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From: Janis L Gilmore <>
Subject: Re: [TGF] A newbie - a most basic question
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:11:25 -0400
In-Reply-To: <39DBDB3DF2E340A0AD84590D91241C5C@JackiePC>


Jackie,

Without browsing back through this thread (most of which I have been
deleting as I read), I can't recall whether you are in or on a wait-list for
one of the _ProGen_ courses. If not, I suggest that you do so.

It really takes you through the nitty gritty of writing your client
contract, doing a business plan, considering the various legal vehicles
(LLC, sole proprietership, etc).

As well, it gives you a small circle of peers with whom one becomes
comfortable in discussing problems, shortcomings, work-arounds, research
blocks, methodology. And you can do it from home, saving your trips for IGHR
or NIGR.

(This may be superfluous - you are probably one of the ones who said you are
starting in one of the two new groups. However, it is worth re-posting for
others).

Janis Walker Gilmore


On 8/26/09 6:58 AM, "Jackie" <> wrote:

> September (and all),
>
> A little more about myself. I'm in a different situation. I have 3 years
> left before I can retire from a full time job. My retirement benefits will
> be enough to meet my day to day expenses, and perhaps a little more. I want
> to start a genealogy business because I"ll be relatively young when I retire
> (55) and I've always wanted my own business. I'd like to make enough to
> cover my genealogy expenses, and perhaps some extra, but it's not essential.
> And I've enjoyed genealogy for about 9 years now.
>
> You asked "Anyone here doing genealogy and art/calligraphy and web
> design/computer programming?" I am no where near having a business plan or
> firm idea of what services I wish to offer. However, I do have previous
> professional programming experience and have considered writing add-on
> programs to my genealogy software (TMG) or offering genealogical web site
> design as part of my business. I also have scrapbooked for years (my other
> hobby) and with the advent of bound digital scrapbooks at a reasonable
> price, I'm considering some type of service where I combine research with
> the production of digital scrapbooks. A coffee table kind of book. I think
> there probably is a market, although the client would need to have some
> pictures unless I could find them. I'm also considering some form of
> genealogical instruction since my first, brief, career was as a teacher. And
> occasionally I teach computer software to adults in my current position. I
> also have several ideas of how to use non-genealogical software for
> genealogy that I am mulling over. Most of these ideas are quite nebulous at
> this point. I also need to visit with a counselor at the SBA or take a small
> business course at a local community college before too long.
>
> If you are still reading, perhaps some of you may have thoughts about one of
> my questions. I have an idea for a business name that I like, And I haven't
> found it in the local 'dba' database or the federal trademark database. Have
> any of you applied for a service mark through the US Patent and Trademark
> office? I have noticed quite a few people with their own domain name, which
> is another endeavor I'll need to look into. The list goes on and on of
> things I need to learn. :)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "September McCarthy" <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 1:58 AM
> Subject: Re: [TGF] A newbie - a most basic question
>
>
>> Hi to everyone,
>>
>> I am another newbie who just found (thanks to Randy Seavers' mention of it
>> in his blog!) and joined the group yesterday. I have to tell you how much
>> I
>> appreciate this thread. The questions raised and the responses are very
>> helpful. Thank you to both the inquirers and the responders. I have also
>> set
>> myself on the path of becoming a professional genealogist, so wanted to
>> introduce myself to the group.
>>
>> In my case, I have decided to pursue the goals of becoming a professional
>> genealogist and earning certification with the additional pressure of
>> being
>> my sole source of support and soon-to-be laid off (end of next month) from
>> my full-time employment. In my view, this is not such a bad situation to
>> be
>> in. First, the full-time job, while it has been paying the bills, has also
>> been one of those corporate jobs where you're paid for 40 hours per week
>> but
>> are really expected to work 60-80 hours ("whatever it takes to get the job
>> done"), and in my case, has required 6 days per week. Secondly, there's
>> nothing like needing to pay the bills to provide incentive to work extra
>> hard at something. Thirdly, I will have about a year before needing to
>> rely
>> on other income to meet expenses. While part of me worries that I might be
>> jumping off a cliff without a parachute, I am looking at this time as a
>> once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to concentrate on continuing to develop my
>> own skills and talents, and applying them to pursue (and achieve!) my
>> dreams
>> of having my own business(es?) where I get to work every day in areas I
>> truly care about. Between my years of experience in the corporate world
>> and
>> my "research" into genealogy as a profession, I am enough of a realist to
>> see that diversification will be crucial to my being able to meet my
>> expenses over the next few years, and I am happy to see that also as a
>> part
>> of this discussion. Anyone here doing genealogy and art/calligraphy and
>> web
>> design/computer programming?
>>
>> Now that I've probably talked too much, I'll end with saying that it is
>> very
>> encouraging to be a part of this group. I'm looking forward to hearing
>> more,
>> learning even more, and hopefully being able to somehow contribute
>> something
>> also. Thanks to everyone!
>>
>> Best regards,
>> September McCarthy
>> Wareham, MA
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From:
>> [mailto:] On Behalf Of
>> Cafi
>> Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 9:46 PM
>> To:
>> Subject: Re: [TGF] A newbie - a most basic question
>>
>> Michele wrote:
>>
>> My name is Michele Kemper. I have been a member of the mailing list for a
>> couple of months, mainly going through the archives and trying to learn
>> from
>> the many discussions going on.
>>
>> I have a most basic question and it may have already been discussed, but I
>> have not had a chance to go through all of the archived messages.
>>
>> My question is: For those that have completed or are almost through their
>> transition, how did you do it? Specifically, how did you balance taking on
>> genealogy projects for clients while also working in another
>> job/profession
>> full time?
>>
>> **************************************************************
>>
>> Hi Michele -- It has definitely been a challenge. I taught piano 4-6 hours
>> daily. With teaching and the many associated tasks, I averaged 6-8 hours
>> of
>> work each day when I began Bridge To Yesterday almost two years ago. Just
>> this spring, I was able to retire from piano teaching. It WAS very
>> difficult. I have LOTS of energy, so for me, the difficulty arose not so
>> much from the number of hours working on both music education and
>> genealogy
>> clients every day. Instead, I had problems mentally leaving music tasks
>> and
>> immersing myself in genealogy research and vice-versa.
>>
>> We once had Hank Jones speak to our local genealogy society. I drove him
>> around, attempting to glean some wisdom (he is both a genealogy researcher
>> AND a recording artist; nice CD's BTW). Anyway, he routinely did both
>> activities in a single day and found it invigorating. No help there.
>>
>> I began experimenting with concentrating on my genealogy clients on half
>> of
>> Friday, all of Saturday, and half of Sunday each week. Monday through
>> Thursday was reserved for piano. Every month or so, Sunday was given over
>> to
>> piano for recitals and piano parties and group theory classes. That was my
>> compromise. I knew at the time that it was a short-term solution, that it
>> would end. Nobody can burn both ends of the candle forever. Depending on
>> the
>> client demands (or family obligations), I took a weekend off every 4-6
>> weeks. Fortunately, hubby is a worse workaholic than I am - at least we
>> found each other :).
>>
>> Another big help? I began Bridge To Yesterday with a business partner. She
>> also has another job/business that primarily ties her up almost every
>> weekend. We fill in the "holes" for each other, and that makes it all seem
>> more do-able.
>>
>> Cafi in Arroyo Grande, California
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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