I'm Back - Working From Home - Seeking Advice and Suggestions

[JRKH]

Hi guys. I know it has been a very long time since I posted here. The truth is my life has become much more complicated and I just sort of fell away.

I have been working on some plans and activities to develop a business that will allow me to spend more time at home. The reason being that my beautiful wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease about 2 ½ years ago. While she is doing pretty well overall, and is on some very effective medications, I find it extremely difficult to stay focused at work since I feel like I need to be at home. And running an ISO program does require some focus.

As I looked at the options for her care and the costs involved it became clear that costs could be about 1/3 of my income. Since I would prefer to be there caring for her myself (and so would she) I decided I would much prefer to try and work from home.

Anyway I have come back to hopefully get some ideas of things I can do at home to earn some income. I’m thinking that I will need to resign my position sooner rather than later before I wind up in therapy


Some Ideas I have kicking around are:
Simple access based software for calibration, non-conformance tracking etc. The idea being these are ready to use, but open, so that the owner can customize it themselves (or I can for a fee)

Help small companies who don’t need a full time QM to run their program, keep up with paperwork etc,

We have a leather shop at a flea market and hope to get into more sewing and repair (Karol is very good at it and it’s a good exercise)

I would appreciate any other ideas or suggestions you folks might have.
And they don't have to be quality related

James

[Ken K]

Welcome back James I sure wish it was under happier circumstances though. Gonna be a rough road ahead.

Have you ever thought about selling your leather goods from home on Ebay?
Might be worth a look as the potential client base would be expanded.

[Marc]

Welcome back. Sorry to hear the news...

[JRKH]

Originally Posted by Ken K

Welcome back James I sure wish it was under happier circumstances though. Gonna be a rough road ahead.

Have you ever thought about selling your leather goods from home on Ebay?
Might be worth a look as the potential client base would be expanded.

Thanks,
Problem with e-bay is too many people selling used stuff at garage sale prices. I do have a presence there though.

Rough road yes - but - you love - you cope.

James

[CarolX]

James,

Welcome back, and sorry to hear about your wife. I can sort of empathise...my 80 year old father was just diagnosed...I am heading to Texas this weekend to help him pick out some care facilities.

But, one suggestion on the employment front. Have you spoken to your current employer about going part time? They may not want to fully loose you, and may be willing to work a compromise.

[D.Scott]

Welcome back James. I am very sorry to hear of Karol's illness. If I hear or think of anything you might do from home I will let you know.

Dave

[Marc]

Do you have a web site yet or are you considering one? I may be able to help out.

[Craig H.]

James:

I wondered what happened to you. Welcome back!

I have actually bought a couple of belts off of Ebay, through a "virtual store" and the materials and workmanship are #1. Its been so long ago I can't remember the specific site or seller, though.

It sounds to me like maybe a mixed approach might work(?). Maybe a combination of all of the things you mentioned would be interesting, but juggling the schedule might tricky. Then again, the flexability might be great too.

Whatever you choose, please keep us posted, and GOOD LUCK!!!