More people are embracing the idea of foregoing that long trip to the office and opting to run their businesses from the comforts of their homes, writes NJOKI CHEGE
The idea of working from home will probably cross your mind only on that lazy Monday morning when you don’t feel like waking up. But did you know that working from home is possible and actually beneficial?
Besides saving yourself the long trips to and from the office, you get to have more time in your hands and your mind is more settled, because of that peaceful home environment.
Eve Woman sought three women who run successful businesses and organisations from the comfort of their homes.
MARY TERESA OTUKA Former trained cateress, now businesswoman
“Four years ago, I fell sick and I wasn’t able to go back to work. On doctor’s orders, I had to exclusively eat chicken, and therefore I started rearing them in my house. Initially, I reared the chicken for my own consumption but before long, my friends started buying them from me. Now, I have a fully-fledged chicken business in my backyard!
For me, operating this business from home has saved me the hassle of travelling to and from the office on a daily basis. Second, and most important, I have more time with my family. In my former job as a hotelier, I would work from 8am to 10pm and arrive home late after my family has retired to bed. The job was demanding and I was away from home for long periods.
Today, I find myself more involved in my family’s affairs; I cook their meals, take care of them, and work at the same time. Working from home has given me the freedom to plan my time, be with my family and I have come to discover the endless opportunities I had initially missed.
Women need to realise that not having a job does not necessarily mean that you should resign yourself to desperation. You can make money, even from home.”
ZAWADI NYONGO
Owner & Creative Director of Zero By Zawadi
CEO at Africa Cancer Foundation, social justice consultant
“When I left my last job two years ago, I was at a point of transition and I didn’t want to limit myself to a nine to five job. I wanted a more flexible schedule and wanted to move around more.
Most of my work focuses on sexual and reproductive rights and health, feminist resource mobilisation, disability rights, social media for change and young women’s movement building.
I do a lot of research and use social media for advocacy to influence mainstream media.
All these I do from home, except when I have to facilitate workshops outside my home office. Working from home has its joys.
First, I manage my working hours and I am able to take on more opportunities because I am in control of my time. I realise that I actually work more hours a day than I would in an office, and this is why working from home suits me best.
Some days I could wake up early in the morning, go straight to my computer, even before my morning exercises, and work for hours without tiring.
I also find my house less of a distraction than the office environment particularly now that most offices are open plan.
The downside is that it is isolating. Nothing can replace the workplace environment and the relationships we create with the people we work with. Working from home does not allow you to interact with other people.”
JUDITH ONYANGO
Retired public health officer
“After retirement, I was at a crossroads, wondering what I would do with myself. Then I had a business idea! I decided to transport fish and chicken from Migori County and distribute them around town.
I started small, initially ordering ten chicken and fish from Migori and today, I supply several outlets in Nairobi’s Eastlands. I sell smoked and fresh fish, ready-made chicken and I do all these from home. I have not rented any premises, but this does not prevent me from making money. My phone is my office and my house is the warehouse where I store my goods.
Running a business for me is the best retirement plan. Many people, after retirement, resign themselves to a fate of obsoleteness and staying home, doing nothing. However, what many don’t realise is that life begins after retirement.
I am in control of my time and I have a flexible schedule. In spite of my age, I am always on the move.
Like any other business, I do bookkeeping to keep track of the sales and profits. It is fulfilling to realise that I don’t have to rent premises somewhere and start a conventional business.
I believe any idea can be put to practice from the comfort of your home, as long as you know exactly what you want and set your goals.
This whole idea has made retirement fun and revitalising, I actually feel younger, working on my own terms!”
Before you make the move...
Are you considering moving your work to the home environment but are not yet convinced? Here are some tips to help you get through it:
The reasons.
Control over your time: A normal office day goes like this; report at eight or nine, work till around eleven to break for a coffee then work till lunch time at one and work again all through to five. Sometimes this can get too mundane, resulting to unproductivity. However, if you work from home, you can choose to work for whatever hours, at your own timing, without the restrictions of a routine.
Save your money: You definitely spend more moving to and from the office either on fuel or fare. Working from home allows you to use fare and fuel only when you have to leave the house, not everyday. This way, you save yourself the hassle of endless traffic.
More opportunities, more money earned: Restricting yourself to an eight to five job not only dictates your time, but also what you do with that time. One of the other significant benefits of working from home is the number of job opportunities that you will find. No matter what your specialty or area of expertise, you will find jobs when you work online from home.
More time for other priorities: Most women, irrespective of their ages, have two top priorities: family and work. Working from home allows you to give equal time to both priorities, particularly your family. You spend more time with your family, without hurting your job.
HOW TO MAKE IT WORK:
• Communicate: If you have other people in the house during your working hours, communicate to them that you are working, so that they give you the peaceful environment to work.
• Set aside some space for your work: You can convert one of the rooms in your house into an office and respect that space.
• Have schedules: Having a lot of time in your hands is a good thing, but its downside is that it could cause you to be sluggish since you are under the impression that you have a lot of time on your hands. This is why you need a schedule that you will religiously follow.
• Self-discipline: Working from home is a den of temptations with the endless distractions; television, food, visiting friends and so on. Be self-disciplined, everything at its own timing!
