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Most bridal consultants get into the industry no only because they are exceptional wedding planners--but because this career offers the flexibility to work from home. I was happy to see that Penn Foster included a workbook on working from home. Because in theory, it sounds fabulous and fun. But truthfully, it can be overwhelming and lonesome.
So having a good balance and awareness of what to expect while working at home is essential. Penn Foster sent me Working from Home by Paul and Sarah Edwards as part of my course materials, and the workbook serves as a study guide for the text book. It's a great reference book with information on how to set up and operate a thriving business. The book includes everything from how to finance your business, what office equipment you need and how to cope with being alone most of the time.
Finding a work and life balance is essential, as is learning to set boundaries so you stay productive. The thought of having friends pop over any time of day, or going out any time of day to do whatever you want, are interesting ones but they can produce complications. If you're not self-disciplined enough, you can lose track of work and profits will suffer. Likewise, if you work too hard you may isolate yourself from the rest of the world. These are the kinds of non-technical nuances that come along with working solo. And if you have kids, you're looking at even more obstacles. Because while it's great to be home with them, you've still got to run a business.
Even if you're not working alone, as many bridal consultants have assistants, it is different working at home. So learning what to expect is essential.
Then there are the technical aspects of working at home. What kinds of technology do you need to run a business? What types of electronics are best for what you do? Budgeting for all of this, and knowing what can be written off at tax time, is essential. Talking to other wedding planners can be useful, too, because you'll get industry-specific information!
As a bridal consultant, you're likely to use credit cards, so you'll find information on managing your money (specifically, your credit) and find a useful chart that will help to break down financial information for business owners.
Speaking of taxes, the rules are totally different when working at home, and the authors give an overview of IRS rules that apply to home-based businesses. How can you obey tax laws while being self-employed or running a small business from home? The book covers it all.
I'm glad to see that this was included in the course. The book was an easy, informative read with plenty of information. It was a nice break from the rest of the many workbooks that flood you when you take a class with Penn Foster. But to be honest, all the information is very valuable. Now that you've explored working from home, we'll next learn about the business basics for wedding planners. Because, as you know, being a successful bridal consultant involves much more than flower choices and lacy dresses!