Melissa Cowan

11 years ago, I worked for a Mental Health organization, first a Case manager for the Chronically Mentally Ill (Folks with BiPolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders), then I became the program director for a Drop in Center, a place that these same people could come to have fun, learn about their illnesses and empower themselves to take charge of their illness.

I got pregnant with my son and was able to quit my job and stay home with him, which for me was a dream come true. At age 3, I began home schooling him with a formal curriculum (I already worked with him extensively before that).

I was home with him for eight years until my and husband divorced. I was frantic wondering how on earth I would provide for my son. For the next two years I worked very hard getting my Masters of Education through the University of Phoenix Online. I graduated last November with a 3.91 GPA, but have only entered a classroom as a substitute teacher. I have discovered in myself that I would rather teach people who take education seriously and treat it as a privilege, not as a right or as something they are forced to do.

During the separation from my husband and subsequent divorce, I worked part-time for a karate school through which I was training. In July of last year, my boss told me, without any warning, that he could pay me for one more week and then after that I had no job. Even though I was only making $8 an hour and only working about 27 hours per week, I was devastated! For two years that had been the income I counted on to provide for my son and me. It wasn't much, but it was steady and I could take my son with me to work (which was definitely worth the lesser pay!). I was also still trying to get through school at the time and a part time job was about all I could handle with this responsibility. This hit me hard! My confidence was shattered, I was terrified, and I didn't know where to turn at first.

After the initial months of panic and finishing school, I decided to calm down, take a deep breath and give my dream of running a home business from my computer (my best friend - aside from Jesus and my son) a try. I knew that if I wanted to be able to be there for my son and eventually home school him again as a single mother that this was my most viable option.

Through an education program called Professional Marketing International, I created my first website - SnugglyWarm.com, through which I sell heated and cooling memory foam mattresses and mattress pads. I consider this website to be my baby, but I haven't sold nearly as many as I need to, mainly due to my lack experience and knowledge in internet marketing (the economy doesn't help either).

So, here I am, beginning a new step on my journey for a successful home business. My "WHY" is to be able to travel the world with my son and get back to home schooling him along the way! He is my reason, and with God's help and hard work on my part, my dream WILL come true!!!