I was watching the President’s State of the Union Address a few moments ago and was thrilled when he invited Julie Aigner-Clark of Colorado to stand for applause. The name Julie Aigner-Clark may not ring a bell to you, but if you are the mother of preschoolers (or even young elementary students) I’ll bet you’ve heard of Baby Einstein before.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw a Baby Einstein video. One of my girlfriends gave it to me when my daughter was teething. My baby was mesmerized the moment she saw the puppets and toys dance across the screen. I was stunned. Did my friend actually pay for this video? It seemed so silly, yet…my baby was clearly hooked. Within a few months, I obtained the entire Baby Einstein series. A few minutes of “me-time” later, I became hooked too.
Julie’s story is an inspiration. She was a middle-school teacher and homemaker who simply wanted to expose her infant daughter to the arts. Twenty million dollars, and a Walt Disney contract later, she was getting a standing ovation within the US Capital.
Have you ever wondered if you can make a difference with your home-based business? Julie was being honored tonight not only because she is a home-based mom success story, but because she is using her success to make a difference. After selling her Baby Einstein series to Disney, Julie partnered with John Walsh to create “The Safe Side” which is a safety video for children. She is using the sales to help raise money for The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
You don’t need to be a multi-millionaire to make a difference with your business. Like Julie, home-based business owners are typically entrepreneurs who enjoy a challenge. Challenge yourself to use your talents to help someone else.
Are you a writer? Write an article for a local non-profit. Are you a website designer? Design a free logo for a fellow work-at-home mom. Are you a direct seller? Offer to donate a portion of your party sales to your favorite charity.
What are some ways that you are using your business to make a difference? Share your ideas in the comments section.
Related Articles:
Tips for Giving Away Your Money
Top Ten Resources for Charitable Giving, Part I
A Charitable Teacher’s Last Lesson