How to Get Back Home
I am here today with Robert and Theresa Gould to learn about their journey from the “everyday work world” to the world of working from home. Faith and Family Books was founded and is run by the Gould family. What is Faith and Family Books? The name itself says something of the company. However, we are going to delve a bit deeper today. As any company is a reflection of those who run it, we are going to learn about the lives behind the business.
Robert, please introduce us to the Gould family:
Theresa is my wife of 12 years. Our six children from oldest to youngest are Robyn (9), Rebecca (7), Naomi (6), Jeremy (4), Jonathan (3), Adelaide (7 months).
How did you come to the decision to begin a home business?
The vision is for all of us to work together in the family business. We desire to train our children up in the ways of the Lord. In order for me, as the head of the home, to rise up, walk and talk to our children daily (Deuteronomy 6:5-9), I need to be with them. Working outside of the home hindered my being with them.
It is interesting that you responded with the fact that “we” wanted to start a home business, not just referring to yourself. So, this has been a team effort from day one. Wonderful! How did you decide what business was a good fit for your family and your skills? Robert?
Well, we love books, and it is easier to sell something you love. It is much more difficult to sell a product you do not love or know. Most of our extra money goes into books. We have also instilled a love for books in our children, making them a valuable asset to our business because they know and value our product.
Theresa?
Robert has been in the retail business for 26 years, so his skills in inventory, purchasing, ordering, receiving, packing, and shipping are transferable to the book business.
That is a great combination of passion for your product and the practical skills needed to make it a reality. Where did the idea for the name Faith and Family Books come from, Robert?
Actually, Theresa came up with the name. Theresa . . .
Yes, I came up with it about a year before we actually went ahead with the idea. I wanted the name to include our faith and the idea that we are about families.
Theresa, what is the goal, or mission, if you will, of Faith and Family Books?
Originally, we started out selling just Lamplighter Books. Our intention was to share them with others. We love Lamplighter Books. They are stories set through all of history that teach godly character while exemplifying the Christian home. Since they inspired, encouraged and challenged our family ~ that is where “ Literature to Strengthen and Encourage Your Faith” came from ~ we thought others would love to hear about them, too. However, we have since branched out into books on pregnancy and pregnancy loss. We have also added home-made doll slings to our product list and have other prospective products on the horizon. Our goal is to provide God-honoring literature that encourages families to read together and build wholesome, God-fearing homes.
Theresa, you mentioned, “Literature to Strengthen and Encourage Your Faith.” Is that Faith and Family’s motto?
Yes, it is.
Robert, what motivates you to stay at a task as monumental as starting your own home business?
The goal of bringing me home and having a family business keeps us to the task. That is what keeps us going.
Theresa, what would you say has been your greatest challenge in making Faith and Family Books a reality?
Learning how to build our customer base and getting our name known have been the greatest challenges. Robert working full-time and having six young children certainly add to those challenges and are reminders of how dependent we are on the Lord.
Robert, what effect has this journey toward working from home had in your life?
I would have to say, without a doubt, definitely, sanctification. It is just that I had a plan in my mind of how things ought to be. I set deadlines and they never panned out. The Lord just seems to be showing me that I do not know what is best and that He is the one in control, not me. It is humbling.
Robert, what effect has it had on the life of your family?
It has drawn us closer together. The older children have loved helping out at the conferences we have attended.
Theresa?
We can see it has drawn our hearts to one another, even though it does not always seem so on a daily basis. J
Robert, have you been able to structure Faith and Family Books as a family business and, if so, how?
Yes, the children help by counting books, putting business cards in books as they come in, getting boxes and bubble wrap, as well as attending conferences. Our oldest daughter sold quite a few books at our state home school conference this past spring. I inventory, purchase and order the books, and work at conventions, along with other administrative tasks. Theresa answers emails and manages the office, basically.
Out of all you have learned thus far in your home business experience, what are three helpful hints you would give to those considering the option of starting their own home business? Robert?
Pray. Pray. Pray.
That’s the best foundation. Theresa?
Know the market you are interested in and avoid debt.
Great advice! Robert, do you have another one?
Know the needs of the customer you are trying to reach.
In closing, what word of encouragement do you have for our readers in whatever challenge they may find before themselves? Robert, what encouragement do you have for the men with us today?
Seek the Lord, first and foremost. Pray continually. And finally, listen to your wives. They tend to see things or think of things that we men would never come up with on our own.
Theresa, what word do you have for the ladies?
If the Lord has called you to become an entrepreneur or your husband is one, have patience, even more so if he is cautious. One of the things that I have found difficult is waiting for my husband’s input or the final decisions that really only he can make. He is cautious and it takes him time to mull things over and pray before making a final decision. Whereas, I usually want to do it and get it done. Other times I can be just as cautious. Also, much patience is needed in waiting for the Lord to build your customer base and finding ways to introduce folks to your business. If you are building a new business, it will not be profitable overnight. Something we were told in the beginning, but did not really sink in until we heard it again in Vision Forum’s Entrepreneurial Boot Camp messages, was "do not expect immediate results." It takes time. Pray about everything. The Lord knows every detail and is much wiser than we are.
Thank you for the encouragement and giving us the time to get to know you. May the Lord bless you as you seek to honor Him. Faith and Family Books can be found at
www.faithandfamilybooks.com
. Be sure to drop by any time!
This article was written by Mrs. Joseph Ortega. She resides in Northern Illinois with her treasured husband of over 20 years and their five dear children.
She enjoys writing when the Lord affords her the time.
© Copyright 2002-2007 by LAF/BeautifulWomanhood.org
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