This week practically flew by, masha’Allah! Recently some unexpected real life occurances threw me a bit off schedule which unfortunately prevented me from posting the details of my Interview with Muslimah Speaks founder, Laura Sultan on Monday, May 7. Insha’Allah I will post it on Monday May 14.

So much is going on right now that my head is practically spinning! The kids are almost out of school for summer break so we’ve been busy attending and volunteering to help out with end-of-the-year functions with the school and the masjid where they also attend Sunday school, masha’Allah. I still haven’t signed them up for a summer program (procrastination on my end). There’s still time, but not much…

We are also looking for a place to live that’s closer to my mother, the kid’s school and the masjid. I think we’ve found the perfect home for our family – enough space, in the right location, space for my office and room for my mother-in-law, insha’Allah. If Allah wills, we will get it and be able to start packing as soon as the kids are out of school. Please keep us in your dua.

Business is very good right now, masha’Allah. I’ve been hard at work juggling several client projects and a couple projects  for my resume writing business and Muslimah Working at Home. I’m hoping to offer a free webinar before Ramadhan, insha’Allah. You get to decide the topic – I’ll be posting a brief survey here on the blog and the Muslimah Biz Tips newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, etc. – and your answers will determine the webinar topic to be discussed. It’s really important that I’m giving you the information you want, need and can actually use to reach your work-at-home goals, insha’Allah. A lot depends on how quickly we get the family moved an settled since I will also continue working on client projects throughout that process as well.

As always I greatly appreciate your kind comments, feedback and support. May Allah keep us on The Straight Path, and bless all of our endeavors.

About a year after quitting my nine-to-five job, and giving birth to my twins, I started searching for something I could do to earn money from home. I wasn’t looking to get rich, I just wanted to be able to earn a part-time income while caring for my three children at home. I received an email with a call for freelance writers to work with a growing Islamic publication called Rising Star Magazine (the magazine is no longer in publication) which was physically located in Seattle, Washington. I responded to the email, sent by the publication’s chief editor, Amel Abdullah and the rest as they say is history.

Amel is still one of the best editors I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. She was very clear when providing instruction and provided very straightforward, honest feedback and constructive criticism. She is a very accomplished freelance writer (having written on a broad-spectrum of topics), editor, researcher and translator. She is also the author of the award-winning blog, Resources for Muslim Writers, an informative site providing guidance and leads for writers pursuing the Islamic market. If you have an interest in working as a freelance writer, editor or translator, this interview is sure to provide invaluable advice.

How long have you worked as a freelance writer and editor?

About 10 years.

What were you doing professionally before freelancing?

I was teaching EFL (English as a Foreign Language) to students in Jordan.

What motivated you to pursue writing and editing on your own?

My mother taught me to read and write at a young age. I wrote my first “book” when I was four and started a magazine when I was nine (although my mother was the only subscriber). I did not merely read books and magazines for pleasure; I also used to analyze them to see how they were put together and conceived.

My interest in magazines was propelled even further by one of my mother’s friends who was a magazine publisher. In those days, they did not use computers for the layout and design. She had a team of people come to her home whenever it was time to print the next issue, and they used to do the layout on the dining room table. That was very interesting to me. My mother used to occasionally write, edit, and translate for her friend’s magazine. I knew that I wanted to write books and have my work published in magazines, too. I continued to write and analyze my favorite magazines.

For many reasons, though, I did not pursue writing as a career until I was in my mid-twenties. I finally realized one day that time was passing by, and I still had not fulfilled my lifelong goal of becoming a published writer. It was then that I decided to go full speed ahead and make it happen. Within a few weeks, I discovered that I could easily make a comfortable income doing what I loved, and I have never looked back since.

You’ve established an impressive reputation as a writer in the Islamic online and print community. Are there other markets/specialties you target as a writer (e.g. parenting, healthcare)?

I tend to gravitate towards topics related to health and science but also follow my other interests, which could be anything from art, history, and culture to business, technology, and education. I mainly write for magazines, newspapers, small businesses, news agencies, and government institutions.

Lately I have done a lot of translation work, including the translation of a novel from Arabic into English. Translation obviously requires fluency in a second language; beyond that, however, it also requires you to be a skilled writer in your native language. So I have been targeting companies and institutions that value my skills in this area and mostly specialize in marketing and journalism translations.

How have you developed your skills as a writer and editor?

The main thing I do is read a lot. No matter what I am reading (book, magazine, website, brochure, etc.), I think about the words the writer used and what impression the piece makes on me. I note to myself what sounds awkward and what could be improved. I might go so far as to rewrite a text in my spare time—just for fun. On the flip side, I also learn from good writing and practice imitating the stuff I like. I have also been blessed to work with some incredibly sharp people who have given me lots of personalized pointers on how to write and edit more effectively. If you want to grow as a writer, you should be open to what other people are telling you about your writing—even if it is not what you think you want to hear.

To me freelance writing is as much a business as any other self-employed business venture. When you’re employed by someone else, there is structure already in place for you to follow. As a freelancer, you have to come up with your own writing schedule and way of getting things accomplished. Has this ever been a challenge for you?

Absolutely. Like many writers, I started writing out of a love for the craft—not because I necessarily wanted to become a businessperson, much less a salesperson. It was not long, however, before I realized that I was, indeed, running a business and would need to learn the skills that go along with that. Running a business can be hard work. It can be much harder than the actual writing. I have had months-long stretches during which I barely slept or left my home because I had to meet a deadline. This type of schedule can be detrimental to your health and mental well-being and have a negative impact on family life. If you are disorganized or procrastinate a lot, you will probably find it difficult to run a home-based business.

What resources (websites or books) do you recommend for someone considering pursuing a freelance writing career?

There are lots of informative blogs and websites out there dedicated to the business of writing. I think the main thing you want to do is follow people who are successful at something you would like to achieve for yourself. So, if you want to write for magazines, follow magazine writers. If you want to be a copywriter, follow people who do that type of writing. Personally, I like The Renegade Writer, Make A Living Writing, Writers Weekly, and the forums at Absolute Write.

You are the founder of an amazing, award winning blog – a portal of valuable resources and information really -that provides valuable guidance and information for those interested in pursuing a writing career. What makes your blog so different from the other writer blogs out there is that it caters specifically to Muslim writers and the Islamic publications/publishing industry. What was the inspiration that led to Resources for Muslim Writers?

As a freelance writer, I am constantly in search of new writing opportunities and scan the Internet on an almost daily basis to see what is available. I could not help but notice that information of interest to Muslim writers had never been compiled into a central location and that looking for magazine guidelines and other vital info. was like looking for a needle in a haystack. By establishing the blog, I wanted to create a rich database of information that Muslim writers could benefit from and refer back to when needed.

I also wanted to help Muslim women in particular (many of whom are stay-at-home moms and need the extra income) find legitimate work-at-home opportunities and avoid the scams and get-rich-quick schemes that one commonly encounters when looking for work on-line. My other goal was to interest more Muslims in the field of writing/journalism as we are lacking sufficient representation in traditional media outlets. Writing is an excellent way to share Islam with others and make a positive contribution to society.

What advice would you give to someone looking to break into writing for Islamic publications with no clips (writing samples) or previous experience?

Most Islamic publications are incredibly approachable and are open to working with new writers. Use this to your advantage and present yourself as professionally as possible. That alone will make you stand out from the rest of the crowd. If you have no experience or clips, you may be asked to write a sample article, and I think this is reasonable. Show that you have some unique ideas by proposing a few topics for articles. A common mistake among beginning Muslim writers is using a “scholarly” voice when they are not scholars. Muslim magazines are generally looking for a friendly tone that everyday people can relate to, so just be yourself when writing.

Today we  round the  corner of our 6 Week Home Business Interview Series. This week kicks off Interview #4  with Khadija Dawn Carryl, owner of Henna Sooq, and e-commerce business that specializes in the sale of henna products for hair, body art design as well as other all-natural beautification and body art products. Khadija has worked as a Professional Henna  Artist since 2005, and has successfully parlayed her interests and skill into her own business.

If you have ever conwsidered starting a website to sell your own, or wholesale products, to the public, pat close attention to what Khadija has to say:

What motivated you to work for yourself?

Being a stay at home mom I wanted to do something for myself, to keep myself occupied and to
earn an income while not compromising me being able to stay at home with my
children. I also became very passionate about henna after I took a henna
body art workshop, and from there it took off.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as
a business owner?

Keeping my house clean  Just being able to balance everything. It’s about staying as organized as possible and properly using your time.

What are some skills you’ve had to develop to successfully operate your business?

Book keeping skills, organizing skills. Learn to manage money properly but really how to be very organized. Take great photos was important as well.

When you’re employed by someone else, there is structure already in place for you to follow. As an entrepreneur, you have
to come up with your own work schedule and way of getting things accomplished. Has this ever been a challenge for you?

Yes it can be a challenge when there are so many things to do. It feels
endless at times. You have to really manage your time, and write a list out
so you can do the most important tasks first.

What resources (websites or books) do you recommend for someone
considering starting their own ecommerce business?

I’d recommend Indie Business Network at: http://indiebeauty.com/
They’re very helpful and resourceful.
You may want to check local business organizations or colleges that offer
programs about business, and in work you need to learn more about.
Google will also be your best friend and you can learn so much from just
googling.

Just a gentle reminder that today is the last day to post your comments on our Facebook page and  qualify for a $100 Visa gift card and one month of free advertising here at Muslimahs Working at Home. To enter the sweepstakes, all you have to do is visit our page and post a comment telling us about your business, the products/services you sell and share the link to your website. We’ll announce the winner on Monday, November 28, 2011. 

Did you happen to Catch TLC’s “All American Muslims,” Muslim America’s debut into the circus that is reality television? I did. I spent the hours watching TLC’s representation of American Muslims while texting back and forth with my good friend, and Tweeting about the show with thousands of other Muslims who couldn’t wait to tune in.

This isn’t meant to be a review of the show, so I’ll keep my personal feelings about last night’s episode out of it. What I DID notice is that TLC obviously gave American Muslims something we’ve obviously been craving for some time now – representation. No, I’m not commenting one way or the other about whether or not the show is a correct representation of American Muslims, but it’s definitely a groundbreaking attempt to recognize our presence in society and give non-Muslims an interesting glimpse into the daily lives of 5 families.

Regardless of how you felt about the show, make no mistake – its premiere on mainstream network television is very important. What I’m hoping is that big name brands are paying close attention to this show as well. The Muslim consumer market is woefully neglected and underrepresented.

I used to be an advertising account executive for Azizah Magazine. I would often contact mainstream brands about advertising in the magazine only to meet confused hesitation. Back then many didn’t believe their products held any appeal to Muslim consumers. Pitching companies always involved a bit of market research with a dash of dawah for good measure. I recall contacting an Ikea representative once, launching into a passionate explanation pretty much saying: “Hello: I shop at Ikea and know other Muslims who do too!”

What really impressed me were the hundreds of Muslims on Twitter who responded to the show. We showed up and let TLC know that exactly what we thought. Regardless of whether or not most people considered the show quality entertainment, you have to admit getting a prime time slot like that is a pretty big deal.

As quoted in Advertising Age:

“In the coming years, the U.S. market will likely begin to recognize and court the $170 billion purchasing power of American Muslims.” In attendance for this year’s [American Muslim Consumer’s] conference were key representatives from Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Campbell’s Soup.” (AmericanMuslimConsumer.com).

Well,  it IS about time.

Attention writers/aspiring writers:

There are a couple of contest for young adult writers you should know about:

The Islamic Writers Alliance is hosting its 1st annual non-fiction writing contest, co-sponsored by the Zakat Foundation of America. The contest theme: “A Muslim’s Responsibility to Neighbors and Community.”

IWA provided this information on their website regarding the topic:

“The essay may be about an actual community project that addresses a specific problem(s) or it can be a hypothetical community project that would address a specific problem(s). The essay should include the importance of neighbors in your community.” 

The contest is for young adults ages 13-17 years. For information about writer’s guidelines, please visit the Islamic Writers Alliance Website.

The second contest is the3rd Annual Islamic Fiction Stories Contest, also sponsored by the Islamic Writers Alliance. For information about writer’s guidelines, visit the Islamic Writers Alliance website. This contest is also for young adults ages 13-17.

The submission deadline for both contests is November 8, 2011. Both contests are a great opportunity to encourage our youth to express themselves in written form, and stretch creatively.

As salaamu alaikum everyone – I shared this information yesterday on Twitter and Facebook,  but thought I should post it here as well. I have a female business contact who is searching for an experienced, general transcriptionist to perform 15 hours of work. She emphasized that the candidate should be very reliable, which means she may request references. This person is not Muslim. She is, however, a very respected, well-known person in her industry, and this could be an excellent opportunity for the right person, insha’Allah.

Please note that I will only be passing along information from qualified candidates. The person in need of these services will contact you if she feels you meet her criteria, insha’Allah. In other words, I have nothing at all to do with her hiring process – I’m just the messenger. :~)

If you meet the previously mention qualifications, please contact me and I’ll pass along your information.

Yesterday part 1 of the Plan Your Finances for Self-Employment series discussed the importance of examining your income and expenses before becoming self-employment. Knowing how much you need to earn to cover monthly expenses is an essential part of your financial planning process.

Another area to address as you prepare yourself financially to go solo is planning for your family’s health/life insurance. According to an article in the American Journal of Medicine, medical bills accounted for more than 60% of all bankruptcies in the U.S.

If you live in a country that provides health insurance, you’re already ahead of the game. I live in the USA, so this section will come from that point of view since it’s all I know. Most financial advisers recommend having health, life and disability insurance coverage to ensure your family’s financial stability. Unfortunately, as I write this post, millions of American’s are going without health insurance. Job loss, inability to afford individual insurance plans are top reasons. The U.S. is a country where its citizens overwhelmingly depend on employers to cover their health insurance needs. As insurance coverage increases, many employers have cut or eliminated coverage for employees. The high unemployment rate also doesn’t make matters any better.

If you’re single/divorced/widowed, have a spouse who is also self-employed, or unemployed, you may find your choices for health insurance coverage is somewhat limited. If you have a job that you plan to leave, you can continue your employer’s health insurance coverage through COBRA, and that may be your most expensive option. You can also search for individual health insurance. It will still probably be much more expensive than getting coverage through an employer (because employers who offer coverage pay a portion of their employer’s monthly premiums).

Another disadvantage of individual health coverage is the issue of preexisting conditions. This is something I experienced first hand. My husband, daughter and twin sons were being covered under my employee policy through COBRA after I left my job because my husband was self-employed. My husband got into a severe car accident and broke his back and injured his hand. He couldn’t work, so I began searching for an individual policy since COBRA was so expensive, and he was still receiving physical therapy and other treatments.

I had a very difficult time finding a policy due to his preexisting conditions caused by the accident; and when I did find a policy, our premium was inflated because of his conditions.Those with a history of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other conditions may experience a similar problem.

You can hire an insurance broker to locate a policy that fits your family’s needs. Insurance brokers get paid by the insurance companies, so you benefit from their expertise at no cost to you. If you don’t know where to start, working with an insurance broker might be the best solution.

Women have a lot to be responsible for on a daily basis. We handle the  children, chores, housework, shopping and maintain the home, women have turned to technology for help. Reaching women in this age of digital technology requires a lot more than just television commercials and radio ads.

Women these days rely are relying on iPads and smart phones to provide constant access the information they need while on the go. If you want to get their attention, you need to meet them where they are.

Consider these statistics if female consumers are your target market: according to A. C. Nielsen NetRatings (2008-09), 40 percent of all women online in the United States have kids who are under eighteen years of age. That actual number is in the millions. These women range in age from their twenties to mid-forties. So where do you go to satisfy such a wide age range?

Younger women (35 and under) are more likely to tap into emerging web and mobile technology. They like using social networking media like Twitter and Facebook. They don’t just using technology for information gathering, but also keeping up with family members and running their businesses. Online entrepreneurship is one way that moms can create new streams of income and care for their children at the same time.

Older women are not alwasy as comfortable with all of the latest digital fads, but they are using the Internet to their advantage. Like younger women, they like shopping online. It is easier to shop online because you don’t have to bundle the kids up and drag them off to the store.

But, don’t be fooled. These women are savvy shoppers who participate on forums and read product reviews before choosing a website to buy from. With control of the majority of household spending, this accounts for billions of dollars. This translates into lots of time spent online.

For the businesses, reaching moms online is twofold. One, it requires providing them the information they need in easy-to-access formats. Provide helpful content on your website as well as videos, podcast and product reviews and regular participation on social media websites. Secondly, make your presence known on social sites like Twitter and YouTube. Creating how-to and informational videos save female consumers time when searching for information. It is easier than you think these days to create and upload videos.

Want to reach out to women in the digital age? Learn what technology they’re are using and create a strategy to tap into the market.

As salaamu alaikum everyone.  Masha’Allah, I am so please with the new website designed by the talented team of designers and web developers at Paramaya Web Consulting. Laura Sultan and her team displayed dependability and a professional work ethic throughout the entire process.  Their customer service was incredible, and when I didn’t know what I wanted they very patiently offered guidance and an explanation of the choices available for my website.

I could go on and on about her technical expertise and how wonderful she and her team are, but I encourage you to visit her website to see for yourself what they can do. I’ve worked with web designers before and that old saying is true: “You get what you pay for.” I look forward to working with them on future projects, insha’Allah.

Muslimahs Working at Home is dedicated to providing female business owners with the tools and resources to succeed in establishing a profitable home business. I focus on the development of home business because working from home provides women an opportunity to establish balance between home and work.

I fully support women who choose to work outside of the home. I worked outside of the home for eight years, but later made the decision to stay home because I had three children under the age of three – one with a chronic health condition – that has at times required hospitalization. I worked each day from 8am until 6pm. After homework and dinner, there wasn’t much time left before bath, bedtime and waking up to start another day all over again. My life was unbalanced and that left me feeling unsatisfied. Starting my own business and working from home has allowed me to earn an income and tend to my family’s unique needs.

Running a business can be overwhelming at times. I am the mother of four children, a wife and the primary caregiver of my aging mother. Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. I’ve struggled to stay motivated during the lean times and remain focused on my business goals. Having the right resources , support (online and real life) and my faith in Allah are what have helped me to push forward – even during some very difficult times, masha’Allah.

Muslimahs Working at Home strives to provide you with the resources and support you need to start, or jump start, your business, insha’Allah. We now feature a free business directory where you can post details about the products or services you provide and a direct link to your website. We also offer opportunities for you to become an advertiser on our website. We have future plans to offer coaching (one-on-one and group), webinars and business development, branding & marketing planning/consultation.

If you are looking for a profitable business you can start right away as a part-time or full-time venture, be sure to download your FREE copy of the ebook How to Build a Profitable Service-Based Business You Can Run From Home by filling out the short form in the sidebar. It outlines how to start a profitable service-based business quickly and affordably and focuses on four very hot service-based businesses right now: Virtual Assistant, Graphic Design, Web Writing and Multi-Media Production. I hope you’ll check it out and send me your feedback.

Also be sure to sign up at the bottom left corner of the website to receive weekly business tip and free business guides that will help you with various aspects of starting, running and growing your business. Of course I will continue to blog so feel free to jump in and start a conversation with your comments. I want to know what you think!

Last but not least, Muslimahs Working at Home is finalizing details for a major contest to kick off the new website launch. Stay tuned for more details!