The true unadorned truth about becoming a work at home shopkeeper "Wanna-A-Be!"

A few months ago, I accidentally found the Cafepress.com site as I was deleting the porn collection from my son's computer. Guess he must have gotten side-tracked a bit and found Cafepress! (Somebody must have some really juicy keywords working very well! Wonder if I can borrow them?)

As I was scoping out the sight looking for the airbrushed pictures (Sorry guys, but it's true) of naked women that my dearly departed son had collected (No, I didn't kill him ... just maimed him a little), I took the needed break to read and analyze the marketing concept of Cafepress. I was hooked!

Immediately, I ran to my "porn-free" computer and started out on the adventure of my life! Honestly ...this Domestic Goddess was looking for a little more excitement than making beds, cleaning the cat's litter box, and the unsatisfying emotional rewards that scrubbing toilets offered.

Now most rational people would assume that you'd need some tiny degree of computer knowledge before embarking upon such an adventure. But due to the un-debatable fact that I am a stubborn lady and anything but rational, I didn't let that stop me. No sir-e-e-e!

I threw up (no, not vomited) a few designs and sat back waiting for the millions to roll in! I sat and waited, I sat and waited some more, nothing happened except my butt going numb. What could possibly be the problem as the world should be knocking at my shop door?!

Finally in desperation of the self-seeking validation of my talented efforts (and because my butt had turned blue due to lack of circulation), I decided to check out the Cafepress Message Board forum. Honestly, I thought it was an arena to send a message to the Cafepress staff on how to deliver the bounty from my world shaking t-shirt and gift designs!

Upon reading hundreds of postings from folks all over the world, I soon discovered I was not only in the dark, but the lights had gone out and nobody was at home in my approach. Ya'll (from Tennessee, get over it!) will understand when I say that all the folks in the forum were talking about SEO, HTML, KEYWORDS, etc. I had no clue what those were, so I ran out to my local bookstore (Yes, folks in Tennessee do read) and approached the ten year old clerk of the store asking for books on the topics.

"Excuse me young lady, do you have any books on Sex Equals Opportunity, and How To Make Love internet books?" After all, I did find Cafepress in my son's porn collection!

Once I explained what I was trying to find and the laughter subsided (about an hour), she loaded me up with every Dummies and Idiot books she could find. Then we all prayed over them, I paid the bill and took my leave in red-faced embarrassment.

I am happy to report that I now know that PC is not an abbreviated term for "pretty cute" and a few "good shoppers" have actually bought and paid for my wares! (Applause, applause) Miracles never cease!

The moral of the story is (Bet you thought we'd never get there!), the world is made of many people just like myself (Heaven forbid!) and you may find yourself feeling like I did when I hit the wall of setting up a "work at home" internet business. But hang in there, the light bulb will switch on (mine's ten watts) and eventually illuminate your way to fame and fortune. Okay, okay ...a tiny little fame and teeny fortune.

Working at home offers the hope of unspoken dreams for many folks. Are they attainable? Yes, but not without the work it takes to make any dream come true. Hang in there and keep at it. (Hey, I'm not throwing in the towel anytime soon - but I might have to launder it!)

Just send up a flair for help on the internet and knowledgeable folks will come running to help you with all the marketing and website promotional information you could possibly need. Just remember to get out of the house once in awhile and enjoy the world we live in.

Gotta' run and filter my son's computer as he's been looking especially happy the last few days. That rubber smile is a dead giveaway!

Keep the faith and hang in there. Hey, if I can do it ... anyone can do it!