5 Questions for Online Business Women

Nell tagged me with her fun Five Questions Friday meme this week, so here goes!

1. When did you start your business?

I started my current computer-based business in 1997. In a few months I'll be celebrating my 11 year anniversary!

2. How many businesses have you owned?

My first business was an electronic repair shop. I started Web Service Network the following year. So two that count (in my book) plus 3 partnerships. Everything I do now runs under WSN (pronounced "wesson", short for Web Service Network). It started out as a service-based business - a web development company with an international web team - but has progressed over the last decade to what you see today...

3. Name one of your most valuable mentors.

Just one? Okay, wow, let's see... Off the top of my head I am thinking Mark LeBlanc, who offered me incredibly practical and sound business advice that I am still using today. Corey Rudl and Ken Evoy's teams, who helped me personally through phone consultations to break into affiliate marketing and more passive income models. Rae Hoffman, who would be considered more a terrific friend than a mentor, but that passed on tips and resources that were instrumental to my online business growth.

But if I had to name just one I would give credit to my Grandmother for being my most valuable mentor, in the areas of both life and business. She continues to inspire me in many ways.

4. How many hours do you work each day?

In the beginning I would pull 14-hour days, 7 days a week. Starting two businesses in under 18 months and going through all the growing pains of both required a lot of long hours.

My hours are much more flexible now and it varies greatly. During the summer months I might work 5-10 hours a week, and then I work around 5-6 hours a day (probably 30 hours a week) during the school year.

5. Name one of the mistakes you’ve made and learned from in your business.

I've made my share no doubt, and its been a learning experience the whole way. Looking back over the years I would say my weakness has been "follow-through". Lack of it can mean a lot of missed opportunities, and can also lead to personal disappointment.

I learned my lesson though (more than once!) and so I make a concentrated effort to stay on task and to stay on track. It tends to have a snowball effect on your success - one success leads to another leads to another...

Tag, you're it! I’m tagging the following online business women to answer the above questions on their blog as well:

• Teli Adlam
• Bonnie Lowe
• Rae Hoffman
• Sandra Sims
• Kara & Anita

Best,

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