Family Based Businesses

When we made the decision to work towards a family-centered homesteading lifestyle, our family did it without having money in the bank. However, we did have the advantage of not having much debt. We had paid off credit card debt and paid off our car payment and had begun to learn to live on a small income after my husband lost his high paying, salary position.

~ branches on our front porch, to be cut into toys and hangers

As a result, we did not have money to invest in our handcraft business and we certainly did not want to go into debt to build our business. We did not have a workshop, very few tools and no money to invest in advertising. We simply made-do and worked daily seeking local and online outlets to sell our natural toys.

~ my knitting projects on our phone/laptop counter in the kitchen, overlooking the living area

~even now while we just put a foundation in under our home, we still would like to frame in a workshop... here are some of the tools on our enclosed front porch

We have been blessed with a thriving, growing business. We will never have lots of money, but that is not our goal. Our goal is to live and work together, to work with environmentally friendly materials, and to provide quality, affordable toys that children will enjoy. In the process we have "branched" out to offer products for the home made of tree branches or knit with wool.

~ Abraham helping to fill a hand crocheted bag with branch building blocks

I want to share with you the story of another family that has similar goals. Suzy at Hip Mountain Mama is a sweet, talented woman with a beautiful family. You can read about her story here.


Warm wishes.