A little over 10 years ago, I decided to start a business. The idea was to leave the 9-5 and be available for my children. I took the time to attend classes for small buisness including those on marketing and writing business plans.

Family means everything to me; being an on time parent was essential in starting my business. I wanted to take the time to learn everything needed to have a profitable business. Yet, time had other plans for me. My business, C.K.Q. Gifts was established in February of 1999, because my youngest child became seriously ill and I had to abruptly leave the workforce.

I do not regret considering my children first; they are my small business why!

The passion you have inside keeps you motivated to move to the next step. My focus was on where I wanted to be in those three young lives in their future, not just in their present. It was not about buying a multi-million dollar house or driving in cars we couldn't afford. It was about two young boys and two young girls looking back over their lives and saying 'YES, my mom was there for me.'

The passion and drive that starts a business helps build a business as well. I searched (and am still searching) for new and inventive ways to keep money flowing. WHY? Those three children are now middle school aged, high school football players and college students. The 'WHY' hasn't changed; now it is the 'HOW' to leave behind a business (or businesses in my case) that my children can run with the same passion if they so choose.

Family (the people that live IN your house) should be important to you. They should be your small business, or even ministry WHY. What you do FOR them will help them do FOR others. They learn a valuable lesson about considering others as well as building for themselves.

I would never change why I started my business(es) and why I keep pushing along until I am a millionaire. My children might be adults with their own kids but the small business Why is still the same!