What I like most about being Self Employed

What I like most about being self-employed, working from home or being an independent contractor is my independence and freedom! I am free to start work when I choose.

After I've relaxed with my hot water & lemon, along with a hot and fresh, home-cooked breakfast. After I have blogged a bit and after I have taken a long, luxurious shower. I might, then, decide to do some work out in the field.

As a 15 year veteran mystery shopper and field services representative, my contracts are highly coveted. I represent the USDA, FDA, and Wells Fargo Bank, regularly.

Along with the freedom of making my own schedule, being self employed and working from home allows me to conduct business around my daily travels, and vice versa. Yesterday I blessed four EBT/SNAP (food stamp) vendors with a review. One was located around the corner from my home and two others were located on the same street. That is the pinnacle of field services work – contracts in close proximity. The more contracts and the closer, the better. I had one re-run and stopped at a new Goodwill store in addition to the credit union and the $.99 Only store.

I had my usual Subway veggie patty

sandwich for “lunch” and didn’t, otherwise, snack too bad. I was so busy earning the money and spending it, too, I didn’t stop to eat until 5:00pm. My first meal was at 8 or 9:00am! It is my prayer to have more things to do than to just eat. I'm about 135-140lbs, down from 200, but that's another story!

Stay tuned!

by Michelle Brown

Photo Credit: http://subway.com

The Government Shut Down & So Did My Contracts....

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

Diversity Is The Name of The Game

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 of the 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.

Michelle Brown