When I was thinking about starting something that I could write on a regular basis for the drapery industry, I debated over a newsletter, or a blog. I finally rejected the newsletter idea mostly because it would need to be sent out on a regular basis with a set deadline. A blog gave me more freedom to write when I wanted.

I need all that freedom because I'm the mother of three young children. Two of whom, are still at home with me. Over the years I've run my workroom, I've found that walking that tightrope between family and work, has been a difficult one. If I tried to devote time to the business, I would get upset at the children for interrupting me. If I tried to devote time to the children, I could hear my neglected business calling me.
So many people in this industry work at home and juggle children, pets and spouses. Sometimes they find the workroom is taking over their home, and their life. Suddenly the balance between work and home is lost.
To regain that balance you need to create some rules for yourself aü      Have a dedicated space for your workroom, tools, fabric books etc. Do not let it spill out of this space and into the rest of your home. If you start to run out of space, spend a day clearing out the clutter. Sometimes even just getting rid of all those empty fabric tubes can create a lot of new space. 
    1.      Have a dedicated space for your workroom, tools, fabric books etc. Do not let it spill out of this space and into the rest of your home. If you start to run out of space, spend a day clearing out the clutter. Sometimes even just getting rid of all those empty fabric tubes can create a lot of new space.

2.      Set aside time to spend with your children, and time to spend on your business.

3.      Keep your business phone separate, on a different phone line, on a cell phone or with a different ring.

4.      Set specific working hours. Then stick to them.

5.      Don't answer the phone or check email after work hours.

6.      If you have to work on treatments in the evening give yourself an hour or at least a 1/2 hour to wind down and relax before going to bed. Work only on the treatments, not on other parts of your business.

7.      Don't check your email, your Facebook page, Twitter, or the phone before heading in to the workroom to work on treatments.

8.      Don't do quotes when you have a window treatment due for installation the next day.

9.      When you're in the workroom give yourself over fully to the workroom. When you're with your family do the same thing.

10. Try to return all your phone calls at one time, away from children and barking dogs.

11. Create a dedicated space for your children to play in, while you're working. Give them something new to play with each day so they don't get bored.

12. Take frequent breaks so you can interact with them and then get back to work.

13. Consider hiring a babysitter for one day a week or even just for a couple hours.

14. Make friends in the neighborhood and set up a babysitting co-op where you exchange babysitting on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

15. Take a break to take your pet for a quick walk. It's good for them, good for you and it may help you clear your mind and solve a difficult problem.

16. Take up a new hobby.

17. Create a working schedule for your jobs. One you can see every day. Try and give yourself a time frame for working on treatments to get them completed in a timely manner.

18. Set up specific days of the week to do your installs or new appointments. You don't have to tell your clients this, just say, "I'm available on Tuesday and Thursday this week, what does your schedule look like."

19. Set some policies for your business including contracts, and stick to them for ALL your clients, wholesale and retail.

20. Take time out to have fun. Go on a date with your husband, have drinks with the girls. Learn a new hobby.

21. Let go and let your house get a little dirty. Remember houses are for living in, not to be a constant show piece.

22. Learn to be flexible. Kids get sick, fabrics are on back order. You can't control everything.

23. Realize that just like your life businesses can have different stages too. Sometimes the business is run part time. At a later stage you may be able to run it full time. You have the ablility to change that whenever you want.