies that I watch, reflect the seeds of greatness? How about the books or magazines that I read? Do the people that I associate with provide information that lead to seeds of greatness, or that of mediocrity? What information should I put into my mind to sow the seeds of greatness?

Our inner dialogue, known as self talk, is a reflection of our unconscious thoughts and beliefs. Do I catch myself saying derogatory things like, "You're so stupid?" How often does this dialogue take place without me noticing? Are these words, thoughts, and beliefs ones that lead to seeds of greatness?

All of these are questions we must ask ourselves. As for me, I am becoming more aware of my thoughts, my words and my beliefs. I am spending time daily reflecting, praying, and thinking. I am replacing old thoughts and beliefs through visualization and positive affirmations. I am the acorn of a great and mighty oak tree and I will continually guard my thoughts. And with God's help, I will grow to be a tall and mighty tree providing shade for many.

Dana J Lange is an executive with a strong history of success in both the board room and entrepreneurial circles. Dana brings strength of knowledge and success in sales and marketing. Dana J Lange specializes in B to C Class apartment complexes with 100+ units in emerging markets. He provides the strategic and analytical skills to find undervalued properties that provide significant returns for investors.

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