Get Paid to Search with Scour

So how many times do you search the internet every day?  For many of us who work at home, that number may be pretty high.  Did you know that you can get paid for those searches?  With Scour you can earn up to 3 points per search for up to 100 searches per day.  You get 1 point for the search.  Then you can get 1 point to vote on the sites that come up, and 1 point if you make a comment.  However, you can’t just run down the list voting on all of them to grab up those points.  That’s why it is a maximum of 3 points per search.  It is also set up so that you don’t get additional points for a search that was already performed that day.  On top of your own searches, you can also get 25% of the points made by any friends you refer!

So, you are probably wondering how many of these points you have to get before you actually get any money.  You are not going to get rich using Scour.  If you have 6,500 points, you can cash out for a Visa gift card for $25.  12,500 points will get a Visa gift card in the amount of $50, and 25,000 points equal $100.

I actually signed up for Scour last month, but then didn’t really do a lot with it.  I was always forgetting to use it to do my searches.  However, they have a toolbar that you can easily add to Firefox or Internet Explorer so that you can perform your searches right at the top of the page.  I went back to it the other day and made it a point to do my searches using Scour so that I could see how many points I would get.  With just doing the regular searches that I would have been doing anyway, I received almost 200 points just in the past 2 1/2 days just from my searches.  (And that is only with searches and voting because I don’t make comments.)

Why use Scour other than for the points?  Scour combines search results from the top three search engines: Yahoo, Google and MSN.  Have you ever noticed how you can search for the same phrase in all three of those, and you don’t always come up with the same results?

So my initial review is that Scour is definitely a tool I will continue using.  It never hurts to have a little bit of extra money coming in.  I’ll try to remember to come back and update when I have reached enough points to cash out.

Try it out and see what you think.  Please leave me a comment and let me know.  No, it won’t make you rich, but when was the last time you received a gift card from Yahoo?

Mechelle Designs

The person in the Ms. Biz spotlight this week is Mechelle.  Please stop by and visit her at Mechelle Designs.

Q: Tell me a little about your business(es) - what you sell, service provided, etc.

Mechelle: I create original pieces of artwork in my online shop.  I am currently creating  a series of whimsical birds. Their cute, quirky, mischievous little birds.

Q: How did you decide on the business name?

Mechelle: I simply used my name in my website shop.  I included the word designs because I have prints, pillows, pendants, note cards and magnets.

Q: When and why did you start your business?

Mechelle: I have been an professional artist for a little over 20 years. I generally exhibited my work in outdoor art festivals, but since having three children I wanted to see if I could sell in an online shop.

Q: What was the hardest part for you?

Mechelle: Marketing my work myself.

Q: What motivates you to keep going?

Mechelle: I have had a passion for creating art since I was a child. I keep trying new avenues, or different techniques to make my work better and better.

Q: Do you have any advice for other women wanting to start their own business?

Mechelle: Network with others starting their own business, pass out business cards where ever you go. Get your name or product out to the public.

Q: Anything else that you would like for us to know about you - “the woman behind the business” - hobbies, interests, etc

Mechelle: I enjoy traveling, going to museums and other quaint little shops with unique handmade goods.

Q: Would you like to offer a discount for the readers?

Mechelle: If you buy one print you get the second print half off.

Thank you, Mechelle, for being this week’s Ms. Biz!

Please stop by and check out Mechelle’s cute art at Mechelle Designs.

Everyday Occasions

I would like to introduce you to our next Ms. Biz!  Kimberly Vetrano is the owner of Everyday Occasions and several other sites.

Q: Tell me a little about your business (or businesses).  For example, what you sell, services offered, etc)

Kimberly: I am the owner of Everyday Occasions (http://www.Everyday-Occasions.com). I offer personalized gifts and favors for all occasions including personalized rotating message pens, personalized candy and non-candy wrappers, personalized drink favors (coffee, tea, cocoa, cappuccino and cocktails), personalized buttons, magnets and more!

I am also the owner of She Scribes (http://www.SheScribes.com) where I do product and site reviews as well as contests. I also own Kimberly Vetrano (http://www.KimberlyVetrano.com) and my digital scrapbook site City Scribe Scraps (http://www.CityScribeScraps.com) where I offer free digital scrapbook elements and kits.

Q:  What is your best selling product?

Kimberly:  My personalized rotating message pens are my number one best seller.

Q: How did you come up with the name?

Kimberly:  I wanted to come up with a name that would cover all the special occasions in people’s lives, from baby showers to weddings and from retirement parties to business promotions. The name Everyday Occasions pretty much sums that all up.

Q: When and why did you start the business?

Kimberly:  I started my business in May of 2003. My initial reason for starting my business was to raise a little extra pocket money to afford those “little luxuries” in life you can’t normally afford on one salary such as ordering pizza or taking the kids to the movies. I also wanted a creative outlet for when my children were in school. There is only so much cooking and cleaning you can do.

Q: What was the hardest part for you?

Kimberly:  Initially it was getting customers. These days the hardest part is keeping up with the SEO on my site and coming up with new and exciting products and ideas to keep my customers coming back for more.

Q: What motivates you to keep going?

Kimberly:  My family and the feeling of accomplishment and a “job well done” I get when I complete and order and when the customer takes the time to compliment me on my work. I also love being a part of people’s happy occasions, even in a small way. It thrills me when people send me pictures of the products I created for them at their event (like favors on the table at a wedding) or e-mail me their special stories about the favors I created. My customers make me a part of their special day and that really makes my heart smile.

Q:  Do you have any advice for other women wanting to start their own business or ones who have just begun?

Kimberly:  Be true to yourself and follow your passion. Just because a business promises you the world doesn’t mean it can deliver. You need to find a home business you are passionate about, one that will make you get out of bed in the morning and have you smiling when you go to bed at night. It’s not always about the money. Some businesses lead you to believe you’ll get rich quick but the truth of the matter is NO ONE gets rich quickly. You need to put a lot of time, sweat and energy into making your business a success. Success takes time and it doesn’t happen over night. You truly have to love what you do. Don’t just take on a business because of the money you think you can make. Money does not mean success. Loving what you do AND making money. That is success!

Q: Tell me about you - hobbies, favorite things, etc.

Kimberly:  I am a freelance writer and photographer. I enjoy reading, traveling, learning and meeting new and interesting people.

Q:  Do you have a discount you would like to offer the readers?

Kimberly: Free shipping (except international and rush orders) on personalized rotating message pens.

Thank you, Kimberly, for taking the time to answer our questions!  Please stop by and visit Kimberly at Everyday Occasions, or one of her other sites, today.

The PolkaDot Frog Boutique

I would like to introduce you to the next Ms. Biz.  Tina is the founder of The PolkaDot Frog Boutique.

Q: Tell me a little about your business (or businesses).  For example, what you sell, services offered, etc)

Tina: My business is customizing unique gifts.  I make handmade children’s clothing, like A line dress, shirts and pants outfits, personalized appliquéd t-shirts. We have baby bibs, burp cloths, blankets, rattles, personalized sippy cups, sports cups, koozies, travel mugs, hand painted clipboards and chalkboards, little girls spa items,custom gift baskets for any occasion, altered books, home decor, hair bows and hair bow holders. We can custom make most of our items. We offer personalization on most of our items. It can be an embroidered name or monogram on an item or it can be a hand painted name or monogram as well. You can pick materials, ribbons, thread colors, fonts and designs. Everything to make it your own personal item. Different from all others.We offer a special hand written note to be sent to the person receiving a gift and the gifts are always gift wrapped - for no charge. I want to offer boutique style with out the high boutique prices so everyone can enjoy a special gift. We give every purchase that gift feel…even if it is for the person buying it. Everything is a gift.

Q:  What are your best selling products?

Tina: My best selling products are the personalized hand painted clipboards but a very close second are the new bow holders that I personalize with a letter on the ribbon.

Q: How did you come up with the name?

Tina: I wanted a frog logo because of the F.R.O.G. which in my life stands for Forever Rely On God. I tossed around names that would fit a frog logo, like - The Lily Pad and such but nothing jumped out at me. I am a sewer an I do embroidery so when I came across a frog design of a frog that had polka dots AND it was cute, I said that’s it. It has to be The PolkaDot Frog.

Q: When and why did you start the business?

Tina: I started it because I was tired of going into high end boutiques to buy the cutest clothes for my daughter and having to spend $80.00 on a dress that was very simple to make. I wanted to be able to let her go and play on the playground, make an art project or go for lunch and not worry about the “What if’s”. So I decided that I needed to start using the talent that God gave me instead of letting it go to waste.

Q: What was the hardest part for you?

Tina: The hardest part for me was and sometimes still is - jumping out there and just doing it. Creating something new. What if no one likes it, what if I put this design on that bib and someone wanted something different…Oh No! What if…What if I sat there and did nothing…noting would sell. Sometimes it is still hard. What if I choose to do spiders for fall and everyone wants pumpkins, now I have spider shirts everywhere. What if nobody likes it? That type of thing is the hardest for me.

Q: What motivates you to keep going?

Tina: My motivation is when I do jump out there and make things and people flock to them and snatch them up.Just today I was taking in some bow holders and before they were even out, she was grabbing one. The other is my family. They may second guess what I am doing or why but when it is all said and done they are my biggest promoters. Especially the kids. Sometimes that can be embarrassing. But always in the best of ways.

Q: Do you have any advice for other women wanting to start their own business or ones who have just begun?

Tina: Do what you like to do but Love what you do. It should be a passion. Take a chance on that product or design that you are unsure of. You may not be in love with it but someone will be. Don’t stop! It is a slow process. Some do jump right in and make it big but the majority of people don’t. Do not be fooled by those that say it is nothing. It is your life and you have to dedicate yourself to it. It is your job. You may not get fired but when you have no customers…you’re fired. If you stay focused on the big picture you will win. I told my son today that nothing in life worth having comes easy. The harder you work for it, the more rewarding it is in the end. KEEP GOING!

Q: Tell me about you - hobbies, favorite things, etc.

Tina: My hobbies are: being a craft junkie. If they have made it, I have the tools and supplies for it…well no I don’t… I have not made my own glass beads…yet. Every summer I give the girls a summer project. We made lotions and lip balms last summer. This summer it was soaps. The 8 year old got her first sewing machine so that is fun to show her new things and seeing her try to come up with things and “patterns” on her own. I love to sew and create different things. I would be rich if I could patent every thought that crossed my mind. I love to watch the sun come up on the beach, the world waking up. I like to watch the sunset over water. I love puppies and babies. I love my job. I teach preschool. I love children. But I have to say that my most passionate thing to do is spend “nothing” time with my family, that is more valuable than anything. Nothing meaning we don’t have to do anything, we can sit and do nothing. Those are the memories that will take us through life.

Q: Do you have a discount you would like to offer the readers?

Tina: They can get 15% off using the code MSBIZ.

Thank you, Tina, for being this week’s Ms. Biz!  Please stop by and visit Tina at The PolkaDot Frog Boutique.

Growing Green in Your Home Biz Doesn’t Have to Start with Solar Panels!

Guest Blogger - Jennifer Smith, Eco-Office Gals

Sure it would be nice to have them, I would love to never see another electric bill.  However, solar panels are probably as far down on your “Green To Do” list as they are mine.  Chances are you’re a parent, maybe a spouse, you’re probably part of the mass sea of middle class that is just trying to keep their power bill current in an economy that is ripping you to shreds.  Am I right?  If so, stop trying to Go Green and start Growing Green!

Find ways to grow green that are not only cheap or even free, but may actually put some money back into your wallet.

Try this mini-challenge to grow your business green:

Go Paperless!

• Stop printing ebooks, emails & enewsletters!  Challenge yourself to not even turn your printer on for one full work week!  You’d be amazed at how mindless many of us have become when it comes to hitting the print button.

• Buy a reusable coffee filter basket, a nice looking coffee cup and a fresh ground bag of organic free-trade coffee, your wallet and the trees will thank you!

• Create a web site!  There are several low-cost or free ways to get your information to the world electronically - check into it.  It amazes me how many local businesses do not have a web sites.  More and more potential customers are turning to the web to research local businesses before they spend the gas to visit them.  Use your online presence to let your customers know you are worth the visit!

Take the time to look around your home business and see where you can make small, cheap changes to GROW your business green.  Every step DOES count and you CAN make a difference!

Jennifer Smith owns two online businesses SCAeAdmin & Eco-Office Gals.  As a Green VA she strives to grow small businesses green by providing eco-alternatives to their administrative needs.  Through Eco-Office Gals she provides eco-resources for supplies, gifts, cleaners and more to furthur assist you in growing your business green.