First meeting is scheduled for Nov. 10

By L.J. Gambone
For the Apple Valley Review

Working for yourself clearly has it’s benefits — there are no time cards to punch, no boss to micro-manage your tasks and best of all, you have the freedom to create your own schedule.

But according to Janice Moore, CEO for the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce, entrepreneurship has challenges of its own, especially when it comes to time management.

In an effort to help home-based entrepreneurs acquire greater skills for success in all areas of their business, the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Home-Based Business Council will host its first bi-monthly meeting from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Nov. 10 at the Chamber’s office at 16010 Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley.

“We’re hoping these meetings will help our home-based business owners in a way that sparks their creative juices,” said Moore. “Most of these entrepreneurs work in an isolated environment and don’t have anyone they can brainstorm with, so we want to provide them with that opportunity.”

According to Moore, 25 percent of the residents in Apple Valley run a home-based business and are in great need of a place share ideas, discuss challenges and engage in a meeting of the minds.

The first Home Based Business Council meeting will focus on the topic of time management, Moore said. It will feature a special speaker from the Council, as well as a question-and-answer segment.

“It can be very difficult to discipline yourself where time management is concerned when you are working from home,” said Moore. “So part of our agenda will be offering tips and advice on how to better manage your schedule.

“We see these meetings being a cohort of people who have similar interests and are looking for a support system.”

The Home Based Business Council plans to hold its meetings on an ongoing basis, according to Moore. She said the agendas of future gatherings will be tailored to meet the specific needs of the attendees.

“We will welcome feedback from anyone who comes to our meetings and will be relying on those people to let us know the types of topics that will benefit them most,” Moore said.

According to the Apple Valley Chamber’s website, its mission is to promote a prosperous business environment by representing and serving its members and the community. The Chamber also continues to refine networking opportunities and create more benefits for its members.

The cost for the upcoming Home-Based Business Council meeting is free for Chamber members and $20 for non-members, payable at the door. A complimentary continental breakfast will be served.

For more information, visit www.avchamber.org