Janel Vavrenyuk's mother was a dedicated sewer who made clothes for her four daughters and tried to pass the skill on...but the girls just weren't interested.

"My mother kept on me and bought me a basic sewing machine about 10 years ago and it sat in the closet," she said. "Little did she know that now I spend two to four hours a day on it!"

So what changed?

Two years ago when Vavrenyuk arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, she left her job to focus on being a stay-at-home mom to new son Miles. While she was happy, she wanted to do more and have something to show support for her Soldier. Then one day last summer, as she watched her son make a mess with his lunch, an idea struck. The bib he was using her mother had made, so Vavrenyuk decided to try her hand at a bib...made from an old Army uniform.

Though she was happy with the result, destroying the uniform made her uncomfortable so she decided to only use brand new fabric for her newly named ‘Battle Bits', from an ACU pattern to Multicam, Air Force, Navy, and Marines Woodland and Desert. 

"My intent was only to offer the bibs, but I quickly learned that people wanted more and I kept receiving requests for new items," Vavrenyuk said. "So I got brave and tackled everything from aprons to plastic bag holders, stethoscope covers - even a toddler backpack."

From there, she added keychains, wristlets, headbands and finally Battle Bags purses, which Battle Bits offers in four different styles. Items can also have personalized nametapes sewn on for just an additional $5.

Vavrenyuk is adamant that her customers not wait too long, so she strives to get orders out within 14 days, if not sooner. Battle Bits also offers free shipping and pricing is kept affordable on purpose, starting at just $7 for a keychain and reaching up to $45 for the most intricate bag.

"Being in the military means a limited budget, but that doesn't mean we can't have something fun here and there," she explained. "As long as my supplies are paid for and there's a little extra leftover, I'm good. I am having fun with it; to me, that's what a business should be."

Yet this sort of fun takes a lot of time and Vavrenyuk must work her schedule around naptimes, play dates and the needs of her toddler. Luckily, although her husband, Sgt. Gennadiy Vavrenyuk works somewhat erratic hours at Madigan where he is a LPN, he is supportive of her business and gladly helps out so she can stitch away on orders.

Orders can be placed via email (battlebits@hotmail.com) or by visiting her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BattleBits?sk=app_127087913984159.

"The story of Battle Bits is far from over and I am excited to see what the future holds," she said. "Every day I get excited when I see an order on the board, because it means I get to relax at my sewing machine. Never did my mother think I would utter those words!"

"Celebrate, Encourage and Reward Women" the first words of Thirty-One Gift's mission statement are what attracted Brenda Gandia to the company, "Of course this is after I had already fallen in love with the product. There are many reasons that I chose to be a consultant for Thirty-One over the numerous other home based business out there. I have made countless new friends, am empowered everyday by amazing women who have all started their business for their own unique reasons and I get to earn extra cash as well as countless free product" Gandia said.

Gandia, who moved to JBLM in January, finds that working for Thirty-One Gifts helps when her husband is in the field training. "During times when I find myself without my spouse quite frequently, it really makes me feel as though I am part of something good, while at the same time doing something good for myself that is both financially and emotionally gratifying."

Thirty-One Gifts started in the basement of a woman's home in Tennessee. Designing handbags and purses that other woman could love and wear cheaply the business quickly expanded to what today has become a nation wide recognized label. Choosing a favorite product however amongst the vast variety is difficult, even for Gandia, "It is very hard to choose a favorite product, but I would have to say it is the Organizing Utility Tote. This super fun tote with lots of space and pockets can be used for just about anything and is one of the most purchased products at my shows.  It is so cute and so functional; popular uses are as a diaper bag, gym bag, work carryall, auto organizer, pet supplies bag and the list goes on an on.  The tote comes in oodles of different patterns and it can be personalized with your name or something that represents your personality or its function"

"I was drawn to the company not only because of the adorable products (personalized purses, totes, wallets, etc.) but also because they thrive on celebrating women and giving them the opportunity to become successful business owners," Gandia continued, "Please visit my website for more information (www.mythirtyone.com/brendagrandia) I would love to share this unique business experience with others it can really make a positive difference in your life; it definitely has mine."

FROM THE CENTRAL KITSAP REPORTER...

Under a bill passed by the Legislature March 1, military spouses won't have to reapply for a license - whether a dental assistant, land surveyor or professional in another field - when they return to Washington state. They may have their licenses suspended during their absences and reactivated when their family returns home.

"This bill essentially allows military spouses to press ‘pause,' then reactivate when they return to our state," said Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who sponsored Senate Bill 6290. "It's an important issue- two thirds of military personnel report that their spouses' ability to continue in their chosen profession factors into their own ability to stay in the service."

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Jennifer Bargiel started with Pampered Chef in 2007. At the time, this Spanaway resident and her family were stationed at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) on the outskirts of Las Vegas, Nevada. "I first heard about it from my best friend. I love to cook and she knew it!  She told me that this was a home based business and that maybe I should consider." From there, Bargiel not only started as a Pampered Chef, but she was able to take the business with her, relocating to Columbus AFB in Mississippi, before recently moving to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Here, her husband is a C-17 pilot for the 8th Airlift Squadron and Bargiel herself is a Traditional Reservist with the 446th Airlift Squadron.

Covering areas from Olympia to Seattle, Bargiel even has a website that takes her not only nationwide, but globally as well. She will also attest that stepping into the Pampered Chef world is right up a military spouses' alley, "There is a great market for this - everyone eats, so at some point, they need to use a kitchen product at some point in time... it is also one of very few businesses that can go with you anywhere your spouse is PCS'ed to." She notes that the sweetest reward is being able to bring her family debt free, something that families across the nation strive for.

In addition to running her business, she also has 19 consultants on her team, with the most recent joining two weeks ago. Jumping into the Pampered Chef business is not to be taken lightly, and Bargiel admits that there can be bumps in the road, citing that self-motivation and the ability to keep at it are what helps her stay afloat. "One consultant was so motivated that she fast tracked her way to Director in just 80 days; something that typically takes over a year to do." There is also a lucrative rewards system in place, and getting money back on your initial investment (startup packages range from $80-160) is something that could easily be done after hosting your first party.

For those wanting more information on how to start your own Pampered Chef business, or to even host parties, Bargiel urges you to either email her at jenniferbargiel@gmail.com or by phone at (702) 328-8428.

FROM BUSINESS KNOW-HOW...
Whether your home-based business is by choice or necessity, you need to focus on three keys to have a winning game plan:

1. Define what success looks like
2. Choose simplicity for organization structure
3. Count the cost by paying vendors and taxes before you take money out of the business

As the owner, you get to make the initial decisions on how things will work. However, you have to understand the IRS defines tax implications and "business physics" will define your economic outcome so choose your course wisely!

Defining Success (3 types of home businesses):

Passion over profit - This is the entrepreneur that loves the idea of a product or service they have personally experienced and they want to share it with all the people they know. It is great to have passion, but you will need profits to make the business sustainable unless you like working for free and have other sources of funds to keep plowing into the business. The IRS may have something to say about whether losses will be deductible if you fail to meet the general rule of profits 2 out of 5 years. It is expensive to argue your point with the IRS if you do not meet the guidelines so your argument had better be valid and worth it!

Profit to support family - With current unemployment rates, there are record numbers of home businesses being formed. While it does provide a great opportunity to be your own boss, you still need to treat it like any business startup and follow sound business principles. The early stage will be to make a profit to replace your wages. As we will cover later, the profits you hope to live on will sometimes be in conflict with other expenses that the business needs to pay. This will add to the complexity of managing cash flows as you and the business compete for use of the same dollar. As you gain stability and success, you can make your market wage plus make a profit on top of that.

SEE THE REST HERE

In the midst of raising two young children, high-school teacher Cyndi Zoolkoski developed debilitating health problems and decided to find a stay-at-home job, instead. Not sure where to start, she began researching companies and stumbled upon Paul Devlin, owner of the Exodus Marketing Group-a business that rated home-based and network marketing companies.

That's when Zoolkoski discovered the 29-point screening system created by Devlin-an analytical tool to help part-time distributors find sound companies where they can make profit without extensive startup costs. The system worked so well that Devlin ended up working for the company that consistently and effectively pass his 29-point screening-the same company Zoolkoski now works for-Life Force International.

"I not only found a great company, but a product I could stand by," said Zoolkoski. "Body Balance and Life Force's line of nutritional products gave me my health back."

Life Force International is a highly-successful direct sales company. With world headquarters in the U.S. its famous for Body Balance-a liquid supplement blend of nine varieties of sea vegetables and Aloe Vera recommended by thousands of healthcare professionals to promote health. It was a health-saver and an avenue to financial success for 42-year old Zoolkoski.

"Products are only as good as the company that makes it," she said, "and the 29-point screening confirmed that I made the best choice."

Zoolkoski's background in pharmaceuticals helped her understand their products, and Life Force's business plan (in-house training, mentorships, and core commitments) further convinced her she had chosen well. She is now their wellness coach.

The 29-point screening system can work for you, too. There are four sections in the screening module, each with several principles to aid in evaluating companies. Here's a brief list:

Financial and Corporate: in business for at least three years; debt-free or with very low debt/asset ratio;  history of consistent expansion and sales volume growth; have funding to sustain growth, and a high credit rating; forthright about who they are (and their processes); have a clean track record; clear written code of ethics (with track record of enforcement).

Products and Services: both are consumable and unique; compelling story-line that sets them apart; prices at fair market value; in compliance with regulatory agencies; products and services have a results-oriented track record.

Marketing Plan: offers low to no cost entry fees as a distributor; products, services, and business opportunities truly beneficial to everyone (not based on sponsoring); effective marketing plan (at least 35-percent gross profit). 

Support Services: courteous customer service; significant resources for support systems (conference calls, Internet, online ordering and tracking, direct access to leadership); sales aids and marketing materials reasonably priced or free; commitment to building a satisfied customer base; holds meetings and training regularly.

These principles have been adapted into a tool-chest of "What to look for in nutritional tools checklist" that includes tips on rating a nutritional product/company. For details on this and the 29-point screening system, contact Zoolkoski at cyndizoo@comcast.net or call (253) 370-0235. For Life Force, visit www.lifeforce.net .

FROM BUSINESS KNOW-HOW...

Marketing is the key to success in just about all businesses. It's not unsual, in fact, for a mediocre product with great marketing to outperform a good product that is poorly marketed. Big businesses can dedicate a lot of money and staff to coming up with blockbuster marketing ideas for their products. Small and medium-sized businesses can't afford that luxury. So what can you do to improve your marketing results?

The answer is simple: keep trying marketing ideas you haven't tried before. Ideas are plentiful if you look for them. Pay attention to what big corporations (as well as other small businesses) do to introduce and promote their products, and then adapt their marketing techniques to meet your own target clients and budget.

Here are 20 marketing ideas to consider:

SEE THE LIST HERE

Working as a real estate agent in a housing market hit hard by the economic downturn, Army spouse Melynda Bosch came to the realization it was time for a career change.

"I started researching ways to start working from home," said Bosch, who PCSed with her husband and three children to Joint Base Lewis-McChord from Fort Jackson, S.C., about two months ago.

Bosch found Passion Parties, Inc. on the Web and immediately was drawn to it.

"I didn't know anybody in that line of work, and it was basically recession-proof," said the 31-year-old Milwaukee, Wis., native. "I also had to have something that was transferable, and I needed something that was flexible. It was a perfect fit for me."

Passion Parties is a leader in the party plan industry and calls itself the premier supplier of sensual products in the United States and Canada. The company sells lotions and creams (both edible and non-edible) as well as adult toys. Those who work as independent consultants organize and host in-home parties that allow women to see and test out the company's products in a fun, educational and confidential setting.

"It's a lot of fun," said Bosch, who lives on McChord Field. "The parties can be as mild or as wild as the host wants."

The career change has been a blessing for Bosch in many ways. Currently a full-time student, it allows her to work between 15 to 20 hours a month, adds a nice boost to the family's income and has helped set a course for what Bosch wants to do in the future.

The Army spouse is in the process of earning her bachelor's and master's degree on her way to becoming a sex therapist. She hopes to specialize in helping couples that have been affected by post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury.

Some of the products that Passion Parties sells can help affected couples heighten their level of intimacy, Bosch said.

Adding certain lotions can "open up communication lines between couples," she said.

Bosch has worked as an independent consultant and team leader for a little more than a year, and says the popularity of Passion Parties just continues to grow. Recently while she was at a local beauty salon, Bosch received multiple calls from women driving through the parking lot that had seen her advertisement on her car. She's nearly booked solid on Friday and Saturday nights as it is up until Valentine's Day.

Bosch is however, currently running a special deal for women around Valentine's Day that includes a personal boudoir photo shoot in addition to Passion Party products.

For more information on booking a party, visit melyndayourpassionconsultant.com.   

FROM BUSINESS KNOW-HOW...

Imagine that you have decided to watch a movie on television. How quickly will you determine whether to keep watching it, or switch to another program? Chances are good that within the first five minutes you are likely to say "Looks interesting, well worth watching," or mumble the opposite viewpoint: "Already I can tell this flick isn't worth my time."

Now notice that audiences make up their minds just that quickly about speakers. The window of opportunity for winning and keeping attention doesn't last long. Every audience member is holding a mental remote control. Before five minutes pass, you must convince listeners that you are worth sticking around for, or in their minds they will switch to some other thoughts.

Fortunately, captivating your audience at the outset isn't complicated. Here are 5 ways to win attention and allegiance.

First, start on time regardless of who has not arrived.

How often have you put aside an important project, rushed through heavy traffic, and arrived at a session ten minutes early, only to hear the speaker-or the person who will introduce her-announce, "Glad you're here. Thanks for getting here on time. However, we're going to wait a few extra minutes before our presentation starts, because two of our senior staff members are winding up an important meeting in the next building. So just relax, get to know the people seated near you, and we promise you your wait will be worthwhile."

SEE THE REST HERE

SEE ALSO>>>

JANUARY SPECIALS AT THE COMMISSARY

MCCHORD SPOUSES SELLS TEAS

LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS

McChord Field spouse Tiffany Swaggart had seen what kind of home-based businesses some of her friends and acquaintances were getting involved with.

Tupperware. Sentsy candles.

"The market was flooded with those (kinds of) consultants," said Swaggart, whose husband is a staff sergeant in the 627th Security Forces Squadron.

But selling tea? That was something she could get behind.

The 26-year-old recently became a consultant with Tealightful, a company that enables consultants to host in-home tasting parties. The Tealightful catalogue features everything from cookie and scone mixes to iced and hot teas.

"I'm such a homebody," Swaggart said. "I needed something to help make sure I got out of the house."

Swaggart, who has a two-year-old son, became a Tealightful consultant and hit her monthly quota after hosting her first party. The tea consultant gig has also fit nicely into her lifestyle.

"You can really do it at your own pace," she said.

The company also provides great support to each of its consultants.

"I'm friends with the president on Facebook, and everyone with the company is very helpful with finding any information that I need," the Air Force spouse said.

The business has helped turn the Maryland native into a bit of a tea expert herself. When her husband was home (he left on a five-month deployment in November) the two would brew a full pot of coffee and polish it off easily throughout the morning.

"With him being gone, I'm not going to drink an entire pot," she said.

That has opened the door for Swaggart to get to know her product better by having a cup of tea each morning.

"I'm constantly trying something new," she said.

The business has also helped Swaggart expand her social network and given her a push to become a bit more outgoing.

"I was never much for public speaking and going out and meeting people, but with Tealightful you have to be willing to put yourself out there," she said. "I have to make sure I'm moving around and interacting with everyone at the tastings."

It has paid off in that she has been able to turn some staunch coffee drinkers into fans of tea, and it has also helped her make some new friends.

And while she hasn't yet met all the selling goals that the company has for its consultants, Swaggart is comfortable working at her own pace and enjoying spreading the product and meeting new people. She knows there will always be a demand.

"The market is mine if I get out there and capture it," she said.

For more information about hosting an in-home tasting with Swaggart, email her at tiffanyswaggart@yahoo.com.