Debbie LaChusa

Ever just have one of those weeks? This past week has been a "doosie" for me. Just a lot going on. I'm smack dab in the middle of my Spring Extreme Marketing Makeover Program - which is a lot of fun but is also time consuming as I personally help all 7 participants with their marketing.

Things are also hopping with our real estate investing business ... we celebrated two birthdays in our family this week ... and on top of all this, my dad landed himself in the emergency room on Monday evening and spent the entire week in the hospital. Thankfully, he's home now and is going to be just fine.

About the only way I can describe my week is an emotional roller coaster! Luckily, having my own business gives me the flexibility to "roll with it" when weeks like this come along! I'm very grateful for this. In fact, this flexibility is one of the things I love most about being self-employed and it's the reason I started my own business 8 years ago. You see, I love my work, but when my kids were born, I was really torn between work and being there for them.

So I immediately negotiated a part-time, flex-time work agreement so I could be balance work and family more easily. After years of working this way, I decided it was time to go out on my own and I've never looked back. I LOVE the flexibility. I get to do work I love AND be there for my kids. Frankly, I don't know how other mothers who work full time out of the home do it. I consider myself very blessed. And, with my daughter getting ready to leave for college in a little over a year, I am so thankful I didn't spend the past 16 years missing out on her life because of work. And, I believe I've been able to set a very good example for her as well.

How about you? What do you like most about having your own business? I'd love to hear about it.