Overly Sensitive?

[MyAngels]

I probably would not have been offended, but I would have taken the opportunity to find out what she meant and maybe educate her a bit about your business. Maybe they only accept brick and mortar businesses and not home based?

It takes a lot to offend me, so I'll probably be in the minority. Hubby just says I'm clueless when people are being rude

[Thriftylady]

I probably would not have been offended, but I would have taken the opportunity to find out what she meant and maybe educate her a bit about your business. Maybe they only accept brick and mortar businesses and not home based?

It takes a lot to offend me, so I'll probably be in the minority. Hubby just says I'm clueless when people are being rude

LOL my hubby tells me I take things the wrong way to often.

[Josiegirl]

I wouldn't have been offended unless her tone came off as 'you're not good enough' KWIM? But I would hope I would've extended the conversation to find out exactly what she meant. I'm always in a quandary as to whether we're self-employed or we own a business or is it both?

[childcaremom]

U aren't overly sensitive. She could have been much nicer about it.

When I looked for outside jobs, no one would hire me because my childcare was not a "real" job. Um yes it was. I owned it, carried a license, did CEU's, paid taxes, did everything just like everyone else in a "real" job.

Luckily the company I am with now, LOVED the fact that I knew what it takes to run a business. I had an interview and was hired, and 3 years later, still here!

So, there are good reputable people that think your job is real (because it is) and then those snoots who don't

I have always been self-employed and had the same problem last year. Couldn't find a job for the life of me because of my lack of work experience. Pfft. Ran 2 businesses from my home with 4 kids. Graduated from university (with 4 kids at home) and while running a business. Pfft. I could have ran circles around them. I think I could handle answering a phone and scheduling appointments.

[DaveA]

Maybe they only accept brick and mortar businesses and not home based?

That was my thought, although she could have phrased it WAY better. Our town doesn't have one, but the business association in the next town over just started taking home based business to "reflect the changing business environment".

I'm always in a quandary as to whether we're self-employed or we own a business or is it both?

We're both- We're self employed because we own and operate our own business.

As for the "real job" thing, service and trade jobs have always been dumped on, ours included. Many posts on here are some variation of "my job isn't appreciated". A big part of the problem anymore is so few people can actually produce anything tangible and so many work at jobs that have no "real" (as in something visible you can touch) output. I'm stunned how many of my neighbors can't sharpen a kitchen knife and ask me to show them how to do it. It becomes very easy to classify something you have to hire done as "lesser" or "not as important" as your career.

[Blackcat31]

I probably would not have been offended, but I would have taken the opportunity to find out what she meant and maybe educate her a bit about your business. Maybe they only accept brick and mortar businesses and not home based?

It takes a lot to offend me, so I'll probably be in the minority. Hubby just says I'm clueless when people are being rude

My DH says the same thing to me. But I don't think it has anything to do with being clueless to people's rudeness but it has more to do with me not being willing to acknowledge it or give it any attention. If someone has a bad attitude or is rude, its THEIR issue to deal with not mine and I refuse to allow someone else's behavior affect my day.

So not at all clueless but rather a CHOICE to not acknowledge.

I don't know why. I just have never really respected the career choice. Now,I LOVE my own stylist...I am not trying to put anyone down-I know that some can make great money doing it. I just actually never really respected the career, and I can't say why. When I hear "cosmetologist", I think of someone who didn't want a "real" job. Same as what some people hear when they hear that I have a daycare. Maybe it's because I have known so many cosmetologists who are just immature and irresponsible (because most of them are young-I know FEW who don't quit after a few years-it's HARD work). I KNOW that they all aren't. I have family members and 2 friends who do this. It's just a feeling I get when I hear their job. I'm not putting the career choice down (though I KNOW it looks that way when I type it), I'm just saying that my gut reaction is "not a real job". I apologize to anyone who I offended-I know that the men and women in that profession work hard, and that they are not all as I stereotype them (I swear, it's just a knee-jerk reaction when I hear the job title-I don't hate everyone in the field).

I think this has to do with the era/generation one grew up in...

I know I have felt the same way when someone said they were going to "cosmetology school"
All the girls I went to school with that went to cosmetology school were the type that probably wouldn't ever have gone to college but didn't want to be SAHM's so they cut hair.

Reminds me of Frenchy from Grease and "Beauty School Drop Out" ::

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=beauty+school+drop+out&FORM=VIRE2#view=detail&mid=35BEDDC710FE9378FC4335BEDDC710FE9378FC43

I am aware that many cosmetologist make GREAT money and work hard, long hours. I am also aware that they are required to have on-going education and trainings and that it's not a job that just anyone can do (unlike daycare in some cases ) but while I was growing up and careers and jobs were discussed, cosmetology school was always the choice for those not wanting a college degree. (2 or more years) and was more or less viewed as a job that required only a "certificate" verses a degree.

I know it's all just wording and that those words probably don't have the same definitions now that they did but I "think" I understand where Leigh is coming from because growing up, the "stereotype" she mentions was similar for me.

NOT trying to offend anyone with anything I said....just trying to expand on the thought process and/or point she mentioned.

[childcaremom]

It seems sort of similar to my dh, who is a carpenter. He went to college for 2 years, did his apprenticeship, and is a Red Seal.

Anyone can pick up a hammer and call themselves a carpenter but he has actually taken courses and has certifications for it. (Much like the daycare profession, at least in my area.)

It is a constant battle for him to get paid his worth and he is frustrated by it a lot.

Someone mentioned the home based business aspect... I think that could very well be an important distinction.

Whoever mentioned contacting the association... I think you should start there. Approach them in a very open manner (and professional) and ask for what distinctions they are looking for in a business to be a member.

There may be other associations you can join. There are a few here and each one has different criteria.

[Thriftylady]

It seems sort of similar to my dh, who is a carpenter. He went to college for 2 years, did his apprenticeship, and is a Red Seal.

Anyone can pick up a hammer and call themselves a carpenter but he has actually taken courses and has certifications for it. (Much like the daycare profession, at least in my area.)

It is a constant battle for him to get paid his worth and he is frustrated by it a lot.

Someone mentioned the home based business aspect... I think that could very well be an important distinction.

Whoever mentioned contacting the association... I think you should start there. Approach them in a very open manner (and professional) and ask for what distinctions they are looking for in a business to be a member.

There may be other associations you can join. There are a few here and each one has different criteria.

I may do this. As far as others to join, not really our village has a little over 3000 residents, so there isn't the call for to many things like this. It isn't a big deal I guess really, I am just looking for ways to get more exposure.

[childcaremom]

I may do this. As far as others to join, not really our village has a little over 3000 residents, so there isn't the call for to many things like this. It isn't a big deal I guess really, I am just looking for ways to get more exposure.

Have you thought about a networking organization? There is one here and they have guest speakers come in with really diverse expertise and it's a great way for exposure.

You could even start your own in all your spare time

One thing I wish we had is a home daycare provider network.... I have a few provider friends that I chat with but often think it would be nice to get together now and again and share ideas, blow off steam, etc.