Home-Based Business

For today’s stay-at-home mom, landing the perfect part-time job might seem like finding the Holy Grail: a legend. Does the part-time career that provides on-the-job training, flexible hours and unlimited earning potential really exist? A job that gives a predominately stay-at-home mom the opportunity to earn income while using her brain for something other than how to remove bubble gum from a 3-year-old’s hair while driving six kids to soccer practice?
Home-based businesses represent that perfect job for many women. These five local women, through their home-based businesses, have found that elusive balance between motherhood and, well, everything else.

For more than 12 years, Becky McHugh has been selling the upscale clothing lines of the Carlisle and Per Se Collections. McHugh functions as a kind of personal shopper for her clients and four times a year turns the lower level of her home into a showroom for her clients to see the latest seasonal collections. During these peak times, she often works 12-hour days to accommodate her clients’ schedules, but she says on average she works about 75 hours per month.
“I love working out of my home,” McHugh said. “It gives me complete control over my schedule and the flexibility to travel. When my children were younger, I was able to volunteer at their school and actively participate in their many activities.”
McHugh said she enjoys almost all aspects of her job, but the greatest benefits are flexibility and convenience. “Regardless of the time of day, I can just run to my [in-home] office and take care of business and not have to deal with it the next day,” she said. On the flip side, McHugh noted that because she essentially lives in her office, she is never not working; but she added, “The convenience totally outweighs that factor.”
Becky McHugh, owner of RM Designs, consultant
for the Carlisle & Per Se Collections
(573) 449-2961
Email: [email protected]
www.carlislecollection.com

With the slogan “Real butter, real chocolate, real good,” it’s no wonder Polka Dots baking is a big, yummy success. Owner Julie Sexten makes special-order cakes, cupcakes, croissants, Danish, scones and cookies for individuals and businesses in the area. She utilizes the best ingredients to create fresh and delicious desserts and pastries. She began Polka Dots six years ago.
Sexten is Mom to three girls under the age of 7 and chose to open a home-based business because it allows her the opportunity to do what she loves while still being at home with her children. “It was really important for me to be there to shape their first five years,” Sexten said, “Even though there are constant interruptions and the ever-present chair pulled up beside the mixer, it’s worth it because I know I’m teaching them by example. They see the things that are important to me by the priorities I set in my business, like hard work and treating customers with respect.”
She averages about 20 hours per week and said though she could be more efficient working out of a commercial kitchen, she values the opportunity to set her own hours — and spend the precious time with her kids while they’re young.
Julie Sexten, owner, Polka Dots (bakery)
(573) 445-3745.
Email: [email protected]
www.polkadotscolumbia.com

For Shauna Henson, the decision to become a Scentsy consultant was an easy one. After receiving a Scentsy plug-in as a gift from a friend in Oklahoma, she went on the company’s website to order another one. She saw they had opportunities for people to work from home selling Scentsy products and thought what better way to meet some new people and make a little money?
Scentsy makes unique electric warmers that basically serve the same function as a scented candle but are safer and cleaner. They use a low-watt bulb to melt specially formulated scented wax, so there is no flame, soot, smoke or lead. They make more than 80 different fragrances, with fun names such as Honey Pear Cider and Sweet Pea & Vanilla.
“I love selling Scentsy,” Henson said. “It’s fun, and it’s something I can do while still being completely available for my husband and kids.”
Working about five to 10 hours per week, Henson said at this point Scentsy is more of a “fun side job” that she fits in between her family responsibilities. “Right now, I’m content with the level of business I’m doing. I know there is potential for more out there, but with my kids being so young, this is really the perfect job because I can work as little or as much as I want.”
Shauna Henson, star consultant, Scentsy
(573) 814-9285
Email: [email protected]
www.shaunahenson.scentsy.us

In 2006, Jennifer Trachsel realized that though she loved being at home with her two young sons, she was missing that adult connection and camaraderie she had when she worked as a teacher. Pregnant with her third child at the time, she was invited to a friend’s Pampered Chef party and fell in love with the products. Now four years later, Trachsel has risen to the upper echelons of The Pampered Chef. She has personally brought on more than 40 consultants all across the country and said she isn’t done yet.
The Pampered Chef, one of today’s most recognizable home-based business models, has a worldwide network of consultants who host in-home parties to showcase their kitchen and lifestyle products. “It’s amazing that I can run a successful business while still making my family the top priority,” Trachsel said. “Pampered Chef fits into my family’s schedule, not the other way around.” She said she averages about 15 hours of Pampered Chef work per week.
“I feel truly blessed to work with The Pampered Chef,” Trachsel said, “Not only do I get to meet new people all the time, which I love, but I get to show people how our products can help them achieve a healthier and more family-oriented lifestyle. That is probably my favorite part of this job.”
Jennifer Trachsel, advanced director and trainer,
The Pampered Chef
www.pamperedchef.biz/jennifertrachsel

Paige Davis, independent stylist for Stella & Dot, loves her job so much, she hardly considers it work at all. Stella & Dot is a boutique style jewelry line sold exclusively by independent stylists at in-home trunk shows and online. Davis, wife and mother of 2-year-old Jackson, fell in love with the company’s trend-setting and affordable jewelry and decided to work with the company about a year and a half ago.
“I love that I am my own boss and have the luxury of creating my own schedule,” Davis said. She said the time she spends each month on Stella & Dot varies but that she is able to work as little or as much as she wants depending on what is going on with her family’s schedule that month.
“My first priority in life is my husband and son, and this stylish career allows me to spend my free time playing dress-up with some fabulous women,” she said. “Who could ask for more?”
Paige Davis, independent stylist, Stella & Dot
www.stelladot.com/paigeadavis
(This story originally appeared in the April/May 2011 issue of Columbia Home.)