A mother-son team found a solution to their sudden unemployment by opening their own successful business with very little upfront cost.
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) July 7, 2004 -- Within two weeks, mother and son were laid off from their respective jobs; just a couple more statistics from the numbered jobless during the summer of 2003. Danna Kljun and Christopher Carter took sixty years of customer service and non-profit experience to a declining job market that would not offer new opportunities, at least not immediately. Refusing to wait for employment, the duo opted to follow a common dream and create jobs for themselves.
After months of looking for new employment, Danna and Christopher decided like many Americans to embark on starting a business. "We were bored, feeling a bit sorry for ourselves," Christopher explains. "We had thrown around the idea of starting a business before, but we were always gainfully employed at the time." Despite a so far unsuccessful job hunt, it was desperation and boredom that sparked the creation of ArmsteadsPorch.com.
"We had initially made plans to open a small gift shop that specialized in live houseplants and home design, then we realized how much time and cost it would take," says Danna. "It was then that we agreed on a home-based Internet business that was designed to eventually grow into brick and mortar locations."
Christopher had a background in retail and web design, so all of the creation and business development could be done without third party costs. Danna had a natural design instinct and passion, but most importantly had received a modest severance package from her previous employer, not to mention a credit card with a low interest rate. "ArmsteadsPorch.com was originally and is still funded primarily by that credit card," laughs Christopher. "We probably broke some rules of starting a business, but it worked. No one was going to lend a dime to two unemployed people who had never opened a business. You can say we partnered with Visa, not that they were aware of it at the time."
With additional help from family members Amy Carter, who has a graphic design background, and Mike Kljun, with his warehouse management experience, ArmsteadsPorch.com was launched within two months of its initial conception. Ironically, it was within days of the launch that both Danna and Christopher received job offers. "We had to take the jobs," explains Danna, "but I did not want to lose the momentum we had created. I still had a dream to leave my family the legacy of a business that would sustain them completely."
"Our goal now is to get Mom retired from her day job and continue to expand the business, eventually allowing me to devote myself full time to ArmsteadsPorch.com," states Christopher. "Right now it works and I am so grateful to be working toward a common goal with my family."
Using their experience, taking an entrepreneurial risk, and building their business slowly allowed the mother-son duo to improve their own employment situations by making a job out of nothing at all.
For additional information, contact: Amy Carter, acarter@armsteadsporch.com
ArmsteadsPorch.com is a registered trademark of Armstead's Porch Inc. ArmsteadsPorch.com is an international retailer focusing on fine gifts and home décor. They also have a philanthropic program called Helping Hands that is funded by company revenue.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Amy Carter
ArmsteadsPorch.com
404-805-8515
770-476-0878
http://ArmsteadsPorch.com
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