Ups and downs

My husband is an independent computer guru, handling both the software side of things (web design, logos, programming) and the hardware side of things (trouble shooting computer problems, setting up systems, server issues, etc). I help by handling some of the financial stuff, like keeping the books and paying the taxes. Business in the computer world is in a constant state of flux, where months are either really busy or really slow. We are currently in a state of "up" and it is hard to keep our schedules straight, while still finding time to spend with our kids.

This kind of schedule stress is still much easier to handle than the "big corporate world" kind. I am so fortunate to have my husband around most days and I wouldn't trade our current situation, even if it meant more money. Sure, he could do an online IT job search and find companies willing to pay top dollar for his knowledge. We have been there already and we prefer to be more in control of our work lives. Of course, corporate jobs are always part of "plan B" if business gets really slow for too long, but things have a way of working themselves out, and we haven't had to go down that road for almost three years so far.

Shameless plugs

Those in the know are aware that my husband is a web designer and has been plugging away in order to avoid a meaningless corporate slave job. So of course, when he launches new websites, I feel I must help promote in any small way I can. So if anyone wants to see some beautiful pictures of our lovely little town, please check out the new Eureka Springs Pictures site. Even if you live here and think you have seen everything, there are some interesting perspectives in the photos all taken by my husband who is an accomplished photographer as well.

The other new site is for local companies who want to promote their businesses in a new and exciting way. Eureka Bucks allows users to create their own coupons or weekly specials to share with customers. They create a log-in and can change or update their coupons whenever they want. Take control of your advertising and get exactly what you want! Potential customers can even request bargains on the unique Make a Deal page. It's like Priceline.com on a local level.

EurekaLoop

As I have mentioned before, my husband and I are trying to make our living off various internet ventures, and so far these have been slow to start, but a bit profitable. The problem is that everything on the internet fluctuates. One week will be very slow with hardly any income, but then you'll get a day where the money is just rolling in. So we have decided to offer Web Design, hosting, and logo design to local businesses.

The information can be found at EurekaLoop. This is also the place to go if you want to barter services with fellow Eurekans. Check out the "Service Loop" to set up a free listing for a service you will provide, or for a service you require from someone else. Neighbors helping neighbors!

Web work

Being a web designer, my husband is considering offering free-lance web design to local businesses. It seems like everyone needs a website or knows someone who does. He has been staying away from it because ideally, we could make enough money on the internet without having to meet with clients and such. He did web design for a while in college to make money on the side and he got really burned out on trying to please customers.

Now that he has better business sense, and more experience, I think he could handle it much better. Since we have these other business ventures already happening on the internet, he would only have to do two or three websites per month to fill in the monetary gap. Plus, he would meet more locals and get out of the house. Sometimes I worry about him being cooped up in his studio/office for up to 18 hours a day!