Elaine Garrett

Back in Action

Hi! I’m Elaine Garrett. A few short months ago I was a retired “you- name-it.” I’ve worked as a business writer and features writer for newspapers, been continuity director for a radio station, editor of a trade journal, a community event planner, owner of two businesses, a university student advisor and even an MLM associate!

How is that possible? Well for 21 years our family traveled the world with my husband, a US Air Force careerist. We moved eleven times in 21 years.

Last winter, at 62, I was looking forward to my first Social Security check.

Then, the unthinkable happened. Our thirty-something daughter, a professional counselor, was no longer able to work. She had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago. Her condition continued to deteriorate to the point she remains in bed 18 hours or more a day.

Unmarried, she has a house payment and car payment.

She decided to see if she could earn money from home operating an internet business. She paid $6,100, a third of her savings, to an online company that promised much and did nothing.

By the time we realized she had been scammed, her money was in their hands and she had nothing.

Granny Un-Retires

 I used the skills I had relied on as a reporter to track the culprits down. The owner of record lived in one state. His business was incorporated in different state. We lived in yet another state.

We soon learned that even though the number one complaint received at state prosecutors’ offices across the country is internet fraud there was nothing they could do.

I learned, too, that our daughter is not alone and education is no protection against the practiced huckster.

So I decided to build a website to warn potential victims about the pitfalls of starting an internet business.

Much to Learn; Much to Share

My previous internet experience consisted of research, email and mmorpgs. Having drifted for seven years in retirement, it took awhile to get used to setting deadlines for myself again and sticking to them.

Probably the biggest challenge to maintaining a schedule is learning to prioritize. The internet is a smorgasbord of “secret systems” and “insider tips” for making money from home.

I decided to make my website a diary of useful information that I have learned and continue to learn from Mike Dillard and others who share extraordinary knowledge.

Since creating my first page in April, I’ve added dozens of low and no-cost resources for small business owners trying to make a living off the internet.

Hopefully, the 50+ visitors who reach my site each day take something away of value that helps them achieve their goals economically and without stumbling into the mire of online fraud.

And yes, I even discovered an MLM out there that fits perfectly with my desire to protect our assets and help others keep theirs safe too!

Here are some published projects that may be of use to you.

1.  Is the MLM business model right for you? What is really involved in achieving online success? Take a tour of http://www.personal-business-protection.org/MLMOnline.html Not to worry. The information is unbiased and I don't push my own MLM.

2.  Find more free marketing ideas for any internet business model in my mini tutorial http://www.personal-business-protection.org/WebMarketing101.html .

3.  What is leadership and how does it affect your long term success? Check out http://www.personal-business-protection.org/SuccessBookClub.html .

4.  What are 8 features common in all successful businesses? Read my report at http://www.squidoo.com/8FactorsinaSuccessfulHomeBusiness

5.  Short on time? Stop trying to do it all yourself. Consider outsourcing your http://www.squidoo.com/customwebsitemanagement  (For established business owners).