Joliet, IL (PressExposure) July 10, 2009 -- The latest economic indicators for May bring some hopeful tidings, but also some significant concerns. The U.S. unemployment rate is as high as it has been in 25 years, and there is continued concern about sizable job losses to come. The recession has been a source of severe stress for many throughout the country.
According to the recent Multi-Sponsor Surveys’ 2009 Economic Impact Market Segmentation Study, 49% of employed adults expressed worry about potential job loss, while 32% admitted to “significant†financial troubles.
But amid numerous reports of havoc and despair created by the current economic climate, Catherine Whitcher, M.Ed, a local small-business entrepreneur here in Joliet, reports a very different experience during this recession.
“Even in this recession I continue to pay bills on time and generate additional income to have on hand for unexpected situations. Since working in the special education field for the past 12 years I have insight into the needs of parents of children with disabilities. I knew that Shaklee not only fit the high expectations of quality and toxin-free options for my current clients, but the home-based option gives parents the ability to care for their children with exceptional needs. Money and time is one thing parents are always running out of and collaborating with our team can give parents more of both.â€
“Parents in the special needs world were constantly asking me for jobs at my education special education consulting practice, teaching the families about health & wellness that meet their children’s needs and can support their family financially is extremely rewarding. In addition, I too am a parent who has a child with special needs and our standards are very high in our family†says Whitcher, who operates a Shaklee business out of her home.
Whitcher credits her home business for helping to alleviate much of her family’s stress and says her business has eased financial concerns while providing flexibility—qualities that can insulate a family from the changing tides of the economy. Most people who run a business from home work only part time, so there’s freedom to plan business activities around the busy schedule of a young family.
“When I began my business,†says Whitcher, “it was on a very part-time basis. Since I started, I’ve increased the amount of time I spend working with it. Using the Internet and communicating my business online through [http://www.missioncleankids.com] makes my work much more efficient and flexible at the same time, making it possible for me to work on my business pretty much whenever I have downtime from my other responsibilities. Plus, it was easy and inexpensive to get started, and there’s no need to make space in our home for any inventory since the company ships directly to my customers.â€
Home businesses have drawn considerable interest from people who may be having a difficult time finding employment and from those looking for an income opportunity that also resonates with their personal beliefs—characteristics that most jobs likely do not offer.
“Because I recommend products that help people to be healthier, that help our environment to be cleaner, and for homes to be safer, I feel good about what I do. And because I also offer the chance for other people to do what I’m doing—to achieve independence in a way they may not have thought possible—there’s an incredible feeling of satisfaction in knowing that I can help make a real difference for people looking for extra income right now.â€
According to the 2009 Economic Impact Market Segmentation Study, 60% of adults are now interested in operating a home business in response to the economic downturn.
“To me, there’s a great sense of security knowing that my business is backed by a company that has a proven track record and more than 50 years of experience giving people the means to thrive, even during the most difficult economic times,†says Whitcher. “Shaklee has grown during each of the prior recessions since it was founded in 1956.â€
For more information about Shaklee, please visit http://www.shaklee.net/missioncleankids