Working from home sounds like the best job on Earth and it can be, but there are parameters. Some of which include, finding work, managing the office, and arriving on time "to work" and appointments. Being able to schedule my work around my day is one of the best things I love about working from home. It is also one of the worst. As I age, naps are becoming more important every day; but not napping every day. If I am napping, who will be minding the proverbial store? No one.
Today I started my day in the field late. I arrived at my first door-knock / field chase a little after 11:00am. Not to say that I wasn't working prior to. I normally wake up between 4:00am and 6:00am. I meditated on a great day and was grateful for such. I completed my report for a great mystery shop from the day before.
I will receive a reimbursement for an oil change at a local Chevrolet dealer and a cash payment of $20, with a possible $5 bonus. This is one of the better mystery shops, as a lot pay $2 to $7; maybe $15 or simply just a reimbursement. The Chevrolet dealership oil change report was rather easy with some narrative. After 15 years in the mystery shopping and field services business, this is one of the more desirable shops. Check out mystery shops in your area here [Free Oil Change]. Great paying exit interviews are also available.
As the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act states, bill collectors may begin their antics at 8:00am. The collection festivities must wrap up by 9:00pm. By these standards arriving at my field chase at 11:00am was late. After a quick stop at Staples for some copies, I was off to my first SNAP/EBT (food stamps) review, of four. Los Angeles 90003, then off to Bellflower 90706. Before heading to Bellflower I had a phone interview for more field services work. It was brief, but promising. I had two SNAP/EBT (food stamps) reviews in Bellflower. I completed one, but was starving after. I usually have my first meal before 9:00am or 10:00am. By 2:00pm, I am famished. I can't think, I can't see, and can not speak.
I wanted to be mindful of my food choice as my hips are spreading. I've slowed down on my exercise. Slowed to a crawl. Ok. Slowed to almost non-existent! Subway is my go-to lunch while in the field. I opted for a 6" veggie patty dressed with lots of colorful and yummy vegetables.
I tried Subway's new Saracha sauce. OMG. I am in love! Do you say, "Sa-ra-CHA" or "Sa-ra-CHI"? It was shown on Dr. Oz as a belly buster so I gave up the fattening mayo and mustard and will request Sa-ra-CHI from here on out on my Subway subs. After lunch, I felt sorry for the next vendor I visited, as I reeked of fresh onions; but, my belly was happy, though. After Bellflower I headed to Paramount. I had always wanted to visit the Paramount swap meet. Request granted! I drove around and around before I decided to try inside the swap meet. BINGO! Well, almost. More like "BING!" The vendor I was looking for did rent a stall in the Paramount swap meet, but was not on premises that day. Great! What an anticlimactic swap meet visit! No vendor and slim pickings at the swap meet, overall. Seems business was slow, so people were packing it up and packing it in around 3:00pm. When I return I'll remember to buy some walnuts for banana-nut bread and pecans to snack on! Pecans are one of my favorite MUFA's, or belly busters.
After my last stop of the evening in Downey, I got a second wind. I was no longer tired and ready to run the streets. I called my daughter and invited her for a mani. First we stopped for ice cream. We love ice cream.
My daughter balled out and got a mani and a pedi. I'm not so loose with my ends. Funds. Dineros. I told my manicurist, they'd never get my $50 or $60. No I don't want a pedicure. No I don't want my "eyebrow" done and no, you can't fix my mustache! I pointed out how people hate who they are and try to pretti-fy their persons.
I told him, they should work on the inside, work on their hearts, and "just give me the plain Jane taupe/nude/cappuccino color -thank you." I was out of there for less than $20, including my tip.
By the time, I got home it was about 6:30pm or 7:00pm.
Like when I am hungry, when I am sleepy, I am no good to anyone. I can't see, can't think, and can't speak! What the...? I am trying to manage my time better so I wound down and prepared for the next day. First, I had to complete my schedule - billing, if you will. I blogged a little and around midnight I settled in for a little tv before drifting off to sleep. A productive day, but I could always do more! Michelle Brown
So the Government has shut down. I am normally a happy-go-lucky person and don't worry about much. Last week when they threatened the shut-down, I didn't worry. Then the day came - SHUT DOWN! I still didn't worry. It was not until I received an email from my office that all of the USDA SNAP/EBT (government) applications would be put on hold. Then I realized the ramifications and the backlash. The pipeline was being shut off. What is one to do??? Business Development - that's what. I conduct business development activities almost daily. What is worse than not enough work? Too much work! NOT! Wouldn't that be a great problem to have? Having too much work? That is called a positive risk. There are all kinds of risks associated with owning your own business or working for yourself. Having too much work is certainly a positive risk I look forward to. Field services is broad and touches many sectors. No need to put all of your eggs into one basket. Diversify! Although my USDA SNAP/EBT vendor reviews have slowed to a halt, my collections (door knocks) are still available. Now, to search for more. Not everything is going to be laid out for you. You have to be creative in your search. I check associations and directories, forums and bulletin boards for posted opportunities or the names of companies that might conduct field services. I'll apply to numbers of companies in one sitting. I'm constantly tweaking my resume. I'll take some of the crappiest jobs, just to get a feel for the company. I started out mystery shopping for reimbursements. Fifteen years later, I represent the USDA. :) Yay me! You can do it too, but you've got to start somewhere. Use mystery shopping as a platform. Learn about different industries, different companies, and different types of field services reporting. In my 15 years of experience I have inspected cars, businesses, heavy equipment, damaged freight, foreclosed properties, USDA vendors and provided FDA recall reviews. The search continues... by Michelle Brown
A spontaneous day off is always cool, isn't it? If so, why do I feel like I'm behind?! As much as I enjoy life and living for me, yesterday mommy had to take the backseat. I didn't see the Floyd Mayweather vs Canelo Alvarez fight.
I didn't get my laundry done. I did no field services work. Not a door-knock, not a mystery shop, not a nothing! When I realized in the early afternoon that my daughter wouldn't be back with the "get-away" anytime soon, I determined the day was a wash! May as well eat pizza, donuts and watch videos. Heavy sigh. So, now it's around 5 am and I must produce today. As I schedule my day, there is a mystery shop in Beverly Hills and loads of SNAP/EBT (food stamps) store reviews all over the Los Angeles area. Is it just me, or does everyone else see the economic downturn of the US. Not just see it, but experience it? I cry on the days that I go to Malibu, Huntington or Redondo Beach. Some of the most affluent communities in the nation are requiring government assistance in the form of "food stamps". Of course they haven't been called food stamps by the government in a long time, but it's hard to change such brand recognition. If I was really on the ball, I'd schedule myself a nice mystery shop lunch, but that would be too much like RIGHT! Doing the right thing isn't so much fun, is it??? Or is it? My pocketbook would be happier to receive the check back, but fitting it in the schedule and NOT going bonkers isn't a better price to pay. So "Brown Bag Cafe" it is! If only I were that organized! HA! I will probably end up choosing something terrible while out and about. I plan to do better next week! Which is tomorrow, for me. If you want to check the eligibility for SNAP/EBT (food stamps) for you, a friend or family member, click here:
Stocks, bonds, or mutual funds might come to mind when you think about diversifying. Or Blacks, Whites, Latinos, and Asians getting along in Los Angeles might mean diversity to some. In field services, the name of the game is diversity. You've got to change up. Keep your skills fresh with continuous education and different opportunities. In 1998 I performed my first mystery shop assignment. It was an upscale bar shop and was exciting, fun, and intimidating all at the same time. Since then, I have shopped apartment complexes, retail establishments, and banks. I have performed property preservation on foreclosed properties to include board-ups, grass cuts, and lock changes. Today I perform reviews for the USDA SNAP / EBT (food stamp) program and FDA recalls. I also provide door-knock services for a major bank for delinquent consumer loans. From mystery shopping to government contracts. Wow! The key to diversifying your field services business is business development. When I have free time, I am looking for opportunities to work in the field. Insurance companies, freight companies, real estate agencies, mortgage servicers, etc. all use independent contractors to perform field services. Reviews, inspections, and audits are some keywords that can be searched to find work in your area. I have been a self-employed field services professional since 2008. I enjoy time off, a fluid schedule, and working from home. Although it may sound glamorous, it hasn't always been pretty. When I was hungry for work and fresh in the field services game, I took work three states away! I slept in flea-bag motels that hardened truckers frequented. I've blown car engines and been pulled over by the sheriff, by name over a bullhorn. Those were the days! Today I am able to walk into local stores, near my home, and announce that I am "here on behalf ofthe USDA". As an independent contractor, I work for NO ONE by myself. I do not work for the USDA. I would misrepresent myself if I said so. You too, can work your way up to government contracts. Applying to numbers of mystery shopping companies could possibly yield interesting work in your area. A good day of working in the field would be having a number of assignments that would cover your daily expenses and earn you "X" amount of dollars. You get to determine the "X" amount. Take a break from Facebook and develop your business. Search for "independent contractor" or "1099" positions around your town. Apply to numbers of mystery shopping companies so you can gain experience in different industries. I'll leave you with a cute video adapted from the New York Times Business Bestseller "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Dr. Spencer Johnson.
Recently I visited my local AAA office to register my vehicle instead of doing it at the DMV and waiting for at least an hour. That is a very cool service AAA offers. Mind you, they don't take plastic for DMV services! The office was rather crowded as it was a Tuesday, following the Labor Day holiday. The staff was very pleasant, in my opinion. They were calming and soothing to me. Others didn't see it the same way. I think they believed this auxiliary, or extra service would allow them to magically enter the establishment, wait in (no) line, handle their business affairs and exit, all under ONE minute, flat. I was cool while we waited, but maybe that was just me. Maybe it was my tablet and Candy Crush! Maybe. In addition, the manager was actively milling about greeting the guests, offering cool bottled water and otherwise being gracious. When it was my turn, the clerk was warm and welcoming. He asked if I enjoyed my Labor Day weekend. I informed him that I "labored". I worked in the field and made clear that it was a blessing to do so. First, and foremost, it is a blessing to have work on any day. Second, being self-employed allows me to take off any day that I choose. I further reminded the clerk that we incur bills on the holiday, we like to live indoors and love to eat on holidays. The caveat being: if you don't work, you don't eat. So, be mindful. I am grateful to work on any day.
When I visit vendors who apply to the USDA to accept SNAP/EBT (food stamps), they are often shocked that I work on Sundays. I remind them that I am not employed with the USDA and that I am an Independent Contractor. I am self employed and make my own schedule. Often I am speaking with the owner or proprietor. They are equally shocked to realize that they, too, work on Sundays! Win-Win! One of the the benefits that I love about being self-employed or working from home, is my flexible schedule. I am able to enjoy precious time with family and friends. I am able to make appointments and handle my business during the business week, without having to ask someone for permission. I do, however, have to make up the time. That is why I work on weekends and holidays. You know what they say, "Slow feet don't eat!" Or, lazy feet, as it were. The only times I do not work are the times outlined in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Holidays are NOT specifically stated, so call/visit away! The hours I do not visit debtors are before 8:00am or after 9:00pm. Any other time is a good time for a door knock. Door knocks being a field service that might be available in your area.
