Learn To Build Success From the Best in the Field

There are two fantastic opportunities on the horizon to hear from some of the best entrepreneurs in the field, exclusively on MeetON!

 

We invite you to join us on Thursday, August 23th at 10 pm EDT for a broadcast from Senior Executive Field Vice President Min Liu and Executive Field Vice President Amber Yang. This 30 minute broadcast will be packed full with useful information that will help build your business and bring you closer to reaching your goals. Those in attendance will also be entered to win free tickets to World Conference in Miami next year* (click HERE for Contest Rules)! Please note, this presentation will be delivered in Chinese.

We’re looking forward to this exciting opportunity available to you to help YOUR business grow. Don’t miss it!

*must be a Distributor to be entered into the contest.

Dressing for Success

Living the life of an entrepreneur means you make the rules. You decide the when, where and why for your business, and chances are, that’s probably why you started your own business. However, just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean you don’t have to play by some of the rules.

 

Take attire for example. You might not have a dress code to follow from a corporate handbook, but you should consider your attire and appearance when meeting potential business partners and customers.

Several factors come in to play when you are meeting someone to talk about the UnFranchise® Business. Have you met them before? Where are you meeting them? Is a business partner coming with you? Are they already a Preferred Customer?

If this is your first meeting with them, remember first impressions are important. Dress professionally—business suit or slacks, dress or skirt. If this is your second or third meeting, you might want to consider something more casual depending on the situation.

While baggie shirts and holey jeans might be your go-to outfit for when you’re working around the house, this is not appropriate attire for meeting a business prospect. What’s more, you should also dress semi-professionally whenever you leave the house. You never know who you might meet running errands or at the grocery store. Remember, everyone is a prospect, and you’re much more approachable dressed as a business professional than the average bum.

5 Questions with Supervising Coordinator Jim Dwyer

From the world-class products to our incredible business plan, there are many things that make Market America stand out as a company – but what really makes us special is our people.

 

While we all join the business to ultimately make money, the personal connections we form and the friendships we make are equally important.

We caught up with Supervising Coordinator Jim Dwyer to find out more about his experiences with Market America, and why he is a big believer in becoming a “Friendship Farmer.”

How long have you been with Market America and what inspired you to become an UnFranchise® owner?

I started my UnFranchise business in November of 1995. I decided to leave my VP position in a financial services company because of our MCPC. Once I saw the plan, I knew that Market America had a better way to create financial independence for anyone who truly wanted it.

How have you seen things change since you’ve been with the company?

Where do I start! We didn’t have a web portal so imagine running your business without that. Our back office was a fraction of what it is today. There were no “celebrity” endorsements, heck we didn’t have half the products we have today! I’m glad I was here near the beginning but the MA of today is a bigger, faster, smarter company than the one I partnered with back in 1995.

Who helped you get started in the business?

Charlie Baer is my personal sponsor and he certainly helped me in the beginning. I had had some moderate success in an MLM company prior to joining MA so when I decided to make the leap I was able to hit the ground running. Within a month of my start date I was doing my own meetings and holding my own trainings. I figured if there was going to be an “MNTSS” in our area, we were going to have to start it ourselves.

What words of encouragement/advice would you give those just starting in the business?

What I tell all our new partners is that they need to become “Friendship Farmers”. We are looking for people who know how to plant the seed of friendship and then water and care for that seed until it grows into an incredible partnership. In order to be a profitable farmer you need lots of seed, so “TTP”, Talk To People! Everywhere you go and in everything you do, wear a smile, say hello, and talk to people. The right ones will talk back!

Market America is __________________ for me?

There are so many ways I could fill in this blank. The money I’ve made, the people I’ve meet and the friendships I enjoy. The free time to do the things I want or need to do. The opportunity to speak and train in front of thousands of fellow distributors and their guests – and of course our amazing products. So I guess I would have to say that Market America is an answer to a prayer for me. It was the best decision I have ever made in my life.

What’s Your Favorite Browser?

Just the other day I was struggling with Google Chrome, attempting to get it to work just as perfectly on my Windows laptop as it does on my Mac Desktop – and, honestly it just wasn’t happening.

 

Web pages were freezing up; loading slowly and just didn’t give me the same visual aesthetics as I am used to on my Mac. Finally, I decided, it wasn’t worth it – I’d never had any troubles with Firefox, and back I went.

Truth be told, I have tried them all – Safari, Firefox, Explorer, Google Chrome and Opera – I start to struggle with one and become curious if the others will offer more options or will operate at a faster pace. Personally, I always come back to Firefox, which seems to load the fastest and also seems to boast the least amount of frozen screens, which means blissful web surfing.

Here’s my synopsis of browser must haves:

Speed: As far as I am concerned – both at work and at home, a web browser that loads quickly and works well with both my home and a work machine is essential. In other words, compatibility is key. Quick navigation between web pages gives me the opportunity to view a number of websites at once, a vital tool for multitasking.

Secure System: Over the years, the Internet and operating systems have jumped leaps and bounds when it comes to security, but the web still remains a haven for personal and business security risks. Pop-up blockers and advanced privacy settings give me the peace of mind required to make Internet purchases and keep my personal information, such as passwords, protected.

Simple to Operate: While I enjoy having a browser that offers a host of bells and whistles, I also look for a system that’s simple to understand and easy to use. An unpretentious browser that offers laid-back navigation and gives me the day to day intuitive functions to get from point A to B, seamlessly, is mandatory.  Additionally, support and help for the system should be readily available – including accessible FAQ’s and email support.

Features: In my experience, surfing the web is most enjoyable when it’s simple and fast. Utilizing a web browser that offers convenient additional tools such as a customizable toolbar and tabbed browsing means a relaxing and hassle free internet experience for the user (me)! Having the ability to bookmark my favorite websites and set things like parental controls are features that in the year 2012, are also absolute necessities.

Thinking through all these details of surfing the web and essential browser features made me wonder – what’s your favorite Internet Browser and why? Do you have a favorite browser for work functions (like sharing sales information or networking) and a favorite browser for surfing the web just for fun? Please leave a comment, I would love to know!

Behind-the-Scenes with the Publications Design Team

Just the other day we sat down with some members of our Publications Design Team to get the inside scoop on designing the Powerline, and to find out what drives these creative minds.

A small team of color loving, doodle drawing, font fanatics – the Publications Design Team spends their days creating innovative and exciting designs and layouts for the Powerline and any other printed business building materials. READ below to get to learn more about this fun-loving crew of creative types, and why they love making the Powerline look good.

Who makes up the Powerline DesignTeam and where is everyone originally from? 

Holly:  I am originally from Greensboro, N.C., and received my B.F.A. in Communication Design from the Parsons School of Design. I spent the first part of my career in NYC at Spin Magazine throughout the early 90′s. I later moved on to the Advertising/Fashion department at Calvin Klein and had the opportunity to work with celebrities like Kate Moss and Marky Mark! Eventually, I returned to North Carolina as an Art Director for several national magazine accounts. When I am not working, I enjoy hiking, camping, eating (!), exploring new places and spending time with my family.

Chris: I began in Huntington Station, Long Island, NY and remained there until my family migrated south. I bounced from Greensboro, NC to Liberty, NC where I remained for quite a while. After getting married, my wife and I journeyed to Orlando FL. —  I loved it, she didn’t. So within a year we found our way back to Liberty, where we still reside.

Betsy: I’m originally from Spartanburg, SC (don’t let that get out!) but I’ve been in Greensboro, NC longer and like to think of this as my home.

Bob: I’m originally from a little town in the Steel Valley of Western Pennsylvania called Beaver Falls. Broadway Joe Namath hails from there, too!

JB: My name is Jonathan but everyone calls me JB. I’m originally from West Virginia, hence my sweet beard (Not as sweet as Bob’s).

What’s a day in the life of a Powerline Design Team member like?

Holly: Design/work, design/work, meetings, meetings, meetings, meetings, eat, design, work, work, work. Market America is growing so fast. We want to stay current and forward thinking, so we work hard to be sure all of the new and evolving information is in the Powerlines. The publications team handles all of the Powerlines and the business building materials. We are very busy! Not only are there 4 printed magazines, but there is also an online digital version for Market Philippines, a launch Powerline for the United Kingdom – and Mexico will be coming out in June. We work hand and hand with the wonderful editorial department on a daily basis to tie the words and art together. While the editorial team is writing the magazines, our team is designing. We go back and forth to make everything fit and look good together. It’s a fun dance we have with the two departments and I think we come out with some great work.

Chris: I wake up, fall out of bed and drag a comb across my head… ummm, wait a minute, wrong day in the life. My day begins by finding the right music to fit my mood. Once found, I make a list of known tasks that need to be completed by days end and I proceed to execute. Tasks could include any one or all of the following: color correct files for the many Powerlines we produce, develop concepts for editorial/ad designs, make an ominous sky serene and inviting, communicate with various vendors pertaining to our print jobs, confer with colleagues on overlapping projects, the list goes on….

Betsy: Lots and lots-o-changes! We all have to be very flexible because things can change around here in a second!

Bob: Some days being a Powerline Design Team member is a lot like being part of a pit crew in the Indy 500. But most of the time it feels like doing exactly what you love to do and getting paid for it.

JB: It’s very busy and a lot of multi-tasking is involved. We work on so many different jobs in addition to Powerline’s that you really need to keep track of your time and use it wisely. It’s challenging but rewarding when we receive a box of printed Powerline’s each month!

What’s your favorite part of being on the ma Design Team?

Holly: Being able to work with such great people and inspiring management who are forever keeping us busy with new ideas and concepts that we can make look good.

Chris: First and foremost, the people I work with. They’re just as off center and odd as I am.

Betsy: I love working with my publications team! We have so much fun and love to laugh! And we even get to play games if all our work is done.

Bob: My favorite part of being on the ma® Design Team has got to be the people I work with. Had they not had the misfortune to be born talented artists they could have made a very good living as stand-up comedians.

JB: My co-workers have turned into my friends. Everyone has a unique personality and our senses of humor really mesh well. If anyone heard how much we’re laughing over on our side they wouldn’t think we get any work done. It’s quite the opposite though… Like I said, MULTI-TASKING.

Can you recommend or do you have any favorite FREE design tools/tips? 

Holly: Simple is better—Favorite saying “Keep it Simple Silly”, white space is your friend and makes everything look better, don’t try to put too much on a page—you want people to be able to read it or want to read it.

Chris: Focal point and balance. These are critical to good design. Without them the eyes wander incessantly through the design searching for understanding and reason. If not found, the viewer will move on and the message the designer wanted to relay is lost.

Betsy: There are a couple of websites I use: 1) dafont.com where you can find some awesome fonts for free! 2) Adobe Kuler. This website can help with color combinations and what color trends are happening right now!

Bob: My free tip is this: If you can help it, don’t be a designer. Be a doctor or a lawyer.

JB: I can spend hours a day on Dribbble.com, so much talent and inspiration there. I love Adobe Kuler  for setting up color palettes, and Designers’ Listis like the ultimate designer toolbox.

What inspired you to want to become Designers?

Holly: I love pictures and words. As a kid I used to go around to the book stores and stay hours just looking at the covers—and would (and kinda still do) buy a book based on its cover. LOL! If it has a bad cover—yuck—I don’t want to have to look at it—I get passed it and the words take me away inside. But it’s your “First Impression” that makes a difference. I’ve always been attracted to design and knew at a very young age that I wanted to make things look good on the page, painting, video, window……

Chris: I was never inspired by any one particular artist, piece of art or creative moment. Fortunately or unfortunately, design chose me and I just followed my natural instincts. Luckily I’ve made a living doing something I truly enjoy and I am very thankful for that.

Betsy: I’ve always enjoyed making things with my hands. Then, when computers came around, I got to dream up all kinds of cool designs in an easier way. I feel that being a graphic designer is what I’m meant to do and I love every minute of it!

Bob: I first became an artist because my Mom’s favorite form of child care was to hand me a box of crayons and a wad of paper. Later, when I grew up, I decided that being a graphic designer was better than being a starving artist.

JB: Professional tennis player was my first choice, but that didn’t pan out. I’ve been the artsy creative type since I was very young, and all my notes from class just turned in to giant doodles. I also love computers and the internet….It was just kind of a natural fit for me.

Nutrametrix—Helping Health Professionals Set Themselves Apart

When Lorin Sourbeck, Director of Sales for nutraMetrix arrived onstage to the cheers of her consultants, she declared: “That’s the sound of the fastest-growing segment in Market America!” The program that offers  health professionals the ability to provide customized wellness solutions has become a juggernaut around the country.

 

Decreasing insurance reimbursements means doctors get less money for patients, and less revenue. They have to take out increased loans, spend less time with patients, and regular costs of business are going up as well. The patients are also changing—they’re more educated, their food habits are very commercialized, and they have more and new questions about maintaining their health. Our expertise helps health professionals provide them with answers.

Drs. Perry Krichmar and Steven Schnur had a routine cardiology practice, until nutraMetrix helped them rebrand into a full health and wellness company. The nutriceutical products were both effective and sexy, adding business value and patient value.  They converted the waiting room into a Starbucks-inspired lounge, with a pharmacy display, product tastings, and comfortable surroundings, and the wellness café approach gave their patients somewhere to socialize; some older patients started coming in just to hang out! Once the concept of one-stop shopping has been introduced, it’s easy to take the next step to providing access to Shop.com and give them one-stop shopping for their whole home. Finally, TLS and Gene SNP allows patients, once they’re happy and stable, to actually improve their health for the future. 65% of Americans are overweight, with skyrocketing obesity and diabetes rates, and it requires a continuum of comprehensive wellness services to make a difference.

Stan Pierce, a nutraMetrix health professional, seconded their success—he was asked what his practice and his life would be like without nutraMetrix, and he said quite simply that since he’s seen his patients getting better & healthier faster, he can’t imagine not having it to offer as a service. It’s the efficacy of the products and the thoroughness of the education that made the difference. “I would miss the excitement of Mondays,” he said. “It wouldn’t be the same going to work without those products and those relationships.”

With upcoming seminars and a 20th anniversary special Gene SNP kit, there’s never been a better time to make nutraMetrix a part of your lives, and to improve the lives of those around you.

Free Webinars This Wednesday!

The Market America product team is back from 2012 International Convention and ready to educate you on the most advanced nutraceuticals in the world!

This Wednesday, U.S. Health & Nutrition Product Manager Elizabeth Benton will be hosting TWO FREE WEBINARS aimed at educating you on the right nutrients to help ease your bones & joints.

These free webinars will focus on:

• Cutting-edge ingredients and industry-leading formulas for bone & joint health
• The latest science and studies related to bone & joint health
• How to determine which supplement is right for your specific needs

There are two chances to attend:
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 | Noon EDT, 9 a.m. PDT
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 | 7 p.m. EDT, 3 p.m. PDT

These insightful, informative and interactive discussions will offer you the chance to learn how nutritional supplements and Isotonix® can help improve your health and wellness.

Space is limited, and entry into the webinar is available on a first come, first served basis. So register today!

JR Ridinger Delivers Powerful Closing Speech at MAIC2012

Day Three of the 2012 Market America International Convention ended with a bang, as JR Ridinger delivered an emotionally charged speech which reflected on the past and looked ahead at the bright future of this incredible company.

 

It’s been an amazing twenty year journey for Market America – a company that started small and has grown into a global economic force that is changing the world– all because of one man’s vision. JR’s passion for helping others has helped forged a new economy, bringing a life-changing opportunity to thousands of entrepreneurs around the world!

Over the years, Market America has evolved with the times and has continuously stayed on the cutting edge because JR designed this company to be built for the future. From the new UBP to a streamlined UnFranchise.com, Market America is working hard to perpetually improve the way we do business and to adapt to the needs of our distributors.

While JR and the corporate team have spent the last twenty years refining and adapting the system and the tools that can help you build an amazing business, JR stressed the importance of the role our distributors play in all of this.

JR’s belief in our distributors was on full display tonight, as our iconic CEO spoke to over 20,000 fellow entrepreneurs about the importance of believing in yourself and the business. As JR said, “One man with belief is worth 10,000 with mere interest.”

JR’s impassioned speech left the entire crowd inspired, and ended this very special convention in fitting style – looking ahead to the next twenty years of success.

Field Vice Presidents Share Secrets for Success

With no prior experience, Emily Cheng and Te-Ling Chu, Field Vice Presidents, were able to match their dual six-figure incomes through the Market America plan. Emily was able to quit her job to spend time with her children, and while TK has continued his engineering career because he enjoys it—it’s a vocation, not an occupation. “It’s great satisfaction to know that I can change my course if I want to,” he says. They shared their tips for success:

 

Be coachable—to learn to take on all the various roles a Market America UFO holds.

Follow up—with your customers, your prospects, and your team members. It was someone’s follow-up that got them involved, and their follow-up has brought in many more.

Be persistent—they’re received plenty of rejection, plenty of resistance, but they’re a living example of the fact that the system works.

Be positive—focus on taking action. Within 24 hours of giving birth to her 2^nd child, she hosted a meeting.

Don’t be a problem creator—be a creative problem solver. Take on new challenges and figure out how to overcome them.

Take Action and Succeed

Market America is about more than top quality, cutting-edge products. The unique UnFranchise® Business System offers the opportunity for entrepreneurial individuals to implement a proven business plan and create lasting success. When Executive Vice President Dennis Franks stepped onto the stage, his energy and enthusiasm for this business were contagious. He shared some of the most powerful ways to grow a successful business with the excited International Convention audience.

 

Retailing is a fantastic way to share the business opportunity with potential business partners, creating success and financial independence for even more individuals. The ma® University training program is one of the most powerful tools to help Shop Consultants really get to know the products, so they can help consumers find exactly what they need. With additional corporate tools like video clips, social media support, and business-building must-haves, mastering retailing is possible for everyone.

Market America is offering incredible new opportunities to save and experience the quality ma-branded products, but as Dennis said to the audience: “You have to take action!” With the objective of creating success stories for not just individuals, but all entrepreneurs, Dennis’ presentation on retailing to succeed highlighted some of the most important aspects of “being in business for yourself, but not by yourself.” With the resources and training available through Market America, it is easier than ever for entrepreneurs to experience success.

Why ma® WebCenters Will Grow Your Business, Fast.

Becoming part of Market America as a full time employee has been an exciting ride – and I have made it my mission to learn as much as I can about the ins and outs of UnFranchise® ownership – so that I can share that knowledge with our community.

 

Recently, I sat down with Jeremy Fennema, Director of Internet Services and Training for Market America, and I had one question: What’s a quick and simple solution for UnFranchise owners to see business growth?  He gave me the breakdown on why maWebCenters is the perfect solution for growing your business, fast.

Here’s what I learned:

For those new to the world of sales and product retailing, maWebCenters is designed as a turnkey business building solution for anyone – you don’t even have to know how to sell!  Armed and driven by a team of product specialists, maWebCenters has the team and the know-how to present the details and make the sale. All you have to do is make the introduction. (really!) Simply make the connection between a business owner and an ma WebCenter product specialist, and the specialist will explain all the details including the features, benefits, bells and whistles. Here’s the best part: the product specialist will close the sale – and, YOU get all the retail profit. (I’m not kidding!) Using that team costs you nothing. Simply make the introduction and the retail profits are yours. How about that for quick and easy business growth?

 

After talking with Jeremy, I was thrilled about maWebCenters, and I had to know: What five ma WebCenter facts would you share with a new UnFranchise owner?

Here’s Jeremy’s five favorite things-to-know about ma WebCenters:

-maWebCenters helps you get started before you get started

-The average money in your pocket from a single website sale is around $1,000 (yes, you read that correctly! See why I’m excited?)

-maWebCenters can help you put your business in the black immediately

-The only knowledge needed to make a website sale is how to introduce people

-Work with an maWebCenter owner to mentor you

Interested in maWebCenters? LEARN more at: Benjamin's maWebCenter

What You Need to Know About Facebook’s Timeline

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, by now you’ve probably seen most of (if not all of) your Facebook friends switching over to the new Timeline. Even if you yourself have already made the switch, there are some important features (including privacy and security) that you may need to address.

 

Timeline, in case you haven’t yet noticed, is a brand new layout for your Facebook page. Instead of a resume-style profile with one image in the left, you will now see a much more visually-styled profile with the opportunity for plenty of creative customization. The cover photo, a large open space perfect for expressing yourself, heads up the page and sets the tone for your entire profile. Then, your actual avatar (aka profile picture) takes second stage, tucked to the side but still quite visible. Your posts are now organized in a different, much more visual way (and you’ll notice that photos have a bit more emphasis now, which adds to the overall look). The links to your interests, likes, and photos are now large icons and more easily spotted by visitors.

Here’s where things get tricky: you’ll now see a MAP in that set of links. Any time you’ve posted to Facebook with location settings on, Facebook recorded where that post was made, and will now show you (and anyone else who visits your profile). Since joining Facebook (February 7, 2005 to be exact. Thanks Timeline!), I have made posts in  North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and Jamaica! The map function places a dot where each post was made, and bigger dots for multiple posts. I can see that the majority of my Facebook posts were made in Boston (which makes sense, based on how long I lived there). The map also serves a secondary function: you can manually add places you’ve travelled or lived to document your adventures! Unfortunately, there is no way to disable the map. If you want to remove a location from your map, you must do so manually, and it’s a process.

In your profile, click on the “Activity Log” button (top right below your cover photo). Find the event/location, and unclick the radio button “Allow on Timeline.” Tedious, but guarantees it will not be seen. This is also the procedure to remove any other unwanted posts from your entire Facebook history.

Anything you have ever posted is now much more easily searchable, and additionally, your security settings for past posts need to be double-checked. Make sure that people are seeing only what you want them to by going to “Privacy Settings” and looking at what you have now, as well as “Limit the audience for past posts.”

This helpful link directly from Facebook explains additional privacy settings you may be concerned about. http://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-and-privacy/controlling-what-you-share-on-timeline/271872722862617.

And remember, once you decide to switch to Timeline, you will have seven days to make, review, and test any changes before you make your Timeline visible to your friends (and future friends). Good luck, and I can’t wait to see all of your beautiful cover photos!

You can find Benjamin Pang on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/benjamin.pang

Using Persistence and Accountability to Find Success as an Entrepreneur

In a company with a track record of success, there is great opportunity for each member to individually succeed. That success, however, hinges on each individual’s willingness to work for it, and work hard. With a pin level of Professional Coordinator, Heather Pilibosian has obviously put in a great deal of work to get where she is.

 

Recently, we had the opportunity to interview her, find out what drives her as an UnFranchise® Owner, and learn how she found her success.

How long have you been with Market America and what inspired you to become an UnFranchise Owner? 

I am 34 years young and a graduate of The University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor’s Degree from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics.  I always told myself, in order to secure my financial future; I needed to be my own boss.  Having watched my parents pioneer their UnFranchise Business years prior, I always knew the company was both viable and profitable.  I began building my UnFranchise Business part-time.  Within the first year my part-time UnFranchise income matched what I was earning with my full-time job!*  At that point, I realized I was happily unemployable, and fired my boss!

What kind of challenges have you encountered being an UnFranchise Owner? 

The largest challenge is wasting time with people who are going to waste your time! People are where they are in life, either good or bad, because that is where they have chosen to be. This proven business plan is providing them a way to change for the best, if they are willing to follow and commit.

How has becoming an UnFranchise Owner changed your life? 

I am humbled to have my time home with our newborn son now. Quantity and quality time is priceless with loved ones and because of this company, we have both!

Do you have any words of encouragement/advice for those just getting started in the business? 

Stay accountable to your mentors and plug into the system consistently! Be persistent with your daily activity and focus on result producing actions to grow your business. You can make things happen or watch those that are making things happen!

What is Market America for you?  A Way of Life

*The examples of income shown for each of the Independent Distributors featured on the Ma Blog are not intended to be representative of the earnings of any specific class of Market America Independent Distributors, nor are they intended to represent that any given Independent Distributor will earn income in that amount.  Rather, the income figures testify to the results which have been accomplished by Independent Distributors who have devoted time, talent, hard work , and a willingness to follow the UnFranchise® proven business plan in building their Market America businesses.  The success of any Market America Independent Distributor will depend upon the amount of hard work, talent and dedication which he or she devotes to the building of his or her Market America business.

Create the Perfect Home Office

One of the best parts about having a home-based business is customizing your workspace. With all of SHOP.COM’s Partner Stores, you’re sure to find everything you need to create the perfect home office—without even leaving your house! Check out these must-have items to keep your home business on track.

 

Calendar
As a busy entrepreneur, a calendar is essential. Utilizing a calendar is the best way to ensure you never forget an event. There are so many to choose from—desk, pocket or digital. Whether it’s a traditional paper calendar or a high-tech digital calendar, you can record all your important dates and reminders for both your personal and professional life.

  

iPad
An iPad is a great way to make your business portable. With Internet access, it’s easy to take your business anywhere. Whether you want to work from home or work from a coffee shop, an iPad allows you to be versatile.

Journal/notebook
As a professional, it’s imperative to keep a professional journal or notebook to record important information such as ideas or things that need follow up. Depending on the type of home business you own, a journal could be as simple as a small notebook or as elaborate as a leather case with multiple pockets. Think about what you need to organize your day-to-day tasks and interactions.

Computer
No home office would be complete without a computer—the central component of most businesses. Choose a computer that fits your work style and nature of business. If you have any other technology that needs to be compatible with your computer (i.e. iPad or iPod), be sure to purchase a computer that will work with your other devices.
 

Desk
A desk is the motherboard of your home office. Depending on your personal preferences, there are desks to fit every need—ranging from the style, color, material, size and number of drawers. Before you purchase a desk, envision what you would like to store in the desk and how much space you will need to work. Also, be sure to measure how much space you have for desk to ensure it will fit comfortably in your home office.

Find everything you need for the perfect home office at SHOP.COM.