For 12 years I homeschooled my kids and I was a stay at home mom. Before my oldest daughter was born I was teaching at a junior high school, but we decided I would stay at home with her after she was born. I loved it but losing the income was a challenge. I worked little jobs in my spare time. Writing, cleaning houses, and eventually built my photography business. I did things I could do in my spare time while focusing on my kids. That little bit of extra money helped us go on vacation sometimes, but it wasn’t a regular paycheck, and it didn’t go far.
When my youngest turned 6 and my oldest was in college we decided it was time for me to go back to work. This was such a hard decision. I was torn between giving my youngest daughter the freedom and unique experience homeschooling can provide and supplementing the income we were starting to need with a kid in college and two drivers.
In spite of my doubts, it worked. My job is good. My kids are with me right across the road at our small school and I get to teach my 11th grade daughter English. You may already know this but teachers don’t make a lot of money, and though my job is 8-3:15, with most of the summer off, it cuts into that freedom we had gotten used to. Our lives are on a dedicated schedule now. It’s been an adjustment and sometimes I wonder if the time I’m exchanging is worth the money I’m getting paid.
Then, in November of 2016, I attended a class on Young Living essential oils decided to try essential oils for some issues we were having. Yes, I thought they were weird. Yes, I wondered if they would even work. But I was impressed. They have helped with so many things and I found out I could get my oils for free just by sharing with others. I decided, why not? I loved them and was seeing great results why shouldn’t I share that?
I started getting a paycheck. At first it just covered my oils, but within 4 months it covered my oils plus a few extra things like extracurricular activities and prom dresses.
Now it’s half my school paycheck and continuing to grow. If I continue to work my business I can see it fully replacing my teaching income within a year. Because I’ve been able to learn as I go about the oils and about the business, I am able to do that while I teach, but eventually I know it will provide the freedom I used to enjoy with the income I was looking for.
So what does this mean for my photography business? Well I’m still doing occasionally photo sessions so it’s ok to contact me and ask. I don’t do weddings or births or newborns. I’ve sort of gone back to what I love, outdoor sessions with families and seniors. Meanwhile I’m teaching a lot of essential oil classes and English classes. And, if you’ve been wondering about essential oils, I can totally hook you up.
Leave a Reply