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Side Business

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During the summer I kept getting contacted by friends and family with questions about our real food plan.  After awhile I started brainstorming about how I might be able to turn this into some sort of exta income opportunity.  So, in late August I organized a “real food workshop” idea and had a great turn out.  I hadn’t shared about it on the blog because I wanted to see how it all went before I committed to it beyond this first try.

At the first workshop–on September 9–we made the very simple whole wheat tortillas from www.100daysofrealfood.com.  I rented the neighborhood clubhouse so everyone could have a lot of space and figured out the numbers so that I was sure to not lose any money in the process.  I charged each person a $10 fee to attend to cover the rental fee and everyone brought their own ingredients.  I envision this becoming a sort of support group to get people and keep people on the real food wagon.  I was amazed that the first workshop had 10 attendees!  Most participants are moms that work outside the home and we discussed a very long term goal of making it a sort of “supper club” where we each make multiples of the same meal and then we swap and all leave with different meals for the week.

As a sort of afterthought to the workshop idea, I did something pretty crazy for me.  At the last minute I decided to become a Pampered Chef consultant.  Over the years, I went to many a kitchen show and have a lot of great kitchen gadgets to show for it.  But, until the real food revolution hit my family, I wasn’t using a lot of those tools.  But, now that I cook so much I am getting so much use out of them AND know the importance of having the right kitchen tool!  I was kind of scared to share this b/c it did cost me $150 to sign up.  Well, I’m happy to report that as the month draws to a close, I have earned $450 with this adventure!  That’s commission and overage on the attendance fees only.  I also earned more gadgets and dollars to spend with PC.

What perfect timing for me to stumble into this workshop/Pampered Chef idea!  Actually, I was opening the new consultant kit when Steve said we needed to talk that day before he moved out.  I laughed later picturning myself as one of those consultants you read about that say “PC changed my life!  I was opening the starter kit when my husband informed me he was moving out!”  🙂  It has been a great distraction for sure but the VERY best part of this is that the kids–especially DD–are totally on board and excited.  In fact, DD has no fear and I even got an email from her teacher asking me to send in a catalog!  LOL!  And DD sat and watched all the teaching materials PC sends to new consultants and then one day asked if I had spoken to three new people about my business that day!  Talk about accountability!   When you come home to an 8-year-0ld checking on your progress, you really don’t want to disappoint!

So, we will see where this takes me and I’ll enjoy every step of the latest adventure!  Please don’t worry that I am too busy for this—keep in mind I am kid free every other week (after helping with transportation for M, T and W activities).  It’s a fun distraction that made me a lot more money this month that I was expecting.  I hope to reinvest just a small portion of the commission into the business and use the rest to pay off debt.  🙂

On the divorce front, there’s good news on what is owed in taxes for 2011.  Instead of close to $1500 it is actually only $935.  Since I had not heard anything from Steve on it I found the return on Turbo Tax (he had been working on it) and finished up what needed to be finished and snail mailed him the forms with a note asking that he sign and send me his half of taxes.  This snail mail communication is how Steve has to do this but given my history with dealing with my ex it just feels bizarre.  In hindsight, what a huge red flag it is that someone cannot get along with an ex.  That’s so telling about anyone I’ve decided–if they cannot be a civilized adult to the person they had children with, something just isn’t right.  That’s a great life lesson to take away from this and the lessons just keep coming to light.

 


10 Comments

  • Reply Karen |

    So glad to hear things are going so well. I can’t imagine doing the pampered chef thing, but it sounds like a great idea for you – good luck with this venture!

  • Reply Andrew |

    Yum, those whole whole wheat tortillas do look nice. Must try them soon, huge fan of Mexican food. Quite the entrepreneur Clair setting up a food workshop.

  • Reply Bibika |

    I admire your enthusiasm and courage, you are one brave woman….in the middle of a divorce and starting a new business on the side and raising two kids in their most fragile years of life, and having an ex you can not communicate with… really tough…. but i still sense so much positive energy in your posts and as Claire wrote above: You definitely ROCK, I have to say Steve lost a lot more than he can imagine…
    Keep rocking…:)

    • Reply Claire |

      Thanks so much Bibika! What a nice comment. I’m taking one day at a time and being sure to see the many blessings I have! I do think on some level Steve does know what he lost but he would never be able to admit that to another living, breathing soul…but he knows it within. Keep calm and carry on…and pray for the people who entrap themselves in misery.

  • Reply LJ |

    So so true, on the advice. And also, marry someone that you wouldn’t be scared to divorce. Sounds backwards right, but if you watch how someone reacts to stress/fighting/conflict, watch how they treat you, you are looking at exactly what you will face if things don’t last happily ever after.

  • Reply Christina |

    I’m so curious to hear what you think of your Pampered Chef experience as time goes on. I’ve often thought of doing something similar, so I’ll be curious to see what happens. 🙂 You are a strong person, and you’re right – your life does sort of sound like a ‘success story’ already!

  • Reply Melanie Couronne |

    Such a nice article. i admire your positive energy. Iam so glad all the problems dint discourage you from doing what you wanted to. Keep up the good work and keep spearding the positive energy!

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