Q	Where do you work at home?
A	I work in my dining room and I visit clients in their own homes.

Q	What is the best thing about working from home?
A	The best thing about working from home is not having anyone breathing down your back or telling you what to do, or how to do it, and being able to work in your own time without feeling pressured. I work from home 4 hours every evening on the phone, and when ever I want to over the weekends.

Q	What are the negative points about working at home?
A	The negative points have to be when an unexpected caller persists on ringing the door bell when I'm with a client or on the phone. Or when it's a very hot sunny day and you'd rather be out in the sunshine, but have to put in your hours.

Q	What was the deciding factor to help you to decide to work from home?
A	I got really fed up of working for other people, I also hate commuting, and got fed up of relying on London Transport especially in the winter.

Q	What sort of work did you do before you worked at home?
A	Reception work and nursery nursing.

Q	Do you manage to keep your work and home life separate?
A	Most of my friends and family know what times I work and try very much not call or visit at these times. The children who are grown up now have learnt to give me my own space when I'm working, but we do make sure we have quality time together.

Q	How do you cope with distractions at home?
A	At first very difficult as the children were much younger and didn't quite understand so we did have our teething problems to begin with.

Q	How did you manage financially when you first started working at home?
A	Fine - it was very lucrative because I was putting in all the hours God sends. I have since found out that my health comes first and have now drastically cut down my hours to suit myself and my well-being.

Q	How do you manage your time?
A	Everything is very much managed by keeping a diary for all appointments personal and social meetings alike. I don't think I could manage without a diary in my life, it's my life line, but Sunday and Saturday evenings I always keep free for myself.

Q	How do you cope with the isolation of working at home?
A	I don't get very isolated as one of my children still live at home and is here most of the time. Besides, I'm always too busy to think about being lonely, especially if a client is here with me.

Q

What advice would you suggest to someone considering working from home?

A

Find a quiet location in your home where you can feel comfortable with, with a nice view of the out-doors especially greenery or the garden. Do make sure your family and friends know what times you are working so as not to be continually disturbed. If you have kids put a sign on the door that says Working, or Do not disturb. They will soon get the message. Working from home is a big decision to make but once mastered is very enjoyable, and who knows: you may never want to work for anyone again!