Toni Lawrence is 56 years old and lives in Niles, Michigan, USA, with her partner.

Q: Do you work from home part-time, full-time, just for extra cash or do you freelance?
A: I work from home full time as an on-line customer service rep. I also work full time on two on-line businesses, and freelance from home as well.

Q: What type of work do you do?
A: Customer Service, freelance writing, research, virtual office assistant, business consultant and ebook store owner.

Q: How did you get started?
A: I lost my job as a bookkeeper in early 2006 and could not find work. I have a lot of skills, but economy is poor in our area. I started the consulting business and built the website to get some freelance consulting and book-keeping work. I was then able to get a job with a dependable income from a company that outsources work to freelance professionals, working for them on various customer service jobs. As I work for them full-time now and receive a dependable income every two weeks, I can continue to work on my others jobs - unfortunatly this is our only household income and does not pay the bills. Prior to losing my bookkeeping job I was a journalist and owned my own community newspaper. This gave me the credentials to search for freelance writing jobs - and I was able to submit my resume and sample stories to TAPS Magazine. At the time they were just getting started and advertised on one of the many resume sites I had submitted to. I started the ebooks store because there was little investment needed, and no need to store inventory. If it takes off, the profit margin is good.

Q: Is this a difficult sector to break into?
A: Freelance writing is very difficult to get into. It's also very difficult to make money online - contrary to all the hype. The competition is fierce. You have to perservere - get listed on everything you can for free, register at all the guru sites (don't pay for any of this, as I have found they are no better at it than you are if you put your time into it, and you won't loose your shirt). Do research. There are a lot of places that are outsourcing their jobs, and more companies are starting up for call centers.

Q: Do you enjoy working from home?
A: Yes, with the price of gasoline so high it is much more convenient and economical to work from home. It is perfect for older people or for people with disabilities. There are drawbacks - people think if you work from home you can get up and do things at anytime, and they don't mind calling or dropping by. Work from home requires discipline of yourself and the people around you. Not everyone can do this. If you conduct business from home you have to get up and work on a regular basis, as though you were going to work for someone else. It requires a lot more time and effort than most people want to put in. You have to have privacy during "office hours" and eliminate any distractions. It is not a good fit for people with young children - unless you can work something out for someone else to take care of them while you work. DISCIPLINE is key.

Q: Why did you choose home working?
A: Cost effectiveness, and I can get more accomplished by making my own schedule. When not working a regular shift, I am able to take a longer break to take care of chores I was not able to do working for someone else.

Q: How do you motivate yourself?
A: I realize I need to keep financially solvent. If I don't the bills don't get paid and we have no roof over our heads and food to eat. In order to do that I have to make sure I keep a regular regime.

Q: What are the positive aspects of home working?
A: Flexibility of schedule. Able to complete a task without having to get up and go home before you are done.

Q: What are the negative aspects of home working?
A: Distractions, and the inability of others to understand that working at home still means you are working, and your time is valuable.

Q: Would you say that the type of work you are doing pays you a good wage?
A: Depends on what a good wage is. Customer Service pays consistently, but it is not a living wage for a family. The others don't, because they are not dependable income. Most work-at-home jobs are supplemental income.

Q: Do you find home distractions a problem when you're trying to work?
A: Yes - but you have to be firm and make others understand you are working.

Q: How many hours do you work a day?
A: 12-15

Q: Would you recommend this type of work to anyone?
A: Depends on the person. For a supplemental income, yes. For a great living - no. It's not for young parents with small children - they require too much attention and don't understand why they can't see mom or dad while they are at home.

Q: Do you need any skills to carry out this kind of work?
A: Customer Service - common sense and ability to think on your feet. Good people skills. Ability to learn quickly and control your temper. Good typing skills.

Q: Do you need any special equipment or tools?
A: Updated computer with good speed and capacity. Internet connection that is dependable and quick. Office space that will give you sufficient space and privacy.

Q: What advice would you give to a newcomer in your field?
A: Customer Service - listen to those who are your supervisors, and treat everyone as you would like to be treated. Take into consideration that people are calling you for help, and don't dismiss them - even if in your mind you think them idiots. The problems are real to them. Don't pass them off onto someone else unless you know they can help.

Q: Have you been doing this for long?
A: Customer Service - 30 years. It carries over into all jobs.

Q: Would you return to the 9-5 grind in the future:
A: Not unless the right offer came along for a job with great pay, benefits and something I could get passionate about.

Q:Would you recommend working from home?
A: Yes - for the right people.

Q: Anything else that you’d like to add?
A: The opportunities to work from home are growing, but that does not mean the people who hire you are reputable. NEVER pay to get a job, unless you are going through an employment agency. Do not pay an employer to hire you - those types of jobs are not dependable, and often are scams.

You can visit Toni Lawrence's e-book store by clicking here

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