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Get to Know
Marnie Pehrson
SheLovesGod.com
Marnie L. Pehrson is a writer, online
publisher, and president of the International Association of Computer
Professionals. She has owned her home-based business since 1990. She,
her husband, Greg, and their five children live in North
Georgia. Marnie has written manuals like ''How to Run a Successful
Computer Training Business,'' ''How to Get & Keep Customers for
Your Computer-Based Business,'' and articles on entrepreneurial and
inspirational topics. Her Internet communities may be reached from http://www.pwgroup.com
or email her at webmaster@ideamarketers.com
Her sites include www.ideamarketers.com
, www.ads4homes.com , www.shelovesgod.com
, www.pros-n-cons.com.
| Marnie, would you tell us how you got started with all of your internet interests? |
In 1990, I started a computer training business from my home in order to stay home with my 2 children, and
supplement our family income. My business went well and in 1993, I wrote a manual entitled, "How to Run a Successful Computer Training Business" and started selling it by uploading excerpts of it to CompuServe and AOL. In 1994, due to my online writing, I met Alanna Webb of Oklahoma who was doing desktop publishing at the time.
Alanna and I became good friends and in 1995, we went into business together with an online mall. Alanna did the Web design and I did the sales/marketing/bookkeeping. We did well for a young startup and in 1996, we got a rather large project out of New Jersey. Alanna ended up going full time with them and moving to New Jersey. I worked for them for about 6-months from my home on a contract basis.
Eventually, Alanna and I dissolved our partnership, I kept the mall and Alanna went on to create www.lovestories.com - the first really popular love/romance site on the internet. In 1997, I formed the IACP to better serve my computer-based business customers. It grew rapidly and the only way I could keep up with the online directory was to learn Cold Fusion. Alanna got me started with it -- gave me some code to start learning and an over-the-phone tutorial. From there, I combined my love for writing and database design and created IdeaMarketers. Really everything I'm doing on the Web right now is a combination of my love of writing, database design and a deep desire to create sites that leave the Internet a better place as a result of their existence.
| How do your husband and children handle your time at the computer and the times that you need to be on the phone? Do they ever "help" you? |
They handle it really well. They give me the time and space I need. Phone times are hectic during the days. I generally sit out on my front porch to talk and let the little ones play outside. One mistake I've made in doing this is now, the minute I pick up the phone, my 18-month-old goes to the door, grabs the knob and cries to go outside. And sometimes that's just not possible. <grin> So don't follow me in that respect! My husband is great about keeping the kids quiet in the evening if I ever get a stray business call. But generally, I gave up expecting kids to be quiet while I was on the phone a long time ago. If I'm doing a phone interview or really need to have an important conference call, I schedule those during nap time. My husband is a big help in my business. He runs all my errands and handles shipping orders.
Well, to be honest with you I don't. My house is a mess most of the time. Something has to be let go and generally my house is it. :) My husband does all the grocery shopping and errand running. I do most of my work in the early mornings after the older kids are off to school, but before the two little ones wake up, and then later in the afternoon during nap time. Or late at night after everyone's asleep.
I really don't think I'm the greatest example in the world to follow in "doing it all," but here are
three things I've learned over the years.
1. First, I've found it's best if I don't force myself to do something I'm not in the mood to do. If I wait until I'm in the mood, I'm five times as productive. If I'm in a creative mode, I can crank out 2-3 good articles in a day. Or if I'm in the mood to redesign a Web site, I can do that in less time and to greater perfection than if I wasn't in the
mood.
2. Another thing I've learned to do is to automate as much as possible. Most of my Web sites run themselves. My content is fed by visitors. I really could leave IdeaMarketers alone for a month, never write a single article, and no one would probably even miss me.
3. Take at least one day off a week. Kick back and relax every now and then, dig in the garden or read a book. If I'm really not in the mood to work, it's best not to force the issue... just relax.
| What do you do when you're feeling overwhelmed? |
Well, the first order of business for me when I'm overwhelmed is to hit my knees and pray for guidance in bringing it all under control. Then, I'll usually sit down with a sheet of paper and make a list of everything I've got going and what needs to be done, and try to eliminate things that aren't necessary, and bring some kind of grouping or organization to the rest. Then, I decide on what I want to do first, break it into steps, and start working my plan. Usually, I try to give my worries to the Lord, and just dive in and do my best. God always seems to make up the difference when I ask him for help, and then get to work.
| Where do you see yourself and your business five years from now? |
In five years, my youngest will be in school. I'll have a lot more quiet time during the days, and I would really like to do some speaking -- probably in the form of audio or even Net radio. I love teaching -- especially on spiritual matters. I plan to have written a book by then -- around the topics I write about at SheLovesGod. I expect to see some major growth in traffic for IdeaMarketers and SheLovesGod by then as well. I really believe there's a lot of untapped potential with IdeaMarketers, and that it will be a major player in content-distribution on the Internet.
| Where do you see SheLovesGod.com in five years? |
This is a tough one for me to answer because I don't really feel like I'm at the helm of this site. I seek daily inspiration regarding SheLovesGod and I'm doing everything I can think of to make it the best I can "right now." Currently, I'm dabbling in radio advertising on Christian radio stations. If that proves to be an effective way of pulling people in, then you'll probably be hearing radio ads for SheLovesGod around the country 5 years from now.
In terms of numbers, I'd like to see 10,000 subscribers on our study list and around 1 million page views/month by then.
| Do you have goals for
SheLovesGod.com? |
SheLovesGod is a labor of love for my Savior. My goal is to bring people to Christ -- in particular women who are searching for answers, truth, direction and comfort in their lives. I also have a strong desire to help Christians of all denominations to build on common ground, set aside their differences and work together, to become friends. I'm really an idealist at heart. My goal with SheLovesGod is to make good popular again. I want SheLovesGod to inspire people to love their neighbor, come unto Christ, and teach their families and all they come in contact with to do the same. I want other people to find the happiness that I've found in striving to live His teachings.
| What is your biggest frustration these days? |
I'd say the biggest frustration I deal with is prejudice. I get email from some people who like to tell me what I do or do not believe. Fighting prejudice is a big part of what SheLovesGod is about -- helping us to appreciate each other for not only our similarities, but also our differences. It's about having respect for other people. I believe that until we respect what other people believe, we can never expect them to respect what we believe.
| Do you have any words of wisdom for women who want to start up a home-based business while raising their children? |
Try to stay balanced. Take time for every aspect of your life. To be honest with you, I'm a recovering work-a-holic. I've let work take
precedence over my family, over my spiritual growth, over my household - everything. If I had it to do over, I would have made sure that every day I took at least 30-60 minutes to study my scriptures, spent a few un-begrudging hours/day dedicated to my children, took time to talk with my husband when he got home without hopping right back on the computer. Basically, all the things I'm trying to integrate into my life right now... it would be a lot easier if I hadn't formed such bad habits for 9.5 years.
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